Thursday, June 30, 2011

What does God think? A biblical perspective on gay marriage

In making the right decision concerning the laws of marriage or any law, instead of asking what an individual thinks, we must ask, what does God think? Many people don't consider this because they don't believe in God. They make their own conception of God based on their own desires. I was one of these people. The sin in my life and the sin in my parents' life, having nothing to do with God, distorted my view of Him. Abuse, divorce, and my feelings for women. I reasoned that because men were wicked, why should I believe in a male God? Although I accepted Jesus in my heart at eight years old, experienced His redemption, I walked away from my relationship with Him. I still talked to Him, pleaded why my family was broken, but I continued to live life how I saw fit. It was on the day of my accident, I called out to Him. Rebuilding my life as a quadriplegic was not easy. But I understood that God saved me and had a plan for my life. He restored my family. I no longer felt lonely. I searched the Bible for a confirmation. I found that human mistakes were due to man's inherited sin nature from Adam. Instead of relying on God's promise for a child, Abraham and Sarah decided to have a child with Hagar, the Egyptian handmaid (Genesis 16:1-2). As a result, Abraham had to put out his child, Ishmael. He was grieved over it, but God told him he would have a child with Sarah. This promised child is the one in which God would have His covenant (Genesis 17:19, 21). When Abraham made his mistakes, God did not beat him over the head about them. Instead, Abraham had free will to make them. This is the way it is with all of us. We are faulty, but God is faithful to keep His promises, no matter what.

How do we know that the Bible is true? Is it an accurate copy of what was originally written? Do we have reason to believe what they wrote actually happened? As an overview, the Bible consists of 66 books written over 1500 years in 3 different languages by over 40 authors and yet it fits together as one story. It speaks of the fall of humanity and God's plan of redemption through the nation, Israel. There, a messiah would be born to bear our iniquities (Isaiah 53:4-5). Old testament prophecies show that this messiah would be 1) Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) 2) Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), Of the line of David (1 Chronicles 17:11-12), a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18), killed for others (Daniel 9:26), raised from the dead (Psalm 16:10). Jesus fulfills all these prophecies and more. There are at least 24,000 manuscript copies of the New Testament that attest to its accuracy. Most scholars agree that the New Testament was completed around 80 A.D. This was 20-30 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Again, this contributes to the accuracy of the text, in that the people most closely associated with Jesus wrote these accounts soon after events happened.

The conclusion is that Jesus is who he claimed to be and he truly was crucified and rose from the dead. This is the main creed spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15. When faced with this historical reality, one must come to the realization that we are accountable to God. God is Holy, just, and He gives us His moral law. Whether we like it or not, God says sleeping around is wrong. He says men sleeping with men and women sleeping with women is wrong (Gen 18:20-21; 19:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:26-27; Leviticus 18:22). Our morality indicates a moral lawgiver. Once we realize this, then we understand that there is a divine plan for our lives and it lies in the truth of the Bible. Richard Wurmbrand says it excellently in his book, "In God's underground,"

"We must also teach that sex is a gift that God gives mankind. We must tell the whole truth to free it from obscenity. There is divinity here. The union of man and woman as one flesh is a picture of the intimacy between Christ and the Church." (Wurmbrand, pg. 120)

I didn't want to face this at first. I liked my gay life just the way it was. I was good at it, it was an integral part of my identity. How was I to change? Eventually, I gave it to the Lord, I told him to take it from me and change me. He showed me that He would sustain me through this circumstance. Everyone has temptations. But God promises us that we can combat these with the word of God (1 Corinthians 10:13) Jesus has atoned for all our sins for those who believe, and we have an advocate with the father (1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1-2). God destroyed Sodom and Gommorrah and He will judge nations again according to their sins. I've learned not to rely on my "feelings," but depend on Christ, His grace, His will.

As of now, I'm married to the Lord. I have no idea what God has in store for me but I know I want to be ready for His return. I found the ultimate treasure and it is fellowship with Christ.

Have you given your life to the Lord? If you understand that you are separated from God and want to be reconciled with him, come to Jesus. He will break those yokes and give you peace you've never known. Pray that you've sinned, and believe Jesus died for your sins. Pray that you want forgiveness and make Him your Lord and Savior of your life. Read the Bible and pray to God in your own way. (Phillipians 4:6-7). Fellowship with other believers and join a bible teaching church. I pray that you grow richly in faith and be blessed with this testimony.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Highs and Lows

Saturday, I was due to go out to birthday party but I didn't feel well that morning. I felt weak and had a bad headache that didn't go away. I had the nurse check my vitals and my pressure was very high. High blood pressure is a sign of Autonomic dysreflexia which, unattended to can lead to seizure, stroke or death. It happens usually because of bowel or bladder impediment. Since my bladder was draining fine, I concluded that my bowels were impacted. I also felt nauseous which is a sign of impaction. I took a slew of stool softeners and utilized digital stimulation to move things along. It worked and I initially felt relieved but then my pressure went from extrememly high to extremely low. This has never happened before so I was very concerned. I was also still nauseous and sweating profusely. I told my father I thought it best to go to the hospital. I knew they would give me fluids and work quickly to find the problem. Beth Abraham on the other hand, doesn't know how to deal with SCI concerns and I'm frustrated with their ignorance on this front when they have many people with spinal cord injury. An ambulance quickly came and asked me what I was feeling. They knew I had very low pressure and concluded I needed fluids. They quickly set up an I.V. in the van and I began to feel better. I only stayed for a few hours which is mamzing for being in the ER! The longest part was waiting for my ride back.

I felt okay to go to church the next day and after getting in the chair, eating breakfast and getting to church, I had another bout of really low pressure! So low, I could barely see anything! I told my father to tip my chair back and it worked a little but after passing out in church, I knew it was time to go. I pray this will stabilize and I'll be able to go out more frequently with less trouble! Keep this in prayer as I continue to heal and see what the Lord has in my life.