'CALLING ALL AGNOSTICS/ATHEISTS/SPIRITUAL SEEKERS Re: A Forgiveness We Cannot Fathom' By Reverend Barbara Sexton "The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

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     How good it is to Christian believers to know that God has a forgiveness so 'complete' that it includes that which we can't ever completely understand!  Witness this exchange between Jesus and the men on each side of him:
"39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]"
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
                                                                                            Luke 23:39-43 (NIV)
LINK: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23&version=NIV
     What do you think is the 'story' of this 'suddenly forgiven' criminal?  It is the fact that he accepted Christ as the Lord that he was 'saved' at the last minute. 
     And God's forgiveness goes beyond even this.  We are told in Scripture that God so thoroughly 'forgives our sins' that He is actually able to 'not remember them'!  You can read this in a book of the New Testament written especially for 'Jewish Believers', in Hebrews 8:1-13 (NIV)
GOD says: "11No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."    Hebrews 8:11-12 (NIV)
LINK: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+8&version=NIV
Christian MySpace Graphics     Not 'remembering' our sins is an even BIGGER mystery for Christian believers to contemplate.  Who among us is 'good enough' to do this?  Fair few, I reckon...and that's why we need to call upon the Holy Spirit indwelling in each of us to get done what we alone, as human beings, simply cannot do.
     I am not saying that there is no such thing as 'unpardonable sin' (that is, attributing to Satan the works of the Holy Spirit) and that everyone can get a 'free pass' one way or another.  But only the Lord Himself--with or without the intervention of either an angel or a human prophet--can make a call like that.  For myself, I would be extremely hesitant to broach the subject unless I had 'direct orders', so to speak. 
     There's no second-guessing the Lord on matters of judgement and religious leaders who do so--well let's just say that they and only they will be judged for their words and actions and their influence on others.
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    So be wary, dear ones, of any religious leaders who declare either wholesale condemnation or wholesale forgiveness.  That is like saying that one completely knows the mind of God, and that is just not  impossible unless one has received some very direct orders. 
     I pray what I've written here gives you all--Christian believers, spiritual seekers, agnostics and atheists--cause for reflection and reconsideration of some very important things in this day and age.  There's a 'New Covenant' a-coming these days....to be 'completed' in God's good time.  The Bible outlines the gameplan and gives us plenty of hints and warnings of events that look strangely similar to events in the news today.
     If current events in any way prompt you to reconsider things you have previously cast aside (like believing in a Creator and/or believing in the writings of the Bible), this just might be a good time to take a second look.  What can it hurt? 
     But if you belong to the 'these things happen all the time' brigade, you'll likely think this is all nonsense and will just keep on keeping on with whatever you're doing anyway.  No matter-Scripture has you covered to, so that believers can understand you better and be there to help you in the event...you know.
      I will pray that if you are reading this, you will listen to that 'small, still, BOOMING voice' inside you mind, heart, body and soul when 'it' speaks to you.
      Please, oh please, do pay attention to it!
God Bless & Keep You even those of you who don't believe in Him just yet  : )
Reverend Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets The Cross"
www.DearOnesHealingMinisry.blogspot.com
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FCC Stamford 'Goddess Prayers' A Commentary By Reverend Barbara Sexton "The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

courtesy Jim Sutton http://www.gospelgifs.com/

Dear Ones:
     I am not going to pretend that alterations to 'The Lord's Prayer' and to Christian prayers in general don't get my attention.  They have for a time at The First Congregational Church of Stamford and I say this as a 'relatively liberated Christian female pastor' who is still a member of FCC Stamford....on paper at least.
     But recently, some major happenings  (I'm not one for the use of the terms 'abominations') have come to my attention.  There's been a lot of prayin' to the MOTHER GODDESS!  Apparently Reverend Cari Jackson and her minions like this kind of thing.
     The only reason I bring this to your attention is because this praying has been done in "The Pilgrim Church, The Church That Founded Stamford" and they use kids to further their theology!      

Open and Affirming=Gay Marriage, no matter what they tell ya!

     This church is now 'run' by  The Reverend Doctor Cari Jackson, about whom I've written before.  The FCC Stamford is a UCC (United Church of Christ) church and is also known as 'the Obama/Wright' church, for those of you who are interested.  CHECK THIS OUT:
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 9, 2010
10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
*All who are able, please stand.
CALL TO WORSHIP Sam Jelliffe (child)
Leader: The God whose name is Mother invites us home. Therefore, we gather for this holy time of worship.     I'm not asking that The First Congregational Church of Stamford stop praying a certain way, or that they start or stop 'doing things'...but I am saying that it would be a lot more genuine to call yourselves what(ever) you are at this point!...that's all.  Just be honest with the people.
All: We gather in this place of prayer to celebrate the love of God, our Mother, and to feel the warm embrace of God. We gather as one human family.
Leader: We gather seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to become more fully the people and the community our Mother God created us to be.
All: As we worship, let us be filled by the love and life and be renewed by the hope and home that fills this place of prayer made holy by God’s presence.
    Change is good!  And as long as I am on your member list and tithe and donate my dollars, I expect, at the very least, your honesty.
     Thanks!   Truth is good for the soul.  You are providing the good people of Stamford and of the world with a good education.  You are the Church of Thyatira, as mentioned in the last Book of the New Testament in Revelation:
To the Church in Thyatira

18"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25Only hold on to what you have until I come. 26To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
27'He will rule them with an iron scepter;
he will dash them to pieces like pottery'[b]— just as I have received authority from my Father. 28I will also give him the morning star. 29He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 2:18-29    (NIV)

    God  Bless you.  I hope all my 'talk' here isn't 'too religious for you'.  But you are helping to usher in the Day that our Lord returns and for that I am eternally grateful.  From your 'church sister', I speak to you--
 
With Love in Christ,
Reverend Barbara Sexton
http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
  

Carrietta Jackson: UCC Neo-Pentecostal Pastor, Cult in Cuba Cracks Me Up By Reverend Barbara Sexton "The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

www.greenwichtime.com/news/slideshow/The-Year...

FROM: http://www.conexioncubana.net/opinion/cuba-%C2%BFun-nuevo-dios-es-posible-%C2%BFuna-nueva-iglesia-es-posible/
TRANSLATION:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.redescristianas.net/2010/05/23/cuba-%25C2%25BFun-nuevo-dios-es-posible-%25C2%25BFuna-nueva-iglesia-es-posible/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dreverend%2Bcarrietta%2Bjackson%26hl%3Den&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1
 "And as Peter Bishop (Brazilian) Pedro de Casaldaliga, to change the world we also need to change God."
Ativity em Cuba 2

Cuba: Religious Voices for the acceptance of sexual diversity
Written by Sara More
Havana. May 15 (SEMlac) .- Representatives of various religious communities advocated in the country, from their point of view, the acceptance of sexual diversity in Cuban society and its spaces of faith, and against fundamentalist arguments within some churches, condemn non-heterosexual identities.
"The issue of sexuality is still very troubled and absent in everyday spaces, such as worship, Mass, meditation or training curricula of the community, and catechesis," said Gonzalez Yoimel, layman of the Presbyterian Church for a panel on sexual diversity and perspectives of religion, held on 14 May at the headquarters of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC).
The young man added that most of the time, those who speak for the communities are not themselves, but hierarchies of church groups, and generally the issue of diversity ends demonized or absent.
"There are few opportunities to hear the voices of the community itself," he told the meeting that was attended by Ricardo Alarcon, president of the Cuban Parliament, Mariela Castro, director of the National Sex Education Centre (CENESEX) pastors Sergio Arce, Presbyterian, and Raul Suarez, a Baptist, among others.
According to Gonzalez, the mission and program of the churches, in many cases, the real needs of communities and generally is imposed from the authorities in power, "over this issue, which is a taboo and very conflictual" said.
He acknowledged, however, that sexual diversity before the position is never monolithic, "although the most publicized are the letters of protest from some of the directives of several churches in Cuba, who oppose the inclusion of sexual diversity."
In this scenario, described several positions, including those not question the sexual diversity as a sin, but feel it as a stumbling block in the functioning of the churches.
"From that position is still homophobic exclusive and allows for the presence of homosexual and other variations in communities, but are denied the opportunity to hold positions in the different levels at which the church is organized," he added.
Also weighing on silence, and with it the inability to develop an open dialogue and rich on the subject, at the same time there are mature communities spiritually, ethically, respecting diversity and promote inclusion with a vision of liberation.
"As believers, we must support these public spaces for discussion and action from the work of training, academic and community, respect for diversity and God's creation," he said.
Another of the speakers at the table was the African-American Pentecostal pastor Carrietta Jackson of the United Church of Christ, who gave a moving account, ment very optimistic, of course she herself had to go to face the incomprehension of society and church to their homosexual orientation.
For his part, Pastor Ofelia Ortega, president for Latin America of the World Council of Churches, called for the need to promote dialogue among Christian churches and other religions that include these items.
Meanwhile, Brazilian Lutheran theologian and gay Musskopf Andre told about the theology of sexual diversity in Latin America and the still small group work of people who are developing, with many difficulties against, by force of homophobia.
Coderh According to Gabriel, a Catholic layman and coordinator of the Group of Reflection and Solidarity Oscar Arnulfo Romero, the subject, seen from the universal Catholic Church has a historical base from a hegemonic culture, Christian patriarchal and sexist.
"The Church, in this case, sees sexuality as sin, condemned the pleasure and only supports reproductive character," he said. "You have to deconstruct the hegemonic culture and go to the sources of the Bible to reflect from there and understand what has been the manipulation of texts by some exegetes."
In several areas open for discussion during the day, other voices argued for a new church, including from the pastoral vision of emancipated women and acceptance of sexual diversity.
During the afternoon of Saturday was held at the Pabellon Cuba, a central cultural facility in the Cuban capital, an ecumenical celebration organized by the Centro Memorial Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Student Christian Movement, the Group of Reflection and Solidarity Oscar Arnulfo Romero, the Evangelical Seminary of Matanzas and the Gender Institute.
At the ceremony, people took part in the most diverse backgrounds and religions, including the public who attended the celebrations and activities of the day, leaders and representatives of the Presbyterian, Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran and secular, among others.
Posted by André S. Musskopf
Ativity em Cuba

Cuba. A new god is possible? A new church is possible?
By María Ileana Faguaga Iglesias and Enrique Lopez Oliva
Cuban Day Against Homophobia, had an unusual point this Saturday, May 15, with a surprise, makeshift ecumenical worship, developed under a small tent, where a moment ago urged the use of condoms to prevent the VH-AIDS. During the service a small group of pastors and pastors from various Christian denominations and countries, including the United States prayed for a new church, inclusive, that does not discriminate against anyone for their sexual orientation.
Surprised Pavilion attendees Cuba, located in the central Vedado Ramp to participate in the Day by Day Against Homophobia, religious men and women heard singing the song of the Argentinean Fito Paez, "I come to offer my heart." Mostly these were lesbian couples --- much more visible this year than in the two previous events ---, gays, transsexuals, but not missing unprejudiced heterosexual or curious tourists.
"Who said that everything is lost / I come to offer my heart was so much blood that the river / I come to offer my heart ..." There was a large choir to which were added voices.
"In the beginning God created the world, created a house for us to live each and all, and the house was inhabited by plants, was inhabited by animals, humans. And the plants were of different sizes, shapes, scents and colors, water and land, were also different, and human being who lived in the house, the house that is all and all had different ways and means to feel different , ways to rejoice, to laugh to enjoy a whole science of colors, shapes, appearances, a science of diversity, celebration of the colorful ... "theological meditation begin the Cuban Quaker Kirenia Criado, Reflection Team Theological Center Memorial "Martin Luther King Jr.".
"This room of the house inhabited, encourages us to meet this afternoon. Meeting is seeing eye to eye, is touching, hugging, meeting. Because I recognize you and acknowledge you in me .... "
The Reformed Presbyterian pastor Dorita Arce recalled the insistence in the Bible of the admonition to love, which "rejoices with the truth." This is the love we want, when we want at this time to summon all those present. "
Some drank rum, others ate pizza, Some laughed while others looked meditative or simply expectation. Even more than a few rattled, making it difficult to hear. Most of them wore sportswear shirts with images of popular artists, there were many necklaces and earrings, many wore sandals. They took photos together. Many did not understand what was happening there.
It was the first time there was made a culto.religioso groups were improvised, greeted friends and acquaintances, "What is happening here?" Was common question. Interested and curious made a compact group of pastors around and sang along to the strains of an electric organ ... a choir is not always in tune, but sense and spontaneous. Eyes were watery.
"Today God calls us to a new moment / To walk together with his people / It's time to transform that is no more / And none alone and isolated is capable ..."
Suárez Raquel Pastor, Church Ebenezer Baptist Fellowship of Cuba, said: "Today God is pleased. How many say amen (so be it)? God is happy because we are here for women and men varied and diverse, each of us is with its many features, which makes up the unique identity and blessed everyone. Each of us is a human privilege. Privileged existence that God has given us, as she, that ... "
The Baptist Amos Lee insisted on "faith and hope that the world can be otherwise." On several occasions, called for silence in order to advance the cult. "Spirit of life, god and goddesses of all and all, I call on this place," said another officiant.
"Each of us, we, also carries prejudice, discrimination and fear," said the Chilean-Cuban psychologist Mario Flores, who served as conductor. Colorful masks were given paper to show that they not only cover but also discovered, and these were invited to a brainstorming exercise, meeting. "The mask, said the psychologist, is like a mirror, which brings us closer to our inner world, to that area of discrimination, and as any area of discrimination is an area of fear: fear of difference, to meet , fear of ourselves. "
"Look at us, to realize that we are also people who discriminate", urged other officiant. "Lift up the masks and entreguémoslas to God, asking him away from our lives that which separates us."
Brazilian Lutheran theologian Andre gay Musskopf asked to "God and the Goddess of life, which is always with us and us, and with that we go. Also today and all went through difficult moments, where we discriminate, we do not prevail where the life, to be with each one of us and to help us and make us human beings better. Us what was the intention to create humanity and all that is on earth. And I assure you that God or the Goddess of life, forgives us, accepts us and is with us and we always and in every moment throughout our lives. "
With quotations from the Old and New Testaments, including texts from the prophet Isaiah, the Gospel of John (chapter 13. 31 1l 35) and a letter from the apostle Paul to the Galatians, that part was structured liturgy.
"Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and the homeless poor into your house when you see the naked, cover him, and not hide yourself from your brother?" (Isaiah 58.6)
"" A new commandment I give today, that ye love one another as I have loved you, that ye also love one another "(John, 13. 34)
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Paul, Galatians, 3.28)
The Rev. Raúl Suárez Ramos, one of the founders of the Fellowship Baptist Cuba, and the Memorial Center "Martin Luther
King Jr", deputy to the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba, said in his homily:
"Here in this evening, this place is no longer the Pavilion Cuba, for a moment, to turn itself into the house of God, which is home to men and women who wish to have an identity or have an identity, which are made present in our society, without fear or masks, but also that whatever identity and their presence in society, ie our people, requires a compromise, and the result together with an undertaking to place identity, presence and commitment, in what is said and done .... "
The Baptist pastor and theologian Luis Carlos Marrero, theological Coordinator of the Group of Reflection and Solidarity Oscar Arnulfo Romero ", invited all those present (pastors --- among them, the African-American neo-Pentecostal pastor ---Carrietta Jackson, pastors, deacons and diaconizas,) "to break bread and honey, fruits of the earth", and emphatically said: "Today we decided to leave our temples, our pigeonholed. Today we decided to also shed our skins like you. And as Peter Bishop (Brazilian) Pedro de Casaldaliga, to change the world we also need to change God. Sean welcome everyone to the table. Come "invited.
Raquel Suarez, pastor of Ebenezer Church, in the Havana municipality of Marianao popular, offered the blessing to all. "For everyone here is the blessing of God," said
It was a very special and meaningful, when many came to take communion in pairs, sometimes we just saw, it was just the person beside him or someone who approached him, and with whom he exchanged the bread with honey , placing each in the other's mouth, but not all did.
It was a Mass that broke traditional liturgical patterns, which upset some traditional believers (theologically conservative) did not participate in any activity Catholic clergy, nor was invited to co-officiate any representative of the Cuban religions of African origin, although they were present there , observing the scene, practitioners of these religions, whom some approached to ask for "Ache" (life force, similar to the grace of God).
The final blessing of God offered the veteran pastor and theologian renovated Sergio Arce Martínez: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you all brothers" and that "the love of God our Father, Creator of all the diversity that we see in nature and defend in society, together with the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us in diversity, is in all of you present here, and all human beings, which are known significant part of the diversity of the Father has created, "he said. + (PE)
Posted by André S. Musskopf

REVEREND CARI JACKSON STRIKES AGAIN AT FCC STAMFORD By Reverend Barbara Sexton

UPDATE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/12/samuel-l-jackson-obama-vote-black_n_1271797.html
If I didn't KNOW any better, I would swear that Reverend Cari Jackson, a black lesbian who is Senior Pastor of FCC Stamford, is hell-bent on initiating her very polarizing political adenda no matter what! (Google her if you are interested!) I am referring to today's 'vote' to perform gay marriages in the church's sanctuary.....a vote taken with most of the church's long-term members absent and/or not even consulted.

The First Congregational Church of Stamford is in dire financial straits at this point, which is no surprise. I don't imagine today's vote helping any, unless some reaaaaal rich liberals who are not reaaaal Christians pony up and help bail the place out. Many members with questions and dissenting opinions have been made to feel most unwelcome, as those with opinions contrary to the UCC-Mantras will find out should they choose to get involved in this mess.

As for those of us who have been thus marginalized by this "Open and Affirming" church, I say 'Mazel Tov'. Good luck to them, and let the rest of us 'move on' and away from the church that even President Obama himself ran from...and the church that brought forth the likes of Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Father Flager, and Rev Otis Moss. I regret that I had such a strong hand in facilitating civil rights for gays/GLBT as I have for all minorities, since things ended up as bad as they have in the United Church of Christ. But I guess that was my role in this, "The Pilgrim Church", gathered in 1635, where the "first Thanksgiving" was held. I am one stupid woman to believe that it really is 'open and affirming'.

It's has turned into something I do not recognize.

I wonder what the Holy Spirit has in store for us next?

God Help Us,

Reverend Barbara Sexton Jan 31, 2010