What is a PROPER Christian response to homosexuality?

First, let’s understand that Scripture is clear that homosexual activity is a sin and, as all other sins (such as gossip), separates an individual from God and will have no place in the kingdom of heaven.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9-10)

Secondly, individuals who engage in homosexual activity are people who have been created in God’s image and are to be loved. Homosexuality is not a sin because a certain group of people think it is gross or inappropriate. Homosexuality is a sin because it is contrary to the revealed character of God. Homosexuality is no different from rebellion in God’s eyes, and it should be no different in ours.

Lastly, we must keep in mind that our response to homosexuality should be different than our response to individuals who engage in homosexual activity. Homosexuality is to be hated and turned from, as all sins are to be. However, we ought to love and reach out to individuals who struggle with homosexual desires or engage in homosexual activity. (I would like to note here that struggling with desire is not sin, giving into that desire is sin however.) We should pray that God would fill our church with individuals struggling with homosexuality, just as we pray that God would bring others who struggle with less taboo sins. “All have sinned…and the wages of sin is death.” Let us never forget that it is only by the grace of God that we have forgiveness and deliverance from our sins. In the same way, we ought to reach out to individuals who are struggling or are engaged in homosexual activity with the truth that it does not matter whether homosexuality is their nature or has been nurtured because we serve a God who delivers!  God is a God who makes things new! “If anyone is in Christ, he [or she] is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new.” He saves us from our sin; in order that we may no longer dwell in it.

For the death that [Christ] died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, (Romans 6:10-12)

And for those “Christians” who have their “God hates Homos” signs ready. BURN THEM! If you want to protest something; if you really want to proclaim God’s hate on something; make signs that say, “God’s Hates Gossip!” and go everywhere with it. 

Historicity of the Bible

Dead Sea Scrolls: Psalms Scroll 

We have all heard it, “The Bible is just a bunch of made up stories!” Once, when witnessing to a training partner at my gym, he simply told me that he would not believe in the Christian God because the Bible was not trustworthy. However, these doubts have no solid ground to stand on. In 1947 a young shepherd boy threw a rock into a cave near the Dead Sea and heard pottery break. Thus, one of the greatest archaeological finds in history began. Near 230 biblical manuscripts were found many dating to the first century.[1] Among these was a complete copy of the Isaiah Scroll that dates 1,000 years older than the oldest copy previously possessed.[2] This archaeological find lends so much historical backing to the Old Testament that its reliability is beyond a shadow of a doubt. The same can be said of the Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus for the New Testament. These two Codex’s or books contain nearly the entire New Testament and were hand written over 1,600 years ago.

Codex Sinaiticus

No other piece of ancient literature, aside from scripture, can boast such clear and irrefutable evidence. As the old saying goes, “There is enough evidence in favor of Christianity to convince anyone who will believe, but there is no amount of evidence to convince one who will not believe.” Therefore, if evidence for the Christian Faith is what you need you have at your finger tips. If you are in the Faith, I pray that you will enjoy this cherry on top of the amazing sundae; for evidence is a beautiful bonus to joyous faith.

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[1] http://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/learn-about-the-scrolls

[2] http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2008/05/21/What-is-the-importance-of-the-Dead-Sea-Scrolls.aspx

Steak & Cheesy Veggies

2 lbs of Steak of Choice (I used round steak)
Steam in bag fresh California blend (Broccoli, Cauliflower and Carrots)
Heavy Whipping Cream
Shredded Cheese of Choice (I used Mozzarella)

I marinate the steak in Worcestershire Sauce, Soy sauce and garlic powder. I don't use a ton of marinade; probably about a tbsp of each sauce and a pinch of garlic powder. I let them marinate for at least four hours. Then its to a hot pan with a tbsp of melted unsalted butter for about 5 to 6 minutes a side. I lie my meat medium!

The veggies I steam in the bag; while making a nice cheese sauce with the heavy whipping cream and shredded cheese. The size and amounts will vary on the amount of veggies and hunger level.

1st Dinner of a New Journey

I am in good shape, but I carry a gut. I know this is because my eating habits are terrible (I mean terrible-like a 2-liter of Mt. Dew a day and a large three topping pizza in a setting!). Well, with motivation from my sister, Michelle, I am turning over a new leaf. My wife (who is so supportive!) and I have embarked on a Paleo Hybrid lifestyle. Basically, we follow Crossfit founder Greg Glassman's words of wisdom: "Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar." Thus, we have embarked to be healthier physically. We are doing this not primarily to lose weight, though undoubtedly that will be a result; we do this because we hold firm the principle that the best thing we can give each other in our marriage is a spiritually, physically and emotionally healthy me. Now to the recipes!

First, The Skinny Green Monster Smoothie! I got this recipe from SkinnyTaste.com; which is a wonderful food blog. I did change some items. I did not have Almond Milk or Better n Peanut Butter, so I used 2% Milk and Almond Butter. Now if your thinking, "That's not Paleo!" You are right. We are doing a Paleo Hybrid. We want to maintain eating dairy, however we want to rid ourselves of the sugary, starchy world that we lived in by eating "real" foods. Thus, we have a Paleo Hybrid.

To the Plate! We have a pan grilled Tilapia Fillet; which I cooked in 1 tbsp of unsalted butter. I rub the fillets in a little "blacken seasoning" from Mary Kay. I cook the Tilapia for six minutes on each side over medium-high heat. The Green Beans and Carrots were frozen great value brand. I throw them in a small pan (separate pans) add a little water, a pinch of salt and let them cook for about 10 to 15 minutes on medium-low heat. Stir them often to make sure everybody gets cooked through. Thanks!

Amarna Letters: Extra Biblical Evidence of the Conquest

Is there any extra biblical evidence of the Hebrew conquest on the Canaanites?

Yes! However, before exploring the relevant data I want to point out that archaeological evidence is akin to stain glass windows. You see a church or cathedral can stand and function completely without stain glass windows. Such is the Christian Faith. However, the stain glass windows increase and aid in creating the atmosphere and attitude of reverence when entering the house of worship. Archaeology, therefore, is not a crutch to help our faith stand. Our faith, and confidence in the written divine self-revelation of God—The Bible, stands because of a full reliance on the person and promises of Jesus Christ for our present and personal justification, ongoing sanctification begun in the new birth and adoption by the indwelling Holy Spirit as a child of God. Archaeology is, rather, beautiful stained glass windows that bring a new and fuller appreciation for God and His Word. Now, to the data!

The Amarna letters are tablets from the 14^th century BC. They are correspondents between Canaanite city-state kings and Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The correspondents of importance to the question at hand deals with the Canaanite kings requesting military aid from Eygpt to quell the conquest of the Apiru. Thus, this is of special interest because the ‘Apiru’ fit the exact description of the Hebrew people. Also, the name ‘Apiru’ among ancient peoples fits the name ‘Hebrew’ more than any other. Thus, the data supports the account of the Hebrew people moving into Canaan and attacking and conquering cities and Egypt’s reluctance to enter the conflict. 

How did Abraham get Rich?

Historical study is a wonderful boon for understanding God’s word. For instance, how many times have we, as every day Christians, read over the fact that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were incredibly wealthy? In Genesis 24:35 we read, “"The LORD has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys.” (emphasis added). In this passage we see Abraham’s servant proclaiming the riches of his master Abraham, who had sent this servant out to secure a wife for his son. This scripture is incredibly explicit in regard to the vast wealth of Abraham. But, how did he amass this wealth? Let’s not forget that he left his homeland and the security of his native community.

            When you begin to dig into the culture and economics of Abraham’s location and time, 1900’s BC, you find that camels brought wealth. The ability to traverse the land safely in order to transport goods was a sure way to gain wealth. Plus, leaving his “urban” community, it was much different than what we think when we think urban, and moving to land near present day Israel provided pasture for livestock to flourish and crops to be grown. Taking all of this data together it is easy to see that having food and wool, with an accompanying was to transport it in the ancient world, would have brought Abraham the opportunity to become very wealthy. I say, “opportunity” because I think that God and Abraham’s obedience to God had as much if not more to do with his earthly blessing of wealth than everything else. Abraham may have left Ur a well off man, but he grew in riches because he trusted God. More than the riches he gained, his faith was “credited to him as righteousness” by God. That is how we enjoy the blessings of this world with thanksgiving (1 Tim 4:4) and, at the same time, “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). 

Waiting upon the LORD

What does it mean to wait upon the Lord?

Isaiah 40:31 boldly proclaims and promises that, “those who wait upon the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” With a promise like that who doesn't want to wait upon the Lord? But how do we wait upon the Lord? My study of the Hebrew word qavah leads me to a few principles that convey what it means to wait upon the Lord and how we can do it.

First, we must understand that waiting upon the Lord necessitates the passage of time. If God would renew us, answers our prayers and make clear His will to us immediately at all times then the need to wait upon the Lord would not appear more than thirty-five times in the Bible. Waiting upon the Lord involves the passage of time. Secondly, because waiting on the Lord necessitates the passage of time it also demands a compelling trust in the character of God, which implies a familiarity with Him.

Therefore, it is seems incredibly hard to wait upon the Lord if we are not in a personal relationship with Him that is defined by growing in the knowledge of Him. If I do not know His character I cannot trust it. If I cannot trust His character then I cannot wait upon Him. If I cannot wait upon Him I will not have the strength to continue to be faithful to the Faith. For only in waiting upon Him can we claim the promise that He will lend us strength that we might mount up with wings like eagles and run without becoming tired or walk without becoming weary. 

Lastly, waiting upon the Lord implies faithful action in union with resting in God’s timing. At times in our life we can feel like we are driving down the interstate. We keep seeing exits, signs for this and that, but mostly we just see the road. Always the road, in front of us and behind us. We know that there is a destination out there, somewhere God is leading us to. A prepared place for a prepared man. However, we don't see it anywhere in sight. Waiting upon the Lord means that in these times we stay faithful to the duties of the present day. It means that we do not forsake our present obligation in hope of what might be. Instead, we remain faithful in the present devotion and duty. Then, God in His all-encompassing compassion endues  us with strength, endurance and the redemption of our time, effort and faith in ways in which now we can only speculate.

In short, waiting upon the Lord, first and foremost, means an intimate relationship with God characterized by growth in the knowledge of Him. Secondly, it means a faithful consistency in our present duties while trusting in His character to redeem the passage time for His glory, His kingdom’s edification and our personal sanctification.