The Government works just like the Claw Machines - Both are rigged

I just realized that the claw machines found in the front of grocery stores work very much like the the US Federal Government. Both are rigged to promise goodies that aren't delivered and solutions to problems that seldom to never get fixed. Sure both the claw inside the machine makes an attempt but all too often the claw is too weak to grab the stuffed animal.

Elected politicians do the same thing, reaching for a solution to the poor economy, lack of jobs, racism, terrorism, lack of care at the VA. Voters put their quarters in the machine or votes for their representative. The claw comes down for the fix and it may grasp the solution temporarily only to drop it.

However, both the claw machine and the government does provide something. The claw grabs the stuffed bear and then drops the prize down the shoot to the player who is thrilled. Forget that he/she spent several dollars to win the inexpensive toy or trinket. Likewise the Federal Government actually does something like pass a helpful law. Elected representatives provide some pork for his/her constituents, yet, like the claw machine are few and far between.

Put another dollar's worth of quarters into the system and the claw will get the stuffed animal. Vote for the Democrats and Republicans again and this time they will actually get things done, except they don't. It's the 2016 presidential election and the machine is promising the goodies again.

Both the are machines and both are rigged.

My letter to the Editor of Fort Smith Arkansas Southwest Times Record

Dear Editor, 

    As an 1985 graduate from Southside High School, I never imagined our class' 30th anniversary would coincide with the recent Fort Smith Public School board's decision to rid our high school of our mascot, Johnny Reb and our fight song, Dixie. Perhaps it was an effort to cave to those political forces in our nation today in an effort to be perceived as good people to those wanting power and control and not symbolic olive branches.

   Those who bear an unquenchable anger about our nation's history and founding are emboldened by decisions like the one made by this school board. Actions of appeasement are a signal to grievance bullies to continue pushing political correctness and censorship on free individuals. 

   I would like the school board to understand that censorship is not civility. Furthermore, censoring the symbols of history dishonors those brave men and women that fought and died to preserve our precious God given rights and freedoms. Such actions taken so close to Independence Day are disturbing to me. What will the history of our nation look like once the disturbing and offensive parts are blotted out? 

   As a student, I played trombone in the Southside band at many football and basketball games. I can say racism was not even remotely part of the spirit for me or the vast majority of anyone else I knew. The Southside teams' name, the Rebels, and the song Dixie were rallying aspects of teamwork, excellence, friendship and school spirit:good qualities! Like the verse in Dixie; old times there, (at Southside High School) are not forgotten! 

   It is wrong to tie Southside with the horrific church massacre in South Carolina. The accused perpetrator, now in custody, is not an alumni of our school nor does he represent us. People of all races are mourning the deaths of those at that South Carolina church. 

   While there are good people with different views on this, I believe changing the mascot, fight song and identity of the school will be deeply hurtful to me and the many students who attended Southside High School. 

   My times at Southside were not always fun or enjoyable, yet I have good memories and friends from those years.

   I ask those serving on the school board to reconsider this decision. 

Michael Robinson 

Knippa, Texas 

Comment Debate with an Athiest

Recently, a person identifying as an atheist took issue with a comment I left on YouTube video many months ago, I have found that some atheists consider Christians and persons of other religions to hold believes which cannot be intellectually defended and thus are easy marks for an atheist ridicule.

I have found over the years one of the best ways to grow in my own faith is to ask hard questions and engage others who threaten to shake the foundations of my beliefs. I look forward to opportunities to engage others with different viewpoints as mine in order to sharpen my wit and exercise my ability to engage in critically reasoning pertaining to my religious beliefs.

For those atheist bullies out there wishing to kick the skeptical beach sand in my theological beliefs, I have found the best way to deal with them is to face them.

That being said,  The conversation I had with this atheist was respectful and generally civil in nature, He brought up some good points,

I will say it is difficult to keep track of the discussion on a YouTube comment section. It is easy to miss things and the written replies are easily missed.  I would have preferred holding the following conversation on an email platform.

In looking back on our debate, I regret not following through further with the teen pregnancy issue and offering more discussion about the possible connection between the poverty percentage states and religion. Yet as you can see below, the conversation we had was somewhat extensive.


Atheist: Yeah, and it turns out when we observe people in the world around us the religious people are the ones causing most of the harm.
  Especially by your own moral standards, go look up where the most porn is viewed in the United States, ironically it's the bible belt.  Or how about the states with the most teen pregnancy all very highly statistically populated by Christians.  Or the prison population in the U.S. mostly religious people, the amount of atheist that are incarcerated is minimal percentage wise.  I can keep going too, how about the divorce rate when you compare religious people to the non religious.. 
Me: 

Perhaps the reason atheists make up a minimal percentage of persons who are incarcerated is because atheists make up approximately 2.4% of the population in the US: http://pewrsr.ch/1gRaCXh
Let me regress a bit: You assert that the religious people in the world are causing the most harm.
Doctrines and beliefs of world religions vary greatly . I would assert a small number of  particular religions: ie: Radical Islam that are causing the most harm. However if one considers the murderous regime of Stalin under atheistic fascism to represent atheism, then I'm not sure what group- Islam or Stalin would win the prize for the most harm done in the world throughout history.
Interesting how you bring up my moral standards. Tell me, what do you know about them?
On the example of Christians watching porn, are you implying that being religious makes one morally better in some way?. I wish it were the case. Christians often fall to temptation sin and temptation. The hope a Christian has is to admit these shortcomings and strive to repent with the help of Jesus Christ.There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
 It is faith which saves a follower of Jesus, not works.

Regarding the Christian divorce rate: http://bit.ly/1jQH6Dh

Athiest: Ohh so you don't like it when the shoe is on the other foot?  I noticed you didn't mention teen pregnancy?

Me: Teen pregnancy or or sex outside of marriage is just a temptation to which some Christians yield. Sadly, It is part of the overall sin sick human condition. Again, Christians fall prey to sin and evil. Yet as Christians we are called to repent. People of faith are imperfect and depend on a perfect Savior Jesus Christ for redemption and salvation. Some realize the human condition is flawed and compromised by sin. 

Atheist:

You do recognize that the states with the highest teen pregnancy rates are also some of the most religious correct?  And the states that are less religious have far fewer teen pregnancy's.

Me:

I don't necessarily accept the premise you are offering. It would help if you could list the states you say have the highest teen pregnancy rates. Also, What does religiously correct mean anyway? Please define. There could be other factors such as the poverty in those states, high school graduation rates,  and many other factors besides "religiosity" behind those higher teen pregnancy rates. See:  http://bit.ly/1cyPe72

Athiest: You're correct, but the most impoverished states are also some of the most religious as well, meaning the majority of the population identify as Christian.

Me: Please provide a list of states to which you are referring. Again correlation does not necessarily indicate causality. 

Atheist: How about Arkansas or Kentucky. Why don't you go look it up as I suggested at first?

Athiest:  Here.

Top 10 states with highest teen birth rates:
Mississippi , New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nevada, Kentucky, Georgia.

Top 10 most conservatively religious states: Mississippi , Alabama , South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana  Utah , Arkansas, North Carolina, KentuckyOklahoma

Atheist: http://www.livescience.com/5728-teen-birth-rates-higher-highly-religious-states.html

Athiest:

It's so convenient that Christians can just repent, I actually find this act immoral because they use it as a loop hole so they can do whatever they want without accountability or consideration towards others. It doesn't matter what they do as long as god forgives them. All accountability to others goes out the window especially when it comes to the way they treat others outside of there own religion. It's like they think they have a free pass to be assholes to anyone and everyone. To me it's a huge joke, Christianity is not moral in my eye's it's divisive at best. It's down right harmful to society it's a plague to us all.

Me:

The type of repentance you describe, the loop hole kind comes from a misunderstanding of scripture and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

 It is called Cheap Grace and yes, it is indeed damaging and it also not how the process of true repentance works. Paul wrote about it in the book of
Romans:What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

I can see how those that are looking at professed Christians would be turned off by such behavior. Other Christians are turned off by it too. 

Repentance is humbling, often difficult and emotionally painful process. Amends must be made and  consequences if any accepted and forgiveness asked. Also someone who repents makes an honest effort to turn in another direction away from the sin or error. 

Atheist: 

I'm glad you brought poverty up as well, it only provides more evidence in my favor to support my position.
1. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and the U.S. Census Bureau would indicate a correlation between high levels of poverty and large concentrations of religious Americans. For instance, the Pew Forum lists Mississippi as the most religious state, with 82% saying religion is very important in their lives. The state also has the highest percentage of poor people in the country (20.8%).
 No. 2 in terms of poverty is Louisiana (17.6%), which ranks fourth on the religious scale. With the exception of Oklahoma, the rest of the top 10 most religious states are all found in the South: Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky. All of these states rank near the top for highest concentrations of poor people, ranging from 14.6% to 17.3%

Me: Thank you for the list of states and the link. I will review the material. No more time tonight though. Thank you for the lively discussion. 

Athiest: No problem. I was eating earlier when you asked me to do that. Sorry if I was initially grumpy, I get hangry sometimes. :D

 Have a good night!

Thanks same here, I forgot one more thing to add to that one list on poverty.
At the other end of the scale, New Hampshire, which has the lowest poverty level, also has the lowest percentage of citizens for whom religion is very important: 36% (when combined with Vermont). The second least religious state, Alaska, has the fifth lowest poverty rate.

Me: Oh, Ok! Have a good day. I read your link to the article. Will try to post a comment later. I'm getting ready for work. 

Atheist:

 I was doing some research here and it turns out Atheist are also more intelligent then Theist.  Atheist tend to be better critical thinkers and dismiss claims that are not rational (AKA) religion.
   I think a lot of it has to do with how people come to knowledge, many theist will say they came to knowledge by faith and we know that faith is belief without evidence.  Critical thinking goes out the window when you start using faith as a way of knowing things.
  If one examines how they obtained the knowledge of there belief I've found many people are very close to becoming Atheist.

IT looks to me like people are becoming less religious at this point in time in our part of the world. the data backs that up as well.
  http://priceonomics.com/america-is-becoming-less-religious-secular/  I don't know who these people are that you think are about to become religious, all the statistics say otherwise.  It seems +john hammond is right people aren't turning towards your religion they're turning away from it. 

Just to rubber stamp all that I can give you examples of religious leaders leaving as well.http://www.alternet.org/belief/5-religious-leaders-who-gave-faith-and-became-outspoken-atheists-and-agnostics
This is a really interesting site check this out the stories by people are an interesting read.http://clergyproject.org

Me:

So if I am reading correctly what you wrote it appears you are making the assertion that claims coming from a religious source are not rational. Also it appears your working definition of faith is belief without evidence. Correct? Also curious: how would you define evidence?

 It will be later this evening before I can read the material in your link. It appears you have used the term religious a number of times. What do you mean by the word religious? 

I do have one question for you. Do you equate disbelief with intelligence. Can some one have a attitude of disbelief without basing the disbelief on any reliable data, research and facts? Could an atheist mindset be based more on attitude than research or based on a false hypothesis. If that is the case, then is is possible that an atheist might be inclined to make a Type I or Type II error. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_I_and_type_II_errors
In reading the link you provided about Evidence, I noticed that the article states:"Evidence, broadly construed, is anything presented in support of an assertion."  The article goes on to mention the type of evidence (legal) Types of legal evidence include testimony, documentary evidence, and physical evidence. The parts of a legal case which are not in controversy are known, in general, as the "facts of the case."'I would assert that the documents, books and letters contained in the Bible and Pentateuch contains Testimony evidence, documentary evidence and even physical evidence- there are archaeologists who research archeological sites in the Middle East and have found physical evidence of the accounts of certain events written about in scripture.  Is the evidence conclusive? Perhaps not, but I think it is safe to say there is evidence and there are scholars both of the Jewish and Christian religions that study these things. 

Atheist: Yes, claims based on faith are not rational or reasonable. 

The way I see people using the word faith is as if it's a good epistemology and it's not.
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence  What do you mean?
  Religious: relating to or believing in a religion.

Me:

I am glad you clarified the working definition you are using for the word "faith". My working definition is somewhat different. I would explain faith as prescribed philosophical discipline followed for living rather than a means of revealing evidence or knowledge not currently known. In fact the word disciple is connected the word discipline. There are other religious disciplines such as Zen Buddhism. Have you ever read the Zen and Archery? I don't pretend have vast knowledge of Zen but the discipline clearly followings a prescribed philosophical parameters. Would you assert that Zen Buddhism is irrational? 

Athiest: I practice a form of Zen martial arts or Zen meditation. I have trained in martial arts for over 25 years.  You could say I'm an expert in these matters.

  Zen is a concept much like Chi in kungfu
 It's a form of meditation. It's not a way of attaining knowledge. 

Me: Very neat! I have a great respect for the Zen discipline. I sure you could teach me a thing or two about it. Likewise, my understanding of Christianity is more of a discipline than attaining knowledge. 

Athiest:

I was a christian for over 20 years as well, I grew up seeing all the big names in the 90's Ken Ham, Kent Hovind,Ray Comfort and many more. I've been on both sides of the coin you could say.
  When you say Christianity is a discipline for you, I get that.
However I would disagree that Christianity is a discipline, because you are using faith on some level to attain knowledge that a belief is true, wouldn't you agree?
  I think Christians need to be a lot more humble about there beliefs and stop proclaiming them as true without empirical evidence.

Zen is the art of going inward to attain peace ever your mind and body. Just think of the Yin-Yang that's Zen, it's about attaining balance. It's not a belief though, there is no belief required. 
  You can't tell me christianity isn't a system that requires beliefs, is that what your trying to say?

Me:

I would say Christianity does require a prospective disciple to reach a personal verdict based on the evidence presented in the books and letters contained in the old and new testament to be the "unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church Universal and God's word" to to that same person. Upon reaching a verdict, that person then freely decides whether or not to take on the yoke of discipleship of Jesus and obedience to Jesus and such as way of living is preferred over that persons default way of living. So yes, it does require belief but not based thin air but based on evidence that one is free to accept or not.

I would venture to say that someone committed to the art of Zen must have some belief in the existence of inward peace and balance and the belief that such a state can be achieved through study, meditation and discipline and such as state is preferred over that person's default way of living. Otherwise, why commit to it?

Athiest:

I'm not sure what you are trying to say about christianity? Are you saying the bible is evidence and people can choose to accept it or not? 
  We'll if that's what you're going by, why not follow all the other holy books as well?
  Just because a book say's something and people believe it, that doesn't make it true.
  You're comparing your religion to meditation I don't see any parallels.  One is a belief and the other is a physical practice nothing more it doesn't take belief it's just about relaxing basically.
  It's like comparing riding a bike to believing in Santa it doesn't even make sense.

Me:

The Bible is a collection of books and letters written by many authors within a time period of well over 1000 years.  http://www.everystudent.com/features/bible.html
I don't doubt there are other books and manuscripts of other faiths, yet can you name a comparable book writing over such a period of time by so many writers? I am not saying other books of faith do not have value or truths contained in them--They do.

It is true not everything written in a book is necessarily factual, but again, the Bible is a collection of books of the written by Jewish people and their ancestors. There exists and peculiar common thread pointing to the existence of God.  

Of course, one is free to not accept the evidence and testimony in the Bible. It's up to the each individual. As I pointed out earlier, I suspect those that flippantly dismiss profoundly historic documents are doing so because of attitude rather than scholarly research and evidence. 

Religious disciplines and ways of living often clash with the popular, if it feels good, do it hedonistic freedoms promoted by the secular worlds, so there is risk there. It has been said that Christianity is a hard, serious religion that requires a great deal from its disciples. 

I would say that Zen Buddhism is a lot more than just a way of relaxation. It requires much from those that practice it and yes, I think there is a belief component to it. Have you read Zen in the art of Archery? 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_in_the_Art_of_Archery

You are free to believe what you want to believe. 

My response to: 5 Things to Know About ISIS and the Theology of Evil by Jim Wallis

http://sojo.net/blogs/2015/02/26/5-things-know-about-isis-and-theology-evil

While Jim Wallis makes some solid points and cogent observations, his partisanship shows through his analysis particularly where he writes, "While it’s a common Fox practice to turn everything into a partisan issue against President Obama, O’Reilly is also spreading a very dangerous theology." According to Wallis , Fox News makes it a practice to turn everything into a partisan issue against Obama: everything. Really, Jim? 

Perhaps Wallis is nonplussed that Fox News does report news and commentary that is legitimately critical of President Obama's policies and actions. Such reporting is often lacking on other networks whose biases lean in support of the President and his administration. Such a statement written by Wallis runs counter to the Sojourners Comment Community Covenant (Ephesians 4:29)

While I cannot disagree that the United States Foreign Policy and previous military advances into that region have complicated and at times exacerbated political instabilities among governments, sects and tribes in the Middle East, laying that blame of these problems on our thirst and addiction for oil which in part leads to ISIS as Wallis writes, is also dangerously naive.

I do agree with Wallis it is important that the United States form military alliances from within that region to face and defeat the ISIS forces that are butchering the innocents and threatening neighbors in that region. In order to successfully do that, the United States must also bring itself correctly see ISIS as a Militant Islamic Extremist group. President Obama's refusal to acknowledge the Islamic religious component to what drives ISIS will not serve the US or its allies in defeating ISIS.

While war is an ugly thing, it is sometimes necessary to reign in an untenable situation where innocents are brutally slaughtered, raped and enslaved.

Finally, Wallis seems to imply that Governments and politicians are the only tools people have in solving world problems. Non-Governmental Organizations such as Rotary International, churches and others can also take actions and start dialogues with leaders and citizens of other countries to address other issues that fuel instability and radical extremist.

Refusing to defend civilians and neighbors in danger is not love.

Melee with an Athiest

One of the things I really enjoy doing during my relaxation time is watching YouTube videos. Over the years, I have created quite a list of favorite channels of video bloggers called Vlogs and other channels that offer some interesting takes on a variety of subjects I like.

Saturday, I saw a video made by a very thoughtful Christian blogger where he talked about getting in debates and arguments with atheists on YouTube and other online social platforms. I watched the video and thought he had some interesting thoughts on the subject.

Over the years in my own faith journey, I have engaged in debates with atheists online. I normally don't seek heated debates out, but such encounters are like sparring matches that keep me learning and growing in my faith.

Anyway, after watching the video, I posted a comment in the comment section of the video basically sharing my own thoughts with the Vlogger.

Here is my comment: Well said. I have found many of those that vehemently reject the concept of God are actually very close to believing.

It wasn't long before a atheist decided to call me out. For me it was game on: Here is the exchange:

Atheist: "So you live in Cloud Cuckoo Land then? tell me, whats the weather like in your little make believe world."

My Response: "You tell me. Better check again to verify who is living in such a world."

Athiest: "You say you can read the minds of other people? You say many of us atheists that vehemently reject the concept of God are actually very close to believing.
The only way to know that is if you could actually read their minds.
So you can come back to me and say you can read other peoples minds and show yourself up as a fool.
Or you can admit that you can't read other peoples minds and also show yourself up as a fool by stating that you could.

Can't wait to find out which one you choose?"
My Response:

I reject your premise that the only way one would be able to draw a conclusion about the tendencies of any persons or groups is for one to be able to read minds. It is a false dichotomy you are presenting and I reject it. One can draw a general conclusion by observing behavior of people and also by reading the words that people write and by listening to the words that people say. I never asserted I could read the minds of other people. The conclusions I draw are based upon gathering readily available information about individuals who self identify with a group of people-  (atheists openly hostile to theism) and encountering a number of examples where a conversion occurs with some of these individuals. It is a general personal sociological inference I stated: nothing more.  You are certainly free to disagree with my assertion. 

There you have it. Crickets sounds so far. 

My Letter to Mission Presbytery of the PCUSA

Dear Stated Clerk, 

Thank you for your willingness to listen to my thoughts and concerns regarding the serious doubts I am having about the Presbyterian Church USA and my continuing ability to serve within it as an Ordained Elder.

I consider the members of the First Presbyterian Church here in Uvalde to be my friends and church family. Because of this, it makes my deliberations about asking the session of my church to lay aside my election as an ordained elder of the PCUSA extremely difficult. While there have always been differences between the members of this church and the previous PCUSA church where my wife and I were once members, the First Presbyterian Church of Temple, Texas, I never doubted that my brothers and sisters in Christ were sincere in their faith and made a genuine effort to respond to God's grace and mercy with their utmost abilities. We didn't always agree but despite our differences we listened to one another and respected each other's ideas. 

That being said, over the years, when I followed the decisions, words and actions of the higher levels of the Presbyterian Church specifically, the General Assembly and to some extent the Presbytery, I have been saddened, angered, and grieved over the interpretations of scripture and the churches efforts to support and promote leftist and socialist political agendas within the arena of the United States Federal Government.  

For example, a few years ago, I was horrified to find the PCUSA signed on with a number of other church denominations supporting the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also know as Obamacare. 

About that same time frame, I asked a pastor who served as the Interim Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Uvalde about actions the PCUSA has taken to promote and further secular political agendas and he told me that this type of political activism happens all the time.

With aid of social media, blogs and access to a variety of news outlets, I followed the happenings and the votes that occurred at this year's 221st General Assembly which occurred in Detroit, Michigan. As the week wore on, I started feeling sick not only about the decisions that were made, but also because moments for prayer and scripture reading prior to important decisions were voted down. I am aware that worship services were held throughout the week of the General Assembly, but I would hope that delegates and those directing the General Assembly would seek every reasonable opportunity to pray before the time important votes were to be cast. 

The decisions that were most troubling to me were the following: The decision to change the definition of marriage in the Book of Order to two persons rather than one man and one woman; the divestment from three corporations whose products it (the PCUSA) believes contribute to the Israeli occupation of Palestine; and the decision not to condemn the killing of infants outside the womb who have survived botched late term abortion attempts. The latter decision was the most sickening and egregious to me. 

I am not without sympathy for persons who identify as homosexual and transgender. I think it fair to say the gay marriage issue qualifies and a significant contemporary moral dilemma. While I personally believe that in civil society, same sex couples should be afforded many of the same rights and privileges afforded traditional heterosexual married couples and be treated with compassion and respect, there is an important distinction between the secular society's definition of marriage and the church's definition of marriage guided by Holy Scripture. 

Perhaps it wasn't discussed at this years General Assembly, but in all the frenzy over passage of redefining marriage as two people, was there any discussion about same sex couples actually becoming devoted followers of Jesus, joining the Presbyterian Church, learning about sin and repentance, and the seriousness of following Jesus? If so, how many are ready to deny themselves and take up their respective crosses to follow Him? Or are we looking at a situation where non-member same sex couples hope to talk a PCUSA pastor into officiating their weddings to obtain the trappings and respect of a Christian wedding without joining the faith, and then scurrying away to live life according to their own ways of believing? Has the PCUSA been remiss in admonishing its members that the cost is high and the road is often difficult and painful to follow Christ? Or does any of this matter anymore?

In regard to the divestment vote, it is obvious to me that the motion which was approved was carefully worded, while the fixation many have within the PCUSA over this issue and the broader issue of the Israeli Palastinian Conflict is disturbing to me. It seems like an odd and awkward issue on which the PCUSA has decided to draw a hard line on. While the wording of the motion attempts to distance the church from it, the efforts and energy devoted to this very narrow issue leads me to suspect the real reason could very well be driven by deep seeded Antisemitism within the church.

I was able to view the recent CNN interview with GA Moderator Dr. Heath Rada who attempting to address this vote and issue. It was obvious that he was not prepared to defend this issue and received withering criticism from not only the program host, but also a prominent voice representing the Israeli people. 

To summarize, evidence has led me to the conclusion that the PCUSA General Assembly was not conducted "decently and in order" as is one of the key traditions and ideals of the Presbyterian Church. Most notably, the use of Authoritative Interpretation regarding the redefining of marriage in the Book of Order which even some of the more liberal voices within our denomination have expressed concern and anguish. I fear the voices of other viewpoints are not only not being heard but also systematically suppressed from participating in important discussions within the PCUSA. 

My discernment over the matter of continuing serving as an Ordained Elder within the PCUSA is for this purpose: To strive to respond to Christ's sacrifice and love for me with fidelity to God's word revealed through scripture and to share Christ's love with others. To hope to achieve this purpose faithfully, I realize the necessity to be a part of faithful Christian family of believers who strive to be obedient to God and his word.  The question I must answer for myself, is this: Can I be an obedient follower and faithful witness of Christ and remain an Ordained Elder of the PCUSA? 

In saying this, I admit I am a fellow sinner and am wholly dependent upon the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. My understanding is far from perfect. When I am at my best, I consider myself a truth seeker and do not fear where the truth leads.

The recent decisions of this year's General Assembly indicate to me that the PCUSA has exchanged Martin Luther's Sola Scriptura with Sola Cultura as a guiding principal for the faith. My actions and decisions may not have much if any influence on the PCUSA denomination but I am compelled to remain true to my response to Christ and to help nurture others to grow in the faith, with God's help. 

Sincerely, 

Michael Robinson 

Ordained Elder of the PCUSA

Life's Purpose

I wasn't planning on writing a blog entry tonight. But my friend and former coworker published a new entry in her blog: heidiannehood about Life Purpose. She invited the readers of her blog to answer the following questions:

1. Do you think you have a Purpose… a Unique Purpose?
2. What do you think it is?
3. Did you do anything special to figure out the Purpose, or is it something that you have just known all your life?
4. What do you do to fulfill your Purpose?
5. Do have doubts and insecurities regarding your Purpose?
6. Do you think I am completely mad and there is absolutely nothing to the idea of Unique Purpose. We are here to exist, the end.

Here are my responses to her questions: 

1. I believe a do have a unique purpose! The problem is it is like a jigsaw puzzle to me. I can see part of my purpose, but some of the pieces are still missing. I have found that my purpose or calling is being slowly revealed through the course of my life. I suspect other individuals have a unique purpose too. In John Irving's novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Owen Meany firmly believes that his life is leading up to a critical pivotal moment where he realizes his purpose. He knows it involves being tossed up in the air by his best friend, Johnny Wheelwright. He does not know for what reason that is, but is certain his purpose will be revealed at the right time. That is the best way I can describe it. 

2. Fortunately, some of the pieces of my purpose in place already! I know my purpose involves people: comforting them, and helping them to learn and to grow. I also know deep down, when I am at my best, I seek Truth. I seem to always dig below the surface searching for philosophical truth and wisdom. Over the years, my connections with people have gone beyond the United States and I am now communicating with people all over the globe. 

3. I spend some time each day in the morning reading scripture, playing the guitar and reading devotionals. I like to wander away in nature and spend time just watching and listening. Lots of people come and go in my life and I feel like each one teaches me something. I hope I do the same for them. As far as the second part of the question about knowing something about my purpose, I would say no. I was a bit of a mess growing up. 

4. I connect with people and listen to people. I pray. I read scripture. I listen to music. I pay attention to nature and animals. 

5. I used to but not anymore. The is a mysterious large phenomenon in space called the Great Attractor. Astronomers do not fully understand it, but it is pulling the Milky Way Galaxy and many other galaxies too it. My life has a Great Attractor. That is God to me and his Son Jesus Christ. I am being lead somewhere. I know that much. 

6. No, you are not mad. Would I be answering these questions if I thought you were.