Why can't I ?

Why Can't I Own a Canadian?
October 2007

Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan,
The GBLT Community

Another Day another Blessing

These are my blessings. They can be challenging at times. Questioning my thoughts, opinions, asking for defenses of my theories. I love them for it. It appears in my later years, I have been presented with many new invoking souls to enhance my life.
We are here for each other. We are family/brothers for each other, anytime, any minute at all. A call away, a door knock away. Life is rich. How can I feel alone in this world, with close brothers like these. This sounds like a sermon in the making. What does God have in mind for us ? Are we concerned, happy, afraid ? Do we feel Blessed or Cursed. Do we have Faith, or lack of Faith ? Then our perceptions may influence how we perceive our lives. Am I Blessed, or Cursed, the answer usually in our heart. Yes we are gifted with the most amazing relationships, if we will just nurture them. And in return our gifts will nurture us in return. I love my family and would do anything to improve the quality of their lives. They in return would and have done the same.

Night in the busy City.

Night in the busy City.

June 18, 2007

Well it has l another good day. Is it the drugs? I wonder to a certain degree. The new meds may be a reflection of my mood, but, the sense of hope and love, I think may come from Spirit and the possibility of hope, could be a psycho med thing, hope, but I choose to stay in the spirit world. My soul feels feed today. I feel complete. Many other stresses, and conflicts are still present and my pain threshold is to the ceiling.
The pain is something to be endured like a bad haircut, a screaming child I would like to drown out in my head. Thank God for noise Canceling headphones. The city never seemed to miss a beat last night.
Orr and I drove to the horse and carriage area of the park and we took a carriage ride for an hour. With cold drinks, Orr jumped out in mid motion, and ran into a Starbucks, while the horseman sort of parked the carriage. What a wonderful night. Heavy traffic noise blanketing the heavy humid air, as we went farther into the park, it became cooler with all the trees and bushes and the water we were circling. We laughed as I was reading Thomas Jefferson's Bible aloud. " We must reduce our volume to the simple evangelist, select, even from the vary worlds only of Jesus. There will be remaining the most sublime and benevolent code of morals, which has ever been offered to man."
-Thomas Jefferson

Does this mean we being Gay are being offered a benevolent code of morals, thus, are we moral? I may be but Orr definitely not! He will have to purchase that option for past present, and future. I assured him, but I believed it could be done. He was not impressed, but I was.

To Lorrie with love

The wind was actually boisterous, the waves were actually high, but Peter did not see them at first. He did not reckon with them, he simply recognized his Loard and stepped out in recognition of Him, and walked on the water. Then he began to reckon with the actual things, and down he went instantly. Why could not our Loard have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves as well as on top of them? Neither could be done saving by recognition of Lord Jesus.
We step right out on God over some things then self-consideration enters in and down we go. If you are recognizing your Lord, you have no business with where He engineers your circumstances. The actual things are, but immediately you look at them you are overwhelmed, you cannot recognize Jesus, and the rebuke comes: "Wherefore didst thou doubt?" Let actual circumstances be what they may, keep recognizing Jesus, maintain complete on Him .
If you debate for a second when God has spoken, it is all up. Never began to say-- "Well, I wonder if He did speak? Be reckless immediately, fling it all out on Him. You do not know when His voice will come, but whenever the realization of God comes in the faintest way imaginable, recklessly abandon. It is only by abandon that you recognize Him. You will only realize His voice more clearly by recklessness.
"And Peter...walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid."
MATTHEW 14:29-30

Lorrie, I hope this helps, keep me abreast.
Love,
Joe

Home for Now.

Today is a Good Day

Thursday June 14, 2007

Today is a good day. It started out as a beautiful morning with sun and a cool 65-degree breeze. A freeing sensation to the heart and the soul sets me in flight to see the world yet another place to find possibility.

" Yesterday we sat among pines and thorn
Writing metaphors while birds filled the woods.
Stop one brief instant while branches mourn,
Hiding grief and shame among many moods,
The group of us with dirty feet, torn nails,
Life placed carefully beneath the roots of a tree.
I remember Tuesday night because it hailed
Although watching through the window, I failed
To go outside and gaze up with the others;
The fire kept me inside, loving the flames.
Later the warmth of soft and safe covers
blanketed me from the day's rainy games.
The day kept me in sync with my soul
each time I write I am closer to whole."

As I sit here, words seem to made sense as my mind streams them unto the page. I feel the sun sending me healing rays of strength, along with Joan Lee's constant prayers. I hear birds speaking to me on the balcony wall. It is their world as well; I think I am invading their space. I ask them if I may share this calming space. I am not sure if I am heard, but the birds do become quiet. I say thank you in a low loving voice.
When we think of our spiritual path…it seems paradoxical. Sometimes when we seek to find outwardly…it remains illusive…Merely sitting in church or reading a book on spirituality is no guarantee of spiritual awakening.
True spirit manifests as we realize it has never been absent from us…that it was always present as a potential in our hearts…there is no "finding it" in the sense of bringing it from some outer source into our awareness.
The paradox is that without a strong intention or desire to wake up a true nature…it is unlikely to manifest…that is why it is so important to develop the ability of sensing those promptings… the inner voice that tells us it is time to wake up…our spiritual alarm clock.

8:30 am New York morning

I apologize for the last posting, on pain meds, not proper typing, sorry.
I an going to Sloane Clinic, to try and finish up tx, and hope HD is in remission again, I believe too many medications, compromised my body, allowing the HD to rear its head.
More when I return later this afternoon, Orr is bringing the car up front and I need to be down stairs, I hear him buzzing.

Email