A Christian’s view on alcohol consumption

by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 13, 2013

            Drinking alcoholic beverages is not condemned in the Bible as sinful.  Drunkenness is, though (1 Corinthians 6:10).  Beyond that, the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, had some really bad things to say about alcohol, “bites like a snake and poisons like a viper (Proverbs 23:29-35).”  So, why does this issue keep coming up in families, schools, and communities?  I think it’s because each generation sees the issue from a little different perspective.

            These days, it is not uncommon for Christians to openly drink at sporting events, restaurants, and during holidays or celebrations simply because they enjoy it, and they are enjoying the liberties granted them in New Testament passages such as what Paul wrote in Romans 14.  But as with any privilege, considerations must be made for how your actions are affecting other people.  Paul also said, "I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but not everything is constructive. (1 Corinthians 10:23).”

            For instance, any time I’ve ever spoken to an audience and asked whether it would affect my credibility if I were to drink a beer while teaching their Bible class, I always get strange looks of disapproval. And if I were speaking at an AA meeting, common sense would dictate it would be highly inappropriate to sip a glass of wine while leading a discussion group.  However, if I were trying to teach the Gospel in a different country or culture where I would be seen as a snob if I made a big deal out of alcoholic abstinence,  then sipping a little wine might actually help the cause of Christ. In my case, any amount of alcohol consumption would not be a good thing because it would violate my conscience.

            In Bible times, the wine was commonly watered down in households for meals.  So, it was not the kind of potent beverage we have today.  That is likely the reason the phrase drunkard and a glutton was often used together in the Bible, because in order to get drunk, a person would have to consume a LOT of wine.  That is not the case these days.

            The Mothers Against Drunk Driving website says high school students who use alcohol or other substances are five times more likely to drop out of school.  1 in 6 teens binge drink. Only 1 in 100 parents believes his or her teen binge drinks.  Kids who start drinking young are seven times more likely to be in an alcohol-related crash.  Teen alcohol use kills about 4,700 people each year, more than all illegal drugs combined.  Over all, more than ten-thousand people die in alcohol related crashes each year, averaging one death every 51 minutes.  Keep in mind that in the number of drunk driving deaths has been cut in half since MADD was founded in 1980. 

            The Barna Research Group says many younger Christians describe themselves as far more tempted by alcohol abuse (28%) than any of their predecessors.  So even if we as a culture feel empowered to drink whenever and wherever the law permits, that does not do away with our responsibility as Christians to look out for the greater good of mankind.  It’s called agape’ (love), and it is the first and greatest commandment.  Have a great week!

God's plan of creation is still at work

by Barrett Vanlandingham
May 6, 2014

            The other day I was practicing some songs to lead on Sunday morning when I suddenly heard my dad’s voice.  He was nowhere around, but at that moment my voice sounded so much like his I’m sure it could have fooled a voice identification machine!  But then again, why wouldn’t my voice sound like my dad’s?  I am his son.  You may have had similar experiences.

            Every day we see evidence of God’s power and ancient plan for the inhabitants of earth, still in effect today after six thousand years of recorded history, right down to how animals continue to reproduce after their own kinds.  It is interesting that the phrase “according to their own kinds” is mentioned at least seven times in the Genesis creation story in reference to animal reproduction (ref: Gen. 1:21-25). 

            After that (vs. 26-28), God created man and woman, and told them to be fruitful and increase in number, and to rule over all the animals God had created that were also to reproduce after their own kinds.  There is nothing to indicate God caused or even allowed one animal species to evolve from a different species.  That statement is also true of humans. Scientific proof would have to agree with that today as well since there is still no evidence, fossil or otherwise, that one species has ever evolved into another.  ALL scientific evidence is consistent with a Biblical view of how we all got here. I say this because there have been witnesses, no tests and certainly no repeatable tests that can prove the Big Bang Theory of how the universe supposedly began 13.8 billion years ago, or the Theory of Evolution (how Charles Darwin believed life began).

            The reason a “missing link” or “ape-man” set of bones or even a fossil of one has never been found is because there isn’t one.  That’s why science calls it the “missing link”.  For years, science museums have displayed fully manufactured skeletons to give the public an idea of what they think humans might have looked like millions of years ago.  According to the PBS website, man evolved from an African ape about five-million years ago, the same as gorillas and chimpanzees.   But remember, not even one old dug up bone shows evidence of a transition or “link” species. 

            An Associated Press survey in March of more than a thousand adults reveals that when it comes to the theory of evolution, Americans are only somewhat confident (24%), or not too confident (16%), or not at all confident (27%).  Regarding the big bang theory, 25% are only somewhat confident, 20% not too confident, and 30% not confident at all.   72-percent of those surveyed are somewhat (18%), very (14%), or extremely confident (40%) that a supreme being guides our universe.  To this, I would add that since something cannot come from nothing, something would have always had to exist.  That “something” is God.  Have a great week!

Thunderstorms make great Bible lessons

by Barrett Vanlandingham
April 29, 2014

            This past Thursday was an incredible time to hear and watch God at work.  You may have felt the same way.  While getting some work done in my office, I began to hear raindrops on the rooftop, heavier and heavier, and then bolts of lightning and the booming thunder echoing like enormous bass drums. I walked outside under the awning where I could see and hear gushing downspouts watering the flowerbed near the entry.  Low spots all over the church yard were quickly filling up. 

            I couldn’t help but think, “Wow! God’s power is truly amazing!”   It was all very humbling as this display of nature reminded me of who is behind all of this! 

            I bet Noah was absolutely terrified the first day of the flood, especially since the Bible indicates it may not have ever rained (ref: Genesis 2:5) up until that point when “all of the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened” for forty days and forty nights (ref: Gen. 7:11-12). 

            What a faith-builder that must have been after a hundred years of building an ark!  Noah, a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), finds himself smack dab in the middle of God making good on one of the most incredible promises of all time, as the highest mountains under the heavens would ultimately be covered “to a depth of more than twenty feet (Genesis 7:20).”  Just think, all those people who probably thought Noah was crazy for obeying God’s command to build a huge boat to God’s specifications quickly re-thought their position on the matter.  But it would be too late.  Noah and his family would be saved, and no one else.

            God has supplied us with mountains of evidence to increase our faith if we would just pay attention (Rom. 1:20).  In fact, thousands of years before science finally discovered the water cycle and ocean currents, as well as the existence of underwater mountains, valleys, and springs under the oceans, the Bible had it right all along in passages such as Job 36:27-28, Ecclesiastes 1:7, Job 38:16, 2 Samuel 22:16, and Jonah 2:6.  Based on Psalm 8:8, Matthew Maury, an officer in the United States Navy in the 1800’s, discovered there are many ocean paths or currents.

            When I see God’s power on display as it was the afternoon I wrote this article, my faith is strengthened.  Days like this not only help me appreciate what God can do with our universe, but also what he can do in the life of my family, just like He did for Noah’s.  There is no time like the present to become a member of God’s family. Give me a call or email if you would like to know more.  Have a blessed week!

Jesus never closes the door

by Barrett Vanlandingham
April 22, 2014

            In the just released movie Heaven Is For Real there is a scene where the dad tucks his children into bed and then on the way out he starts to close the door until the kids yell, “Dad, leave the door open!”  That is not a major scene or anything, but I immediately began to think about my childhood, and how I always wanted the door left open a few inches and the light left on in the hallway bathroom.  For me, it was just a feeling of security knowing the door was open and that my parents could hear me yell if I needed something.  I didn’t realize they could have heard me anyway since we lived on a quiet farm near Tahlequah, way out in the middle of nowhere, and a yelling child could have been heard fifty yards down our gravel road even if my door was shut.

            I think that’s kind of how God is for us, only even better.  It’s kind of like those hotel rooms that have the connecting wall doors I used to always be fascinated with when I was a kid.  It was always a thrill to open the door on our side of the wall just to see if the people in the other room had theirs open, too.  Thank goodness, the other door was always closed.  But that’s not how God operates.  His door is always open, whether ours is or not.  He can always hear us even though He may choose to not pay attention to our needs if we have intentionally closed Him off. 

            In the story of the man born blind (John 9), Jesus approached him, put mud on the man’s eyes, and sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam.  To me, this shows Jesus’ door was open to the man, so to speak, but if the man had chosen to be closed off to the healing Jesus was offering or maybe refused to wash in the pool, then he may not have received his sight.  John quotes the man as saying, “We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the Godly man who does his will (John 9:31).”  This echoes thoughts from Isaiah in the Old Testament, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear (Isaiah 59:2).”

            God allows us to experience the natural consequences that come with choosing the world’s way over His way.  But that does not mean God cannot hear us when we truly repent and call on His name.  In Isaiah 55:7 the prophet says that our merciful God will pardon the wicked when they turn to Him. You see, Jesus’ door not only stays open for everyone (Romans 10:13), but the Bible says that Jesus IS the door (John10:9).”   All we need to do is remain open for Him to be in our lives.  Have a great week!

Remember to pray for our government

by Barrett Vanlandingham

April 15, 2014

 

            We as taxpayers shake our heads in disgust when we see evidence of governments wasting money on pet projects instead of using it where it would be most beneficial.  Tax collectors have battled image problems for thousands of years, probably because a few greedy bad apples who abused their power have rotted the reputation of the rest.

            For many of us, the April 15 tax deadline is not a big deal. Some even look forward to it, while others absolutely dread it because they know they’ll have to pay.  For me, I guess I’m somewhere in the middle, where sorting through tax information is more of an inconvenience than anything, but one I believe is well worth living in this great country.  But I do wish those we elect would respect the work it takes to generate all those taxes dollars.

            In the New Testament (Luke 19:1-9), Jesus told the story of a wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus who had the reputation of living a sinful lifestyle.  He had climbed up a sycamore tree as Jesus was coming by so he could get a better look at him.  People were appalled because as Jesus approached the tree where Zacchaeus was perched, He called the man by name and told him to come down because Jesus needed a place to stay. Evidently Jesus felt the need to spend some time at Zacchaeus’s house in spite of popular opinion which was against Jesus being the guest of a sinner.  After all, Zacchaeus was a Jew collecting taxes for the Roman government. Most of the people around Jesus probably saw Zacchaeus as a dishonest traitor who likely collected more than necessary so he could keep any extra for himself.  This would have also been the popular view of Matthew (aka: Levi), another tax collector who Jesus chose to be an apostle.

            Jesus saw something special in both of these unlikely disciples that compelled Him to offer them something much greater than money, a relationship with God the Father. Both of them repented and gladly received Jesus and continued to follow His teachings for their lives.

            I think sometimes we forget (or at least underestimate) the power of Jesus Christ to change lives and attitudes today just as He did in the first century.  The apostle Paul said that we should pray for all those in authority so that we can have a better quality life here on earth, and so all people will know the truth and be saved (ref: 1 Tim. 2:1-3).  Jesus gave His life for all sinners, even ones like Zacchaeus, and you, and me.  

            2700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah recorded some very encouraging words of God that should give today’s Christians some perspective on our efforts to spread the Gospel story of Jesus:   “As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields see for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).” 

            Remember to pray for our government and our elected leaders, and make good use of every opportunity to tell someone about the life we’re all invited to have in Christ.  Have a blessed week!

Spiritual storms deserve our attention, too

by Barrett Vanlandingham

April 8, 2014

            My yard is still soaked from the recent rain (and hail).   What a day that was!  The wind blew so hard during Thursday’s storm that water forced its way into our garage.  Debris including limbs, leaves, and dirt was scattered around my back porch, sidewalk, and throughout the yard, and hail shattered a large light in our flowerbed. 

            At least these damages are easy fixes. But I drove through Moore and Shawnee twice last month. Their tornado devastation is still shocking to witness close-up even a year after it hit.  Entire sections of mature trees that once stood tall and strong are mangled messes.  Roofless houses still bear the scars of the killer twister.

            As a society, we pay a lot of well-deserved attention to the effects of serious weather-related storms.  People all over the region were very kind to our area when the ice storm of 2007 hit.  As a nation, volunteers from everywhere rush to help wherever and whenever natural disasters occur.  Even now, long after the May 2013 tornadoes in Oklahoma, there are still groups who travel to the affected areas just to serve in whatever way they can, and brighten someone’s day. And from what I saw last weekend, there are still plenty of ways to help.

            Spiritually, what can we learn from the urgency and attention placed on natural disasters? The first thing that comes to my mind is that if we are willing to pay so much attention to weather-related devastation (and I am glad we do this), why are we not just as urgent and deliberate when it comes to something much more important such as the salvation of souls?  What if everytime we knew someone was going through a spiritual storm, struggling with temptation, we made a deliberate effort to help them avoid falling into sin, just like we would help a vulnerable neighbor get to safety if we saw a threatening storm approaching.

            I would love to see the lead story of the nightly news convey the importance of walking with Jesus, avoiding sin, and being ready for Judgment Day.  On a personal note, I cannot adequately convey just how grateful I am to the Fort Gibson Times and the Muskogee Phoenix for allowing me to write this Fort Faith column for seven years now.  I don’t pay them, and they don’t pay me.  But so far it seems to work out for both of us. 

            Whether you agree with me or not, I always try to convey my thoughts in a way that reflects the Bible’s intent on any given subject.  The bottom line is that God’s word is complete, and it gives us everything we need to find our way to heaven if we will follow through with His plan for us.  May God grant each of you the perseverance to deal with life’s trials (ref: James 1:2-4).  Have a great week!

Being a fool for Christ has its rewards!

by Barrett Vanlandingham
April 1, 2014

            Oddly enough, April Fool’s Day brings with it all kinds of interesting thoughts from God’s word.  Some of them stem from stories of Godless people, or from the foolish behavior of God’s children.  Both of whom learned over and over the hard way that God’s way is best.

            King David made some very foolish (and sinful) choices including adultery, lying, and even murder to cover up his sin.  But he is still listed in the Bible as a man after God’s own heart.  Why?  He ultimately he returned to God.  He grew in his understanding and love for God, meditating on His word, and honoring God as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

            Many of us, me included, have acted foolishly, detouring from God’s righteous path at times. The good news is that God allows His children (just like David) to trade in our foolish and worldly ways, in exchange for His ways.   

            In 1 Corinthians 4:10 Paul says, “We are fools for Christ’s sake”.   He is speaking to Christians in Corinth regarding how the world views the apostles, those called personally by God to spread the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.  So in that sense, April Fool’s Day could also commemorate those Christians over the years who have sacrificed their personal comforts, social standing, and financial gain in exchange for imitating Christ, and living the humble life of a Christian.  Paul learned this firsthand, and wrote about it.

            “¹¹ To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. ¹² We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³ when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment (1 Cor. 4:11-13).”

            Although some in this world understand that the life of a Christian is a worthy calling, many more think Christians along with our beliefs are nothing but foolishness.

            In the end, the Bible says most will experience eternal destruction, while those whose lives reflected the belief that Jesus is the Son of God will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master (Matt. 25:23).” 

            Have a blessed week, and make it count!

Jesus brings joy to life and relationships!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 25, 2014

            We recently sat in the waiting room anticipating some good news from the surgeon.  It finally came.  The doctor walked in and said there is “no more disease” visible in my sister Patti who had just finished undergoing her second surgery related to her diagnosis of colon cancer.

            I went to go see her this past weekend just to give her a hug. Such a great time!   As we visited, I told her I had been trying to think of somewhere to take Lisa for our 25^th wedding anniversary.  She told me that if she has learned anything throughout the ordeal of being sick it is to seize the moment and enjoy life while you feel like it.  Seems like sound advice to me.  How many of us need to do a better job of taking words like those to heart? 

            Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25-29 indicate he was a firm believer in living in the moment.  “²⁵Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these (NIV).”

            In all fairness, Jesus has personally experienced what it is like to be in the presence of God.  But hey, that’s what faith is all about, not worrying, and instead trusting in God to provide us with everything we need in this life and then bring us home to heaven. The time will come when we will no longer struggle with faith, since we will be able to see our Heavenly Father face to face.

            Until then, God has given us so many blessings to enjoy here on earth if we will only look around us and take the time to be amazed just like those first century disciples. They witnessed Jesus here on earth, saw him die, saw him laid in a tomb, saw him appear to hundreds of people over a forty day period after his resurrection, and saw him disappear again.  His creativity and power really are incredible.

            “¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17, ESV).”

            I am still not sure where Lisa and I will spend our anniversary.  One thing is for sure, everyday of our marriage and everyday of life is a celebration because of our Creator and Savior, the One who gives us hope, Jesus Christ.  Have a blessed week!

Beating Temptation (part 2): Learning to Hate Sin

by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 18, 2014

            It’s hard to keep from getting excited about the arrival of spring when I spot Easter flowers popping up in my neighborhood.  But as Lisa and I looked out our kitchen window the other day at what hopefully was final ice storm of the season blanketing our yard, we both groaned at the frosty setback that was occurring right before our eyes.

            How many times have you been encouraged to hear about a new Christian who was doing so well in their spiritual walk and then you find out their streak of perseverance seemed to have been jerked out from under them.  This scenario is played out way too often when a weaker brother or sister is so full of hope and a bright future in living for the Lord.  And then it’s almost as if the devil says, “Wait, not so fast! See if you can handle one more storm.”  We’ve all seen it happen.  In all likelihood, we’ve all actually been that person who fell back into a temptation that we couldn’t handle, at least on that particular day.  The fall is often especially hard for those who thought they were beyond Satan’s reach.  But the fact is, anytime we step off of God’s lighted path, we put ourselves at risk of going into spiritual battle unprepared.

            Last week, my Fort Faith column focused on trusting in God as the first step in overcoming temptation.  This week, I have one more point to make on this topic.  Hate sin!  We must learn to hate the consequences of sin more than we enjoy the benefits of it.  We must understand how temptation and sin are related.  Temptation is plain and simple a tool of the devil no matter what it looks like, feels like, smells like, or tastes like.  The devil plays dirty.  His lures are creative, deceptive and powerfully aimed at our weaknesses. 

            We would never think of asking to be locked up in a cell with a known serial killer, because we know what things such a person is capable of.  But Satan is capable of a lot worse things than any human can scheme. Spiritually, there are two sides of the fence. We as Christians MUST IDENTIFY the enemy, and KNOW which side he or she is on, and GET on the other side.  James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

            James 1:13-15 reminds us that we can be our own worst enemy in overcoming temptation simply by letting our evil desires run rampant, leading us straight to sin, and ultimately spiritual death.  Matthew 12:43-45 reminds us that one strategy in preventing this is to replace all those temptations with good things.  You know, fill your life with things that will help you get to heaven instead of just stopping at saying no to the devil’s schemes.  If you only say no, but then fail to make any changes for the better, the devil will take advantage of your indecisiveness and less than committed attitude.  Overcoming temptation, it starts with trusting God, and then hating sin with everything you’ve got.  Have a great week!

Beating temptation starts with trusting God

by Barrett Vanlandingham
March 11, 2014

             It’s funny how God can know just what you need even when you thought you needed something else.  Trusting God can be difficult.  But it is a necessary first step in overcoming temptation.  God taught me a lesson on this recently.

            I was sitting in an auditorium of about 1200 people at the CHRISTeens Youth Rally in Russellville a few weeks ago.  It had been a fantastic weekend.  We were getting ready to start another worship session and the singing had been just terrific, and I was really looking forward to some great congregational singing.  The lights were dimmed so none of the teens felt self-conscious about singing their lungs out.  But when the singing started, there was a young lady behind me who I just can’t describe to you how bad she sang. 

            I know we’re supposed to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, but this young lady took the word “noise” and re-defined it to “horrifyingly-bad”, shrill, warbled, cuts-like-a-knife, and on top of that she knew every word to every song. She sang with joy, and began each verse about a split second before the song leader.  I was honestly tempted to move to another row, far away.  But having been through other similar, uncomfortable situations, I thought to myself, “I wonder what God has up His sleeve this time?” So, I decided to stay put and focus on the words of the songs, worship God the best I could, and just see what would happen.

            So I sat there in the dark looking at the words on the big screens, trying to sing in spite of the challenges. As I couldn’t help but hear the voice behind me, it became evident that this young girl was a special needs child who, even though she had not been blessed with a beautiful singing voice, she praised God with everything in her.  Suddenly the songs took on meaning like I had never experienced before. I started thinking about the fact that in this life, no one but God is going to give her the kinds of breaks that most people take for granted.

            And so she sang: “In Christ alone, my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.  This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ, I stand.”

            Yes, I was uncomfortable. Yes, I was tempted to have a bad attitude. But as soon as I began trust God and focus on a Savior who is worthy of ALL of our praise, my perspective changed, and my heart changed, and I received a blessing that turned out to be the biggest God moment of the weekend for me.

            Trust God and just see where it leads.  Your temptation will fade. Your faith will grow, and God will be glorified. Have a great week!

Christians and homosexuals can get along

by Barrett Vanlandingham

March 4, 2014

            Whatever happened to the days when gays and straights could just co-exist, you know, before special interest groups, lawyers, judges, and legislatures decided they needed to make everything so complicated? 

            My dad ran a successful restaurant for 36 years.  He served people of all kinds, and hired and worked alongside people of all kinds.  To my knowledge, not a single employee ever pushed my dad to accept their sexual preferences under the threat of a lawsuit.  Not a single customer ever stormed in to divulge their personal business, and then just dare my dad to not serve them.  That is not the case these days.  Everyone thinks they have to tell everything about themselves to everyone. If someone’s conscience won’t let them agree, then it’s off to court! 

            In Oregon, a Christian couple recently had to shut down their bakery because their consciences would not allow them to bake a cake for a lesbian couple’s wedding.  The Christian couple faces hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

            Laws now even equate your sexual orientation (preference) with race!  Last I heard, you can’t change your race.  However, Chirlane McCray, the wife of New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio, was a self-professed lesbian until she married Bill 19 years ago.  They have two teenage children.      

            The odd thing about our nation right now is that some of the same people who are screaming for everyone to accept diversity are the same people who want there to be no differences among us.  Here is what I mean.  As of January 1, a new transgender law (Assembly Bill 1266) went into effect in California.  It allows K-12 students to enter bathrooms, locker rooms, and be involved in sports teams based on their perceived gender identity. 

            Can you imagine the problems this will cause when a straight teenage boy decides he wants to utilize the law to invade the privacy of a girls’ locker room, bathroom, or set new scoring records in girls’ sports?  What about little children who have always gone to public restrooms with their dad or mom, no matter what sex they are, but when they go to school for the first time, they get confused as to which bathroom they’re supposed to go to, but a teacher can no longer tell them which direction to go because the law says either way is fine, just whatever they feel like.  Boys’ or girls’ bathroom, whichever one you identify with more that day.

            I’ve read that a baby’s sex is determined at conception, even though birth defects like “undetermined genitalia” make it difficult to know the sex of a newborn before testing.  Our genes may be responsible for homosexual tendencies, obesity, alcoholism, and attitude problems.  But that does not mean these tendencies cannot be controlled.  We all have certain temptations that are more appealing to us than others.   But God would not create a person who has no choice but to willfully sin, and then send him to hell because he sinned.  Making mistakes is just part of being human.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).”    

            God knows our heart, and He knows the level at which we are committed to obeying Him.  That is what grace is for!  It covers us when we fail in our best attempts to obey God.

            And so, Christians need to employ the love of Christ when dealing with homosexuals or anyone.  We won’t always agree.  But for heaven’s sake, we don’t have to make life miserable for each other. That’s really all I would ask from anyone who disagrees with me. And yes, homosexuals are welcome at my church.  Have a great week!