To the 'Christian' Homosexual

This is a follow up to a previous post I made a few months ago. That
one is found here
http://jesusjiujitsu.blogspot.com/2011/02/homosexual-thoughts-about-dadt.html
It focused on accepting the person struggling with same-sex
attraction. Please read both before you comment.

More Thoughts on Homosexuals

Homosexuality is a sensitive subject. Pastors take two approaches with
it. Some preach vehemently against it, and others won't even touch the
subject. They are to afraid to offend someone who is gay or has a gay
loved one. I'm not a gay basher and I'm not afraid to say it's wrong. I don't
want people thinking that just because I love people who are gay that
homosexuality is "No Biggie" with God or in the church.
I've heard a lot of reasons why people think gay is ok. I've heard....

Homosexuality is a gray area in the bible
Some people think homosexuality is one of those "go with your gut"
type of things like listening to secular music, the version of the
bible you use, or dancing in church. Umm... No, it's not even close to
those. It's clearly wrong. (See I Corinthians chapter 6, Romans 1, and
Matthew 19 to see New Testament examples of God's plan for sex)
Whenever Jesus or Paul spoke of sexuality in any context they always
related it directly back to the beginning of creation. Adam and Eve
themselves are the blueprint. There is something good in the male
female relationship.


You can't choose who you love
Really? I choose to love people all the time, and my wife chooses to
love me everyday. Love is a choice. Love has always been a choice. Be
friends, buddies, confidants with the same sex, but not lovers. If
were honest lovers is just code for "lusters" regardless of the
context.

I can't choose who I'm attracted to
This is true, but you can choose who you have sex with. I can't change
the fact that extra-large pepperoni pizza always sounds good to me,
but I don't eat it every day. Just because I'm attracted to a woman
doesn't meant I sleep with her. I'd die if I did. I make a choice. We
get to choose who we have sex with. We aren't dogs, we aren't robots,
but we are people who can make choices.

I've always been this way
Probably, but we are all messed up. We all have our problems, and
everyone is in need of restoration. A struggle is not defeat. There is
a difference between fighting something and surrendering to it. (see
earlier post for more on this)

If it makes you happy go for it
Not a good life philosophy. It sounds good, but it doesn't make sense
like the Black Eyed-Peas. If we all just did what made us happy this
planet would suck worse. Just because you want to do something doesn't
mean you should. I forgot life was all about you. I forgot that this
whole thing was built for your eternal pleasure. Forgive my ignorance.
People spend to much time seeking happiness and miss it because
self-centeredness makes us blind. Selfishness is destroying this
world. Only Jesus message of selflessness can help.

I know gay people who are more like Jesus then some Christians.
I know cats that are more like Christ then some Christians. Just
because some Christians are idiots doesn't mean God is. It's true
claiming Christ doesn't make you like Him, but it's not about who is
more like Christ. It's about who is like Christ. Let's not judge each
other on percentages of Christ likeness. It will get ugly and we will
all lose.

Sex is just for fun
Sex is not a "just for fun" physical activity. It's not like playing
cards, or watching a movie, sexual activity impacts us physically and
emotionally. You can tell what something is for by what it does. Sex
can be fun, sex is for making babies. There is no mystery, and He made
it enjoyable because He loves people. When you have sex God's way, He
is pleased because you may be making another person for Him to love.
God is ok with Homosexuality now because we have too many people
Really? I've done my share of justifying my own sin, but even this is a stretch.


It's not hurting anyone
Are you sure about this?

Final thoughts...
No one is trying to say you can't love someone. Love is good. We are
supposed to love everyone. Sex is reserved for use in a marriage
between a man and a woman. No one is saying it's the worst sin in the
world, but it is on the list of the sins that have some dire
consequences. No one is saying you can't be happy. But, for some
reason, focusing on others is the real way to happiness.

Death of a Salesman

My cousin is a great cellphone salesman. He is always putting up amazing numbers and outselling his coworkers.

I could never do that. I would probably give them away. I asked him how he does it. Why can he put up amazing numbers when others can’t?

He said, “I know the phones, and share them with the customer. I know what every phone can and can’t do. If someone has a question, I have an answer.” He continued, “if you know something well and are excited about it, people will buy it.”

Duh <--was my internal response. Of course, this is what the Gospels have been saying for 2,000 years. Jesus knew the Father. He shared Him with the first believers and they couldn't get enough. The first believers knew Jesus, shared him with others, and they couldn’t get enough of the Son.

It’s still the same today. If you know Jesus, and share him with others, people will want him. How many of us take the time to get to know Him? Do we know Him inside and out?

One day we will hear 1 of 2 things. Well done, good and faithful servant..or Depart from me. I never knew you. People aren’t judged for their lack of service, but it matters whether we know Him or not.

7 Habits of Spiritual Fitness

1.) Trusting Jesus.

Trust God as you understand Him. This doesn't mean I understand God to be Jesus and you understand Him to be a lollipop, and as long as we have equal faith we will get equal results. This would be trusting in faith not—trusting in God. Not all gods are equal. Only 1 came back from the dead. The more you understand about Him (Jesus), the more you will grow spiritually. His is the name above all names. Accept nothing less.

2.) Helping Others

Do something nice for someone. Pay someone’s bill. Listen to their stories. or take them to lunch. Encourage someone. Be good. Lend a hand. Say a kind word. Compliment their hair or their outfit. Weep when the weep, and rejoice when they rejoice. Caring for others changes us like no other. Offer someone help. You both will be blessed.

3.) Praying Often

Talking to God does wonders for your spiritual life. He is your heavenly Father, your Counselor, and your Friend. Talk to Him about anything and everything. He is not pushy, and He always has great advice. Be real with Him and speak often. Thank Him when you’re happy, and plead with Him when you're in pain. Prayer works. It either changes your circumstances or it changes your heart. Most of the time, it changes both.

4.) Having Good Friends

Some friends are givers and some are takers. Some will bring you closer to Jesus and some will draw you away. Find some friends that will lead you the right way. Hanging out with good people will change you. You don't always have to be praying or singing praise to God. Anytime spent in the presence of a good person helps.

5.) Reading Good Things

Reading scripture and godly writing works on your mind. Scripture is life. It energizes and teaches you. Start with the Bible’s stories. Don’t get bogged down in biblical genealogies or obscure prophecies.  We remember stories better than lists of facts. Begin with stories about Jesus and His followers in the New Testament. The stories about God working with His people in the Old Testament are good.

6.) Confessing Your Junk

Yeah, I said it, confess. You may not go to a  priest to share your dirty laundry but you need to confess. Confession in scripture means, "To say the same thing." Acknowledging our wrongs is liberating. God promises if we confess we will be forgiven and cleansed. It works every time. Look for a godly person to confess to. Find someone trustworthy.  It may be a neighbor, spouse, pastor, or godly friend. Don't just spring your "junk" on them. Give them fair warning. Find the right time and place, and watch God work in you.

7.) Forgiving Others

It is easy to get stunted spiritually when you hold un-forgiveness. People waste their lives holding on to hate. We are called to love others, even if they don’t deserve it. We don’t have to trust them, agree with them, or have them in our house; but, we have to forgive them. Forgiving others brings freedom to ourselves. Forgive others and let God do something special in your life.

6 Ways to Win in Your Marriage

Love Each Other

This sounds easy, but it’s not. Love your spouse the way they want to be loved. Don’t love them way you want to love. For instance, a wife who loves quality time with her man, won’t be satisfied with little gifts. She’ll probably appreciate them, but they aren’t what she really likes. A husband, who likes having fun with his wife, won’t be satisfied with love notes. It will do more for him, if she does something with him that he finds fun, even if it bores her to tears.

Make A Budget

Money problems kill marriages. Make a budget and stick to it. Making a budget can be about as fun as a root canal, but the stress caused by making a budget is less than the stress caused by unpaid bills, and out of control spending. Don’t buy stupid junk, unless it is stupid junk you both want and can afford.

Love Your Kids, but LOVE each other

You have to love your kids, duh. But, your kids will grow up and leave one day (hopefully). You need to have more in common than just your kids. Your kids need your time, love and devotion, and so does your spouse. Don’t neglect your spouse for the sake of your kids. They can’t divorce you and take half of your things. And, they won’t be there for you like your spouse. They’ll have their own lives, their own kids, and their own careers. The last thing you want is for the kids to move out and be stuck in a house with a stranger.

Make Time for each other

You can’t make time, but do it anyway. Find time for each other. Every week make some time, and every year do something special. It doesn’t have to be expensive or long, but it has to be special. Take time to do things you both enjoy. Play a game together, watch a movie, go for a hike, rob a bank, or whatever excites you. Do something special with your spouse. Time is to short, make the time.

Be nice

Don’t make fun of your spouse or put them down in anyway even though it’s easy. You know each others darkest secrets. You know how to hurt each other and how to make each other feel good. Don’t mock each other, put each other down, or be rude. You can be honest without being a jerk. If you have to say something pointed, put it in a nice way at the right time. Don’t tell your husband that your mad about him not feeding the dog when he’s working on the car, and don’t tell your wife she’s behind on the laundry when she’s slaving over dinner. Be nice. Say something nice for no reason once in a while.

Put Jesus in it

Jesus is awesome, and He makes a great addition to any marriage. He’s a great conflict negotiator, and He even helps with the bills.  He will show you both where you need to change and help you do it. Lifeless religion won’t help, but a living relationship with Jesus is the foundation to every great relationship. Pray for each other. It works