Comments for Not So Random Thoughts http://www.jeremiahotis.com ...saying what i need to say Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:31:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on The Operation of the Machine by jstpasnthrgh http://www.jeremiahotis.com/2011/12/the-operation-of-the-machine/comment-page-1/#comment-256 jstpasnthrgh Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:31:51 +0000 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/?p=238#comment-256 Absolutely love and admire Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. So sorry for what happened to you. No one every deserves to be treated like that for any reason. As hard as it has been for you, you must hold on to your faith in Jesus Christ. One of my favorite passages in the bible is Ephesians 6:11-18: 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Know God for yourself, read your bible, pray, and walk in constant fellowship with Him. He is the only one that will never let you down. His plan for your life may not be what you have planned. I know my plan was and is not always in a line with His. Yes, you have been hurt my Christians emotionally, but most of us have. I am a married, white, Christian woman and I have had many bad experiences with Christians. But I don't let it touch my faith in Jesus. It has more to do with who they are and not with who Jesus is. The bible tells us to pray for our enemies. You know how I feel about you and how wonderful I think you are. I will keep you in my prayers and I will always be your friend. Absolutely love and admire Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

So sorry for what happened to you. No one every deserves to be treated like that for any reason.

As hard as it has been for you, you must hold on to your faith in Jesus Christ. One of my favorite passages in the bible is Ephesians 6:11-18:

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Know God for yourself, read your bible, pray, and walk in constant fellowship with Him. He is the only one that will never let you down. His plan for your life may not be what you have planned. I know my plan was and is not always in a line with His.

Yes, you have been hurt my Christians emotionally, but most of us have. I am a married, white, Christian woman and I have had many bad experiences with Christians. But I don’t let it touch my faith in Jesus. It has more to do with who they are and not with who Jesus is. The bible tells us to pray for our enemies.

You know how I feel about you and how wonderful I think you are. I will keep you in my prayers and I will always be your friend.

]]> Comment on The Best Way Out… by Handyman http://www.jeremiahotis.com/2011/09/the-best-way-out/comment-page-1/#comment-255 Handyman Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:22:09 +0000 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/?p=229#comment-255 I too agree with the first part of nickw208's statement. Many of these experiences are not isolated to sexual orientation. As for reconciling you two realities, that can happen, not in the physical, but the Spiritual, as you well know. Please understand I do not minimize your thoughts or feelings on these matters. They do matter to me too. I too agree with the first part of nickw208′s statement. Many of these experiences are not isolated to sexual orientation. As for reconciling you two realities, that can happen, not in the physical, but the Spiritual, as you well know. Please understand I do not minimize your thoughts or feelings on these matters. They do matter to me too.

]]> Comment on A Day in the Life… (Part 1) by amandalynn1920 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/2011/06/a-day-in-the-life-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-254 amandalynn1920 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:34:24 +0000 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/?p=187#comment-254 This post made me cry. I know how much of a struggle things can be anyway...but this woman, she is awful. I just want to kick her in the teeth! How stupid is she? She doesn't know you. Not at all. You are an amazing person, and she is missing out!! This post made me cry. I know how much of a struggle things can be anyway…but this woman, she is awful. I just want to kick her in the teeth! How stupid is she? She doesn’t know you. Not at all. You are an amazing person, and she is missing out!!

]]> Comment on The Best Way Out… by nickw206 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/2011/09/the-best-way-out/comment-page-1/#comment-253 nickw206 Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:54:20 +0000 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/?p=229#comment-253 Jeremiah. If you're unhappy about something in your life, the best option isn't to just keep moving forward, you have to change something. Of course don't change who you are (you couldn't even if you wanted to), but change your attitude, your friends, your circumstances, something, anything, to put you on the path towards happiness. Robert Frost was colloquially a genius but he was also a seriously depressed individual. For what it's worth, I do believe that, broadly speaking, many of the issues you're facing are experienced by a lot of other people. People struggle with loneliness, finding a soul mate, inconsiderate friends, rude neighbors, judgment from social institutions, conflicting identities, everyday. But it is our mental fortitude and attitude toward life that determines whether we will overcome these burdens or be crushed by them. Maybe the best approach is to quit altogether, any attempts to reconcile two sources of your identity that will most likely always be in conflict: you're identity as a gay man and you're identity as a conservative christian. Better to accept the fact that these two strands of self will never be in perfect harmony with each other, and adjust your life accordingly, than to constantly attempt to understand why they are in conflict or to get anyone else to understand. It seems you're happiness is at stake here. Jeremiah. If you’re unhappy about something in your life, the best option isn’t to just keep moving forward, you have to change something. Of course don’t change who you are (you couldn’t even if you wanted to), but change your attitude, your friends, your circumstances, something, anything, to put you on the path towards happiness. Robert Frost was colloquially a genius but he was also a seriously depressed individual.

For what it’s worth, I do believe that, broadly speaking, many of the issues you’re facing are experienced by a lot of other people. People struggle with loneliness, finding a soul mate, inconsiderate friends, rude neighbors, judgment from social institutions, conflicting identities, everyday. But it is our mental fortitude and attitude toward life that determines whether we will overcome these burdens or be crushed by them.

Maybe the best approach is to quit altogether, any attempts to reconcile two sources of your identity that will most likely always be in conflict: you’re identity as a gay man and you’re identity as a conservative christian. Better to accept the fact that these two strands of self will never be in perfect harmony with each other, and adjust your life accordingly, than to constantly attempt to understand why they are in conflict or to get anyone else to understand. It seems you’re happiness is at stake here.

]]> Comment on Will Power: The Exhaustible Resource by nathantatman http://www.jeremiahotis.com/2011/08/will-power-the-exhaustible-resource/comment-page-1/#comment-252 nathantatman Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:39:05 +0000 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/?p=226#comment-252 Dude, you need to explain. Been praying for you. Dude, you need to explain. Been praying for you.

]]> Comment on The Vision by jstpasnthrgh http://www.jeremiahotis.com/2011/08/the-vision/comment-page-1/#comment-251 jstpasnthrgh Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:29:43 +0000 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/?p=213#comment-251 A small glimpse of what it is like to walk in your shoes. Thank you for sharing Jeremiah. A small glimpse of what it is like to walk in your shoes. Thank you for sharing Jeremiah.

]]> Comment on The Turmoil One Teensy-Weensy Little Shower Can Cause by Its 2011 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/2011/07/the-turmoil-one-teensy-weensy-little-shower-can-cause/comment-page-1/#comment-250 Its 2011 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:12:18 +0000 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/?p=205#comment-250 Jeremiah - First of all congrats to all the Broken Spokes riders in a job well done! I think I need to put the RAIN ride on my list of things to do in 2012. I understand and respect your feelings about the showers, but I have to admit I think you are thinking about it too much. I understand your discomfort but I also think you can take a shower without worrying so much about it. Whatever your attration I think your objective after a 160 mile ride would be cleanliness and refreshment as opposed to a potential sexual experience. I also reviewed some of your previous posts as I have been stuck in my own personal misery over the last few months. I appreciated your insight on the drug/club/ and gay cultures. I have heard too many people ( especially in my recent years of residence in Indiana ) about the vile, sinful, disgusting "gay lifestyle" of clubbing, drugs, sex, sex, and more sex. The reality - as you pointed out - is that this lifestyle is one of only a small percentage of gay ( and straight ! ) people in the world. A much larger percentage of gays ( and straight ! ) live a much calmer ( and less sinful? ) life as doctors, lawyers, teachers, ministers, small business owners, pilots, farmers, and I could go on forever. I understand that many factions of the Christian faith have manipulated scripture to conclude that homosexuality is a sin, but I for one don't believe this because I don't believe Jesus wanted the world to hate. I think we may have discussed the nephew's basketball practice incident at soem point, but after reading about again in print I admit I became quite angry. This woman who I assume does not know you well, assumes you will harm the boys because you are a homosexual - RIDICULOUS! Frankly her actions were so pathethic that they do not deserve a response, but if you happen to know her address I may want to have a brief discussion with her about reality. I am also angry about those letters you have received and wonder if you have ever tried to find the author. Ignorance is a huge problem in northeast Indiana and I for one do not think you should let someone try to continue to harass you. You don't deserve it and it needs to stop. Have a nice night everyone! Jeremiah – First of all congrats to all the Broken Spokes riders in a job well done! I think I need to put the RAIN ride on my list of things to do in 2012.

I understand and respect your feelings about the showers, but I have to admit I think you are thinking about it too much. I understand your discomfort but I also think you can take a shower without worrying so much about it. Whatever your attration I think your objective after a 160 mile ride would be cleanliness and refreshment as opposed to a potential sexual experience.

I also reviewed some of your previous posts as I have been stuck in my own personal misery over the last few months. I appreciated your insight on the drug/club/ and gay cultures. I have heard too many people ( especially in my recent years of residence in Indiana ) about the vile, sinful, disgusting “gay lifestyle” of clubbing, drugs, sex, sex, and more sex. The reality – as you pointed out – is that this lifestyle is one of only a small percentage of gay ( and straight ! ) people in the world. A much larger percentage of gays ( and straight ! ) live a much calmer ( and less sinful? ) life as doctors, lawyers, teachers, ministers, small business owners, pilots, farmers, and I could go on forever. I understand that many factions of the Christian faith have manipulated scripture to conclude that homosexuality is a sin, but I for one don’t believe this because I don’t believe Jesus wanted the world to hate.

I think we may have discussed the nephew’s basketball practice incident at soem point, but after reading about again in print I admit I became quite angry. This woman who I assume does not know you well, assumes you will harm the boys because you are a homosexual – RIDICULOUS! Frankly her actions were so pathethic that they do not deserve a response, but if you happen to know her address I may want to have a brief discussion with her about reality.

I am also angry about those letters you have received and wonder if you have ever tried to find the author. Ignorance is a huge problem in northeast Indiana and I for one do not think you should let someone try to continue to harass you. You don’t deserve it and it needs to stop.

Have a nice night everyone!

]]> Comment on The Turmoil One Teensy-Weensy Little Shower Can Cause by Handyman http://www.jeremiahotis.com/2011/07/the-turmoil-one-teensy-weensy-little-shower-can-cause/comment-page-1/#comment-249 Handyman Sat, 30 Jul 2011 11:55:09 +0000 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/?p=205#comment-249 Well, for starters, I too disdane those 'shower' rooms. I had to utilize one when I was in college. I would go during the off-hours to have a little privacy. They speak of a time when it was less Freudian, and more accepted. I disdain the Freudian mind set we, as a society, are currently in. And due to the isolated nature of our lives, we have become ill equiped to deal with social nudity, speaking only of like with like. Although Jeremiah, yours was an awereness of maintaining your rightousness, you do not have the corner market on the ackwardness of this situation. I too, even now, might have raised a slight protest given the same conditions even though I do not have the same attractions. Well, for starters, I too disdane those ‘shower’ rooms. I had to utilize one when I was in college. I would go during the off-hours to have a little privacy. They speak of a time when it was less Freudian, and more accepted. I disdain the Freudian mind set we, as a society, are currently in. And due to the isolated nature of our lives, we have become ill equiped to deal with social nudity, speaking only of like with like. Although Jeremiah, yours was an awereness of maintaining your rightousness, you do not have the corner market on the ackwardness of this situation. I too, even now, might have raised a slight protest given the same conditions even though I do not have the same attractions.

]]> Comment on The Turmoil One Teensy-Weensy Little Shower Can Cause by jstpasnthrgh http://www.jeremiahotis.com/2011/07/the-turmoil-one-teensy-weensy-little-shower-can-cause/comment-page-1/#comment-248 jstpasnthrgh Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:02:08 +0000 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/?p=205#comment-248 Glad you enjoyed the ride! Glad your safe! Glad you're blogging! The shower situation gives a really good insight to what you have to deal with when the others probably didn't give it a second thought. Very glad your Dad respected your feelings. Glad you enjoyed the ride! Glad your safe! Glad you’re blogging!
The shower situation gives a really good insight to what you have to deal with when the others probably didn’t give it a second thought.
Very glad your Dad respected your feelings.

]]> Comment on A Day in the Life… (Part 3) by Jeremiah http://www.jeremiahotis.com/2011/07/a-day-in-the-life-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-247 Jeremiah Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:08:59 +0000 http://www.jeremiahotis.com/?p=193#comment-247 Nathan and jstpasntrgh: Thank you for your encouragement! I am hoping that this blog fulfills several different things for me... It already seems to be helping me process what I'm thinking, and things that have (and sometimes still are) happening. It's also already been an encouragement to see comments like these, and I have even had a few face to face and/or phone conversations with some of the readers that have been very encouraging! I'm also hoping that this blog can serve as a way to help those not in my situation understand some of what I'm experiencing, albeit, anecdotally... And, lastly, I'm hoping to connect with others in a similar situation to mine. It would be nice for me to know that I'm not the only one...and I'm guessing it would be nice for them as well. :) So, thanks for the encouragement! It means more than I could possibly express! Nathan and jstpasntrgh: Thank you for your encouragement! I am hoping that this blog fulfills several different things for me…

It already seems to be helping me process what I’m thinking, and things that have (and sometimes still are) happening.

It’s also already been an encouragement to see comments like these, and I have even had a few face to face and/or phone conversations with some of the readers that have been very encouraging!

I’m also hoping that this blog can serve as a way to help those not in my situation understand some of what I’m experiencing, albeit, anecdotally…

And, lastly, I’m hoping to connect with others in a similar situation to mine. It would be nice for me to know that I’m not the only one…and I’m guessing it would be nice for them as well. :)

So, thanks for the encouragement! It means more than I could possibly express!

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