Book Review - The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage by Mark Achetember

Though I am not done with this book, only half way through it.  I thought I would give a quick review.  I am impressed that this book does not just rehash the scriptures that we are used to hearing about when it comes to same sex relationships.

Mark looks at many aspects from marriage to having children to the aspects of Christ's teachings on love.  I recommend this book for those that want to have a deeper understanding and know more about scripture and how it talks about one person's experience from being stone cold against same sex marriage to one that now stands with the LGBT community.

Now true, Mark had some help in this because he got to know people in the community and realized that harm was being done by condemning a person, but it is his study of scripture that ultimately changed his mind.

It is not a light read, but a very informative one.  Enjoy!

Loving the unlovable

"You have hear that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as you heavenly Father is perfect."

Matthew 5:43-48

It is easy to get caught up in hating those that are not accepting and who persecute you for who you are.  I know!  I hate when others are just out right mean because they don't understand being a lesbian is not a choice that I woke up one day and decided to become.  Yet Jesus says for us to love our enemies and pray for them.

This is a tall order, but I tell you if you do...great things can happen.  It is easy to fight negative behavior with negative behavior, but that is not the way of the Lord.  What good will it do?

Awhile back, I was at a church where a person came up to me and said "you don't belong here." I simply could have met that negative talk with some of my own.  I wanted to say "like you do?  Remember you will be judge based on how you judge others." Or some other cut down using scripture to do it.  Yet, I walked away and let it go, saying a prayer for her.  Now, she just lets me be and thank goodness is not at the church I go to.

I have found when I react to hate with anger, I am the one that looses!  I loose peace, harmony in self, energy, time, and my connection with God.  But if I stay calm, let them be where they are, pray for them, and love them even though I don't like their actions, I am that much closer to a connection of what Jesus was like when He walked this Earth.

Jesus asked for forgiveness on those that persecuted Him.  He shows us how to love the unlovable all the way up to the cross.  He never said a curse upon someone, instead Jesus showed compassion and love.

You may be saying, but I am not God.  No, we aren't but we can strive to be more God like.  Praying not only for the person who is persecuting us, but also praying that we are loving in all we do.  Letting God take care of the negative heart and letting our serenity not be stolen away.

May you love today all that pass by and pray a prayer of forgiveness and love on those that would rather cause you harm.

Acappella - I Feel Good

Story time - An Answered prayer

Kelly sat in her pew and read Ruth one more time.  You know the passage, it is used in many weddings.

"But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.  Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.  May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me." When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her." Ruth 1:16-18

Kelly wondered if she would ever know that kind of love.  The kind that makes a person want to stay with you no matter what.  To choose to change location, people, and religion.  Kelly had not dated yet, but how could she find love in a straight church.  She was comfortable in church and loved the people, but no one except the preacher knew she was gay.

Kelly then prayed quietly in her seat, "God, help me meet a good Christian woman, one that goes to church here.  Help me find true love like I see in the Bible, in your Son's name Amen"

Once church was over, Kelly was walking out and John stopped her.  "Kelly, I want you to meet someone, follow me."  So Kelly followed the preacher man till he came up to a beautiful red head.  Kelly was taken back by her beauty and smile.  "Kelly meet Angela, I believe the two of you can relate and find a common bond."  And with that John walked off.

"Hello" Angela said hesitantly.

"Hi, how are you?" Kelly quickly replied.

"I am good, so I wonder why John wants us to meet." Angela said while thinking Kelly was just the cutest gal she has ever met.

"Well, I could always use more friends." Kelly unsure of what to say and still over taken by Angela.  Her nerves got to her as she stood there.

"Me too, I see you wear a rainbow ring, does it mean what I think, are you family?" Angela came out and asked.

"Why yes, yes I am family...you are the first to put that together here.  Maybe that is why John put us together." Kelly now wondered was John playing match maker, could Angela be a potential date?

"Well, I have to run, but I will be back tonight, want to meet up then and continue this conversation?" Angela not sure what to do, wanting to know Kelly but nervous as she was not sure Kelly would even want to get to know her.

"That would be awesome, maybe after church we can have dinner?"  Kelly hopefully asked.

"Sounds good, see you tonight." Angela then took off to the parking lot.

Kelly just stood there amazed and thought, maybe just maybe God heard her prayer and brought a beautiful lady in her life.

Stay tuned in next week as we see what happens with Kelly and Angela!

Community is the Key to Connection

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers"

Galatians 6:10

If you are born again in Christ, then you are in a family of God!  You have said that God is your father and that Jesus is your brother.  That the church is your brothers and sisters.  You have joined a family that is large and unlike any other!  No one can say to you, "Get out" or "You don't belong here" and if they do, then they are not speaking from the heart of God.

I have been to a church where they thought that you have to be exactly like them to be part of the church and felt the cold shoulder.  I never wish that on another. Thank goodness though I have found a church that doesn't say come when you match what we say is the right way.

Today, I was reminded to be part of a family you must associate with the family.  This came in three forms, first a luncheon with church members, then a birthday party with my best friend for her sons, and third a dessert social with the church.  Each one was with different people, but each one was important.

The key to connecting with God's people and building a foundation in God, is being where the people are and participating in the life of others.  When you let God's people in, you connect to the family and therefor build more of a foundation that will help you stay in the body aka family of Christ.