Thoughts on Supreme Court Decision June 2015

And so, several years later, and perhaps a few lives later..... June 26th, 2015, The Supreme Court decided that marriage is marriage and that denying gays the right to marry is unconstitutional. My heart is at peace with this decision. I find joy in celebrating fellow human beings being afforded rights that have been denied.
 Are gays sinners? It is not my place to judge. Although many "know" exactly what the Bible says, I think we too often put God in a box of our own making and understanding and as is evidenced by all those libraries and libraries of commentaries, the Bible is quite open to interpretation. For most of my life, I have failed to understand the hatred and viciousness that seem to often permeate actions toward gay people. Although I have always been taught that homosexuality is wrong and against the Bible, I have never understood why it seems, in so many eyes, that it is the WORST sin and unforgivable. As years went by and I had friends that I discovered were gay or had colleagues at work that I eventually knew were gay, it increased my discomfort with the meanness, even the righteous (supposedly) judgment of Christians. In the 1970s, gays seldom "came out" to many people. Anita Bryant's campaign against gays while she touted "hate the sin, love the sinner, bothered me as I felt it was condescending and false, a justification to persecute others. Through the years, as I took classes on the Bible, participated in Bible studies, and studied and prayed about various issues, I have come to believe that the Bible is much more complicated than many believe. Many passages in the Bible are open to interpretation. In a Women's Aglow Fellowship, we discussed excess in depth. Our leader made this point: If you believe it is okay to drink socially, perhaps there is justification for that, but you had better NEVER drink too much. Likewise, sexual immorality occurs in society. Our current marriage standards and laws are nothing like traditions in the Old Testament, however open immorality, public, and with multiple partners - which may have been what the Sodom and Gomorrah Story references, is never sanctioned by our Lord.

 In a perfect world, there would be no divorce, no adultery, no tax evasion, no drunkenness, no drug abuse, perhaps no homosexuality. Saying that homosexuality is a sin, why do so many make it a worse sin than divorce, adultery, or a multitude of other "sins". I know some pastors that rail against homosexuality are divorced (some more than once). Others have been in extramarital affairs, but still have a parish. We do not live in a perfect world. God wants us to be in fellowship with each other. He talks in Genesis of making a helper for Adam because it was not good to be alone. If a gay couple want to dedicate their life to each other and be able to share in that life together, who am I to judge that decision? Who are we, as a people, to deny them rights to be a family? Another point as many in our country are outraged and hysterical, The Supreme Court decision is based on Constitutional Law, not on religious law. A further point to keep in mind is the influence of the 24-7 media. It is in the media's interest to keep events emotional and sensationalized. As I read my social media, the hysteria on both "sides" makes me sad. I resist the temptation to comment on social media, although it urge is strong at times, especially to those "friends" that are hateful and vicious - again on both sides.

More importantly, love wins because God loves us ALL. Love wins because God touches us and will give us comfort whether or not we agree with this law. May we look to our own private lives and not be so concerned with the lives of others. May we remove the log in our own eye.... "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Prov. (3:5)

Lenten devotions part 2

Some random comments from more Lenten devotions

Devotion topic – Mark 1: 4-13 Temptation and Lent – most years I have given up something for Lent and have read devotions more thoroughly during Lent. Follow through, manipulation, and discipline are three of my biggest faults –3 of my “deserts of temptation” – I may see some growth, but my prayer is always to “to do better.” May I use this time to evaluate my relationship with the Lord, my relationship with those I care for deeply, and to look at my own temptation to take short cuts. Where are my deserts and who can help me through them? First I need to look at the Lord, prayer, the Bible for answers and look at myself and my habits that need to change.

Devotion topic – Psalm 146 – the writer talks of the handsome prince and knights in shining armour. How we want to rely on mere mortals and upon ourselves. It is true that the prince in shining armour is sometimes easier to understand than our God. At least that is what we would like to think, but other fallible humans are not the place to seek deeper meaning in life. Humans will always disappoint in some way at some time. If we place our faith or trust in any mortal- including ourselves- we will be disappointed, betrayed and unfulfilled.

Devotion, Genesis 37: 26-28, 31-36 Whew – today’s thoughts are about lying. We lie to look “better”, to impress, to protect someone else or to protect ourselves. The text tells of Joseph’s brothers lying to their father, Jacob, about Joseph’s supposed death. When do I tell lies to others or to myself? Way more often that I want to admit. Confronting my own lies is a step in my spiritual growth and in my peace in the Lord. I need to look to the Lord, to think on God's thoughts, to accept His love and forgiveness and to seek that forgiveness. God knows what I think and what I have done, He sees me as His loving creation - it is up to me to accept that love on a daily basis - sometimes on a minute by minute basis and feel His loving arms around me.

May I be slow to judge others' lies, but quick to recognize my own lies to myself and others and to ask forgiveness from God and from those that I hurt.

2010 Lenten devotions

Starting a bit late as usual.... may I continue this and follow through. Following through to the completion of anything is one of my biggest faults.

Saturday 2/20 - That we may be one John 17: 20 - 26
What is done or left undone. It is our unity as a community of believers that we must seek. It is my fellow believers that I am often most critical. May I remember that I fail on a daily basis to serve my Lord and people around me, whether part of the faith community or not. May I remember to forgive others, including especially the community of believers. Life is about love and relationship, may I be an example of right relationship and giving, and offer apology and seek forgiveness with I fail.

Sunday 2/21 - Temptation Luke 4: 1-13
All of us have our weaknesses and it is easy for me to wander down the wrong path. Often my choices are not "bad" - they are just not the choice the Lord would have me make. May I lean more on my Lord and listen for His voice. The popular "What would Jesus do?" is truly a valid and preferred question, as is "What would Jesus have ME do?" May I seek the Lord's will and then be able to walk gently away from temptation or from situations that do not honor the Lord. May I listen and obey.

Wednesday 2/24 - a few days later
Yesterday, the Lenton blog commented on a Lenten Devotion by Henri J. M. Nouwen on the Parable of the Prodigal Son: "In a very deep way, we are, in our lives, often leaving and returning. This isn't just a one-time event; it's an ongoing experience. .. It's important to understand that God's love fills you and surrounds you whether you are leaving or returning, and that God waits with longing to welcome you on your return."
I think of my own leaving and returning with my faith relationship - although I have never "left" my faith, I have certainly moved far away and allowed myself to become distracted. And I feel great peace and joy when I return to the Lord.
My prayer is for my children, that they, too, will return to their faith walk for they will find the loving arms of our Lord embracing them.
I believe He always embraces us, we sometimes do not notice or actively squirm from his embrace. Much more could be written here, but not now.

Part 3, back on track

The fall after Mike and I were married, a friend invited me to a Campus Crusade rally with featured speaker, Josh McDowell. There is no reasonable explanation why I agreed to attend, I didn't want to go, but now I believe that the Lord had his arm around me and I let Him lead me there. At that time I rededicated my life to the Lord.
Nothing changed much probably, but I felt a peace within that has not ever gone away. It was real. I wrestled with - and still do - the issue of a spouse that does not share the same level of relationship with the Lord and my daily prayer is that all of my family would come to know the Lord in the way that I know Him. Because my faith makes life on this earth so much more peaceful. Because through my faith, I know intense joy and peace and happiness - especially regarding my family. That does not mean that I do not get my feelings hurt or have "issues" at times, but I have a friend in Jesus that can lead me through those times.
Do I have it figured out? Nope, not a minute by minute basis, not back in 1973 or today. But I do know that God is in charge or our world and of our lives, of my life. The peace I have in that knowledge makes life worthwhile. I also rest in the peace of knowing that I do not have to figure it out - I have to have faith.

I believe that God uses many avenues and many people. We all fall short of God's expectations - that is why Jesus came! Josh McDowell has since been criticized for some of his choices, but I believe that the Lord used him that night for me and for several others.
I believe that we must keep our eyes focused on our Lord - if we look to people for example, we will always eventually feel disappointed or betrayed.

Detour

Part 2, maybe
Throughout junior high and high school, I attended the First United Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, a beautiful elegant church in downtown Albuquerque with one of the largest pipe organs in the state of New Mexico. The music was amazing especially when Goodsell Slocum, the main organist, played.
The youth group was a strange hodge podge of popular and whatever the other group is called, although we all got along okay - it was never a close personal or spiritual experience. I disliked going most of the time, but stuck around for youth choir and often stayed for "youth group" - the only explanation is that the Lord intended for me to stay with that youth group because I have almost no memory of the group just the feeling that it was a task and obligation.
So when I graduated high school and left for Las Cruces' New Mexico State University, I gratefully exited from church as well. I never thought God was dead - a popular debate in the 60s, but I sure didn't want Him around much to mess with my college life!

There was always this vague feeling that God was an important part of my life, but it was very vague and I kept it well buried most of the time. It was all a surface performance and I loved the beauty of "my" home church, so it was good to go back to First Pres when I was home. Because I was very involved in Rainbow Girls (Grand Charity my Freshman year), the "religious thing" was still a part of my life but I made sure it didn't interfere much. After all, I was a university scholar now, and God was just way too simple, plus you just didn't want to confess that part of your being (I still have trouble with that at times - sigh!).
And so the college years continued.
Mike and I married in 1973 in the church in Albuquerque - there was never any question in my mind that I had to be married in the church, by the minister, in the eyes of the Lord - hmmmm looking back - that faith step way back in 5th grade was still an influence.
Then - in graduate school, after I was married - two people became very central to the Lord's work. One of my best friends, Kim Greenhaw, became an avid Jesus freak - whoa now, what was going on? And a fellow grad student began to talk to me about a close relationship with Jesus - ANOTHER Jesus freak..... well I had made that commitment years ago in 5th grade.......
It seemed that my life was about to change.

The early years

I need to just "do this" - so here is my story, part one - as related to my walk of faith.
Born of a mixed marriage, my Father was a Presbyterian and my Mother was a Baptist, I obviously had a mostly somewhat traditional "Christian" upbringing. It was pretty clear to me by the time I was about 5 years old that the flavor and intensity varied greatly between the First Baptist Church and the First Presbyterian Church.

As a whole, the Presbyterians seemed to me to enjoy each other and life a whole lot more than the Baptists did. However I also noted that there was a peace and gentleness among certain selected Baptists and a few Presbyterians. At home, we attended the Presbyterian church and when I visited my maternal grandmother I went to church and Sunday School with the Baptists. Of course in a small town in the 1950s there was no such thing as "children's church" and I was expected to BEHAVE and act like a lady in both places - something that I have never done well.

My Father seldom went to church after we moved from our home town to New Mexico, but my Mother insisted on carting me to Sunday School - which I must say I enjoyed most of the time. In 5th grade in Clovis, NM - I joined the confirmation class taught by our senior pastor who I realized when I was much older had a firm and gentle faith that was deeper than that of many in the church. He led me gently to a firm commitment to the Lord that has kept me in His love - with some notable detours since 5th grade.

My best friend in 5th grade attended Church of Christ and was also in a confirmation class. Our major difference of opinion was over my "salvation". She kept telling me that if I did not go to her church I would not be saved. Even at the tender age of 10 or 11 that made absolutely NO SENSE to me - even then I understood that the Bible and Jesus predated the Church of Christ although I probably could not have quite articulated that fact.

So I made a decision to ask Jesus into my life while I was in late grade school and then thought very little about it for the next several years. Chapter II to come

Pushing the Limits

The 3 year old was sitting at the breakfast bar eating an afternoon ice cream bar. He hops off the stool and heads for the play room. Dad says, "Did you throw away your wrapper, buddy?"
"Yes, I did!" the 3 year old replies very definitely as he trots across the den, slowing after a few steps, he pauses, "Mmmmm, I better check." he adds. He trots back to the stool grabs the wrapper, throws it in the trash with, "Oops, I didn't." Dad rolls his eyes as he shakes his head at the 3 year old scampering off to play.
Funny story about how kids manipulate and make us laugh.
You could see the wheels turning in the little guys' head..the decision that his first response was going to cause him more trouble than it was worth and his choice to "come clean" and rectify the error.
Pushing the limits. We do that as kids, adults, teens, all our lives. I love our Lord and talk to Him daily - many times a day. I need to spend more time in deep prayer, but I tell Him how I am doing, what I am doing, thank Him for little things and so on. But I, too, push the limits so often. How much can I get away with, Daddy Father God? God forgives us, He knows what I am going to do before I do it because our Lord does not operate in the space-time continuum that we humans are bound by. But I have to confess when I make those decisions to let something ride - it always comes back to "get me" in one way or another - thank the Lord for His love, grace, mercy - that He always accepts my confession, always loves me.
Lord, may I love you so dearly that I stop pushing the limits and serve you, not from duty, but from deep abiding love.