God Is Not Guilt or Shame

Lately the target of many Christian religions has been to condemn gay people and women having abortions. As a believer and follower of Christ, the treatment of His people in the name of God saddens me deeply. God loves gay people just as He loves women who have had abortions. Jesus has called us to love everyone, regardless of their sins. In all honesty, I have heard many people condemn gays, especially homosexual males.

In my opinion, God is more focused on the intent behind the sin. Two males or two females that are in love, and are loving toward one another in a relationship - how is that a sin??? I have read all the homosexual references in the bible, and to me it seems to be the actual act of sexual relations between same sex couples that is considered the sin. That being said, I know heterosexual people that engage in sexual acts that would be considered sinful according to the bible.

The bible states that passing judgment onto another human is a sin. So be careful not to judge other people's sins when you yourself are a sinner in one way or another. Jesus calls us simply to love one another, and to forgive others sins since we are forgiven for all our sins through Christ.

Matthew 7

 ¹ “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.    ³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Matthew 22:36-40 (New International Version, ©2010)

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
 ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^{[a] 38} This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^{[b] 40} All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Home is Where Your Heart Is

It's dark, musty, and damp. Upstairs the sound of loud pop music filters through the ceiling. I can hear people talking and laughing. Everyone is drinking and most of them are drunk. At this point I am intoxicated myself. What I just heard sent me running scared into the basement. It's a dark corner and I'm crying. Huddled into a ball and sobbing like a child, rocking myself for comfort. I feel so hurt, so betrayed. Could what I have just heard be true?

Minutes earlier he was in the bathroom with a very attractive woman. They were in the bathroom, a loud clang, and then muffled giggling. What is happening? My mind immediately kicks into overdrive. Am I just being insecure and am I too drunk to analyze this situation correctly? The answer is yes, and yes.

Crying and crying, feeling foolish and asking to simply go home. I want to go home. Someone finds me in the corner and asks if I'm ok. No, I'm not ok. This isn't the life I wanted. What am I doing? Who are these people anyway? "I want to go home." He tells me I am home. He thinks I must be too drunk to realize where I am. I'm not. I just want my safe place. I call it home. I have no idea where home is, but I want to go there....

The sad truth is I've never had a safe place. Until now. I am finally home. And I love it here.

You are LOVED!

This morning God put it on my heart to share this wonderful message of His love for you. He wants every person to know how special each one of us really is, and I think the following letter did a terrific job of capturing bible scripture in one succinct message. My hope is that you would read this with an open heart and mind and allow this amazing love to become your reality!

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

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