Guidelines for Comments

The first few are from my "other" blog, According to Coop, which deals with political stories, national news, local news, and other stuff that just doesn't fit here. Much like While Rome Burns, it's mostly just a sounding board for me that I have opened up to the Internet. Anyway...

As I seem to be having more folks showing up and commenting here at While Rome Burns, I thought it was a good time to set down some ground rules for commenting on this blog. More guidelines than rules, but if you are going to comment here, I ask that you abide by them.

1. Keep it clean. You don't need to use bad language to make your point.

2. Keep it friendly. If you wouldn't say what you're about to say to someone's face, don't say it on this blog.

3. Keep it respectful. People of all backgrounds, beliefs, and opinions are welcome here. You can disagree with someone and that's fine, but don't insult them because they don't agree with you.

4. Keep it concise. Please don't write novels in the comment section. If you have that much to say, you can start your own blog right here on Blogger for free.

5. Please check your spelling. I don't expect you to be able to win the national spelling bee, but please take a moment to make sure everything is spelled correctly. It makes it a lot easier to understand just what it is you are trying to say.

6. Keep it on topic. If your comment covers the content of two posts, please split it into two comments. That way, the discussion all stays in the same place, and everyone can follow along easily. And please don't drag something completely unrelated into the discussion (for example; don't drag Islam into a discussion about Rick Warren).

This is not in any way meant to be exhaustive, and this list may change in the future. If it does, I will let you know. Until then, please abide by these guidelines.

TIME Pays Tribute

Simply had to share this article from Time magazine. Ruth Graham is high on the list of people I am looking forward to meeting when we all get to Heaven.

Ruth Graham Goes Home

Sad news tonight from CNN, as they report that Ruth Graham, wife of renowned evangelist Billy Graham, has gone home to be with the Lord. I pray the family will be comforted in their time of grief.

Why Join a Church?

So asks Frank Turk over at Pyromaniacs, in a post he wrote yesterday. Go check it out; it's a great read. I'm glad I decided to take a peek at Pyromaniacs today. I don't agree with a lot of what they post, but sometimes I do, and sometimes they post some really good stuff. Like this. So go read.

Ingrid on Porn Addiction

In her latest post at Slice of Laodicea, Ingrid takes on pornography addiction, which is, without doubt, one of the biggest issues facing society today. It is an addiction that knows no bounds; it is not selective, it has no respect for boundaries of race, sex, class, religion, or any other category. And it is devastating.

Ingrid's answer? People who are addicted to porn can't *possibly* be Christians. Apparently she missed the parts of the Bible that deal with the fact that even the righteous stumble, but what sets them apart is that they get back up. Apparently she missed the apostle Paul talking about the thorn in his side that the Lord refused to take from him.

It's late, I'm tired, and there's so much more I could say about this, but I can't put it into words just now. I will say this; Ingrid and others in the discernment crowd have taken ministries like XXXChurch.com to task for what they do. These people are facing the porn problem head on, offering support, encouragement, and hope to those who are addicted to porn and even helping former porn stars leave the industry and start new lives. These men recognize that we cannot simply ignore the problem and hope it will go away. We cannot simply shun those who struggle with these issues.

If you struggle with an addiction to pornography, know that there is help for you. XXXChurch.com is a great place to start. Go to the Wall of Prayer and start there; you will find people who are at the same place you are, and those who have been there before. They will help you. They also offer a program that will track the Internet sites you visit and email a list of questionable sites to an accountability partner you designate. If you want to go as far as a content filter, BSafe Online offers a great one, which can also be purchased as part of a total security suite.

Let me leave you with this; we serve a God who is faithful and just to forgive us if we ask Him. If you need help, start with the One who created you, and knows you from your inmost being.