I am not sure I totally agree with the metaphor. Actually, I like the metaphor of our trenches, but I see the instutional trench more like a tunnel. Much more closed to outside perspectives, views, and life experiences. I am not sure that having an “open” trench is the ultimate answer(I probibly will not see that answer in my lifetime), but can an open trench that strives to be on the “norrow path” that you described become more and more shallow along the way? Opening up to God’s intention of our lives drawing closer to him.

Anywho, thanks again brother for this thought. You continue to give me hope as I “walk” my way towards God.

It takes a while to get the Titanic turned around…perhaps you may just be looking/viewing/judging 2 degrees of a 180 degree turnaround…

I know he is the source of each of those words/concepts and you can say that he’s implied in the entire list, but why not include his name?

Also:
• worship
• nurturing and emphasizing individual relationships w/ God [since it contributes to the fellowship and ministry of the church as a whole]

Let me know if I’m off the mark from Missiongathering’s purpose or your concept of church but I was surprised to not see these things?

Darin

I’ve been attending Missiongathering for about a month now and enjoy it and love that you guys are standing up for this.

I come from a family and from churches that strongly believe in the ‘yes’ part of the vote. I myself am in a committed same sex relationship (it’s been two years), but it has been until only in the last six months or so that I’ve been truly accepting it as anything other than “sinful.”

At the previous church I was actively involved with and loved so much, I was told to stop coming to church unless I participated in “counseling.” I declined and left…knowing that God couldn’t possibly be like that.

It’s been the most difficult thing for me to deal with and I love all the things you have written about it and actually have used one of your entries to start the never-ending difficult dialogue with my mom, who voted yes on prop 8 … yes, even knowing how important my relationship is to me.

I just wanted to say that, some people that voted yes on this prop shouldn’t be classified as narrow-minded, or shallow. They simply voted for what they believed in — and what they believe God says. Trust me, when you’re around ‘that’ Church all the time, it becomes very convincing and plausible that “homosexuality is wrong” — as goes for any belief that you genuinely think to be true.

My mom makes the stance that she she wasn’t discriminating but simply was “standing up for God’s Word.” Of course now it discourages me so much and seems so ridiculous, but years ago, if I would have voted on this when I was 18, 19, or even 20-21, I would have voted yes simply because I felt it was what God would have wanted me to do…not because I wanted to discriminate against the LGBT community.

So in a way, I ‘understand’ why Christians voted yes. I’m not saying that I’m happy with that, I’m just saying that I was there at one time.

Just thought I would bring up a different viewpoint. But I agree with all of yours too and thank you for all your encouragement — see you on Sunday.

Ericka

Some of the information is incorrect. There are already incidences of children being taught about homosexuality in schools.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,445865,00.html

Also, God loves all of his children, but there is not divine model for same-gender marriage.

He treated the woman accused of adultery with kindness– but he said, “go and sin no more.”

i’m voting yes on prop 8 because i believe society has a responsibility to do everything it can to support a child’s right to a mom and a dad.

same-gender couples may make awesome parents–but they cannot ever equal the balance of a mom and a dad. this effects children in more ways than could ever be studied.

this link is about the studies of same-gender parenting:
http://prop8discussion.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/yes-on-prop-8-no-on-california-social-experiment-children-have-a-right-to-a-mom-and-a-dad-day-2/

this link is about what france said:

http://prop8discussion.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/thank-you-france-children-have-a-right-to-a-mom-and-a-dad-merci/

marriage does not bestow any extra dignity on anyone. i am a single person. i still feel worthy of living in this country and participating in its society.