Sex and The United Methodist Church - AKA How to Paint Yourself into a Corner!

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No, Joe! You Don’t Realize That God Is Going to Trump Your Trump!

“Gay rights trumps culture!” – uttered by Vice President Joe Biden in the waning days of June 2014. The VP continued to expand on this by declaring that the Obama administration plans to press for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender) rights all over the world!

Just recently Vice President Joe Biden made one of the most brazen as well as one of the most idiotic statements of his entire career. It is no secret that the Obama administration now supports same-sex marriage and has sought legislation that is favorable to same-sex couples at all levels of our society. Joe summarized it very well in his public declaration, “Gay rights trumps culture!”

By that statement VP Joe is saying that anything within any culture that is opposed to the same-sex lifestyle is wrong. Further, he went on to say that the present administration will be pressing for LGBT rights throughout the entire world in the future.

There is a very significant Person Whom VP Joe has not intelligently considered in this very critical issue. His name is Almighty God Who brought a mind boggling universe (with boundaries still totally unknown to us finite human beings) into existence by simply speaking a few commands! This same God is also One with very high moral standards and He has clearly established boundaries when it comes to human sexuality as it is expressed and experienced.

As God has spelled it out, the only acceptable activity involving sexual intimacy is that taking place between one male and one female within the sacred covenant of marriage! This is revealed early on in the book of Genesis and reaffirmed by the Son of God, Jesus Christ, during His ministry on earth two thousand years ago.

There is no such thing as a “right” when it comes to violating God’s moral laws – only an intentional choice to do so. The term “gay rights” is a fatal deception due to God labeling same-sex intimacy as an abomination, not merely sinful transgression!

Other sexual offenses, in addition to same-sex intimacy, as explicitly revealed in God’s special revelation via holy Scripture are:

1. Fornication – sexual intimacy between two unmarried persons.

2. Adultery – sexual intimacy between two persons, with at least one being married to another person other than the one with whom he/she is being intimate in that moment.

3. Incest – sexual intimacy between immediate family members, such as fathers & daughters, mothers & sons, brothers & sisters, etc.

4. Bestiality – sexual activity with animals.

5. Rape – forcing a person to be sexually intimate against his or her will.

There is one type of sexual offense that is not mentioned specifically in Scripture but is certainly covered in those areas of offense already mentioned. Sexual abuse (and intimacy) with children is not mentioned nor described as are the others, but really that is not necessary since it is certainly covered under the subject area of rape. Even many unregenerate persons, while they may engage in such things as fornication or adultery, are greatly outraged when children become victims of sexual predators!

It is a fact that God has given many sacred gifts to the members of the human race. Of these, one of the least appreciated, most abused and horribly misused has been the gift of human sexuality.

The burned debris and ashes that comprise the ruins of a once prosperous city by the name of Sodom are a mute reminder that just when you think your sexual trump card has won the game in life, then Almighty God trumps your card and the game is now concluded, ending in a catastrophe that our feeble minds cannot begin to comprehend!

If Joe and his boss get their way in this campaign, then they should further announce that fornication, adultery, incest, bestiality, and rape are also quite acceptable – who can object? An appeal to the Scripture? No, it won’t fly – the same Scripture that condemns these aforementioned sexual activities also with equal clarity condemns same-sex activity!

However, as Joe continues in his LGBT rights campaign, there is one thing I actually would pay admission to see – I would like to see Joe lead a public demonstration for LGBT “rights” in one of the major cities of countries such as Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia – you know, with large signs and slogans, which denounce the Islamic position on same-sex relationships and intimacy! Did he not say they were going to push this thing all over the world? Go get ‘em, Joe!

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. [Galatians 6:7-8 (KJV)].

And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague. [Numbers 11:32-33 (KJV)].

Looking at the Big Picture in the Limbaugh/Fluke Uproar!

A woman testifies in support of government funding of birth control items so that females can get this stuff free -- Rush Limbaugh responds by calling her certain very uncomplimentary names -- an avalanche of criticism is launched against Limbaugh -- some advertisers withdraw support -- many of the media again demonstrate that they most resemble sharks in bloody water where Limbaugh is the focus of attention, and so it goes! --- A variety of news sources on this "earth shaking" happening in the U.S.A!

It seems that nobody wants to or is willing to honestly face the big picture in the recent Limbaugh/Fluke controversy. Sandra Fluke in a sense was "campaigning" for government funding of birth control items -- that is, females wanting access to birth control items should be able to obtain the same under Obamacare at no cost to them, as the health plan seems to be commonly known.

As this became public, Rush Limbaugh reacted by calling Sandra a couple of rather derogatory names! A lot of public hostility was directed toward Rush because of his comments. Even President Obama called Sandra to console her -- one wonders just what all he may have said -- you know, something like, "Poor, poor Sandy -- did that mean old Rush say nasty things about you? You're a good girl -- just don't pay any attention to that hateful man -- he has said a lot of bad things about me too!"

The tragic fact in this is a neglect at looking far enough into the issue that the big picture of reality is very clearly revealed!

Our culture has lost its moral compass and no longer considers what our Creator says about life and responsibility.

One issue has to do with human sexuality and the proper way to express and experience it. God has drawn the boundaries explicitly and has shown what is acceptable sexual conduct and what is not.

The revelation given to us from God spells out what unacceptable sexual behavior is in all human relationships:

1. Sexual intimacy between two unmarried persons is an act of fornication and condemned by God. Nowhere is there ever a reference in the holy Scriptures that this is acceptable conduct in the sight of God.

2. Sexual intimacy between two persons, with at least one being married to a person other than the one with whom the act of sexual intimacy is taking place is considered to be adultery and condemned by God. In fact God used this immoral example as an illustration as to the unfaithfulness of His people, the ancient Israelites, engaging in the practices of worshipping false gods and goddesses. Some of these worship "rituals" involved such things as immoral sexual activity and sacrificing little children by throwing them alive into a fire!

3. Same gender sexual intimacy is not labeled as simply "sin" but as an abomination. What is the difference? As best the human mind can grasp the difference, we must conclude that an abomination is sin intensified many, many times over! The shedding of innocent blood is labeled by God as not a sin, but an abomination! The preceding example of sacrificing small children by throwing them into a raging fire as an act of worship to the ancient Canaanite god, Molech, would be an abomination. And so same gender sexual intimacy is not in the same class of sinful offenses such as fornication or adultery but something many times worse than these!

4. The Scriptures also mention the subject of sexual activity with animals. Common sense should tell every human being that this is stricly off limits, but obviously there are those who feel this can be very acceptable to those who desire to be involved in such activity. God labels it a "perversion" and soundly condemns it.

4. There are other sexual related offenses that take place within the human race in different ways such as sexual abuse of children and youth, rape, and a pornography industry that thrives on visual display of all manner sexual activity ranging from male/female intercourse to a wide variety of bizarre perversions!

God has set the boundary line of acceptable sexual expression and experience around a special couple -- a male and a female whom He has joined together in a significant covenant known as marriage. One can closely examine the holy Scriptures word by word and never find God approving conduct such as that described earlier. Only within the covenant of marriage does God grant His blessing when it comes to a man and a woman sharing the joy of their marriage within the context of sexual intimacy!

The very clear implication in the health care debate over government funding of birth control items so that females can obtain these without cost is that you can freely engage in your choice of sexual activity -- there are no moral restrictions -- do your own thing as your lusts dictate -- it's all OK since we make our own rules -- further, we must listen to the voice of the "Instant Gratification" god/goddess at all times, committing spiritual suicide in the process!

Any hope that the citizens of a republic known as the United States of America will seriously look at the BIG picture and consider the boundary lines as established by the Creator of the heavens and this lowly earth when it comes to human sexuality? Not likely -- the evidence is mounting day by day that we will experience what numerous cultures of the past learned the hard way -- when a defiant spirit dominates through time, then something called judgment at the hands of an angry God takes place! Ruins of nations which existed in the past testify that you cannot ignore the moral laws of God and get away with it -- it remains as written in Scripture, "God is not mocked..."

"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. Nor shall you mate with any beast, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before a beast to mate with it. It is perversion. Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you." --- Leviticus 18:22-24

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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. --- 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. --- Revelation 22:14, 15

Yes, Indeed! It's True -- Monkey See, Monkey Do!

About 1 in 4 teenage girls in the United States - and nearly half of black girls - has at least one sexually transmitted disease, according to a study released yesterday, providing the first national snapshot of infection rates among this age group... --- opening statement in news release by The Baltimore Sun, March 12, 2008

Alarming details in the report should give parents of teenaged females from ages 14 to 19 cause to be deeply concerned. Even more alarming is the fact that not all STD's were covered in this study. The girls were tested for human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and herpes. By far, the most common sexually transmitted disease was HPV. Further, of those infected, 15 percent had more than one STD! An infectious diseases specialist at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center referred to these sexually transmitted infections as a "hidden epidemic." About how many adolescent females does this involve? The CDC states that at least 3.2 million in this age group are infected! Consider the fact that this does not take in those under age 14 or those over age 19 who are infected. As the late Barney Fife was sometimes heard to say, "Andy, we have a situation!"

Syphilis, HIV, and gonorrhea were not included in the study nor were teenaged boys included in the study. So it is concluded that actual numbers could be higher since there would be infected persons not covered in the study.

However, there are a few persons who would not be surprised by such statistics. These are the ones who have developed a degree of knowledge and sensitivity to God's special revelation which was completed 2,000 years ago. It's called the Bible. It is a Book which has caused widespread debate down through the centuries among those who profess to be Christian in faith. If we are willing to let the Holy Spirit speak in regard to clear statements on sexual matters, it is easy to see where the boundary lines are drawn when it comes to human sexuality.

God has placed His approval and blessing on sexual intimacy under only one condition -- a male and a female who have entered into the covenant of marriage. All other kinds of sexual activity are prohibited such as fornication (sex between unmarried persons), adultery (sex between two persons, with one or both being married to other partners), same-gender sex intimacy which is labeled an "abomination," sex with animals (bestiality), and incest (sexual intimacy between family members).

But in this age of being "free spirits" and "liberated" our little tykes learn at an early age that adults are teaching by example and a myriad of visual images that "Sex is fun with anyone (or more than one anyone at the same time) anywhere and at any time!"

High profile celebrities in the movie and TV industries conceive children out of wedlock -- sex tapes of their activities are available on the Internet -- the pornography industry is a multi-billion dollar business that has invaded just about every nation on the face of this planet!

So our culture declares that we need to "educate" the little tykes about sex -- we'll teach them graphically how to put a condom on a banana, but it's against the law to tell them that God says wait until you fall in love, get married, and then be blessed in a most heavenly experience!

With the bombardment of a sex-saturated media each day, little wonder that the hormones rage quickly and the "instant gratification" philosophy kicks in! And before our very eyes we see the tragedy of sowing to the lust of the flesh and reaping a harvest which can best be described as being under the sentence of death!

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. --- Galatians 6:6, 7

Will the tide be turned back? Not likely -- the message of total abstainence in regard to sexual activity before marriage is greatly resisted -- so get out the bananas and the condoms -- and do it safely! After all, God is not welcome in our public school educational system is He? As for colleges and universities, far too many students seem to buy into the philosophy that "partying" (this includes alcohol, drugs and sexual activity) is a must on a regular basis. This time of year is "spring break" you know and not many of the older tykes will spend their time in Sunday School!

The one thing, and maybe it's about the only thing, that Christians can do is to pray and witness to God's Truth on this critical issue as the opportunity presents itself. It is legitimate to pray that God will visit the "fruit" of their doings upon those who immorally influence the young! Sometime you are reading the Scriptures, look for that expression -- it's in there more than once! You can start with Jeremiah 17:10!

"How shall I pardon you for this? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by those that are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, then they committed adultery and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. They were like well-fed lusty stallions; every one neighed after his neighbor's wife. Shall I not punish them for these things?" says the LORD. "And shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?" --- Jeremiah 5:7-9

Avoid Accusations of Discrimination -- Accept All of Them with the "Right Hand of Fellowship!"

A rumble happened some months back, featuring a mainline denomination -- perhaps more like a volcano eruption in the state of Virginia. A United Methodist pastor refused to receive a practicing homosexual man into church membership -- a complaint was filed -- he was suspended by a vote of his peers at the annual conference Executive Session -- the Judicial Council (sort of like a church supreme court) ruled the pastor was to be reinstated and reimbursed back salary, etc. It was a real slap in the face for the bishop and her Executive Session. Sometimes good things do happen and a person who holds to Biblical convictions is vindicated!

But UMC bishops stick together -- those boys and girls support one another no matter if one their own has fouled up big time! Some of them can teach heresy and it's quite OK because they are part of the "club!" So they drafted a "pastoral letter" which in effect said the guy who was practicing sodomy should have been received into church membership, the Judicial Council was wrong in its ruling, blah blah blah (add as many blahs as you wish).

So then, with all the mounting pressure within the United Methodist Church to accept practicing homosexuals and lesbians as members of the church, and also the political hanky panky going on to accept these people into the ranks of the clergy, why stop with just this group? There are others who will feel they are victims of prejudice and feel rejection if we do not offer the same welcome and be in "ministry to and with" them as is stated about the homosexual crowd in the UMC's Book of Discipline.

Let's get the campaign rolling for resolutions to the General Conference of 2008 which will permit the following to become members of the United Methodist Church without any questioning, criticism or censure regarding lifestyles:

• fornicators, whether they just have a "relationship" with a "significant other" or they like to party with a number of members of the opposite sex at the same time on Saturday night!
  
  
• adulterers, who are committed to "open marriage" and who don't hesitate to let it be known that intimacy with other persons beyond one's marriage partner is a good and healthy thing!
  
  
• incest practitioners who claim that their approach to human sexuality is the best way to teach their children the "facts of life" and they will grow up with a good attitude about sexual issues and have a high sense of self-esteem!
  
  
• rapists who have strong convictions that the persons whom they attack really invite and desire such aggressive behavior, so that in the end, both parties in the rape encounter have been "fulfilled!"
  
  
• child molesters who are misunderstood by clergy especially -- they are just starting the education of children in a different way -- children learn by "doing!" Failure to accept these persons into church membership will definitely open the church and its leadership up to accusations of being self-righteous, judgmental, etc. as happens often in the case of homosexuals and lesbians!
  
  
• bestiality practitioners who feel that having sexual experiences with their dog or pet goat in the back yard is a "normal" thing (don't you often hear that reasoning in the campaign for acceptance of homosexuality and lesbianism -- that it is "normal?") and one ought not to knock it until you've tried it. So if Jane Doe is having a "love" thing going with her German Shepherd we ought not to be judgmental and if she shows up at the local United Methodist church and wants to join with Rex in her company, who are we to object?
  

Objections to these recommendations? If even the bishops are suggesting that homosexuals and lesbians should be admitted to membership in the United Methodist Church, how can you draw a line and say that the above mentioned persons should not be admitted also?

Did I hear someone say those are immoral acts -- violent acts -- acts that degrade and take advantage in some cases of very young persons? Oh, and how do you determine that? You can't appeal to the Bible due to the fact that for some time we have been told that where homosexuality is condemned, it really isn't so due to our tendency to incorrectly "interpret" Scripture etc. So, where there is reference to such activities as those mentioned above, we are likely doing a wrong "interpretation" as in the case of same gender sexual activity! Haven't we been told repeatedly that it is morally acceptable for 2 males or 2 females to be in a "committed and loving relationship?" So, what if individuals in one of the categories above makes a similar claim? Are we going to be prejudiced and say that it's OK for Sylvester and Joe down the street to be a loving "couple" but it's not OK for those others previously mentioned who have their particular sexual "lifestyle?"

So in the denomination that prides itself on being a church of "Open Hearts! Open Minds! Open Doors!" let's make the necessary changes so that along with homosexuals and lesbians we welcome all persons who have their unique ways of practicing human sexuality and never make the mistake of suggesting to them that such behavior is unacceptable!



And now a PS on this matter -- There are still a few who believe God means every word which is recorded in His inspired Word and that through His Holy Spirit we will be able to correctly interpret what is written regarding the sexual boundaries which God has clearly established, including the issue of homosexuality.

It is most unfortunate that a number of United Methodist bishops have yet to be aware of the fact that this is how it really is! But should you encounter one who insists that homosexuality and lesbianism are morally acceptable in our society, then you can respond that if that is really true, then so are the other sexual lifestyles as mentioned above!

Some parting food for thought -- notice the transformation which occurred in the lives of some people who apparently were trapped in sexual immorality of various kinds as mentioned by Paul the apostle:

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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. --- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Keeping Pace with Morality & Apologies!

“I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts.........I do not believe that the armed forces of the United States are well served by a saying through our policies that it’s OK to be immoral in any way.” --- Marine General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Pentagon - March 12, 2007

He's a jewel -- one of a kind -- a breath of fresh air in a very stagnant room -- a magnificent keystone in the social arch of our republic -- a bright light shining in a very dark and dismal place -- he's Marine General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the U. S. of A!

He is also under very intense fire for the statements quoted above in which he stated that homosexual acts are immoral.


Also -- another tragedy -- here is a man in a very high profile position who has chosen to align himself 100 per cent with the moral position as outlined by Almighty God our Creator and he gets shot down for it.

It is added proof as to the fact that this nation is now dominated by a spirit of defiance regarding God's established boundaries for sexual expression and experience!

Voices of protest against General Pace for his remarks are coming from elected officials and other "high profile" persons who have intentionally chosen to exhibit their ignorance on sexual morality by running the mouth without engaging the brain.

Great example -- Senator John Warner who said, "I respectfully but strongly disagree with the chairman's view that homosexuality is immoral." John speaks for a huge number of other people as well, who likely add an "Amen!" to his statement.

General Pace has said he will not apologize for such remarks -- that is good, because he does not have to. The reason? God has never in the past nor ever will in the future apologize for declaring the following to be an abomination or a sin (an abomination is sin intensified many times over):

• homosexuality (sexual activity between 2 persons of the same gender)
  
• fornication (sexual activity between a male and female who are unmarried)
  
• adultery (sexual activity between a male and a female, at least one of which is married to another person)
  
• incest (sexual activity between immediate members of a family)
  
• rape (sexual activity in which a person is forced to engage in such activity against his/her will - victim can be of any age from that of a small child to an adult)
  
• bestiality (sexual activity with animals)
  

By the way at the top of the listing is sexual activity which spawns a very large number of STD's (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) -- some of which are incurable and a few others that are fatal! And if all of the aforementioned "activity" is so good and not immoral as so many claim, why all those ravaging diseases? And why, for instance, is there a push on to vaccinate very young teen-aged girls with a drug that is supposed to prevent a certain virus from bringing on cancer of the uterus in later years due to sexual activity while still in the young stages of life?

Go ahead, search the holy Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation and see for yourself how many of the above mentioned sexual activities are presented in a positive manner and given sanction by Almighty God. What's the matter -- disappointed?

Certainly there are any number of efforts made to declare sexually immoral acts as "good" because we are committed and "love" one another very much -- therefore it just can't be wrong for us, and people such as General Peter Pace are narrow-minded and bigoted -- homophobes who have not seen the "light" in the 21st Century in which we are now a diverse and tolerant culture!

And so, as a culture that is dominated and controlled by that spirit of defiance mentioned earlier, we give God an obscene gesture, jump on our toboggan, and slide toward inevitable disaster! For a few of us, this is no surprise due to a solemn prediction made by Jesus Christ Himself! (see Luke 17:26-30).