Gays In The Clergy

I read on the web that the Church of England (Anglican) and the Episcopal Church continue their internal warfare over the issue of gay clergy.  Of course, had their respective theologians bothered to actually read their Bibles they never would have found themselves in this situation!

No this is not another of those postings I see all of the time, where if you are gay, I am going to tell you, "you are going to hell and let me help you get there" routines.

Rather, it is time for Christians to grow up and understand that homosexuality is a sexual sin - no different than adultery, etc.  And yet, so many Christians are willing to condemn the homosexual and accept a "repentant" er, randy pastor.  There is no difference here folks - sexual sin is sexual sin before God.  And oh, God forgives sin - if those involved are willing to repent and change their lives.

To those in the clergy whom are involved in sexual sin of any kind - you do not belong in a position where you represent God to a world lost in sin already!  I do not care if you are "straight" or "gay" - if you can not keep your zipper up - get out of the ministry - and stay out!  Ask me how I really feel sometime...

"Straight" or "Gay", the lost world needs to learn the forgiveness of their sin and be empowered to overcome their temptations.  It can be done - my Bible tells me this has been true for a few thousand years.  This is not to say we do not fail - but it does mean we can change the direction of our lives and work to overcome our base natures.

So had these denominations bothered to read Timothy or Peter and bothered to apply the requirements for the office to those whom would seek to represent God - there would be no gay pastors nor randy pastors present to make these problems for them.  But they have caved into culture and the pressures of special interests groups - perhaps to reach them initially - now to be destroyed by them in the world's eyes.  Good job!  I am sure you will will be aptly rewarded later in your existence  for that one.....

And to the argumentative Christian -

Yes, Romans 1 does tell us that due to the hardness of our hearts, God has given us over to the lusts of our flesh to the destruction of our bodies.  And so.....?

A "Christian", pastor or not, whom is sleeping his way through the church (of either bent) is fitting right into Romans 1.  So, what are you going to do about it?  That person's spiritual needs need to be addressed and if they are not willing to change their direction - they need to be disfellowshipped.  Keep it Biblical, keep it loving, keep reaching out ...

I sin, you sin, we all sin, and God forgives us continually - but God has a higher qualification for those whom would lead others in the faith - otherwise, Timothy and Peter would both read somewhat differently...

Meeting Our Needs

On the one hand, it is extremely frustrating being me.  I am the leper of the automotive world.  If I purchase a perfectly running automobile – it will commit suicide enough times that eventually it will be allowed to just die.  In the Netherlands, my cars would each have a lawyer and a doctor overseeing their suicide request is honored…  The worse was my last Volkswagen – 5 miles to a blown engine.  Of course, my having a broken body has only made working on this vehicle almost impossible and the shops want thousands to repair!  Grrrrr!

The most recent was a Ford I purchased from my best friend, who’s Dutch in laws had given it to him.  It ran beautifully for his in laws, beautifully for him – but as soon as I bought it – death was just around the corner.  For two years we have worked on its list of weird problems, to the extent that most of the wiring and engine have now been replaced.  It has sat in a garage or my driveway longer than it has run for me!  Then three weeks ago – the transmission went out.  I do not know about your town, but here – this is the death notice for any car.  It would take almost four months salary to put that rotten Ford back on the road!

So for three weeks I have searched for a car.  I went to the dealerships where I can go in debt for the next 7 years, supplying them with half of my post tax income.  Forget that one!  Next I looked for a car through private ads only to find nothing in the price range I can afford.  Then I found a mini van available through a local company in very nice condition and attractive price.  So, I bought it.

We will see how long this one lasts before the grim reaper harvests it parts.

And though it may sound like I am complaining, God continues to meet our transportation needs through friends and public buses or trams.  But, it will be good to be able to get my daughter to the doctors without having friends travel an hour to get us, to take us and then back home for us, and then them – a five hour commitment for them! 

Thank heavens for their charity and God’s provision!

Cheeeeeeeeeeeese Borger

For my birthday, I was given a beer stein by my sister.  But not just any old beer stein, this one was actually very special!  It is from an Oktoberfest held at the Laon NCO Club on Laon Air Force Base.

If you read through my really early posting on this site, you know that we were interned at Laon for a few years during the Cold War.  Laon was a NATO base with American’s, Canadians, Brit’s and a few of us Germans running around.

Once I was 10, I was allowed into the NCO club.  I was so excited!  It was just a like a Denny’s/VIPs/Shari’s with a bar in the back.  But it was still exciting to me.  My favorite meal there was a cheese burger with a chocolate shake.  When I was 12, they then would let me have tea!  Oh boy big time!

As I held the mug in my hand, a rush of memories came back, mostly revolving around cheese burgers and tea!  I laughed to think about the waitress – worse accent anyone could ever have!  We rarely could understand one another.  And she always kept her hair in the wildest arrangements!

“I would like a cheese burger with a cup of tea, please.”

“Cheeeeeeeeeeeese borger.  You want man-yan-aise on Cheeeeeeeeeeeese borger?”

“Huh?”

“Man-yan-aise, you want man-yan-aise?”

“Mayonnaise?  Oh sure.”

“Why growing boy need tea?  You need milkshake.  Tea for sick old people!”

“No really tea will be fine.”

Grunt, stomp off.

This was played out at least once a week for years.  It was worth the $.85 once a week just in entertainment value.

So, I hopped on the internet to see if there was a way to know which Oktoberfest this mug came from.  And surprise, surprise, what do I see?  The waitress at a reunion!  She married one of the airmen and now lives in Texas!

Oh, and yes, she still has the wildest hairdo I have ever seen!

Its That Time Again!

A Question of Faith

I will admit this past month was a real low point for me in over three years.  Between work, family and church politics – life has not been easy.  And, as I approached the holiday season my faith was severely shaken by the antics of my children.  Yes, I understand they have wills and choices to make, but somehow I had become complacent they would be protected even from themselves.  Best laid wishes of a father.

Last night, as I lay sleepless yet again, I thought on this.  I was reminded of the many miracles I have witnessed in my walk as a Christian.  How during some of my darkest hours – for instance - behind the Iron Curtain, God was there protecting me, leading me and showing His might against those whom would oppose His Word and its spread.

In essence, which is harder for God: to keep me out of the clutches of the GDU or to wrest my children from the poison of culture?  To three times remove me from KGB holding or protect my daughter no matter the means?  To heal me of cancer or to give me what I need day to day to make it through?

Obviously, nothing is any harder for God than the next; the question is how hard we make it for God to work around us.  I may want to slam the lid down on troubled daughter – but in my spirit I know this will only lead to further rebellion.  She needs to be lovingly drawn back to Him, not alienated into the arms of culture.  This is going to be hard!

So here is to 2007, Kris letting go, Kris once again on crutches to walk by faith, Kris thankful for those whom God has provided, Kris … yah, getting his act together.

A Question of Faith

I will admit this past month was a real low point for me in over three years.  Between work, family and church politics – life has not been easy.  And, as I approached the holiday season my faith was severely shaken by the antics of my children.  Yes, I understand they have wills and choices to make, but somehow I had become complacent they would be protected even from themselves.  Best laid wishes of a father.

Last night, as I lay sleepless yet again, I thought on this.  I was reminded of the many miracles I have witnessed in my walk as a Christian.  How during some of my darkest hours – for instance - behind the Iron Curtain, God was there protecting me, leading me and showing His might against those whom would oppose His Word and its spread.

In essence, which is harder for God: to keep me out of the clutches of the GDU or to wrest my children from the poison of culture?  To three times remove me from KGB holding or protect my daughter no matter the means?  To heal me of cancer or to give me what I need day to day to make it through?

Obviously, nothing is any harder for God than the next; the question is how hard we make it for God to work around us.  I may want to slam the lid down on troubled daughter – but in my spirit I know this will only lead to further rebellion.  She needs to be lovingly drawn back to Him, not alienated into the arms of culture.  This is going to be hard!

So here is to 2007, Kris letting go, Kris once again on crutches to walk by faith, Kris thankful for those whom God has provided, Kris … yeah, getting his act together.