Chick-Fil-A is not Anti-Gay, they are Pro-Marriage!

Well, it has been one heck of a Summer. I don't know about you but I am about sick of peoples life choices being jammed down my throat. Everything from the political scene of pin the blame on the donkey to the cultural reality of alternative lifestyles being thrust upon the populous along with a corresponding expectation that what was once considered alternative, be recognized as mainstream, and if you don't agree, well, you better be strapped in and ready to be slammed... hard. 

If you have taken in any movies this summer you have been inundated with Hollywood's efforts to mainstream the homosexual lifestyle. It seems every movie or music video that comes out nowadays HAS to have a token gay couple in it and yes, they must kiss onscreen at least once. This makes it so difficult to watch TV with my 9 year old and 7 year old boys... last week, "Dad, why did those girls kiss?" ... uhh, well boys, I think they are sisters or something, uhhhh... 

What has become so evident to me recently is the fact that the homosexuals (and those who support that lifestyle choice) are NOT interested in is equality, what they really crave is validation for their choices.

How do I know this to be true? Well, they insist on gay marriage for one. Although they have been offered domestic partnerships that will allow them all the same rights as a heterosexual couple, healthcare benefits, the right to will properties and inherit assets, the homosexuals have stated that this is not good enough for them. Why, what will marriage do, nothing more than add legitimacy to there lifestyle choice. 

Here is a just one great reason why offering marriages to gays is a bad idea. If we validate this lifestyle then what is to stop a man from marrying his sister... or both his sisters. Well, they could have a baby that would be inbred you say, well ok, what if he wanted to marry his brother or his dog or his horse for that matter... after all who are we to define love?

This is not about love, you are free to love anyone you want. This is not about rights, you have all the same rights as heterosexual couples. This IS about validation. 

There has been a major push lately in our society to offer the validation that these people crave, Oreos, Barack Obama, Target, and the Main Stream Media have all jumped on the bandwagon to legitimize this group. 

What is sad is that when you look at this group you know that they just see dollar signs or votes, not people. The issue is irrelevant. The people irrelevant. 

The only little snag is that as much as some may want to say this is OK, we know that God has told us that this is not OK. 

Romans 1:26-27

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Plus many more scriptures that we will not take the time to look up...

If we see these people through God's eyes we should be filled with compassion that our brother or sister has been deceived by the enemy. All too often though, the church has been guilty of showing anger instead of love and compassion. You can take a look at many  "Christian Blogs" that spew nothing but hate... that is clearly not working and not the answer. 

What is the answer... love. We have got to return to love. Love wins. Love covers a multitude of sins and offences. When we show the love of God to those who are broken, hurting and lost it will be like a beacon of light drawing, restoring those lost brothers and sisters back to the Father. 

Romans 2:4

Amplified Bible 

⁴ Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)?

It is not about our frustration from our values being hijacked and trampled on, it's about love. Its not about getting the right guy elected, (although that is important), it's about restoring love. It's all about showing the kindness of God to a generation who have lost sight of a Father that cares deeply for them.

Once this happens, we wont have to worry about legalizing gay marriage, or marijuana, we wont have to worry about making abortion illegal and making sure we don't have to pay for someone else's contraceptives. Once love is restored in our communities all those problems take care of themselves and we win back our brother or sister that was lost. 

Oh, and if you have some time, go out and have a chicken sandwich!

Pastor Willy

Steve Sjogren visits Southside

Don't miss out this Sunday at Southside we will have a VERY special guest: Steve Sjogren. Steve will be sharing a special message about what it means to be a servant. Read on to learn more about Steve.

Steve Sjogren launched the Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1985 with 37 people. Under his leadership, the dynamic congregation grew to more than 6000 in average attendance. From the onset VCC had a strong emphasis on servant evangelism, small groups, church planting and caring for the needy. Following a medical accident in 1997 and during his recovery, Steve became the Launching Pastor. Through the years the church planting internship program and Steve’s coaching efforts have produced several dozen successful church plants. Steve is currently focused on writing, speaking and mentoring church planters. Steve’s passion for evangelism, church planting and leadership development is reflected in his writing.

In 2007 Steve and his wife, Janie, began the launch of their fifth church planting adventure in the greater Tampa, Florida area. Steve’s first book, Conspiracy of Kindness (Vine Books, 1993), has gained attention across a broad base of church leaders as an effective and creative approach to sharing the love of Christ. 101 Ways to Reach Your Community is a “cookbook” of projects and practical guide to getting started with Servant Evangelism.

Other books include:Irresistible Evangelism: Natural Ways to Open Others to Jesus, (Group Publishing Inc., 2004), Community of Kindness, A Refreshing New Approach to Planting and Growing a Church (with Rob Lewin, Regal Books, 2003), Perfectly Imperfect Church: Redefining the “Ideal” Church, (Group Publishing Inc., 2002), 101 Ways to Reach People in Need (NavPress, 2002), and Seeing Beyond Church Walls: Action Plans For Touching Your Community (Editor, Group Publishing Inc, 2001). His articles on evangelism, church planting and leadership have appeared in a variety of magazines including Outreach Magazine, REV, Charisma, Decision, Ministries Today, New Man, Christian Reader, Leadership Journal, Discipleship Journal, and Current Thoughts and Trends.

www.stevesjogren.com

Brother Lawrence, a Quote

I have to admit that I consider myself the most wretched person. I am full of sores and corruption, and I know that I have committed all kinds of offenses against my king. I truly feel bad about this and openly confess to him my wickedness and ask for his forgiveness. 

Then I simply place myself in his hands so that he may do whatever he wants with me. And here is the amazing thing that I find: this king is full of mercy and goodness.

He does not chastise or condemn me as he might. But it is as if he comes and hugs me, full of love and has me eat at his table.

He even serves me with his own hands and gives me the key to his treasures. He loves to talk with me and take pleasure in my company. He makes me feel as if I am truly his favorite. -Brother Lawrence