What’s the best way to follow a blog post about the hot topic of gay marriage? A picture of a kitten!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kittens: They’re why Al Gore invented the Internet.

I have been lost in thought for the past week about gay marriage.

Just mentioning this issue is like painting a target on my blog and myself, I know. Very hot issue, with passions running deep on both sides. So deep the passion often overrides rational thinking and makes otherwise kind and gracious persons mean and venomous. This is true of persons on both sides of the issue.

But I just can’t get the issue out of my mind, ever since President Obama came out last week in favor of redefining marriage to include homosexual couples as well as heterosexual couples. Not that his “evolving” position surprised most people. I don’t think it did. But it was a momentous occasion that will have implications long into our future.

I thought about writing a lengthy treatise for my blog this week. But blogs are not ideal for lengthy discourses on important subject matter. Blogs fit in somewhere between tweets and dissertations. I’m not on Twitter, and I’m worn out from finishing my dissertation a few months ago, so I’m blogging instead. Besides, there’s a lot of people out there smarter than me who’ve already researched and written extensively on gay marriage. Why duplicate their efforts?

Instead, I thought I’d just offer some (not all) of my thoughts about gay marriage since this blog is called “Lost in Thought.” Most of you reading this blog are members of my church, so I’ll try to keep it relevant to you as fellow Christians striving to honor the Lord in all you do. Here it goes:

If a person believes the Bible is the inspired Word of God, authoritative in all it teaches, then the issue is pretty cut and dry. The biblical record is clear about God’s plan for human sexuality. Genesis 2:24 says, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Human sexuality was designed from the beginning to be expressed between a man and a woman in a committed relationship. This is clear from Genesis to Revelation.

If a person does not believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, authoritative in all it teaches, then it doesn’t matter what the Bible says about sexual behavior or pretty much anything else. It’s just a work of fiction, an invention of men. So arguing from a biblical perspective is useless for those persons. I have read good non-theological arguments for keeping the historic definition of marriage intact: biological, philosophical, psychological, sociological, etc., but I’ll leave it to experts in those fields to explicate.

Marriage has always been defined as the union—spiritual, physical, relational, legal, etc.—between a man and a woman. In polygamous cultures, a man may marry multiple women. In the extremely rare polyandrous culture, a woman may marry multiple men. But to my knowledge, never has men marrying men or women marrying women fit in the definition of marriage. Until the late 20th century, anyway. If I’m wrong here, please correct me by pointing me to legitimate sources saying otherwise.

Homosexual orientation is very rare. They used to throw around the 10% figure, but this figure from Kinsey’s research has been discredited. Last I read, it was more like 2%, maybe 3% for men. To be sure, just because something is rare doesn’t automatically make it wrong, and just become something is common doesn’t automatically make it right. I only make this point because I’m amazed at how homosexuality dominates our present cultural narrative when we’re talking about only 2% of the population. The voices on both sides are extraordinarily LOUD, way out of proportion to the number of persons actually impacted by the issue. Why are we not talking as loudly about fornication or adultery, which proportionally have a much greater negative impact on families?

The Bible clearly says that homosexuality, fornication, and adultery are all sinful expressions of sexual behavior. The Old Testament AND the New Testament say so. Of course, the Bible clearly says the same thing about gossip: it’s sin. And not tithing or practicing generosity is sin. Husbands not loving their wives like Christ loves His Church? Sin. Women withholding sex as a power play in marriage? Sin. Men not providing for their families? Sin. I could go on. Point is, it dishonors God when we get so worked up over some sins more than others. Sin is sin, and we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

So before we pick up our stones to throw at gays and lesbians who want to redefine marriage, we’d better be sure the planks are out of our own eyes first. Did you have sex with your spouse before you were married? Are you having or entertaining the idea of having an affair? Men, are you addicted to porn? Women, are you having an emotional affair with someone from work? Then put the stone down and deal with the sin in your own life first.

Sex is an incredibly strong drive in most people. It is a God-given desire, and it is not a sin to satisfy God-given natural desires in the proper context. That last phrase is critical, of course. God-given desires becomes sin when they drive us beyond God’s good and pleasing and perfect plan. This is true of God-given desires like ambition, hunger, possessions, and success. Satisfying your drive for hunger is good, up to a point. Satisfying your drive for success is good, up to a point. But it all too easily can cross the line into sinful behavior.

I am against gay marriage, for biblical and other reasons. But I am also against Christians (or anyone else) treating homosexuals different than they would treat any other human being. The Bible says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). In other words, God loves us for who we are, right where we are, sin and brokenness and everything. As a Christian, God demands that I love other people in the same way.

But let us not forget this important fact: Because God loves us, He doesn’t want to leave us in our sin and brokenness. He wants us to be healthy and whole. He wants us to become the men and women we were created to be. That means following His good and pleasing and perfect plan, which includes sexual behavior in its proper context: marriage between a man and a woman.

Back to my original thought that started all this. I strongly disagree with President Obama on the topic of gay marriage. And I’m annoyed that he misused the Bible to justify his evolving position. Changing the definition of marriage is unbiblical AND bad public policy. He could have made a case for civil unions, but we’re probably past that compromise now. I’m not sure where all this will go or if it will influence the vote this fall. But when any POTUS makes such grand pronouncements, it matters. The whole world is listening.

Being against gay marriage doesn’t mean I’m anti-gay, and I’m certainly not homophobic. Afraid of bees? Yes. Gay people? No. My favorite barber was gay. I have extended family members who are gay. I’ve had gay men in Bible studies I’ve led who became good friends. Calling people names is childish. In my opinion, inflammatory labeling is a sign of a weak argument or a small mind. Shouting “Homophobe!” “Nazi!” etc. is just not helpful. Civility, rationality, and respect are disappearing from public discourse today, on both sides of many issues, and we’re a weaker country because of it. People should be able to disagree with one another without vitriolic name-calling.

So what do all these thoughts mean? They mean I am fully supportive of what the United Methodist Church has said and affirmed for many years about marriage and human sexuality. I can’t say it any better or more clearly than this:

¶ 161 B) Marriage—We affirm the sanctity of the marriage covenant that is expressed in love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity between a man and a woman. We believe that God’s blessing rests upon such marriage, whether or not there are children of the union.

We reject social norms that assume different standards for women than for men in marriage. We support laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

 

¶ 161 F) Human Sexuality—We affirm that sexuality is God’s good gift to all persons. We call everyone to responsible stewardship of this sacred gift.

Although all persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married, sexual relations are affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.

We deplore all forms of the commercialization, abuse, and exploitation of sex. We call for strict global enforcement of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation of children and for adequate protection, guidance, and counseling for abused children.

All persons, regardless of age, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation, are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured and to be protected against violence. The Church should support the family in providing age-appropriate education regarding sexuality to children, youth, and adults.

We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God. All persons need the ministry of the Church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self.

The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching. We affirm that God’s grace is available to all. We will seek to live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us.  We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.

More could be said, but I’ve already moved into a lengthy discourse in spite of my intent to do otherwise. If you’re part of the St. James family and want me to explain my thoughts in more detail or address an area I’ve omitted, please respond in the comments, and I’ll deal with it in future blog posts.

May we continue to love one another as Christ loves us, and may we continue to be confident in the truth and relevance of God’s Word.

Due to popular demand, this is part 2 of a series of blogs explaining the structure and organization of The United Methodist Church. Part 1 can be found here. The following information comes from the 2012 General Conference Program Book:

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STRUCTURE OF THE DENOMINATION cont.

Jurisdictional and Central Conferences: Five geographic jurisdictions (regions) in the United States include eight to thirteen annual conferences each. Jurisdictional conferences meet simultaneously every four years to elect and assign bishops, to elect some members of general church agencies and, in some cases, to develop jurisdictional programs. Members of the jurisdictional conferences are General Conference delegates from that region plus additional delegates. An equal number of lay people and ordained clergy are elected from the annual conferences in the region. In Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, the comparable geographical division is called a central conference. The church has seven central conferences.

Bishops and Episcopal Areas: Elected by jurisdictional and central conferences every four years, bishops are superintendents of their respective areas. The church has 49 active bishops and episcopal areas in the United States and 19 in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. Episcopal areas include one or more annual conferences. The Council of Bishops is the corporate expression of episcopal leadership, which supervises and promotes the temporal and spiritual interests of the entire church.

General (churchwide) Agencies: General agencies are similar to U.S. cabinet departments, but are primarily accountable to the General Conference rather than to the Council of Bishops. Boards of directors, who are lay and clergy elected jointly by General Conference and regional organizations, govern the agency staffs.

Judicial Council: The denomination’s highest judicial body or “supreme court” interprets church law and determines the constitutionality of proceedings at all levels of church life. Its nine members, comprising both clergy and laity, are elected by General Conference for eight-year terms and normally meet twice a year.

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Are you excited yet?? Actually, knowing structure and organization can be quite helpful.

There is no one right, proper, “biblical” structure for churches and denominations. Much of what the New Testament says about church organization and governance is descriptive, not commanded. Congregational forms of church governance are no more or less biblical than episcopal forms, in spite of what many Americans believe. In fact, episcopal governance is closer to what the New Testament describes. Ultimately, every form of church governance has strengths and weaknesses, ours included. One of the reasons I am United Methodist is because I believe the strengths and potential strengths of our system outweigh the weaknesses.

Stay tuned for part 3!

 

So I’m playing Wii Golf with Daniel, Alex, and Miriam late last night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex and I are having one of the best rounds of Wii Golf in our entire lives. He’s 5 under par, and I’m 3 under par. We’re both standing over make-able eagle putts on hole 6.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the Wii locks up. Freezes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The End

 

 

Due to popular demand, this is part one of a series of blogs that will explain the structure and organization of The United Methodist Church. The following information comes from the 2012 General Conference Program Book:

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Our structure shouldn’t surprise those knowledgeable of history and political science. It’s very similar to the federal government of the United States of America because we became a separate denomination within Christendom (separating from the Church of England) around the same time as the founding of our country. So the political philosophies dominant in that era influenced our organization. 1784 was our founding date, the same year the American Revolutionary War officially ended. Back then, we were called the Methodist Episcopal Church.

St. James United Methodist Church is in the South Central District of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. We call our church council the Leadership Board. As with most larger churches, our Leadership Board focuses more on long-term vision and planning rather than administration and day-to-day management issues, though they provide oversight for all ministry and administration.

Stay tuned for part 2!

It’s 3:08 AM on Friday morning, we just got back from the movie theater. Time for bed now, but before I go, I must leave you with two words:

HULK SMASH!!!

Warm clothes fresh from the dryer!

I had a flashback this morning. I was searching for a particular item of clothing to wear today. Karen said, “Go check the dryer,” and there it was. I put it on, fresh from the dryer, and … flashback!

As a kid growing up in Indiana, one of the minor pleasures in life was a cold, snowy midwinter day. Pleasurable for many reasons. One of those reasons was the feeling of slipping on warm—almost hot—clothes fresh from the dryer. I can remember waking up on a random winter morning when it was below freezing outside and 66 degrees inside, which is where my frugal father set the thermostat. I hated the feeling of cold air immediately hitting me after I crawled out from under my warm covers. Ugh! But on those mornings when Mom had done a load of laundry before going to work, I would sprint downstairs to the laundry room and grab whatever was tumbling in the dryer and put it on. I LOVED the feeling of those dryer-fresh clothes warming up my body. Sure, it lasted only a minute or two, but it was an awesome minute or two. If it was a pair of jeans, I might even get 2-3 minutes of warming out of them! A great way to start the day. At least, until I went outside to go to school and froze up again.

Today wasn’t a cold midwinter day. I live in Florida now, and it’s May. It was probably already 80 degrees outside when I got out of bed. But slipping on those warm clothes fresh from the dryer was still a pleasurable sensation. In the right time and place, heat is a wonderful thing. Even if it comes from an electric dryer. Makes you feel good all over.

Warm clothes fresh from the dryer (and the occasional flashbacks to childhood) make me smile!

Fanboys and fangirls sound a little better than nerds. But maybe we’re a little of both, because the Ezra six are getting excited about the upcoming movie event of the year. This Friday, The Avengers movie premieres, and we’re going at midnight to catch the very first show!!

We prepared all last week, watching Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and The Incredible Hulk. Everybody needs a little mindless entertainment now and then, and comic-book-come-to-life movies fit the bill. Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger even have some clear morality lessons in the mix, the latter with a strong dose of patriotism. Focus on the Family’s Plugged In movie reviews say that the Iron Man movies also have pretty good messages, but you have to get past some carnality to get there. Agreed. The Iron Man movies are not for your six-year-old, but they don’t contain anything your thirteen-year-olds haven’t already seen. Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger are family friendly, in my opinion. I’m guessing their PG-13 rating was for cartoonish violence. Everything else in them is benign. The Incredible Hulk falls in-between. Mostly safe for families, except for one brief scene. But you see worse on network TV; it’s not that bad. The violence in The Incredible Hulk seemed to be a little more graphic than in the other movies, but I could be wrong. Still cartoonish to me.

I’ve never read the comic books. Never was much a fan of any comic books. So I didn’t know much about the characters before the movies started coming out a few years ago. The movies are pretty spectacular. Violent, yes, but comic book violence, not real violence. Great looking actors, awesome CGI, some quirky humor, classic good guys vs. the bad guys. Silly, exciting, and fun! But the best part is that my whole family has bought in. All six of us are enthusiastic about going. It’s a family event.

So come near midnight this Thursday, it’s EZRAS ASSEMBLE!

General Conference is upon us! The United Methodist Church, a worldwide denomination, meets every four years to do the business of the denomination. We set missional priorities, vote on a budget for the next four years, consider petitions and amendments to our Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions, and so forth. They began last Tuesday at the Tampa Convention Center with almost 1,000 delegates from around the world, and they will continue meeting through next weekend.

If you’re interested in how it works, I encourage you to visit our denomination’s official website for explanations and updates. For an evangelical perspective on General Conference, visit the Good News Renewal and Reform Coalition website. If you’re interested in my take on things, I direct you to an April 18 blog entry from Dr. Timothy Tennent, president of Asbury Theological Seminary. He feels pretty much the same way I feel. Or I feel pretty much the same way he feels. Whatever perspective works for you!

I may comment on General Conference after it’s over. Or I may ignore it completely. I don’t call this blog “Lost in Thought” for nothing. Depends on my mood, passions, and what’s floating around in my head on any given day. Either way, I strongly encourage you to be in prayer for the United Methodist Church, that our words and actions would honor God. Pray that our witness would glorify God in all ways. Pray that we would remain faithful to the historic Christian faith. Pray that we would once again become a powerful evangelistic movement as we were in John Wesley’s day, that wherever the United Methodist Church goes, souls would be saved, lives would be changed, and disciples of Jesus Christ would be made!

A lengthy quote from the book The Great Giveaway about defining “success” when it comes to church:

Let us illustrate hypothetically about a church that started with ten people who then gather to study the Bible and pray. The meeting grew to approximately fifty people over a year, upon which they decided to plant a congregation. Let us say that the church used a “seeker service” format where the Sunday morning service allows for complete anonymity for visitors. The service was characterized by excellent music, captivating drama, and a message that appealed to one’s “felt needs” and to Jesus Christ as the answer to those needs. It often used psychology-driven sermons. Five years later the church averages a thousand attendees, of which there is a 60 percent turnover every year. Out of the one thousand attendees, the basic core group of practicing Christians is one hundred. Out of the thousand there are “fifty-nine giving units” (as they call them) accounting for 95 percent of church giving. Let us say hypothetically we know that a majority of the thousand attendees minus the hundred core still work eighty hours a week to support an indulgent lifestyle while neglecting the poor in their midst, still have sex outside of marriage, and have abusive relationships. Is this church a hundred people large or a thousand?

Hmmmm … very provocative. What do you think?