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.

Covenant Marriage

For me, I thought all marriages were covenant marriages. According to the state of Arizona, there is a difference, and I am glad. With the high rate of divorce in this country, I am glad that there is at least an attempt by this state to reduce that number.

A covenant marriage is a step beyond a normal wedding. To receive a covenant marriage license, the couple must complete pre-marital counseling (supported by a notarized certification by the clergy or other person doing the counseling). After the marriage, before a couple can divorce, they must go through counseling.

It doesn't prevent divorce, but it will hopefully reduce it. The one thing that I wish they would change, is that right now, anyone can officiate a wedding in AZ. I wish that they would limit that to licensed clergy and officials of the court. I think that would help reduce the divorce rate as well.

Saturday night I will officiate my first covenant marriage. I personally know the couple and am excited for them. I am also proud that they are taking this extra step and giving their marriage a good foundation for success.

Another way to reduce divorce is to eliminate the term from your vocabulary. If you don't view it as an out, then when troubles come, you have no choice but to work things out. That's not easy or popular, if we made divorce more difficult, less couples would take marriage so lightly.