Just some recent pics.
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Posted:Sep 22, 2014 2:01 am
Last Updated:Sep 22, 2014 5:38 pm 6245 Views
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A few recent pics of me, my still unfinished patio project, and Lespi.
1, Front shot of my apartment, with a very handsome gentleman sitting out on the patio. Pic doesn't show full width, where boxes of trash need to be taken to the dumpster, and where materials for my project can be seen.
2. View to the immediate right looking out from my front door.
3. Closer view of the flowers in pic #2.
4. That same extremely good-looking man is also a very gifted musician, seen here holding his girlfriend Lespi. You can also see the south end of the porch with all the project materials and furniture set out of the way.
You can see the flowers here, and a glimpse out on my lovely view of "Lake Asphalt"
GBU all!
Gavin
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Contrasting Treatment of Gays Among Islam vs. Christianity
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Posted:Sep 22, 2014 12:48 am
Last Updated:Oct 21, 2014 10:44 am 6966 Views
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Yesterday, I read Mitee’s blog inquiring about the comparative severity between how Islam and Christianity deal with the question of homosexuality. Just felt compelled to share a few thoughts on the topic.
There are a few dogmatic and self-righteous types in any religion, even Christianity. And along with them you can find some violent members. And within any of the major world religions, there are always some off-shoot sects who don’t reflect the overall majority.
There are only two modern religions I know of that may possibly be accused of actually advocating violence. Although I have great respect for Judaism, one may possibly build a case to argue that they advocate violence because they still adhere to the Torah (Old Testament in the Christian Bible) and it’s true that within it can be found some places wherein followers are exhorted to practice some barbaric things.
However, aside from military conflicts, I haven’t seen any reports of them stoning or murdering anyone in the last couple millennia, and I’m confident Jewish scholars could explain why they conduct themselves better than those Scriptural passages call for.
And please note that Christians also include the Old Testament in their holy book, but for the most part, it’s primary function there is to provide a history and background for the New Testament. And within the New Testament, which is the basis of Christianity, no Christian follower is ever CALLED to inflict cruelty or forceful domination on others, even if they disagree with their morality. (Tho some evil and/or misguided “Christians” have done so in the past, you will not find such a command in the New Testament.)
The other one is Islam. Within the Koran (their main holy book) are numerous calls for Muslims to use deceit, cruelty, terrorism and murder in order to bring the entire world into compliance with Islam, and for all surviving humanity to become Islamic. Within Islam, any vile act is justifiable if it (perceivably) can be argued to further the “will of Allah.”
It’s true that many Christians today can be rude towards homosexuals, and that’s because there is no shortage of rude people in any group. But the fact that they refuse to condone a behavior, or accept it into their church doctrine is NOT an abuse. It’s a defense of their beliefs. And even as such, I know of no sanctioned Christians or Christian Churches who have stoned or beheaded any gays at any time. I can’t speak for all local churches, but I think many who read this might be surprised at the numbers of churches who accept gay people into the congregation, just like they do adulterers, thieves, abusers, junkies and all others who are guilty of acts their denomination consider to be sins.
Christians in general are saying “We refuse to change our definitions or categorizations of sin.”
Muslims are saying, “We will kill you for not conforming to our definitions and categorizations of sin”.
It is not abuse to disagree with someone. It IS abuse to force them to agree with you.
I hope I’ve clarified and distinguished the appropriate “degree of severity” that Mitee inquired about so that we no longer need to put Christianity or all other religions in the same category as Islam as regards homosexuality or any other questions of morality. It is apples vs oranges.
Thanks for reading and GBU all,
Gavin
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Apologies
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Posted:Jul 6, 2014 2:17 pm
Last Updated:Sep 22, 2015 7:25 pm 6678 Views
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Hi folks!
The other day (July 2) I didn't have a medical "emergency," but I had a medical "concern," and left the chatroom abruptly. (Turned out to be a minor problem that got blown out of proportion, forcing me to spend 48 hours in the hospital for almost nothing!)
Anyway, I was in too good a mood after I got home on on the 4th and I guess I used bad judgement to joke the way I did about my situation in the title of the blog I posted to let folks know I'm okay.
My apologies to any and all that I may have offended or caused undo concern. My intention was to provide a laugh, but I guess I went over the top to do it that way.
And I should add an additional apology to those who were disappointed to learn I was okay.
With apologies,
Thanks and GBU all,
Gavin
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Tragic News about GavinLS2
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Posted:Jul 4, 2014 10:59 am
Last Updated:Jan 10, 2015 7:29 am 6534 Views
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Hello folks
I am sorry to have to inform all you good people that GavinLS2, who left the chatroom suddenly on July 2 to contact medical personel and make sure that he was not experiencing a heart attack, is alive and well, altho every effort was made to prevent that outcome.
Unfortunately, he will continue to be a bane to our existance for some time yet to come.
GBU all,
Gavin
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A very fair question regarding my last blog entry, -I'm still having academic fun sharing my views.
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Posted:May 23, 2014 4:25 am
Last Updated:Nov 2, 2016 1:52 am 6580 Views
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Quoting Rich1937:
Proverbs 3:34
He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. ESv
2 Timothy 3:16
English Standard Version (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
I think you'll find this covers some salient points that have been raised.
Those who have violated God's law have already been sentenced and are dead in their trespasses and sins and if they do not confess and repent (turn away from) their sins they will pay for them in Satan's company for eternity
My response:
Hi Rich!
Thanks for your citations! As to the first, thanks for your support and I agree with it, but I hope you agree that there's no need for us to go into it further.
And the second one I'm very familiar with! It's the most often cited verse to contend with my viewpoint that one is free to pick and choose from the Bible. I too viewed this verse as definitive and final, until I started studying some of the ancient texts, and considered the time frame in which Paul was writing a letter of advice to his young disciple and friend Timothy. (Also bear in mind that in other writings of Paul, he admitted that even he himself did not possess perfect and total understanding. I.e.: 1 Cor 13:12, where Paul admits that his understanding is akin to peering "through a glass darkly.")
Before I start, PLEASE remember that I'm only sharing MY views, and I will never criticize anyone who doesn't see things the way I do! I' ve been asked if my faith fits well with most mainstream Christianity, and I have to assert a resounding NO! I'm in such a minority on this topic, that I'd be an arrogant fool to insist everyone agree with me!
(LOL! I may re-post this one into a new blog entry too!)
Know that Paul was writing this several decades after Christ. At that time, there was no Bible, There was only the Torah, (Old Testament) and with the possible exception of the Gospel of Mark, little had been written down regarding the life and times of Jesus, and what had been written was not universally accepted. That leaves open the question of just what Paul meant when he used the term "scripture". If one assumes that the term refers only to those writings accepted by the Church as canon, then Paul was referring only to the Old Testament, because it was all they had.
But note that the first word in the sentence is "ALL", rather than "some".
So if Paul was using the term loosely (as one may argue because neither the original Koine Greek, nor the later translations identified that word in the sentence as a proper noun,) then one may interpret Paul to consider as many ancient peoples did, the ability to make permanent and convey a message to a later audience as somewhat mystical and thus metaphorically the "breath of God". -In which case then any writing, even a shopping list for example might qualify as "scripture".
Again alternatively, he may have intended it to mean any writings of a Judeo-Christian religious nature, whether canonized or not.
And the term "all" is further confounding because in addition to Paul's group "Orthodoxy" there were different writings from several other active sects of followers of Jesus Christ. Some stood in sharp opposition to Orthodox views. -Most notably the "Gnostics". They too had some writings which they based their interpretation and faith in Christ upon. Was Paul including these writings too?
So, we can't be certain just what Paul meant by the term "scripture".
Finally, note that Paul does NOT say "All scripture is perfect and correct". He may have acknowledged them as a gift from God, but some of them may have been writings to demonstrate common errors and pitfalls. That would still apply to writings that were "profitable for teaching, reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness".
And remembering Paul's admission that he saw "through a glass darkly", then perhaps it's possible that he merely over-generalized the term "scripture" to call it "God breathed" as opposed to "God inspired" or some other metaphor.
Now, I realize all this taken together appears that I am grasping at straws to back up my view. But we need to back up in the same letter, of Paul's to comments he made prior to verse 3:16.
In chapter 2, verse 15 Paul writes:
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (KJV)
If (no matter how likely or unlikely) Paul was claiming that the Bible (or scripture) was perfect, just what does one "divide" out of the "word of truth?" I'm disinclined to assume here that Paul meant truth is relative, so if there is only one truth, what should young Timothy divide it from? "Truth from other truth" is a possibility in order to clarify things for total and accurate grasps of concepts, but still that implies that it's entirely possible to read passages and derive "untruth" from them. To me, that doesn't speak affirmatively about a "perfect" scripture.
So, after all that, I still have to admit that my view is a subjective one, and therefore I would never criticize anyone who politely disagrees with me!
But thanks for creating another opportunity for me to share my views!
GBU,
Gavin
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Q from Mitee and my reply on his excellent blog concerning the Bible.
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Posted:May 21, 2014 6:24 pm
Last Updated:Nov 2, 2016 1:56 am 6165 Views
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Quoting miteehigh3:
So Gavin, tell me, are you saying that you don't follow any of the various and sundry accounts of the same events found in the Bible as the basis for your religious beliefs? Without the biblical record as "truth" how could there be christianity?
No Mitee. What I'm saying is that many of those accounts are questionable, and more importantly, most of them won't matter when one stands in judgement before the Lord.
Christ didn't come with a primary mission to end crime, greed, sickness, poverty, hate, lust, etc. Nor did He anticipate that His followers would suddenly become perfectly moral and good. (They don't become sinless. But they sin LESS.)
Christ's essential mission was the salvation of the souls of mankind, for the next life. He was bringing mankind a way to be forgiven, and thus to someday enter Heaven.
Those passages in the Bible which are vitally essential and necessary, are the ones explaining the good news about Jesus Christ as the of God, and mankind's only chance at salvation, which is through faith in Him, and letting Him into one's life to guide them, and live through them.
Put another way, those passages about Christ being the of God, who was given in blood sacrifice as atonement for the sins of mankind, then rose again later to defeat death, and that for those who believe in Him and accept His gift, allowing Him to enter their hearts and live through them.
--These will give the believer a new and eternal life at the end of their time here in their current existance. (Theologists refer to such things as Soterology. --Requirements for salvation. I.e: Life after death.)
I'm sure you're aware that the passage most widely recognized from the Bible as defining the essence of Christianity is John 3:16. On this passage I have absolutely no doubt:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten , that whomsoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life"
There it is. Christianity in a nutshell.
This verse says it all.
But many people fail to notice what it doesn't say.
For instance, it does NOT say:
"Whomsoever believes in the perfection and totality of the Bible, shall not perish..."
or,
"Whomsoever believes in the Genesis account shall not perish..."
or,
"Whomsoever believes in Moses, Noah, Jonah, the Apostles, Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene, etc, shall not perish..."
or,
"Whomsoever attends church regularly shall not perish..."
or,
"Whomsoever commits no sin shall not perish..."
or,
"Whomsoever persecutes gays, murderers, perverts, etc, shall not perish..."
or,
"Whomsoever condemns and/or punishes bad people shall not perish..."
The fact is, nowhere in the Bible or in the history of Christianity has God personally directed that a written record even be made of Christ and those times. It was early in the Protestant Reformation that the doctrine of "Sola Scriptura" (Bible as sole authority) came about, and it is still rejected among Roman Catholicism today. (One might find it interesting to compare and contrast the Protestant Fundamentalist view of Biblical Innerrancy with the Roman Catholic view of Biblical Infallibility.)
When a Christian stands in judgement before God, trust me on this, the Father is NOT going to look down from His throne and say:
"Well, you had faith in, and accepted My , but you rejected some parts of the Bible that had nothing to do with partaking in His gift, so I'm just not gonna forgive you and let you into Heaven....Next!
Hope that clarifies what I'm trying to say in response to your first sentence.
As to the second sentence, I can only say that truth exists whether there's a record of it or not. It was infinitely probable that mankind would put down a written record of these things, but whether they ever did or not, truth would still be truth even if it were handed down orally, and even if nobody ever learned about it or passed it on at all. In that light, I think Christians were wise to gather the sacred texts, and we'd be foolish to reject them now even if they are found to be imperfect in many ways.
But let me go a step further. If Christianity couldn't exist without the Biblical record we have, couldn't God have made other arrangements?
Further still, if you view the Bible as essential to the existance of Christianity, isn't that very close to saying that Christ, or in fact God the Father could not exist if there wasn't a Bible making them possible?
I love and revere the Bible, but I don't worship it. The Bible never hung on a cross for me. My faith is in Jesus Christ first, and the Bible second.
I'll end here by saying this is MY views of the Bible, Christianity, and my faith. I won't force my views on anyone. But I like to share them for others to consider. Thanks for providing the opportunity.
GBU,
Gavin
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Reposted: Bigotry vs. Racism
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Posted:Apr 30, 2014 9:29 pm
Last Updated:May 7, 2014 7:00 pm 6177 Views
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Hi folks. I originally posted this as a comment on Bigblocks blog, but then decided to share it here. It's about the controversy over recent bigoted comments made by Mr. Sterling, owner of the LA Clippers.
I have a problem with how some terms are used interchangeably. "Bigotry" and "prejudice" may be synonymous, and "dislike" or "hate" are just varying degrees on a scale.
They all express personal preferences.
But I have to distinguish all of those terms from "racism."
Racism, involves taking some action. It's what happens when a person's personal preferences inspire them to either unfairly advance one ethnic group over another, or to outright oppress an ethnic group.
I've heard some stories about Sterling's prior history, and there's evidence there to support the accusation of "racist", at least in his past.
But judging only from the recent comments in the news that stirred up this controversy, I can only apply terms like "ignorant" and "bigot" to him.
I don't have enough detail to judge whether or not I'd call him a racist -Tho he may well be one. Still, as I understand it he's already been punished for any racist behaviors he's committed in the past.
But we can't penalize people for ignorance or bad choices in their personal preferences, even if they are about who they care to socialize with. We don't have to like or even respect them, but we can't punish them.
For an example taken to extremes, we'll have to start punishing older people who don't enjoy time spent with young people because of the music they often hear them playing, and we'd also have to punish young people who won't hang out with elders because they are averse to being where they might hear opera.
Just my thoughts on the matter.
GBU all,
Gavin
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"Jam 64; Lespe N' Me"
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Posted:Apr 28, 2014 12:58 am
Last Updated:Nov 5, 2014 2:48 pm 6029 Views
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"Jam 64; Lespi N’ Me"
(Gavin Lee Sutherland)
Verse 1
Had a little dream last Sunday,
Bout Monday she was comin around.
Yeah nobody knows, the places I goes,
When Lespi an me come to town.
Pearls – on – her - neck.
Gold – all – a - round.
My – slender – hips - baby,
Singin – her – sweet – sweet - sound!
She’s my deep black lady, laced up in white.
She loves me like no other and she lasts me all night.
Puts on her fuzzy slippers, while I caress her neck,
singin to me softly, or screamin at me loud!
Some may say we crazy. Some may say we proud.
But nobody says maybe, she’d ever let me down.
Black Beauty Eppy! My little thrill!
She’s huggin up to me, An talkin to you now!
Verse 2
I brush – my – teeth – with - fluoride.
My bootsy wootsy shoes are dark brown.
A Panama hat. - I don’t sleep on no matt.
Chicken n dumplins. An ketchup wash it down.
Eppy – gets – my - kisses.
I dress – to – make – her - proud.
White ankle spats. - I clean up my act.
Tonight we goin floatin on the number nine cloud.
She’s my deep black lady, laced up in white.
She loves me like no other and she lasts me all night.
Puts on her fuzzy slippers, while I caress her neck,
Singin to me softly, or screamin at me loud!
She’s hangin on my shoulder. Snugglin me now.
Her song is takin over, and carrying me out!
Black Beauty Eppy. *My little thrill.
She’s huggin up to me, *An talkin to you now!
Chorus 1
Sum – mer - time, in the evenin.
Win – ter - time, in the cold.
We sing to – ge - ther for the feelin.
Gonna be together til we both are too old.
I can drink my beers, she can cry and sing my tears,
pick up a golden oldie, and ring away the years.
Dancin fast n lively, she boogies way down low.
Then loves me like no other, when we’re swaying really slow.
Slowwwww,,,,,,
Instrumental [2+/-(?) Verses]
Chorus 2
Sum – mer - time, in the evenin.
Win – ter - time, in the cold.
We sing to – ge - ther for the feelin.
Gonna be together til we both are too old.
I can drink my beers, she can cry and sing my tears,
pick up golden oldie, and ring away the years.
Dancin fast n lively, *she boogies way down low.
Then loves me like no other, when we’re swaying really slow.
Verse 3
Now I told – ja - bout – ma - baby.
Sung – about – my - star.
My on – ly - lov – in – la - dy.
My sweetie honey Lespie guitar!
You can take your Telly, I don’t need it.
Or on your Strat go play your fingers to the bone.
Say what you will, but my biggest thrill,
is my sweetie honey Epiphone!
She’s my deep black lady, *laced up in white.
She loves me like no other and she lasts me all night.
Puts on her fuzzy slippers, and I caress her neck,
Singin to me softly, or screamin at me loud!
Some may say we crazy. Some may say we proud.
But nobody says maybe, she’d ever let me down.
Black Beauty Eppy, my little thrill.
She’s huggin up to me, an talkin to you now!
END
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Rough (VERY) Draft of Lyrics to My Current Song Project
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Posted:Apr 14, 2014 8:52 pm
Last Updated:Apr 17, 2014 1:16 am 6299 Views
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Hi folks
Just felt like sharing this here. Not sure why. But these are the lyrics for the tune I'm currently writing. THESE MAY CHANGE A LOT BEFORE I FINISH!
Gazing Into The Sun
For A.T.-M.
Or: "The Canon Kiss"; --("The kiss by which to forever judge all others")
1
The first I saw Heaven,
I'd just turned eleven,
And she caught my eye.
2
End of recess.
A deep purple dress,
Standing in line.
3
Strength in beauty.
Beauty in strength.
I was standing beside.
4
Stunned to believe,
This thing I could see,
Her head held up high.
Chorus 1
The long road,
is a song note,
that I saved,
from gazing into the sun.
5
Chip on her shoulder,
She faced away,
Stoney cool eyes.
6
Knew I'd grow older,
And hope grows bolder,
To seek such a prize.
7
Refusing to see me.
Two seasons apart,
In self-respect pride.
8
But after the daybreak,
the light shone again.
Much brighter this time.
Bridge 1
In dreams of my father's ,
I knew then what I had to be,
What a young soul won't know,
A young boy can't see,
While I was gazing,
-Into the sun.
9
When she could see me,
with dignity eyes,
-My heart came alive.
10
Three more seasons,
As she said my name,
Still I was mesmerized.
11
Try not to be caring,
But something is therein,
A smile or a gaze.
12
I couldn't tell her,
Or know what to say,
Counting the days.
Chorus 2
The long road,
is a song note,
that I saved,
from gazing into the sun
(KEY CHANGE -Up 1 half step.)
13
Finally told her,
Short days I could hold her,
But knew all along.
14
Love in the pages,
To save for the ages,
And carry my song.
15
Never could happen.
Lost love is back then.
And years move along.
16
Alone with the dreams,
From a boy of fifteen.
Gazing into the sun.
Second Bridge
When you write your song,
Find the note that feels right.
It's the one that loves you.
It's kiss will hold the passion,
so you'll know.
-Gazing into the sun.
End (til fade)
When it kisses you, you'll know,
-Gazing into the sun.
When it kisses you, you'll know,
-Gazing into the sun.
When it kisses you, you'll know,
-Gazing into the sun.
When it kisses you, you'll know,
-Gazing into the sun.
When it kisses you, you'll know,
-Gazing into the sun.
Thanks for reading, and comments good or bad are welcome.
GBU all,
Gavin
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About going to Nashville
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Posted:Apr 10, 2014 6:35 pm
Last Updated:Apr 11, 2014 8:45 pm 6142 Views
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Hi folks,
Just in case anybody wonders,,,
I know I've talked for a few months about my eagerness to attend the Nashville bash at the end of May. I was never certain if I could make it, but really hoped to.
Due to personal family concerns (which I prefer not to discuss) and a few financial considerations, as of today I realize it is just not going to happen for me this time.
I hope to be in a better position next year so I can attend.
I hope everyone who attends has a blast, and brings back many pictures!
GBU all,
Gavin
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