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.

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!

Olympic Politics

OK, I'm going political. We are having a blast watching the Olympics. Michael Phelps is amazing and fun to watch. The contrast of the men's and women's gymnastics teams is profound.

I am certainly disappointed with the whole women's gymnastics fiasco. I'm not saying that the girls deserved to win, because they made enough mistakes that they didn't earn it. I am wondering however, about the ages of the Chinese gymnasts. There are reports with "evidence" (not seen) that at least two of the girls aren't actually old enough to compete. The IOC's response is that since they showed a passport with the appropriate age, that they meet the standard, and won't investigate.

I'm not really commenting about that whole thing, but what I want to mention is the way that teams, including the USA have chosen to handle the situation. No one has filed an official protest, so there is no reason for the IOC to investigate further. Even if the reports are true, we may never know, and always wonder.

What I see in this though, is the decision to focus on the greater purpose. China is beginning to open its doors to the world. They have welcomed people from around the world to see them in action (even if there are some smoke and mirror tricks). The USA and other countries have chosen to pick their battles wisely. They see the greater purpose in encouraging China to open up, rather than to challenge them at every turn.

I commend our teams, who are often seen as arrogant snobs, for their care and graciousness in a variety of situations that could be real controversies. I even love that when the French relay team was talking smack, our guys just went out and beat them, and didn't say anything in response.

When we work with new believers it is often messy. People come to Christ with lots of baggage. The focus isn't on getting their lives cleaned up, it is on drawing them closer to Christ so that he can change their hearts, and lives, in his timing. Sometimes you have to bite your tongue, but there is a greater purpose - Leading them to become fully devoted followers of Christ!