Are You Ready To See Your Fixer Upper heart? Let the renovations begin!

Oh yes, I was a little fed up when I saw the articles popping up on Facebook attacking HGTV sweethearts Chip and Joanna Gaines. This is a true example of looking for offense under every rock and finding it.

Apparently, Chip and Joanna attend what appears to be a Bible preaching church, and their pastor just happens to preach that homosexuality is a sin. According to the Holy Bible (every version I’ve read), it is.

Now before you go and categorize me with the Radical Religious Right – there are a few things you need to know. I’m just not! I’m a registered Independent who happens to lean left more than right. Call me a bleeding heart – that’s okay. I love Jesus and I love my neighbor. Oh, and one more thing, I have a daughter who identifies as gay. And no one, except the good Lord and her daddy could love and adore her more!

Still, the Rainbow Flag doesn’t fly at our house, but we sure hope the love of Jesus flows! We won’t compromise biblical truths or our faith to condone a sin – any sin. Yes, we have a daughter who is gay and guess what else she is – a Bible believing Christian! Now, before you gasp and say no way, let me tell you that it is much easier to judge from the cheap seats then it is from your up close, sometimes not very comfortable recliner. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. Yes, I know gay Christians, and fornicating Christians, gossiping Christians, addicted Christians, lustful Christians, and coveting Christians. You get my drift. More importantly, I know the grace of a God who is bigger than any sin! “The gospel isn’t about who God is against. It’s about who God is for. Not the enemy – the mission.” Kaltenbach, Caleb. Messy Grace

But to paraphrase Paul, “Should we remain in our sin because we have God’s grace – NO WAY!” If you say you are a Bible believing Christian then you know the great love the Father has for us. You know that the Bible reveals our value and that Jesus thought that you were worth dying for. Your sins, no matter what they are, were hung on that cross. Grace is your opportunity to have a personal relationship with your Savior. It’s not about what you do – it’s about what Jesus has already done! In the words of Job 33:27-28, “I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved. He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.” My prayer is for all people to turn their life to the light. To recognize their purpose and appreciate that they walk in the extreme favor of a loving God.

Now to the left (I feel like I’m doing the cha cha slide). The Ultra Offended Liberal Left appears to uphold the rights of the masses, but often, dismisses the rights of Christians. Now in defense of the left, Christians can come across very UnChrist like. We have this wonderful message and yet our delivery is often tainted with disdain. We need to do better – enough said!

But this is the Land of the Free. Does that ring any bells – maybe a Liberty Bell? So back to Chip and Joanna – they have every right to attend whatever church they desire and hold whatever beliefs they wish. Comparatively, Tom Cruise has every right to attend the Church of Scientology. It called Freedom of Religion, and it’s pretty awesome! And you my fellow Americans have the right to turn the television or boycott the movie, but you do not have the right to dictate that everyone must think and feel the way you do. It is not discrimination to believe that homosexuality is a sin. It is a biblical truth. You have the right not to like it. You have the right not to believe it. But you don’t have the right to rewrite it. And just as a side note, I’ve tried to find loopholes in the Bible for many of my sins. Turns out – there aren’t any.

Chip and Joanna – keep the faith!

Today, is Demo Day.  Right, left or somewhere in between, God has made you a part of his divine design.

 

Kaltenbach, Caleb. Messy Grace: How a Pastor with Gay Parents Learned to Love Others Without Sacrificing Conviction (pp. 58-59). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.