Warning to all non-Christians

This is a warning to all non-Christians, Christians, Jews, Muslim, Jehovah's Witness, Athiests, Mormons, Bougies, Hindus, Sieks, Caucasions, Africans, Asians, Indians, First Nations, Men, Women, Children, Seniors, Skaters, Hackers, Slackers, Brains, Druggies, Influential, Lost, Hurt, Found, Proud, Humble, Angry, Healthy, Dying, Widowed, Orphaned, Travelers, Football Players, Couch Potatoes, Smokers, Drinkers, Homosexual, Heterosexual, Bisexual, Tall, Short, Lyers, Janitors, Landlords, and anybody else I might have missed, I love you. I'm not in love with you, but I love you. I've heard so many times that I am intolerant because I am a Christian, in some ways, you're right. I remember being in University and every religion was embraced, every single one but Christianity. Many of you think that Christ is about rules and being a straight prude who hates anyone who doesn't love God. So let me tell you that I don't know that God. The God I know, the God I serve, the God I read about in the Bible is about love. He is about acceptance. He is in the business of redemption. Who needs forgiveness? Me, I'll be first in line. I've sinned, everyday pretty much, and I need forgiveness. Am I worse than the guy who steals cars or the girl who abuses drugs and her own body? No, not in God's eyes, we're all in the same boat. I figure, if we're all the same, I'm no better than the person next to me, be they believer or not. Here's where I agree that I am closed minded. I believe that God created one way to make it to His heaven. That's my man Jesus Christ. If you don't agree, I still love you. I may think you are going to a different place when you die and that brings me to tears, but I still love you. Please know that there is a Christian out there that loves you no matter what, and more importantly, there's a God who loves you and believes in you, even if you don't believe in Him.

God Bless Clean Comedy

Hey Everyone, I just got back from Corner Gas Live with Wes. Am I the only one around who admires comedians who can make an auditorium of people laugh out loud without using vulgar, crude language and sexual inuendoes? I've long been in favour with the idea that God has an amazing sense of humour, think about it. If God created all that has been created, He created joy, fingers, music, air and, of course, laughter. What do you think makes God smile? What makes Him laugh right out loud (I of course am speaking metaphorically but hopefully you get my point). I can't speak for God, but I don't think he'd have sat through the American Pie Trilogy (though I haven't seen it I know enough about it to know it's pretty much all sexual humour for a demographic that shouldn't be entertaining such humour, not that anyone should). I don't think that God would line up for most of the movies that are at the top of the box office, leaving the seat next to many young Christians watching these movies...well, empty. I'm not judging anyone who watches these movies and tv shows, but what goes through one's mind as they compare Scripture and it's respect for sexuality (God's own perfect design) with what's happening on the screen...cheapening something made for man and wife for a cheap (and I mean cheap) laugh? Maybe they don't think about it. I dunno, what do you think? Am I too old or too conservative to expect something better from those who make the stuff we're supposed to watch? I hope not.

Welcome here, have a seat...

Hey all, chances are you found your way here by the link on my website. In case you don't know, I am the youth pastor of Explicit Truth Students Ministries (ETSM) at Albright Church. Why did I start a blog? Why does anyone start a blog? I got stuff to say and if someone actually wants to hear it, they're welcome to it. I don't plan to be the most controversial blogger, nor do I plan to push my agenda (though it may come out from time to time). Mostly, I just want to put stuff out there, let people think about it. Most of what I write will come out of stuff I read. Lately I've been reading a lot of stuff about the Emergent Church (those around me know not to get me started on the emergent church unless you have some time on your hands) so I've been reading alot of Mike Yaconelli, Brian McLaren, Dan Kimball, Erwin McManus and, thanks to a recommendation from Tim Furry, I've been devouring Donald Miller. If you think something about the stuff I write about the stuff I read, feel free to comment and discuss it a little bit. If you know me and want to read one of these books, let me know. But for now, I'm out of here, God Bless, Josh