A heartfelt apology and a promise

I'm a little nervous about writing this post today. I was going back and forth all night about it, and this morning it was weighing heavily on my heart. Please believe me when I say that I am not trying to preach to or judge anyone. I'm not trying to stir up a debate. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and I will never try to force mine upon you.

Let me start by saying that I am a Christian. I have been one for over seven years, and trust me, I have a lot to learn. I believe that the Bible is true, and I try to live my life according to what it says. I'm not always successful, but I am human, and I make mistakes.

Christianity tends to bring up a lot of bad images these days. The Westoboro Baptist Church is a great example with their picketing soldiers' funerals, and the address for their website is full of hate. I could site many more examples, but I'll just use the two that sparked the idea for this post.

Last night while I was checking Facebook, I came across a post about a pastor from North Carolina, who in a sermon, said something along the lines that all homosexuals should be placed inside of an electric fence.

This morning there was a post about a toddler singing at his church a song entitled 'Ain't no Homos Going to Make it to Heaven'.

EXCUSE ME?!?! I'm HORRIFIED by this! I can't form the words in my mind to express exactly what I'm feeling, but I can say this:

I'm so sorry. From the bottom of my heart, I am so, so sorry.

This is not what Christianity is about. I'm hoping these things are taken out of context, but only God knows their hearts and what they truly believe. The Bible does says that homosexuality is wrong, but it also says that being prideful, selfish, and lying are wrong. In fact, they're all considered to be on the same level of wrongness. But do you see people attacking the prideful and the liars? I know that it's hard to do as it's easier hide your pride and cover up a lie, but it bothers me so much that people who claim to be Christians are just pointing fingers at others rather than trying to deal with their own sins, like in Matthew 7:3-5 :

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Some lyrics to a song describes what I'm trying to say perfectly; it's called "Jesus Friend of Sinners" by Casting Crowns:

Jesus Friend of sinners we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus friend of sinners the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and love like You did

No one deserves to be put in an electric fence. And if homosexuals can't get to heaven, then I'm sure the liars won't be there. Or the prideful people. Or those who are selfish. Or get angry easy. Or the murderers. No one could go because we all do some if not all of those. That's why Jesus died for us, but that's getting into to much preaching, so I'm hoping my point is made and will continue on :)

As Christians, my husband and I are raising our children with the hopes that someday they may choose to also surrender their lives to God. With that being said, here is my promise to you and the world:

I will do my best to see that my children and I not behave in a manner like that. I want to raise my children to love everyone, whether or not they agree with them. We are to love each other because God created each and every one of us, and He expects nothing less of us.

I hope this post makes sense; I have a billion thoughts running through my head, and trying to put them down in any order is difficult when I'm so emotional and broken hearted over this topic.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend, and I'll be back in the next couple days with more "normal" posts!