Wish List

I wish more people would realize the authority and timelessness of scripture and that we would all come to a better understanding of the sufficiency of Christ.

Off the top of my head..

You will have to excuse this post as my opinions may offend some.

Lately, something has come up in encounters that I have had at my local church. For the sake of those involved I will not include names.

On two different occasions I have had discussions with evangelicals who have come to the conclusion that Homosexuality is not a sin. I have some problems with this and, if you read the Bible and believe that it is the infallible word of God, you should too. 

Both instances have involved people who I believe are wonderful people and strong believers but it just seems to me that they may be either ill informed or confused.

Let me also state that this is not an exhaustive explanation on why I believe that Homosexuality is a sin. I just want to share my opinion and give you some references so that you can decide fro yourself.

To begin with, the reason for believing that Homosexuality is not a sin was the same for both parties. ” I just don’t think that People choose to live that way.” While some may see this as a plausible reason, it just does not make sense to me. The statement, then, seems to suggest that people are born homosexual. I’m sorry but I don’t see a problem accepting that fact and still believing that it is a sin. I mean, I was born a liar but I try my darnedest everyday to not lie.  Of course I am predisposed to a million other sins that some would consider worse than lying and I struggle with them each and everyday as well. I digress. What I am trying to say is that Homosexuality is a sin just like lying is a sin. In God’s eyes they are the same. I think a lot of horrible things have happened because we believe otherwise-discrimination,hate crimes, etc. That is a different discussion for a different time. I guess the point that I am trying to make with all of this, and i know that I am doing a horrible job of making that point, is that we are all sinners and just because we can’t wrap our mind around why something is a sin doesn’t mean that we can just shrug it off and say that it isn’t. Now, If we believe that the Bible is the word of God, then we should take all of what is says as such. So I leave you with references where both the old and new testament speak out against Homosexuality. Forgive me if I have said anything that has offended anyone.

(Romans 1: 24-28; I Corinthians 6: 9-11) (Lev 18:22 ;Leviticus 20:13)

Let me end by saying that I struggled with this very fact for a long time as I have many loved ones who live a homosexual lifestyle and sometimes my emotions get the best of me and I find myself hoping that I am wrong and that homosexuality were not a sin. But I can’t deny what is affirmed in the Bible time and time again. The strongest proof that I can offer, however, is the internal testimony that i feel from the Holy Spirit and I know in my heart of hearts that homosexuality is wrong. 

Peace and Love

JT

Ok playa…

Well i guess wordpress decided to change my page or something. Maybe it is just a bug. but if you will look to the right you will notice that my links have disappeared. Which is quite  a pain. Anyway, there is not much new to talk about in my life. Summer is here and I am enjoying it. All i do is chill and work at the Church right now. I am enjoying a much needed break. In a few weeks i am going to the beach with my parents. Always fun. I hope Katye will be able to come for a few days, but who knows? She just started a new job at CVS and is trying to get all that worked out. I am so anxious for the future. I still have a year and a half of school left and it is about time to figure out what happens next. I have humored the idea of doing some mission work in Africa all of next summer but again we will have to see. I will have to figure out a way of paying my rent while i am gone. I like writing without using new paragraphs for new thoughts. Try to keep up. Anyway, I have started running and it has been allot easier than i thought it would be. Granted, i am running in a gym and not out in the humidity but hey, one step at a time right? I just hope i will stick with it. I would like to get my weight back down to where i was when i graduated high school. Which was 185. Let’s just say i have a ways to go. Well, that is enough of my rambling…hope this satisfies anybodies appetite for an update…

 

jt out

My father the Police Man…

My Dad is retiring from the Hoover Police Department this summer after fulfilling his 25+ years of service. He has talked about doing this for a while. I never really gave much thought as to how i would take this but i would never have guessed that i would be feeling the way I am now. I am really sad. All my life I have been proud to say that my dad is a police officer. I won’t be able to say that anymore. It’s not that i feel like he is anything less. I just think that an era is coming to an end. I see a man who was born to do Police work finishing out his days and while i think it is time for this, I just find it so hard to digest. I think about all the people that my dad has helped in the past and i can only hope that there will be someone else to see the job as he did. Service. My dad understands that police work is about sacrificing ones livelihood for the preservation of another. I’m sorry but i just think that is a minority now. A large amount of my discomfort as of late can be attributed my Dad’s retirement. It is just really affecting me more than it should be. With all of this said, I will never be as proud of anything like I am proud to be called the son of Sgt. Thomas Henry McDanal Jr. a man who will always wear blue in my eyes. 

I Love You Dad.

In need of much prayer…

life is really crazy right now. I am not quite sure how to explain it. I am just really having a hard adjusting. In the next month or so i will be leaving my parent’s for good. I have lived outside of our home before but always to return after a school year or summer. I guess just the added responsibility can really sneak up on you. I have a total of 3 semesters left in school and i have no idea what happens after that. Things are just changing and i hope that i will succeed. I will have more later but i have things to do at the moment.

Silly Boy

So school is really Kicking my butt this semester. So many papers to write, so little time.

In an earlier post i said that i would be posting my blogs on another site. I have decided to continue posting more personal stuff on here. Although, not to personal. 

 

I’ve been looking for an apartment lately and have run across a few that I really like and can afford. Me and one of my good friends from Montevallo, Sean Tipton,are looking for a place between Hoover and Homewood. I am finally going to be able to really support myself. This is a very exciting time in my life and I am really excited to see what is going to happen next.

Anyway, that is all i really have for now. Im getting kinda tired so i think I’ going to head to bed.

Peace

Here’s the thing…

I made a website on iweb. From here on out I will most likely use it to post my blogs. Anyway, check it out.

<web.me.com/jmcdanal>

To be honest…

I wish  i would blog more. I always like to look at previous posts and see how my life was going. As of right now it is pretty incredible. I find myself growing in my faith each day. I do still struggle with the same ole things, however. One thing really awesome to report is that I know longer drink alcohol…It has been at least 7 months since i have had anything to drink, give or take a night or two. I look at myself now and I feel so much wiser and just so focused. I know some of you might see the same ole goof off, and while i do enjoy goofing off, my life has direction and purpose that has been lacking for quite some time. I am so thankful for everything that God is doing in my life and i find it hard to believe that things could get much better…but i’m sure that they will

On another note. I am completely and utterly in Love with Katye. She shows me the love of the Father everyday and I cannot imagine my life without her. She is my companion and my Muse. No one on earth can hold my attention like she does. I cannot wait to see what life has to offer us. I would say more but it’s really none of your business anyway, booyah!

 

peace playas

Break-Thru

So I experienced my first Break-Thru and I have to say that it was nothing short of amazing. It is truly a blessing to see young men and women experience God on a deep and personal level. For anyone who doesn’t know, Break-Thru is a Christmas retreat that takes place every year and Several churches from the southeast attend. The weekend is structured just like many of the retreats that I’m sure any of us have been to. However, the diligence and consciousness of the staff and retreat leaders created an environment in which the kids could be reached on a level that they needed to be spoken to. The speaker was Adam Robinson, who was spectacular, and the music was provided by men and women my age who grew up going to the retreat. I am honored to have been a part of such an amazing event. I was asked to be a small group leader for a trio of 12th grade boys. I was absolutely floored by the response of my guys to the message that was presented over the weekend. We have all decided to take the next step in our faith and I truly hope that we succeed.

peace-out

Life is so good!

I realize that i rarely write in this, but i really don’t care. There are going to be times soon that i will probably update too frequently for anyone to care. Anyway, Life is good. However, for the past few days i have been in a bad mood. No reason really, I just am in a bad mood. I’ll feel better tomorrow, I hope. 

God is answering prayers and i find myself surprised around every corner. I will be able to elaborate a little more in a later post. I’m sure anybody who reads this knows, but for the sake of liability i will remain vague.

I have great friends. I apologize for not being around much this semester but i have been busy with class. I hope you understand. I’m on break now. Let’s hang