Rambling Journal Entry #170117: So, minorities. Think about it a bit more.

Rambling Journal Entry #170117: So, minorities. Think about it a bit more.

Which Gospel

Friends, in the name of Christ, Greetings.

Here in 2016, the rally cries are loud and persistent. "Make America great again!" "Bring God back to our nation!" "We need Christian leaders!" Fundamentalists will have us to believe that we are a heathen nation heading to hell in a hand-basket. Yet, for many continuous years, a vast majority of our policy makers and shakers proudly wear the Christian moniker, often with an (R) attached to their name.

The American Christian Fundamentalism sect is just over a hundred years old. In the grand scheme of the ancient two-thousand years history of the Christian faith, it is but a newborn. Judaism, of which Jesus the Christ lived, originates in an Eastern philosophical mindset, completely foreign to a Western mindset. To me, the ACF too often carries itself as if it were a cult.

Lucy Patrick has commented: "Although we live in a democracy, cult behavior manifests itself in our unwillingness to question the judgment of our leaders, our tendency to devalue outsiders and to avoid dissent. We can overcome cult behavior, he says, by recognizing that we have dependency needs that are inappropriate for mature people, by increasing anti-authoritarian education, and by encouraging personal autonomy and the free exchange of ideas." [ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult]

 From the vantage point of evangelical Christianity, one definition might be: A cult is a perversion of the gospel, based upon an unholy devotion to a person, a principle, or both.

 "Cult behavior reflects the wish for a loving, accepting sibling group that is protected and cherished by a powerful, omnipotent parent. The problem with such a wish and its accompanying fantasy is that no human being can fill the role of the superparent, and adults can never again be children. To preserve the fantasy, reality must be distorted, because of this distortion, cult behavior results in a loss of realism."  For many,  the ACF was "initially very warm and loving, until it would reveal its cold, punitive side whenever someone questioned the [ACF] beliefs or behavior. Such dissent was labeled “selfish” or “evil,” and group approval was withdrawn and the dissenter isolated." [http://www.deikman.com/former.html]

It's as if the ACF wants God to fit in their definition of Him, and want to challenge any who dare to believe any different. How is it that they know that their infant belief system is greater than the whole history of the Christian religion? How is it that any other faith practice is deemed inferior?

God's grace and mercy is a mysterious gem with a myriad of unique facets waiting to be discovered. The hard-lined interpretation of the Bible should not be worshipped. The living Word of God is he who we are to emulate and follow. A strict literal following of Scripture by the ACF puts them in contrast to the compassion and welcome that Christ has asked us to share.

The Apostle Paul aptly reminds us, in the book of Galatians, "I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News, but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ."

I am but another mere human with countless flaws, seeking to please God alone, following his grace. My question to followers within the ACF, which gospel is your life showing to the world? Would the world see Jesus the Christ in your condemnations, your judgements, your demanding conformity?

For now,
Kevin R. Tengesdal

This is My Ever-Growing Manifesto

Rambling Journal Entry #160820:

One of the many evils that I did unto myself during my first 50 years of childhood was perpetually purposing to please everyone to gain their acceptance and inclusion.

With Apologies to Dr. Seuss

I am Kevin

I am Sam
Sam I am

That Sam-I-am
That Sam-I-am!
I do not like
that Sam-I-am

Do you like
boobies and gam

Soul Alive

Sunday is long gone.

Tuesday is here present.

Gathering has dispersed.

Loneliness has appeared.

Lost in the shadows.

Grace always present.

Turn toward Him.

Soul alive.

Weeping whimpers

Weeping whimpers darken the shadows.
You have seen the shadows in the fog.
Hidden remains the darkness, locked.
You have heard the whimpers in the fog.
Silenced remains the weeping, stifled.
Stifle the fog, lock the fog.
Unseen and unheard,
Remains clamoring light,
Erasing shadows.

I don't know

I don't know. I have never been clinically diagnosed or stuff.

Out of Context...

2nd Chronicles 7:14 -- Out of Context... America is not God’s chosen nation or land. Americans are not God’s chosen people. America is nowhere to be found in this passage nor is any other nation besides Israel. We need to remember that not everything in the Bible is about us. The Bible is about God first and foremost.

http://pleaseconvinceme.com/2013/a-text-out-of-context-2-chronicles-714/

Letters to the Editor

A few "Letters to the Editor" I have written...

What are we do with those we consider to be different from us?

What are we do with those we consider to be different from us? How are we as followers of Christ supposed to interact with the marginalized that make us uncomfortable? How can our lives be a living example of His good news?

I must be an ambivert...

Reading through those lists of characteristics of introverts and extroverts, I have smattering of each in my personality characteristics...

Never Have I Ever

Been asked on a second date
Been a groomsmen
Been a godfather
Been married
Known that I was flirted on
Been arrested for a crime
Seen Mount Rushmore
Seen a Bond movie
Written a song
Traveled to all fifty states
Parachuted
Bungee jumping
Roller bladed
Been asked for my number
Kissed a frog
Had a secret admirer
Taken a lie detector test
Received a blood transfusion
Walked in on my parents
Attended a worship service other than Christian

Yeah, it is visiting again.

So, thoughts have been ruminating. I enjoy life on my own.

God is Still in Control

Same-sex attractions and love have been throughout the course of world history. Today, we have become a religion worshiping scripture heralding the exclamation of "But the Bible says, or does not say..." as the primary modus operandi in which to judge someone different than us.

Mother's Day Memories

You know, being a confirmed bachelor who has lived many places, traveled many miles, it really has been a grateful life with the dozens of doting Moms who have nurtured me.

Obituary - April 2015

Kevin Roy Tengesdal [age], [Current Town], formerly of many places, has died [give full disclosure of death type and details].

Rambling Journal Entry #150406

Rambling Journal Entry #150406: I think there might a point or a question to this lengthy rambling, hope you can find it.

My Life is An Open Book Ramble #150402

My Life is An Open Book Ramble #150402: May I come clean, come out, and let you know the truth of the matter, the truth of my psyche? If not, please pass on, for the poop is about to get real and raw.

THE GAY AGENDA

THE GAY AGENDA: A tax-exempt gay community center in every city in America, preferably more than one. Mass mailings to every household inviting new recruits to said centers. Insist on the word "GAY" on all money, and in every National Anthem. Recruit only gay politicians to run the country. Door-to-door knocking campaigns to let potential recruits know that your gay club is the only club to attend. Specific rituals and initiations to become a member of the gay club. Über Gay personalities on every television channel recruiting more people to choose to become gay. Gay literature in every motel room across the country. If your interpretation and presentation of gay is not the same as others, divide said clubs into more exclusive clubs.

Rambling Rumination #150308:

So, Jesus met a woman. Even asked for a drink from her. Yes. A woman. Even more scandalous was that she was a Samaritan and he was a Jew.