God and Gays.....

"But most of all, If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he'd want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches, by government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures who have value. And that no matter what anyone tells you, GOD DOES LOVE YOU"...

These were the words on OSCAR NIGHT 2009 by Dustin Lance Black who directed the movie MILK. A movie about a activist named HARVEY MILK, who stood prominent for gay and lesbian rights. The movie won best original screenplay, as well as best actor for Sean Penn.

Now as I must say at first, hearing the acceptance speech, and this particular part was at first a shock up my spine. I was angry he would lump church's right in there with intolerance. I was even more angry that Mr. Black would address "KIDS" in a subject so sensitive (If a born again, Christian went up there and said "kids, say your prayers, put down your porn, give your full life to Christ, and deny yourself and take up your cross to follow JESUS CHRIST....just IMAGINE the N.Y. POST the next day???) 

Anyway! After my initial aggravation I thought to myself, is it true? Should we be judged so unfairly/fairly?

I didn't come up with an answer on this. I took it to prayer. Homosexuality has always been near and dear to my heart. I plan on doing a documentary on Homosexuals who struggle with their faith..(notice not Christians who struggle with homosexuality..play on words suckerrrrs...) I feel at times they are the modern day leopards in the church (don't ask...don't bother....it's not there...i can't see you)

What I did come to understand though is this. Mr. Black couldn't be MORE CORRECT.

God does love these "kids". 

God loves "Gays", God loves "addicts", God loves "porn stars", God loves "alcoholics", God love "child molesters", God loves "murderers", God loves "porn-a-holics, God loves "thieves", God loves "adulterers"....  

GOD IS IN LOVE WITH SINNERS.....

AND

 IT IS NOT AN ISSUE OF WEATHER OR NOT GOD LOVES US!!!!!!

Check out God's character here....

Ezekiel 18: 4 says this "FOR EVERY LIVING SOUL BELONGS TO ME, (GOD TAKING OWNERSHIP OF HIS "ARTWORK)....THE FATHER AS WELL AS THE SON-BOTH ALIKE BELONG TO ME (AGAIN OWNERSHIP) THE SOUL WHO SINS IS THE ONE WHO WILL DIE.....

sounds harsh? and it is! but the beauty of God IS his harshness...why? because his harshness is always followed by his parental instinct. Drop down to vs 31:

31: RID YOURSELVES OF ALL THE OFFENSES YOU HAVE COMMITTED, AND GET A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT (A FATHER PLEADING WITH HIS CHILDREN) WHY WILL YOU DIE, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? (and here comes one of the greatest versus in the bible in detailing God's heart for his people)

32: "FOR I TAKE NO PLEASURE IN THE DEATH OF "ANYONE", declares the Sovereign LORD, Repent and live!!( GOD IS BEAUTIFUL)

God desires to not lose ONE!

 

NOW? Now the church has the job to change the perception of the sinner, without watering down, OR high-fiving  the sin!

Again folks...i am the idiot.....

Reserve Your RIGHT to be RIDICULOUS.....(via Andy Stanley and Bono.

Several years ago, I attended a leadership conference Willow Creek hosted. Amazing speakers...Incredible nuggets of golden wisdom pouring out from some of todays most recognized leaders. 2 things i remembered. Andy Stanley...and Bono.....

1. Andy Stanley told me to "CHEAT THE CHURCH"....to be content with the ministry God gives you, by the sacrifice you CAN make....without cheating your family.

2. Bono was doing a interview on his global plan. But one statement burnt in my mind. Bill Hybels said "Your on vacation now, do you make sure you find time to be with your family as often as possible?"

Bono dropped these lines like only Bono can. He said: "Bill, as long as I'm alive my family and I will reserve our right to be ridiculous".

  Since I heard this awesome theology, I've christened "Ridiculous Night"  not only in my family, but in my ministry....We grow up so fast, we have so many opportunities to be so very serious with our FAITH, FAMILY, WORK, MINISTRIES, DREAMS etc etc... You know what I did today....I took my youngest daughter to the park, and swung on a swing.....belly down like superman....and man if it didn't feel fantastic. Ari on my back giggling, the cool wind blowing, and nothing but ridiculousness flowing...

Don't take yourself so serious you lose your right...your  right to be ridiculous.....

10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO KEEP YOURSELF RIDICULOUSLY HAPPY 

(FEEL FREE TO ADD)

10. With your family (and kids) break out into dance in a public place (this may seem silly, but your kids will never forget it..nor your wife of embarassment)

9. Start a massive cake fight in your own kitchen

8. Give yourself and your family a matching homemade tatoo...or face painting

7, If you have girls, let them do a "makeover" on you.

6. Breakout into a song of LOVE to your wife in a very public place...

5 In front of your family, tell a total stranger how in love you are with your wife....

4. Swing belly down on a swing.

3. Get a popular (or post popular...disco songs work great) family theme song....these can change constantly...

2. Become a obnoxious fan of a team..any team...and together get every other fan of any other team aggrevatted at you for your loyalty.

1. Do whatever it takes to make your loved ones laugh until they are close to peeing.....and i mean whatever it takes....

Remember you only live once.........so LIVE...

ANXIOUSLY "not" being ANXIOUS about the "thing"..

So I'm awaiting my bundle of joy. My baby Boy...Josiah James Smuda WAS to arrive yesterday. As that time went as quickly as it came, the anxiousness began to build. I can only compare it to when as a child you may have been promised that "thing" (b.b. gun, skateboard, doll, trip to Disney, punch in the face....or any other childhood dream). You were promised this "thing". Say your told this "thing" is coming on February 4Th 2009..(and this is where Dr's are ridiculous in their predictions.....the EXACT DATE!) But they give you hope. So you look forward to the day of this "thing". And every waking week has you anticipating the "thing". So time flying as it does gets you more and more amped about said arrival of "thing"...and finally the day is here....you've prepared as best as you know how, and the day is here! Your ready...your waiting....here comes the "thing"......and there goes the day????????????

         NOTHING...

A giant thud of disappointment. A loud clang of nothingness. 

Philippians 4 is a funny chapter...it starts by saying "let your gentle spirit be known to all men...the Lord is near........hmmm ALL MEN? Gentle spirit? and again i say hmm. 

When your living in anxiousness there's no possible way to show a "gentle" anything to anyone...It goes on to say 

"be anxious for nothing. but in everything by prayer supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God".

then the clincher....

"and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"..

BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING! When you want something so bad you can't click on all cylinders, it's hard to fight anxiousness. But scripture is clear on these 2 points.

1. Despite our circumstances, the "GENTLE" spirit is still a requirement. 

2. GOD IS NOT INTERESTED IN MY WORRY, HE'S INTERESTED IN MY TRUST, MY DIALOGUE WITH HIM (or supplication) AND OBEDIENCE. 

obedience to know His answer is always....always....ALWAYS perfect......

then comes the fun part. The part where we lose focus on due to "over" supplication, and anxiousness.....

THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING....OR COMPREHENSION.

whenever I get the chance to pray for ANYONE, this is the one constant I pray over people. When we get the peace that is beyond our own definitions......

the "thing", can take it's course.

Josiah....I patiently await to be your daddy...

tHe pursuit of "the clap"..(not the std....)

If your a movie buff like me, it's never really about the "whole" movie...as much as the many moments within a movie. The parts that make you well up inside, or let out a laugh, or cheer louder then you expected....

One of my all time moments takes 45 seconds in a movie. Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith as a dad who refuses to quit despite all the chips not only being down, but obliterated. Will Smith is amazing in this role. He captivates, yet his greatest moment comes towards the climax of the movie. Basically he gets what no one expects him to get, what he himself wasn't even sure he could get, and no one especially wanted him to get. But he gets it. He wins!

He went 22 rounds with the world and he wins, and your excited for him, and Will plays the part of a guy who's about to explode at the news that "he's getting the job!". 

Here comes the great scene. He walks briskly out of his office, down the elevator about to explode. He gets outside and doesn't know what to do with himself, so he begins shuffling with the crowd walking in sync with them. 

Then comes the clap....

the clap above his head says everything, the clap above the head is probably 2.3 seconds, but it represents everything he's thinking...and you can so relate (OR WANT TO...)

The clap represents a fight...a bloody, messy, uncomfortable fight....

The clap represents the winner. 

The clap is says the battle is over, and I have won. 

The clap says I may have wounds, but I'm not defeated

The clap is closure

The clap says you can breath again

The clap says "IT WAS ALL WORTH IT"

The clap justifies you

The clap solidifies you

The clap proves others wrong about you

The clap removes the option of anyone writting you off...ever again

The clap confirms you

The clap releases you

The clap symbolizes all these things above but most importantly 

the CLAP says 2 things

IT IS FINISHED......AND WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN........

I looked over at my wife the other night as we 

re-watched it again....all I could say was.....soon...I want that clap!!!!!!

tHe Wonders...(like I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 0-NEDERS?)

I can't be the only one...I just can't I tell myself

You know, the person who reads into "everything", or who's mind races continually, non-stop, day and night.

The person who will go back and "re" remember a conversation, or the look a person gave you and wonder hours, maybe even days "What did he/she REALLY mean by that"? My old  youth pastor (one of 7 btw) used to say "There's a lil' bit o humor in EVERY joke". I was 15 when he said that. I've denied it to people's faces before. But if I'm being honest, the old guy might have been onto something! 

Were passionate about getting our points across in subtle ways, slip of the tongues are never really slips are they? ARE THEY?

So my mind wanders..and wanders, and wanders and wanders. It seems the older I get the harder it is to shut down. I ponder what people REALLY mean, when they are  saying something. The young girl who is constantly over and over and over saying "I remember in youth group when WE USED TO....." what does she really mean? Does she mean "WE NEVER DO.......anymore"...or "You suck...we were better off without you".....Now not to sound senseless and insecure, I'm just trying to engage a thought process. (side note: To make sure I'm clear in the fact that I am very much NOT INSECURE... I don't run these through my mind and WORRY, FRET, or even CARE about the "thought(s) of Jimmy Smuda) I run them through my mind alot of time for my prayer points. Ex: The other day a person and I were having a very private convo. By the end of the convo we both agreed on some things, and disagreed on other things. But this person was "joking" about several key things. Some at my expense (again..which is ok), some at the church's expense (not so ok), and others expense (def not ok). 

As I got home that night, I sensed the spirit telling me "Nothing you just talked about had anything to do with what you 2 were talking about"..

HUH? So I just wasted 2 hours  of dominate wisdom (trust me...it was) to not even get to the core of that person...Horrible! I'm a studier of people, their movings, their characters, their words. Sometimes I just love to watch peoples movings (sounds so creepy) why? Because you RARELY get the honest "This is what I mean" conversation anymore.

The:

"I'M STUGGLING",       "I'M LONELY",       "I'M LYING",       "I'M DYING",       "I'M SINNING",          "I'M QUITTING"            "I LOVE YOU"      "I HATE YOU"      "YOUR STUPID"       "YOUR BRILLIANT"            "YOUR USELESS"        "I'M POINTLESS"

conversations have long ago died. ESPECIALLY in the church. We gloss with the "onics" of "brothers, and sisters".......but are we really getting down to the matter at heart? I hate guessing! I don't feel relationships (especially holy relationships bro/sis) were meant for "wondering".

You know why God loved David? Not because he could "shred" on the Harp! Or  he loved his statue. Not because he had good aim, or that he was bold enough to "GO STREAKING!!!!!!!!!! and dance before Him.

GOD LOVED DAVID 

BECAUSE HE NEVER 

HAD TO WONDER

Acts 13:22 "I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."

So wait? God "wanted" david to be a murderer, a adulterer?

No, of course not! The "everything I wanted to do" was Transparency. GOD never had to wonder with David.

The very thing He "hated" Adam for ("Adam? where are you? who told you you were naked......wondering!!!!!) is the very thing God loved David for...

Feedback

Hey guys,

If your family or friends, or check out any of my ramblings......

let me know what ya think!

Feedback is fuel for inspiration....

It would be much appreciated.

Also if you have a blog, feel free to add mine to your blog roll

or listing, and I would gladly do the same

be blessed

GOD USES TOILET PAPER......

So you ever have one of those "feel sorry" for

yourself moments. You know, "no one loves me", 

"does anyone know I'm alive" type of deals. I wanted

to take a break from blogging to really concentrate on 

concentrated prayer. 

Of course when you commit to a intense prayer time 

to refocus, refresh, and re evaluate who

you are, is when you seem most attacked. 

Yesterday was that day for me. I was in

the middle of a very "stellar" feel sorry for me moment. 

I mean this was a good one!

REALLY GOOD. Everything from, Am I even called to be a pastor?, 

Am I a good pastor? dad? husband? The infamous 

"I HAVE NO "REAL FRIENDS"...whine..

Oh yeah! I was clicking on all cylinders. 

I did all the "HOLY THINGS".. prayed, wept, 

threw dirt on my head (ok i didn't weep) 

I even read out of Job 

(for some reason felt i could relate)

I needed encouragement....

So I prayed for my own Eliphaz!

This guy named Eliphaz comes to Job's rescue 

in Chapter 4

(Message)

He says this: 1-4 The Eliphaz from Teman spoke up:

"Would you mind if I said something to you? 

Under the circumstances it's hard to

keep quiet. You yourself have done this plenty times, 

spoken words that clarify,

encouraged those who were about to quit. 

Your words have put stumbling on

their feet, put fresh hope in people about to collapse. 

But now YOU'RE the one in trouble, you're hurting!

You've been hit hard and you're reeling from the blow.

But shouldn't your devout life give you confidence 

now? 

Shouldn't your exemplary life give you hope?

Such inspiring words out of Job. Did it help? NOPE.

Here's how God works in the most unusual, creative, 

outstanding lavish ways.

My daughter has this THING. She loves 

to write little notes around my house. 

When she's "doing her duty". She loves 

to write littlenotes on the toilet paper so 

the next "dutier" will find them.

My notes have been "Daddy is the greatest",

"Bella loves Mommy"

etc etc.

As I continued in my downward spiral. 

I went to my bathroom to shave.

I had just come out of a prayer time, reading this

scripture,and felt even MORE dopey.

Then the TP hit me. I looked down. 

My 6 year old writes these

words that shredded me.

Spelt in the phonics of a 1st grader...

"I LOVE YOU EVRITHENG 

aboout you...Just the waye You Are"..

Enough said....

Proof God even uses toilet paper...