For the last 20ish years, I have considered myself to be an absolute atheist. I based this on my logic, reason, and reading of the Bible.
I saw the inconsistencies and errors in the Bible. Instead of realizing that these errors and inconsistencies could be attributed to the fallen state of man, I reasoned that they were proof that God didn’t exist as I had grown up being taught that every word in the Bible was not only inspired by God, but also that God was the “editor” of the Bible with it being an infallible, perfect work.
A few months ago, I had an issue with a former work colleague who claimed that the Bible was a bunch of nonsense and lies. That Christianity was a bunch of stuff made up by a bunch of guys to control people. I got upset by his comments and this confused me. If I was an absolute atheist, then why was I bothered by what someone said about a faith I didn’t believe in.
I ended up talking with my Grandpa about the incident and about faith in general. One of the things we discussed was about how the Bible canon came into being and how the Bible can have errors and inconsistencies due to the fallen nature of man and the political wishes of those in power at the time. That even with those issues, that it can still be divinely inspired and “Holy”.
Since then I’ve been thinking on things more and more… and I reached a conclusion. I’m not an absolute atheist. I’m not an atheist either. I may have said that I’m an atheist, but some part of me still believed and still recognized the Truth. I wouldn’t have been offended by my former coworker if I didn’t have a mustard seed of faith waiting deep inside.
Yes, there are issues with the Bible canon, issues with different dominations, issues with corruption of the Faith by those trying to protect their power… but that doesn’t mean the core message and story is not true. The Bible is ultimately the textbook for the Faith but is not the Faith itself.
After 20+ years of denying God and Jesus, His Son, I am no longer in denial. I confess today that I am a fallen man in need of salvation. I confess that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness and grace. I profess this day that I believe in God the Father, who sent His only Son, Jesus, to die in my place so that I may know His mercy, though I deserve none.
I am not perfect, nor will I ever be… but I will be working each day to be a better man to be worthy of His grace and promise.
@SandyofCthulhu In the first Percy Jackson movie, Percy and the gang go to Nashville to visit the Parthenon. Only problem is that the signs and section of interstate they show are not along the route they’d take from New England or the northern states.
1SG: SFC, we had a Soldier use the open door policy today.
It involves you.
SFC: Ok, 1SG.
1SG: Did you tell PV2 Snuffy to STFU and get back to work.
SFC: Absolutely.
1SG: Reason being?
SFC: Because I didn't want PV2 Snuffy to continue speaking and I wanted her to get back to work.
1SG: I understand but what caused you to say that?
SFC: Well, after I put out what needed to be done for the day, PV2 Snuffy was being told what to do and kept asking her NCO, "why?" So after the third "why" | calmly told PV2 Snuffy to STFU, and do what the fuck she's told. Then after she made the sad face, I told her to get the fuck back to work.
1SG: You can't just curse at Soldiers like that.
SFC: Why, 1SG?
1SG: Because you just can't anymore, SFC.
SFC: But why, 1SG?
1SG: Because these Soldiers are too sensitive and they complain about everything.
SFC: Ok but why, 1SG?
1SG: Because I goddamn fucking said so! Aww, shit.
Motherfuck...
SFC: I'd like to use the Commander's open door policy, 1SG. 1SG: GTFO of my office.
SFC: Why?
1SG: I fucking h8 you.
Aurora, Colorado police & mental health professionals (seriously...) responded to an apartment complex where Amare Garlington (23) had threatened to harm people.
After talking to Mr. Garlington through a window for approximately 30 mins, he exited his apartment with a knife. K9 Cyrus attempted to take him down but Mr. Garlington stabbed Cyrus then stabbed his handler.
The handler then drew his Gen5 Glock 45 MOS wearing a Type 2 RMR and Surefire X300 (👌🏽) and performed an impromptu 9mm JHP ballistic test on Mr. Garlington's torso.
The ballistic test was a success and Mr. Garlington died on the scene.
More importantly, Cyrus was rushed to the vet for emergency surgery and is doing fine now 🐶
Avoid counting on mental health professionals when dealing with armed threats accordingly 🔪
#CityLife #knife #glock #police #crime #diversity #aurora #colorado #meltingpot #urban #cops #ballistics #surefire #trijicon #democrats
It is standard practice to list all Hispanics and Middle Easterners as “White”. I’ve encountered this at work (small county jail) with all but a couple of the “White” inmates being Hispanic/Brown.
I think it’s very misleading but the system and policy doesn’t allow for other categories, so they’re listed as “White”.
In a thorough analysis of the Florida Department of Corrections, the Miami Herald identified at least 40,000 inmates with Hispanic surnames who were officially classified as “white”.
This is happening all over the country, in every city, in every state, erroneously inflating crime data for the white population.
The books are cooked…