Steve – Thanks for this! So much of this story has relevance to me. I am a Major League baseball fan – my team is the Minnesota Twins. We had our glory years in the late 80’s and early 90’s (perhaps the greatest game in World Series history was game 7 of the ’91 series against the Braves, with Jack Morris going all the way in that 10 inning, 1-0 thriller at the Metrodome). Anyways – I have lost some interest in the game more recently – mostly because of Major sports news conglomerates like ESPN having decided to focus on one cultural drama story after another – whether it’s the NFL players kneeling for the National anthem, or Lebron James looked cross-eyed at someone, or Tiger Woods having marital issues, or your latest example of how the LGBT thought police have shamed the latest athlete for disagreeing with this lifestyle. It’s all rather sickening and takes away from all the hard work and discipline these athletes go through to become tops in their fields.
The issue you bring up in today’s podcast rings true in my life. I have a loved one who has gotten caught up in the lesbian lifestyle while trying to maintain she’s a Christian. I have questioned her on that – citing and discussing relevant Scripture passages from the Old and New Testament proving that God is not pleased with that lifestyle. To make a long story short – I was told “either agree and support our lifestyle or I will cut off all ties with you.” Well that was 3 years ago and our communication has been very limited. However – we did recently get a letter from her indicating that the 2 of them are going through the approval process of trying to adopt a child out of the foster care system. She wanted to be assured that my wife and I would approve of this and would be supportive “grandparents” in this adoption. Without hesitation we said “no” – primarily because God disagrees with their union and the fact that they are purposely bringing in a child into a home with no father – again, out of the design that God intended. This whole issue has split our family – my mother and one of my sisters have actively supported my daughter in this sin. In the community where we live and even where I work my wife and I have been quietly shunned and shamed for our “judgmental attitude” (sometimes not so quietly). I bring this up – not for sympathy – put for edification for those who may be going through similar issues. I love my daughter and even her partner (as we hear all the time “they are so nice”) – but I think I would be failing as a father and as a follower of Jesus Christ if I did not stick to Christian convictions. People have to know that the Word of God is very clear on this subject. People who claim to be Christian have to know what the truth is – as John 17:17 says “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is truth.” If you are a Christian you will willingly bow the knee to what the Word says – it may take a brother or a sister saying something and pointing you in the right direction or it may be a concerned brother doing a podcast – it gets listened to and you are convicted of your sin. Just know that God uses means to bring about His will!
Thanks again Steve!
I remember watching both those world series and I can tell you I was pulling for the Twins. A few years ago I went to a game here in Cincinnati when the Reds were playing the Twins in an interleague game and I was amazed at how many MN fans were in attendance.
I’ve had the same thoughts about sports in general. To a large degree, they’ve been politicized by the SJW crowd to the point that they are less and less enjoyable to watch. The shaming of Daniel Murphy is a case in point. He gently stated what Christians have believed about homosexuality for the past 2000 years and is being stridently denounced by the fake news mainstream media as a bad guy. It’s all darkness for light in this once Christian nation.
That’s a very difficult situation you face with your daughter. I will pray for you and your wife that God would continue to grant you wisdom and strength in this matter. From your comments, I believe you’ve honored the Lord with your stance in what must be a very difficult situation for both of you.
As you noted, the Word of God is perfectly clear on the sinfulness of homosexuality. It takes a willful refusal to hear what the Bible says to conclude anything else.
Steve – Thanks for this! So much of this story has relevance to me. I am a Major League baseball fan – my team is the Minnesota Twins. We had our glory years in the late 80’s and early 90’s (perhaps the greatest game in World Series history was game 7 of the ’91 series against the Braves, with Jack Morris going all the way in that 10 inning, 1-0 thriller at the Metrodome). Anyways – I have lost some interest in the game more recently – mostly because of Major sports news conglomerates like ESPN having decided to focus on one cultural drama story after another – whether it’s the NFL players kneeling for the National anthem, or Lebron James looked cross-eyed at someone, or Tiger Woods having marital issues, or your latest example of how the LGBT thought police have shamed the latest athlete for disagreeing with this lifestyle. It’s all rather sickening and takes away from all the hard work and discipline these athletes go through to become tops in their fields.
The issue you bring up in today’s podcast rings true in my life. I have a loved one who has gotten caught up in the lesbian lifestyle while trying to maintain she’s a Christian. I have questioned her on that – citing and discussing relevant Scripture passages from the Old and New Testament proving that God is not pleased with that lifestyle. To make a long story short – I was told “either agree and support our lifestyle or I will cut off all ties with you.” Well that was 3 years ago and our communication has been very limited. However – we did recently get a letter from her indicating that the 2 of them are going through the approval process of trying to adopt a child out of the foster care system. She wanted to be assured that my wife and I would approve of this and would be supportive “grandparents” in this adoption. Without hesitation we said “no” – primarily because God disagrees with their union and the fact that they are purposely bringing in a child into a home with no father – again, out of the design that God intended. This whole issue has split our family – my mother and one of my sisters have actively supported my daughter in this sin. In the community where we live and even where I work my wife and I have been quietly shunned and shamed for our “judgmental attitude” (sometimes not so quietly). I bring this up – not for sympathy – put for edification for those who may be going through similar issues. I love my daughter and even her partner (as we hear all the time “they are so nice”) – but I think I would be failing as a father and as a follower of Jesus Christ if I did not stick to Christian convictions. People have to know that the Word of God is very clear on this subject. People who claim to be Christian have to know what the truth is – as John 17:17 says “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is truth.” If you are a Christian you will willingly bow the knee to what the Word says – it may take a brother or a sister saying something and pointing you in the right direction or it may be a concerned brother doing a podcast – it gets listened to and you are convicted of your sin. Just know that God uses means to bring about His will!
Thanks again Steve!
Hi Dan –
I remember watching both those world series and I can tell you I was pulling for the Twins. A few years ago I went to a game here in Cincinnati when the Reds were playing the Twins in an interleague game and I was amazed at how many MN fans were in attendance.
I’ve had the same thoughts about sports in general. To a large degree, they’ve been politicized by the SJW crowd to the point that they are less and less enjoyable to watch. The shaming of Daniel Murphy is a case in point. He gently stated what Christians have believed about homosexuality for the past 2000 years and is being stridently denounced by the fake news mainstream media as a bad guy. It’s all darkness for light in this once Christian nation.
That’s a very difficult situation you face with your daughter. I will pray for you and your wife that God would continue to grant you wisdom and strength in this matter. From your comments, I believe you’ve honored the Lord with your stance in what must be a very difficult situation for both of you.
As you noted, the Word of God is perfectly clear on the sinfulness of homosexuality. It takes a willful refusal to hear what the Bible says to conclude anything else.