Posted by Cathy on December 05, 1999 at 00:01:27:
In Reply to: Christian Gays? posted by Steven on December 03, 1999 at 05:09:35:
: If you have been giving this issue thought, here is an article you should read:
: http://www.melwhite.org/biblesays.html
: You can just click on the link below:
Thanks for posting this...there are many I will share this article with in my quiet little Southern Baptist corner of Christendom.
A few weeks ago I accidently listened to Focus on the Family - and what a different message sent on so more powerful a forum. I was deeply hurt for those I love who have suffered under condemnation and guilt for having what we all do - a nature of sin.
What a different place they would be at spiritually if only they had found compassion and acceptance instead of shame within the body of Christ.
Why are there so many angry people in leadership? If God is a God of truth why are people condemned for being honest about where they are? And why is where "they are" considered any different then where we all are - in a sin state.
In every area of "popular Christianity" I see people looking for boundaries, recipes for living, safe harbors against the storm. And what I don't "get" is where in the gospel they see promises of the kind of peace they seem to be looking for on earth.
Where I live there are huge churches whose mission seems to be creating a "plastic bubble" for their parishoners - free from the germination of sin.
And the message seems to be if you're a Christian you need to have 2 kids, a house, and enough expendable income to send them to a sanctified school.
How many times have people close to me felt judged - even if only perceived - because they didn't "measure up." I know I feel unworthy everyday...but it should only be of God's great mercy and compassion toward me for my failings.
This is all way off topic - but I guess I needed to vent. Reading such a message of compassion and truth got me all fired me up.
Forgive the intrusion...I'll go rant some more to my husband and spare ya'll. ;)