Gay Marriage and the Schools

If you don't know it, Gay Marriage is on the November ballot here in Maine. I am not sure how anyone could have missed it. Every time you turn on the radio or the TV there are ad's either pro or con. Emotions are high on both sides and we have been inundated with more information and assaults than I needed, or wished, to hear.

I believe in the Biblical mandate for marriage; a man and a woman. The very fact that I would write such a thing probably angers some. The scripture declares that there are absolutes, there are rights and wrongs that do not change with the whims of society. Gay marriage, according to the word of God, is wrong. For me there is no argument. (By the way, I am allowed by Constitutional guarantee to believe that and express it, no mater what the outcome of the vote. And those who disagree have the same right and I would not deny them that right.)

The thing that really has gotten me is the school issue. The argument has been couched as a matter of respect for unique "Maine families." In other words, families with Gay and Lesbian parents.

I have been commanded to "love my neighbor." It would be wrong to be unkind, ungodly and un-Christ-like, to people whose lives and choices are different than mine. This doesn't mean I can't disagree agreeably with what some choose. That is one of the privileges of being a citizen of the US. It also means that views other than mine should not be forced on me anymore than I have the right to force people to become followers of Christ.

But, isn't the role of the schools to teach reading, writing, math, language and the like, to our children? It is not the role of schools to teach a definition of Marriage. That is the job of the home. Yes, I believe people should be treated respectfully, that is not the question. The question is what should we teach in our schools.

I hold a "Christian world view." It is not allowed to be taught in public schools. I'm OK with that. But don't give someone else the right to promote a "world view" in our schools when others, like Christians, are denied that same opportunity.

I have heard some of our kids read, many of them can't. I have talked to some of our kids about basic US history. It's disturbing to talk with kids who cannot tell you who Dred Scott was or what Thomas Jefferson did. It's time to teach "reading, writing and arithmetic" and let the "world views"be taught at home, remembering to always treat others with respect no matter where they come from. Jesus said, "Do unto to others as you would have them do unto you."

Let schools be schools!

Prayer for one Another

It's been a while since I have written a blog. There is has been very little response to most of what I have written. And that's OK. It remains a forum for me to share my thoughts and hear yours.

I once heard a Preacher say that "prayer is not just a thing, it is the main thing." In churches we have so many priorities. We must evangelize, that is share with people the love of Christ and how He can change their lives to something better. There is the priority of fellowship, for Christians to know and love each other. There is a priority of Bible study, knowing and applying accurately the principles of God's word to life. There is always some priority that calls to us.

The Preacher was right. Prayer must be our real priority. Out of prayer we discover what God's priorities are. Out of prayer our evangelism is enhanced. Out of prayer our fellowship grows. Out of prayer we understand more clearly the scripture. It begins and ends with prayer.

Recently I felt led of God to devote one day a week to praying. It has been both uplifting and a struggle. It has been uplifting that because I sense the empowerment of God in my life loosed by prayer. But it has also been a struggle. A couple of things come to mind here. First, it's a struggle to keep less important items on my agenda from taking priority over my prayer time. Secondly, it has challenged me to look more deeply at my own commitment and begin to deal with my own inconsistencies in my walk with God.

How important is prayer to you? Are you willing to spend a day with God? We all have jobs and responsibilities, I am not suggesting that people quit their jobs to pray. Rather, take some time during your day, perhaps lunch or your break, and spend time praying for God's direction and leadership in your life. Ask God to reveal areas where you need to grow. Ask God to challenge you to become more like Him.

Prayer is not just a thing, it is the main thing.

Worship

I love to sing, though I am not very good at it. There are many people who sing well and whose voices are a blessing to the ears. Then there is mine. But this blog is not intended to become a commentary on my ability to sing. I am not sure my ego could withstand the blows.

Instead, I want to talk about worship. God is our audience and our hearts are the tools that reflect the love we have for Him. Though God is the audience, we too are often blessed as we experience God.

Sometimes worship comes in the form of singing and other times it takes on different forms. So, when it comes to worship what kinds of things have been a blessing to you as you worshiped God? Or maybe you remember a time when in worship you experienced God and His joy. Perhaps, you would be willing to share it with us.

I eagerly await you comments.

Pastor Steve

Memorial Day

Yesterday was Memorial Day. It is, as you know, a day we set aside as a nation to commemorate those who have given their lives to insure that the United States remains free. It is a day of remembrance and recognition of the high cost of freedom.
Some years ago I heard a Preacher say that freedom was a "bloody" purchase. I suppose I hadn't really thought of it those terms before. But, I believe he was right. Freedom for the US began in the hearts and minds of those who met in Philadelphia. The purchase was paid for by men who went to the battlefield and died. Over and over again the cost of freedom has been the life's blood of those willing to give their lives. Our nation has been involved in many wars and conflicts literally all over the world. Each time men and women died. The cost has never been cheap.
Yesterday, I listened to the names of the of our Servicemen and Women who died this last year in the service of our country as they were read. I was struck by the ages of the deceased. Most of them were under 25 years of age. They were sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters, and friends and family of the United States of America. They were our sons and daughters, and they gave their blood for freedom.
To everyone of them a debt of thanks is owed that we can never fully repay. To each of their families we mourn with you at your loss. But know this, whether in Afghanistan, Iraq, or anywhere else our they were sent, their sacrifice did not go unnoticed. I for one thank you, because I am free.

Abortion and the Pres...

This last weekend President Obama went to Notre Dame to address the graduates and receive and honorary Doctorate. The occasion, which for the graduates should have been a time of celebration and the prospect of new adventure, turned into a huge media circus. The President spoke for a little over thirty minutes, telling humorous anecdotes and addressing the very serious issue of abortion suggesting that those on both sides of the issue have common ground on which to stand.
I have never minced words about abortion. I am unapologetically "pro-life." The term "anti-abortion" is often used by people who hold that abortion is a right and privilege, purposely used because of its negative connotation. They too like to use the nomenclature "pro-choice" over "pro-abortion," which is totally understandable in the want to put a more "positive spin" on what many consider reprehensible. I am very definitely pro-life and abortion is murder in my estimation and understanding of scriptural teaching. Life begins at conception. But I didn't intend to ramble on about my beliefs.
Here's what I would like to ask, is there really common ground on which to stand between those of us who are "pro-life" and those who are "pro-choice?"

Cinco de Mayo

The fifth of May is the Mexican equivalent of our "Fourth of July." It is the day Mexico celebrates its independence and freedom. It, like our Fourth, is a big day of celebrations and parties. Families gather to share in meals and a time of festivities.
In light of their celebration of freedom and our "Fourth" coming soon, I was wondering how do you define freedom? What does freedom mean to you and is there a guarantee of that insures you enjoy that freedom?
This particular blog question, though not intentionally political, may give the appearance of being just that.
For me real freedom is not found in a flag, or a constitution, though I genuinely love my country and am grateful for the liberties it offers. Real freedom for me is found in my relationship with Jesus. It is a freedom that may is somewhat undefinable. Because of Jesus I am not bound to this world. I live in it, but it doesn't hold me. Its struggles are temporal. This will sound somewhat "pie in the skyish," my real home is heaven. I know that, God has provided me a freedom that goes beyond anything political or legal. The guarantee of that freedom is not based in what I do, but rather is guaranteed by the promises God has made. I define freedom as a relationship with Jesus.
So, how do define freedom?

Steve

Vision

The Bible says, "Where there is no vision the people perish." Just a simple question this week, has God given you a vision for our Church or our Community?

Pastor Steve

Christianity

Last week one of the major news magazines all but declared that Christianity was dying in the United States and in the world. To me it almost seemed they were celebrating over this possibility. And then Fox News, in my opinion, went overboard trying to defend Christianity. They were very upset at the suggestion that we are living in a "post-Christian" era and that some believe America is not really a Christian nation.

Our nation was founded on a Judaeo/Christian ethic. Many of our forefathers were Christians and their Christianity heavily influenced the formation of the Republic in which we now live.

We are told that we must be tolerant of views other than our own. I have no problem being tolerant of other viewpoints. But tolerance doesn't mean silence. Tolerance means I can disagree with someone and still love them. For example I disagree with abortion, and yet I have known people who aborted children and still loved them.

Jesus didn't keep quiet about things He disagreed with. He was very vocal, and yet He never quit loving and seeking the redemption of all peoples. The scripture does not teach that we are to force people into the Kingdom. Rather, we are to tell them about Jesus and give them the opportunity to choose. And if they don't choose Christ, we are to love those people anyway. Hate is not a Christian virtue. Though if you read what the press says about Christianity you would think that it was.

Yes I believe that there is only one way to have a relationship with God. That way is through faith in Jesus. And yes I believe that Christianity is superior to all other faiths. If that weren't so I would have been something else. It is my choice and my faith. And yet I love people of all faiths and believe that they too have the right to choose what they are going to believe. And many of them feel the same way about their faith as I do.

So, I thought I would ask your opinion. Do you think we are living in a post-Christian era? Or, do you think that Christianity still holds sway and has a major impact on the morals, politics, and faith of our state and our nation?

If you would like to leave a comment click on the "comments" icon or on the pencil. I am looking forward to your comments.

Pastor Steve