Thinking Out Loud

I am trying to wrap my brain around the strange comments my youngest, newly minted 21 year old made last Sunday night, and the time before---these comments about how his drunk-for-a-roommate feels threatened by us, Ben's folks.

I have only met this guy once. I am sure he has listened to Ben for two years describe his life with us. So, why would he be reluctant to eat out with us, and why would he tell Ben that he is afraid he'd get in a fight with Ben's Dad, Bob?

Why are we a threat?

What have we done to Ben's roommate to be such poor testimonies?

We were sad to see Ben pick such a roommate because joining with a reprobate usually pulls you down. It is usually a losing battle to join with a reprobate in order to "help" or "improve" them. Something about the lowest common denominator.

Reading Gagdad Bob over at One Cosmos has triggered some possibilities. His Monday post is interesting.

But, thinking out loud: do criminals feel threatened in and around policemen?? As well they should. As a law abiding citizen, I have viewed policemen as my friend, and the percentage of corrupt policemen to be very low or residing mostly in Juarez. As a miss-goody-two-shoes, my pride in following the rules turns to pride when I look down my nose at those who find the rules restricting or ruining their fun. I see a good reason for the laws of the land, and the rules of the game. But, if the new administration decides to pass a law that says right is wrong and wrong is right, then I will have to be a rebel. I answer first to God, the Creator and Ruler Supreme. And there is an evil in the land which seeks to destroy God's given order of free will, marriage, family and nation.

As Christians, is it our job to be "nice" to evil? Will the enemy get to us by showing us shrill about certain important yet further down the list of what is to be our focus?

Jesus died for the sins of the world. Even--and especially, mine.

Jesus said He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE and NO ONE comes to the Father except through Jesus. We trust in Jesus as our Savior. Our desire is to daily obey, learn about, and do His will for our lives. Part of our mission is to lay out the good news to the world. This can be as simple as, hey, have you heard what Jesus did on the cross and did you know that Jesus is not dead? Jesus rose from the dead, and wants us to spend eternity with Him. We had this problem of sin, and Jesus took our place, and died for all our sins, just like He promised and someday He is coming back to set everything right.

God has a plan. God gave us the Bible which explains that plan and who and what He is. God loves us, but set up certain institutions, laws, and commandments so that man would not destroy themselves. Even as a loving parent watches over their toddler 24/7, God watches over us in all the stages of our life individually, and as a nation. God desires us to honor Him, but He does not make us love Him. It is a choice. And since God put free will in motion, bad things do happen even to good people. God prevents some bad things, and allows some bad things. But, we trust in His knowing all and His plan where He knows best.

God said NO MURDER. God invented life, and desires that we all live out our lives, and enjoy His creation. God invented conception, and carefully knits together each and every baby in his mothers womb. That is God's way.

God invented marriage between one man and one woman. To say that marriage is anything else is a direct attack on God and His design. God said to honor father and mother, and do not covet anothers spouse nor stuff. It is that simple.

Your Will Be done, Lord. Please make us bold where it counts, and guard our lips when we muddy the waters and be drawn in to a distracting side issue. Please help us love the sinner, and hate the sin. Please make us a good testimony. Attractive and shiny to those who want to hear your good news, and your will be done to those who do not want to turn to You.

My sons in the military know that they are ready, willing and able to die if necessary to defend freedom---freedom of speech, and freedom to worship, and freedom to even disagree. How can I do less?