In the words of Rascal Flatts...

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Just don't call them stupid

Whether I believe that global warming is real, not real or anything in between, during debate with someone of the opposite view never is there cause to belittle who they are as an image bearer. I don't care if the information someone gives me is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my entire existence, whatever they say there is no need ever to straight up call them stupid unless of course I plan on taking their so-called stupidity upon myself and go on to be nailed to a cross...and the other stipulation of course would then be that I was be the Son of God, which of course I am not, therefore there really is no cause what-so-ever under the umbrella of the discussion of really anything, to ever breach this standard.

I have people that I love that are extremely well-educated people who if they were ever to wander onto a few of the postings on the topic of global warming around here would know immediately that none of us have gone to college for any kind of science ever ever ever. The people that oppose my views on whatever topic still need to know Jesus. In light of this I am beseeching the blogosphere to for the love of all things holy, just don't call them stupid.

Thoughts from Blue Chair

"Blue Chair" isn't really the place that I usually am when I think of these things, I'm usually talking through something with my earthly beloved...Blue Chair more represents a place that I know that we can all relate to. A place where we go longing to catch a dim glimpse of the reason that we came here. All of this to say this is this week's thought from a blue chair.

This morning as I was thinking about prayer I started to think about John. John walked with Jesus, hung out with Him, ticked Him off a time or two, but the reality is that John was one of Jesus' best friends while He was on the earth. He was in physical proximity to John, John had actual dialogue with Jesus where he would ask a question and then Jesus would speak back not in the tumult of Revelation but in the meekness of the confines of His frame. This brought me to an interesting thought, after the ascension what did John's prayer life look like? How did he talk to his best friend after he watched Jesus defy physics and ascend, literally leave the planet by ascension back to heaven?

Whatever it looked like, that's what I want. I want to be humbled as John was humbled at the realization that God as a man poured His life into mentoring him for the destiny that He, the second person of the trinity saw in him. I want to have the reality that I can hear God as John did alive in my heart and I want to have the trembling on my spirit that John did when Jesus chose to show him who He really is in Revelation. I want to lean against the chest of the Creator and hear a weak human heart beat and be pierced by the reality of the frailty and finity of my human form. I want the fear of Lord.

You've just been bookstored

Your department could be next.

Thoughts from Blue Chair

I've been looking at Jewish betrothal customs and Hebrew wedding traditions in hopes of learning more about John 2. My heart was pierced tonight as I read through the list of things that happened when a couple was to be joined in marriage, so much so that I thought I would share it with you.

1. The bride was usually chosen by the father of the bridegroom
2. The price for the bride was established
3. The bride and groom were betrothed to eachother
4. A written document was drawn up (marriage document)
5. The bride must give her consent
6. Gifts were given to the bride and a cup called the cup of the covenant was shared between the bride and groom
7. The bride was immersed in water which is a ritual cleansing
8. The bridegroom departed, going back to his father's house to prepare the bridal chamber
9. The bride was consecrated, set apart for a period of time while the bridegroom was away building the house
10. The Bridegroom WOULD RETURN with a shout and the shofar was blown
11. He would come and take the Bride away, usually in the middle of the night for the marriage to be consummated
12. There would be a marriage supper for all the guests invited by the father of the bride

Even though the Bridegroom pays for her the bride still must give her consent, after he pays for her, after the he has paid the price for her, after she is rightfully his she still can turn him down, she still can say no because he wants her to love him. He wants her to love Him. He wants her to love Him.

Oh So Rediculously Sappy In A Fantastic Kind Of Way

ILOVEMYWIFE!!!...and I want the whole world to know it....thank you for your time.

Please Pray

Shelley Hundley is one of our leaders here at IHOP. On Monday her brother Joel Hundley kidnapped his three young children and took them to El Salvador. They are in serious danger, he is not able to take care of them. The youngest is only 10 months old and is still breast feeding. You can watch an interview with Shelley here.

During this last conference every time I saw Shelley the first words out of her mouth were "Pray for Allen Hood" so now let's hold her, Brittany and of course the children's mother and Joel's wife Heather up in prayer. This is a very urgent cry for justice, please pray.