The Face of "Abomination"

No matter what you believe about same sex attraction, and same sex marriage, listen to this young man's testimony, and see if you can still call homosexual desire an "abomination." We can all have our opinions, but perhaps, as Christians we should temper our words with compassion.

No one has ever been drawn to Christ by angry, hateful words, and attitude. But everyone who came to Christ ultimately came because of His love.

This young man is an SBC pastor's son. His struggle is obvious. His "abomination" is not.

This isn't about gay people parading around in the streets. This isn't about politics, and laws. This isn't about rainbows and unicorns and abominations. And it isn't about you. It's about souls spurning the Gospel because of hate filled Christians. It's about young Christians filled with self hate and loathing and having no where to go for help. It's about our real job: 

SERVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS

Prayers and blessings,

Teapotjan

Facing Fears

Back at the end of June, and before the startling month of July, I wrote about the fear involved in leaving the familiar ways of Fundamentalism. As God often does, He used several circumstances to teach me more. As I do, I delved into a bit of depression, and doubt. July has been a long, hard month for one reason or another, but it has been a month of learning, change, crying, laughing, doubt, and assurance.

Since leaving my last job, I've encountered more extreme ups and downs on my emotional roller coaster than normal. The lack of my own personal income limits my monetary ability to give to foreign missions, but that lack also helps me find new ways to contribute. The lack of a scheduled job distracts me from achieving goals, but gives me the time needed when I am focused. And the lack of needed room in my home frustrates me, even while those causing it are precious to me. I have the opportunity to reach for a dream, but I have many obstacles to overcome before reaching it. And of course, during these ups and downs, that old feeling of fear and the longing for the familiar crept up on me at the worst of times. 

One of those fears? Confronting those for whom I feel responsible. Truly, I hate confrontation, but I often find myself needing to initiate it. The biggest problem with that? I can no longer fall back on the pat phrases and teachings of my earlier church days. "Because I said so" and "Because that's the ways it's always been," and "because that's what Dr.Nowayjose said" no longer cuts it. After thinking on my own, and having my mind opened by the Holy Spirit, I must seek out the true, biblical reason that supports my objection to an issue. Self-doubt rears up, but, if I approach the person, or persons with the right attitude and prayerfully confront them, a surprising thing happens: amazing truths come out of my mouth! Many times after a confrontation, I'm astounded at what I have said, and I realize that it was not me and my wisdom, but that of God. He brings things from His Word to my mind from a great sermon heard years ago. Or an illustration will pop up in my head that fits the situation perfectly, and I recall it like it happened the day before instead of in the 80's. This must be what the Bible refers to as being a vessel for God's use, and it is a gift and a blessing when it happens. God requests me do something that I hate and fear, and then uses it to bless me when I obey! 

Next post, another fear. In the meantime, I would appreciate prayers for strength and motivation. I am starting up an art studio, but I have several obstacles as I mentioned. My plan is to use the money made not only to help support my family, but to help further the Gospel. It is my heart's desire to use the creative gift God gave me to His Glory.

Full Steam Ahead!

Teapotjan

It's Only Tea if it's Cold and Sweet

Tea--people around the world drink it in various forms. But whether it's iced, sweetened, frozen, boiled, steeped, unsweetened, hot, it's still at the basic level tea. We don't go and tell people that in order to drink tea it must be just the way we drink it. Nor, do we tell others that if they want to claim to be tea drinkers they must add lemon or they just aren't drinking tea. 

Believe it or not, it is along those lines that a friend's status this morning started me pondering another side of big "F" fundamentalism with which I have a love/hate relationship accompanied with some distress: Foreign Missions. 

Before anyone chokes or starts to light torches to come after me, let me explain the "hate" part. I hate that missionaries must struggle so hard and for so long to raise enough support to get to the field where they desire to minister. I also hate that many of those supporting a missionary will drop out in a year or so for financial reasons or lack of interest. There are a few other things I hate about the current missionary support system in America, but those are the two main ones and the others branch out from them.

The most distressing thing about "F"undamentalist missions is their propensity to westernize the Gospel. Please don't get me wrong, not all American missionaries do this. I know some amazing people with strong testimonies and a solid following for Christ in a foreign field. I'm concerned about those who take American, not Biblical, ideas and present them as part of the Gospel. Whether intentional or not, this can still hinder the cause of Christ. 

Remember, we can't expect the unsaved to act saved. We certainly can't expect unsaved people from other lands and cultures to act like saved Americans. I doubt a tired mother with several small children clinging to her in Pakistan cares about a particular Bible translation when she has never seen a copy of any Bible. And I doubt her husband would benefit more from a sermon by wearing a suit and tie. Nor would many of our favorite hymns and music mean anything to them. Is there anything wrong with suits, ties and American hymns? No, but their use can be inappropriate and ineffective and a hindrance to the Gospel.

What do I love about foreign missions? As I said, I know some amazing people who have gone into other countries and led people to the Lord. They worked at becoming part of the community and culture. They gained the trust and love of the people native to that area and showed them a Christ-like concern for their souls. Their work wasn't about a Bible translation, a clothing style, or a music type. It was about the people, their souls and the Gospel. These missionaries went on to effectively train native preachers and teachers to carry the Gospel to their own people. That's a precious thing. I love hearing about and knowing missionaries who have done this.What a blessed thing to know that we will fellowship with these believers from around the globe when we get to Heaven.
And although I haven't been called to a foreign mission field in body, I send my prayers and my support to those spreading the pure Gospel of Christ, and I am praying that I will be able to do more. 

Just like tea doesn't need lemon added to be tea. The pure and simple Gospel of Christ needs nothing else to bring souls to Christ. Pray for the missionaries you know are spreading the Gospel. Send as much monetary support as you can. If you are interested in helping native missionaries, contact me. Or, you can go to Faith for These Times. This foundation sends 100% of all monies received to aid in foreign missions with an emphasis on training and helping native preachers and teachers to reach their own people.