I think there's a good chance I may fall into that whole category that Christians like to say are, "hippie Christians."  But if that means that God's given me a heart to love people other Christians don't want to, not slander, not group judge, not use the Bible as a weapon to take people out with, I guess I am.  The whole Chic-fil-a discussion just hurts my heart.  I know a good portion of you will not agree with this posting and that's okay.  We're a family...we're bound to disagree.  I hate politics because I don't think God cares as much for it as He does for His creation.  I really think it's such a divisive weapon that Satan likes to wield around.  I always think that protests and signs and making a stink are just pushing people that need the Lord away.  I saw several postings about how attending the support Chic-fil-a day was a spiritual experience and how the Spirit of the Lord was there and I'm just not sure on that.  I don't really know that Christ would be in line for pinpointing one sin among many...all the while probably a good portion were committing other sins, especially gluttony. :)

I do believe homosexual relations are sinful.  But so are so many other things.  There's lists full of sins in the Bible.  God never once said that one was more sinful than the other.  Nor did He say we should turn away and bash people for those they are guilty of.  (Plus it's easy for many of us because we have so many secret sins that no one ever has to know about.)  I've heard people say that they believe sexual sins are of more importance to the Lord because they're mentioned more.  If that's the case, I'm among this lot.  I've screwed up before being married.  I've had lingering consequences.  I still mess up.  And I've done all this while knowing full well they were sinful.  But I'm forgiven.  Grace abounds.  It doesn't okay it, but it doesn't knock me out of the family of God.

I want you to imagine for a moment that you had homosexual feelings all your life.  Would you feel wanted, welcomed, valued, needed in the average church?  What if you replace that one sin you always struggle with, always fall into, with homosexual feelings...could you, would you, decide to grace the doors of a church?  I don't think I could.  I don't know how those that are believers and have these feelings are so strong to hold on to their faith.  I have multiple gay friends that are Christ followers and my heart just gets broken into a million pieces over how many on the church just harp upon how terrible it is. 

I have a lot of thoughts that probably go against the main thread of Christianity.  Maybe I'm a bleeding heart, and a liberal in this matter.  But I don't really know that Satan is the one that makes my heart bleed for people that need Jesus.  I pray daily that my life would be led by Jesus, that my heart would be guided by Jesus.  I'm an emotional person, very emotional.  I do study the Word of God though.  I pray I am led by the Spirit.  I may be wrong, but I just think that any action I perform to detract someone from believing in Christ is wrong.  Getting to know people, their lives, their hearts, earning their respect...it's all a door for open conversation where the other party will listen.  The Spirit softens hearts, but I do think that our actions can do the opposite and harden them. 

I know a big part of the Chic-fil-a thing was freedom of speech, a right to speak your mind without judgment.  Yet, when it comes down to it, I'd rather give up that right and win souls for the Lord than make a big stink that ultimately doesn't matter.

Just my two cents.  My heart breaks for people and how the church hurts those who don't know Him or who do but just feel ostracized.     

A Joyful New Year!

At the mark of a new year, my heart is filled to the brim with life. I have been feeling I've embarked upon a year of blessing and renewal. I have been given a new job that will allow me ample time to visit family and friends, (or have them come visit me!) Father God has opened so many ways to get plugged in and form community where I am. I have real family here that continually pours into me and shows me who I want to be.
Already, some of my weak areas have been exposed so that I have a clue where to walk. I'm seeing that in order to grow, I must be teachable. Being teachable means being humble enough to admit that I don't know it all and that other people, or God Himself, may actually know more than me. In my mind, I know this to be true, but I don't often let it penetrate within so that I can glean from the wisdom around me. I'm also being opened up to what true relationship and communion is, how it was designed by the Master Creator. Part of that ties into being teachable. Relationship is about being outward focused, and from others you gain as well. I'm beginning to crave that relationship with my Father again, (because honestly it's been missing for quite a while,) and my time with Him has been really...well, I can't even pinpoint an adjective to use right now, but let's just says GOOD!
The sweetest of all blessings has come in the form of a precious soul I love finding Truth. One of my closest K-babies, pictured with me above, is on the verge of busting into the mystery of Christ and I couldn't be more happy or anxious to welcome this sweet peanut into the family! Coming back to Korea was something so hard set into my heart that I couldn't deny or run away from the call. If the Father called me back just for this one lamb, I'm so glad He did! Of course I hope all the other little lambs I love so much will shortly follow. If you are reading this, please stop now and ask that the Lord would bring Yoon Seo to know the Him soon, that her father would come to know Him also (and not be angry Yoon Seo is seeking before the set age he told her she could be when she found her own faith), and a big praise for the work He's already done in her sister's life!
My joy abounds! My heart is so full that it's just taking me by surprise!! When we catch glimpses into the gloriousness of eternity, it sparks a fire in our hearts to get other people in on the riches. That's where I am now. I can't wait to see how Father keeps adding to the Kingdom. I want more brothers and sisters...I want all these precious little lives that I care so deeply for to dance for and exalt the King of Kings alongside me in heaven! God is definitely good all the time. He seeks us out, shows us His heart and we so easily get overwhelmed by scratching the surface of how wide and deep and great He really is!