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Showing posts from November, 2011

Homosexuality: Some Beginning Thoughts (Leviticus 18:22)

For over a year now, God has been speaking to me about the topic of homosexuality.  I am now waiting anxiously for a book on "Gay Theology" to arrive in the mail.  This morning I read the 5th chapter of 1 Corinthians which addresses a sexual immorality "that does not occur even among pagans" and that is of a Christian man having intercourse with his father's wife. Yesterday I had a conversation with a co-worker about homosexuality.  She asked me about the passage in the Old Testament that is dismissed by people because it is "just an Old Testament law and we don't follow those anyways."  I believe she was referring to Leviticus 18:22. SACRIFICIAL LAW SYSTEM I find it a bit amusing when people choose to discredit this verse.  Yes, there are different types of laws in the Old Testament and many Christians choose to no longer follow those laws.  For example, Christians believe they are released from the priestly laws of the sacrificial system be...

Advent Devotion: Orphans and Widows

" Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  –James 1:27 NIV Do you know any orphans?   Have any family members, friends, or colleagues who are widows?   How are you showing them that you care?   Are you involved in their lives in a meaningful way?   Christmas can be a difficult time for those who are alone.   Sometime around 2004, my cousins became temporary orphans.   Although they were adopted into our immediate family, they had suffered great loss. Christmas and other holidays were difficult times.   They were more likely to get in trouble at school and at home around the holidays.   It is hard to be a good kid when you are experiencing such deep pain.   During the holidays it is important for us to be aware of the needs and losses of those around us.   A coworker may be grumpier...

Bethany Frank

I had a dear friend in late elementary school named Bethany Frank.  I think of her often and wonder where she is now.  We corresponded for a while after she moved away.  I remember going to her house and watching her mom make applesauce.  I remember going Christmas caroling with her church. I remember our celebrating my birthday at a theme park in Kansas and I even have one of those old fashioned pictures that we had taken while there. There are a lot of Bethany Franks in this world.  I've searched Google & Facebook and found they were no help in reconnecting with this friend.  So, I'm taking a chance and writing this post. Hoping that someday she Googles herself (I'm assuming she is married now and the name by which I know her is her maiden name) and comes across this post and contacts me. So, Bethany, if by chance you are reading this and you share these memories, I would love to connect and hear about where God has carried you thus far in your ad...