the banquet

(This is my first response to all of the posts on a column by Lewis Sheckler entitled The Church Of Liberalism, America's Established Religion on NRVToday.com)

Aside from that Jim Ward stunner, and a couple of other ugly personal comments I don't care to revisit, I've been impressed with the writers of the posts on Mr. Sheckler's column.

I've heard all of you, (despite yourselves sometimes) and I have been working on putting together my own reflections on the many issues that have been brought forth. You are all informing me about new perspectives, and I am grateful for that.

I would suggest that we continue to rise above the tone (violence) and seek the truth within all of the posts here. Where there is no truth present, we can promptly move on.


Thank you Mr. Sheckler for your willingness to take the heat in order to open a dialogue. I admire your strength and perseverance.

Thanks to all of you who are willing to share your point of view and earnestly discuss these serious and deep issues. We can't get anywhere in a dialogue until we come to the table together, and I'm glad to see you're all making the effort.

I saw a Christian preacher recently talking about the "banquet" that God will host in the heavenly realm, in which we would be seated in the presence of our enemies. This preacher interpreted that as meaning we are all called to the banquet together, and our enemies are a witness to our honor because they are seated across from us at the table. He said that we are able to do it, to feast together, because it is a table of peace.

I guess in the earthly realm, NRVToday.com is turning out to be like a banquet host. It's up to us to make our table one of peace as well.













Love to all,
Amy

one step up

the following is my response to the recent gay marriage discussion, as well as two paragraphs referring to homosexuality in ron walton's "friday morning musings:" http://www.nrvtoday.com/content/view/4891/62/

ken and i talked about this subject for our new episode of "radio wednesday." for more info about the show, please check out the radio wednesday blog : http://radiowednesday.blogspot.com/

to hear the discussion click on "radio wednesday : one step up" http://www.nrvradio.com/content/view/38/43/

"it's the same thing night on night. who's wrong? baby, who's right? another fight and i slam the door. another battle in our dirty little war. when i look in the mirror i don't see the man i wanted to be. somewhere along the line i slipped off track. one step up and two steps back." (bruce springsteen)

Is being gay a choice or a God given characteristic?
Ultimately, whether it's a choice or not, or whether it's "right" or "wrong" is only known between each individual and God. So, since I am neither gay, nor God, my opinion on the matter is meaningless.

It does, however, seem pretty clear that homosexuality in this culture serves a higher purpose in that it allows us the opportunity to address our prejudices and judgments and hateful behavior toward one another. So, for that reason alone, I believe that it is part of God's plan.

Whether it's inborn or environmental, right, wrong, or indifferent, I just don't know. I am not the one to judge the issue. God does not ask me to judge. He asks me to love. That is the challenge being put forth.

stop judging one another and learn how to love each other.

I will always take a stand for love.

love one another...

for the record, regardless of gender, people that love one another are ok in my book.

Should same sex couples be allowed to get married?
Despite our various and sundry opinions, it's not our place to judge whether same sex marriage is right or wrong. How can we arrogantly presume we are even properly equipped to make such judgments?

Why are so many of us focused on how we believe other people are missing the mark while we walk around miles from it ourselves?

Furthermore, why are we trying to control one another so much? What are we so afraid of? And who are we, as a "free" society, to withhold these kind of civil rights from a whole subgroup of people?

Those of us fortunate enough to have one know that solid loving partnerships are the saving grace of this challenging world. They are the proverbial soft place to fall. Not to mention the catalyst for a great amount of personal growth. And, they anchor us. Don't we all want to be anchored?

do unto others...

If I knew all this, and I were gay, I would want to be allowed to marry my partner, too. I would want to be treated kindly and respectfully and fairly and equally, despite other people's differing viewpoints.

If the religiously spirited people have issues with the "institution of marriage" then why can't we just call it a "union," and then call it a day? Everyone can believe what they want to about it, and everyone can teach their children what they believe is best, but it's not in anyone's best interest to institutionalize any one religious viewpoint.

Do we actually want to religiosity and legalism to rule? Wouldn't we rather rule with the broad strokes of love and freedom and tolerance and equality for all? Isn't that what we stand for as a country?

We all judge one another. And we all know inside that we probably shouldn't.

Uh oh, i am entering "should" territory again.... I don't want to "should" all over everyone. Maybe we can just reflect on what our greatest teacher said:

love one another as i have loved you.

treat other people the way you want to be treated.

don't judge people unless you want to be judged in return.

That's what I'll be teaching my little girl. I'll teach her about loving people, and treating them with kindness, even when - especially when - they look, think, and act very differently than she does. I'll teach her to treat people equally, regardless of sexual orientation. I'll teach her to stand up for people who are bullied and abused for any reason. And i'll teach her that, since we don't have all the answers to complex subjects like these, it's best to suspend judgment and just give love.

A minister open to performing civil unions would probably have a lot to offer in that respect. What's the name of that church again, Ron? ;)