Hybrid - an efficient blend of two previous posts

Politics and sexuality. Two topics that can raise the intensity of a room within seconds.

As I work with many guys, there is an eye opening quantity of young men struggling with their sexual identity. There are countless names for them; gays, homosexuals, sodomists, etc, most names are better left unsaid. Many are men who grew up in church, in Christian homes.

Before I personally knew any men who have "same-sex-attraction" (SSA), I verbally swung my right-slanted opinions like a baseball bat at the Precious Moments museum. I thought "How gross!", "How dirty!", "How messed up they are!", "They should just change!". "Ban that behavior!", "Immoral!"

As with any other opinion, the fewer people we know and interact with who have life experience that confronts ours, the more "close-minded" we become; the more our politics and theology become one-sided.

I was (and probably still am in some areas) close-minded for sure.

This ideology came from somewhere...(I don't plan on shredding my conservative roots, especially since I believe my mom subscribes to this blog)...but I will point a stick at the hush-hush approach of the church...who is generally either silent on this issue or extremely harsh. It was either "We have no idea what to do with this issue, and cannot admit that there are men in our congregation wrestling with these things", or "Let's beat the gayness out of them with a Bible".

When I meet men who are attracted to other men, neither of these positions is very effective in interacting with them. And if they are interested in not having these attractions, and want help, neither silence nor abuse are effective tools.

I have gained some insight into this complex issue in the past few months.

The root of a man's homosexual desire is a healthy longing for genuine non-sexual male to male intimacy.
(re-read previous sentence)

This healthy, God-given, longing just gets twisted, and sexualized. At it's core, the longing is GOOD, but it emerges at the surface as a sexual issue. The core issue is NOT sexual.

I interact with a couple guys every week who are attracted sexually to other men. In their transformational process, it has been exciting for me to learn to affirm men within this struggle. It is very fun to tell them that they have "healthy" inner longings, but simply a misdirected outlet to meet those longings. Acting on those longing sexually, will never meet the deeper longings.

I enjoy telling them the truth that they are not "messed up" at their core.

I would love for them to be able to walk into church without shame on their faces, without fear that they will be shunned for their behavior. I would love for all my friends and family to have no phobia or anger when it comes to SSA, (even the most extreme and annoying ones because well...there are plenty of christians who are equally extreme and annoying) I would love for people who follow Christ to have a gracious understanding of what is really going on inside.

Here is a 17 minute video from the President-elect, Dr. Julie Harren-Hamilton, of NARTH (National association for research and therapy of Homosexuality). No, it is not graphic. I believe every christian, especially those who care to voice their opinions at times like I do, should know the basics that this video teaches. Enjoy.

Also, to fathers, your boys really need you!

www.homosexuality101.com

As always, comments are welcome.
Even rebuttals...debate can be healthy education...

Much Love,
David

Abby for President

I have complained my fair share of times recently about how as a taxpayer I am going to have pay for the wealthy, corrupt executives of Fannie and Freddie to continue their failing business policies.

I have worried a good 6 months off of my life thinking about what Abby and I would do if things hit bottom.

I have strategized until my head pounds of how to make lemonade out of the economic situation.

I want to blame those "idiot" politicians for their "socialistic" tendencies...and tell them to "get their greedy-power-hungry-hands out of the cookie jar".

I called my senators and congresspeople for the first time ever last week. I wanted no part of the bailout, and I wanted to voice my opinion. (obviously my expressed opinion did not sway the bills outcome)

And all this aforementioned activity came to a humbling halt this morning as we heard wise words from our pastor.

"What if you spent half the time you complain about the 'terrible times', praying for them?"

"Is God more concerned about a sleeping church or a corrupt government?"

"Can God, has God used corrupt leaders for his own purpose and glory in the past?" Nehemiah 1 & 2

"What would happen if God's people humbled ourselves and prayed?" 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Convicting... I know...I had to apologize to Abby after the sermon. I passionately encouraged her to call our congressperson as well last week. Not once did I initiate time with her before our Creator seeking his face over the matters at hand.

Some trust in horses (our defense system), some in chariots (our own wisdom), but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Ps. 20:7

I am guessing that is why I feel excessive stress over this complicated issue. I was trusting in my own strength, our government's strength, our economy's strength.

Silly how simple the first step is...pray.  Comment with your insights!

...and if Abby were elected president...well...I am not sure about her foreign policies...but... at least we'd all have a very good-looking president!