Do I have to serve THEM?

      On the eve of Good Friday (remembering when Jesus Christ was crucified) I feel that this is the best time to post this. What I am about to say has been on my mind for the past two weeks. I have prayed about it, been so angry I have punched a wall/air/pillow and wept (not in that order... nor at the same time). I think it is necessary for me to post this to convey what I believe to be true. Please read this with an open heart/mind. I pray that the Holy Spirit will bless my words as I am writing them and, later, while you are reading them. Do my beliefs give me the right to discriminate? If I am a Christian, do I have to serve people with different views? Would Christ have served a cake to homosexual couple for their wedding? Would have turned away someone who is in sin and excluded them from his company?

       Let me be clear. I believe God created me for one purpose only: to love.

 Matthew 22:36-40New International Version (NIV) 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

     Too many times I find myself rethinking scriptures or questioning areas I think are grey... making it too complicated. If you believe in Jesus Christ... it's not complicated... see above.

     I also identify myself as a Christian because I believe in Jesus Christ, His teachings and the words of ALL the scriptures. http://www.openbible.info/topics/being_like_christ I acknowledge that I was born into sin; unplanned by God due to the choice of Adam and Eve. Genesis chapter 3.

I. Am. A. Sinner.

      However, Jesus has called me to follow him. Since I now follow him, I am a new creation and must continually strive to be a better person. 2 Corenthians 5:17. BUT, I am still a sinner. I am no better than any other human being. But it is through Christ that I have His promise of paradise. What do I believe is a sin? Here… https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=sin&qs_version=NIV
Do some research.

Also, Timothy chapter 1 is a great summary.
 8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

     Does this mean my beliefs tell me to discriminate? NO. As I stated before, I was created to LOVE. “I was made to love you!” –Toby Mac Some people will hear this and respond with this scripture: 15"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16"But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. Matthew 18:15

 But this verse is referring to those believers within the church. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018&version=NIV Check it.

      Although, it is technically true that Jesus did not specifically address homosexuality in the Gospel accounts; however, He did speak clearly about sexuality in general. Concerning marriage, Jesus stated, “At the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh[.]’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:4–6). Here Jesus clearly referred to Adam and Eve and affirmed God’s intended design for marriage and sexuality.

      In conclusion, should I have the right to refuse to serve someone? Hmm.  Well.  I would pray that if I did indeed feel uncomfortable about something, that my government or the individual, would have some understanding and not force me to do something I am uncomfortable with. Example: creating a satanic shirt logo.   Ultimately, I am getting back to the basic peeps. Jesus Christ commanded me to love Him and to treat others how I would want to be treated. I could easily focus on the “what ifs? and easily say how homosexuality (only focusing on one sin) is a sin. But that would be misrepresenting the One I serve. He created me for one purpose: I was made to love.

randomness

My Summer Poem

MmMmM Sun!
Ahhhh Warmth!

Laying out, shirtless, sweat tickles, heat radiating

Hoooo hot!
Ahhhh burning!

Jump, splash, chill, cool

Phew refreshing!
MmMmM Summer!







Random Fact of the day:

Honey is the only food that does not spoil. Honey found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs has been tasted by archaeologists and found edible.

Good bye to another year of college

On Wednesday, the 28th of April, my 3rd year at Indiana Wesleyan University came to an abrupt halt. There are two thoughts that are still with me; What do I do now and where has the time gone? Coming out of the school semester always feels awkward; as though I need to do my home work (when there is none to do). I have always viewed the college semesters at IWU as a merrygoround. The IWU merrygoround begins slowly as the semester begins and progressively gets faster and faster until one day it locks up and all the passengers go flying off. This analogy works wonders. Not only does it explain how students feel during the semester but it also explains why most of the students on campus are walking zombies not knowing what to do next. I am now a walking zombie. Constantly I have the urge to read and write even though I am not required to do these activities for an assignment. Hopefully this sickness will heal itself, as it does every year, and go away as the summer progresses.


The past three years of college have raced by leaving mewondering how time flies so incredibly fast. Although the years have gone by quick I am happy to have had them. These years have been full of memories and friends. I only have one semester left at IWU; next step is student teaching. Through this last semester I hope I can continue to be a good friend, a wonderful student, influential role mode, and most importantly just continue to have a fun college experience. Before I do soak up my last IWU semester I think I will sit back and relax with no worries of due dates and exams. Good bye Junior year of college... Hello beautiful, or should I call you summer?