I was reading my former pastor's blog today, and he was critiquing another pastor's answer about homosexuality. This other pastor didn't blast homosexuality out of the water like it deserves to be, but neither did he condone it. He very diplomatically walked the fine line between yea and nay. Leaving the watching world to think it must not be too bad.
Someone commented that this sort of question in this sort of time, also considering where this pastor is shepherding (apparently in Manhattan) requires delicate strategy. He wanted to, understandably, defend this pastor from all the criticism and critique that popped up in the comment section, but he was defending pussy-footing around a grave sin.
No one attacked the pastor personally, but rather were disappointed that he didn't stand more strongly on the issue. This fellow took it personally on behalf of the NY pastor and thought what he said was appropriate.
But this particular question is not being delicately handled by the rest of the world. Homosexuality and its many facets are stuffed down our throats as something we are born with. And therefore, as part of our inherent nature, it must be a good thing.
To respond to this in-your-face attack with delicacy and strategy (as if strategy means vague wording to avoid confrontation) is not a response at all. Nor is it even close to being a counter-argument.
We need to be STRONG in our response and understanding of what homosexuality is and does. This does not mean being unkind or cruel to those we are speaking to or to homosexuals themselves, but we MUST NOT dumb down what it is, nor should we back down by vaguely insinuating that homosexuality is perhaps not what God wants us to do. In the end, just as it is in the beginning, sin is sin is sin. Let's not call it a matter of careful diplomacy to consider with caution.
This is serious. As is every sin. But most people don't think stealing and lying and murdering are fine, whereas far too many people including Christians would say homosexuality is a choice, is genetic, is okay. The proper response is not delicate strategy, not tip-toeing around the gorse bush. Rather, we need to (not unlike Winnie-the-Pooh) crush the gorse bush.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Pleasure and Joy
My husband and I were talking about the absolute pure joy, thrill, and pleasure we got watching our almost 9 month old son learn to crawl a couple nights ago. When we saw him purposefully put out his hands and lean on his arms, dragging his kicking body forwards eagerly towards a wanted toy, we felt such heartwarming joy at his progress and success. We'd been waiting for this for a long time.
Then, as we talked tonight about it, my husband asked me, "Do we ever really think about the fact that pleasure and joy comes from God?" I kind of weakly answered yes and no. Yes, I know intellectually that all things come from God and so I subconsciously know God gives us the gift of joy and pleasure. But no, I guess when I'm really happy about something, when I feel joy and pleasure out of life I don't immediately think of it coming directly from God.
It was a good reminder, and I'm grateful for my husband for bringing it to my attention. God gave us our son. God enabled him to learn to crawl. And God gave our hearts the ability to be thrilled at his learning and to take pleasure seeing him learn new things all the time. It's all a gift, and it all comes from the Triune Lord of the heavens and earth.
Then, as we talked tonight about it, my husband asked me, "Do we ever really think about the fact that pleasure and joy comes from God?" I kind of weakly answered yes and no. Yes, I know intellectually that all things come from God and so I subconsciously know God gives us the gift of joy and pleasure. But no, I guess when I'm really happy about something, when I feel joy and pleasure out of life I don't immediately think of it coming directly from God.
It was a good reminder, and I'm grateful for my husband for bringing it to my attention. God gave us our son. God enabled him to learn to crawl. And God gave our hearts the ability to be thrilled at his learning and to take pleasure seeing him learn new things all the time. It's all a gift, and it all comes from the Triune Lord of the heavens and earth.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
One More
Hmm. I don't think I've mentioned the news here, but we are joyfully and eagerly expecting another bundle of cuteness this August!
The due date is August 24th, and I'm almost 13 weeks. God has been so good to us, and we asked Him for another child in His timing. I got pregnant right before Beowulf turned 6 months, but didn't find out until he was almost 7 months! I feel that this is the perfect timing. Anything later and we'd be dealing with a brand new baby in the middle of the school year. As long as this baby isn't too much later than the due date, we'll have a couple weeks to enjoy our new one and get adjusted to the newborn routine before we have to add in school to our schedule.
As Beowulf has grown, even though he isn't a year old yet, we have definitely seen that children are a GREAT blessing, a true reward from our gracious Lord and God.
The due date is August 24th, and I'm almost 13 weeks. God has been so good to us, and we asked Him for another child in His timing. I got pregnant right before Beowulf turned 6 months, but didn't find out until he was almost 7 months! I feel that this is the perfect timing. Anything later and we'd be dealing with a brand new baby in the middle of the school year. As long as this baby isn't too much later than the due date, we'll have a couple weeks to enjoy our new one and get adjusted to the newborn routine before we have to add in school to our schedule.
As Beowulf has grown, even though he isn't a year old yet, we have definitely seen that children are a GREAT blessing, a true reward from our gracious Lord and God.
Femina post
Nancy Wilson has done it again - convicted me!
As a wife and mother, I do need to remember that my emotions, reactions, and attitude certainly do have a huge ripple effect. It's easy when I just have a little baby to think it doesn't matter, but it really does effect him even now. Not to mention my husband. My words and attitude is important to him and effects how he gets through his day.
Speaking of thinking babies don't understand anything until they are about a year old (a common American or perhaps simply modernist conception) . . . one day I was tired and something made me sad. I was also feeling a lot of pregnancy symptoms and so I think half of the emotional breakdown was due to hormonal imbalance. I was holding my 8 month old son and comforting him but I started to cry. I tried to be very quiet, but he heard me sniffing and turned in my arms to get a look at my face. He stared straight into my eyes and held my gaze. I could see he was trying to understand what was happening to me. I smiled through my tears and tried to show everything was fine. He had a little smiled, but wouldn't stop looking at me and was awfully serious for as long as I was crying.
I cheered up pretty quick because I didn't want to upset him. He soon got back to playing happily. I was quite surprised that he noticed my mood change, even though I tried so hard to be subtle! :) I think it was fine for me to cry then, but it's good to remember that even now my son will be aware of all my emotions and to realize that I am not just affected by me; my whole family is affected by me.
As a wife and mother, I do need to remember that my emotions, reactions, and attitude certainly do have a huge ripple effect. It's easy when I just have a little baby to think it doesn't matter, but it really does effect him even now. Not to mention my husband. My words and attitude is important to him and effects how he gets through his day.
Speaking of thinking babies don't understand anything until they are about a year old (a common American or perhaps simply modernist conception) . . . one day I was tired and something made me sad. I was also feeling a lot of pregnancy symptoms and so I think half of the emotional breakdown was due to hormonal imbalance. I was holding my 8 month old son and comforting him but I started to cry. I tried to be very quiet, but he heard me sniffing and turned in my arms to get a look at my face. He stared straight into my eyes and held my gaze. I could see he was trying to understand what was happening to me. I smiled through my tears and tried to show everything was fine. He had a little smiled, but wouldn't stop looking at me and was awfully serious for as long as I was crying.
I cheered up pretty quick because I didn't want to upset him. He soon got back to playing happily. I was quite surprised that he noticed my mood change, even though I tried so hard to be subtle! :) I think it was fine for me to cry then, but it's good to remember that even now my son will be aware of all my emotions and to realize that I am not just affected by me; my whole family is affected by me.
Designed for Eternal Bachelorhood
I confess that I've been watching this season's "The Bachelor."
I have never watched any of The Bachelor seasons before, or even episodes/clips. So I didn't know really how it worked. When season 15 started there was all this hype about Brad Womack (this year's bachelor) returning a second time because 3 years before he had refused to propose to any of the women and had broken hearts.
That past drama intrigued me, as well as just wanting to know how this show got popular. At first I was merely amused. But now I'm frustrated, mostly with myself for wasting several hours watching a bunch of brainless idiots "look for love."
The whole show seems designed for heartbreak and failure, if not now, later in life and possibly after a marriage commitment. How is a girl supposed to find true love by fighting for one man's attention amidst 29 other girls? And how is she, should she be "lucky" enough to be chosen in the end (either for marriage or for serious dating), how I ask, is she going to be able to trust said man after watching him either pretend or really have feelings and show affection to at least 15 other women for weeks and weeks? A few short dates and a few conversations alone with one man will NOT determine if he's a good fit. It might show whether they are compatible on a shallow level, but will not provide the environment or circumstances needed to see if the man is really a man and if the woman is a woman worthy of his true affection.
A reality show like The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, or a new one I heard about but am not interested in watching at all, Genuine Ken: The Great American Boyfriend (gaaaaag) - none of these shows are the right setting for anyone who honestly wants to settle down forever and be done with the search.
The answer? Get off TV, pick ONE person to focus on (as long as they also like you) and get some accountability.
It's bad enough to have two people running around without parental approval from the get-go or parental guidance in the case of a younger couple. But it's terrible to put a man in a harem and say "Okay, dude, have fun kissing and getting each woman emotionally attached, but you can't keep 'em all (cause that's, like, morally wrong)."
Hypocritical much?
Anyways. Just wanted to rant at the stupidity of our nation. I really do pray God would have mercy on America and turn her around! Send us honest, humble, reverent, and faithful Christian men to lead this country, Triune Lord, and revive your faltering church in this continent! Turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.
I have never watched any of The Bachelor seasons before, or even episodes/clips. So I didn't know really how it worked. When season 15 started there was all this hype about Brad Womack (this year's bachelor) returning a second time because 3 years before he had refused to propose to any of the women and had broken hearts.
That past drama intrigued me, as well as just wanting to know how this show got popular. At first I was merely amused. But now I'm frustrated, mostly with myself for wasting several hours watching a bunch of brainless idiots "look for love."
The whole show seems designed for heartbreak and failure, if not now, later in life and possibly after a marriage commitment. How is a girl supposed to find true love by fighting for one man's attention amidst 29 other girls? And how is she, should she be "lucky" enough to be chosen in the end (either for marriage or for serious dating), how I ask, is she going to be able to trust said man after watching him either pretend or really have feelings and show affection to at least 15 other women for weeks and weeks? A few short dates and a few conversations alone with one man will NOT determine if he's a good fit. It might show whether they are compatible on a shallow level, but will not provide the environment or circumstances needed to see if the man is really a man and if the woman is a woman worthy of his true affection.
A reality show like The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, or a new one I heard about but am not interested in watching at all, Genuine Ken: The Great American Boyfriend (gaaaaag) - none of these shows are the right setting for anyone who honestly wants to settle down forever and be done with the search.
The answer? Get off TV, pick ONE person to focus on (as long as they also like you) and get some accountability.
It's bad enough to have two people running around without parental approval from the get-go or parental guidance in the case of a younger couple. But it's terrible to put a man in a harem and say "Okay, dude, have fun kissing and getting each woman emotionally attached, but you can't keep 'em all (cause that's, like, morally wrong)."
Hypocritical much?
Anyways. Just wanted to rant at the stupidity of our nation. I really do pray God would have mercy on America and turn her around! Send us honest, humble, reverent, and faithful Christian men to lead this country, Triune Lord, and revive your faltering church in this continent! Turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.
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