Homosexuals, Skin-Heads and the History Channel

For the first time since 1997, I was able to go on a trip for one purpose and one purpose only, relaxation. Let me tell you, I relaxed the heck out of that trip (Desin, FL is my new sanctuary). So, one morning I was watching The History Channel and one of my favorite shows came on, Gangland. If you haven't seen this show, do yourself a favor and watch it. It's a show that highlights some of our nation's best in the "world of gang bangers and crime-lords", great television. The episode that was on I had never seen before .... Skin-heads .... my favorite racists, so easy to make fun of these guys. Right when i was really starting to have fun chuckling at their awesome hair cuts, suspenders and combat boots (and their music, can not forget to mention their awesome music), I saw something that rattled my heart and spirit.

Right in the middle of the show, it highlighted two men... one man was a former, leading member of the Aryan Nation and the other was a homosexual man... they were both from Los Angeles. Twenty years ago these two men han an encounter, the homosexual man was a victim of the other man's hate crime. He and some of his friends were assaulted and beaten by an entire group of Aryans. Twenty years later, the Aryan had left "the nation" and become an outspoken opponent of his former life. One day the two men found themselves in the same focus group, a group put together to discuss forgiveness and tolerance. After the meetings began, the two men realized who each other was. The gay man said that he could never forgive the former Aryan, who could blame him, I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to be the victim of a hate crime. Not long after the two men had their encounter, they were scheduled to speak to a group of students together, the ex-aryan stood up and said to the group, "I assaulted this man twenty years ago because he is homosexual, and for that I am truly sorry". At that moment the gay man knew in his heart that he could no longer hold on to anger and resentment, the two men are now friends and speak on forgiveness.

What an image of forgiveness, a homosexual man forgiving an ex-aryan for the hate crime committed against him. I knew I was watching something important, something that I think will forever change my attitude, it was simply one of those "wow, i get it" moments.

So what's our problem, why is it soo hard for believers to forgive other believers. I have seen churches ripped apart over stupid things. One church in my hometown split over a book... A BOOK. We will go down seperate aisles at the grocery store just to avoid seeing someone who has wronged us. Seriously, what's our problem?

What an image of forgiveness, a homosexual man forgiving an ex-aryan for the hate crime committed against him.

Which brings me to one of the hardest things I've ever posted ... God dealt with me heavily Thursda night over this issue. Seriously, what's my problem?? I'm beginning to see that I have unforgiveness inside of me. I have yet to forgive someone in my life, the funny thing I didn't even know that what I felt was wrong, didn't realize that I needed to forgive. I suppose that sense I was wronged, I felt as though I didn't have to forgive until they asked for it. That's not the case ... I need to deal with this stuff that's rooted deep within me. Jesus, as he was in the process of being beaten, spit on, murdered, said these words, "forgive them" ... when nobody was asking for it. They gloated over their actions, but Jesus CHOSE to forgive. Who am I not to make the same choice.

What an image of forgiveness, a homosexual man forgiving an ex-aryan for the hate crime committed against him.

Heaven meets earth with a sloppy wet kiss....

This morning I was greeted on Facebook by a wonderful note written by a friend of mine that I went to college with. I've had a very difficult week and this encouraged me so much. I want to share it with all of you guys. Blessings....

If Grace is an Ocean We're All Sinking...... by Cara Rogers

Yesterday at 9:37pm

I heard these lyrics (the title of my post) from a song called How He Loves (google it if you'd like- Kim Walker) and thought about what a beautiful image this presented. However, while singing this song in my head this morning, I "saw" a mental picture of a huge ocean and many people in that ocean treading water, desperately trying to stay afloat. I immediately knew what that picture meant in relation to those lyrics. We (many in the body of Christ) say we live in grace, but although we are in the ocean, we have not really surrendered to that ocean of God’s grace. I thought about it some more and realized that giving up, “sinking” if you will, runs contrary to every survival instinct in human nature. So, I claim grace as my sustenance, but still struggle to do it (life) at least a little in my own strength. To sink in grace would be to lose control, right??…and I need at least a little.

I think, at least in my own life, this struggle, this treading water if you will, has led to a cycle of: 1) Existing and not really living; 2) Using a lot of strength to do things right, and really feeling ashamed when (noticed I said when, not if) I drop the proverbial ball and 3) so much tiredness due to exerting so much needless energy…which leads back into #1.

It reminds me of what Paul wrote in Galatians 3:
After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4 Have you experienced[a] so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?
5 I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

I look around and see so many existing and not really living (including myself). I want so desperately for the body to discover a life full of energy and the grace and compassion of the Lord. I don’t want us be spiritually tired all of the time because we rely on ourselves. These truths seem so simple (ha!) yet so difficult to apply in every day life (at least to me).

I feel that many of you in “facebook land” might be able to relate to this, or may be further along on the journey than I and if so, please share any thoughts you might have. My hope is to encourage each other and remind ourselves to live in grace. Thank you for reading this. I appreciate it.

~~~I hope this helped you guys as much as it did me... oh, and the song she is referring to ... here's a link to it... incredible!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps