SCOTUS MISSES THE MARK

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It was with extreme disappointment, but not much surprise that I heard the news of the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) regarding same sex marriage. I was shocked and dismayed, however, to see the nation's presidential residence bathed in the colors of the LBGT movement. I have heard the president repeatedly state that he is the president of all the people of the United States. So, how do 2 - 3% of the entire population shape the argument and define the agenda for the other 97+% of the people in this nation? The answer is not necessarily a simple one, and assuredly, there is not a single answer. What is obvious, however, is the overwhelming sense of complacency and the deep misunderstanding of what tolerance actually means There is also a frustrating lack of moral integrity gripping our nation, a shortcoming that has enormous consequences.
Our founding fathers, who were mostly deists, but generally Christian in their perspective, may well be turning over in their graves - not because the decision was rendered, but that the decision even reached the point of being brought before the court. In this decision, SCOTUS took a giant swipe at the Constitution, overriding the rightfully legislated processes of many states. Actually, SCOTUS enacted Federal Legislation from the bench, without Congress, without referendum, and without precedent in National Law. Amazing!
But the greater tragedy is to be found within the Church. The level of confusion among those who claim to be Christians, people who have complete access to the Holy Scriptures, is simply astounding. For more than a century and a half, the integrity of the Bible has been being challenged by liberal theologians. It has been parsed and piece-mealed, its message shredded by opinions of men, rather than the counsel of God. The distinct and undeniable prohibition against sexual misconduct of every sort is either wholly misunderstood or conscientiously ignored. Every form of sexual misconduct is condemned in Scripture. Adultery, fornication, sex with children, with animals, and with close relatives (cousins, uncles, aunts, etc.) are all specifically addressed. So is homosexuality, beastiality, and necromancy.
The LGBT community, a group that is marginalized and ostracized by the greater community, defends their sexual departure from Scripture with claims of genetic determination. Thus, they have shaped their agenda as social, not moral. However, it is a moral issue, far more than merely a social one.There is no science to back up genetic disposition to homosexuality, only psychological hypothesis. Same sex attraction undoubtedly occurs, but that is not evidence of genetics. Moreover, the miniscule proportion of those who are "trans-gender" individuals, regardless of surgical and chemical transformation, does not and cannot change DNA. That these individuals command so much attention from the general public is attributable more to the oddity of their condition than to its normalcy.
LGBT behavior, regardless of the claims of its participants, is driven by personal choice. These individuals choose to pursue these lifestyles. Many, perhaps most, believe they could make no other choice without enduring lasting personal emotional pain. I cannot intelligently address such convictions. I sincerely believe that to be more convenient than irresistible, the personal defense for choices which have been made.
As an American, a military veteran, and a patriot, I defend the right of people to make such choices. But that does not assume I agree with them. I believe those choices to be ill-advised and in direct contradiction to Holy Writ. But many Christians violate the tenants of their faith, as do many Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and followers of other religions. To assume LGBT behavior to be more wicked than other forms of sexual departure from Scripture is indefensible. But that does not make such behavior right, or perhaps a bit more right than other such activities.
Murder is wrong. Stealing is wrong, Adultery is wrong. Just as slavery, pornography, drunkenness, and a vast array of other moral violations are wrong. Weighing one against the other does not make it right, even if it seems to be more right.
As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, my faith draws me to a love of God's children, uniquely created in His image. That love is informed by a kind of love of which only God is capable. But just the same way I would not and cannot give myself to embracing the sin in my own life as acceptable to Him, I understand that He accepts me, even better than I do myself. And He is able to extend His grace, His mercy, and His redemption beyond my ability to understand. He does not, however, require me to accept, embrace, or tolerate violations of His will and Word as being acceptable behaviors, acceptable practices, or those which should be advanced within a moral, God-seeking, and God-fearing community, not for myself and not for others.
The line is difficult to draw, not because I cannot draw it, but because those who oppose it want to define it incorrectly. I am not a "homophobe," a gay basher or hater, or anything of the sort. I am simply a man who is determined to walk as closely to God as I can, to confess my sins early rather than late, to repent and turn from them, and to receive His forgiveness. For those who walk in the wickedness of murder, child exploitation, adultery, stealing, and the vast array of other sins, there is forgiveness. But, there is also a requirement of transformation, a requirement to stop sinning and live righteously. This is also true for those who are within the LGBT world. If they truly want to experience the fulness of God's favor, they will, of necessity, be forced to deal with biblical morality. Either that, or they will not experience the fulness of their Christian possibilities - even though they may be believers.
I do not suggest that these individuals should be banned from the Church. Rather, I believe the Church to be the redemptive community which can offer grace and the transforming love that people in moral failure need. We all need God's grace, His mercy, and His love. Raising walls of separation that constrain or prevent the flow of such grace seems wholly unChristian. Just as does tearing down moral imperatives that have been clearly and concisely laid out in Scripture. The balance must be found in embracing the spiritual transformation which comes when the Holy Spirit has free reign in every heart. Until then, upholding the moral standards of Scripture and living lives of Godly love continues to be a somewhat precarious balancing act for many.
On either side of this issue are good people with honest convictions. Most assuredly, we will not all agree. But there is sufficient grace in God to cover what I personally may not be able to realize. God's love is far too vast to be stymied by the limitations of my perceptions, or anyone else's, for that matter. Yet, there is this - the Holy Bible - the definitive, uncompromising, and inspired Word of God. Leave that behind and any choices people make easily become acceptable to other people. Hold fast to that Word, however, and the choices are governed by a much higher standard, the moral boundaries God has laid down. We may fall short of perfect obedience, or even of Godly love. That does not give us license to overturn the moral imperatives of our faith or change the reality of God's Word.

Opinion from the in-between:
    There is so much tension in the political air, so much acrimony between the Dems and Repubs - between libs and cons ... and the backlash is a foreign policy that cannot be comprehended - by anyone. The President posits that he has everything under control, but the wheels are coming off the wagon even as he speaks. And domestically he seems to be giving away the whole farm, not just the tomatoes.
     Those who oppose his policies suggest solutions that hold little promise of being much better, just different. And we who sit in the cross-fire are left to take sides while the world continues to burn and the debt continues to rise. Holy Dilemma, Batman!
     How can we follow anybody when there is such callous disregard for true leadership on both sides of the aisle. Everybody's right. Everybody's wrong. Nobody's wrong ... Actually, nobody seems to be right.
    Protesting public servants refusing to attend and listen to a speech by an allied Prime Minister - shameful. Presidential snubs of Israel's interests - shameful. Bypassing the Executive Branch of Government to make a point - Is Boehner ramping up for a run at the White House. If so, he's not on the Radar. Probably not, since there is no chance he could win and #3 is better than #None.
    As a moderately liberal conservatively moderate American, I need some relief. My costs are up, my income is down, my government is chaotic, and my expectations are not all that positive.
     Thank God I have a hope anchored in my faith. That may not be sufficient for a lot of people, but it is for me. I am not an in-between kind of Christian. I am an all in, walk with God, live a righteous life, confess my faults and receive forgiveness and cleansing, gladly give my tithes, love the brethren, worshiping, rejoicing, telling the world about God's love, child of the King. I do not consider that my peculiar brand of Christianity is superior to someone else's, except for me. It is superior for me. Otherwise, I would trade it in for something better. It has been a sustaining force in my life for more 64 years, through good times and bad, in the face of ugly sin and when my righteousness became too self-gratifying and created spiritual pride. Thus, I found myself in sin again and had to retrace the journey through recognition, confession, repentance, and forgiveness. I love my Christian faith.
     Currently I live in a world where prejudice, self-interests, and uninformed opinions seem to have the loudest voices. Of course, I live in a small world - one where the religious, political, and economic perspective is heavily biased. I suppose we all do, even though some of us live in much more heavily populated areas. It seems that those who have differing opinions stand at a distance from each other and loudly try to override other voices. Embarrassing when reality forces a change of position.
     As for me, I have decided that the pencil is mightier than the pen. Instead of eating my words, I can back up, erase the things that change in my perspective, and go on with my life's story. Being a writer has its rewards.
     
One last thing on the political front:
     I have considerable concern about the situation in Ukraine, in no small part because I have dear friends in and from that part of the world. But more because of the long term implications this conflict poses.
     While we focus the majority of our attention on terrorist tyrants in the middle east, the Russian juggernaut is gathering momentum. The growing infringement into Ukrainian territory is but a prelude to the shadow of the Bear being cast across the entire eastern European theater once again. No one but the politically blind should miss the signs of a repeat performance.
     As long as Russia makes overtures of alliance with Iran, continues to press its advance into Ukraine, and soon into other countries ... nothing will be stable. The world is ratcheting up toward another World War, one that will make the last one seem more like a skirmish than a conflagration. We need a stronger kind of diplomacy - and iron fist in a velvet glove, perhaps, but a fist that is not afraid to bruise its knuckles.
     
Final thought:
     The real test for the United States will be discovered in the next administration - Democrat or Republican, the test will not be partcular which it is. We already know how this administration has adapted to a world in conflict, and so far "it ain't workin' so good." If the next one does not unravel some of the tangled mess we have today, the one that follows that may not have the opportunity to do so.
     Every nation that has grown to empire status has eventually fallen to self-destructive influences. The United States is not immune. God has always allowed His people to endure the hardships and deprivation that exists within their particular cultures and societies. People sometimes forget that we are in the world but not of the world. Being in the world means we must endure what the world endures while we await the opportunity to move beyond this world into God's place of ultimate preparation.

     Keep the faith, love the brotherhood, honor the king (president) ... 

ANTICIPATING AND REMEMBERING

Winter approaches, the chilly wind lets me know we have arrived in the fall of the year. It's a time of anticipation, thanksgiving, the changing of the leaves, the coming of Christmas and the beginning of another year. The eyes of children brighten, looking toward the surprises?? under the Christmas tree. Usually, they are not that much of a surprise. Those who go to Grandma's anticipate the wonderful "memory food." It's so much better, not so much because it tastes better, but because our memories enhance the flavors.
Life can be like that, bringing us joy in anticipation and pleasure in memory. But these can also bring fear or pain. It's really a choice we make, consciously or unconsciously, regarding what we anticipate or remember.
The most inportant memories to me are the ones that help me move past the pain into the place of gratitude. Mom and Dad have been gone for years, yet the empty place in my heart remains, filled with pleasant and loving memories of the times and opportunities we shared together. My anticipation is that I will leave behind such wonderful memories for my children when I finally leave this world.
Dad's birthday was in October. So this month is not able spooks and goblins ... it is about remembering Sam, and remembering Sam causes me to remember Bea (my mom) and John (my brother). On purpose, I strive to remember the wonderful things we did, the trips to Pennsylvania in the old Plymouth car; the camping trips in a rag-tag tent trailer; the wooden runner sled we built to play in the snow when no one else would venture outside.
Sure, John and I had intense sibling rivalry, but I best remember when a neighhborhood kid was beating me up, how John came a-running, the wrath of Khan in his eyes, and saved me from the bully. 
As I look toward the coming months, I realize I have new opportunities, new challenges, and new acquaintances to befriend and enjoy. What a delightful thought, that life does not end at 70, it opens up before me with a fresh sense of passion and purpose. Hallelujah! My mistakes are behind me, faint memories of failed wisdom. The lessons learned will help me be a wiser, kinder, more gentle, and more effective leader. So, I anticipate the joy of being called to churches to share the depth of experience I have as a springboard for their advance. I anticipate the years ahead as being more productive than those behind, and I sincerely believe God will continue to use me as a servent of His grace.
What better reason for thanksgiving. What greater gift - not under a tree, but rather being a tree, planted by the rivers of living water.
Next year - 2015 - the new and improved Dr. Philip Byler is coming to the world. Get ready!