Last week the Supreme Court passed the decision to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states of the United States. The decision passed by a slight 5-4 margin. Unless you live under a rock, the information world has been all a buzz about this with both sides speaking loudly regarding their stand. Rainbows are everywhere and even the White House was lit up like a rainbow.
I've hesitated to respond at all to this discussion, but after much rumination, for which this blog is named, I think I finally have my thoughts together. No matter which side you are on, I plead with you to read this entire blog post. Some of it you may agree with, and some of it you may not. But here in the land of the free, I'm glad I have the freedom to express it.
I do not believe in same-sex marriage. Why? Because I believe the Bible clearly indicates that marriage is between one man and one woman. A wise person once said "you can't legalize morality" and for that, just because I believe the Bible in its entirety doesn't mean I can force my beliefs on you. But men and women died for me to have the freedom to believe that. And practice that. Though I may not be a supporter of the Supreme Court decision, it doesn't mean I'm forlorn for this world. God is still on His Throne, and one day all things will be made right. And I can pray for my nation and my leaders for the days ahead.
I would like to address the people on both sides because I feel there are things I want to say to everyone. I have friends and acquaintances that are homosexual or support the gay lifestyle. And I still love them.
To those that support same-sex marriage: For you this decision was a long time coming and many of you feel very vindicated for what has been withheld from you for so long. The right to marry legally. Though I don't agree with your lifestyle, I hope what has occurred will provide you fulfillment. I don't believe any Supreme Court decision is the answer to life's questions, or will solve all your problems. I do ask that you respect those who believe the opposite of you. The freedom you have now to marry legally is the same freedom others deserve to practice what they believe to be truth from the Bible. Denying those of that freedom is no different than the denial you've had (until last week) to be recognized as a legally-bound union.
To those that do not support same-sex marriage: First off, God has not crawled off His Throne. God loves the homosexual just like He loves you. The response to this should not be hate, but love. This can be discouraging to those who believe strongly in God's Word. But if you do, the Bible warns of these times to come, and more than ever the Gospel needs to be the foundation of all we do. I fear we Christians have not done a good job at honoring the marriage covenant and taking it so lightly with adultery and other fornication that it truly is no wonder the definition of marriage is skewed. I pray that as Christians, we will stand more strongly for marriages to be God-centered and God-honoring and help repair what we've torn in two, allowing a non-biblical union to appear more solid.
By now you may have decided to unfollow me, unfriend me or block me. I hope not, but understand if you feel the need to do so. There is not one friend or acquaintance I have that supports same-sex marriage that I don't respect and/or love. And that's what I hope you leave with. Love. Not hate. Not judgment. But love.
Jesus loves me this I know. And that, folks, is how Love Wins.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
The Law and The Media
Last Friday, John Stamos, the actor known best as Uncle Jesse on Full House, was arrested for DUI. Now you may not have heard about this incident because in the media, it was somewhat washed over. When I first heard of it, the news focused on the fact that he thanked the policemen and how honorable that was. Um, yeah, but, he was driving drunk. His friends said they were hopeful this was just a one-time mistake, but that he had struggled with alcoholism in the past. He fell apart when his Mother passed away last September and they suspect that event might have triggered this incident.
Full House is still running as reruns on various cable networks and the much-hyped sequel, Fuller House is still on target for production. No harm no foul.
Just a month or so ago, evidence surfaced that Joshua Duggar of the famed 19 Kids and Counting had been involved in sexual molestation as a minor. He publicly apologized for this and stepped down from his job at the Family Research Council. Consequently, 19 Kids and Counting was pulled from the TLC lineup and there are expectations the show will be canceled.
Recently on Fox News, Megan Kelly interviewed two of the sisters that were victims - Jessa and Jill - and Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar - about the situation and details surrounding it. It painted a bit different light on the situation. To date, Joshua hasn't been interviewed by a news outlet, and part of me wishes he would. I'd like to hear from him. The silence is somewhat deafening after an enlightening group of interviews with Megan Kelly.
While I don't condone or approve of either of these actions, I'm a bit baffled at how the response has been so starkly different. Had John Stamos hurt someone driving drunk, or, heaven forbid, kill someone, would we pull Full House from the lineup? Would the production of Fuller House be in jeopardy? I can argue that the target audience of Full House is partially made up of younger kids who could be heavily influenced that getting a DUI is ok. It's definitely not a "breaking of the law" as serious as molestation. And, to some degree I would agree. What we see here are the consequences of actions, and not the action itself. But breaking the law is breaking the law.
John Stamos was arrested while driving. Joshua Duggar came forward admitting to his problem. Yet, it seems one crime is less important than the other one. I grieve for Joshua Duggar and the family as they deal with this and pray that this addiction he has is under control and he has strong accountability. But I also grieve for John Stamos who apparently took this DUI lightly. I pray that he takes this for the warning it is and drives responsibly lest a life be taken from this world because of his actions.
Both of these situations sadden me. And I think what makes me saddest is knowing that the media uses the contra-popular life of the Duggars - being public about their Christianity - to fuel the fire behind this situation. If Jim Bob Duggar had been arrested for DUI, would the show be pulled from the air? Quite possibly.
Funny how Phil Robertsons' comments from Scripture on his stand on homosexuality now fade in the background of Duggars, Jenners and Dolezals.
Full House is still running as reruns on various cable networks and the much-hyped sequel, Fuller House is still on target for production. No harm no foul.
Just a month or so ago, evidence surfaced that Joshua Duggar of the famed 19 Kids and Counting had been involved in sexual molestation as a minor. He publicly apologized for this and stepped down from his job at the Family Research Council. Consequently, 19 Kids and Counting was pulled from the TLC lineup and there are expectations the show will be canceled.
Recently on Fox News, Megan Kelly interviewed two of the sisters that were victims - Jessa and Jill - and Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar - about the situation and details surrounding it. It painted a bit different light on the situation. To date, Joshua hasn't been interviewed by a news outlet, and part of me wishes he would. I'd like to hear from him. The silence is somewhat deafening after an enlightening group of interviews with Megan Kelly.
While I don't condone or approve of either of these actions, I'm a bit baffled at how the response has been so starkly different. Had John Stamos hurt someone driving drunk, or, heaven forbid, kill someone, would we pull Full House from the lineup? Would the production of Fuller House be in jeopardy? I can argue that the target audience of Full House is partially made up of younger kids who could be heavily influenced that getting a DUI is ok. It's definitely not a "breaking of the law" as serious as molestation. And, to some degree I would agree. What we see here are the consequences of actions, and not the action itself. But breaking the law is breaking the law.
John Stamos was arrested while driving. Joshua Duggar came forward admitting to his problem. Yet, it seems one crime is less important than the other one. I grieve for Joshua Duggar and the family as they deal with this and pray that this addiction he has is under control and he has strong accountability. But I also grieve for John Stamos who apparently took this DUI lightly. I pray that he takes this for the warning it is and drives responsibly lest a life be taken from this world because of his actions.
Both of these situations sadden me. And I think what makes me saddest is knowing that the media uses the contra-popular life of the Duggars - being public about their Christianity - to fuel the fire behind this situation. If Jim Bob Duggar had been arrested for DUI, would the show be pulled from the air? Quite possibly.
Funny how Phil Robertsons' comments from Scripture on his stand on homosexuality now fade in the background of Duggars, Jenners and Dolezals.
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