This Far By Grace

Episcopal Bishop J. Neil Alexander wrote This Far By Grace, A Bishop's Journey Through Questions About Homosexuality.

It is an excellent easy read, and very insightful to at least one persons journey - personally and through scripture - to come to terms with homosexuality in society and especially in the church.

I am forever grateful to The Episcopal Church for their stance on inclusion for ALL people regardless of gender, race, and especially sexual orientation and choice of partner. Because of this, I can operate openly in ministry, no secrets, nothing to hide, and minister the gospel to others by the love of Christ.

We are looking at this book to do a study group for Adult Education at St. Teresa's, or possibly a Sunday School Group for those who are interested.

If you are interested in being a part of a study group on this book anywhere, let me know.

Reactions to CFA

We've been working on dialogue for several years now. Nothing like this week to demonstrate how badly we need to continue working on that dialogue. Lots of misinformed people eating and not eating chicken sandwiches.

Stereotypes are developed from prejudice and lack of exposure to that thing or person one has an aversion to. Prejudice and discrimination can be eliminated through exposure and contact with those things in a way that demonstrates the stereotype was false or misleading. (http://www.usu.edu/psy3510/prejudice.html)

That being said, Christians just enhanced their stereotype this week as prejudiced and non caring, and the LGBTQ community did the same with the KISS-INS showing erratic public behavior lacking discretion. Most people don't condone PDA because it can be offensive for Gay and Straight alike. "Get a room" ...

So we have ruffled feathers on both sides, and PRIDE on both sides. It's time to reflect on our behavior and check ourselves regards what is going to bring our differences to a miniscule point. One man's actions caused a series of erratic REACTIONS. Self control, please.

Christians, please try to remember that Jesus Christ made friends with everyone - EXCEPT the self righteous Pharisees and Sadducees. To be a friend of Jesus means you are NOT self righteous and terrorizing. LGBTQ who love Christ, you are a miracle few recognize or understand.

During the time of Christ, the Romans were in control. Jesus did not try to use his influence to change the government or vote in a ruler that saw things his way. He ran when they wanted to make HIM king. The power of the Holy Spirit is what changes lives. He never met Herod, and He was humble before Pilate.

Marriage was a purely religious institution. State marriages were created to keep track of property and inheritance. Please don't confuse the two. Know your history. What you think you are fighting for is a man made creation - legal marriage has a history unrelated to religious marriage as we think of it today. Marriage licenses in the U.S. were actually created to prevent or keep track of interracial marriages, which were illegal until the 1960's and 70's.

We have come a long way. In order to truly be a nation that loves Christ and exemplifies HIS values, we need to walk as HE walked - without judgment, prejudice, and condemnation. "I did not come to judge the world, but to save it." Ask yourself, did your thoughts or actions this week in relation to CFA mirror the life of Christ? not your preacher, your mama, or daddy, or somebody else. But did your actions mirror the life of Jesus Christ?

Only when we get to a place in our lives where we know the life of Christ, know Him, and choose to be like Him, will we be able to really see the power of the Kingdom of God on earth. The kingdom is within you. That is what Christ taught. Did you show His kingdom this week? or yours ...