"Because I Love the Way I Love"

One of my most treasured memories is Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.  Fred Rogers embodied what may have been the kindest personality on the television.  I recently began watching an old episode of his show called, Mister Rogers Talks About Making Mistakes.  Emotion flooded me as I remembered watching the show when I was a kid, but something nagged at me.  The above picture is a screenshot from a scene where Lady Aberline and Daniel the Tiger were singing a song meant to address feeling different.  Daniel felt that because he was a tiger, he needed to be like every other tiger.  The problem was that he was often afraid and weak, while other tigers were not.  He ended the exchange by asking if Lady Aberline liked him just the way he was, even though he felt the way he felt, looked the way he looked, and loved the way he loved.  Lady Aberline then answered, "Especially because you love the way you love."

I believe that if Fred Rogers were alive today, he would be appalled at how this last concept has been distorted.  

The above flyer was stapled to a phone pole in Oregon.  The top line reads, "Pedophiles are people, too."  The bottom line reads, "Because Love is Love."

In 2010, the book above was being sold by Amazon.com, but then was removed from stores because of the overwhelming protest from Amazon's customer base.  Many threatened to boycott the retail giant until they removed the book. 

NOTE:  There was such an uproar concerning both the pedophile flyer on the pole AND the above book because the practice of pedophilia goes against society's sensibilities.  The problem with this, however, is that society has been attacking the standard that FORMED those sensibilities since the sexual revolution in the 1960s.  Observe the progression.

Psychologists document a technique called systematic desensitization.  They take a patient and slowly familiarize them with something of which they are terrified.  Eventually, the patient is no longer afraid of what formerly scared them.  The sexual revolution began this process in the United States, not with anything people were afraid of, but with immoral standards of sexuality. The steps are as follows:

Before the sexual revolution, sex outside of marriage was widely considered to be wrong.  Slowly, morality was nudged out and "free love" was pushed in.  "If it feels good, do it" became the growing consensus.  Society's viewpoint still held that marriage was sacred and that homosexuality was wrong, but we had bent on the rule of sex being appropriate ONLY within the bounds of marriage, especially if you loved each other.  So...emotion ruled the day.  Rules were made to be broken, right?  

The sexual revolution also brought in the idea of what many call "swinging."  The idea was that if a married couple both agreed to redefine the limits of their relationship, they could explore sexual relationships with other couples.  So...if a couple agrees that it's okay to have sex with other people than their spouse, and the other couple agrees with them, then it was okay.  So...if everyone is okay with it, it must be okay.  Once again, emotion ruled the day, and any standard was replaced by subjective judgment.  Rules were only rules if you agreed with them.  Marriage was no longer sacred.  Infidelity had been redefined to only apply as such if your mate was not in agreement with it.

At this point, homosexuality was still widely viewed as morally wrong, but the moral standard had already begun to crumble.  The effort of systematic desensitization continued.  Homosexuality began to be included in the margins of many Hollywood productions.  It was often the subject of jokes. Slowly society adopted the "behind closed doors" mentality, suggesting that whatever happened in a person's bedroom is not anyone else's business.  Homosexuality was now not looked at as morally wrong, but just something that needed to be kept private.  Very quickly after that, "gay pride" became a movement, and the trip to our current climate was very short.  

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy actually tweeted on November 7th, 2018, "the original show was fighting for tolerance.  Our fight is for acceptance."  The truth is that acceptance was the end goal from the start.  No one wants to hear any type of condemnation for what they are doing.  What the homosexual community has taught the world is that if you push long enough, you get what you want regardless of the rules.

Now the tactics to have homosexuality not only accepted but endorsed are being used to pry open the leaks in the dam of morality.  If "love is love" as many who endorse homosexuality say, then there is no moral ground to condemn any sexual behavior.  In fact, the movement to normalize homosexuality has even sought to bolster its ranks by allying with any type of sexual deviance.  Note the growing label of the movement.  It used to be the "gay" community.  It quickly became LGBT, standing for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual.  It currently has expanded to include LGBTTQQIAAP standing for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, ally, and pansexual.  They now seek to include those who are not necessarily deviant in their ranks by labeling those who are "questioning" their sexuality as lumped in with those who are homosexual.  They have invented the concept of transgenderism, though science has proven over and over that no amount of surgery or imitation will change a person's biological gender.  Pedophiles now seek to normalize their perversion by citing the tolerance and even endorsement of this growing and nonsensical movement.  If society can tolerate and endorse this vast array of sexual deviance and intentional confusion, why can it not tolerate and eventually endorse pedophilia?  If society were to respond consistently, pedophilia would soon be among those sexual practices that are commonly approved. 

Is this truly the end that should be? 

What if society were to realize that the exceptions to morality should never have been made?

What if society had sought for unity through clinging to God's standard, rather than by abandoning it?  

• Extramarital and premarital sexual promiscuity would still be something that was condemned. Galatians 5:19-21
• Marriage would still have its sanctity intact rather than there being a divorce rate of 50% + in this country. Malachi 2:16
• The convoluted falsehood of gender fluidity would be non-existent. Genesis 1:27
• Objective morality and objective truth would still have a hold in this country.  John 7:24
• Marriage would still be defined by our country as God defines it: One man and one woman, together for life.  Matthew 19:4-6
• Homosexuality would never have been endorsed by our country.  1 Corinthians 6:9
• The practice of pedophilia would be forever without traction in our country.

As is often the thrust of this blog, society in our nation has become a moral catastrophe.  If you seek clarity in the blurred fog that has become society's moral view, reach out to God's people.  Let us help you find truth in God's word.

Jeremiah Schnell, minister for the church of Christ at Vermilion

5116 Driftwood Drive

Vermilion, Ohio, 44089

440-967-6757

The Christian Pursuit

"I work so I can enjoy my free time."  

Many people view life this way.  We give our time to our employer in exchange for money.  We use the money to fund whatever it is that makes us happy.  Some make the goal of retirement their focus.  Some enjoy hobbies, sporting, or camping.  On the surface, this seems to be a pretty decent way of going through life.  Christianity, though, sheds a different light on this thought process.

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20).

When we become a Christian, we stop living with the purpose of pleasing ourselves. While it certainly is not wrong to enjoy the fruit of our labor, this can no longer be the driving force behind our efforts.  

Psalm 1 describes one who has forsaken the worldly way of living and has found a new focus upon God's word.  It begins with the term "blessed," meaning "approved of God."  The psalm goes on to explain that as this man who is approved of God finds delight in God's law, meditating on it day and night, he becomes "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season.  Its leaf also does not wither, and whatsoever he does shall prosper."  In Psalm 1, God lays out the way to gain His favor and to receive His blessings.  

As Christians, let us make being approved of God the driving force in our lives!  While enjoying the things of this earth is definitely a blessing, our goal must be to seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, Matthew 6:33.  The promise that "all these things will be added to you" is a promise that if we focus on pleasing God first, the other things will fall into place.  Let us make Christianity our pursuit, not "enjoying our free time."

J

I cannot come down!

  Nehemiah 6:1-3
           1        Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates,
           2       then Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.
           3       So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

We often sing, "I want to be a worker for the Lord," but so many times we end up doing something other than God's work.  Continually walking as a Christian ought is a massive battle that we all fight every day, and obstacles to that walk are frequently placed by the devil.  Nehemiah's example in chapter 6 is an excellent reminder that we don't have to allow those obstacles to derail our progress.

First, notice that Nehemiah keeps the layout of the conflict clear:  These are people who are trying to stop him from doing what God wants!  We must remember that no matter what, anyone or anything that seeks to interrupt the work we do for God is not to be trusted.  "They were planning to harm me." No one who wants to stop you from serving God has honorable intentions.

Second, have you ever noticed that when we stay busy doing what we are supposed to do, it is difficult to get into trouble?  When his enemies attempted to interrupt his work, Nehemiah simply said, "I am doing a great work and cannot come down."  If we don't give the enemy the time of day, he can't really stop us from doing God's work.

Third, notice that Nehemiah pulls no punches when it comes to prioritizing God's work over heeding those who seek to interrupt it.  While we live in a society that demands we offend no one, Nehemiah has no qualms when telling someone that God's work is more important than they are.  "Why should the work stop while I leave it and come to you?" Never be afraid to tell someone that God's work is the most important thing in your life.

As we seek to be workers in God's kingdom, let us remain true to our task.  Do not trust those who want to pull you away from God's work.  Do not heed those who seek to distract you from God's work.  Do not fear openly prioritizing God over others.  Let us build the wall!
J

Turned Upside Down

Christians live in a world that does not see the way God sees.  That provides some friction, but we can usually handle it.  The hard times are when life circumstances completely upend everything, and you seem to be looking at the world upside-down.  Dismay and desperation often set in, and many Christians have made poor decisions because they allow their circumstances to distort their reasoning.  

Let us remember that even though circumstances in this life vary, our dedication to God should not.  Relationships change, jobs change, housing changes, and health changes.  Why, though, would we ever allow the temporary things to change what is eternal?  Never should we forget that this life is only a means to arrive at eternity.  We should always remain focused on the day when God's faithful will have their troubles end, described in Revelation 21:3-4.

If you have been blindsided by some hard things, hold fast to God.  If you don't know God, seek Him out!  Seeing the way God sees allows the troubles of this world to have a little less weight.

J

Church of Christ at Vermilion

5116 Driftwood Drive

Vermilion, Ohio 44089

440-967-6757

The Joy of Being Received

In the movie The Martian, Matt Damon played a botanist-astronaut who ended up stranded on Mars.  He went through many, many days of solitude, but finally figured out a way to communicate with people on earth.  As he typed out his first message and waited, the tension was palpable.  When NASA responded to his message, "Yes, we're receiving you," the viewers rejoiced along with him as his sphere of loneliness melted away.  How wonderful is it to know that you are not alone?

When Elijah ran from the wrathful Jezebel in 1 Kings 19, he arrived at the mountain of God and found a cave.  It was there that God asked twice a simple question, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"  Elijah responded twice concerning the hardships he was suffering, ending with the statement, "I alone am left, and they seek my life, to take it away."  As God responded by prescribing a way for Elijah to be relieved of his service, He included a very significant correction:  "Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him" (I Kings 19:18).  It was a reminder that Elijah was not alone.  While he felt beleaguered and felt alone and felt like giving up, God gave a reminder that Elijah's perceptions did not reflect the truth.  

Do you feel alone?  Do you feel beset by problems that are just too big to solve?  God still has His people, even if you don't see them.  While our world may seem to be swallowed up in immorality, selfishness, foolishness, and greed, God's people are still here and we still follow His way.  If you have been too long 'alone on Mars,' and wish to be received, reach out to God's people.  We can show you that you are not alone, and we can point the way to becoming one of God's children.

J

Church of Christ at Vermilion

5116 Driftwood Drive
Vermilion Ohio 44089
440-967-6757

Meeting Times:
Sundays @ 10 AM for Bible study, 11 AM and 6 PM for worship.
Wednesdays @ 7 PM for Bible study

Sometimes we need help with what's broken.

I was about 8 years old when it happened.  My mother had just been given a gift of decorative soaps shaped like turtles.  They were pretty cool, I thought.  I wanted to touch them and handle them, and see the carving up close.  When she sat them down on a table in the church foyer and walked away, I scuttled over and immediately had one of the delicate carvings in my hands.  I marched him around a stack of bulletins, sat him on a change-for-children can, and was having a grand old time.  Tragedy struck when I looked away for a moment and relaxed my grip.  The tiny soap turtle fell, and his head broke off right in the middle of the thinly-carved neck.  I was beside myself.  I saw my 8 years flash before my eyes, imagining the terrible punishment I would receive for breaking my mother's brand-new soap.  As the tears rolled down my face and I contemplated a hiding place, I heard a very big and very kind voice from behind me.  "It looks like you have a problem, young man."  It was Gib Smith, a tall man whose son was my friend.  I picked up the little soap figurine and croaked out that I hadn't meant to break it.  I welled up again as Gib took the pieces from me.  "I think we can fix this.  There's no reason to cry, just yet."  Gib walked me to the water fountain, and took the tiniest droplet from near the drain.  He settled the droplet on the spot where the head had broken off, and restored the figurine.  There was not the slightest hint that anything had ever happened to the little turtle.  Gib had fixed what I thought was unfixable!  He replaced the turtle on the table next to its counterpart and sent me to the bathroom to wash my face so that it didn't look like I had been crying.  

Sometimes we need a little help handling a situation that we don't know how to repair.  Who better than He who knows all to present a solution?  

Have you encountered a difficult life situation?  Remember that God's solutions are always best.  Do you need help?  Remember that God's help is always the best.  Please know that God's people are always willing to point the way to God.

Church of Christ at Vermilion
(440) 967-6757
5116 Driftwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio 44089

The Fear of the Lord

For years, the slogan NO FEAR gained much traction.  Many admire a person who can say, "I'm not afraid."  Many, however, cease admiration when a lack of fear translates to an abundance of foolishness.  Never would anyone suggest that simply because one is not afraid should one venture into a lion's cage.  Simply because a person is not afraid of striding into rush-hour traffic does not mean that they ought to do it.  Many times fear can save. A failure to fear or even a misplaced fear often results in much harm.

An instructor told the story of a woman in Africa who became a Christian. Her husband was against her decision, and forbade her from assembling with the other Christians to worship God.  Sunday after Sunday, she defied her husband and assembled with the church.  Sunday after Sunday, her husband beat her for defying him.  One day he asked her, "If you know I'm going to beat you, why do you keep going to worship?"  Her reply astounded him: "I am more afraid of God than I am of you." She understood the God that she was serving.  She understood Matthew 10:28! 

How often do we fail to allow fear to have its proper role in our service to God?  While our society enjoys emphasizing God's love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness, our culture has allowed fear of God to almost vanish.  Never forget that fear of God is a valid reason to obey Him, and it ought to overrule any fear of those who would influence us against Him.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge," Proverbs 1:7.