Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Prejudice

   I admit to being prejudice toward people who choose to be stupid. There are so many people who fly their own personal flag of discrimination or entitlement, making this "Land of the Free" a diluted mess. A man or woman has the right to speak his/her mind, but if that speech ruffles rich or powerful feathers then it is convoluted into a wreckage of immense proportion. Who cares what the message is, it will be taken out of context, misquoted, and "spun" into words of hate.

   I know that as people read this, due to the subject matter, I am going to be placed in a certain category. Compartmentalization is the easiest way to dismiss opinions or ideas that don't hang with those who have power. However, it must be said. God wants us to stand for Him and sometimes silence is sitting. John 3.16 says God loves the world so much that He gave His only Son to be our sacrifice so that whoever follows Him will live in Heaven forever. God hates NO man. God HATES the sin they commit. The Bible, the book I believe is God's Word to us, never says even once that God Hates His creation, or mankind. It says repeatedly how much how He abhors the behaviors contrary to His principles.

   So, when Tim Tebow, Greg Laurie, or Chris Broussard, or anyone else speak the truth - that homosexuality is not within God's plan - they aren't speaking hatred. I have dear close friends who profess to be gay. I love them as much now as I did before I knew, or they did. Hiding under a rock does not solve the problem. Hating anyone who stands up with gay people is as wrong as hating those who stand against gay people.

   Delving into the situation would split hairs and raise a debate that society can't even handle, without the whole spiritual chapter. There is no degree of sin. In Galatians Paul tells us that there is a big difference between living in God's Spirit and living in the worldly life. "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like" Galatians 5.19-21 NIV. This partial list is far more extensive than just homosexuality. The old adage "People who live in glass houses ..." gives me pause. I am a sinner saved by the same Grace that is offered to everyone. I am not better or worse.

   The end of the fifth chapter of Galatians gives God's counterpoint to worldly sin - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" Galatians 5.22-23 NIV. Being gay is not the unforgivable sin. Being intolerant of Christians isn't either. God made me, a flawed human. He made us all - with our blemishes, our failings, and our opinions. To those who are gay, don't hate because we don't embrace your lifestyle. To those who are Christian, don't hate the people, love them like Christ loved.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Peace, Joy, and Responsibility

I sit and watch over and over the footage of tragedies aftermath. I hurt inside for those who lost loved ones and for families torn apart. In that same moment I thank God for protecting my family, for giving me so much to glory in - it doesn't seem fair. If I think long enough and choke back my tears I can even rejoice in the blessings God has entrusted to me --- but then I begin to feel selfish and I again hurt for those who are hurting.

My empathic mood is not all together based on reality - my personal tragedy experiences pale in comparison to the Columbine High School, The World Trade Center attacks, Oklahoma City, The Batman or Sandy Hook Elementary Shootings, or The Bombings at The Boston Marathon. However, I do know helplessness and have fallen at the feet of the Creator to plead, to yell, and to just thank God for seeing us through very tough times. The degree of pain and suffering aside, I get distracted and a lot put out by those who find the deepest pockets to blame in these ugly situations.

"God, why aren't you here, protecting us like Superman, Thor, or The Fantastic Four? God why did you allow those little children to be slaughtered? Why do You let these unstable people to live and take away fiance's, families, parents, and children from innocents?" The societal excuses to find God as the bad guy confuse and anger me. I have answers for these dilemmas - the answers are from God's word. This however creates another dilemma. I cannot talk to "Non-God" people, for the sake of clarification, using God's book, because they don't believe it's truths. My heart sings with the majesty and the greatness that My God lives in. I fully admit to not having answers to those questions. The answers I have are that He created us all and gives us free will to choose our path. God is not a dictatorial despot who wishes to have automatonic drones do His bidding. How great is the joy of a parent when their child makes his/her way in the world, succeeding on their own. Is it better to hold your child's bike forever, or let go and relish in the joy of the ride?

I selfishly pray for God to send Jesus soon. I also believe that He "is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" II Peter 3.9 NIV. The illustration of the birds in the winter and the man who chose not to go to church but couldn't communicate with the birds to show them shelter, thinking if only I could be a bird for a brief time to show them the barn ... God please be with our country, those who are hurting, and those who are healers. Thank You.