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First thing I would like to say is that I am incredibly grateful to all the people that came out and brought such incredible value to The Forum. You are all incredible. Id also like to thank everyone who commented or emailed me in regards to the last blog.

Today I want to share what I would say has to be my biggest takeaway of the day. I think one of the biggest apologies that we need to make not only to the Gay & Lesbian Community, but to ourselves, and to the world is that we have not maintain a true community. That is one of the things that hit me the hardest as I stood up and took questions. The LGBTQ community is immediately and openly welcoming of people that share in their lifestyle. Their community sees, beyond color, economics, gender and education. We seem to be constantly divided,  why would people want to be involved in with us.  I heard this over and over in the large group as well as in the smaller discussion after the Forum. Why would we expose our hearts when inevitably we will be rejected. We get all the love all the support all the family and fellowship that you could want. Why would we come to the church where even of some might look past our sexual gender surely we will be rejected, its just a matter of time.

As someone that has run in the Criminal community, there is a greater understanding of a general acceptance than in Christianity. Now certainly I am generalizing, and I have people that I have incredible community with some in the Faith. But I think we need to really examine what is the state of our community. How does it look to the outsider? And shouldn’t the Body of Christ bring from the world because of the love we demonstrate to one another?  It was the Commandment that Christ gave us that if we obeyed the world would recognize us without a banner of a building.

Later on Tuesday the group of guys (the Barbarians) that I meet with took a long hard look at Psalm 133

Psalm 133: 1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Do we realize that our fellowship, our unity is not only just holy, and good, and right before the Lord. But that it is beautiful, and life giving, and it is a demonstration of grace and hope?

Consider this, do  your relationships  say more to the world than your religion.

I hope to have a audio and video link uo in the next week for The Forum

Blessings

Jesus loves gays It’s almost time for the next Forum, And this should be a hot one.  According to Barna’s research as well as others this has to be one of the most tension filled question in today’s culture. Do we owe the LGBTQ an apology and if so for what?

I’ll be honest the question for me is simple. YES, We owe a huge apology. The tough part is for what, and how that looks.

Now before you get to freaked out on their sin being an abomination, etc… Lets start with this, Lets assume for the sake of the argument it is. I still say we own Our Brothers and Sisters an apology. Why you ask? Let me tell you a story and then I would love your feed back.

Many of you know that once upon a time I was a professional fighter. I fought in the MMA Arena (mixed martial arts) for years and had the opportunity to travel  all over the world, meet tons of people and grow deeply in my walk with Christ.  While training at AMC (One of the top gyms in the world) in Kirkland, WA. I had the privilege of meeting a great guy named Kim Mason.  Kim came to AMC and showed tremendous potential. He became close friends with all the guys, attended our bible study,  sweat, bleed, and had fellowship with  the rest of us daily. After a few years I retired and moved to Tucson, AZ to pursue full time ministry. Kim stayed in the Seattle area and did very well in the fight game. A couple of years later, I received a phone call from a friend and was told that our friend Kim was arrested for murder. What? I was shocked, how could this be, what happened?

The details where sketchy but it turns out that Kim had broken into the victims house, cut his throat, stabbed him repeatedly and then disposed of the body (which has never been found) and then took the car to the airport, to make it look like the victim had left town. It took two years for the police to put together all the evidence and now Kim was being arrested.  I was sick, it turns out the victim was Hartanto Santoso, a friend of Kim’s that used to come to the Gym occasionally with Kim. A nice guy but really quite, not a fighter. Why? Why did this happen, I was in shock?

Fast forward to me visiting with  Kim in prison (being a pastor has its privileges). Bro what happened, I asked. The answer changed me forever. Kim and Haranto had been having a relationship together and Haranto was going to expose Kim. I could hardly breath, Why, why did you have to kill him? Why didn’t you come to us? We are your brothers. The answer, “You would have never accepted me, I heard what you guys called people like me, I came to the bible studies, I knew God wouldn’t  love me because of who I am…

My apology had to start that day, after a tragedy that can never be taken back, with a friend a brother that will be in jail for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole. To “Kim the Sensation Mason” and to Hartanto Santoso my heart breaks and I am eternally sorry, my heart breaks for you your families and your community.

Have we brought so much shame that there is no room at the foot of the Cross?

What are your thoughts, please share.

On November 3rd, we will be taking on this issue @ Bellevue College. We are going tackle this issue head on seeking after truth without apology. So join us if you can 12:30pm in room N201

jesus-christ_smoking

Would Jesus Smoke with me? If so what would he smoke, a cigar, a cigarette, or how about a “J”?

I would love your opinions on this topic. Is this a cultural issue or a moral one? If you think he would Why, and if you think he wouldn’t why not?

Does the time 2009 vs. 32AD vs. 1920s make a difference?

This is a topic that I will be taking on at the Forum at Bellevue College on Oct 20th.  So sound off and tell me what you think.

Third Culture Video

JesusBranded
Copyright 2009 JesusBranded

Sam Franada has an incredible ministry. Check it out at Jesusbranded.com

So I haven’t been able to shake this note I received on Facebook. The note is from a sophomore at a Christian College in the pacific northwest. His major is of course Psychology.
Doug….I got some questions for you:
gay-lesbian-logo
1. What would you say to someone, a Christian psychologist, who states that you should approach “treatment” with homosexuals by trying to make them heterosexual, trying to show them their wrong, and altering their sexual perceptions to an accurate sexual drive.
Answer: I would say that the approach to all  of our sins is not to focus on our sins, but to direct our gaze and hearts toward Christ. The second thing I would say is that if we as Christians believe that Homosexuality is not a issue of nature but nurture. I would seek uncover the hurt, pain and issues that might be the triggers for the sexual sin. (Although Jesus said to go and sin no more, He brought healing first.) Lastly I would point out that we should be teaching that those of us that struggle and stumble the most are the one that God calls to come boldly to the throne of grace, to receive His grace and mercy.

2. How is homosexuality different than other sins?
Answer: It isn’t necessarily, however it is sexual, physical and cultural. Which gives it a stronger hook than many types of sin. One other thing, we have all heard the expression that every believable lie is mixed with a little truth. Homosexuality although it is  a sin that doesn’t mean that there cannot be very authentic genuine feelings tied into the relationships. No different than adultery.

3. How do you treat/counsel someone who is homosexual (as a Christian)
Answer: The same as any other sin; love them, encourage them in their walk, Exhort them to good works, direct them in their giftedness

4. Do you, and if so, when you bring up the whole, “your lifestyle is a sin, and let’s work on changing it?”
Answer: If they are a non believer,  not until they come to a place of tasting and seeing that the Lord is good. (that is a whole question in itself.) If they are believer, I always ask why they are at the office and allow conversation to unfold naturally.  Maybe we could all need to relearn the age old lesson; people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Or just to be quick to listen and slow to speak…

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So I have to ask, am I alone in my frustration?

I have recently started a “Moving Toward Mission” series at theSalem House of Prayer

The amazing thing is that there are tons of college kids in the area that are serious about making a difference in the Salem, Oregon area.

The frustration is the response that I am getting from the “religious community”. I have received numerous complaints from local churches in the area. The complaint is that we are gathering a large group of college students on a Saturday night which is apparently appearing disruptive to the local churches efforts in trying to create effective college ministries.

Am I wrong in being bothered by this? There isn’t an offering being taken and we are encouraging these kids to integrate into their local bodies and be an influence of movement.  Am I wrong in thinking that being on mission is more important than who is leading the charge where the people are gathering? I haven’t had complaints about doctrine or style, but, territory…

I would love your thoughts.

Alan Hirsch Video

Alan Hirsch\’s Interview

I feel that Alan is one of the most profound thinkers in the Church today.  He is definately challenging my thinking.

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