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Every day of the year has an association with a pagan god, holiday, or ritual. What if your birthday fell on Samhain? Should you not have a birthday cake with lit candles because celebrating with fire on Samhain can invoke demons? The important thing in everyone's life is their *mindset*... If someone feels strongly that Christmas or Easter or any other day should not be celebrated, then they shouldn't do so. But it isn't their duty to inflict their cognitive dissonance on others who have no such issues. Don't give Satan more power than he has. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:7

probably the Hubble Bubble Gum telescope...

When I get to the Kingdom, if Jesus says "We don't do Christmas up here", I'll be totally OK with that. If he says "But we're still gonna do Hannakah", I'll think it's a great idea. I think the "rules" in the Kingdom will be much more clear (probably different) once we get there; and I think they will be much less stringent and exacting than some make them seem here. Plus, the Law will be written in our hearts rather than scattered throughout a book; so we will likely keep it unconsiously. Once we make it to the Kingdom, every day will be better than Christmas! To those of you who are celebrating Christmas - "Merry Christmas"! To those of you who are NOT celebrating Christmas - "Merry Christmas"!

AMEN, Pam! I may be wrong; but I think even EGW says that we should have Christmas decorations. If people think holiday celebrations are "wrong", they should avoid them. Even though I know there is no way Jesus was born on Dec. 25, I will still celebrate the holiday as an opportunity to be generous to others and be with family and friends (not to mention having a whole week off from work!). Some people have a slave attitude in their faith, thinking that God is seeking their servitude and submission as a slave rather than a relationship between a Father and his kids. One is a relationship of fear and judgement; while the other is a relationship of love and trust.

Perhaps we should just crawl into a cave and become hermits from the world. You seem too concerned about what others do. Who cares what holiday is observed by another persons/persons. Too much time is spent on which came first 'chicken or egg'. Get on with life and live.

Scuba, are you trying to exclude everyone from the Kingdom that doesn't believe like you? That sounds like a very "exclusive" religion (rather than "inclusive"). I prefer to think that my God wants to include as many of His children as He can rather than kick them out of the family on a "technicality".

Kevin, It sounds like you're buying into the speculative Theory of Evolution which assumes that the first humans started with zero knowledge and slowly invented everything, including religion. The Bible teaches that Noah knew God's ways. "Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God." (Gen 6:9) So all the people-groups descended from Noah would have still had fragments of knowledge about God's ways. God's appointed times (moedim) are first mentioned at creation. (See Genesis 1:14, where moedim is poorly translated as "seasons".) Also, the "agricultural cycle" is part of God's covenant with the descendants of Noah, and is something that God is in control of. "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease." (Genesis 8:22) So according to the Bible, God's people didn't "take over" the pagan days based on the agricultural cycle, but rather the pagans inherited from Noah a knowledge of the agricultural cycle along with knowledge that God had appointed times.

Donkeys have the kindest looking eyes.

But yet the Pagan days for the Pagans who lived in the land of Canaan (because it was based on the agricultural cycle) were taken over by the Bible. Then there was a feast that was not in the Old Testament but started after the Old Testament was done being written. Jesus treated this new holyday just like he treated Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, showing that Jesus is willing to bless us even if we take new days for celebration.

It appears you may not remember this comment, to which I responded below. In rereading your comments it looks like you're jumping all over the place.... I also don't think its right to slanderously gossip about people who aren't here to defend themselves. If you want to know about various unbelievers and the why, I would suggest you do what God tells us to, and did/does, get to know them on a personal basis. Since I do get to know people on a personal basis and have found out the whys I'm not so disposed to engage in this type of discussion. Whatever. Ya me voy! I'm not interested in holier than thou non conversations!

Jackson, We don't know a thing about each other. And your concern is very kind and touching. I want you to know something very personal about me... I didn't choose to be gay.. But I did choose JESUS CHRIST as my Lord and Savior. It is Him who wooed me from my past life. And let me share a bit more... I stopped holding God hostage for what others and I thought he was supposed to do for me. I will trust Him anyway!. His Grace has been sufficient.. # We both are Fearfully and Wonderfully made May the Joy of the Lord Be your Strength!

We are in agreement, wasn't suggesting you wouldn't vote. A statement in general because people do give up and don't vote. What percent of the population actually vote? and then it only takes 51% of that vote to win. Only 25-30 % voted for the person who wins? That is a tough job.

Politics is a series of compromises. The person running for President or any other office is supposed to represent a very large diversity of people, not exactly a possibility. Therefore as a voting public we have to make a decision on the candidate we feel/think/hope will do the best for the country as a whole, not special interests or just follow the party line. That is very difficult, but it is our only choice. To not vote for someone is to give in to hopelessness. The problem I see as of late is the losing party doing everything they can to stop the elected Presidents actions. The concern is to get their party back in power. Happens with both sides. Ideology is becoming the rule of the country rather than what is best for the country.

I think the whole flood story is one of God's interference to protect those committed to Him, in the midst of chaos which ensues because the world rejects God. God is the source of "life" and "order". Without God's input of divine energy, every becomes chaotic. Everything slows down, runs down, and breaks down. (Second Law of Thermodynamics) The scientists say that our whole universe will eventually cease to exist. They are looking at things as they appear now. They are not taking into consideration the input of divine creative energy to restore order on the earth, and in our dimension/universe. Here are two verses that - to me - tell us the WHY, concerning the flood. I don't believe that God actually slammed the asteroid into the earth, causing the flood. But I do believe that God pulled back His spirit - the input of divine energy, and the heavenly bodies began to loose their ordered synchronized paths. Which allowed an asteroid to plow into earth. Genesis 6:5 “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Job 21:14 [Speaking of those who lived just prior to the Flood of Noah] “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways” (KJV). Job 22:17 “They said to God, ‘Leave us alone! What can the Almighty do to us?’” (NIV) God set everything in balance, and then held everything in balance. When the people of earth told the LORD “Depart from us!”, the LORD honored their wish. He withdrew His Spirit from this physical dimension except for a boat with eight people aboard (and a whole lot of animals). Entropy set in. Everything began to go out of balance. Noah and his family emerged to find the world completely altered. Before the flood the crystalline firmament protected them from damaging rays, but from that day forward those rays would “age” them much more rapidly. Those rays coupled with poor nutrition, and consumption of animal foods, weaked their immune systems, shortened their lives and caused mutations of their DNA. Starving animals became carnivorous. Scavengers multiplied. The earth has continued on towards sure and certain “death” since the flood of Noah’s day. And the LORD allowed all of this. King David wrote, “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off”(Psa 90:10).

African Languages Swahili Zulu Chewa Krismasi Njema / Heri ya krismas UKhisimusi omuhle Moni Wa Chikondwelero Cha Kristmasi Afganistan (Dari) Christmas Mubarak (کرسمس مبارک) Albanian Gëzuar Krishtlindjen Arabic Eid Milad Majid (عيد ميلاد مجيد) Which means 'Glorious Birth Feast' Armenian Shnorhavor Amanor yev Surb Tznund (Շնորհավոր Ամանոր և Սուրբ Ծնունդ) Which means 'Congratulations for the Holy Birth' Belgium Dutch/Flemish French German Walloon Vrolijk Kerstfeest Joyeux Noël Froeliche Weihnachten djoyeus Noyé Bulgarian Vesela Koleda Chinese - Mandarin Cantonese Sheng Dan Kuai Le (圣诞快乐) Seng Dan Fai Lok (聖誕快樂) Croatian (and Bosnian) Sretan Božić Czech Vesele Vanoce Danish Glædelig Jul The Democratic Republic of Congo - Lingala Mbotama Malamu Esperanto Feliĉan Kristnaskon Estonian Rõõmsaid Jõulupühi Finnish Hyvää joulua French Breton Corsican Joyeux Noël Nedeleg Laouen Bon Natale German Froeliche Weihnachten Ghana - Dagbani Akan Ni ti Burunya Chou Afishapa Greek Kala Christouyenna or Καλά Χριστούγεννα Georgian gilocav shoba-akhal c’els or გილოცავ შობა-ახალ წელს Greenlandic Danish (also used in Greenland) Juullimi Pilluarit Glædelig Jul Hawaiian Mele Kalikimaka Holland (Dutch) Zalig Kerstfeest or Zalig Kerstmis (both mean Merry Christmas), Vrolijk Kerstfeest (Cheerful Christmas) or Prettig Kerstfeest (Nice Christmas) Hungarian Kellemes karácsonyi ünnepeket Icelandic Gleðileg jól India - Hindi Urdu Sanskrit Gujarati Bengali Tamil Konkani Kannada Mizo Marathi Punjabi Malayalam Telugu Śubh krisamas (शुभ क्रिसमस) krismas mubarak (کرسمس) Krismasasya shubhkaamnaa Anandi Natal or Khushi Natal (આનંદી નાતાલ) shubho bôṛodin (শুভ বড়দিন) kiṟistumas vāḻttukkaḷ (கிறிஸ்துமஸ் வாழ்த்துக்கள்) Khushal Borit Natala kris mas habbada shubhaashayagalu (ಕ್ರಿಸ್ ಮಸ್ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು) Krismas Chibai Śubh Nātāḷ (शुभ नाताळ) karisama te nawāṃ sāla khušayāṃwālā hewe (ਕਰਿਸਮ ਤੇ ਨਵਾੰ ਸਾਲ ਖੁਸ਼ਿਯਾੰਵਾਲਾ ਹੋਵੇ) Christmas inte mangalaashamsakal Christmas Subhakankshalu Indonesian Selamat Natal Iran (Farsi) Kurdish (Kumanji) Christmas MobArak Kirîsmes u ser sala we pîroz be Irish - Gaelic Nollaig Shona Dhuit Israel - Hebrew Chag Molad Sameach (חג מולד שמח) meaning Happy festival of the Birth Italian Sicilian Ladin Buon Natale Bon Natali Bon/Bun Nadèl Japanese Meri Kurisumasu (or 'Meri Kuri' for short!) Hiragana: めりーくりすます Katakana: メリークリスマス Korean 'Meri krismas' (메리 크리스마스) or 'Jeulgaeun krismas doeseyo' (즐거운 크리스마스 되세요) Latvian Priecïgus Ziemassvºtkus Lithuanian Linksmų Kalėdų Macedonian Streken Bozhik or Среќен Божик Madagascar (Malagasy) Tratra ny Noely Maltese Il-Milied it-Tajjeb Malaysia - Bahasa/Malay Malayalam Selamat Hari Natal Puthuvalsara Aashamsakal Manx (spoken on the Isle of Man) Nollick Ghennal Native American/ First Nation Languages Apache (Western) Navajo Inuit Yupik Gozhqq Keshmish Nizhonigo Keshmish Quvianagli Anaiyyuniqpaliqsi Alussistuakeggtaarmek This page has a large list of Merry Christmas Native/First Nation Languages Nepali Kreesmasko shubhkaamnaa (क्रस्मसको शुभकामना) New Zealand (Maori) Meri Kirihimete Nigeria - Hausa Yoruba Fulani Igbo (Ibo) Edo Ibibio barka dà Kirsìmatì E ku odun, e ku iye'dun Jabbama be salla Kirismati E keresimesi Oma Iselogbe Idara ukapade isua Norwegian God Jul or Gledelig Jul Philippines - Tagalog Ilokano Ilonggo Sugbuhanon or Cebuano Bicolano Pangalatok or Pangasinense Maligayang Pasko Naragsak Nga Paskua Malipayon nga Pascua Maayong Pasko Maugmang Pasko Maabig ya pasko or Magayagan inkianac Papiamentu - spoken in the Lesser Antilles (Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire) Bon Pascu Polish 'Wesołych Świąt' (Merry Christmas) 'Bożego Narodzenia' (Christ is Born) Portuguese Feliz Natal or Boas Festas Romanian Crặciun Fericit Russian s rah-zh-dee-st-VOHM (C рождеством!) or s-schah-st-lee-vah-vah rah-zh dee-st-vah (Счастливого рождества!) Rwanda (Kinyarwanda) Noheli nziza Samoan Manuia Le Kerisimasi Scotland - Scots Gaelic Blithe Yule Nollaig Chridheil Serbian Hristos se rodi (Христос се роди) - Christ is born Vaistinu se rodi (Ваистину се роди) - truly born (reply) Slovakian Vesele Vianoce Slovene or Slovenian Vesel Božič Somali Kirismas Wacan South Africa (Afrikaans) Zulu Geseënde Kersfees UKhisimusi omuhle Spanish (Español) Catalan Galician Basque (Euskara) Feliz Navidad or Nochebuena (which means 'Holy Night' - Christmas Eve) Bon Nadal Bo Nadal Eguberri on (which means 'Happy New Day') Sranantongo (spoken in Suriname) Swit' Kresneti Swedish God Jul Swiss Schöni Wiehnachte Thai Suk sarn warn Christmas Turkish Mutlu Noeller Uganda (Lugandan) Seku Kulu Ukranian 'Веселого Різдва' Veseloho Rizdva (Merry Christmas) or 'Христос Рождається' Khrystos Rozhdayetsia (Christ is Born) Vietnamese Chuć Mưǹg Giańg Sinh Welsh Nadolig Llawen Zimbabwe - Shona Ndebele Muve neKisimusi Izilokotho Ezihle Zamaholdeni Sci-fi & Fantasy Languages! Klingon (Star Trek) Quenya (Lord of the Rings) Sindarin (Lord of the Rings) toDwI'ma' qoS yItIvqu' (Our Savior's birthday you-enjoy!) Alassë a Hristomerendë (Joyous Feast of Christ) Mereth Veren e-Doled Eruion (Joyous Feast of the Coming of the Son of God)

Several men were waiting for their wives to deliver. When the nurse walked in she said to one of the men: Congratulations on the birth of your twins. They are well and healthy. As he looked at her he responded: That is interesting, I work for the MN Twins. Later the nurse approached one of the other men and said: Congratulations on the birth of healthy triplets. As he looked at her he responded: My, My, I work for 3-M. The next man. H was informed that he was the father of quadruplets. He worked for the Four Seasons Hotel Chain. The next man, the new father of five, worked in the Pentagon. At that the next man ran screaming out the door, fainting on the ground outside. As the nurse revived him, he looked at her and said: Why did I ever convert to the 7th Day Adventist Church?

I notice that you do not tell us the name of the retired pastor. However, as a member of the Boulder congregation. I believe that I know exactly who you are talking about. He is a man who has devoted many years of service to God and the SDA Church. He has contributed much to the life of the church. He has served his church as a pastor and as an evangelist. He has been welcomed into the Boulder congregation and to its life and ministry. He has served as a local advisor, officially, to the Sr. pastor. He has had a Sabbath School class that was attended by more people than some, not all, other SS Classes. As is typical for the Boulder congregation, he has been allowed to teach in his SS Class as he wanted to do. His most recent series was on the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the SDA Church. As an ordained SDA minister, he has been encouraged to develop people for baptism and to baptize them as he saw fit. NOTE: Any that he saw fit to baptize would immediately be voted into membership in the Boulder congregation. He made a public announcement, which I personally heard him make to the effect that he was going to take a break from attending the Boulder congregation and would be attending another SDA congregation, but he intended to remain a member of Boulder. Following this public announcement, pastoral leadership encouraged him to remain in the spiritual life of the Boulder congregation, to continue teaching his SS Class and to prepare people for baptism and membership. He chose not to do this and he became regular in attending another SDA congregation. As I understand it, he is now a member of this other congregation and the Boulder Church has granted his membership transfer along with their best wishes for his continued spiritual life. During the time that he was a member of the Boulder congregation he maintained an independent ministry that was helpful to individuals within the Boulder congregation. I know this as my wife and I personally were, on occasion, involved in this to include financial support. This ministry had nothing to do with his change in membership, or any other issues. His SS Class on the28 Fundamental Beliefs is just one example of the false charge that seems to imply that Boulder does not teach our historic beliefs. I am in a position where I could say much about the situation where he decided to leave the Boulder congregation. I have personal knowledge that did not come from others I am not going to come to this public venue and say something critical of a man who has devoted his life as he has. This is not the place for that. There are some situations that are sad for everyone and should not be a part of public discussion. That is exactly where I am going to leave it. But, it is clear to me that you, Reddogs, do not have a clear picture of the situation. Your understanding of this situation is incomplete and in part probably false. But, again, I am not going to clarify this for you as you really do not have a need to know. It is simply sad, for him and his family who have been affected by this, for the pastoral staff of the Boulder congregation who attempted to keep him in its ministry and for congregational members--some of whom remained in Boulder and some who transferred to another congregation. The bottom line is this: While a member of the Boulder congregation he made a positive contribution to the spiritual life and ministry of that congregation. He has now moved to another congregation. There is no reason to expect that he will not continue to contribute to the spiritual life of that congregation. He remains a retired SDA minister. The staff and members of the Boulder congregation wish him the best in his life in that congregation.

WHY do people refuse to believe God exists, or reject belief in God? That's assuming they have encountered some evidence for His existence, or heard some testimony from a believer. 1. They want to do something which God has forbidden. It's easier to keep doing what is forbidden, IF you don't believe HE exists. 2. They were taught from childhood that there is no God, or were convinced by college professors that "science" is irrefutable, and confirms evolution. 3. A Christian (so called) acted in a manner which caused one terrible pain, either emotional or physical. 4. They witnessed horrendous suffering - of "innocent" people, after hearing of God's love and His omnipotence. 5. They were worn down by chronic pain, after hearing all those Bible promises of comfort and healing. If we understand WHAT turns people away, we may be able to amend our own behavior, or our preaching, so as to "save some".

You sound like Job's two friends. That sort of comment does NOT HELP someone in pain!! That comment might be applied to people living in the developed West, but certainly NOT to those living in third world countries, or in war zones. I inherited migraines from my father AND my mother. I was BORN WITH a deformity of my skull and cervical vertebra called Chiari Malformation. (My C2 and C3 have degenerative changes.) I worked 40 years as an RN and CRNA, and now have arthritis in both feet. (I never wore high heels.) How was ANY of this my own fault? The young girls who were kidnapped by radical Muslims and sold into sex slavery - how was this THEIR FAULT? Those who labored as slaves during 200 years of history in the US - how was this THEIR FAULT? Millions and millions have died as collateral damage to war, famine, plague, natural disasters, ruthless dictators, ignorance, selfishness, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. I personally see them as collateral damage of the war between Christ and Satan. They did not consent to being born into a war zone, on a dying planet. So I would disagree. MOST of the suffering in this world is NOT "our own fault".

Most have been telling me to draw near to Christ, and keep a stiff upper lip. Not necessary. I was asking how best to help a non-believer, who is suffering, so that person might come to know Christ. I agree with the fellow who said just to listen, and help where you can, with immediate needs. THAT IS the strongest "testimony" you can give, for that moment. The person may become "open" to other types of testimony at a later time. So that covers the non-believer. What about the fellow believer? Personal suffering - whether emotional or physical IS A TRIAL OF OUR FAITH. It is!! It has helped me, to realize that the LORD feels my pain - with me. Just knowing that my Heavenly Father feels my pain, helps me to BELIEVE that all the suffering was necessary to the eventual victory and healing, and eternal security. I don't have to understand WHY it was necessary. The explanation can come later - in the Kingdom. But that's me - a believer.

The following is a short selection from a longer piece that The One Project has circulated. I post it to show to all a bit as to what The One Project is all about. All to many of the critics simply do not know what they are talking about and they simply rely on 2nd and 3rd hand information that is not accurate--GM, "My dad survived chemotherapy and the subsequent bone marrow transplant required to overcome leukemia. I watched helplessly as the man who was my hero was reduced to a shell with every drop from his IV. He hadn’t felt sick, but his doctors saw the dangerous level of his white blood cells in his blood work . They knew that if they didn’t root out the cancer, bringing him to the brink of a controlled death with the chemo, he would surely die. The pain on his face was excruciating. There were moments where he even questioned whether life was worth the effort. All the while we trusted the physicians and their staff as they shared his blood reports and treatment plans. Minutes ticked into hours into days into weeks into months as the treatments, pills, appointments, fears, doubts, hopes, possibilities and probabilities mounted. Family and friends rallied in support with meals, caregiving, words of affirmation and hope. Together we traversed the treacherous road to recovery. Their openness and sincerity meant more than many of them realized. Seven years later my dad remains cancer-free. My reading of Scripture connects me to the healing IV directly. Somewhere, somehow I allowed a cancer to take over my heart. I don’t always feel sick, but the Physician sees it. His medicine attacks the misconceptions and human perceptions I have allowed to metastasize in my mind, breaks down the cherished cancer of selfishness and allows the Healer to begin His restoration. Hebrews 3 describes the Bible as a “living and active” organism. The two-edged sword cuts surgically through the tangible and intangible, the secular and sacred, the rhetoric and reality. Jesus comes alive in the pages. Truth trumps triviality. Foundational beliefs hold fast because they are anchored deep in the character of Christ Himself. Slowly, excruciatingly, the process of renewal and rebirth begins. In the midst of the therapy and the bitter pills and the appointments with Jesus our family and friends rally in support along the exasperating and exhausting journey. So while the words “read your Bible and pray” still ring true, we must look for others to encourage and be encouraged by. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25) Some of you have your own polyester pastors who make you question your ability to be a part of the body of Christ. Others battle pet positions or organizational rhetoric. Still others are crushed by hard lines and oppressive church boards. A few reading this may even be the polyester pastor, position ringmaster or belligerent board member. We are urged to confess our unwavering hope and stir up good works and love in each other. Continue showing up to the table. We cannot abandon the aristocracy or the rabble. Together we sharpen, change and strengthen each other. Now is not the time to walk away. It is the time to rediscover Jesus together and lift Him up. Stop blaming God for human mistakes. Help each other start the IVs of biblical chemotherapy and allow Jesus to perform the necessary surgery in all of our hearts. The pain of healing is worth the life you gain. How do you navigate the world/church relationship and remain a strong Christian? Read your Bible and pray . . . together. Aaron Purkeypile is assistant professor of accounting at Union College in Lincoln, NE. He is married to Kerri and they have a young son. Thank Aaron for sharing.

Out of the fulness of his heart spoke JoeMo the testimony of Jesus. I was edified and blessed. He lifted up Jesus as our Lord is supposed to be uplifted. Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.

I rarely come here anymore 8thday so wasn't aware of this. That was pretty bad what your in-laws and millions upon millions more have suffered. Or suffered far worse. I suggest, 8d, that you might reconsider whether it is pain, or whether we have learned to go to God like the hymn says, that cause us to become unbelievers. Knowing about God is nowhere near the same as going to God coupled with entire submission to Him. Nothing may ever change but after learning to go to God, to talk to Him, while giving oneself entirely to Him we become like Jesus in not wanting that connection to ever be severed, no matter what the reason. That was the worst pain Jesus felt, losing that connection with God, next to the pain He felt in suffering what each of us suffer in this painful world. My experience is that it is far easier to know about God than it is to actually know Him. Once we can make that shift, as slight as it might be, and as long as it may take to become deeper, and habititual, there is nothing that would cause us to become unbelievers. (Listening to those old hymns made me curious to know what those writers got from God that would cause them to write such words. They had to be getting something. Well, I'm finally discovering it through the 12 step program and bible promises.) 1 What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer! 2 Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer! Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer! 3 Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge-- take it to the Lord in prayer! Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he'll take and shield you; you wilt find a solace there.

Though I know many don't want to acknowledge it, the fact is that many (not all) gays are born with the propensity towards homosexuality, iow, they are "gay"... That's a scientific fact. Though the term "gay Christian" might be an affront to some straight people, it really is a personal preference if a gay person who happens to be Christian wants to use it. It doesn't affect anyone else's faith....at least, it shouldn't. I used to be quite a vigilante for what I thought was "proper" Christianity. I expected people to toe the line, be ultra conservative, and, in short, behave the way I thought God wanted them to behave. Someone who called himself a "gay Christian" probably would have gotten an earful of snarkiness from me, as being "gay" meant the person was obviously *not* a Christian. That's not what Christianity is all about. It's about treating others as you would want to be treated. It's about trying to understand someone else's POV, instead of assuming your POV is equal to God's POV. We aren't God's mouthpiece, nor do we have His perfect understanding of people. The best we can do is to be and to act as we think we should, and to be more concerned with minding our own business rather than urging others to conform to *our* concept of Christianity.

Editor's Note: The offices of Oakwood University will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Wednesday, December 23, at 12:00 p.m. and will reopen Monday, December 28. The offices will also be closed for the New Year's holiday on Thursday, December 31, at 12:00 p.m. and will reopen Monday, January 4, 2016. The next InsideOakwood will be published on Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Have a safe and blessed holiday season. Miss UNCF 2016 to be Announced The coronation of Oakwood University's Miss UNCF 2016 will happen on January 9, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. The National Miss UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Coronation Pageant was created in 1957, and aims to provide funding for students who are affiliated with the 37-member institutions of the UNCF. Employee News Earlier this month, Lynda Bartholomew, '88, director of Oakwood's Office of Financial Aid, attended the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid (FSA) Training Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bartholomew was asked to attend by James McMillan, the HBCU Team lead for the Minority Serving and Under Resourced School Division (MSURSD), to serve as a panelist during one of the conference breakout sessions. According to Sabrina Cotton, vice president of Financial Administration, this is the first time in more than 15 years that a staff member from Oakwood has been invited to participate in a Department of Education national conference. The FSA Training Conference for Financial Aid Professionals is the largest training program in the United States serving the financial aid community, and provides training for financial aid professionals by the government for those schools/institutions receiving Title IV funds. Alumni Notes On December 7, residents of Huntsville and and online listeners tuned in as David Person, '85, host of WEUP Talk on WEUP Radio announced his farewell of this popular program. Person is media personality and consultant who has been working in the Huntsville market since 1986 as a talk show host, columnist and director/producer. Currently, he is the director of communications at Phoenix, a nonprofit company in Huntsville that provides jobs, job placement and other services to people with disabilities. Beginning January 4, 2016, Oakwoodite Justin McFarland will be the new host of WEUP Talk. This is in addition to his morning news anchor responsibilities at WAAY TV in Huntsville. McFarland said, "I'm so thankful for everyone who made this possible. But the biggest thank you goes to David who recommended me to take his place." Allegheny East Conference's First Church of Washington, D.C., recently installed their first female pastor, Lisa Smith-Reid, '85. In response to her new role, Pastor Reid says, "What an awesome responsibility to be the pastor of such a great church. I can't let the church down and most of all I can't let God down. So if I have never leaned on God before, now is the time." (Photo: Coach Hope) MORE Fred Warfield, '04, was recently elected to serve as the Human Resources Director for the Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. After completing the seminary, Warfield served as an ordained pastor for many years, most recently as the Executive Pastor of the Takoma Park Church in Maryland. He credits his training at Oakwood, including a year as president of the United Student Movement, for instilling within him tools for success. Would you like to share Alumni news with us? Please send to pr@oakwood.edu. Picture of the Week On December 8, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Multicultural Affairs Officer and Oakwood alumnus Kenny Anderson, '83, visited Oakwood's campus for lunch with President Leslie Pollard, and Social Work Club President Kaylah Joseph, at the Oakwood University Cafeteria in Blake Center. Kaylah, pictured here with Mayor Battle, will be interning in the Office of Multicultural Affairs during the upcoming spring semester. About Oakwood The mission of Oakwood University, a historically black, Seventh-day Adventist institution, is to transform students through biblically-based education for service to God and humanity. In This Issue - 12/16/15 Miss UNCF 2016 to be Announced Employee News Alumni Notes Picture of the Week (256) 726-7418 1-844-FRUIT OU STORE #819 5000 Whitesburg Dr. S, #148 Huntsville, AL 35802 (256) 881-7575 STORE #759 6290 University Blvd. Huntsville, AL 35806 (256) 721-7999 Share Love, Support Students Click here to see the Fall 2015 issue of Oakwood Magazine, or visit www.oakwoodmagazine.com Join Our Mailing List insideOakwood is published by the Office of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations Editor: George Johnson Jr. | Managing Editor: Debbe Millet | Student Writer: Naomi Coggs | Student Photographer: Teymi Townsend www.oakwood.edu