Tuesday, December 04, 2007

"Us vs. Them" Mentality?

My daughter bought a book for me entitled "UnChristian - What A New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity...And Why It Matters."

Go here for some customer reviews and comments. Some of the comments agree with the reviewer, while others do a great job countering what is said in the book affirming reviews.

When I saw the names "Brian McLaren" and "Rick Warren" along with dozens of others whom I've never heard of listed on the back cover, I knew immediately that this book must be the handiwork of the liberal-emergent-homosexual-behavior-no-need-to-repent left side of the Christian worldview spectrum.

I am not saying that nothing good can be learned from this book. There are some good points to be found. However, here is a brief list of what was missing from the "Mark's story" (below) portion of the chapter:

1. No need for repentance for sin was mentioned.
2. The cross of Christ and His death and resurrection for salvation was never mentioned.
3. Not one mention of Jesus' admonition that we must be born again.
4. Not one mention of the fact that many former homosexuals who have been born again in Christ are now free from the bondage of homosexual behavior.
5. The claim that there aren't any "appropriate" ministries for homosexuals (code words that ex-gay ministries are not good)

Maybe one or all of these are covered elsewhere in the book. I haven't read it all yet. Of course, I couldn't resist going right to the chapter titled, "Antihomosexual." Here's how it starts out:



Many people in the gay community don't seem to have issues with Jesus but rather with those claiming to represent him today. It's very much an "us-versus-them" mentality, as if a war has been declared. Of course each side thinks the other fired the opening shot.
- Peter, 34


Next, there is a conversation between a Christian named David and his homosexual friend, Mark.

One day, Mark asked David, "So, David, do you still think I am going to hell because I am gay?"

David apparently was caught off guard. He stumbled in his response. The author intends to return to that conversation later in the chapter.

Next, we get "re-educated" through the author's view of what our "new perception" should be. He discusses things like:



1. Judging and berating gays. (Of course, the infamous Phelps "God hates fags" group (which is unchristian), is mentioned; but the writer makes it sound like all Biblical Christians believe this way.)

2. What do you believe?
3. Clearing the air.
4. Shifting values.
5. Confronting change.
6. Changing Loyalties. (Including a chart that shows outsiders and young churchgoers holding similar lack of concern about homosexuality. The chart showed percentages of those concerned about homosexual lifestyles and concern about political efforts of homosexual activists. Unfortunately, there was no reference to view regarding this chart.)
7. Biblical responses.
a. Acknowledging the complexity.
b. Opening doors with conversations.
c. Treating other Christians with respect.
d. Having the right perspective.
e. Expressing concern for kids.
f. Having compassion.


Then, we come back to Mark's Story.



"So, David, do you still think I am going to hell because I am gay?"

"Well...I don't know what I said before. I am sorry if I said you were going to hell because you are gay. Here is what I believe. It all comes down to what you do with Jesus. I believe he was the Son of God. Not everyone believes that, but I would give anything for you to see the reality of Jesus. His life gives my life meaning and purpose. He can do the same for you."

I paused to let that sink in and thought about leaving it at that, but I ventured gently into the heart of Mark's question.

"No one goes to heaven for what they do or don't do. That's the message of Jesus. Every human sins, and we all deserve hell for that. But Jesus freely offers everyone his grace. I know it's not an easy part of Christian theology, but yes, I believe homosexual behavior is a sin, but it's no different than any other sin, no different than if I sleep with someone other than my wife or even have a momentary sexual fantasy. God created sexuality, so it is good, but it can be expressed in wrong ways. Every one of us, gay or straight, or whatever, expresses sexuality in broken ways."

I glanced around, glad that the restaurant was virtually empty. Mark was looking at me intently. He did not seem particularly happy.

"You know what, though, I would give anything to see you come to know Jesus. I really would. I would die for that. Everything hinges on what you decide about Jesus."

I reached for my coffee again. My habit was to launch into long-winded answers with Mark (which was probably one reason why he had gotten mixed messages from our past conversations). But this time I felt that I had made my point.

"David, here is what you need to know about my life," Mark began. "I was incredibly lonely. I hated myself. I could not figure out what was wrong with me, and it was eating me alive. I almost dropped out of school. It was awful. I know guys who have committed suicide because of the deep conflicts that exist between who they are and what religion says is right and wrong."

"I don't think I had any idea what you went through, Mark," I said. "I am sorry I wasn't a better friend for you through all of that."

The waitress came up to the table to refill our drinks, and our conversation shifted to a new topic.

I wish I could tell you that Mark changed that night. I know that my views about homosexuals did.


Christian friends, what is your reaction to this encounter? What was good and/or bad about it?

The next section in the same chapter is about "changing the perceptions" and presents quotes from various people.

Of course, the typical accusation is listed that churches are guilty of "spewing venom."

I don't know about anyone else reading this, but I have never attended a Christian church here in California that ever spewed venom on this issue. The pastors tell the truth regarding what the Bible says about homosexual behavior being sinful, but always share the forgiveness available through repentance at the cross of Christ for salvation of any one's soul. What is more compassionate than that?

I want to wait until others have a chance to respond to the David and Mark story before I comment on it further.

However, I just happened to receive the following quote this morning regarding the importance of repentance in born again believers. It was shared via email from one of my message board members named Sothenes:



"III. Although repentance is not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof,[5] which is the act of God's free grace in Christ,[6] yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that *none may expect pardon without it*.[7]"

[7] LUK 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. ACT 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

-Chapter XV, Of Repentance Unto Life, Westminster Confession of Faith

"15. Repentance Unto Life Repentance is the fruit of the gospel at work in the lives of believers enabling them to see their sins as hateful and to forsake them turning to God. While repentance is not meritorious, *it is the necessary means by which sins are forgiven*. Repentance is to be made for individual sins in particular confessing them privately to God and publicly as appropriate to those wronged."

-A Summary of the Westminster Confession of Faith by Reverend Roy R. Bennett

14 comments:

Susan Smith said...

Dear Christine:

I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was twelve years old. After that point in time I lived as an active lesbian for more than twenty years and I was a drunkard for more than 30 years. There was little assurance in my heart and mind during those years that I was truly a believer in Jesus the Messiah. Does this mean I would have burned in hell had I died during those years? I do not know.

God is good. “My sin was great, but the grace of our Lord was still greater, and with it there came the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus” (see 1TI 1:14, Barclay). I belong to God. I heard it preached all of my life that there is a way to know with no doubt that we are saved. This assurance of my salvation was simply not in my heart and mind during the years of my sexual immorality and drunkenness. Does this mean I was lost and not saved during those years? I do not know.

The Lord put a deliverer into my life in 1984. This retired first grade school teacher, wife, mother and grandmother became my “spiritual” mother and mentor as we lived next door to each other in Columbia, South Carolina for eighteen years. She knew nothing about the sin or the cause of homosexuality. She loved me by the power of God. “Love never fails” (see 1CO 13:8, NIV). She was a willing vessel and the Lord used her mightily in my life.

God used my mentor to expose my hypocrisy. How did He do this? Listen carefully. My mentor walked the walk. She seldom talked the talk. She walked in the Spirit of God and she loved me. Never, not once, did she condemn me or judge me during the eighteen years we lived side by side as next door neighbors. She loved me unconditionally. God enabled me to draw near to Him over and over again by Christ living in her and this was by the power of the Holy Spirit. My mentor walked in humility. The Lord was able to use her to reveal the kingdom of God, because she walked in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. She demonstrated every single day that the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power. We are to do the same.

God bless you my “little” sister. I love you. (ss)

Christinewjc said...

Susan,

You are truly beautiful.

Your testimony towards salvation is beautiful.

Your faithfulness in God is beautiful.

Your integrity is beautiful.

Your love for the Lord Jesus is beautiful.

Your knowledge of the Bible is beautiful.

Your mentor is beautiful (and, even more alive than before now that she is with Jesus in heaven).

Your willingness to put up with, (and your special ability to always be gracious towards), your blabber-mouthed "little" sister in Christ is beautiful. ;-)

Your comment is beautiful! We can all learn so much from you!

Love you!
Christine

Susan Smith said...

My dear “little” sister:

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (ECC 3:11, NIV)

God has blessed me with a beautiful “little” sister on the West coast of “America the Beautiful” where freedom rings across the whole world via TalkWisdom. You are salt and light to the world and God is smiling as you let others know the Son of God, Jesus the Messiah, can set them free from the power of any sin. You are loved and prayed for by many. God bless you. (ss)

Christinewjc said...

Dear Susan,

Ecclesiastes 3:11 is a great verse!

I was thinking about your earlier comment when you wondered if you were genuinely saved after you made the decision to accept Jesus as your Savior at age 12.

That verse in Ecclesiastes may give us a hint about answering that question. God sees all...from the beginning to the end. His view of the past and the future is as if it's in the present. Right? So, He already knew (though you, at the time, may not have known) that you would turn from your sin 20 and 30 years later. Perhaps this was the point where you also made Jesus Lord over your life?

It's just a thought...

Though my circumstances were a bit different, I, too, had a large gap between making Jesus the Lord of my life and that earlier decision for Christ to enter into my heart as Savior.

The decision to accept Christ takes but a moment. However, the process of sanctification lasts a lifetime.

Your mentor knew this. She conducted her role as mentor more beautifully than any other story that I have heard. Praise God!

Susan, you stated that she never had a negative nor condemning word towards you. I was wondering, did she ever bring the subject of lesbianism or drunkeness up with you? Could it be that she didn't know you were in a lesbian relationship?

I hope my questions are not too nosy or hurtful in any way. You probably already told me and I have just forgotten.

Thank you, my dear sister, for loving me and praying for me! I appreciate it more than you could ever know!

God's blessings!
Christine

Susan Smith said...

Dear Christine:

I agree with your "thought" and the Lord has given you keen insight about His knowing the beginning from the end. He is the Alpha and the Omega. Praise His Name.

In position we are perfect (see HEB 10:10). In experience we are being sanctified on a daily basis. Our complete sanctification awaits when HE appears (see 1JO 3:2).

My mentor knew of my lebianism, because I told her and her husband that I was "gay". I believed this lie from the pit of hell to be true for more than 20 years.

Both my mentor and her husband witnessed my drunkenness on a regular basis. My mentor never brought up the subject of either sin and her silence spoke volumes. She allowed the Holy Spirit to convict me over and over again. We talked about homosexuality and drunkenness only when I brought up the subjects. Her thoughts seemed to always be on Jesus (see HEB 3:1) and her mind seemed always to stay on things above (see COL 3:2).

I believe you are seeking truth for yourself and for others and it is a privilege to answer your questions, my friend. I know your heart is gracious Christine and you would never ask me a question with a mean spirit.

Good night, my dear friend on the West coast. (ss)

Matt W. said...

This is, indeed a very touchy issue, one which I face within my own family. For me it is my brother, but it is complicated because, any time anyone, including myself, takes issue with anything he says or does, they are automatically a biggot, and hate him because he is gay, even if they have never mentioned it in the past.
That being said, there are basically two situations, and they are differant. As appears to be the case with Susan, and is with my brother, when someone is raised in a Christian environment, and has an intimate knowledge of the Bible, they know that they are sinning, and so they don't need that brought up to them by everyone they know, and seeing a strong Christian life lived in front of them really can bring them back (of course it's the work of God using that person).
On the other hand, a great many have not be brought up in Christian homes, or been exposed in a correct way to Christianity, and so, they may not know that homosexuality is a sin. They may know that "religious people" think that it's a sin, but that's not the same thing, and so they need to be told. Of course this is a complicated thing. We are supposed to speak the truth in love. Of course Phelps and his group have nothing to do with truth or love, and those who go out on the streets screaming that all the "faggots need to be saved" may be intending to speak the truth (even if doing it badly) but are not doing it in love. Which is why a balance is called for, if you speak the truth without love, then who is going to care what you are saying? If however you show all the love in the world, but never speak the truth, what benefit is it?

As for the "Mark story", I'm not sure exactly what point he was trying to make, though the whole thing seemed strangly ficticious to me, though I can't really know that for sure. Anyway, his initial response was awkward, but not altogether bad, at least he said that he believed it was a sin, but that there are a host of other sins, but at the same time, he could have laid out the plan of Salvation, but didn't.
As for the statement that the all sins are equal, I know that's big can of worms, and I'm not sure exactly how true it is, but am curious as to your take on it.

There is no doubt that this is a very difficult issue, especially in this day and age of total indoctrination toward total tollerance of all things Anti-God, but it is not something that we can ignore either, just because it is uncomfortable to talk about it, so I'm glad to see you adressing it here.

I hope there is a lot of follow up discussion here, cause I could sure use it.
Thanks,
Matt W.

MB said...

Okay, I'll be a dissenting opinion, although I'm never sure I'll get anywhere here. :) I mean that in a kind way.

The part of your post that stuck out for me, Christine, was about "spewing venom." You stated that you've never attended a church that has done anything of that sort, yet I see you post things like "San Fransickos" and "liberal left loonies." To me, that is unkind. I understand your utter contempt for these groups, but I would consider those phrases to be "spewing venom" if we're being honest. If we are - indeed - ever hoping to bridge a gap and have a conversation, those words would stop most people at the door. I think I continue to return simply because I know that - when push comes to shove - we agree to disagree and do so with some amount of respect for each other. Others reading those words in your post would consider the door slammed shut. So, maybe we should look at our use of "venomous" language - perhaps we don't even know when we're using it.

As for the exhange you described from the book, I thought it was positive. It would have caused me to consider other conversations with Mark...instead of seeing that door as closed by more judgmental language.

Christinewjc said...

Dear Susan,

Thank you for sharing more about your conversion to Jesus through your beloved mentor. All that you share continues to mentor to my heart...as well!

When you said:

"I believe you are seeking truth for yourself and for others and it is a privilege to answer your questions, my friend. I know your heart is gracious Christine and you would never ask me a question with a mean spirit."

It meant so much to me. Sometimes I wish that non-Christians and/or those who identify themselves as "gay" Christians could see that, too. But my conversations with both usually turn out just the opposite. The book I am reading (Un-Christian) is helping me to see why people think this way about me and other Christians who are both politically opposed to the "gay" agenda as well as biblically literate in expressing the need for repentance from such a sin. But the negative side of the book is the fact that the authors want to completely blame Christians for the misperceptions. Honestly? There is guilt to be had on both sides.

When I first started this blog, I wanted to combine both the political aspects of issues as well as the biblical responses to such issues. Trouble is, some people ALWAYS see the biblical responses as a negative thing.

When I read the David and Mark story, I noticed that the Christian named David did not compromise the fact that homosexual behavior is sin. It is also mentioned in the book that the gay christian movement (meaning, specifically, that homosexual behavior is not sin and therefore, there is no need to repent for it) is steeped in error.

IMHO, what the author and co-author are trying to do with this book is make reconciliation with the two extremes. However, they only express disdain for the conservative right side of biblical Christianity, which, of course, they view as "unChristian." The more that I read in the book, the more confused the message becomes. However, I think that they are definitely placing way to much blame on the negative perceptions of Christians upon what they label as "The Religious Right." They make the mistake of lumping them in with the Phelps cult, too.

Sorry about going off on a tangent here, but I do have a closing point.

Notice, again, what was shared in the David and Mark encounter:

I paused to let that sink in and thought about leaving it at that, but I ventured gently into the heart of Mark's question.

"No one goes to heaven for what they do or don't do. That's the message of Jesus. Every human sins, and we all deserve hell for that. But Jesus freely offers everyone his grace. I know it's not an easy part of Christian theology, but yes, I believe homosexual behavior is a sin, but it's no different than any other sin, no different than if I sleep with someone other than my wife or even have a momentary sexual fantasy. God created sexuality, so it is good, but it can be expressed in wrong ways. Every one of us, gay or straight, or whatever, expresses sexuality in broken ways."

I glanced around, glad that the restaurant was virtually empty. Mark was looking at me intently. He did not seem particularly happy.


Notice that David attempted to delve "gently" into the heart of Mark's question. Notice that, to his credit, David didn't compromise the fact that homosexual behavior is sin. Notice that Mark "did not seem particularly happy."

What can we learn from this encounter? I think that it is the fact that no matter how "gently" we approach this subject, the one who needs to come to repentance will not be happy about it. Period! That is what sharing the need for repentance at the foot of the cross of Jesus does to our hearts. It first breaks our hearts! It exposes our guilt of sin (any type) before Holy God! It requires confession of sin! It demonstrates our brokenness!

Only when a heart is broken, can it then be healed, spiritually speaking.

This may be a bad illustration, but picture a bone in the body. An intact, strong, healthy, perfectly functioning bone in our body does not need healing. However, when that bone is broken, it definitely needs to go through a healing process...right?

Doesn't such a process often hurt? Yes. Of course it does. I have heard of instances where a bone may not have healed correctly and needs to be re-broken in order to set it right.

In a way, this kind of describes the process of coming back from a backsliden journey in our spiritual life.

The fact that David had to say this:

God created sexuality, so it is good, but it can be expressed in wrong ways. Every one of us, gay or straight, or whatever, expresses sexuality in broken ways."

shows that no matter how delicately a Christian believer shares that homosexual behavior is sexual brokenness, the recipient of such news will not, initially, be happy about it.

Susan, the Lord placed your mentor next door to you because He knew the kind of Christian that would reach you.

We both know Stephen's story and how he literally needed the Bible bopped over his head to repent from his former homosexual life.

There is room for all types, kinds, techniques, styles and expressions of ministry to help people find Christ and live their lives according to His Will.

I know about (and support) four different ex-gay ministries whose styles may be different but whose goal is ultimately the same. Each one has experienced success through the power of Christ working in such ministries.

The book "UnChristian" doesn't mention any of them. They only rail against the Phelps cult. I don't think that's helpful.

I will share some of the positive influences found in the book. It isn't all bad. But, I think that they, unfortunately, "dropped the ball" when it comes to how to minister to homosexuals struggling with their sexual proclivities and (oftentimes) sexual addictions.

Ah! This comment is too long! I'll stop now!

Thanks so much for you very valuable input on this sensitive, but vital issue Susan! You are the best!

Love & God bless you -
Christine

Christinewjc said...

Hi Matt W.,

First, know that the situation with your brother is now on my prayer list!

The over-expression of so-called "bigotry" by those who self-identify as gay is a result of cultural conditioning. It is almost like the militant homosexual activists "train up the masses of gays" to automatically think that anything that points out the negative effects of homosexual behavior should automatically be countered with such language. It has gone so far as to label certain verses in the Bible as "bigoted."

How has this happened? I think that it's because "tolerance" in our nation has been re-defined to mean "complete acceptance" and thus has been manipulated in such a way as to trump the truth on this issue.

You wrote:

"Which is why a balance is called for, if you speak the truth without love, then who is going to care what you are saying? If however you show all the love in the world, but never speak the truth, what benefit is it?"

That is an excellent point! It's so true, too!

Yes. Christians have been guilty of "not speaking the truth in love." It's not meant to be an excuse, but Christians aren't perfect...we are meant to point to the One who is...namely, Jesus Christ!

There is a very fine line between how what is actually being shared is perceived by the one being ministered to. At least that is what I have often experienced; especially when it comes to this topic.

On another blog, I wrote something that was perceived by another commenter (who was actually arguing for the other side of an issue) as expressing "the truth in love." However, while presenting similar information here at this blog I was perceived by several other people (who disagreed with what I wrote)as unloving, intolerant, non-understanding etc.

What does this teach me?

I don't think that it is possible to be all things to all people.

On this topic, there will always be unsolvable political conflicts.

People need to be reached with the only truth that matters...God's Truth. They can only come to realize this through spiritual conversion by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As far as the physical realm is concerned, the lack of being able to see a person, face to face, while expressing their points of view sometimes works against the value of the points we are sharing. Seeing a person's real motives and heart for others oftentimes ends up being lost via the limited medium known as internet blogging.

[BTW, my daughter just did a college research paper that discusses something similar to this idea!]

Back to your comment.

I too, noticed that David did not present the plan of salvation during that conversation with Mark. It appears that he missed a great opportunity to share the gospel. Maybe it is expressed in another part of the book? I'll let you know when I finish reading it.

You wrote:

"There is no doubt that this is a very difficult issue, especially in this day and age of total indoctrination toward total tollerance of all things Anti-God,..."

Yes. Moral relativism is often considered as the "tolerant way to live" these days. However, what is missing is the fact that God has presented us with His Word...both in the life of Jesus and his mission on earth, as well as in the pages of the Bible. Believers know that there is such a thing as absolute truth; and it only exists in the reality of God and what He has revealed to us through Christ and His Holy Word.

Moral relativism clashes with the concept of absolute truth. However, without absolute truth, nothing could be deemed "right" or "wrong." This is where moral relativism, in particular, and general relativism, as a whole, completely fails and breaks down.

Matt, you certainly are not alone in needing information about how to deal with this subject. I have been learning about it for over 6 years now! The input of other Christians, as well as the opinions of non-Christians can help us learn how to better deal with this very divisive and sensitive issue.

Personally, I don't think that I will ever have "arrived" to completely understand the best way to deal with it, but these blog conversations have certainly helped!

Ultimately, pointing towards Jesus Christ is the only way to help heal the brokenness that people have in their lives. Until they realize that sin has separated them from Holy and Righteous God, they can't be reconciled unto Him. That is a fact of the Christian faith.

I hope that you will stick around. You add a lot to the conversations here!

Sincerely,
Christine

Christinewjc said...

Hi MB,

I'm glad to see that you are still willing to visit and comment here! It is always nice to "see" you and read your points of view; particularly on this topic.

The "spewing venom" comment that I mentioned in the book was talking specifically about what goes on in churches.

The San Francisco event WAS sickening...do you not agree? Are you unaware of what went on there?

Besides, my comments in that blogpost was referring to a humanistic event that was, btw, presenting disgust against those involved with public sexually-explicit indecent encounters (men "doing" other men), but also mocked Catholic and Christian faith through displaying dildoes and butt plugs in the shape of sacred Christian symbols!

Do you think that any of this deserves outrage?

As far as the public sex goes, if heterosexual men did the same thing they would most likely have been arrested and put in jail!!!

Why the double standard?

The double standard claim could be said about the incident that happened in the church. The so-called "nuns of perpetual indulgence" showed utter contempt for the sacred and solemn act of Christians receiving communion! Did the city care about this abomination? No! But could you imagine the uproar if they went into a mosque and mocked Muhammed? Well...actually, they might have been killed in such an incident...especially if it happened in an Muslim nation.

But I'm getting too far off topic here.

MB, the goal of homosexual activists is to silence Christians against any condemnation for their actions. They want us to roll over and play "dead" when they force indoctrination of sexual sin to our children in schools. Sorry, but I cannot allow that to happen.

I know that there are gays who disapprove of the radicals. Unfortunately, we NEVER hear them protesting against such actions. Well, maybe a letter or two on The O'Reilly Factor tells us they oppose some of this filth. However, similarly to the moderate Muslims (who fear countering the radical Islamists) many gays and lesbians stay silent when they see the radicals of their community stomping on the free speech, freedom of association, and freedom of religion rights of heterosexual parents!

Granted. It is difficult to separate ministry efforts for homosexuals vs. countering the militant political actions of the radical homosexuals on this blog. But I feel that it is my duty to do both...for the sakes of our children and grandchildren in this nation.

I do want to express that I know you are not approving or involved in any of the indecent activities described above. I do not include you in with that crowd, just like you don't include me in with the Phelps cult extremists (I hope you don't..anyway).

Whenever I get the opportunity, I try and point out the errors of the Phelps cult and their ways.

Unfortunately, I don't often see regular gay people speak out against the extremists in their ranks.

With that said, let's get back to your comment.

You wrote:

"As for the exhange you described from the book, I thought it was positive. It would have caused me to consider other conversations with Mark...instead of seeing that door as closed by more judgmental language."

I would love to read your answers to some questions.

Do you view Jesus' call for repentance as judgmental language?

Was David's claim to Mark that "homosexual behavior is sin" hurtful to Mark?

Is there really any possible way to express that fact (as written in the Bible) without a participant in homosexual behavior not feeling hurt by it?

Do you think that David made a mistake by not going into the gospel message with Mark?

MB, I really don't mean to be confrontational when I ask those four questions. I genuinely value your input here. I am grateful that you haven't "written me off" completely and are still willing to engage in these difficult, and often volatile, issues.

God bless you -

Love,
Christine

Christinewjc said...

Experiment for comment notification.

Christinewjc said...

This is off topic but I am not receiving email notification of comments anymore. I didn't "unsubscribe" either. Anyone else experience this? Suggestions on how to correct?

Thanks,
Christine

Christinewjc said...

FYI,

Found a bloggers help site and it appears that many blogger have not been receiving comment notifications over the last 2 days (Dec. 5th & 6th, 2007)

If I hear about any updates to fixing the problem, I will post it here.

Matt W. said...

Ok, that part about the comment notification is good to hear. I thought it was just me, my ISP spam filter tends to be oversensative sometimes. Hopefully they will get it fixed soon.

As a clarification, I don't know how many in the gay community are like this, but for my brother, if he lies to one of my kids (which he has done) and I call him on it, he accuses me of gay bashing. If I tell him I want him to keep a shirt on to keep his peircings and tatoos covered around my kids, it's because I'm a biggot, and so on and so forth. Basically everything comes back to his gay self identity. Fortunately he lives in NY while we live in FL, but it's a sad situation none the less.