Posts

Showing posts from June, 2015

Does the New Testament Address Homosexuality? [Sin is Sin]

Image
Leviticus is part of God's Word. The book is part of the Books of Moses (the Pentateuch, the Torah), and is literally entitled "And He called". The Greeks named it Leuitikos, meaning "relating to the Levites", and thus it came into English as "Leviticus". This book addresses more than the Levites (Israel's priestly clan), however, expanding to all the Israelites, at times. The book's instructions emphasize ritual, legal, and moral practices more so than doctrines or beliefs. The purpose of the book is to emphasize God's desire for humans to live in a right relationship with Him. In regards to the issue of homosexuality, Leviticus chapter 18 has been quoted liberally - by "both sides" of the issue. Those opposing homosexuality/LGBT have stressed that verse 22 specifically forbids men having sex with men. Supporters of homosexuality/LGBT stress that other verses in the book forbid wearing clothes made of two different types of mater

Flawless

Image
Mercy Me's song, "Flawless", is right on point. Compared with the popular secular song by the same name, quite a few contrasts can be easily seen. Mercy Me's song focuses on our worth being found in Christ. No matter our condition on our own, the sacrifice of Jesus makes those who accept Him flawless. "let me introduce you to amazing grace No matter the bumps No matter the bruises No matter the scars Still the truth is The cross has made The cross has made you flawless No matter the hurt Or how deep the wound is No matter the pain Still the truth is The cross has made The cross has made you flawless" "Could it possibly be That we simply can’t believe That this unconditional Kind of love would be enough To take a filthy wretch like this And wrap him up in righteousness But that’s exactly what He did" "Take a breath smile and say Right here right now I’m ok Because the cross was enough" Beyoncé's song "Flaw

The Eagle and Child

Image
My daughter Jessy, my wife Donna, and I were enjoying watching a television show on London, England, when someone commented that they never thought of England as being very big. Jessy said if we visited the country and got separated, it wouldn't take long to find each other. If we got separated, I said, they would find me at The Eagle and Child. From wherever in England I was, I would just give the cab driver the address of 49 St. Giles, Oxford, and settle in for the ride. Within short walking distance of Oxford University and St. Johns College, this traditional English pub has been around since 1650. Taking its name from the crest of the Earls of Derby, The Eagle and Child was nicknamed “The Bird and Baby” by an interesting group of writers who dubbed themselves “The Inklings”. It's because of this connection to JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis that I would be found there. I'm not a drinker, so I wouldn't be ordering any of their “cask ales”, “specially selected

Spirit Willing

Image
If my body is broken, Why should my spirit be? If my flesh is wounded, Why should my soul not sing? If I could not walk, My feet would still be planted firm. I would lie beside still waters, Though my body stood infirm. Where can I go He would not be? Why would I want to hide? The body He has given fades, Though the spirit is alive. This flesh is but a moment. Thank God for temporary pain! His Spirit is within me, Holding me until that day. (c) Brett Campbell, 06/25/ 2015

Sewn Together

Image
You strain your voice to speak your threats Can't let go of what you won't forget Cling to the wrongs and ignore the rest Have you become what you detest? Trust betrayed was trust undone Finding it hard to come back home My spirit fears where my mind has gone Is it decreed I be alone? I love you, I hate you I need you, I berate you You hurt me, I hurt you Tell me, what do we do When it's done? Is this done? Are we done? You cut yourself to show your blood runs true Can't deny what you didn't do Love, he said, keeps no record of wrong Don't comprehend where we belong Scratch the ink of forgiveness in me On my arms, on my chest, where all can see All I've shown is the worst in me So, I'll let you get the better of me I love you, I hate you Will you help me work through You hurt me, I hurt you Tell me, what do we do When it's done? Is this done? Are we done? I don't believe we're done We're not done

Jenner-alizations

Image
Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 7:55 p.m. CST Because I am so very tired already of hearing about Mr. Bruce Jenner becoming Ms. Caitlyn Jenner, I decided to do a Google search of “Caitlyn Jenner”, just to see how many results would come up. The answer? “About 19,800,000 results”. And the first result, next to a photo of the Vanity Fair cover of the transformed person in question, entitled “Call me Caitlyn”, was “Why are we really interested in Caitlyn Jenner?”, an article on CNN from the current day, by Peggy Drexler. The article says, in part: “... let's also be honest: Are we praising her for her courage to be her? Are we praising her bravery as a human – or as a celebrity? Or are we, well, sensationalizing?” “It is … an acknowledgment of a transition that is likely only marginally representative of those experienced by most in the transgender community. It's also a transition that has centered very heavily on her looks, making her story of transition nearly imposs