Day 32

Day Thirty-Two

October 20, 2010

Today was somewhat interesting. In memory of 6 gay boys who committed suicide due to homophobic abuse, a large event was created encouraging people to wear purple today. This isn't just for remembering those six boys, but as a way to represent love for all people. This is a really touchy subject, but it affects each and every one of us. Even though I don't necessarily agree with the choices of the homosexual community, I wasn't about to let this opportunity go to waste.

Every year our youth group goes on a mission trip to Montana and each year we get a different shirt. Two years ago our theme for the trip was "Crazy Love" taken from the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. As a way to share God's love with everyone without essentially supporting a cause I don't agree with, I asked my youth pastor to make an announcement encouraging everyone to wear their Montana shirt instead of purple. This is by no means an attack against those people, because God truly loves everybody no matter their past, present, or future. The turn out was amazing. I saw so many kids from youth group walking around the halls today with shirts that say "Crazy Love," "Sin is Whack," "Ready Yourselves," and more. My shirt directly came out saying "God is Love." The whole point was to start conversations and use the shirts as a means for sharing the gospel. The conversations were amazing! For those kids wearing purple, I got to tell them about how God's love is the ultimate love. People should not be treated poorly just because of differences.

This is a huge topic that could go on forever. The most important thing that I learned is that God is love, God loves everyone, we are to be like Christ, we are to love everyone. EVERYONE! Not everyone minus gay people. That doesn't mean we have to agree with them all the time, but we still have to approach them with respect. I keep quoting 1 Peter 3:15! Go back and read it :D.

What does the Bible have to say about this? Some references are Leviticus 18:23, 20:13, Romans 1:27, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Ask a Pastor if you have questions.

Romans 3:23;

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Romans 10:12-13;

"For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

"...But the fact is that nothing should concern us more than our relationship with God..."

-Francis Chan

"Crazy Love"