An old essay: A Coming of Age.

As I finished reading "Look Away, Look Away" by Ben Hass, my mind jumped to the current furor over same sex marriage. Reading this novel impressed me with the similarities between the Civil Rights Movement and the Gay Rights Movement. Suddenly, it came to me last night that what we are seeing is a coming of age.

I don't know how long gays have fought for recognition as 'normal' human beings, I only know what I've seen. Bit by bit, since the 60's--when I first learned about homosexuality--I've observed how they have organized their cause, and taken what they want. Now, on the whole, society has tolerantly adopted a 'Live and let live' attitude: on Pride Day it looks as if they are generally embraced, but it's the big money the event brings to the city that is embraced, and promoted by those who benefit financially.

Now they are messing with the sanctity of marriage, those with religious morals are rising up to proclaim, 'Enough is enough.' The definite line between pro and con is the basis for a great debate; nothing will sway many from what they believe. Therefore there will always be conflict between one side and the other. As I see it, the private members Bill-250 is designed as a gag order, for those who oppose the lifetyle.

The only true freedom is in serving something bigger than ourselves; for Christians it means serving God. This is how we make life worth living for others; knowing that living for our own desires alone is idolatry. A true coming of age is seeing that we are part of something beyond ourselves, and recognizing our place in it. We all are gifted with talents that enable us to work together. It's only when we recognize our own, and use them for the good of others that we feel blessed, and satisfied.

The coming of age for the gays, has birthed another. "The Church" (aka the bride of Christ) is waking up to its responsibility. The battle that's being waged goes beyond the social struggle for victory; it is spiritual in nature. Lucifer has kept blinders on believers: using deception, lies, and religious doctrin. We were kept in the dark concerning our inheriance: kept from seeing who, and what we are-in-Christ (the Greek word for The Anointed One, and The Anointing). But The Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth, has been revealing these things to born-again believers for the past hundred years, through anointed preaching teachers. Our faith has been tested by tribulation, and with our spiritual education we are emerging like butterflies.

As I said earlier, this current infringement on the sanctity of marriage has pushed 'the church' to the brink. That old serpent, the devil, is using it to trample on this spiritual coming of age. To many this sounds silly, but he will promote anything that rebels against God's will, and word. However, believers know that Satan lost control the day Jesus died, and it was proved three days later that there is life after death. The only power left to him is the power to deceive, which serves God's purpose in testing a Christian's faith. Even Jesus was tested in the wilderness.

Jesus' last words to his discipes were, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt.28:18-20). Before that day they were told they would do all He had done, and more. That included: healing the sick; raising the dead; and driving out demons, which is well recorded in the book of Act. Most of us may not have the confidence yet to step out in faith and exercise this authority, but we can't resist the unction to lift our voices in defence of what's right; as we see the erosion of the Judao-Christian underpinning that established our country, and made it great.

It doesn't mean we hate, or fear homosexuals; on the contrary, we know how the ways of the world blinds those who reject God's ways. We were lost souls once too. The problem we face is 'face to face' contact with athiests, and skeptics. Things get said that stir up emotions, and zealous believers often react carnally. The truth is hard to swallow, if you want your own way; that's why those we oppose want to shut us up.

As Jesus hung on the cross it looked like Satan had won; he had killed the Messiah; if he understood prophesy, and believed in the resurrection he wouldn't have done it. But then that's what Jesus was born for; He gave himself willingly to fulfill prophesy. The world may see us as just a troublesome bunch of kooks, but those who can't get passed being full of themselves, wont realize Satan is using them as pawns to assert control. Now, that old devil, doesn't like the awakening of this sleeping giant--he has to know his time is shortened--for this giant ignores the color of your skin, and social status, or nationality; those things are trivial to God, and He is the power behind this waking giant. People, Lucifer is facing his last showdown, and is trying to avoid the inevitable; I read the end of the book, he lost and can't change that; praise God.


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After two days of pouring over this I discover that 3 letter size typed pages is too long for a blog post. I lost the meat out of my sandwich, and found it at the bottom; a little worse for wear.
In future I will do anything more than 2 pages long in parts.

My question is: if you got to the bottom of this, would you be interested in seeing the meat, as part 2?