We live in a hustling, bustling 'work-a-day' world...And it's not always easy to take time to 'smell the daffodils and tulips'.
But today is a special day. Today is themost important day for Christians all over the world, because it heralds the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus.
We take time out from our busy lives today to worship and spend the day with family and friends.
We pray, we hunt for eggs, have fun with the children, enjoy a wonderful Easter meal together....And, more likely than not, eat way more chocolate than we ought to!
Yet, amid all this 'fun', there are times when true 'spiritual breakthroughs' occur, for the very fabric of this day lends itself to discussions and meditations of all that is God-breathed.
In fact, Easter is a time when some may even decide that they wish to be baptized. And here I have some interesting information for you: Did you know that any baptized Christian may baptize another with 'full authority'? It's true. (Disclaimer: I realize that certain denominations do not consider laity to be 'qualified' in this regard, except in emergencies, and that certain denominations and individuals do not feel that a 'woman' (myself) is qualified to be clergy and speak as I do, but for those who are other-minded, please read on.)
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Mt 28:16-20 (NIV)
My message to you is this: one need not necessarily use 'Jordon River water' to baptize a person seized by the Spirit of the Lord and asking for a fellow Believer to baptize them.
Any Believer may take pure water and 'bless it' for Holy use and then proceed to use it to 'baptize'.
ALL Christian Believers are qualified and, are indeed, 'commanded' to GO FORTH and baptize others in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!
From a 'private baptism' in a family bathroom on Easter Day to a heart-wrenching, yet life-affirming one performed in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) on a precious infant in an 'Isolette' (using sterile water and a sterile eye-dropper),one never knows when the need to baptize may appear.
So, dear ones, if someone should ever ask you to baptize them, proudly proclaim your 'authority' as a Believer and do it!
Whether it be a 'normal day', at an 'accident scene' or other disaster or when clergy are simply unavailable, step up and fulfill that request.
Do it and live, so that the person you baptize can 'live', just as Christ lives and bids us to be his 'hands, feet and hearts' on this earth.
photo courtesy http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=136337
Dear Ones:
Have you wondered AT ALL as to just 'why' the Family Research Council shooter Floyd Lee Corkins II was carrying 15 'Chick-fil-A's' in his backpack?
I have. And I had to plumb the depths of my mind to see if I could determine all the possibilities of why he would do so.
The reasons I came up with were 'one crazier than the other'...and all very unsavory.
Our reflections on this Christian-hating Corkins is complicated, of course, by the fact that he is a 'complex' individual (I'm trying to be polite here).
A Progressive liberal 'zealot' of the first order, Floyd Lee Corkings is, among other things, the latest enthusiastic contributor to a burgeoning wave of 'left wing violence' against conservatives...and against Christians, in particular.
"The Washington Post quoted Allan P. Chan, a former George Mason student, as
saying he lifted weights and socialized with Corkins. Chan said Corkins was
secretive and somewhat odd, and displayed an intense interest in the
19th-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, according to the Post."
"Militant atheism may also be a factor in the shooter’s motives.
Nietzsche is the well-known atheist philosopher who decried the “slave
morality” of Christianity and proclaimed “God is dead”. The shooter in
the Garielle Giffords case (Jared Lee Loughner) was a militant atheist. Militant atheists like Richard Dawkins and the American Atheists group have even called for the eradication of Christianity. But the vast majority of atheists are not violent."
"An eye-witness was interviewed on another news outlet. He was screaming that he
was going to kill as many as he could and leave a Chick-Fil-A bag at the body."
LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/16/justice/dc-shooting-suspect/index.html
What kind of 'mind' comes up with that kind of plan?
Is it 'evil, demented or both'?
I'd say, 'Heaven knows'...but in this case, I suspect 'hell' knows, also.
We wonder -- is there much 'active support' for LGBT activist Corkins by his 'fellows'?
If there is, how is the public going to deal with it? Similarly, how will the law enforcement community deal with it?
I wish I had some answers for you. Lacking them, at least we are 'forewarned'.
We can be alert and aware of our surroundings, while always remembering that the last thing our Lord wants is for us to reply-in-kind to those who seek to harm us.
God Bless You
Rev. Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross" www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com
For those who are having difficulty forming a 'judgement' (if even we
should be, though the media coverage makes it almost impossible not to do so) as to the 'Trayvon Martin Case', please check this out:
It is the link to the Sanford P.D., where you can read/listen to everything
from 911 calls to eye-witness accounts. Intelligent people everywhere actually have an opportunity to examine some actual EVIDENCE in forming their opinions in this case, IF they choose to do so.
Naysayers will no-doubt opine of a lack of confidence in anything the Sanford P.D. provides, but the evidence speaks for itself.
We must reject prejudice and conjecture. Most especially, decent persons would do well to avoid any and all particularly vicious forms of 'hate-mongering' as by those who seek to promote racially-motivated violence.
As my heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of Trayvon Martin, so do they go out to the family and friends of George Zimmerman.
May God Help us to live in good accord,
Rev. Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
This is a 'global effort', as it should be for the kind of things that affect ALL humans, regardless of where they happen to be on the globe. Can there be any doubt that ALL peoples of 'good faith' wish nothing but the 'best' and 'the best of care' for those in need? Certainly not!
So, if you are suffering from (or are the love one of) a 'rare disease', you are keenly aware of what this 'leap year day' of February 29, 2012 means.
It means that you are not forgotten. It means that you can rest assured there are those who care. You can know that there definitely ARE researchers and others who have your interests at heart.
And, most of all, it means you have HOPE for a cure, and if not cure, for a treatment..and if not a treatment, then the hope of a 'prevention'.
In this spirit of communal compassion, I ask that each of you reading this takes the time to realize that, truly, 'there but for the grace of God, go each of ourselves and our loved ones'.
Today is a day to appreciate the gains of modern science, while understanding and being grateful for our Creator who loves us so much.
God made us His magnificent creation! Let us remember--today and all days--to never take His gift of life to us for granted.
And never let us forget that, as Christians, when we pray in the powerful name of Jesus Christ...
ALL things are possible!
In Christ's Name,
Rev. Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
Today is Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of 'Lent'. Lent is a period of 40 days during which time Christian believers typically 'give up something' as a spiritual reminder or 'act of devotion' to help them 'focus' on God in Christ during this time.
Some Christians 'do something' (i.e. volunteer work, of some kind) in lieu of abstaining from something. The point is to 'honor that which is much larger than our individual selves'.
We become 'unified' in all the world at this time. As a 'body of believers', we strongly remember that we are 'one' in the 'Body of Christ'...not just today, but on each day of the year, of course. But this time is definitely special for us.
Incidentally, the 'Sunday's of Lent do not 'count' as one of those '40 days of Lent', for each 'Sunday' of Lent is considered to be a 'little Easter'.
It seems that even during a time of 'self-denial', the Lord gives us 'constant reminders' of the glory that awaits each of us regarding the 'Resurrection Story'!
Whether or not a Christian continues to deny him or herself on these 'Sundays of Lent' is a matter of individual discernment. If your heart has a question, pray on it and you will receive your answer at once.
But the Kingdom of Christ, of course, is more than a collection of mere 'rules and regulations' and of 'does and don'ts'. In fact, rich tradition colors all the days of our liturgical lives.
For example, Christianity is replete with 'numerical significances' and in overlying 'themes', such as the 40 years of the Israelites in the desert:
"35 The Israelites ate manna
forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna
until they reached the border of Canaan." Ex 16:35 (NIV)
the 40 days and nights during which Elijah fled to Horeb bolstered by an 'angelic meal':
"7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8
So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled
forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
9 There he went into a cave and spent the night." 1Kings 19:7-9 (NIV)
the 40 days that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness:
"1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:1-3 (NIV)
among others examples where the number '40' figures prominently, as it does during Lent.
I am not suggesting that anyone become overly-focused on 'numbers in the Bible'...but, rather, that we can enjoy our shared foundation with generations past, with an eye towards those believers yet to be born on this earth--our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren!
If your faith life does not ordinarily include a Lenten commitment, won't you join us this year?
Won't you join us on this 'faith journey' as we travel onwards towards the blessed triumph known as Easter?
I pray you do!
Love, Rev. Barb
Rev. Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
Mardi Gras came to New Orleans through its
French heritage in 1699. Early explorers celebrated this French Holiday
on the banks of the Mississippi River. Throughout the years,
Orleanians have added to the celebration by establishing krewes (organizations) which host parades and balls. Carnival quickly became an exciting holiday for both children and adults.
Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and of course is celebrated on that
day of the week. The date can fall between February 3 and March 9
depending on the Lunar calendar, used by the Catholic Church to
determine the date of Easter. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.
"Just the name Mardi Gras conjures up images of
drunken, bead-wearing revelers dancing through the streets of New
Orleans. But how, and when, did this huge mid-winter party get started?
Here's a look at the history of Mardi Gras throughout the ages and
across the nations.
Historians tell us that the ancient Romans probably kicked off the
Mardi Gras celebrations. Their mid-February festival known as Lupercalia
honored the god Lupercus, alternately known as the god of fertility and
the god of agriculture and pastoral shepherds. In either case, his
party definitely had Mardi Gras-like qualities, including days of
feasting and drinking. And a little enjoying the "pleasures of the
flesh", probably, too -- in fact, the term Carnival, often synonymous
with Mardi Gras, is derived from the Latin expression meaning "farewell
to the flesh." Read the rest here: The history of Mardi Gras-read it here: http://www.holidays.net/mardigras/story.htm
The official colors for Mardi Gras are purple,
green, and gold. These colors were chosen in 1872 by the King of
Carnival, Rex. He chose these colors to stand for the following:
All people of 'good will' do, indeed', here in the USA, wish our Jewish friends all over the world a most wonderful Hanukkah 2011!!
This year, Hanukkah will be celebrated from Dec. 20-28 and we will remember the 'Festival of Lights' for the blessing and the miracle that it truly is!
G-d bless you, our Jewish brothers and sisters!
Rev. Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
Dear Ones: Whatever you may think or feel about the 'OCCUPY DARIEN' movement, I would ask you to have compassion for it's apparent leader/organizer Margaret Rague, who was recently arrested: LINK: http://www.thedailydarien.com/news/occupy-darien-organizer-arrested The news media have been 'rift' with comments, back and forth, between Ms. Rague and others. Even a cursory examination of these reveals some very disturbing interactions: LINK: http://www.thedailydarien.com/news/occupy-wall-street-protesters-head-darien We don't need this kind of thing. It does Darien (or Stamford with their 'OCCUPY STAMFORD" or New Canaan with their 'OCCUPY NEW CANAAN' or any of Connecticut, for that matter) no good at all. And it certainly is not in keeping with what should be the 'joy' of this holiday-time of the year. So won't you please join me in praying for all involved here? Please pray that those who are hurt and angry may know 'peace in their hearts' in the spirit of compassion and forgiveness. Above all, do not contribute to that which seeks only to promote discord and tumult across our fine country. At this time in history we should all be 'pulling together'! We should be seeing to it that those most 'at risk'--our young, our elderly, the weak, the poor, the hungry--are comforted and cared for! Thank you & God bless you, all true 'Peacemakers', who I know are here and listening! With Love in Christ Rev. Barbara Sexton "The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross" www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com
Oh...it starts off 'innocuously' enough, but the motive of GAY BULLIES is painfully obvious for those of us who have been assaulted by them and their devious supporters.
So, without much 'ado' here is what's behind the attack of radical gay bullies on churches and other conservative houses of worship, which I pray will be of some consolation to my church-fellows in New York currently struggling with gay rights and gay marriage, specifically.
Points to understand:
1) The gay bullies responsible for the 'uprisings' in houses of worship are typically not regular parishioners or visitors, and do not generally present themselves as genuine persons of faith. Unlike our LGBT loved ones, these gay bullies wish to usurp houses of worship solely for their political and social gain.
2) LGBT persons of faith are likely to attend UCC (United Church of Christ), and Unitarian churches, Disciples of Christ , Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) and other 'liberal wings' of traditional churches. Catholic churches are particular targets of gay bullies due to the church's pedophilia 'history'. Gay marriages are already performed in many churches and in secular settings in certain states. But gay bullies are NOT satisfied with this and wish to infiltrate ALL Catholic and conservative Protestant churches for their own personal punitive reasons.
3) Gay bullies are 'one issue voters' and 'one issue church attendees'. They are most likely to volunteer (if at all) for such things as hospitality, food and beverage preparation and event handling, so they can bring more of their 'fellows' into the church.
4) When gay bullies infiltrate a church, it is important to determine who their 'inside contacts' are. No gay bully can make a furtive or spectacular 'entry' without being enabled by at least a couple of church members who are either gay themselves or have a family member or two who is gay. These church members will invariably end up on the O & A (Open and Affirming) Committee or at least be vitally interested in what's going on with that committee.
5) Once the issue of 'gay marriage' is brought up in a church, it will be decided that a 'discussion of homosexuality' FIRST will be useful. Many hours will be devoted to assuring one and all that, like Christ, 'all are welcome'. Gay bullies bank on the good-will and compassion of clergy and Christians to do their deeds.
6) Should anyone be honest and express any anti-gay sentiment, the gay bullies will shout the person down and label him/her as a 'homophobe', utilizing the typical tactics of bullies everywhere.
7) Gay bullies will polarize a church overnight, thus distracting it from all the other work at hand. Be prepared for this.
8) Where gay bullies gain a foothold in churches, 'false good behavior' prevails in those who do not wish to be 'unliked' or called a 'homophobe'. Free speech will be stifled. The whole 'gay marriage discussion' will go underground...just like the gay bullies prefer it to be.
9) As gay rights are discussed more and more, the subject of gay marriage will come up. Many persons have strong feelings about gay marriage. And many are 'okay' with a civil ceremony as opposed to a 'religious ceremony'. But make no mistake: gay bullies will settle for no less than full religious ceremonies in the sanctuary with a Priest or Minister or Rabbi celebrating. Gay marriage proponents in NEW YORK call those who have strong anti-gay marriage sentiments (and who as clergy may not wish to perform gay marriages, as is their right) as using 'sad, filthy tactics'. "Filthy?" Really? How about I'll keep my religion out of your 'uterus' (or in your case, Alvin, your 'prostate')...if you'll keep your self-righteous gay bullying out of my 'faith life'. Deal? "If this is the case, then it is a sad, filthy tactic which proves that in spite of all of their prayers and talk of upholding God's will, those who oppose marriage equality don't have any suitable arguments to defend their cause and therefore have to exploit the righteous indignation of those oppressed by their lies." http://holybulliesandheadlessmonsters.blogspot.com/
10) Gay bullies and their supporters will insist that just because a church votes to become 'open and affirming' (of LGBT individuals), it does NOT necessarily follow that the church will be performing gay marriages. THIS IS A LIE. Once a church 'goes' 'O & A', gay marriage invariably follows poste haste.
11) Anyone in the church community standing in the way of gay bullies will be confronted with any number of accusations whether true or false, including: claims of violations of civil rights, claims of pedophilia (especially in churches with histories of such), claims of sexual abuse and misbehavior (in the case of Protestant churches where infidelity and illicit affairs are more predominant than pedophilia) and the like. Be aware of this and learn how to protect against 'false accusations'. And if false accusations are made, FOLLOW THROUGH & PROSECUTE!
(Hint for all GAY BULLIES: Another's 'downfall' does NOT serve as justification for your own shortcomings. If you KNOW what it's like to be 'stripped of your rights', why do you seek to strip another of their rights to either perform or not perform gay marriages, each according to their conscience?)
12) Gay bullies will challenge their detractors as being 'bad Christians' for not accepting them and all they demand. They disrespect and discount the Bible and mock long-held Christian beliefs. One of the favorite ploys of gay bullies is to make absurd comparisons of Biblical passages, such as, "Well, if you're going to believe that homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord, then you can't have sex with your wife when she's menstruating." Very quickly, discussion with gay bullies in church gets 'weird'. Be prepared for this. http://holybulliesandheadlessmonsters.blogspot.com/2010/10/phony-christians-shedding-crocodile.html
13) Gay bullies get their way by 'intimidation' when they can. Once they are established in the church, they will tell their opponents, "If you don't like it, then leave." Then they will deny saying such a thing. Sadly, many DO leave a church which is overrun by gay bullies.
14) Gay bullies do NOT represent all gays. Most decent gays, like most decent non-gays (Christians and otherwise) can 'live and let live'. Of course, I may be wrong here, but I like to look for the best in people...which is why I've been so successfully 'suckered' over the course of my life, I suppose. Gay bullies only care about what they can get and not a few of them had 'bad experiences' as children at the hands of 'clergy', so to them it's all about that most un-Christian of concepts, 'payback'. Oddly, gay bullies most strongly align these days with Muslims (who also feel sidelined, although most Muslims are not very open-minded about homosexuality). Gay bullies will also align themselves with 'Black Liberation Theology' proponents. This, also, is a curiosity, since the traditional 'Black church' is fairly straight and conservative. "BLACK, GAY & MAD AS HELL" (no kidding!) http://holybulliesandheadlessmonsters.blogspot.com/2008/05/black-gay-and-mad-as-hell-i-was-reading.html
15) The liberal gay community has a lot of resources for gay bullies to use to further their cause. Outside groups will be brought into your church. Protests may be staged. Money may be 'brought in' with the contingency that gay marriages be performed with all the trimmings.
16) The Pastor must provide moral guidance when the church is under attack by gay bullies. If that Pastor has any secrets of their OWN in their closets, or out, they must disclose and deal with it immediately. Gay bullies are great at 'blackmailing'. Any clergy person or church leader who is at risk of being 'blackmailed' should excuse him/herself from any further interaction in positions of authority with gay bullies. Good churches should always police themselves as believers are admonished to in Scripture.
17) Gay bullies are persistent. They say they want your 'approval', but really what they want is 'to be able to have their big church wedding just like everyone else'. There is nothing particularly noble about this, in fact, though only God knows for certain what is in anyone's heart.
18) Gay non-bullies are often uncomfortable by the bully-tactics of their activist brothers and sisters, which is not to say that they don't secretly or openly approve of such tactics. Still, churches need to be aware that closeted gay members may fear being 'outted' by gay bullies and thus may fall away from the church. "The Case For Outting Closeted Politicians" http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/06/14/kruger_outing/index.html This 'falling away' may be misinterpreted as strong disapproval of the gay bullies, thus causing great anguish for non-radical LGBT persons when they feel like they have lost their church home.
19) It's all about power, sex, money and more sex. Gay bullies know this and it serves the church well to know this and react to it with a 'clean heart'. A favorite tactic is disrespectful disruption of church services: Gay activists terrorize Boston church
20) The subject of children is a touchy one. Many gay bullies have no authority over their tongues as they debate 'open and affirming/gay rights/gay marriage' issues in church. Parents must be prepared to protect their children from inappropriate speech and actions. And they must be prepared to 'explain' what gay bullies are all about in ways that are age-appropriate for the individual child.
21) Gay bullies (and other LBGT persons) in church are often found to be involved in 'youth activities'. Gay bullies in particular are keen to 'help' young people 'determine whether or not' a child is gay. I cannot stress strongly enough how imperative it is to be vigilant whenever a radical gay bully seeks close contact with church children. Make sure chaperone's are present. Do background checks! Those who are abused sometimes grow up to be gay bullies who abuse children themselves. In this day and age where anything goes, gay bullies must not be trusted even in a so-called 'church setting'. Gay bullies have issues and have some 'out there' justifications!:
(Hint for all GAY BULLIES: Another's 'downfall' does NOT serve as justification for your own shortcomings. If you KNOW what it's like to be 'stripped of your rights', how DARE YOU attempt to STRIP OTHERS OF THEIRS? (In this case, the right to REFUSE to perform gay marriages!)
22) Gay bullies and their silent but ardent supporters are coming to a church near you. All they care about is gay rights and gay marriage and they will 'damn' anyone who disagrees with them and/or gets in their way. They take advantage of Christian hospitality and Christian kindness, knowing full well that in order for Christians to 'live the Gospel' we must love the sinner along with the saint. And we must know that we cannot always tell the difference between the sinner and the saint either! Scripture tells us very clearly that 'even the elect will be deceived' meaning that even churchmen and women will make bad choices and have bad discernment. We are told that in these days, sexual mores will be lax and libertine lifestyles will be common even in religious settings, so that none of us should be surprised.
23) There is one last 'trick' that gay bullies have which they 'pull in church' in order to further their own selfish gay rights and gay marriage ends. They will start to speak of Jesus as being gay. They will speak of the disciples as being gay. They will speak of Jesus and the disciples having gay sex together and they will speak like this in front of all...including the children they are 'trying to help through their wonder years'. I am not aware that there are any Biblical passages that affirm that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is gay, but I am certain that the liberal left gay bullies have a plethora of evidence. It's amazing how even non-Judeo-Christian gay bullies are quick to pull out a Bible verse they don't believe in if it is useful to make their point! Prepare yourself for such talk. There are no limits when it comes to gay bullies justifying a lifestyle they feel they must justify. They will impugn Mother Mary and the other Mary and all the women in the Bible. They will even go so far-as they have in the O & A gay-friendly, gay-marriage performing churches I am familiar with here in CT-as to call God the Father...'Mother'.
24) I've told you these things so that you are prepared when gay bullies attack your church in New York. Be strong in Christ and testify to the truth. Do not forget to be kind to strangers, but use the wisdom and discernment God gave you to determine what gay bully troublemakers are really all about. Most of all, pray for those, both straight and LGBT, who are NOT like gay bullies, but who simply wish to live their lives in peace and in the Love of God. No evildoers will prevail in the end. But in the meantime, true Christians must be strong so that when gay bullies who are interested only in the things of the world assault them and their houses of worship, they will be prepared.
25) It is claimed that legally, no Priest, Minister, Rabbi or other clergy person can be compelled to perform a gay marriage against their wills, nor force a church or synagogue or social center to service a gay event they are not comfortable with. However, gay bullies are already seeing to it that such 'exemptions' be deemed 'unconstitutional' on the grounds that the rights of gay people will be violated.
As it stands, church leaders and their congregations will be the ones with no rights whatsoever should they oppose gay marriage.
Please keep the New York religious community in prayer with me at this time. I have a 'soft place in my heart' for conservative New Yorkers in the religious community, as I was one of the few 'moderate-conservatives' (now fully conservative!) in liberal Connecticut for many years. The truth was so expertly concealed from me that I want to warn others of this. I want to warn those involved in church politics in New York that they will be lied to. False promises will be made to them. And when all else fails, bully tactics are sure to follow in their wake from those with no consciences or regard for the law. The old adage is: 'give them an inch and they'll take a yard'. The 2011 version of this is: 'give them an inch and they'll try to sue you for violating their 'civil rights' if you don't perform their gay marriages in your churches to their specifications no matter WHAT, if any their 'religious preferences' may be and HOW DARE YOU ASK ANYWAY? I will never alter my perception of marriage as it is given in the Bible and as it is in my heart as God speaks to me: Marriage is a union of men and women for good so that people don't 'stray' (I know, I know...but remember that we are all but dear sinners) wherein those who are intended to bear children do so and those who are so destined adopt. I no longer care if gays get married or not as long as they don't 'get into my face with it'. I don't care if they have a civil or church ceremony, as long as they don't tell me I must sanction gay nuptials in my church sanctuary'. That will not happen. Others are responsible for what THEY do, as I am responsible for what I do! A church sanctuary is a holy place in God's house, no matter that my Progressive lib friends consider it to be nothing more than a 'really neat site to have a wedding and to take pictures with the cool stained glass windows'. Of course, my gay friends, God will know what's really in your hearts and what socio-political points you just had to make at your gay wedding. Rev. Barb is happy to leave it at that. But there are LOTS of pretty places to have your ceremonies and take your photos. Are you sure you really care about our 'churches' or are you just trying to make some kind of 'statement'? To all gay bullies: I want you to consider that there are those of us who dedicate our church sanctuaries for holy activities such as worship, communion, baptism, funerals/memorial services, weddings, confirmations and other life-affirming transitions and celebrations. Do you realize how disrespectful and hurtful you are to insist that you get your way when there are so many other options available to you? I don't expect the 'worst' of gay rights advocates to understand what I am saying here, especially those who don't have a faith life. The greatest thing I can do for them...is to pray for them and wish them well. However, I DO expect gay rights advocates to RESPECT MY RIGHT to feel and say as I do as an American citizen who has a right to freely practice my religion. Neither do I expect GAY BULLIES to understand that my refusal to perform gay marriages is anything other than a PERSONAL CHOICE...and one to which I am entitled, at that. And strangely enough, I am grateful to the LGBT community in Connecticut, New York and surrounding area and especially to those few of you whom I call 'gay bullies': You have made me more aware. You have blessed me and you have freed me. You have solidified my work and my faith and I am grateful for all that you have done. Now I only wish that we could 'work together' in true honesty, without the games and subterfuge. Reverend Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
