Wilderness Wanderings

ELCA says Welcome Home to Partnered Gay and Lesbian Minstry Leaders

ELCA NEWS SERVICE
August 21, 2009

ELCA Assembly Opens Ministry to Partnered Gay and Lesbian Lutherans
09-CWA-34-CA

     MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) - The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted today to open the ministry of the church to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in committed relationships.
     The action came by a vote of 559-451 at the highest legislative body of the 4.6 million member denomination. Earlier the assembly also approved a resolution committing the church to find ways for congregations that choose to do so to "recognize, support and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same gender relationships," though the resolution did not use the word "marriage."
     The actions here change the church's policy, which previously allowed gays and lesbians into the ordained ministry only if they remained celibate.
     Throughout the assembly, which opened Aug. 17, the more than 1,000 voting members have debated issues of human sexuality. On Wednesday they adopted a social statement on the subject as a teaching tool and policy guide for the denomination.
     The churchwide assembly of the ELCA is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,045 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "God's work. Our hands."
     Before discussing the thornier issues of same-gender unions in the ordained ministry, the assembly approved, by a vote of 771-230, a resolution committing the church to respect the differences of opinions on the matter and honor the "bound consciences" of those who disagree.
     During the hours of discussion, led by ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, the delegates paused several times each hour for prayer, sometimes as a whole assembly, sometimes in small groups around the tables where the voting members of the assembly sat, debated and cast their votes.
     Discussion here proved that matters of sexuality will be contentious throughout the church. A resolution that would have reasserted the church's current policy drew 344 votes, but failed because it was rejected by 670 of the voting members.
     Pastor Richard Mahan of the ELCA West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod was among several speakers contending that the proposed changes are contrary to biblical teaching. "I cannot see how the church that I have known for 40 years can condone what God has condemned," Mahan said, "Nowhere does it say in scripture that homosexuality and same sex marriage is acceptable of God."
     But others said a greater acceptance of people who are gay and lesbian in the church was consistent with the Bible. Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the ELCA Northern Illinois Synod said, "It's a matter of justice, a matter of hospitality, it's what Jesus would have us do." Wollersheim said he had been strongly influenced by meetings with youth at youth leadership events in his synod, a regional unit of the ELCA.
     Some speakers contend that the actions taken here will alienate ELCA members and cause a drop in membership. But Allison Guttu of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod said, "I have seen congregations flourish while engaging these issues; I have seen congregations grow recognizing the gifts of gay and lesbian pastors."
     During discussion of resolutions on implementation of the proposals, Bishop Kurt Kusserow of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod asked that the church make clear provision in its policies to recognize the conviction of members who believe that this church cannot call or roster people in a publicly accountable, lifelong, monagamous, same-gender relationship. A resolution that the denomination consider a proposal for how it will exercise flexibility within its existing structure and practices to allow Lutherans in same gender relationship to be approved for professional service in the church. That resolution passed by a vote of 667-307.

Black ministers discuss homophobia in black churches at Howard University School of Divinity forum

March 27, 2009 9:00AM
Chris Johnson

The Howard University School of Divinity/PFAW/African American Leadership Council panelists for the "Homophobia in the Black Church" forum at Howard University's School of Divinity on March 26.

It was a lively discussion today at the Howard University School of Divinity in Northeast Washington,DC where a panel of fair-minded black ministers gathered to discuss the hot topic of homophobia in black churches.  This was the first time the Howard University Divinity School Student Government Association has held a forum specifically focused on LGBT issues.  The panel was hosted by People for the American Way (PFAW), the National Educational Association (NEA), and the African-American Ministers Leadership Council.

After welcoming remarks by Howard University School of Divinity Student Government President Joi Orr, Dustin Baker, a first-year seminarian from New Jersey, opened the program by discussing his personal journey and the importance of becoming a visible, openly gay black minister sharing God’s message of inclusion.

Sharon Lettman, executive vice president of PFAW, thanked Dustin for his remarks and commended the audience for attending the first session of the two-day forum.  Lettman says hosting important forums like this is a part of PFAW’s long-term strategy as she introduces the panel moderator.

Howard University School of Divinity student Dustin Baker.

Sharon Lettman, executive vice president of People For the American Way.

Rev. Tony Lee, pastor of Community of Hope AME church in Washington DC, served as moderator and, over the course of more than an hour, encouraged the panelists to analyze the complex ways religious homophobia alienates members of the black LGBT community and exacerbates health and spiritual struggles within the black community.

His first question, addressed to Howard Divinity School Professor Rev. Dr. Ronald Hopson, was simply to ask, ”What is it we’re afraid of?  How does homophobia manifest in the church?”

Rev. Hopson said that a necessary part of the conversation is first addressing the irrationality of thinking that LGBT people in the church are a threat to “traditional marriage.”   Hopson says he considers homophobia in the church to be significantly dependent on ”how people understand scripture and the place of scripture in understanding our ethical obligations to one another.”

Rev. Tony Lee, moderator and senior pastor of Community of Hope AME in Temple Hills, MD.

Rev. Lee’s next question on the “threat” of biblical liberalism in understanding the proper role of LGBT church members prompts Rev. Kenneth Samuel, pastor of Victory for the World Church in Stone Mountain, GA, to declare that certain biblical passages have become ”toxic texts”  that “need to be interpreted in light of the truth and light of lens of the all inclusive love of Jesus.” ”There has always been a strong need to interpret every biblical text that it promotes life and does not destroy life,” he concludes.  

Rev. Lee turns to ask another great question: Should one be considered homophobic if they believe that homosexuality is sin?  Rev. Byron Williams, a syndicated columnist and minister at Resurrection Church in Oakland, California, says that people who are members of a privileged class (heterosexuals) often have trouble affirming the humanity of people they deem different from them.  Williams argues that all Christians should be striving to embrace the cross of Jesus, a symbol of the intersection between human imperfection and eternal hope.  He finds dismissive condemnations of homosexuality as sin to be suspicious and thinks that many Christians opposed to opposition to homosexuality did not formulate their opinions after reading scriptures against homosexuality. Instead, he believes many religious homophobes first decide that they despise gays, and then find biblical passages to back up their prejudices.

On the other hand, Prof. Hopson replies that he is less interested in broadly labeling people as homophobic.  He contends that for many people, a history of abuse or sexual exploitation in their lives may be hindering their ability to maturely address the issue of homosexuality.   He holds that he’s more committed to understanding people’s experiences that have shaped their perspectives than in dishing out labels.  

Rev. Byron Williams, syndicated columnist and pastor of Resurrection Community Church in Oakland, CA.

Howard Divinity School Professor Rev. Dr. Ronald Hopson.

 
At this point, HRC’s Associate Diversity Director Donna Payne took an opportunity to point out that HRC’s Equality Forward, a survey of over 5,000 LGBT people of color, found that many black LGBT people consider domestic violence a major part of their experiences and that they often live in fear of verbal abuse from the pulpit – even as they remain hesistant to attend LGBT-affirming congregations.

Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, a fellow in residence at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, says that there is an underlying problem not only with religious interpretations of biblical text, but with the church and its views on sexuality in general.  He cites the contradiction that many heterosexual black pastors condemn homosexuality from the pulpit while remaining silent on their own sexual liaisons with women in the church - or with men.

Not surprisingly, Sekou’s passionate indictment of these hypocritical pastors produced many echoes of approval throughout the audience.

The moderator agrees with Sekou’s assessment and agrees that the black church’s history is one in which “we don’t have proper conversations regarding sexuality in the church.”  

Rev. Kenneth Samuel, senior pastor of Victory for the World church.

Rev. Samuel says that much of the trouble arises when congregations try to determine church policy. “It’s a question of who is qualified to be deemed a true child of God?” he states.

Rev. Samuel is searing in his condemnation of the religious homophobia that helps fuel the spread of HIV/AIDS in the black community.  He says the intensifying scourge of HIV/AIDS in the community can be “traced back to notions of sinful nature.”

“Why would I be concerned about my - or your health - if I’m already condemned to hell?” he asks. ” Homophobia is a health risk - especially to black church.”

HRC’s Donna Payne compares people who have been deeply wounded by homophobia in their communities to ”lost souls.” People who have been rejected or feel unloved or unlovable are then unable to engage in responsible relationships with others, she contends. This sense of isolation and hopelessness ultimately leads to unsafe sexual practices.

Prof. Hopson picks up on this theme: “We have done a violence to this community that we need to repent of. We need to start by telling the truth about yesterday and start by telling the truth about today that needs to be told. We’ve watched people die rather than tell the truth.”

Next, moderator Rev. Lee asks the panel how the church should appropriately deal with teaching children about sexuality.

Payne responds by issuing a challenge to ministers, particularly of affirming congregations, to connect with organizations like HRC, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and PFAW to help create a curriculum that helps churches teach sexuality in child-appropriate ways.   To illustrate the extent of which religious homophobia can pervade one’s experience from childhood even until death, Payne describes the ”painful and hurtful” practice of some ministers and families ”retransitioning” deceased transgender individuals at their funerals by burying them in clothes suitable of their birth gender.   

Donna Payne, HRC's associate director of diversity.

Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, a fellow in residence at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture.

Rev. Lee’s final question asks how well-meaning people can become LGBT allies - even if they may not be where we want them to be on LGBT issues:

Samuel: Open, honest, candid dialogue is the first step to dismantling wrong assumptions and prejudice taught by tradition.  Keep learning; keep listening.

Williams: People have to keep taking the risk of seeing people as individuals. 

Payne says that the groundwork is indeed being laid for these straight-LGBT coalitions through ”safe space”  talks.  She encourages people to connect with her and HRC’s Religion and Faith program for more information. 

Prof. Hopson offers the closing thought that we have to simply assume that everyone is doing the best they can.  He challenges everyone to learn to treat people in a way that exceeds even their own understanding of who they are - or what they can become.

As appeared on HRC Back Story:  http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2009/03/black-ministers-discuss-homophobia-in-black-churches-at-howard-university-school-of-divinity-forum/trackback/

Watch This

This video is a reminder of how far I have come in accepting myself and reconciling my faith in God. Because 15 years ago I had the same story as those reflected in this video. It also reminded me that there are still thousands of people who need to see, hear, and experience the unconditional love of God rather than the fabricated ideas and interpretations of God. One of my favorite sayings is that God does not make mistakes. If God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present God, then do not allow those who have a need to put God in box define God’s creation. You are not a mistake, and you are not flawed!!! You are beautifully and wonderfully made. God knew exactly what God was doing when you were created and there is a plan for your life that only you can accomplish, do not allow anyone to take that away from you.
God Bless you Feel free to contact me if you need someone to talk to or pray with: tkh@wildernesswanderings.org

To everything there is a seaon . . .

It has been almost five months since my last post, not that I haven’t thought about posting – life got and remains busy.  I finished my second masters this summer and being the type A that I am, I jumped into an aggressive study program to pass another professional certification.  Thank God I passed because it was one of the hardest exams I have taken.  At any rate, I’m back. 

With all of the economic issues and with the historic and important election exactly 30 days from today, I am reminded of the verses in Ecclesiates 3:1-8: 

To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under the sun.
A time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill and a time to heal ...
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance ...
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to lose and a time to seek;
a time to rend and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.

These verses not only tell us that there are different seasons, but that each of these seasons has a purpose.  I will not pretend to understand the purpose of our current times, but one thing I can say is that we are to learn and grow from each season we find ourselves in.  It is through the wisdom and peace of God that we can walk through each season with the understanding that God is there with us, helping us along the way.  The other lesson I take from these verses is that we are to be active participants in each season, being watchmen/women.  Not only being watchmen/women of the present season, but also being vigilant and preparing for the coming seasons with God’s guidance. I leave you with the question, how are you participating in this current season and how are you preparing for the next?     

Persuasion

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Forgive me my brothers and sisters; life has been busy. I was finishing my second master degree this semester, not to mention an expanded role at work. I graduated last Saturday. Even with all the readings, preparing presentations and writing papers, I have been constantly mulling one of my favorite verses, Romans 8:38-39. The Apostle Paul said he was persuaded that neither death nor life . . . could separate us from the love of God. I have three questions:

Question #1:  How does one become persuaded? First, we need to define persuasion. According to the dictionary, to persuade is defined as to cause someone to adopt a certain belief, position or cause of action. I do not know about you, but facts, evidence and direct experience persuade me. Based on the facts recorded in the Bible, personal accounts, history, and personal experience, I cannot help but to be persuaded of the love of God for me and the redemption provided by Christ. The God I have come to experience and know through Jesus, the Christ, has time again proved to be the powerful, loving, forgiving, just, and faithful God told by so many Christian believers of old.

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me" - Philippians 4:13

When I need inspiration, I listen to gospel music. You can not only hear, but also sense the heart, energy and soul in gospel music. In addition to gospel music, other genres of music give me inspiration. A few weeks ago, I came across a song for Barack Obama’s political campaign, "Yes We Can," written by The Black Eyed Peas' frontman, songwriter and producer will.i.am, along with director and filmmaker Jesse Dylan, son of Bob Dylan. Regardless of whom you support politically, one has to admit that this song is extremely inspirational. I have listened to this song over a dozen times. The first time I heard it, I was reminded of Philippians 4:13. My thought was that this song could be the summation of millions with the resolve of looking beyond self and helping others: healing our nation and repairing this world; with the resolve of not settling for less than the best, but it starts at the individual level and that is where Philippians 4:13 provides insight.

For Christians, Philippians 4:13 is a clarion call for a strong self-image/self-esteem through the power of Christ. I want to go back to elementary and middle school where many of us learned how to diagram sentences. If I was to diagram this sentence, I would (although many English teachers would say there are several additional options) break the sentence into five parts: “I can”, “do all things”, “through”, “Christ”, “who strengthens me.” 

Study to Show Yourself Approved - Part II, West Wing's Prophetic Voice Part A

II Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I wrote in early January about the importance of GLBTQ of knowing scripture, especially the scriptures taken out of context to commit what i call spiritual abuse against God's GLBTQ children.  As many of us know, this spiritual abuse has driven many from the faith.  I wanted to send another encouragement related to that post with this YouTube clip from the West Wing.  To appreciate the full aspect of President Josiah's, played by Martin Sheen, recital of several situations exposed in the first testament of the Christian Bible, you need to be aware of what he is quoting - although at face value you will get the gist.

Dr. Elias Farajaje-Jones - Theologian and Activist

Dr. Elias Farajaje-Jones, a theologian and activist is a bisexual of mixed heritage (African & Native American, Tsalagi/Cherokee), specialized in African Religions at the University of Bern in Switzerland. Formerly divinity professor on the faculty of Howard University.

Black History Month Profile: Peter J. Gomes

Peter J. Gomes is one of my African American heroes in theology.  In the spirit of Black History Month, below is Dr. Gomes’ profile.*

Peter John Gomes is an American preacher and theologian at Harvard University's Divinity School.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1942, Gomes graduated from Bates College in 1965 and Harvard Divinity School in 1968. He also spent time at the University of Cambridge and is now an Honorary Fellow of Emmanuel College, where The Gomes Lectureship is established in his name. Gomes was ordained as an American Baptist minister by the First Baptist Church of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and is a leading expert on early American religion. Since 1970, he has served in the Memorial Church of Harvard University; and since 1974 as Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church. Gomes currently serves as a trustee of Bates College.

Black History Month and GLBTQ African Americans

“If a race has no history,
If it has no worthwhile tradition,
It becomes a negligible factor
In the thought of the world,
And it stands in danger
Of being exterminated.” 
Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month

The Father of African-American History
Imagine a world in which people like you have no written history, or that which has been written is incomplete or distorted. Before Dr. Carter Goodwin Woodson (1875–1950) began his work, there was very little information, and much of that stereotypical misinformation, about the lives and history of Americans of African descent.

Happy V-Day

Another Valentine Day is upon us. Many know that the holiday is named after Saint Valentine, but who was Saint Valentine? One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and torture.  According to another legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. So as you can see, there are many legends surrounding Saint Valentine. We may never know which one is true, but we can know it had something to do with enduring love.

Your Gift from God

I Timothy 4:14-16 "Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 

2 Timothy 1:6, "fan into flame the gift of God which is in you." 

Along with many others, these two scriptures are near and dear to my heart.  Part of it is I identify with Timothy being mentored as young leader in the church.  Paul, writing to Timothy, was encouraging him not let others look down on him because of his age.  I have had many mentors and appreciate all they have taught me in the faith.  I share with you my summary of these two passages to keep in mind that God has gifted all of us to do something special, something big in this world.  When I say big, I mean both literally and figuratively. 

1. Every believer has a gift God has given to share with the body of Christ
2. Be diligent, do not neglect your gift, find/understand/fan (stir) it and use it as God directs
3. Allow others to benefit from your gift, you have something to give/contribute - we are all one body and need each other
4. Watch your life and gift - there will be many distractions, but remain focus on what God has given you in order to bless others; you may be the only “Jesus” someone may see or meet. 

My brothers and sisters keep the faith and love others as Jesus loved you.  Until next time, blessings.

 

Beware, Be Aware and Be Informed: Theofascism

I am a strong believer in the separation of church and state. Living in the US, I find too often many pastors and religious leaders over step this established boundary. When I recently came across the word, theofascism, I knew exactly what it meant due to my theology training and from being a history fanatic. So what does it mean professor in training? Theofascism is a religious ideology that requires absolute allegiance to a particular brand of theology or religion interpreted by either one individual or small group of individuals. Theofascism is the child of fascism. A good definition of fascism is found on wikipedia:

An authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers the individual subordinate to the interests of the state, party or society as a whole. Fascists seek to forge a type of national unity, usually based on (but not limited to) ethnic, cultural, racial, religious attributes. The key attribute of fascism is intolerance of others: other religions, languages, political views, economic systems, cultural practices, etc. Various scholars attribute different characteristics to fascism, but the following elements are usually seen as its integral parts: nationalism, statism, militarism, totalitarianism, anti-communism, corporatism, populism, collectivism, and opposition to political and economic liberalism.

Why should you care and get educated? The same people who say “hate the sin, love the sinner,” “you can change, many have,” “you are an abomination,” and the like comments are all informed by either an overt or subtle adherence to theofascism. The heart of the GLBT civil rights, including religious freedom, is the counterattack against theofascism. Theofascism starts with general oppression. For example, in Christianity, the bible and how it has been translated, interpreted and reinterpreted over the years have had an agenda or another of oppression. Anti-abolitionists used verses in the bible to justify slavery, and opponents of the feminist movement and the civil rights movement both used biblical quotations to argue against granting equal rights to women and blacks. Listen to a few voices:

 Slavery - Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America:

"[Slavery] was established by decree of Almighty God. . . .  It is sanctioned in the Bible, in both Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation. . . . It has existed in all ages, has been found among the people of the highest civilization, and in nations of the highest proficiency in the arts."

Women's Right To Vote – Justin Fulton, writing in 1869:

"Who demand the ballot for woman?  They are not the lovers of God, nor are they believers in Christ, as a class. There may be exceptions, but the majority prefer an infidel's cheer to the favor of God and the love of the Christian community. It is because of this tendency that the majority of those who contend for the ballot for woman cut loose from the legislation of Heaven, from the enjoyments of home, and drift to infidelity and ruin."

Interracial Marriage    – a Virginia trial judge writing in 1959 in defense of laws prohibiting such marriages:

"Almighty God created the races, white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents.  And but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages."

Interracial Marriage

Bob Jones University finally dropped a 50 year-old ban on interrracial dating as of March 3, 2000. Bob Jones III said it was due to the national scrutiny the school has received, not because they were wrong. In fact, Jones III went on to say that the foundation for the ban was still true –

"that God made the races separate for his own purpose, and it is wrong to break down the barriers God erected, that it could lead to dangerous 'one-worldism,' just like globalism ..."

Just know that history has proven that theocracies never work. Between you and me, I personally do not want to find out first hand. I write this to encourage you to keep the faith, be diligent, get involved and speak out. The worst thing you can do is nothing.

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” - MLK, Jr.

LGBT Families Ask Six Mega-Churches "Can We Talk?"

Jay Bakker to Join "American Family Outing" to Create Dialogue Among Evangelicals

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SOULFORCE PRESS RELEASE: January 8, 2008
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(Austin, TX) -- This winter, as the Rev. Joel Osteen graces the pages of People Magazine, the familiar image of the old-school, anti-gay televangelist is rapidly being replaced by a new iconography: a younger generation of mega-church leaders with upbeat and inviting messages. Unfortunately, while this generation’s tone may seem less harsh, many of their mega-churches still enforce policies of exclusion and teach theologies that label Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people as sick, sinful, and in need of change.

An "American Family Outing" is taking shape in the spring of 2008 so LGBT families can talk with mega-church leaders and congregation members to share the message that justice for LGBT people is compatible with Christian teaching.  Pot lucks, picnics and soulful talk are the order of the day as Soulforce, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), and COLAGE invite churches to talk-the-talk so everyone is free to walk-the-walk. 

On behalf of the four partner organizations, Soulforce Executive Director Jeff Lutes has written letters to:

• Rev. Joel Osteen and the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas
• Bishop T.D. Jakes and The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas
• Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr. and Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Maryland
• Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia
• Rev. Bill Hybels and Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois
• Dr. Rick Warren and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California

"These pastors are part of a new generation of evangelical leaders in America," says Lutes.  "We are calling on them and their congregations to demonstrate a new kind of leadership, one that models compassion and justice for all families, including families with two moms and two dads."

The letters inform each pastor that a delegation of families with two moms and two dads, as well as supportive heterosexual-parent and single-parent families, plans to visit each church. The letters invite their congregations to collaborate in creating opportunities for meaningful conversations. Over the next several weeks, staff from Soulforce, UFMCC, NBJC, and COLAGE will negotiate peaceful forums with members from each of the congregations.

Then, over the weekends between Mother's Day (May 11, 2008) and Father's Day (June 15, 2008), dozens of families with children will travel by air and by bus to engage in dialogue about faith, family, and the harm done by religion-based discrimination to LGBT families.

"It is difficult for mega-churches to claim to be progressive in the area of Civil Rights and at the same time deny the equal dignity and value of LGBT persons," said Rev. Dr. Ken Samuel, pastor of the 5,000 plus, LGBT-friendly, Victory Church in Atlanta, Georgia.

Samuel will join Rev. Jay Bakker, son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, as a clergy leader on the American Family Outing.

"Homophobia and heterosexism directly contradict the principles of equality and justice for all God's children, and I think that the younger generation of evangelicals are beginning more and more to see this contradiction," Samuel continued.

According to a recent Barna study of evangelical youth, 80% said Christians show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes towards gays and lesbians.

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Let's keep these families in prayer and pray that God will open the hearts and minds of those they will encounter.  Jesus said, "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."  —John 14:14

Study to Show Yourself Approved

II Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Timothy was the spiritual son of St.   Paul, the Apostle. Fortunate for us, the Church has preserved the timeless and challenging wisdom St. Paul gave his Timothy.

In Paul's second letter to Timothy, while Timothy was the young pastor of his first house church, Paul challenged him: "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. The wisdom that Paul gave Timothy applies to us today.

Someone once said that ignorance is not a virtue, and no one ever grew either emotionally, spiritually, or socially by championing ignorance. What we don't know can sometimes hurt us, and hurt us very badly.

Every person must study for themselves. Education is important. Knowledge is power.

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn” (Alvin Toffler).

What do the above have in common? They’re all directly or indirectly about learning and education.

Studying the Bible is very important, but 2 Timothy 2:15 is more than a command to study the Bible. Being an approved workman involves much more, correctly handling the Bible, the word of truth involves much study, contemplation, and prayer. It will involve bringing an open mind, an open heart, and a faithful life to the word of truth and all available resources to help in your pursuit of truth.

For the GLBT Christian community, it is important to understand the word, in particular the passages used for/against our living a meaningful-safe-celebrated existence during our time on this earth. There are some great resources to help you in your pursuit of understanding scripture better and the many ways scriptures are interpreted. Many of these resources that I have found helpful are listed on the left side of this blog in the “Liberation Book Club” list. One particular resource is Gay Christianity 101: Spiritual Self-Defense for Gay Christians, written by Rick Brentlinger. Next to Daniel Helminiak’s “What The Bible Really Says About Homosexuality,” Walter Wink’s Homosexuality and Christian Faith : Questions of Conscience for the Churches”, and John Boswell’s “Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century”; Gay Christianity 101 is a must add to your library of resources. Written in a conversational tone, Gay Christianity 101 is well researched and documented. When I first heard of this book last year, I would like to think that I was one of the first in line to buy it. Amazon describes the book as:

             Presents strong scriptural proof that God loves and affirms gay Christians. GC101 is written in clear, understandable language. Gay Christian 101 - Spiritual Self- Defense For Gay Christians, defends gay Christians and gay relationships which are within the Biblical moral framework, committed, faithful, noncultic.  Reasonable, scriptural, thoughtful, this book offers cultural, doctrinal, historical,  linguistic and religious proof that the same sex relationships condemned in the Bible are linked to ancient fertility goddess worship. Strongly Christian and evangelical, Brentlinger honors God and the written scriptures of truth in this powerful book.

So I encourage you to visit Rick’s website at www.gaychristian101.com and if you get the chance order his book.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

I was recently reminded of the scripture that speaks about being fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:14), I couldn’t help but to think about all my fellow gay brothers and sisters who need to here this message.  Not that it is limited to a certain group, but for me, I feel that my location in which I sense God’s calling is within the gay and lesbian community around spiritual reconciliation.  So many have walked away or have been pushed away from the faith.  I pray that God continue to direct my path in fulfilling my calling.

As I meditated on what it mean to be fearfully and wonderfully made by God, I thought of what the psalmist stated in the scripture, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” I thought to myself do I praise God enough thinking about that He created me.  I also thought about debunking the lie told to many gay and lesbians by family, friends, pastors, priests, rabbis, churches and denominations  indicating that they were not created “wonderfully” by God and that they were not born gay, it was a choice – to which I ask why would anyone voluntarily choose to be a minority in a majority society, not to mention a sexual minority that is considered deviant, disgusting, and immoral - with limited rights in several places, not to mention the propensity of being hate crime targets?  But the truth that I have arrived at is that all of God’s gay and lesbians children are wonderfully made and God called all of his creation good in the Genesis account of creation.  If God called all of his creation good, who are the moral majority police, who supposedly have a monopoly on values, to tell someone that they were not created good.  The last time I checked, God did not make mistakes in his creation, but to listen to the so called morality agents of our day, God made a huge mistake with the creation of gays and lesbians.  Seeing and hearing this proves that there is much work – in term of educating and praying - to do within the Christian church.  As I am writing this reflection, I am also wondering what did the psalmist mean when he wrote “fearfully”? Fearful in the sense that God is all powerful and I should fear the one who has creation power?  It’s an interesting word within context in which I will continue to mediate.

I leave you with these words:  The hands of God formed you.  The breath of God filled you.  The mind of God will guide you; allow God to be apart of your life.   

The Word for 2008: FOCUS

It’s that time of the year where we start hearing terms such as resolution, goals and objectives.  To be honest with you, I have already started revising my list of goals.  As I was writing, reflecting on what I wanted to accomplish this year, I was reminded of Jesus’ resolution – bring salvation to all who would receive it.  Having resolutions is one thing, achieving them is something totally different. Some research has indicated that writing goals/resolutions down tends to increase the probability of achieving those goals.  Although writing down goals/resolutions may help, I would suggest that there is something else beyond writing down goals/resolutions - resolve, commitment, discipline and primarily focus is key to achieving your goals.      

According to Webster, focus is defined as "any point of concentration." In the martial arts one focuses on the opponent or the target, focus on the forms to make sure each move is precise, focus our minds so that our concentration is on the task at hand. The primary cause of injury in martial arts training is lack of focus, for it is when we are not concentrating that mistakes are made or in the case of goals, that we lose sight.   

The focus of Christ: What did Jesus come to do? Jesus had a mission; he had a goal -- and he allowed nothing to distract or divert him from accomplishing that mission. The Jewish leaders tried to divert him and even his own family tried to divert him, but he would not be diverted.

a) Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
b) John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gave me to do.

Further, Satan also tried very hard to divert Jesus from his mission. Satan recognized very early that the best way to derail Jesus would be to change his focus. Matthew 4.3 records Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." Matthew 4:8-9 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Satan was trying to change Jesus' focus! And he tries the same thing with us. But just as Jesus overcame Satan’s distractions, you should resolve to do the same. 

Knowing that Satan is trying to confuse us should tell us how important it is that we not lose our  focus, or task, or promise that God has given us. 

As you reflect on what you want to focus on this year, remember to have something from these major areas of our lives: family/personal, spiritual, physical and mentally. You should strive to strengthen relationships with family and friends or give back by volunteering; resolve to growing your spiritual life by attending a house of worship, meditating or reading a daily devotional;  taking care of yourself by eating better and getting enough exercise; and investing in yourself by taking a class, picking up a hobby, or reading more. 

Whatever you resolve to do this year, keep in mind the words of Henry Ford, "A weakness of all human beings is trying to do too many things at once. That scatters effort and destroys direction.  It makes for haste, and haste makes waste." 

 

2007 Christmas Message: Gift Giving Year-round

I wanted to thank all of you around the world for reading my blog and encouraging me.  I trust that you have been encouraged.  If you have not already done so, please provide your email so you are informed of updates.                                                                                                                                                       

As I reflect on this Christmas season, the season of giving; I am reminded of having an attitude of gratitude that leads to gift giving year-round.  God loved creation so much that God gave the ultimate gift, Jesus, which is the gift that gives all year. Just as God gave the gift that gives year-round, we should model God’s example in our daily lives. Our world is full of those waiting to see the love of God in action and all of us have the capacity to be a walking epistle to someone desperately in need of a gift – the gift of water, the gift of food, the gift of shelter, the gift of medicine, the gift of education, the simple gift of a smile and above all, the gift of love. Some of my recommendations to give back are (in no particular order - but I must say that I was impressed with the mission of both the Rainbow World Fund and Kiva):

www.unicef.org
www.universalgiving.org
www.ihfonline.org
www.kiva.org
www.charitynavigator.org
www.ccusa.org
www.rainbowfund.org
www.hrc.org

And of course, remember your local charities and houses of worship.

May God bless and keep you

God's Love for you this Christmas Season

Although the holiday season is often very joyous for many, within the GLBT community it can be very depressing and lonely for those who have been disowned or rejected by people who once said they loved them and the churches that once celebrated them. Yet, for others, it is a time to put forth the best face of protection and deception, avoiding questions relating to relationships or their life in general. I have been there and my prayer for you this holiday season is to remind you of God’s love for you. It is bigger than the rejection of your parents, former friends and relatives. It is deeper than any religious doctrine or statement of belief. It is stronger than any earthly relationship. God loves you and God is for you – period. God’s love is amazing, extravagant and everlasting. Don’t allow or accept anything less in your life.

                                                                                 

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

                      God’s Love - Paul Mastromarino

I am always with you,
even when you are not able to feel me in your heart.
I love you always,
I surround you with my protecting love,
even when you occasionally forget me.
I listen to your problems,
if you are sincere and receptive, I give you solutions.
I hear your prayers and answer those which are in the best interest
of everyone in your life including, but not limited to, you.

I am the light and the thoughts in your mind,
I am the sight in your eyes,
I am the life in your body,
I am the feelings you feel in your heart.
I am always at work in your life for your greater good,
although you may not always believe this;
hopefully, your faith in me will grow constant.
you must realize:
"my will is whatever is happening in the present moment".
within this moment you must think and act
with integrity, humility and courage,
you must trust in me,
and surrender your will to mine through acceptance.
if you continue to demonstrate acceptance,
integrity, humility, courage and trust,
you will discover the secret of opening your heart to my love.
the greater your faith in me
the more I am able fill your heart with my love.

it is I, who grants you the serenity to accept
the things you cannot change,
the courage to change the things you can
and the wisdom to know the difference.
eventually you will realize the samplings of love
I bestow on you through others
are purposefully designed to draw you closer to me.
it is only I, who loves you unconditionally,
I am an ever-flowing fountain of love, peace and joy,
I will never disappoint you; I will always be with you.
I mete out to you the exact amount of pain you cause others,
because I want you to be compassionate.
I want you to be able to give love and equally as important,
I want you to be able to receive love.
how else will you learn to love me?
how will you learn to accept my love?
the moment you realize the error of your ways,
the moment you sincerely regret the pain you cause others,
I forgive you; I nourish you with my tender mercies.
remember, I never stop loving you for you are my precious child.

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

You are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37, I John 5:4). You are saved by the grace of God. Nothing or nobody can separate you from the love of God- except you.

Cast your burdens on God – meaning you do not have to carry them – why are you carry that baggage – Jesus came to set you free. 

You have come through many things, but you are still here. So rejoice and be encouraged.

Tutu Apologizes to the Gay Community

This article was released today on the UK Gay News website:  UKgaynews.org.uk

MANCHESTER, December 17, 2007  –  Archbishop Desmond Tutu has apologised to gay people all around the world for the way they have been treated by the Church.

The Archbishop recently criticised  the church for being ‘obsessed’ with homosexuality but speaking on the only gay programme on the BBC he goes further and says he’s ‘sorry’.

The Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner says “sorry” to the worldwide LGBT community in an exclusive recorded interview with Ashley Byrne, presenter of Gay Hour, to be transmitted tonight (December 17) on BBC Radio Manchester.

 “I want to apologise to you and to all those who we in the church have persecuted,” Archbishop Tutu says in the interview.

 “I’m sorry that we have been part of the persecution of a particular group.  For me that is quite un-Christ like and, for that reason, it is unacceptable.

 “May be, even as a retired Archbishop, I probably have, to some extent, a kind of authority but apart from anything let me say for myself and anyone who might want to align themselves with me, I’m sorry.

 “I’m sorry for the hurt, for the rejection, for the anguish that we have caused to such as yourselves.”

The interview is something of a “scoop” for BBC Radio Manchester, a local radio station who’s Gay Hour –  officially LGBT Citizen Manchester – is broadcast every Monday.

 

Thanksgiving Day 2007

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thess. 5: 18)

Being thankful is active and requires action, it is far from passive.  We chose to be thankful and express it through our words and deeds.  I am reminded of that today as we celebrate Thanksgiving.  The North American holiday we celebrate, Thanksgiving Day, was initially celebrated in 1619 by British settlers at present day Berkeley Plantation in Virginia and in 1621 at Plymouth in present day Massachusetts.  The idea was that the settlers were to set aside the time to thank God for their good fortunes of making it through the first winter and subsequent harvest (after all, many died during the first winter). 

With that said, I am also reminded that as a Christian, thanksgiving is not limited to a once-a-year holiday, it is a lifestyle.  As a Christian, everyday is thanksgiving – thanking God for family, friends, job, food, shelter, health, and even trials and tribulations.  Did you just say “trails and tribulations”?  Yes, we are never guaranteed nothing bad will happen or we would not have problems.  When trials and tribulations come, we should be reminded of the promise that God left us recorded in Romans 8:28'... that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.'  This verse reminds us that not just some things, but “all” things work together.  When trails and tribulations come, we needed to be reminded to put it/them in perspective and see beyond the trial/tribulation and look forward to the resolution. 

I thank God for you and your support, I hope that this blog continue to be a blessing to you.  In a world full of suffering through homelessness, discrimination, wars, poverty, and persecution, being thankful should be an everyday perspective for all of us who have so much compared to a significant majority of the world’s population. Happy Thanksgiving Day

Support This Film: For the Bible Tells Me So

From their website:  http://www.forthebibletellsmeso.org/

FILM SYNOPSIS: Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate?

Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival, Dan Karslake's provocative, entertaining documentary brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture, and in the process reveals that Church-sanctioned anti-gay bias is based almost solely upon a significant (and often malicious) misinterpretation of the Bible. As the film notes, most Christians live their lives today without feeling obliged to kill anyone who works on the Sabbath or eats shrimp (as a literal reading of scripture dictates).

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.

Dear Mr. President

Promise God

Walking through this journey we call life, there are several times when you doubt God, question the validity of your faith, or distance yourself from any and everything that claim to be "Christian" - especially GLBT Christians.  One lesson I have learned, which is affirmed through the wilderness wandering of the Israelites, is that God has promised to be our everything, even when God's servants and followers miss the mark.  We should all take comfort in knowing that God is for us, not against us!!!  God has promised to give us life, even when our circumstances look differently. We must learn to look past the circumstances and rest in the peace that the "Son" is always shinning above our clouds of life. 

A dear brother in the faith was delivering a message during a retreat last fall and gave those of us in attendance the following poem.  Just as God has given us many promises, the least we can do is the following:

Promise God…to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind or heart.

Promise God…to talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

Promise God…to make all your friends feel that there is something special about them.

Promise God…to look at the positive side of everything and make optimism come true.

Promise God…to think only the best and expect the best in others.

Promise God…to be just as enthusiastically about the success of others as you are about your own.

Promise God…to forget the mistakes of the past and press on for greater achievements in the future.

Promise God…to wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give everyone a smile.

Promise God…to give so much to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

  …to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of negativity…because of your PROMISES to and BELIEF in GOD.

 

 …taking liberty to modify Christian Larson’s “Promise Yourself”
by Rod C. Gaeta, Ed.D.

In God's Image

Over the last several weeks I have been reflecting over the passage “made in the image of God” found in Genesis 1:26 – 30, primarily due to the fallout from the Senator Larry Craig incident.  What does it mean to be made in the image of God and how should GLBT people reclaim their own “image”.  As far as the Larry Craig, I was wondering what would lead a 62 year old “conservative – religious” man who has “championed family values and the sanctity of traditional marriage” to solicit sex in a men’s airport bathroom.  I would propose the following would and do lead many to such behavior: sex-loathing and self-denial due to societal exclusion of GLBT individuals. 

Larry Craig’s actions are a sad reminder of what self-loathing and denial of self can and lead someone to do.  If Larry lived in a society and had the support of a community to be who he really is, he would not have to lurk in one of the most unsanitary places to seek out a God given desires, intimacy and acceptance.  Unfortunately, it is apparent that Larry could only seek a distorted and cheap form of intimacy as a result of his self-loathing and denial.   Last fall, I heard Wayne Besen use the phrase, “the closet is toxic”.  I believe Larry Craig and his behavior is another example to prove this idea to be true.  Self-loathing and living in constant fear of being “found out” or  “outted” can lead one to behaviors, if not embarrassing, dangerous and destructive, as Larry has shown. 

In terms of Christianity, I personally believe that one of the greatest sins is to not accept who you are.  Let me explain; if a person confesses Christ as savior and says Christ is now living within them and then turn around and deny the Christ-life dwelling within them by not being true to whom they are is sin.  By denying, suppressing, or hiding your true sexuality is a slap in God’s face, because you are saying to God, you made a mistake - I can’t accept who you made me.   My brothers and sisters, God doesn't make mistakes!!! 

I leave you with these words of affirmation: You are beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14), you were on God’s mind before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4, Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 1:2), and God sent Christ to show and give you Love (John 3:16), which includes love of self.  God created you in God’s image, not in the image of the Republican Party or neo-conservatives or any other religious group.  Do not allow yourself to become another Larry Craig, embrace and love yourself as God created you; don’t let anyone take that love of self and Christ away from you because in reality only you can give someone that power.   

The Wilderness Way

Exodus 13:17-18 states:

“Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”  So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea.

We find the children of Israel leaving Egypt after the tenth plague:  death of the firstborn of all who did not have the blood of the lamb on their doorposts.  What a night that was, it was one of many turning points in Israel’s history. The Egyptians could not wait to get the Israelites to leave their land that the Egyptians gave articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing (Exodus 12:33-36) – anything the Israelites asked; they just wanted them out.  It is recorded that God called Moses and Aaron the same night all of Egypt cried because of the death of all their firstborns, including their animals and told them it was time to go.  So the Israelites left Egypt with the favor of God.  One of the first requests God had for the Israelites once they were out of Egypt was to consecrate their firstborn (Exodus 13:1-2).  In other words, God was telling the Israelites to honor God with what God had blessed them with, the lives of their own firstborn.  This is an important lesson for us to remember, when God blesses, we should remember and give back to honor that blessing. 

So we have the Israelites out of Egypt with the riches of the Egyptian.  Those of you who are familiar with the account, have you ever wondered what the Israelites were going to do with all that silver and gold?  We do know it was currency, so maybe it was God’s intervention to give the Israelites everything they needed for their journey.  However, the account tells us they used it for other purposes (I will speak about in a later installment). 

As the Israelites began their journey, Exodus 13:17 tells us that “God” did not lead them through the most direct path.  Why?  We find the answer in the same verse, “lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”   So how does this account apply to the lives of GLBTs?  It is my opinion that we can relate to wilderness way and embrace it and not blame God for a journey we thought would take a few days or months, but instead seems like years.  The simple answer is so we can realize the strength and power of God through building our character.  God is the all-knowing God and God knew that although the Israelites cried out and wanted to get out of the house of bondage, Egypt, they would turn and go back at the first sign of war.  In our cases, war can be understood as struggles, headaches, setbacks, etc.  You see, after you have been in bondage for some time and leave, it is easy to look back and say you had it better under bondage when you deal with real life.  It is easier to be told what to do, when to do it and how to do it.  It is easier to be controlled when you have no control, but when you have control, it easier to blame and want to be controlled.

Think about, the wilderness is a place of desolation, decay, and death.  There is nothing there desirable.  It is a place with no distractions.  But my dear brothers and sisters, I challenge us to think about from God’s perspective; we all need to go the “way of the wilderness” from time to time.  The purpose is to build the strength and character needed to overcome life outside of our wildernesses, so we can leave the bondage mentality and will not yearn for the perceived comforts of bondage versus true freedom that we can find in the wilderness and beyond.  Think of it this way, if you are in a wilderness, a blessing is on the other side, just ask what am I supposed to be learning, why wasn’t it time for this thing to come direct?  God’s answer maybe wasn’t No, maybe it was Grow, then I will say Go.  God knows how much you can handle and God might be saying there is more war on the direct route that you are not prepared to handle now.  Let's get prepared. 

Sometimes our paths take us in directions we had not anticipated.  Those paths can be a more direct journey, meaning it was time; or it can be a round-about way where you feel that you are going in circles and nothing is really happens.  But my dear brothers and sisters, something powerful is really happening if we allow it to takes it course.  Once we finally reach the destination and come out on the other side, we will be more like Christ.  Remember Jesus went the “way of the wilderness” before he entered his public ministry.   

For this installment, I wanted to encourage you to recognize where you are at concerning various aspects of your life and as GLBT, it is important for us to not blame God for what may seem as delays or different paths, but to name it, embrace it, learn and grow from it so we can move forward more victorious.   May God richly bless you wherever you find yourself – God is there. 

Why is Good Friday Good?

Today is Friday, April 06, 2007, also known as Good Friday to those of us who are Christians.  For those of you who are not Christians, Good Friday is the day Christians observe because it commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary.  There are no specific rituals that are followed, except many Christians observe this day with prayer, fastings, and gospel readings that explain the events that led up to Jesus’ crucifixion.  So why call it good if it is the day that Jesus was killed?  There are two ways to answer this question:  from a theological perspective and from a translation-cultural perspective.

From a theological perspective, one can say Good Friday is called “good” because Jesus willingly gave up his life so humanity could have a relationship with God, commonly known as vicarious atonement. Vicarious atonement means Jesus’ death satisfied the legal requirement from God.  Jesus bore the penalty of sin when he died on the cross.  His death was a substitution for the believers. Jesus hung in our place as He bore our sin in his body on the cross.  See Mark 10:45, Romans 5:6, I Cor 8:11, 2 Cor 5:21, Galatians 1:5 and 1 Peter 2:24.

From a translation-cultural perspective, interestingly, only in the English and Dutch language is Good Friday called “good”.  In German, Good Friday is called Mourning Friday.  It is called Karfreitag, the kar part is no longer used but it means mourning.  Mourning is exactly what the disciples did on that Friday on Calvary – they mourned the death of their leader, teacher and friend.  In Israel, Good Friday is known as Big Friday. In Malta, the Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Bulgaria and several other countries and most of the Eastern Orthodox Church the day is called Great Friday.  Finally, in Latin America, Spain, Italy and Spain the day is called Holy Friday and in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland it is called Long Friday. 

Wherever you find yourself on this day, I send you well wishes as we commemorate the death of Jesus and the life and relationship with God his death affords those who believe.  May you know that Jesus’ death was for all, there are no qualifiers, all means all.

Part 2 of Out of Egypt: In Egypt

This is part two in my wilderness wanderings series: Out of Egypt. It has been almost six months since my last post. All I can say is that life over this time has given me great lessons to draw from. Starting in the month of March, I am committing to posting at least two times (I'm going to try), one post will be an installment in the Out of Egypt series and the other will be general post of encouragement or relevant current events. Now to part two which I am calling: IN Egypt.

 We left off being in Egypt  (the place/house of bondage). Joseph (Jacob’s son) died and a new king did not know him or the Israelites, so they received no more favor – at least in the natural realm. The descendants of Jacob were oppressed and put to work. While the Egyptians profited from their oppression, the children of God cried out and God heard them and prepared the Israelites (also known as the Hebrews) to exit Egypt – and they exited in style (more detail in the next installment). Are you crying out? Remember that freedom is never freely given by the oppressors, but must be demanded by the oppressed!!! Are you demanding your freedom or are you accepting your oppression (bondage/Egypt). Is God hearing your cries come up to Him – cries of freedom? Three points I think we as GLBT people can learn from the experiences of the Israelites:

They got comfortable:  Because of the favor that Joseph received from the Pharaoh, Joseph’s father and brothers and their families enjoyed a time of peace in  Egypt – in the land called Goshen while a famine was crippling everyone else.

Circumstances change:  The Pharaoh that favored Joseph died and the generation of Joseph and his brothers died.

They were not vigilant:  For a period of time after the generation of Joseph and his brothers, life for   the Israelites  was still somewhat good. There were indications before Joseph   died that the Egyptian court was becoming less tolerant of the Israelites. This   should have been one of the red flags for the Israelites to seek God for direction.

So what happened? While the Israelites were enjoying a good life in Goshen and multiplying, the new Pharaoh and Egyptians were beginning to fear the Israelites will grow so large they will establish an army and fight against the Egyptians. So the new king commanded them to be slaves and put taskmasters over them (Exodus 1:11). The Taskmasters sole purpose was to “afflict them.”

As GLBT people, what or who are our taskmasters? May I suggest the following:

1. Addition (alcohol, sex, drugs)
2. Apathy
3. Low self esteem
4. Promiscuity (leads to sexual transmitted diseases)
5. Materialism
6. Narcissism
7. Fear (spirit of abandonment/rejection/acceptance)  

How did the Israelites deal with their taskmasters before they were led out of bondage? And how do we deal with our taskmasters and bondage? Our lesson from the Israelites is to cry out to God. Let's name our bondage (individually and as a community) and cry out for deliverance.  The Bible records in Exodus 2:23-25:

IsraelThen the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel and God  acknowledged them. 

Further on, in chapter 3:8, God says “I have come down to deliver them out of the land of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”

So I leave us here, with the children of Israel crying out to God because of the taskmasters and the bondage place on them. The good news is that God heard them and answered mightily. God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and came down to deliver them. My GLBT brothers and sisters know that God hear your cries and God is there to deliver and if you haven’t cried out yet, remember God’s promise in Psalms 91: 

14 " Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him {securely} on high, because he has known My name. 15 "He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 "With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation."

Out of Egypt

Hi all, I’m back from a short vacation.  For you who were not aware, I finished my Masters program in theology at the Claremont School of Theology this past May and I turned 30 in June.  From mid-June through today, it’s been a blur . . . We celebrated for a month (from graduation through July 7).  I’m just now getting back into a routine. 

Recently, I have been hearing the phrase “Out of Egypt, I called my son.”  It has been resonating very strongly; I’m sensing the Lord leading me to expound on this phrase and various teachings associated with wilderness wanderings.  So I invite you to journey with me. 

As I reflect on this phrase, I am reminded of the quote in Hosea 11:1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.”  In understanding the backdrop of this phrase, first I want to talk about who Israel is.  We often hear the following words and phrases:  Israel, the nation of Israel, the people of God, God’s chosen people, etc.  Well who were they and why were they called “the people of God” and why were they chosen? 

We trace the group of people called God’s chosen people or “the nation of Israel**” to God’s covenant with Abraham.  In Genesis 12:1-3, we find the call of Abraham and birth of the people now called Israel.  Specifically, we find the conversation between God commands Abraham to leave the country of his father, Ur, and give up the other gods that his family worshipped and commit himself to worshipping YHWH only.  With this command, a blessing was promised.

Here is the coversation in Genesis 12:1-3: Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Another point to be made is that there was nothing special about the nation of Israel for them to be chosen.  They did not have to do anything, it wasn’t in their size or any special devotion they had for God.  They were chosen and called chosen because of God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3.  This doesn't mean that God loved Israel more than other people, as scripture points out; it was God’s covenant to use Israel as His means to love and bless the earth. It was and is all about covenant!!!

Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. The Covenant of God to Abraham is traced through Isaac.  Isaac had two sons as well:  Jacob and Esau. Jacob had twelve sons, one of them was named Joseph.  Joseph was favored by his father Jacob, which made his brothers jealous.  God revealed to Joseph in two dreams that his eleven brothers would bow to him.  When they had the chance, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, where he ended up being sold to an officer of Pharaoh in Egypt.  While in Egypt, Joseph rose in stature and favor with the officer of Pharaoh.  During this time, a famine came upon the land (Canaan), so Jacob sent ten of his sons to Egypt; they found food in Egypt and reported to his father that Joseph was still alive.  Jacob said he had to see for himself before he died, so Jacob and his family (seventy in total) went to Egypt where there was food, but most importantly, his beloved son, Joseph.  Although they did not intend to stay long, they did and eventually settled in, multiplied and were eventually enslaved by the Egyptians. 

I will leave you here for now, in Egypt, before being called out, and eventually journeying through the wilderness.  You may be asking, what does this have to do with the GLBT community?  I believe there are spiritual truths and parallels to learn from the experience of Israelites in Egypt (the house of bondage), their call out of Egypt (Exodus), and their spiritual growth during their walk through the wilderness on their way to their promised-land. 

** the actual name Israel comes from Abraham’s grandson Jacob.  In Genesis 32:28, it is recorded how Jacob wrestled the angel and had his name changed after a all-night struggle at Jabbok.**

Making Time for God

To be alone with someone, you get a chance to be each other's audience.  To share dreams, desires, frustrations, failures, concerns, feelings, hurts, emotions, and just you.  When you make time to be alone with someone, you are saying - I value you and want to get to know you more, I want you to know me.  After time - trust is built - but only as communication lines are open - mutual disclosure - dialog not monologue.  This is how it is with God the Father and Jesus the Son, and helper/comforter/guide the Holy Spirit.  Our hearts cry should be to "know God and be known by Him."  The only way this will happen is by spending time alone with Him.  Keep this in mind, God pursued us first - God sent Jesus to us first.  Jesus left everything to put on flesh and walk among creation to show God's love.  This very act should show that God have something he wanted to give us and share with us and was willing to sacrifice his one and only son.  What is it?  LOVE - unconditional love, love that words cannot describe.  My friend, keep this in mind that God has extended his love to you and all you have to do is accept it and grow in it by spending time with God. 

Biblical Marriage: A Bad Source For Debate

**  With all the debate and shameless pandering in our country's highest legislative body, I thought it would be appropriate to post this study that Vaughn Roste wrote after Canada voted to advance civil rights to gay couples.**

by Vaughn Roste

Note: The son of two Lutheran pastors, Vaughn Roste is a Canadian who has worshipped and worked in Episcopalian, Presbyterian, United and Christian Reformed Churches, but his current employment is teaching at a United Methodist College. He has visited five continents and lived on four of them, holds three degrees in two different areas (theology and music), and has written one book: "The Xenophobe's Guide to the Canadians," available at Amazon.com.

We've heard a lot about "biblical marriage" lately, largely as a defensive reaction against same-sex marriage. I read one letter to the editor written by a Lutheran pastor that claimed that "the Bible clearly teaches that marriage is the God-ordained covenantal union of one man to one woman." How very applicable to the contemporary situation, I thought. If the Bible really teaches that (and in such modern language too!), then we all should be paying the Bible a lot more heed.

So I picked up my Bible and looked up all the passages that have anything to do with marriage (I had help: I used a concordance). I examined the scriptural use of all the words I could think of related to marriage: marriage, marriages, marry, marries, married, wedding, weddings, wed, husband, husbands, wife, and wives.

All told I looked up over 800 references. Exempting the references which are narrative (e.g. "Adam named his wife Eve" Gen 3:20) or metaphorical (Christ's marriage to the church, Rev 21:9), I was able to distil those 825 verse references into 12 general principles: 12 Biblical "rules" or guidelines regarding marriage which encompass the gamut of scripture. I hereby present the list, with the applicable references.

12 Biblical Principles of Marriage

1. Marriage consists of one man and one or more women. (Gen 4:19, 4:23, 26:34, 28:9, 29:26-30, 30:26, 31:17, 32:22, 36:2, 36:10, 37:2, Ex. 21:10, Judges 8:30, 1 Sam 1:2, 25:43, 27:3, 30:5, 30:18, 2 Sam 2:2, 3:2-5, 1 Chron 3:1-3, 4:5, 8:8, 14:3, 2 Chron 11:21, 13:21, 24:3).

2. Nothing prevents a man from taking on concubines in addition to the wife or wives he may already have. (Gen 25:6, Judges 8:31, 2 Sam 5:13, 1 Kings 11:3, 1 Chron 3:9, 2 Chron 11:21, Dan 5:2-3).

3. A man might chose any woman he wants for his wife (Gen 6:2, Deut 21:11), provided only that she is not already another man's wife (Lev 18:14-16, Deut. 22:30) or his [half-]sister (Lev 18:11, 20:17), nor the mother (Lev 20:14) or the sister (Lev 18:18) of a woman who is already his wife. The concept of a woman giving her consent to being married is foreign to the Biblical mindset.

4. If a woman cannot be proven to be a virgin at the time of marriage, she shall be stoned. (Deut 22:13-21).

5. A rapist must marry his victim (Ex. 22:16, Deut. 22:28-29) - unless she was already a fiancÈ, in which case he should be put to death if he raped her in the country, but both of them killed if he raped her in town. (Deut. 22:23-27).

6. If a man dies childless, his brother must marry the widow. (Gen 38:6-10, Deut 25:5-10, Mark 12:19, Luke 20:28).

7. Women marry the man of their father's choosing. (Gen. 24:4, Josh.15:16-17, Judges 1:12-13, 12:9, 21:1, 1 Sam 17:25, 18:19, 1 Kings 2:21, 1 Chron 2:35, Jer 29:6, Dan 11:17).

8. Women are the property of their father until married, and their husband after that. (Ex. 20:17, 22:17, Deut. 22:24, Mat 22:25).

9. The value of a woman might be approximately seven years' work. (Gen 29:14-30).

10. Inter-faith marriages are prohibited. (Gen 24:3, 28:1, 28:6, Num 25:1-9, Ezra 9:12, Neh 10:30, 2 Cor 6:14).

11. Divorce is forbidden. (Deut 22:19, Matt 5:32, 19:9, Mark 10:9-12, Luke 16:18, Rom 7:2, 1 Cor 7:10-11, 7:39).

12. Better to not get married at all - although marriage is not a sin. (Matt 19:10, I Cor 7:1, 7:27-28, 7:32-34, 7:38).

How many of these Biblical principles are followed by Christians today? Not a single one [with the possible exception of number 3 - some Christian women may still have no choice in their marital partner]!

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that "marriage is the God-ordained covenantal union of one man and one woman;" in fact, it says explicitly to the contrary! The Bible lists at least 15 polygamists (not including Herod, who is known from the historical - but not Biblical - record to have had 9 wives), and in not a single place does polygamy carry with it any sense of opprobrium. Unfortunately, the pastor mentioned above would have been far more correct to say that "the Bible teaches that marriage is a covenantal union of one man to as many women as he might want and can afford."

So the next time your favourite politician or preacher claims to use the Bible in support of traditional marriage, ask him or her which of these 12 principles he or she is actually advocating. Probably none. Anyone who claims to use the Bible in support of a strictly monogamous union of one male and one female based on love, mutuality, and commitment will be hard pressed to find 2,000 year-old Bible verses in support of that very modern position. In fact, I daresay they cannot. The Biblical view of marriage is not monogamous: it is not necessarily based on love, nor on any amount of mutuality.

Most Christians would consider these Biblical principles of marriage to be misogynistic and repulsive - and judging by today's standards, they'd be right. Views have changed since Biblical times, as has our concept of marriage. Some would claim that this is the result of the Holy Spirit working in our world; most agree that just about all of the changes are a good thing. But if we concede that our concept of marriage has evolved, is it not potentially arrogant to summarily discount the possibility that marriage should continue evolving, or even that it might be God's will that it do so?

From the looks of the above list, it's a good thing our perspectives have changed from the Biblical model. Thus as we continue to dialog and prayerfully discern God's will in the area of same-sex marriages, we obviously cannot consider 2,000-year-old statements made in other cultures and contexts to be all that is important.

Please do not misinterpret that I am claiming that the Bible is not important - of course it is. It is central to my faith, as it should be for any Christian. But to rely on solely the Bible is to dangerously ignore two millennia of progress in the areas of science, technology, and human rights, a sin which we dare not let ourselves commit if the church is to remain relevant to contemporary society at all.

To rely solely on Scripture for church policy is to ignore the possibility that the Holy Spirit has been active at all in the sixteen centuries since the canon was closed in 405 CE. Indeed, we need to consider that the Holy Spirit may be actively encouraging us today to move beyond a literal reading of the Bible and to refuse to become modern Pharisees.

While of course the Bible is integral to who we are as Christians, we do ourselves, the church, and yes, God a disservice if we ignore even the possibility of a revelation more recent than 2,000 years old. While we cannot and would not want to ignore the Old and New Testaments, we also cannot ignore the Now Testament. Praise God that, consistent with the spirit of almost every Biblical narrative, God even today continuously and patiently calls us ever forward.

You Graced the Cross for Me

I wrote this poem a few years ago as I was going though my coming out process.  As an African American, I was told by one of my Caucasian friends, how do you cope:  your gay, black, and Christian.  My response, faith in God and relationship with Jesus.  It was the only thing that was a sure foundation.  As I reflect back on those years, I know that Jesus was holding my hand every step of the way.  I hope you enjoy and can experience the love of Christ that held and continue to hold me through these words:

Jesus, you graced the cross for me
There you remained to set me free

You didn't complain, whine or reject
No, on the cross, your mind was set

Why Jesus, why did you do this for me
Knowing my weakness and knowing my sins

With purpose and with dignity
On the cross you remained

Arms stretched, wrists and ankles nailed
Pierced in your head was a crown of thorns

As they mocked you, as others turned away, there you remained
For all, for me, there you remained for any who would simply come and embrace

And this, my Lord is why you graced the cross

Who do you say Jesus Is?

Who do you say Jesus Is?    To know God and be known by God . . .this should be our pursuit

How can or do you answer this question?  In my personal life - I can attest for Jesus’ care, comfort, peace, righteousness, to Him being Savior, Lord, Friend - He's understanding, forgiving - He's my redeemer, teacher, deliver, provider, healer, miracle worker, lover, visionary, encourager - to name a few.

How?  By spending time with Him, allowing Him to be a part of my life, even allowing him in those dark areas of my life - the places where I don't care to go and afraid to go at times.

This is the same question that Jesus asked Peter - Who do the crowds say that I am?  This is an important question for us to consider.  Our knowing Christ can not be based on second hand information - your knowing Christ must be revealed by the primary source, Christ Himself through His word and revelations.   Because when life happens and those you thought were your friends, leave you, you have to be able to stand in the comfort of knowing that Christ is there with you, the Christ who have shown himself strong and powerful in your life. 

In Matthew 16:13-19 we find:

Then Jesus turned and asked Peter a second question "But who do you say that I am"  Peter answered - not well my mom says, my denomination says, my pastor says; no, Peter answered by the revelation that he received from God - you are the Christ, the Son of God.    What a powerful revelation – to say with confidence that Christ is the Son of God, meaning that Christ is the mighty savior, healer, redeemer, giver of life, and teacher. 

Another intimate example is found in 1 John 1:1:

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. - and these things we write to you that your joy may be full."

This is one of my favorite versus in the New Testament.  Why? because I can imagine how excited the brothers were to share the living Christ that their hands touched, their eyes saw, and their ears heard to the churches in Asia minor who received this epistle.

Three aspects to consider for this verse:
1. This epistle was a circulated throughout many churches in Asia Minor.  The author is speaking to the believers from a personal experience and wants the believers to have fellowship with the Jesus.

2. Man is made up of three just like the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit - Body, Soul and Spirit).  This epistle is appealing to the senses: heard, touch, seen, handled (soul - mind, will and emotions).  What this epistle tells me is that Jesus wants to connect with us on all levels of our being, including our souls. 

3. The word fellowship is a very intimate word - many people just translate it Koinonia and write it off as "just" fellowship - but let me expound on this definition.  Literally the word translates participation, or (social) intercourse or pecuniary benefaction.  As the believers read this epistle - the words painted a very vivid and intimate picture of a relationship.  The relationship that our Jesus desires with us – an intimate relationship that involves our participation.

What type of fellowship are you/do you have with Jesus?  Is it the type that the writer of this epistle portrays to the believers in Asia Minor?  Is your intimacy level with Jesus to a level where He continues to reveal His character to you?  So who do you say He is?  If you don't know or if you are not sure on your answers - let's walk down this path together and allow Him to reveal to us individually and corporately who He is.

Paintings by Harry Anderson and JesusArt

Copyright © 2006 Aletheia Ministries.  All Rights Reserved

What do you seek?

What do you Seek?
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  John 1:36/39

Where are you staying?  Jesus:  Come and See And they stayed with Him that day - what kept them there, what were they seeking? Why were these men willing to give up everything?  They were in pursuit of something, they didn't know what, when, where it would lead – all they knew of was that their Jewish tradition spoke of a coming Messiah.

But their life was a pursuit . . .  I like to say that “the proof was in their pursuit”  How about your life?  What are you seeking, is your life a life of pursuit for God  - one God offesr eternal life.  Jesus never said it was going to easy, but he did promise that he would be with us every step of the way.  Jesus also promised that he had come to give us abundant life (John 10:10) and all he asks is to seek first his kingdom.  So what is the kingdom of God?  Why seek it first? 

I would like to offer that the kingdom of God is not an explanation of some literal governmental kingdom, but an experience.  Yes, the Kingdom of God is an experience with the King of Glory that transcends all humanity and our frailties.  Jesus said the Kingdom of God was within us. 

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, `Here it is,' or `There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20-21

Jesus' ministry was about healing, making people whole, setting captives free, and embracing the outcasts, down-and-outs, the unwanted, the untouchables, the misunderstood, and women.  Jesus said that when we saw these things, it was a sign that the kingdom was among us.  When was the last time you saw these activities?  When were you apart of such activities?  Can you say the kingdom of God is within you? So what are you seeking??

** the photo is called "The Charity", 1611 Oil on canvas at Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples

Firecracker Lives! Is this yours?

I came across this poem a few years ago and it really spoke to me about my purpose in life, why I was born in the Kingdom of God as this time and what I was suppose to do.  This poem allowed me to put my life in perspective in regard to how Jesus taught us to live. 

CHRISTIANITY

A Christian is one who trusts Jesus as his/her Savior, submits to Him as Lord, and takes the New Testament as the law of his/her life – all should happen at the same time.  Salvation is not a cafeteria line where you take what you like and leave the rest.

In every Christian Christ lives again.  Every true believer is a return to first-century Christianity.  The problem is how to maintain the simplicity of being just a Christ-ian, an en-Christed one amid the complexity of the modern religious set-up.

The Savior was spoken against (Luke 2:34).  His followers were spoken against (Acts 28:22).  Christians will be spoken against (Matthew 5:11).  The Savior, the sect, the saints – we were never meant to be popular.

To some, Christianity is an argument.  To many, it is an argument; to many it is a performance.  To a few, it is an experience.

It is high time we learned that in this nervewrecking, maddening modern rush, we have let the spirit of the times rob us utterly of meditation, devotion, rest, the passive side of our Christian experience without which we cannot be truly active to the glory of God.

We have been saved out of this world; we still must live in the world; we have been saved to go back into the world to win others out of it, and that is the only business we have in the world.

God forgive us, in an hour like this, that we have been dry Christians, preaching a dynamite Gospel and living firecracker lives. Dr. Vance Havner

Evangelical Theologian Changes his Mind on LGBT People

Evangelical Theologian Changes his Mind on LGBT People In a new book published by Westminster John Knox Press -- Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church -- a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Jack Rogers, argues unequivocally for the ordination and marriage of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. A life-long evangelical theologian, Rogers argues in combination of personal narrative, theology, and church history that fidelity to the Bible demands equal rights in the church and society for people who are LGBT. Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality describes Rogers’ own change of mind and heart on the issue; charts the church’s well-documented history of using biblical passages to oppress marginalized groups; argues for a Christ-centered reading of Scripture; and debunks oft-repeated stereotypes about gays and lesbians. According to Rogers, “The best methods of interpretation from the Reformation on down through today, call upon us to interpret the Scripture through the lens of Jesus Christ’s life and ministry. Using this method we see clearly that Jesus and the Bible, properly understood, do not condemn people who are homosexual.” Among the reviews of this book released on March 6:     * “This is an extraordinary book, arguably the best to appear in the long, drawn-out debates within churches over homosexuality,” says J. Philip Wogaman, former senior minister at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. “Rogers frames the issues on deep biblical and theological grounds, challenging superficial readings of scripture. The book is wonderfully relevant….It is a gift to all of us.”     * “Rogers’ arguments are relentless, accurate and devastating to those who might claim that there are serious, scriptural, doctrinal or confessional reasons to deprive LGBT people from full participation in the life and ministry of the church,” says the Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson, the Moderator of the Metropolitan Community Church.     * African-American educator Gayraud Wilmore stated: “This plain-spoken but scholarly work teaches not only that we can change our minds about homosexuality, but that we must.”     * “What Jack Rogers discovered by reviewing the biblical, creedal and historical evidence for himself just might change your mind as well,” according to Mel White, Founder of SoulForce.

Quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu

There are many people in this world that have influenced my life.  Archbishop Desmond Tutu is one of them.  His life, ministry, and love is an inspiration.  Here is one of his quotes concerning sexuality, God, and the GLBTQ community. 

Desmond Tutu, Anglican Archbishop of South Africa: We reject [homosexuals], treat them as pariahs, and push them outside our church communities, and thereby we negate the consequences of their baptism and ours. We make them doubt that they are the children of God, and this must be nearly the ultimate blasphemy. We blame them for something that is becoming increasingly clear they can do little about.

A Credible Supporter!!! With Great Wisdom and Discernment

Coretta Scott King

"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice... But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King, Jr., said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere' ... I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people."1

"Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union. A constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing, and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriages."2

"We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny... I can never be what I ought to be until you are allowed to be what you ought to be," she said, quoting from her husband. "I've always felt that homophobic attitudes and policies were unjust and unworthy of a free society and must be opposed by all Americans who believe in democracy."3

"Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Georgia, and St. Augustine, Florida, and many other campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement. Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own, and I salute their contributions."4

"We have a lot of work to do in our common struggle against bigotry and discrimination. I say 'common struggle,' because I believe very strongly that all forms of bigotry & discrimination are equally wrong and should be opposed by right-thinking Americans everywhere. Freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation is surely a fundamental human right in any great democracy, as much as freedom from racial, religious, gender, or ethnic discrimination."5

"We have to launch a campaign against homophobia in the black community."6

"Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group."7

Coretta Scott King was the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a leader in the civil rights movement.

Sources:
1 Coretta Scott King, 25th anniversary luncheon for Lambda Defense and Education Fund, March 31, 1998
2 Coretta Scott King, speech at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, USA Today, March 24, 2004
3 Coretta Scott King, 25th anniversary luncheon for Lambda Defense and Education Fund, quoted in the Chicago Sun Times, April 1, 1998
4 Coretta Scott King, 25th anniversary luncheon for Lambda Defense and Education Fund, quoted in the Chicago Tribune, April 1, 1998
5 Coretta Scott King, Opening Plenary Session, 13th annual Creating Change conference of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Atlanta, Georgia, November 9, 2000
6 Coretta Scott King, Reuters, June 8, 2001
7 Coretta Scott King, a speech at the Palmer Hilton Hotel, quoted in the Chicago Defender, April 1, 1998

compiled by Soulforce.org

Your Wilderness, Embrace It and Grow

As most of you know, the New Testament is the Old Testament  fulfilled (or revealed) through Christ.  The Old Testament is full of types and shadows that point to the culmination of God’s plan and purpose for humanity.  What is this purpose and plan that is revealed in the New Testament?  Answer:  To bring the people of God into perfect union with the Godhead, so that His glory will be manifested through them, a corporate body, wholly yielded to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.      

Our Father has shown us the growth process that we must go through in the lives of the children of Israel.  I understand that most churches fail to teach this truth in it’s entirety (they speak of the good times—but leave out the fact that most growth occurred in pain, struggle, trails and temptations).   In fact, have you ever wondered where the phase “growing pains” came from—well any seasoned brother or sister in the faith will testify about growing pains.   It is through these growing pains that we mature.   I ask you to seek the Father’s wisdom through this teaching.     

1 Corinthians 10:1-12 states;  “And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,10:2 and all to Moses were baptized in the cloud, and in the sea;10:3 and all the same spiritual food did eat,10:4 and all the same spiritual drink did drink, for they were drinking of a spiritual rock following them, and the rock was the Christ;10:5 but in the most of them God was not well pleased, for they were strewn in the wilderness,10:6 and those things became types of us, for our not passionately desiring evil things, as also these did desire.10:7 Neither become ye idolaters, as certain of them, as it hath been written, `The people sat down to eat and to drink, and stood up to play;'10:8 neither may we commit whoredom, as certain of them did commit whoredom, and there fell in one day twenty-three thousand;10:9 neither may we tempt the Christ, as also certain of them did tempt, and by the serpents did perish;10:10 neither murmur ye, as also some of them did murmur, and did perish by the destroyer.10:11 And all these things as types did happen to those persons, and they were written for our admonition, to whom the end of the ages did come,10:12 so that he who is thinking to stand -- let him observe, lest he fall.”

In this passage we see that we have a witness to the fact that the children of Israel are our type that is given to admonish us.  Paul states that he doesn't want the sisters and brothers in Corinth to be ignorant of the warnings, if you will, and examples that our gracious Father has given us.  The Apostle Paul even goes to the extent to remind us of the activities that some of the Hebrew children did not overcome - they did not graduate from their wilderness experience.    They did not enter into the promise land (Cannan Land) because of unbelief, murmuring and complaining.  Dear ones, we are not called to walk in unbelief - but to walk in faith.  Our example, the children of Israel, were led by the cloud by day and fire by night, they saw and experienced God's mighty hand of deliverance, they even drank from the Christ - yet they didn't believe He would continue to take them through.  Why?  Why the wilderness?      

The question that many ask, why the wilderness?  Why didn’t (doesn’t) God just automatically bring the children of Israel (the Church) to perfection without going through a wilderness?  The truth of the matter is that we are all born in iniquity (Psalms 51:5)  We are part of the fallen human race.  Although God has revealed Himself through the work and ministry of His Son, we still have a nature that need to be perfected and aligned with God’s will -  we still have our own agendas, plans, ideas, thoughts and ways that are not God’s  (Isaiah 55:6-9).  Understanding the children of Israel in this light, they had an Egypt mentality and nature that God had to purge prior to them receiving the inheritance and promise of Cannan Land.  What is an Egypt mentality, it’s a bondage mentality of unbelief, from unbelief comes the complaining, murmuring, blaming, and accusing.  It is having a victim mentality versus a victory mentality.  In this light, We still have an Egypt nature and mentality that has to die and what better place for it to die than in the wilderness on our way to our promised land.   Another way of stating this thought is that God has taken His people out of Egypt but Egypt needed (and need—in our case)  to be taken out of them (us).      

It is in the wilderness where God begins to show us how much of Egypt we still have dwelling in us.  Our loving Father doesn’t reveal this nature of bondage and unbelief to discourage us, but to encourage us to continue to cry out to Him.  Beloved, if you recall, it was the cry of the people that turned the Fathers heart.  Exodus 2:23-25 states “...and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage...and God heard...and remembered...and looked...and had respect.” Exodus 3:7-10 also speaks of the cry that went up to the Father and how He was moved by their cries.  It is the cry of deliverance that our Father yearns to hear from us (not the only cry) , deliverance not only from our physical Egypt (which represents our lives of sin before we embrace the Christ), but also, deliverance from the Egypt mentality of self-dependence rather than God-dependent.  Once the deliverance has taken place (delivered from Pharaoh's bondage), understand that God will begin to lead you into the wilderness to mature you as His child -  even Christ had to go through a wilderness experience.      

Beloved, I leave you here for the moment.  I pray that God will speak to your heart and you will receive understanding and wisdom through this teaching.  I encourage you to meditate on this and embrace your wilderness experiences and know that God will not put more on you than you can bear.  We will have wilderness experiences—but thanks be to God who leads us into triumph.  He wants to bring us into perfection—like His begotten Son—Christ

Copyright © 2006 Aletheia Ministries.  All Rights Reserved

Yahoo Group to Join

If any are interested, I also moderate a Yahoo Group - geared toward networking with GayPentecostal/Charismatic Christians - but open to all, please sign-up and meet other Christians from the Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition. 

                           

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Be Encouraged

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God.  The holy place of the tabernacle of the most high God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.  The nations raged, the Kingdoms were moved.  He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 
Ps. 46:4-6

There is a river!  Be encouraged my brothers and sisters - the psalmist reminds us that the streams of God's river make glad the city of God.  Who is the city of God, we are!  - The Lord is in the midst of us and we shall not be moved.  Stand still and know that God is exalted above your situation and circumstances. 

Welcome

I wanted to extend a welcome to all and encourage you to tell a friend and pass the word around about the Wilderness Wanderings blog. 

TK