I become all things to all people

March 2, 2013 by 2 Comments

We spent 15 years in a strict fundamentalist church environment where men were encouraged manipulated to wear suits at every service. For a man to show up at church without a suit was almost as bad as a woman showing up in pants or a short skirt. Unless, of course, the man had just got off work and drove straight to church, then he was praised for being so dedicated. A man like this had a reason to not wear a suit, but the rest knew what was expected of them in order to be considered a good church member.

So when the first time I saw my husband preach at a recovery mission in shorts and a baseball jersey, I was a bit squeemish. The fear of being seen out of uniform had taken it’s toll on me, but my husband directed my attention to the apostle Paul when he said,

“I become all things to all people.” ~Paul

And when I became the director of the women’s home I was faced with making a decision about the uniform in order to really connect with the women. They admitted to me that they didn’t feel like they could relate to me because I was “a good Christian lady”. Up until that day, they had never known that I once used street drugs too. Sharing my testimony with them opened the door for me to be able to minister to them and for them to receive it.

I spent some time in prayer, study, and reflection about this dilemma of the Christian uniform. I believe there’s a time and place for such a uniform and I think there’s a time to wear clothing that gets you in the door. If you want to minister to people at the beach you wouldn’t wear a floor length dress, nylons, and heels. This is just a simple example of what many missionaries know to be true. When they go to Africa, China, or the Philippines the best way to connect is to blend in with the culture. They have to study the culture, their mannerisms, their etiquette; and respect it.

God never commanded the entire world to dress like church going Americans. Making villagers in the jungles of South America dress in suits and ties is ludicrous. I always thought it was funny to see church folk go on missions trips only to come back dressed in the villager’s cultural clothes and show a slide show of the villagers wearing white collared shirts with ties.

Evangelism isn’t about converting people into Americans.

It’s also not about converting people to the modern church culture.

Evangelism is loving others.

We don’t have the power to convert people to God. We aren’t the Holy Spirit and should not attempt to do his work in their lives.

God simply invites us to love people.

Sadly, many church folk have been pummeled with fear mongering stories of how ‘evil’ the world is that they can’t even bring themselves to have a conversation with people who are different. They can’t fathom speaking to a homeless man, a prostitute, or even a member of the GLBT community.

Whoever has been discipling these kinds of Christians has done an incredible disservice to God and to them.

We are to build up the faith in one another. If we aren’t building up each other’s faith then how can we possibly show our faith to the world around us? Why would anyone want to believe in a God of such fearful people?

Many religious leaders go directly to the Law in order to condemn each other about having fellowship with those in the dark. They’re very much misguided. How can we shine the light in a dark world if we’re too afraid to go into the dark? Even Jesus dined with the gluttons and sinners. Do we lack faith in God to keep us close to him while we’re there? God sent his people to walk over the Red Sea, to walk in the wilderness, and says he will be with us in the valley of the shadow of death. He most certainly calls us to walk into the darkness and carry to the light with us.

If it frightens you to see fellow Christians walking in the dark and loving those in the valley then please, for God’s sake, remain in silent prayer. When you start shouting from the rooftops that ‘such an such Christian’ is “living in sin” or “dabbling in the dark” you are not only making yourself look foolishly faithless, but you are condemning your own brethren. It’s the enemy who stands at the gate daily accusing the brethren. Whose side are you on anyway?

Even Joseph lived his life in Egypt, among their culture, wearing their clothing, and still loving God!

You may not agree with how a missionary is evangelizing, but it’s not you who is reaching those people. Just because you aren’t called to serve in a certain capacity doesn’t mean no one else is. Making yourselves look foolish isn’t helping the diligent and patient work of a missionary. It might be best if you just reserved your quick and lashing tongue and try prayer instead.

“I just can’t support what you’re doing!”

You can’t be supportive, even in prayer, for the people I’m loving? For the work of the Gospel in my life and in the lives of the people I’m call to love and serve?

“But those people are in sin and you should have nothing to do with them!”

And the passages I see tossed around are from the LAW!

“Do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” ~Paul

The Law doesn’t save anyone! Condemning people isn’t how you win them.

Is that how you and your spouse fell in love? By condemning each other? By calling each other evil?

It’s love that reaches people. If you can’t bring yourselves to love each and ever single person in this world then at least embrace your right to be silent.

sisterlisa


Failure of the Mega Church

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6 Things to Expect When You Start Studying the Bible on Your Own

October 5, 2012 by 1 Comment

In our modern communities of theology, we are seeing an incredible increase of curious scholars who are seeking to learn Hebrew and Greek and decipher the scriptures without the pressure of their pastors and churches. Some call it a passing fad. I don’t think so. At least, I hope not. I would hope that more people will take the time to really study on their own, but more often than not they spend their free time being entertained and blindly believe what their pastors are telling them. The Bereans would be so disappointed.

Here’s what you can expect when you start to really study the bible on your own.

You’re going to have to admit to yourself that you have not done your due diligence in double checking what you have been handed through the traditions of your church. This is probably the largest hurdle you’ll have to get over, it’s called pride. It’s okay. We’ve all put our faith and trust in people and have been let down. We’ve all let ourselves down by letting other people do our homework for us. God’s grace is with you and now you walk forward in the adventure of true soul searching as you begin to study the scriptures on your own.

Studying on your own doesn’t mean you can’t swap notes and collaborate with people. You should be doing this. Just don’t expect that people will always agree with you. In fact, it’s good when some people disagree with you.

Your ‘Christian’ education might be in jeopardy. You’re likely to not receive a degree in the area of study you’re curious about, because most Christian colleges won’t allow you to complete the class with your personal research and essays, when your conclusions disagree with theirs.

Know that you’re not alone. Many Christians have reconsidered what they grew up believing.

Family relationships might suffer. Your family and friends might not be too pleased with you for having a different opinion about traditions or doctrines. This is a truly sad part of being a modern day Berean. Losing close relations with people you love is incredibly difficult. It’s a travesty when they allow their beliefs to divide them from their own loved ones.

Deep soul searching is on the horizon. Some of what you were mis-taught may have created some potholes in your heart that will need to be dealt with. Don’t let it discourage you, just take one pothole at a time.

People generally don’t like change and they don’t like admitting they haven’t studied on their own. They also don’t like admitting they were duped.

When we have put our trust in a spiritual leader, only to find out they mislead us, we go through various emotional, mental, and spiritual upheaval. Take your time in the healing process. Give yourself some grace and know that you have better days ahead.

Sisterlisa


American Christians Can’t Claim Persecution

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Power and Authority

September 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Many Christians hear teaching about ‘power and authority’ in regards to their inherited victory from Christ over the powers and forces of the air. This is in relation to the spiritual warfare we deal with in this life. Oftentimes the teaching gets poured over into the area of religious leadership, when they combine it with the teaching of “obey those who have the rule over you.”

bay by sisterlisa, on Pix-O-Sphere
photo credit Lisa at Pix-O-Sphere

Immature leaders take this concept of “power and authority” and use it to lord over the Body of Christ, which Jesus explicitly commanded they not do.

Matthew 20: 20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,c 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,d 28even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ESV (emphasis mine)

I understand the purpose of having a leader of an organization that can effectively manage the affairs of their ministry, but the business side of an organization should not hinder the spiritual side. When the business aspect puts the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional welfare of the people into bondage then the business side has become toxic for the Church. The business side of a ministry is to serve the needs of the people and surrounding community.

But lets look at the spiritual side of this in light of the New Covenant. Jesus rose from the grave and gave us his victory. We walk in the power of his resurrection, but what do wo do with this inheritance? Are we seeking to have power over people or to walk in the power of the resurrection so we can walk away from the bondage of condemnation that comes from the forces of the air?

So I choose to look at this word ‘power’ from the perspective of what it actually does for me, which is to be EMpowered. I have his power to EMpower myself to walk uprightly against the forces of the air and not be harmed by them.

So what are these forces of the air? Many believe it is the demonic realm that has some kind of power to cause things in the physical world to come against us. That may be true, but what I am talking about in this article is the forces that can not be seen that do try to harm us.

The power of words.

When people use words to harm us by condemning us, they are forces of the air. We can’t physically feel those words, but if we believe their negative words toward us then it can affect our mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health. This happens in all kinds of environments from school bullies to the tabloids that gossip about celebrities. When it happens in a religious environment it’s called Spiritual Abuse.

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” ESV

We don’t have to believe the words people hurl in our direction; in fact, we don’t have to listen to them at all. We are EMpowered to walk away and be free.

So what about this concept of authority in a religious environment? When Jesus gave us his victory to be EMpowered to walk free, he gave us the freedom to choose which spiritual leader to include in our lives. We are to search the scriptures to see if what they say are true and if we find their words or context untrue, we can walk away.  When you accept a leader into your life to give wisdom and insight to you, then it’s YOU who are giving them that authority, or permission, to do so.  It’s you who are allowing them a place in your life and spiritual growth and you have the freedom to break off that permission if it is abused.

It wasn’t until the sixteenth century that the word ‘authority’ began to be defined as ‘power to enforce obedience’ (Note: the King James bible was published in 1611 and King James was a known tyrant who demanded unquestioning obedience).

In the Greek, the word is ‘exousia’ which was intended to mean ‘influence’.

In the thirteenth century (and before) the definition of ‘influence’ was the meaning the people followed. This kind of authority (influence) was used to settle a matter. In the mid fourteenth century the word was defined as ‘authority entrusted to someone’. This reflects what I said earlier about giving someone permission to speak into our lives. It is ENtrusted to them, which means they earned that authority and were trusted with it. In the Body of Christ, the True Church, Jesus is the only Authority. We have ENtrusted our lives to him and given him allowance to influence our lives. No human being can ever be equal to the Lord. It can be goo have loved ones who have incredible insight that we can entrust to speak into our lives so we can be inspired and encouraged, but use caution when giving that trust to people with something so precious as your soul and mind. We are to worship God with all our soul, strength, and mind so we had better guard it.

While we have the Book of Wisdom that is filled with stories and testimonies of our spiritual ancestors, they were the authors of their experiences. They are not the authors of ours. Together with Christ, WE are the authors of our own stories. How we explain those stories, and His involvement in our own history, is our very own freedom to write and speak about.

“You and I are One.”~Jesus

So be empowered and go author your own story.

Sisterlisa

Special thanks for the inspiration of this articles goes to:

Carolee Dalton, Lifecoach at Shine Church

Jeremy Dalton, Lifecoach at Shine Church

ShineChurch


Hellbound? Wins the Debate

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Tolerance between Wild Goose and PantheaCon, is it possible?

August 20, 2012 by 5 Comments

As many of you know, I interact with a diverse group of pagans both online and in person. I have been given an incredible honor of being heard in regards to my relationship with God and they have been incredibly patient with me. They have been tolerant of me. Tolerance seems to be an ugly word for many Christians due to the idea that they think being tolerant means ‘to be in agreement with’. However, I believe true tolerance is an act of love and kindness to patiently understand one another so we can learn to better love others. In addition to this, I believe it is a way to exercise our faith and grow spiritually into the maturity and fullness of Christ.

In October, the Wild Goose Festival is coming to the West Coast. This is a festival where leaders from a diversity of Christian groups come together to be tolerant of one another, to learn from each other, and to grow spiritually. They discuss ways to interact with people in a variety of societal differences and those who live in suffering. They hash out what works in ministry and what doesn’t. Their overall goal seems to be learning how to better understand and love one another, as well as those in the world around them.

In February of 2013, PantheaCon will be in San Jose, Ca. Their theme for this year is ‘Co-operation, Tolerance, and Love’. This is a large event where pagans from all different paths come together to share their experiences and teachings with one another, to fellowship, to practice spirituality, and connect with each other.

It’s interesting to see both groups working in such a similar direction and for this I am quite happy to see such life within both communities.

I can’t help but to wonder if these two groups would be willing to work towards being tolerant of each other, to learn to understand one another, and to put down prejudices of those who came before us so we can work together for those who will come after us.

Are there any leaders on either side who have worked diligently to understand each other and help bridge the gap between these two groups, The Christians and the Pagans?

We all live on the same planet and each group has been given insight on how to be better stewards of this world and with the lives of the people thereon. Each group has value on this Earth and we should no longer reject one another or refrain from working together on some common goals.

Many Pagans have family members who are Christians and many Christians have family members who are Pagan. Sadly, they all testify of the tension between them and how difficult holidays tend to be. Holidays, the times when families should be able to come together, to rejoice, and to strengthen bonds.

  • So I ask, which Pagan leader will be presenting at the Wild Goose Festival and which Christian leader will be presenting at PantheaCon?
  • What leaders from each group would their groups trust and respect to represent them to the other?
  • Are there any leaders in each group that have mutual love and respect for the other?

What are your thoughts on this?

Sisterlisa


Biblical argument for Gays

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Love’s Evangelism Method

August 15, 2012 by 6 Comments

In the many years I was in church world I looked into various forms of evangelism. My initial experience with Jesus was so life changing that I wanted to share it with the world. I have read countless books and attended many classes, workshops, and conferences to learn how to be a better evangelist. I kept finding pretty much the same methods everywhere I looked. While I have had hundreds of people recite the sinner’s prayer I sense that was all it was, a recitation. My experience with Christ was not like that so why was I pushing that method on others? I used books and pamphlets from

  • Billy Graham
  • Billy Sunday
  • D.L.Moody
  • Jack Hyles
  • Chick Tracts

and more, but none of them really resonated with what I had personally experienced.

fuschia white and pink by sisterlisa, on Pix-O-Sphere

Looking back now I can see what the difference was. My initial experience with Christ had nothing to do with a prayer or theological study. It had to do with the revelation of love. It was an awakening of him within, a personal resurrection. I can see now that trying to get people to submit themselves to a head knowledge of a perspective of Christ was not what true salvation is to me. For me, it was about a resurrection of his love within me and it had nothing to do with a theological pledge to follow the pastor’s interpretation of the bible and it certainly had nothing to do with condemning me to hell. Hell wasn’t even an issue. The revelation of Christ in my soul never spoke to me about hell, only about love. You see, love is what conquers everything.

  • Love wins
  • Condemnation loses

So then I read a book from Leonard Sweet called, ‘Nudge’. I love his philosophy on awakening the Christ within. How he describes it is how I experienced it many years ago. I also spoke with a Southern Baptist pastor once about evangelism and he was much on the same page with me. Jesus calls us to love others and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives through that love. Why is it that so many Christians don’t believe the manifestation of Christ’s love is greater than the words they say to people about how they view the bible? Perhaps because they haven’t really had a revelation of his indwelling and outpouring love.

“Awakening Each Other to the God Who’s Already There” ~Leonard Sweet

If you haven’t heard of Darin Hufford of the Free Believer’s Network, then please get acquainted with him through his book, ‘The Misunderstood God‘. His take on ‘God is Love’ is an excellent source of soul opening knowledge. He takes the Love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, and shows how God is everything listed in that chapter. When you look at it that way it’s easier to understand that God doesn’t insist on his own way as much as many Christians think he does. And while some Christians think God detests mankind, the Love chapter indicates his love believes in us!

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”(1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV)

Traditional Christianity looks for an outward repentance beginning with a verbal public confession, whereas the love of God just lavishes us with grace. When a person experiences love that washes over them they will know that experience is spiritual. Their experience doesn’t mean God doesn’t love them yet, as some Christians assume. A lack of this experience does not mean the love is not true unless you believe in it. Believing in something doesn’t make it true, the truth is why we believe it. If belief made things true then why don’t we see the tooth fairy taking up residence in all homes of small children and Santa Claus coming down our chimneys? God’s love is true and that’s why we believe it.

Christians know the passage of God loved us first, but that doesn’t mean God loved them first, it means God loves all of us before we ever love him. Loves chose us before we chose love. When we know love it’s natural to respond with acceptance. Think about your newborn baby who has no ability to choose you. You love the child before the child knew of your existence. This is love!

Ephesians 1:3“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5he predestined usb for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” ESV

hydrangeas by sisterlisa, on Pix-O-Sphere

I do consider myself a missionary, evangelist, and ardent ‘soul-winner’. I have free reign to love everyone and no strings attached to try and manipulate them into pledging allegiance to my view of God. What better experience is there of proclaiming the love of God than actually living it out?!? It’s all about love! It’s not so much about winning their souls, as the term soul-winner indicates, it’s more about loving people into a reality of them receiving love.

So when you question my interaction with the GLBT and Pagan communities because you don’t see me condemning them to hell and pressuring them to recite a prayer and join a church, know that I am not called to do that to them. I get to love them, support them, and live out God’s love for them. I don’t need mankind’s stamp of approval on the ministry God calls me to. You can disagree with me all you want and it makes no difference to me. I know the message God has given me to preach to the world and it’s love. As Paul said so say  I, I received it not from mankind, pastors, or seminaries, but by the revelation of Christ my Lord.

The Message of Reconciliation

God has already reconciled mankind to himself through the finished work of Christ. So there is no pressure on me to try and make them believe this. People have the choice of what to believe and what not to believe. If believing in something doesn’t benefit them, then they won’t believe it. It’s no wonder they reject the condemning version of ‘god’, it doesn’t benefit them. However, a God who loves them and accepts them no matter what is worth hearing about! And if they know love, they already know God! When they freely accept true love, they are already accepting God. It doesn’t mean they are accepting God in the way traditional fundamentalists think they should. It’s a paradox! And isn’t that the way of Christ? His message is perplexing to self righteous people who look to please God in the literal realm with their religious works and practices of abstinence. But to spiritual people it is a message of life!

When you present God and the message you think he gives you to tell people, do they light up with joy or bow their head in shame? Real love has no shame! Not even a little bit! Presenting God as a lover with some hostility of threats if they don’t submit is abuse, not love. When real love is spoken and shown, the people know it!

If I didn’t truly love people, I wouldn’t bother trying to convince them. That would be manipulation. Because of the love God has lavished me with, I can’t help but to love others with that same love. When there is real love there is no need to convince. The Spirit of LOVE does the convincing. I’m not out to get people to accept me, to come to a church, or to take propaganda discipleship classes. I am free to love them as they are. If they desire to hear about the wisdom I believe to balance my life then I’ll gladly share that. If they want my personal counsel about something in their life, I will give it. But I am not out to get nosy into their lives and tell them how to live. If they want to know what I think about mentorship in Christ (by the way, I believe mentorship is not the same as discipleship), I will happily guide them through that. But again, I am not there to force, pressure, or insist on my own way.

Love is freedom and with wisdom we can navigate this life safer than trying to be free in foolishness, because that just leads to chaos. Love that does not insist on it’s own way is what will revolutionize the world. And isn’t that what Christ came to do anyway? I’d rather live my life in such a way that love nudges a spiritual revolution, than to exist in this world dying by every condemning word of tradition. Loving people can not be found in a cookie cutter type recipe with bullet points to adhere to. There is no religious tract to hand out and no script to follow. It comes naturally as you progress and mature in your spirituality.

Love’s evangelism ‘method’ is the best I’ve seen yet!

Sisterlisa

Biblical argument for Gays

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Power in Prayer

August 13, 2012 by 1 Comment

We often teach our children to think before they speak or be careful what you wish for. Have we ever considered telling ourselves the same advice before we pray? I know God can answer our soul’s deepest prayer without us even knowing what we should be praying for, but there’s no harm in really pondering and meditating on our prayers before we utter words from our whispers or even from our loud groaning. May we not forget that our words are powerful and can bring forth ‘death or life’.

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” ESV

Do we really consider our heart condition in our prayers? Do we forget that when we love a prayer of death, we will eat it’s fruit? Are we too quick to ask for vengeance?

Hebrews 10:30 “For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”” ESV

I know there are times when we are hurt and through that pain, anger can fester in our hearts and cause us to seek vengeance through hasty words that kill the soul..not just another soul, but ours as well.

Ephesians 4: 25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and give no opportunity to the devil. 28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” ESV

What if your words carried the kind of power we see in the Hollywood films? In ‘Home Alone’ we saw Kevin get angry and shout that he wished he didn’t have a family, only to wake up the next day and they were all gone. We even see examples in the bible as Haman’s own thoughts and heart condition sought to have innocent lives hang from the gallows only to see himself and his entire family hang by his own devices. It is often said, ‘you will reap what you sow’.

I’m not going to get into a debate about whether or not we can inflict harm on others by how we feel in our hearts or by what words we say to them or about them, or that we will suffer the same fate we wish upon others; there are plenty of people who believe that. What I am going to express is how the condition of our thoughts, hearts, and words can weigh heaving on our own souls.

If we knew and believed that our words have this much power, would we choose more carefully and more graciously?

I have suffered from intense deep hurt by leaders that I endeared as brothers, fathers, and grandfathers. My flesh would quickly boil and my thoughts and intentions run to the easiest way of release through quick tempered words and wishful thoughts of revenge. I often will write down my thoughts to get them out, only to read them later and see how ugly my heart was in the matter. There’s nothing wrong with being angry, it’s how we respond that matters. Our response might matter to those we are angry at, or to those who hear our four letter words, but ultimately it’s us who get hurt. We heap more hurt upon our already grieving souls.

We also end up hurting those who are closest to us. Have you ever walked into a room and you just knew that your husband had a bad day at work? Have you ever witnessed your teen daughter storm through the door afterschool and you knew she had a terrible run in with another girl? When their hasty angry words come flying out of their mouths to leave them alone, they grumble, and even refuse to come to dinner to enjoy family fellowship, it shows that our inward anger can indeed manifest and hurt those around us. Then the manifestation of anger brings guilt and shame that we allowed those feelings to hurt our loved ones.

God is not a God of guilt, but it doesn’t change the fact that we experience those feelings. He doesn’t want us to suffer, he wants us to be joyful. Taking the time to examine the motives of our feelings and re-establishing the place of grace in our hearts can help us see things differently and in turn see our own spiritual growth as a result.

Have you ever considered praying a blessing for your enemies? I know, it’s not the first though that comes to mind. Think about it this way, your enemy is in bondage and as you pray for a blessing of release for them, they will in turn release their victims. It’s a natural progression of spiritual freedom. When we condemn our enemies it tightens the grip of bondage on them, furthering their manifestations of harm onto their victims. Recall back to the story of Egypt when with each plague Moses proclaimed from God, the harder the heart of Pharaoh became and thus the harder he pushed the Hebrew victims.  Through the death angel, he finally released God’s people, but it did not release Pharaoh.

Death has had it’s grip on humanity for many years, then death gripped Christ and he freely surrendered. He willingly took on death, then resurrected a Victor! We are joint heirs with Christ in that resurrection and can claim that victory as ours. We get to walk in the victory of the finished work. This finished work brought grace to mankind to release us from the clutches of death so we could live and live abundantly. Why crawl back into the grave , dig up a dead body, and carry it around with us? Maybe someone else is stumbling around with their own dead weighing them down and grasping at straws through anger while splattering their sorrows all over us. Maybe this is why they are behaving in an abusive manner. They’re struggling.

Do we think we are God’s favorites that can petition him for favoritism in our spats? Do you not know that Lady Justice is blind and plays no favorites while balancing her scales? We are all God’s children (even though we don’t always behave like we are), and we are all equally loved. He doesn’t issue swift legalistic swats to some while hiding others behaviors under the rug at our request. We do not have the knowledge of how God works out his justice, but I do know that although He does correct us, he has perfect justice through the blood of Christ. His justice is always refining, restorative, and resurrected.

Can we be mindful of this when we whisper words of prayer? Can we be thankful that God, in his infinite grace, has not judged us the way we seek his judgment for others?

It may be that your adversary has not halted when you confronted them face to face, nor when confronted with his/her peers and the violation is one that is punishable by God’s ordained law of the land. If it is what you need to do in order to be free from abuse and to spare others from abuse, then do what you need to. But do so with a pondering heart, considering the things I have said here. Swift revenge does not heal deep embedded wounds, only grace can do that.

May we all be more mindful before we seek God’s power to reconcile a matter and consider how our words can bring freedom to all or bondage to all. Nevertheless, God loves us all equally and will continue to perform his miraculous work in our lives to bring us deeper into the fullness of Christ. There is power in prayer, be wise in how you tap into it.

Sisterlisa

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A few words about apostles

August 13, 2012 by 1 Comment

For a long while now I have sensed a deep pull in my soul about fighting for freedom in the spiritual world, hence the title of my blog is Soul Liberty Faith. I have studied about many spiritual leaders over the centuries and in various spiritual communities. I found an interesting correlation of authentic spiritual leadership among many groups of different beliefs. This is not the same as ‘religious leadership’. I’m talking about real spiritual leadership that genuinely looks after the people more than the man made institution.

I found a great deal of spiritual similarities between the wisest spiritual leaders of these groups. Likewise, I also find a tragic amount of similarities in those who are using their gifts to hurt others. In church-world they are called, ‘wolves in sheeps clothing’. Every religious community has the same types of dangers. From what I can see in scripture, apostles are individuals (both male and female) who minister independently from organizations for the freedom of the individuals.

They are much like evangelists and prophets by serving in similar ways to encourage groups of spiritual seekers to come together and lift one another up while proclaiming caution to the whole group and correction to the leaders. The apostle goes further in that they will assist individuals who are being wounded in their own communities where the elders are not taking action. An apostle will advocate for victims and help them find support and a healthy community to be embraced in grace. Apostles are not connected to any one specific group, but does offer support to those wanting to grow, learn, and expand in their spiritual destinies.

Oftentimes, a pastor who has his focus on his building, program, and tax exempt status over the welfare of the people will reject an apostle. They often call an apostle a heretic, false, and of causing division. Listen here my friends, an apostle is not going to divide you from Christ. No man can pluck you from the Father’s hand. What insecure and immature leaders are afraid of is losing you from their institution. Some might naively believe that your best interest is to stay with their group and do everything they can to keep you. However, the Gospel is the message of freedom not ownership.

One of the greatest legal allies a Christian has in America is the Constitution. You have the freedom to choose a spiritual community for yourself based on an educated choice and by spiritual guidance from the Holy Spirit. Exercising your freedom to choose is not a work of ‘the devil’. God wants you to have a choice. If there is no choice then it’s not real love.

Apostles will not attempt to keep you to themselves. They aren’t looking to start their own church, their mission is to assist the true Church, the Body of Christ. They may have interested in assisting a gathering of folks in developing a spirit-led organization, but their final goal is to exit and let your group grow organically. They are there to assist you spiritually should you ever need to call them back for counsel.

Not everyone considered Paul an apostle and therefore not everyone will consider an apostle to be ‘their’ apostle. An apostle in today’s world has alternative methods of getting the Gospel to people as well as sending our prophetic messages to caution the people. Sometimes an apostle will contact a local pastor privately about a matter, or might be called by an individual or by the group (aside from the pastor) for help. Other times an apostle might publish a universal prophetic word with or without names in order to extend the message of caution or correction for the most people to have access to. Some organizations have apostolic coverings that can help their members with crisis situations in their churches and I do hope for your sake that your church has such a support network.

What an apostle is/will NOT:

An ally for a pastor to remain in control of people.

A defender for abusive people who victimize others.

A voice to manipulate you to join a movement.

A political activist.

Curse you or condemn you.

Manipulate you.

Silence you from speaking up about abuse.

Force you to give them a title or make you submit to them just because of a title.

***

An Apostle will:

Teach you about your freedom in Christ as heirs to the Kingdom that is within you.

Impart wisdom to you so you can know how to wisely walk in your freedom, because freedom without wisdom is foolishness.

Remind you of your rights as a child of God.

Lift up the work of the Holy Spirit within you.

Teach you to have faith while you walk in grace with wisdom.

Defend your Constitutional rights in order that you have freedom and protection from abuse.

Speak prophetically.

***

How does one become an apostle?

You do not become an apostle by sitting through years of bible college (although a good seminary can be a benefit to your ministry). A college’s certificate is not a stamp of approval to be an apostle. An apostle is called by God and is usually well into their adult life and already functioning as an apostle. When God calls them he confirms in their spirit that they are being mentored by the Holy Spirit. Apostles also have been through trials and fires in life that has prepared them for their calling. If an institutional pastor has attacked you for preaching (freedom) and is controlling the people so they don’t hear your message, chances are you’re developing the prophetic and/or apostolic gifting.

An apostle is usually confirmed by another apostle, although it’s not necessary. Sometimes a fellow Christian will know you are functioning as an apostle and tell you so.

Galatians 1: 11-24 ESV

11For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel.c 12For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15But when he who had set me apart before I was born,d and who called me by his grace, 16was pleased to reveal his Son toe me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;f 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20(In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God because of me.

An apostle is not easily prone to anger, but will exhibit a righteous indignation towards legalism and bondage of any kind. They will not lead you to disobey the government authorities except in rare situations where corrupt government is hurting people and the apostle might stand firm to defend the people. Sometimes an apostle will seek legal representation on behalf of the cause of freedom. But mostly, an apostle is not politically tied to any one specific political ideal.

I know some will disagree with me on this, but I do not believe an apostle should request payment for spiritual advice. If an apostle has a business where they earn money to support their family so they can serve the community freely then that is good and needed (Paul made tents). I’m not opposed to an apostle having a business that is a professional service to the larger community and the Body of Christ, but an apostle would be wise to keep prophetic matters free of charge and their professional services as separate as possible.

There are some groups who have manipulated followers of Christ with the title of ‘Apostle’ and have done more harm than good by reinforcing the hierarchy of man made authority. Be cautious of them.

If you’ve read my blog or been connected to me on Facebook these last few years, you’ll know I’m not fond of titles unless it’s absolutely necessary such as, Reverand or Pastor when conducting a wedding, funeral, in prison ministry, talking with government officials, or in a crisis situation. We have no need for titles among friends and family. When a person is functioning in their gift and has need to enter the church-world on a spiritual matter, then it is customary to use the traditional title that accompanies your gift. This is why it’s common for you to meet apostles, pastors, healers, and prophets in a church environment. Just keep in mind that we are all equal in the Body and each one is just as important as another. Apostles and prophets will have the courage and boldness to tell the truth whereas babes in Christ have not been empowered to that level of strength yet. These gifted leaders are not tied to the organization so they have nothing to lose in telling the truth.

Every one of us has the Spirit of God within that teaches us and cautions us whenever we need it. So while these gifted leaders will have a word for you or your group, it is still your choice to receive or reject their word.

It has been confirmed to me through different members of the Body and by other spiritual leaders that I function as an apostle, prophet, and evangelist. Yet, you need to make the determination on that in regards to how my influence helps you in your journey to walk by faith in the liberty Christ has given you. I will continue to speak the truth as I have since fleeing legalism with or without a title.

Sisterlisa

Equal in the Body

Functioning in the apostolic and prophetic gifts

 

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Is it really a ‘Christian’ legal agency? Is the pastor a true minister of the Kingdom?

August 12, 2012 by 1 Comment

I’ve noticed this term, ‘Christian’, has been debated a lot over the last few years. How does one describe what and who a Christian is?  Are they pastors of the true Kingdom, or simply false prophets setting up their own puny man made counterfeits? Do they lead the children of God to Jesus or do they lead them to the slaughter? Do they defend the true Church or are they only interested in their building that they call a ‘church’? The answer will depend on who you ask. Some would say a Christian is an abusive liar who cares only about their institutions than they do about the people, while others would say a Christian is one who cares more about the people than they do an institution. There are many institutions with clergy who claim to be advocates for those wounded by the world, but when one of their own staff members molests a child or embezzles tens of thousands of dollars, they rush to law organizations (who claim to be Christian) and get help to cover their tracks and offer no support to the victims. The victims are manipulated into silence.

So lets take a look at scripture and ask ourselves….what did Jesus do?

  • When the religious leaders were profiting off the people by turning the temple into a den of thieves, Jesus overthrew the tables and proclaimed that HIS temple shall be a house of prayer.
  • When the religious leaders condemned ‘sinners’and dragged them into the city square to stone them Jesus said, “he who is without sin cast the first stone”.
  • When the religious leaders threatened the death penalty and a shameful burning in the garbage dump, Gehenna, Jesus said, “oh ye hypocrites! You clean the outside of your vessel, but inside you are full of dead mens bones.”
  • When the pastors were misusing the temple tithes for themselves instead of providing for the widows, fatherless, and the poor God said, “you have robbed me, in tithes and offerings”

In the end, just as Jesus was saying “It is Finished” he declared the war to be over. Within that generation the temple was destroyed and the people were free to leave.

Somewhere along the way, religious leaders have set up more abusive organizations where modern day pharisees care more about their government sanctioned religious organizations than they do the victims who suffer abuse at their hands. They even have their own pharisee law brotherhood that will quickly come to the aid of the criminal and his organization to fight against the victim. Instead of tossing victims into Gehenna, they throw them under the church bus and run them right over.

From what I see in scripture, Jesus never defended the pharisees when the victims cried out for deliverance.

  1. God did not rebuke the Hebrews for crying out to him for freedom from Egypt.
  2. Jesus did not side with those who sought to kill him and his followers…he died in their place.
  3. Jesus sure seems to think highly of his children and has shown many times throughout the history of the bible that he stands for the victims.

We are all children of the Most High God, some just choose another path that leads to destruction. Those who walk a destructive path and who force others into slavery, bondage, abuse, and death are not representing Christ our Lord. They represent antichrist!

Jesus said back then that there were many in their world at the time. How much more, with the high population, we have in the world!

Yet, do not despair. True ministers side with the victims. There’s a time to minister to the criminal, but not while the victim is being further victimized and not until the criminal is brought to proper justice, or rather not by the same minister!

When a ‘pastor’ sees abuse in his organization and he chooses to protect the organization, he must also side with the abuser. If he doesn’t, the victim can win any court case he/she decides to go through against the organization, the leader, and the accused. And if the congregation is more concerned about the organization than their own fellow brothers and sisters who are being victimized, then you are in a den of wolves.

If a ‘pastor’ chooses a pharisee type of organization to save his ‘ministry’, protect the abuser, and silence the victim, then run out of that church as fast as your feet can carry you. Contact a lawyer and ask for assistance in getting your name OFF that organization’s roll. You are not safe there.

Why would anyone want to join forces with the work of evil that opposes helping victims?

An organization’s leader can not help both parties since it is a conflict of interest. So why does the congregation allow this?

Victims, cut off all ties you have to the organization and get help. A den of wolves is not going to help you get justice, they will either silence you, blame you, or shun you out. They are NOT your advocates.

I have seen first hand how a so called Christian legal assistance organization runs to the rescue. They rescue the institution, not the victims. Their job is to defend the organization and in turn they must defend the accused. A real Christian will not take such a court case unless they can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the accused is totally innocent. But this is RARELY the case. Instead, a real Christian will side with the victims and help them flee.

It grieves me deeply that so called legal agencies will give the same horrid advice to churches and clergy all over the country while leaving a path of destruction and bleeding sheep all over the land. They’re like poachers who slaughter to get what they want then discard their bodies, as if to dump them into Gehenna, without any care for their souls. These are NOT Christians, they are pharisees who attempt to murder the soul and bully the lambs into total submission to be further victimized.

gehenna by joeperrott, on Pix-O-Sphere
photo credit Joe

Jesus has set you totally free! Run out of there and don’t look back. He is your anchor in the storm, The Great Shepherd when the wolves surround us, the Savior of our souls! He is on your side! We are joint heirs of the Kingdom of God and Jesus said the kingdom is WITHIN you! The modern pharisees close off the kingdom and create a space that they claim is the kingdom, but it’s a facade. It’s bondage to control you.

The apostles came to spread the message of reconciliation, God reconciled us to himself through Christ! You are free and joint heirs. A joint heir does not join a puny man made kingdom. They enjoy the Kingdom of God and it’s not found in an institution. It’s outside the institution. Remember Caleb and how he courageously went into the land and saw the milk and honey? The Kingdom is already with you..the real Land of milk and honey! The calm fields to graze in next to the river of life is already yours!

Don’t remain in the antichrist kingdom any longer. Go roam free and be safe by HIS side. Many of us have left and walk with our Great Shepherd in the safety of his true fold. To escape a den is not difficult, but it does have pain in doing so. Like a woman in travail who is at her most pressured time, but the new birth coming will fade away the pain you experienced. The new life far outweighs that of the travail in getting there.

Blue Sky Reflecting on Stream by timothybyrne, on Pix-O-Sphere
photo credit Tim

Sisterlisa…your fellow freedom fighter

Soul Liberty Faith

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Transparently Yours

August 10, 2012 by 2 Comments

I do what I can to walk by faith in Christ and seek his wisdom, yet I can not stand idly by while brethren (and sisters) behave with such immaturity and lack of understanding for others who are not just like them. So, when I write an article like this, know that this comes from a follower of Christ. I preface this article like that, because I can be harsh at times and I don’t want it to be said that I’m anti-Jesus. I just don’t appreciate the hypocrisy, lies, and manipulation taking place in the Christian community. Jesus was harsh at times too, like in Matthew 23 when he ‘ripped the lips off’ the self righteous pharisees.

Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” KJV

For the last year I have worked very diligently to understand the diversity of pagans in our world. Through patience and humility I have allowed myself to walk by faith in entering their world so I can learn to understand. I have come to respect them as fellow human beings in this global community called humanity. I have found so many that respect my path and they have never tried to convert me nor do they bash Jesus to me. In fact, it was in a Druid community that my faith in Christ was deepened.

2 Corinthians 5:7 “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” ESV

I have found that many of them do respect the Jesus they read about in the bible, they just don’t respect the abusive version that some denominations of Christianity are forcing on society.

I found an article written by a pagan that I found rather interesting and posted it on my Facebook wall. I wanted to encourage a conversation of understanding so my Christian friends can learn to understand paganism with a more educated basis than the popular paranoia perspective so many of them espouse to.

It’s sad to see those who immediately throw stones without taking the time to listen. How do these people even claim to be missionary minded if they approach people with such exclusion?

I believe myself to be an organic minister and I love people where they are. It is not my intent to manipulate people into choosing Jesus as a deity, savior, or otherwise. In my faith, I believe that if Jesus wanted to give people a revelation about him, he could do that without manipulation and terrorizing tactics. Furthermore, I’m also not interested in conning people with false kindness in hopes that they’ll recite some man made prayer and pledge allegiance to the Christian flag.

Many times over the years I have had intense experiences with the Lord that convinced me to follow his teachings and accept the love he has been giving to me. It grieves me greatly to see religious leaders portray God as an abusive tyrant who threaten people into choosing Jesus. It does matter to me what people think of Jesus and how the Holy Spirit works, because I have a beautiful connection with him and I do not want to have broken relationships with people who think I’m lumped in with such immaturity.

In my view of Christ, people matter to him. And it’s through this perspective that I find myself viewing people as worthy of love. This authentic love flows naturally, but I’ll be honest and say that there are times when it’s more difficult to let that love flow. It’s when abusive people intrude and disrupt in which case I struggle with showering love on them. I fall miserably short and grow impatient when I see people being abused. Or perhaps this is just how the love of Christ manifests in defense of victims.

Luke 23:24 “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” Meanwhile, the soldiers divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice.” GWT

image credit David Hayward

I believe God loves us all equally. The story of the prodigal son is really more about the father and how his relationships with his sons can teach us a powerful lesson. Both sons had an inheritance. One wanted to receive his right away then depart to go live life as he so desired. The other stayed home and close to his father’s side. Through this story we see the father freely give the first son all that he requested and allowed him to go free, leave the family, their community, and did not condemn him for doing so. Once the son had lost all he had, he decided to come back and serve his father as a slave. The other son was not happy with how their father welcomed him home, prepared the fatted calf, and threw his arms around his son. This son who stayed home is often portrayed as the faithful son who obeyed his father and didn’t ask for anything. Yet, many times Christians fail to see the real problem with the story.

The story is not about the first son living the party life (although we do learn a lesson from that), but rather we see the obedient son plagued with a toxicity we call self righteousness. He thought he was better than his brother and felt that he deserved the fatted calf more than his brother. Even with this view, there is a bigger picture here. The bigger picture is the father who loved both sons equally. Both sons had the freedom to do what they wanted, yet each brother learned different lessons. One learned his father loved him and was a man of grace, while the other learned his father was not legalistic as the son assumed he was. Two sons had different views of their father.

God gives us the freedom to decide for ourselves. He freely gives Pagans, Atheists, Unitarians, Trinitarians, Catholics, Fundamentalists and Pentecostals alike, the choice to make on their own. If we force someone to recite a prayer without having the opportunity to make an educated decision, then we aren’t really giving them freedom to choose. When Christians make choosing Jesus into a threat, then what kind of choice is that?

If Jesus wants someone to choose him, he can contact them on his own. The Spirit knows how to convince someone of love. At the same time I do believe we have a responsibility to represent him with love and compassion. Even if people never choose Jesus, our responsibility is to represent him with humility, grace, and love.

Maybe some folks should refrain from calling them Christians if they aren’t going to be committed to living out the Gospel with love. Perhaps they can simply say they are learning about Christ, rather than trying to speak on his behalf and putting both feet into their mouths.

My heart for my fellow pagan loved ones (and anyone else for that matter) is not a mission to convert them, but rather a desire to understand them and to love them. We are all a part of the global family of humanity. Let’s follow in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inspiration by loving our fellow man equally. Even some of the most self centered, arrogant, and self righteous Christians are equally loved by God, it’s just more difficult for us to love them. Nonetheless, we’re all created in the image of God.

Genesis 1:26 “Let us make man in our image” ~God

Some people are easier to love than others. While it has taken a journey of faith for me to learn to love others, it’s taking me a journey of strength and patience to love bullies.

Transparently yours.

Sisterlisa

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Traditional Marriage, Boycotting, and a Movie Massacre

July 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Last week the media and social networks were all a buzz about the controversy behind Chik-fil-A’s statement about the ongoing battle on marriage equality vs. traditional families. I have seen many graphics that looked more like propaganda than anything else. The traditional famly-ists against the non traditional famly-ists continues to wage war against one another and they don’t seem to really bring about peace to the nation as a whole. We are a diverse nation of people, whose forefathers came from all over the world. They were of several different beliefs, cultures, and races. Our ancestors came here in hopes to find freedom to live peaceably and to pursue our own individual beliefs. Why can’t the country embrace their own beliefs and yet give others the freedom to pursue their own? We’ve already had a Civil War and I really don’t want to see it happen again.

Those who have accepted the public school avenue for education and those who choose alternatives all claim to pursue the best education possible for their children. If all of these groups truly are working hard to increase their education then why can’t they figure out a better way to have public discourse without using the same belittling smoke screen attacks the politicians use? Why can’t we find a way to communicate effectively without making it all about choosing one way over another?

People have the freedom to have a traditional family. There is nothing in the law of this nation that prohibits them. The traditional family does not know what it’s like to hide the fact that they have one mom and one dad. They don’t have any reason to fear their children will get beat up in school just because their mom and dad got married. Traditional families have nothing to fear if one spouse is hospitalized, because they have full access to be with their spouse in ICU. Traditional families have nothing to fear if one dies before the other, because they have the right to claim their social security. All of this security for them, yet they worry about the traditional family being in danger? No one is going to force a traditional family to give up their marriage rights, break them up, or halt them from having a legal wedding.

If the traditionalists are going to worry about the sanctity of marriage then they need to focus on their own marriages and not worry about everyone else’s. Traditional marriage will never die, because without a sperm and an egg people can’t have babies.

It seems to be an oxymoron for a traditionalist Christian to worry about anything, because Christ tells them to have faith. They are to walk by faith and pursue their own walk with God, while being willing to give up all their ‘rights’ for the cause of Christ. Yet they continue to create battle after battle where there is no threat. Maybe Chik-fil-A didn’t realize this as they fanned the flames when they issued this hypocritical statement,

“The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect –- regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 Restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.

Chick-fil-A is a family-owned and family-led company serving the communities in which it operates. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business. For example, we believe that closing on Sundays, operating debt-free and devoting a percentage of our profits back to our communities are what make us a stronger company and Chick-fil-A family.

Our mission is simple: to serve great food, provide genuine hospitality and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.”

I don’t have a problem with a company saying they support traditional families, but when they claim they don’t discriminate then financially back laws and other agencies who do, then that is where I believe people become weary of the hypocrisy and understandably so.

A traditional family is where the parents are one mom and one dad who entered into holy matrimony and are raising children together. What about the widowed grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren, because the parents are both in jail? How about the single grandfathers who are caring for nieces and nephews whose parents never married and are homeless due to drug addiction? What about single women who have compassionate hearts and are foster parents to children who were abandoned? None of these families are traditional families. Who supports them? Why can’t we just support families in general? Shouldn’t supporting the family be for the purpose of offering children a future? Are children from non traditional families not relative to the future, because their parental unit does not consist of one man and one woman?

I saw a graphic that made me wince a bit. It was of the Chik-fil-A cows painting a billboard that read,

“Be mor tolrant, boycot Chik-fil-A”

What an oxymoron! The whole reason people are upset is because Chik-fil-A and other agencies are boycotting non traditional families while people are claiming they are intolerant for doing so. Isn’t boycotting a form of intolerance? So I re-created the graphic to this;

I understand the anger when there is discrimination. I understand wanting to support businesses who do support equal rights. What I don’t understand is how one group can discriminate against others who are discriminating too, then ask for tolerance for themselves.

I support equal rights. Two consenting adults should have the same equal rights as anyone else. They should be free to make a commitment to one another and have their own families without discrimination. Their children should be able to go to school and church without being bullied for being a part of a non traditional family. These children should not be discriminted against, because their parents choose a different lifestyle than the status quo.

When Jesus walked throughout the land, he never commanded the Christians to force the government to live by the Torah. His charge to his followers was simple, “Love others as you love yourself”. He even went further by saying, “Love your enemies”. There was also this scenario where a rich man asked how he could be a disciple. Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor. The man chose not to do that and Jesus let the man be free to make his choice. He didn’t condemn the man or withhold his money from him. He didn’t demand the government to take away the man’s right to be rich. Jesus didn’t picket the man’s business nor build billboards to incite rage and gather an army to boycott his business either. He let it go!

Then, in the midst of this last week’s drama about whether or not we should eat fried chicken advertised by uneducated cows or shop at JCPenney, innocent lives were taken just after midnight as a shooter entered a movie theater in Colorado. The social network newsfeeds halted the marriage equality debate as everyone stood in agreement that this was a senseless act of violence. The people, both traditional and non traditional, cry out for justice!

The president issued a statement and this part grabbed my full attention,

“We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people, and caring for those who have been wounded. As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family.”~President Obama

This is the absolute truth of the matter, we are One American Family. We are an American family that is both white and black, red and yellow, male and female, young and old, Italian and German, English and African, Christian and Muslim, Pagan and Jew. This One American Family has it’s fair share of dysfunction, but it is still one family! We rejoice together on the Fourth of July and weep together every September 11th.

This is a country where we are both of our ancestor’s heritage and one new heritage under the stars and stripes. This is a family that is both traditional and non traditional and as we face uncertain days of senseless acts of violence, we are still one family. Be free to build community with those who are supportive of your individuality, tradition, or sacred beliefs. What is sacred to one may not be sacred to another and that’s ok. So long as we can be supportive and protective of one another’s right to pursue happiness and freedom to worship as each person sees fit.

Sisterlisa

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