Heartbroken

I've never really dealt with any "controversial" issues on my blog - until now. And I realize I'm probably about to turn off some folks. But, I created this blog as an opportunity to share my feelings and I feel very strongly about this issue so here goes. I am heartbroken as I type this because I found out this morning that a Christian musician who I have admired for years (including singing most of the songs he's written) has "come out" as a homosexual. Now, sadly that's becoming less shocking as of late, but the difference is that instead of saying he is "struggling with homosexuality" and plans to seek counsel, he has decided that God wants him to live that lifestyle. The artist I'm speaking of is Ray Boltz. Here is his quote from the gay magazine that includes the interview:

“If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live. It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be … I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself.”

Ok, here's my take on that flawed thinking. First, while I agree that God may have created Ray with the propensity to feel those urges, those urges won't send him to hell. And he should know that if he is truly a Christian to begin with. We are sent to hell for not having a personal relationship with Christ and NO OTHER REASON. But, let me clarify that if you are living in sin (ANY sin) and don't feel the Holy Spirit convicting you, then you may want to think about you salvation experience. Second, he feels closer to God because he's given in to his desires and doesn't hate himself anymore? So, if I'm feeling distant from God and feeling guilty because He says someting I'm doing is wrong (pick any sin) then just decide that there's actually nothing wrong with it and I'll feel better about myself and closer to God? Just ignore the inner moral compass that's telling me it's wrong? That's some seriously wacky thinking.

Let me clarify that I have people very close to me (VERY) who are gay and while they are fully aware that I will never accept their lifestyle as anything but a sin, they know that I love them very much. There's the key, too. It's a sin - just like the ones I commit. It's not worse or better than the ones I'm guilty of. It's just sin. The difference is that I say, " I'm going to work not do it anymore." Ray has said, "I'm going to continue doing it the rest of my life." Oh, and I'm not a homophobe, either. Because the "homophobe" label that is thrown around every time this subject is brought up is soooooooo misused. A phobia is:

"a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it. " -Webster's

I do not have an irrational fear or compelling desire to avoid homosexuals. Neither do MOST of those who oppose the lifestyle. That word is nothing more than the same "hate speech" that gay-rights activists accuse us of using so they can brand us in the hope that no one will listen to what we have to say.

So let me close by saying that I know I have offended some and probably alienated others. This is how I feel, however, and it's not going to change. Just like the many who put down my other religious convictions and beliefs have a right to believe and say what they feel, I have the right to share my feelings. Let me be clear, however, that I may not belief the homosexuality lifestyle to be "correct," but I'll be one of the first ones in line to help ANYONE who wants to leave the lifestyle, and they are ALWAYS welcome in our church along with the rest of us who are just sinners asking for daily forgiveness and grace from the God who made us all for one reason, to worship Him.

iGot one!

Warning, Will Robinson, Techno Geek levels reaching critical stage! For the past 5 years my wife and I have been a member of the "prepaid" wireless family. Why? Because we NEVER used the cell phone enough to warrant the monthly commitment. Well, with my wife's new job requiring her to drive a good distance to work, I didn't want to rely on enough time being left on her phone if she really needed me for something, so this weekend we made the trek to our local ATT store and walked out with an LG Shine for her and this little baby on the left for me. Now I hear the questions from my parents and those of you on the frugal end of the spectrum. Did I NEED an iPhone? No. Did I WANT an iPhone? You bet your sweet patooty I did. As they handed the activated iPhone to me in the store my wife cradled her hands around it and sang an angelic "aaaaaah" as if light were descending from the ceiling. Yes, she was mocking my geekiness but I don't care. I had bided my time, done the research, and saved up to buy it. It wasn't exactly an "impuse purchase." She wasn't exactly bored with her choice, either. As a matter of fact, as we were seated at our booth in Chili's later than evening for dinner, we spent the first 20 minutes of our time playing with our phones as if the other person weren't even there. So, maybe someone else has a little techno geek in her blood. And, as her husband I think I'm entitled to say that's just a little hot.

Where's the mint under my pillow?

Aaaaaaaaaaargh! Okay, I don't usually rant on this blog but there are some things that just set me off. Living in Louisiana, we get to experience the "fun" of dealing with hurricanes. Now, up here in North Louisiana we usually just get a little wind and a lot of rain, but we also play host to the several hundred thousand south Louisianians who come up for shelter from the storm. Wait, let me reemphasize the word "shelter." "Shelter" does not imply you'll have the same living conditions that you left, and it sure doesn't imply luxury, so I get VERY upset when those who have been pushed from their homes by a storm seek SHELTER in our city and then complain that it doesn't meet their standards. GIVE ME A BREAK! Yes, some of the shelters could have had more ammenities, but come on people! A multitude of people from this area gave their vacation time and days off to come to your aid with medical attention and other NECESSITIES, not to mention the HUGE amount of items donated by our community so you didn't have to buy food, water, diapers, etc. One gentleman was quoted as saying, "this city had 3 years to get ready in case a hurricane hit again..." Yes sir, and YOU had 3 years to put aside some money so you could afford a hotel in case of an emergency (something you should expect since you CHOSE to live on the coast where hurricanes are common). Why does a lack of planning on your part become somebody else's fault? The straw on the proverbial camel's back last night was a comment by a lady who said, "I'll get a blanket and sleep out here on the sidewalk before I go back in that place." Hmmm...anybody got a blanket?

Where were you?

As I was creating this video for our 9/11 remembrance service this Sunday I thought back, as I always do this time of year, about where I was that morning that the world became a little scarier place. As I drove to work at the engineering company that morning, I was listening to public radio (I'd never really listened to it before). They were talking about a plane that had somehow crashed into one of the "twin towers." By the time I'd parked my car and ridden the elevator to the 14th floor there was a group in the kitchen huddled around the small television watching coverage of the second plane and what was now being considered a possible terrorist attack. As the morning progressed, other planes were hijacked, buildings fell, and we all began to feel a little less safe. Suddenly, all the stuff that had preoccupied our lives failed to seem as important as being close to those we loved. As the days turned to weeks, and weeks to months and then years, controversy swirled. Who was at fault? Who could really be considered a hero? Over the past 7 years it seems "We will not forget" has been...well, forgotten. So, let's set aside our differences on fault, war, conspiracy theories, and just REMEMBER those whose lives changed more than we could ever imagine or even want to imagine. Press forward, but never forget.