Question #510 - Beatitude breakdown
Have always heard different takes on The Beatitudes. Could you give me a break down on each one as to what they mean?


Leon's Response

Question #509 - after the resurrection questions
After the Resurrection why do you think there were those that did not recognize Christ. Do you think that his appearance had changed? Something like back in Psalms 45? Do you think the violent earthquake in Matthew 28:2 was just felt in that area of where the tomb was? Where as at the Crucifixion it caused many thing to happen in the area (rocks split, tombs broke open, bodies were raised to life). I could see that being a miracle.


Leon's Response

Question #508 - disagreement over having another baby
I want a fourth child and my husband doesn't. I have been married for six years and we have 3 boys and I would like to have a daughter. Before my husband and I gotten married we both agreed upon having 4 or 5 children (husband->) if we could afford it. He also told me that he would not have any more children after the age of 30 and he will be 28 this year. I don't want a child right now because we are not as stable as we should be but, I would prefer just one more, boy or girl , in the near future. He has stated to me that he does not want any more children regardless and that I should get my tubes tied. He even makes us use condoms during intercourse (in which he knows that I don't like.) I feel that he is very controlling with a lot of things but now I have no control over my own sex life and I don't think that it is fair. I have put up with condoms for almost two years and when I have a talk about other contraceptives he has said that he would use his own protection anyway. I don't know how to handle this because he has dishonored our conversation we had before marriage so we just don't talk about anymore but when people ask are we having any more children, he jokes about it and it is a very sensitive subject for me. I have prayed about it and just don't think about it too much but it seems when I see or hear about babies being born I get sad. Am I wrong, what shall I do?

Leon's Response

Question #507 - God's love & gay marriage
My friend Kevin wrote this: Would he be correct in his words?

God Is Love: Thoughts On Gay Marriage Share

"God is Love!" I join with the apostle John in remembering this truth. "Everything you do should be done in love." I join with the apostle Paul in striving to live this truth. "Every minute build in more generous love to others." I join with the apostle Peter in developing this truth. "As you are loved, Love!" I join with our Lord Jesus the Christ in being shaped by this truth.

Love is not a means to an end. Love is the means and the end. Love is the practice that will identify those who are the Kingdom of God. Love is a citizenship, that must pervade every element of praxis in a reborn life.

It is because of this I have stood at odds for a very long time with many people I love dearly in conservative Christianity over the issue of 'Gay Marriage.' I do not take anyone to task on their reading of and understanding of the Bible. However, I can not understand how reading a book, that calls it's followers to be a people defined by love one could ever use it as a source to demonize any class of people.

If YHWH God is love, and his are people who are known by their love; then Christianity's politicized campaign against gay marriage has cost her very identity. It is as impossible to tell a person they are "Love by God" and campaign to deny them of any civil rights, as it would be to tell a hungry man, "be warm and well fed" and leave him to starve.

I am reminded of the words of Jesus who said, "Be compassionate, as the Lord your God is compassionate." This call to compassion must be as enveloping as the very compassion of God.

I am aware that many people who have heard countless Christian leaders press how 'Gay Marriage' is the most pressing issue to the church today may be very offended by this. Feel free to correct me, I close by going back to the beginning.

Love is not a means to an end. Love is the means and the end. Love is the practice that will identify those who are the Kingdom of God. Love is a citizenship, that must pervade every element of praxis in a reborn life.

"God is Love"

Leon's Response

Question #506 - upcoming marriage adultery?
If you were studying with a non-scripturally divorced, non-Christian, who was about to be married again, would you argue that his upcoming marriage will be adultery? Would God look at his circumstances differently since he was not a Christian nor his spouse in his first marriage?

Leon's Response

Question #505 - One race, one man?
Good site helpful answers to the questions. I don't know whether this helps or not as an addition to question 46 we are all related. The Chinese thought they were a different evolutionary development from the rest of the world. But studies in blood and genetics have now shown that even they (who did not like the idea of being related) have now been shown to be scientifically, also a bit of a shock for those of the Klu Klux Clan variety the same genetics show we are also racially related.

Leon's Response

Question #504 - How to use God's money?
Bro. Leon, could you give me verses of scriptures as how we are to use God's money as a church. What do you feel is right or wrong?

Leon's Response

Question #503 - Can I be forgiven?
Well the only way to say this is I am a sinner, I cheated on my first wife and we divorced, she remarried. I have been thinking about baptism, will I be forgiven and can I remarry?

Leon's Response

Question #502 - Homosexuality immutable?
Having read your q&a about homosexuality, it seems that it would be okay for gays to date and kiss et cetera (just not have sex) just like the unmarried people your congregation. Is that your position? Please explain in regards to your previous concession that homosexuality is immutable.

Leon's Response

Question #501 - Strong statements
I have trouble understanding "The cost of being a Disciple" Luke 14 25-34. Such strong statements that I don't understand. Why is it at times the Gospel is hard to grasp as to what it means?

Leon's Response