Working at getting along:

Like many of you, I've been thinking about the increasing polarization of our culture.  The casualties of the culture war, that has been raging cold and hot for some time now, are relationships.  Often on one side are those who won't give an inch, because it may lead to losing a mile.  They face-off against those who demand not only tolerance, but heart acceptance--or at least a publicly acceptable synthetic version thereof.  I've been doing some reading and thinking about alternatives--are there any? what are they?
Some of you may find these articles thought provoking as well.  I welcome your thoughts.

Here is an article recently posted on Patheos.  I appreciate that the author is trying to sort it out.  I fear that in our zeal to maintain Biblical absolutes, we conservative Evangelicals too quickly allow our positions on issues to harden and then we label them as absolutes.  Maybe, maybe not.  I'm saying there aren't absolutes; I absolutely believe there are; I'm just saying that we shouldn't be so eager to label all our conclusions as such.  Let's think and talk a bit.  When you read this article be sure to click on the links at the beginning to previous articles.  Also, if you are familiar with Andrew Marin, or the Marin Foundation, (much of the article is written by Marin) I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Would Jesus Fight a Legal Battle Against Same Sex Marriage?  Timothy Dalrymple

The statement, below, which has been making the rounds on Facebook, etc., by Rick Warren, reminds me of a recent conversation I had with someone struggling to maintain a relationship across the "Gay Divide."  If one side doesn't require that every conversation has to include a condemnation of homosexuality and the other side does not demand a surrender of honestly held sexual prohibitions, and if both sides will attempt to leave hypocrisy at the door, maybe people who love each other can find ways to get along.  Or maybe me and Pastor Warren are just Naive.

“Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.”  (Rick Warren)

Steve Cornell is a thinker, a Biblical thinker.  I appreciate his thoughts.  He is not a Johnny-come-lately to this conversation.  His stuff is worth reading.  Here are three recent posts that I have appreciated:

New Pope fails litmus test

Responses to My Sunday Column

The Marriage Debate

Can We All Get Along?

Here is a post I offered on this blog, about a well known preacher's (He is not alone.) public announcement of a change of view on homosexual marriage.
This one reveals that I'm somewhat conflicted on this.  I figure I'm not alone.

Maybe some of this will help generate, or continue, some profitable discussion.

As I say on the other blog, "It's Something To Think About."

Rob Bell, Gay Marriage, and me

The following article contains somewhat of an announcement of Rob Bell's acceptance of Gay marriage.  No surprise, there.  I think the direction of Bell's leaning has been clear for some time.  Brian Orme comments on that in the article.
The article also asks a worthwhile question.  "What does this have to do with me?"
Probably more than I think--or want.
Ironic, when I saw this article I was dealing with this issue.  My world may be small, but it is the world.

http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/166294-why-rob-bell-s-view-on-gay-marriage-matters.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=clnewsletter&utm_content=CL+Daily+20130319

Church attendance (non-attendance) and Sunday Sports:

I can have a really good conversation with myself on this subject.  All I need to do is record what I say about it one time and then respond to it on another day.  I have made statements similar to this one, just not as well stated:  "And, frankly, it’s a not a bad thing for the Church to stand on its own, apart from cultural props. I don’t want the Church to be dependent on the world to say Church is important."  (Keith Anderson) I have often paraphrased a colleague of mine, Chris Cobb, who pastored in Covington years ago, "When Christianity is no longer tax-deductible, we'll know who the true followers of Christ are."  On the other hand I was a recent visitor in a church where the pastor inserted a strongly worded segment on travel-sports-teams into his sermon.  I found myself saying "Amen!" at least under my breath.

Both from the viewpoint of how we see church and culture, and concerning public-relations, this is a worthwhile article to read and discuss.
I'd rather not have the conversation with myself.  :)

http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/164281-keith-anderson-pastors-stop-complaining-about-sunday-morning-sports.html?p=1

Truth we very much need to hear from the Apostle John: An overview of 1 John

Recently I shared my interactions with 1 John.  John gives us answers to the question, "How can I know if I am right with God?"

I encourage you to listen.

TruthCasting - Covington Bible Church - Covington, VA - Overview of 1 John

Planning to be Kind. Be purposeful.

A young, very young, friend of mine is looking forward to a project on her 35th birthday.  Here is a cut-&-paste from her FB page.  If you are a FBer you can go there.  No doubt the list will grow.  Lot's of great ideas for showing kindness.  At least one I plan to plug into my life.

Kristan Brown

So, I am turning 35 in June. How did that happen?? Anyway, on my birthday I am going to try to do 35 random acts of kindness. I have started a list of things to do, like take cookies to fire/ems/police, fill the washers with coins at a laundromat, take a meal to someone in need, pay for someones food in the drivethru, etc. I have got to come up with 35 things that can all be accomplished in one day. I am going to attach a card with some type of scripture on it, to hand out or leave where ever I do my acts. So, I am taking ideas and suggestions! What are some great random acts of kindness I can do on my birthday? Remember, I've got to get 35 done in one day! (How did I get so old, so fast?) :)

Like ·  · January 11 at 8:24am · 

• Amanda Cook and 17 others like this.
• 

  Gail Sizemore Alt Gets some cards and send them to people who need encougement and put a gosple track in them.

  January 11 at 8:29am · Like
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  Jordan Massie Thank every veteran that you see for their service  and share with them some Jesus!

  January 11 at 8:36am via mobile · Like
• 

  Laurie Fitzgerald Bag of random snacks and small water, a tract for someone less fortunate or in the hospital..we keep one in our car with a Life Book in it ..( http://thelifebook.com/). ... .left two with street guys in the Roanoke Park downtown recently and when we left, we saw one reading the Book! Amen! I'm sure your actions will encourage others!

  

  The Life Book Movement

  thelifebook.com

  Your Students give free Life Books to their classmates and watch God do His thing through His Word

  January 11 at 8:38am · Like
• 

  Lisa Bailey Marshall push carts to holding racks or back in store where perfectly capable people leave them to hit others cars...help someone load push out or load their groceries. This is one of my fav's to do. I turned 50 this year...and I am doing the one random act of kindness each day. Maybe its buying a co worker a soda or lunch...carts, take someone else

  January 11 at 8:45am · Like
• 

  Lisa Bailey Marshall chore for the day or week...i have a bunch of ideas

  January 11 at 8:45am · Like
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  Chrisi Rice Pay for someone's tank of gas or give them some amount of cash towards filling their tank.

  January 11 at 8:55am via mobile · Like · 1
• 

  Lisa Bailey Marshall pay for the next person purchase...i love doing this one too...it creates a chain reaction

  January 11 at 8:56am · Like · 1
• 

  Lisa Bailey Marshall if you see a neighbor raking leaves or shoveling snow...jump out there and help get it done

  January 11 at 8:59am · Like
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  Lisa Bailey Marshall let someone in line ahead of you, hold the door for someone, take someone supper for no reason, visit a nursing home, visit a elderly church member, invite them home for sunday dinner,....

  January 11 at 9:01am · Like
• 

  Amanda Steele Ginter what an awesome idea! love it!!! kind of like rackd at Christmas... heres a site of some ideas. mostly for Christmas but some you could do. lillightomine.com/light-em-up-2011.php

  January 11 at 9:05am via mobile · Like
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  Chrisi Rice And by the way... 35 is not old! (Especially to those of us who have already passed it!) LOL! 

  January 11 at 9:08am via mobile · Like
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  Kristan Brown Thanks for all of the ideas! They are great. It's going to be such a fun thing to do. And I know 35 isn't old, but goodness it just doesn't seem like I should be that "old"!! 

  January 11 at 9:10am · Like
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  Jaimy Broughman Ford What a beatiful idea! How about: Pick up any litter you see (I wish everyone did that!)

  January 11 at 9:12am · Like · 1
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  Brenda Jenkins Kristian I think that is a great idea. Good luck with coming up with 35 ideas.

  January 11 at 9:15am · Like
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  Cindy Helfrich I remember when you turned 30, I turned 25 and couldn't imagine 30. 

  January 11 at 9:41am via mobile · Like
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  Leah Rogin-Roper I guess when we're 70, 35 will look like being 16 does now. It's still hard to believe we're all growed up. If it's any consolation, I still picture you as an adorable, braces-wearing 16-year old.

  January 11 at 9:49am via mobile · Like · 3
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  Kimberly R. Harlow Wow what a great idea:) I will be 43 in June( not really sure how that happened either) but I love this!! What about buying diapers for a Mom yousee in a walmart!

  January 11 at 9:56am · Like
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  Alanna Lester That's awesome. I'll have to thank on that and get back to you.

  January 11 at 10:09am · Like
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  Deborah Kaye Ireson I love this kristian. I did this from thanksgiving to Christmas and wrote notes to random people telling them I was thankful for them. Remember school teachers who sometimes never get thanked.. Your trash man.. Your post man.. A note to your mom handwritten..you can do this with a little preparation what a wonderful way to share your birthday with others

  January 11 at 10:23am · Like · 1
• 

  Bridget Dunaway Hand out gift cards to a fast food place to random people. Our preacher did that for Christmas one year

  January 11 at 10:26am via mobile · Like
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  Michael Lomasney Take some food to a food pantry!

  January 11 at 11:00am · Like
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  Addison Ballard Pay for Addison's next car payment 

  January 11 at 11:27am via mobile · Like · 1
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  Angie Waldron That is an awesome idea. Someone mentioned it being inspirational and I agree. Just reading it has inspired me to do more for others- in Christ's name too. 
  
  You might stick a monetary amount with the note somewhere in a store. In between baby formula cans for instance (saw this on fb recently). Or give people coupons for items they are buying when they obviously don't have one in the checkout line. "Blessing bags" for the homeless. Give someone a coat and/or scarf on a cold day. Give your testimony to a nonbeliever- either in written form or verbally.
  
  I'll keep thinking and what a blessing. 

  January 11 at 11:35am via mobile · Like
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  Alicia Marie Brown Spangler Awesome idea...and what a great example!

  January 11 at 12:02pm · Like
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  Linda Ray Barlow What a great unselfish idea!!

  January 11 at 12:29pm via mobile · Like
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  Terry Patterson Give a bag of M&M's to your child's Sunday School teacher!

  January 11 at 12:49pm · Like · 3
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  Mari-Beth Halsey Koonce Very cool!!!

  January 11 at 12:58pm via mobile · Like
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  Kristan Brown Good try, Addison Ballard!  These are all very great ideas. I can't wait to do this. I think this will be my most fun birthday ever! I can't take credit for coming up with the idea - I read about someone else doing this somewhere on the internet - a blog or something - so I'm stealing their idea, since it was such a good one!

  January 11 at 1:18pm · Like
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  Lori Cook Come to my house...  your presence will be the best act if kindness for me!!!
  Love you! (Even if you are old! Hahaha)

  January 11 at 6:13pm via mobile · Like
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  Tonya Kay Jones What a blessing you will give to others on your special day!

  January 11 at 9:43pm · Like
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  Linda L Moore lil light o'mine blog has lots of random acts of kindness ideas in the Dec. section or under lite em up. I found this site linked with encouragement for today from crosswalk.com, a Christian site. the intent of lite 'em up was for families to do kind acts to teach their kids that Christmas is for giving. Have a great 35th! Of course, you could fill a shoebox & send it to Operation Christmas Child in Boone!

  January 12 at 1:19am · Like
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  Allison Roady Hicklin Come to my school and guest teach a math class! 

  January 12 at 11:43am via mobile · Like · 1
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  Kristan Brown Allison, I hope you aren't in school on June 13th! 

  January 12 at 2:15pm · Like · 1
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  J. Michael Palmer You will never be old do not worry about it......just do not try to do 63 random acts of kindness in one day.

  January 12 at 11:27pm · Like
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  Sirena Brown Take your neighbor's trash cans/recycling bins back down their driveway.

  February 1 at 10:53pm · Like
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  Linda L Moore I like Terry's idea-how about mailing a thank you card to your old Sunday School teacher, stick in a balloon or some gum.

  17 minutes ago · Like