sodom

Pastor Bill Grace looks at the wickedness of the world, Jesus' compassion for the lost, and Lot's life in Sodom.

When people reference Sodom nowadays, it can be a fast route to controversy and even conflict. And there can be a great deal of latitude taken by Christians with terms like “righteous nation” and “Christian nation”—often when referencing their own nation. What can the story of the destruction of Sodom—and the later story of Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom of Judah as seen through Ezekiel—teach us about how to view nations…and individuals in those nations? Join Kevin as we take a fresh look at the Sodom event in the time of Abraham and the idea of a “righteous Christian nation.” // Download this episode's Application & Action questions and PDF transcript at whitestone.org.

Meet us in the pit this week for a hella good time! We’re getting our aggression by revisiting the starting point of Kevin’s music fandom. The thrash, crossover, and speed metal movement of the 80s spawned his love of all things rock n’ punk n’ metal. We will not be covering the Big 4 of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax; but if you love them, then you will love this bunch. How will Robert react to one of our heaviest episodes of all time??? Will he be metal thrashing mad or just plain mad?!?!

What is it that we do here at InObscuria? We exhume obscure Rock n' Punk n' Metal in one of 3 categories: the Lost, the Forgotten, or the Should Have Beens. In this episode, we explore all things mosh-worthy! This is real metal people. All hail the speed and ferocity of Thrash! Our hope is that we turn you on to something new and heavy.

Songs this week include:

1. Nuclear Assault – “Rise From The Ashes”from Survive(1988)
2. D.R.I. – “5 Year Plan” from Crossover (1987) 
3. Stone – “Get Stoned” from Stone (1988)
4. Evile – “Underworld” from Skull (2013)
5. Voivod – “Technocratic Manipulators” from Dimension Hatross (1987)
6. Sacred Reich – “The American Way” from The American Way (1990)
7. No Mercy – “Widespread Bloodshed… Love Runs Red” from Widespread Bloodshed… Love Runs Red (1987)

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If you’d like to check out Kevin’s band THE SWEAR, take a listen on all streaming services or pick up a digital copy of their latest release here: https://theswear.bandcamp.com/

If you want to hear Robert and Kevin’s band from the late 90s – early 00s BIG JACK PNEUMATIC, check it out here: https://bigjackpnuematic.bandcamp.com/

Check out Robert’s amazing fire sculptures and metal workings here: http://flamewerx.com/

Thank you for joining us here at #Christian Straight Talk - as you join Reverend Ben Cooper and Simon Pinchbeck as they continue in Exodus chapter 20 and continue the study and the deep dive into the 10 Commandments last week was on murder and it is rolling over to adultery and what that means biblically and how it opened up a conversation far beyond what they could imagine.

"...the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished. ”
 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” Genesis 19:15-17
Lot and his family are saved from the destruction of Sodom, where they had become prominent. It took angles to literally pull them from the city! During their flight from their place of residence and sin, they were told to not look back, which was too much for Lot's wife. 
The story of Lot is often the story of my own sin. Initially, I don't live in it, but I get close. Eventually I move in and I'm a full fledged participant. Only through God's grace and prodding do I escape! If I look back, the whole process can begin anew and death awaits, just like Lot's wife! 
Thankfully, we have a Savior that gives us guidance and direction as Lot received. Join me in reading Genesis 19 and be encouraged! 

Just a Guy and His World

Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:13-14
God knows instantly and effortlessly all matter and all matters, all mind and every mind, all spirit and all spirits, all being and every being, all creaturehood and all creatures, every plurality and all pluralities, all law and every law, all relations, all causes, all thoughts, all mysteries, all enigmas, all feelings, all desires, every unuttered secret, all thrones and dominions, all personalities, all things visible and invisible in heaven and in earth, motion, space, time, life, death, good, evil, heaven, and hell.
 We can fool others, but not the unblinking, omniscient eye of God. He sees how our shoes fit and the soap residue on our hands. He knows our unspoken thoughts. AW Tozer
God knows all and He loves us. Join me in reading Genesis 18 and be encouraged!

Just a Guy and His World

Magnanimous perfectly describes Father Abram after his experience in Egypt. Down in Egypt his lack of trust in God had reduced him to a small-hearted, self-focused man. But back in Canaan, repentant and trusting God, he exemplified a greatness of spirit and generosity of soul in his dealings with his nephew Lot. Now the story of Abram's rescue of Lot provides us with an instructive sequel to chapter 13 as we see Abram, the man of faith, living magnanimously in a sinful, violent world - as he trusts God. Such living would bring Abram unique rewards, as his recompense and mighty declaration will show. 
Join me in reading Genesis 14 and be encouraged!

Just a Guy and His World

Saint Athanasius Church

Contra Mundum Swagger

Video Version

The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas is the Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope of Dallas, called and elected by the 4,500-member congregation on April 12, 2015, following a year-long search. He began his tenure on June 3, 2015.  In 2015 he has been granted Privilege of Call in the United Church of Christ.  Prior to his arrival at Cathedral of Hope, Rev. Neil served as Senior Pastor of two Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC); MCC Bournemouth, England (1989-2002) and Founders Metropolitan Community Church, Los Angeles  (2002-2015), the founding church of Metropolitan Community Churches, an international movement of churches reaching in and beyond the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, and inter- sex community.

A member of Metropolitan Community Churches since 1981, Rev. Neil has served in numerous denominational positions including Chair, Board of Ordained Ministries (European District); Member, Elder’s Task Force on Education; Member, European District Committee; Member, Board of Samaritan College in Europe; Supervising Pastor, and Ecumenical Officer. He has served on the Moderator’s Advising Team and consultant to the Office of Formation and Leadership Development.  As a native of Bournemouth, England, Rev. Neil was born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His family left the Mormon Church in his early years. In his 20’s, he served as Chaplain to those dying from HIV/AIDS in the Bournemouth area, which led to being an advocate which continues to this day. Rev. Neil is a sought-after speaker and contributor to local, national and international conversations around the intersectionality of faith, color, gender, gender-identity and sexual orientation.

Rev. Neil has been a leader with Faith Forward Dallas, which is a diverse coalition of Dallas’ faith leaders dedicated to service, hope and a shared vision of peace and justice and serves as a moral compass for the North Texas Community. Rev. Neil is currently co-authoring a book about faith struggles during a pandemic and is highly regarded in the LGBTQIA community not only locally but also throughout the country.

On a personal note, Rev. Neil is the father of a young daughter whom he adores.

www.fallingoutlgbtq.com

https://cathedralofhope.com/

twitter: @fallinglgbtq

instagram: @fallingoutlgbtqpod

'The Ministry of Jesus' Sermon Series

The seventeenth sermon in a sermon series on the life of Abraham, Genesis 19.12-29.

The sixteenth sermon in a sermon series on the life of Abraham, Genesis 19.1-11.

The fifteenth sermon in a sermon series on the life of Abraham, Genesis 18.16b-33.

In Genesis 18, Abraham stands on a mountain with Yahweh, pleading mercy for the wicked cities down in the valley. This is one of the high moments in Abraham’s life since interceding for rebellious people is what being a prophet in the Bible is all about. Join us for this week’s episode as we discuss the role of Sodom and Gomorrah in the book of Genesis, and their continued role in cultural imagination today.

Weekend teaching: Brentwood & Concord

Other helpful links:

• The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics by Robert A. J. Gagnon
• A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus by David Bennett
• Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin
• People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue by Preston Sprinkle

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