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.