Fear Not.

How many times does it say in the Bible: "Fear not"?

God knows that many mortals' reaction to God is fear.

Guilt and shame inspire fear in us.

Fear of punishment, fear of condemnation.

But God says: "Fear not."

Do not fear punishment; do not fear judgement.

God loves you unconditionally.

He does not withdraw His Love if we make a mistake.

And it is inevitable that we will make mistakes.

So "Fear not".

God's Love is reliable.

And His forgiveness is sure.

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Love and Fear.

There are only two things in the world: Love and Fear.

And this applies to scripture.

If we apply this method to the interpretation of scripture it becomes apparent that the violent, vengeful, judgemental passages of scripture are inspired by fear.

What remains if we remove these fear-inspired passages is the Love of God.

And this is the Reality.

God loves us.

He does not judge us or punish us.

His mercy is infinite.

And His forgiveness is everlasting.

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(The image has been slightly modified.)

Same-Sex Love.

"Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved" John 13:23 (KJB)*

It is the same: 

The Beloved leans against the Lover's heart.

(*The reason I have used the KJB version is because the NRSV version uses the euphemism "reclining")

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God's Love.

When we realize that we are loved by God we begin to feel more secure.

God is greater than any earthly power.

And God will help us in distress.

God's Love is steadfast.

His mercy is sure.

And His forgiveness is everlasting.

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(The image has been slightly modified.)

Gay Heaven.

Gay men go to Heaven.

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Two Masters.

"'No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money (sic).'''  Luke 16:13 (NRSV)

Those who think they can have a bit each way or have a foot in each camp are sorely mistaken.

They love money and its master the devil.

And they despise God and his ideals.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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God's Dwelling Place.

We think that God resides in His House.

But the scripture says: 

"Heaven is my throne,

and the earth is my footstool;

what is the house that you would build for me,

and what is my resting place?

All these things my hand has made,

and so all these things are mine."

Isaiah 66:1 (NRSV)

And so God dwells everywhere in nature.

Not just within man-made buildings.

So perhaps we should worship in the open air as Jesus did.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission .  All rights reserved.]

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