More Politics: I Love Gay People!

I am as uncomfortable around a gay couple as I am around a married couple who are over the tip in their public make-out sessions. Jesus called us to love all people, not just the ones that we are comfortable around. I am not condoning the sin of any extra-marital sexual activity regardless of who is doing it, or with whom they are doing it. Jesus showed his love to a prostitute. I don't know if he was uncomfortable or not, I suspect not, but he is our example.

I am glad that Palm Valley Church is a safe place for anyone to come to find Jesus. I know that there have been and probably are some attending who have or are practicing the homosexual lifestyle. Like any other sinful behavior, they need to see the love of Jesus and learn to follow him in their actions.

Several states have ballot measures for a constitutional amendment to define marriage as being between one man and one woman, and nothing else. Several have argued that the government doesn't belong in the bedroom. I am quite sure that most don't really believe that. Greg made a create comment in the message this weekend that the government is already in the bedroom. It is already illegal to have sex with animals, and with children. These acts are seen as outside acceptable norms for society. If you look at history, defining marriage as anything other than one man and one woman is moving outside acceptable norms for a society. No culture has survived once they removed this stipulation.

I read in the paper today something that I hadn't thought of. If alternate forms of marriage are made the law, would pastors be forced to do them or face lawsuits or ultimately jail? I think that we would be a long ways from that, but it would be a possibility. I think that you would have a lot of poor pastors (like that isn't the case now!), or a lot of pastors in jail!

Protecting marriage isn't forcing religion on others. It is protecting decency in our society. Those who live alternate lifestyles already have protections available to them. They are only being denied what is preserved for others. Life isn't fair or equal, just like 17 year olds can't vote and 14 year olds can't drive.

Support for marriage doesn't mean that I don't love gay people. I believe that their lifestyle is sin, but they are sinners, like me, in need of a savior, who is Jesus Christ.

Voter Fraud

You wouldn't think this would be an issue here in the USA, but unfortunately it is. There are so many states with investigations going on right now it's ridiculous and it should concern everyone regardless of what party or candidate you support.

We keep hearing stories of quotas for registrations and people being paid based on those quotas. Does anyone else see a problem here? People say that registration fraud isn't the same as voter fraud and it isn't something to worry that much about. With the rise of identity theft, it is easy to create identities so that false registrations can turn into false votes.

Here's a simple solution to part of the problem. Pass a federal electoral registration law that makes registration processes uniform across the country. Make registration quotas illegal. Make it illegal to pay someone for collecting any registration that has not been verified. Quotas shouldn't be necessary because what does it matter if someone collects one or one hundred registrations? You can have as many people as you want encouraging registration, and if you are only paying for verified registrations, you eliminate the pressure and temptation to get creative with your numbers.

Sure there need to be other safeguards, but this alone would greatly reduce the problem we are facing around the country right now. It isn't rocket science!

Vacation is Over

In the past couple of weeks, I have taken some time off to rest, rejuvinate, and spend time with my family. Paige and I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Carefree and had a great time together. It is a beautiful area just north of Phoenix. Spending time with her at place away from home where we get to see God's creation is something that fills my tank. It something that we try to do several times each year, even if it is just an overnight thing.

Last week we got to go camping with both boys up in Oak Creek just outside of Sedona. Paige and I love going to Sedona but had never taken the boys up there. It was great spending time together and having them along to set up the tent was really helpful!

We came back to a really busy weekend at church, but there were several decisions for Christ, so it was well worth it!

It is important to take time to get away, and the older I get, I am realizing that I need it more than I used to. I am learning the ways that my tank gets emptied and what it takes to refill it.

Respect for Leaders

As we enter the last few weeks of the presidential race, the airwaves will be filled with fantastic and fanatical claims for and against those running for office, those in office, and the propositions to be voted on. The new series here at PVC is focused on these times. Our "Letters to the Next President" series is meant to show the significance of leadership in our society and to remind people that it is God who puts people into leadership roles, and it is he who removes them.

I have to admit that in my lifetime we have had some presidents that I have not liked. But in my dislike, if I had the opportunity to meet one of them I would consider it an honor. I was taught to respect authority. I may not agree with them, but because of their position I will respect them. This goes for pastors, teachers, police, fire, and other leaders in our community. The vile hatred being spewed out from many including "Christians" is amazing to me. People want someone to blame for everything that isn't perfect in their lives. They want someone to blame for things that they perceive as wrong choices, even though they don't have all of the facts.

I can't imagine the decisions that a president has to make. He makes them based on the information that he is given by trusted advisors. Sometimes those decisions are wrong. Don't forget, he is human!

So what can we do? Pray for our leaders, whomever they are and whatever their position of authority. That includes your boss at work. We can encourage them when given the opportunity. We can show them respect. We can be respectful even when we disagree with them. We can trust that God knows what he is doing!

Who Do You Love Most?

It should be an easy question, "Who do you love most?" Of course, the "Christian" answer is God. I thought that would be my answer too, but now I'm not so sure.

In the men's Bible study group I attend on Thursday mornings we are studying Psalm 119 and the impact that God's Word should have on our lives. One thing that came up today was where we place our love for the Bible in our list of things that we love.

The quick response of course is that we love the Bible, God's Word, more than anything else. Really?! The reality check comes when I put it up against my wife. I love my wife. Do I love her more than I love the Bible? Would I rather spend time with her than in the Word? I'm not saying that we should choose one or the other, but I am saying that we need to make sure that our priorities are correct and that if a choice has to be made, we would choose wisely.

When life gets hectic and events and circumstances crowd your schedule, whose time gets reduced, time with your spouse, or time with God in His Word?

I honestly can't think of a time that I have ever told my wife to wait while I finish my time in the Bible. In fairness to myself, I don't know that the situation has ever come up, but I think that I would probably choose wrongly!

I love the Bible, and one of the greatest joys of my life is helping others to fall in love with it as well. My hope is that I fall in love with it more myself!