Apparently the American Psychological Association has reversed its position on whether there is a "gay gene." You can read their statement at http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=528376
In it, they say "Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors."
I believe that statement can be helpful in a couple of ways. First it removes a hindrance to faith for those who want to change but wonder if change is possible. For those who don't want to change, it removes a barrier to hide behind in justifying their actions.
The bottom line however is that without regeneration we are slaves to sin. With regeneration, through faith we are being transformed from glory to glory, encouraged by the promise of ultimately being conformed to Christ.
The presence or absence of particular sexual desires is not the main issue. Our submission of those desires to the obedience of God's Word is the issue, and we are called to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. This applies to all people, regardless of their "orientation." Thus homosexual desires, no matter how daunting, must be mortified with Christ. Adulterous desires, no matter how romantic to one's flesh, must be put to death. As so many have sung, we are "crucified with Christ" and it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. That is our hope for victory.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
What Is Worship?
What is worship? I was singing the song today, “Here I Am To Worship,” and I thought of the great worshippers throughout the world and in history. I thought of Christians in poverty stricken countries without all the electronic gadgets and toys we are so distracted by; for whom a meal is a treasure and a full meal a dream, who face possible imprisonment or execution for their faith. And I wondered “What must their worship be like!” I thought of the great men of the church through the ages like William Tyndale, who as he was being fastened to the stake to be burned for heresy, shouted “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!” They strangled him at the stake to shut him up, then burned his dead body, but his words were heard around the world and even today. What kind of a worshipper was he? How passionate was his heart when he would go into the closet for prayer? And when I present myself before the Lord, and sing the words “Here I Am To Worship,” do I even do justice to my prayer?
As I walked down the hall thinking of this I saw the painting of Simon holding the infant Jesus in the Temple. I saw the lines in his face, and the anguished joy bringing tears to his cheeks as he held in his very arms, the Light of the World. Worship in one sense is to see God for Who He is, and to be changed by what we see. Yes, it is even more than that, but how must Simon have been changed by that experience? What were his prayers like afterwards, before the Lord finally took him home, (for as he said in that moment “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation”)
How does my worship, especially my private worship, fill up the measure of that very word “Worship?”
As I walked down the hall thinking of this I saw the painting of Simon holding the infant Jesus in the Temple. I saw the lines in his face, and the anguished joy bringing tears to his cheeks as he held in his very arms, the Light of the World. Worship in one sense is to see God for Who He is, and to be changed by what we see. Yes, it is even more than that, but how must Simon have been changed by that experience? What were his prayers like afterwards, before the Lord finally took him home, (for as he said in that moment “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation”)
How does my worship, especially my private worship, fill up the measure of that very word “Worship?”
"Hands On" Parenting
Matt 19:13-15
13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
Mark 10:16
16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.
It is a good thing obviously to pray for our children; to clothe them with our prayers for protection and godliness; that the Lord would “keep” them throughout the day, and bless them with pleasant happenings. In fact, woe to us if don’t pray for them, as it is a dangerous world out there. But we have a daily opportunity to take that to another level, and give our children a precious treasure that they may be missing.
In this passage, parents brought their children to Jesus greatly desiring Him to lay His hands on them and bless them. And the Lord was delighted to do so, even in the face of His disciples’ misguided protests. The hope was that through the laying on if His hands with prayer, that a tangible blessing would be imparted to them from God. And there is much Scriptural support for this very thing.
In Genesis, Israel blessed his grandchildren Ephraim and Manasseh by laying his hands upon their heads. Jesus healed the sick by the laying on of His hands (Luke 4:40) and exhorted His followers to do the same (Mark 16:18). In the Book of Acts the fullness of the Holy Spirit was given to people through the laying on of hands (Acts 19:6)
What a great opportunity we have each day to give a blessing to our children before they go out into the world, by taking the time to lay hands upon them and asking God to impart His wisdom and protection upon them, to fill them with His Spirit, and to keep them healthy (or even make them healthy)! Allow His Spirit to guide your words as you pray, for the Lord may want to impart specific blessings to them or prophetic exhortations. He may give you a word of wisdom or knowledge about them to provide guidance for their day.
We may not always be able to pray as we would like when our children demand our attention, but perhaps we can take advantage of the opportunity by giving them the attention of our prayers.
13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
Mark 10:16
16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.
It is a good thing obviously to pray for our children; to clothe them with our prayers for protection and godliness; that the Lord would “keep” them throughout the day, and bless them with pleasant happenings. In fact, woe to us if don’t pray for them, as it is a dangerous world out there. But we have a daily opportunity to take that to another level, and give our children a precious treasure that they may be missing.
In this passage, parents brought their children to Jesus greatly desiring Him to lay His hands on them and bless them. And the Lord was delighted to do so, even in the face of His disciples’ misguided protests. The hope was that through the laying on if His hands with prayer, that a tangible blessing would be imparted to them from God. And there is much Scriptural support for this very thing.
In Genesis, Israel blessed his grandchildren Ephraim and Manasseh by laying his hands upon their heads. Jesus healed the sick by the laying on of His hands (Luke 4:40) and exhorted His followers to do the same (Mark 16:18). In the Book of Acts the fullness of the Holy Spirit was given to people through the laying on of hands (Acts 19:6)
What a great opportunity we have each day to give a blessing to our children before they go out into the world, by taking the time to lay hands upon them and asking God to impart His wisdom and protection upon them, to fill them with His Spirit, and to keep them healthy (or even make them healthy)! Allow His Spirit to guide your words as you pray, for the Lord may want to impart specific blessings to them or prophetic exhortations. He may give you a word of wisdom or knowledge about them to provide guidance for their day.
We may not always be able to pray as we would like when our children demand our attention, but perhaps we can take advantage of the opportunity by giving them the attention of our prayers.
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