Lent

Yesterday started the official period of Lent. Lent is the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter which is for the purpose of sacrifice and cleansing for The celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ. I encourage anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and the Gospel to participate in Lent. The 40 days in which Lent is traditionally practiced is comparable to the 40 days in which Jesus Christ fasted and prepared for his ministry to the World. During this period, Satan tempted Jesus but Jesus prevailed. So, in imitation and emulation of Jesus, during this period, it is encouraged the Christians give up something that is extremely important in their lives, something that could be an idol in your life. Also, during this time, we should be focusing on God, on his grace and mercy and bringing ourselves closer to him as well as seeking to understand Jesus' great sacrifice.


This year I have given up meat, facebook and reading for pleasure. It's been tough and it's only been one day, how weak am I. But it's alright for God has my back.


"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Westboro Church prevails in Snyder v. Phelps

Today, The Supreme Court's decision came out on the case of Snyder v. Phelps. I have mixed feelings and am overall sad about their decision. There are three reasons:

1. The First Amendment is being used by hate groups to hide.
2. The Westboro Church will view this as a victory from God, and further the persecution Christians must face because of their use of Christianity to support their hateful views.
3. More military families will have to face these people while trying to get through their grief of losing a loved one.

The First Amendment has been used by many people as protection against persecution. It has been used for both good and bad. The Supreme Court has gone through great lengths to protect the broad protection of the First Amendment because Freedom is what our Country has been built upon. But at what point is too much freedom a bad thing? Is it when groups like the Westboro Baptist Church can throw hateful messages around and antagonize military funerals as long as they talk about national issues and follow the rules given to them by the authorities? Or do we have to wait until complete anarchy has overrun the earth? I am not saying that our country is moving to anarchy, but it is possible. I just want to know, when does freedom become too much?

The Reason I am most sad, is because the Westboro group is calling themselves a baptist church. I would like to know, just what part of their mission, their message, is baptist? What part of it is even remotely Christian?

I understand that the Westboro Church believes they are doing the right thing and that they believe that God has turned away from the U.S. But don't these people deserve the privacy of their grief? If God did indeed strike down these men who have died because of homosexuality and others issues, should they not leave indiviudal members alone and go on a national level? Go into politics, the media, and other public sources without preying on private matters such as funerals.

Washington Post Article:
http://tinyurl.com/4maccpv