I have just read a wonderfull book on acceptance by Two evangelical pastors in the states.

Both have gone outside the church and are working amongst those that Jesus would have been calling his friends.

Both are on the net with excerpts on youtube.

The book is called ‘Jesus Loves Me [this I know]’ it can be found on the web as http://www.jesuslovesme.net Check it out.

Craig Harper one of the Pastors writes a chapter on homosexuality with acceptance and unconditional love .The chapter is” Jesus loves the unloved ”

.Craig Gross The other pastor has a website called http://www.xxxchurch.com. Craig was out here in Australia a few years ago working with the Red Frogs at Schoolies on the Gold Coast.

I actually bought the book at “Koorong”. Its good to see them selling something positive.

Hi Murray

Happy New Year!!

I like how you are so committed to taking a stand on behalf of outcasts. It’s wonderful to read your emphasis on loving people as Jesus did. I love the passion you have for that. I love the ‘under stories’ in the bible or the exceptions to the law of outcasts finding favour both in the OT and NT.

I’m reminded of Rumi’s words: “Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too full to talk about.”

I think this open minded stance is required both in our relationship with God and with others who seem different to us. In truth we are all connected and being prepared to find that point of connection without entertaining ego stuff is so healing. There are powerful opportunities for unity when we practise what Rumi says while following in the example of Jesus.

Blessings to you, Murray.

Ann Maree

Hi Murray

Yes I love that story. And I especially love the story of the woman who poured oil on his feet and dried them with her hair. You can literally feel both the power of the love that was there between the woman and Jesus juxtaposed with the recoiling response of the others. I’m guessing you could probably cut the air with a knife for those who were uncomfortable with the cultural taboos around this display. He really did challenge people to continually look at including those who would otherwise never have the same rights as others. And this message is so powerful to me it leaps off the pages and challenges me to be more and more inclusive and open minded toward others, to see everyone as divine and as God sees them, even when I don’t feel like it.

I don’t know that our modern cultures are that different in this though. Do you think we are more evolved?

Hey bro, Where did you pick this book up from? I was wanting to get it to read a friend refered me to it.