Consider the testimony of Dr. Rosarie Butterfield.

Before you attend Idaho Falls Pride Day on September 14, I would suggest that you ask Sam Allberry this question.

Is God anti-gay?

That’s the title of his book.  Read this.  Check out his opening words here.

Religious moralism in itself is not the answer in our city.  You already know the bankruptcy of it.  So.  Contemplate a radical gospel.  And above all, trust and savor this God of such a gospel.

Ultimately, it doesn’t come down to civil issues, policy issues, and morality issues in our city.

It comes down to God and gospel issues.

Enjoying the conversation with you.

Grace and peace,

Todd Wood

Is the push for removing discrimination toward the LGBT community the same as race issues?

Gay and lesbian rights activists appear to be succeeding in their efforts to convince the public that homosexuality is one identical, unitary, unvarying and inherited characteristic…. Persons who identify as homosexual fall along a very broad spectrum of personalities, ranging from shy young men who are so frightened of girls that they fear they must be gay to boys who preferred to play with dolls and wear girls’ clothing and everything in between. Contending that all same-sex attraction is an unchangeable or immutable characteristic like race is a distortion of reality.” (HT:Robert A. J. Gagnon)

The Idaho Falls city council has talked about a city ordinance in regards to no discrimination based on sexual orientation.  May I offer some questions?

1. What is the definition of sexual orientation?  What is the definition of gender?
2. What is defined as natural?  And not natural when it comes to sexual orientation?
3. Who are the authoritative sources that influence the definition?
4. What is the number of LGTB citizens in the city of Idaho Falls?
5. What are the cases of discrimination in this city?
6. Who are the LGTB citizens in Idaho Falls who have no place to live or no opportunity for a job?
7. Since Idaho state republicans are making no pressure for these anti-discrimination policies to be in place, who is?  Is it the majority of the citizens in the cities of Idaho?
8. How many citizens of Idaho Falls are vocally pushing for this discrimination ordinance?
9. Which businesses have reported that they will not come to Idaho Falls if this discrimination ordinance is not in place?
10. If the Idaho Falls city council affirms a discrimination policy, does not that affirm that the city publicly welcomes and embraces the homosexual lifestyle?
11. If this new ordinance is passed, why would polygamists still be discriminated against?  What about southeastern Idaho’s whole political history toward polygamists?  Isn’t this sexual discrimination?
12. What if a hotel owner decides not to offer rooms of his establishment to a collective group of LGTB individuals?
13. What if a restaurant owner is uncomfortable with his newly hired waiter showing pictures of a same-sex partner to the patrons?
14. If a boss decides not to hire someone seeking employment, can that person come back and accuse the boss of discrimination, even though the topic of sexual orientation did not come up in the initial discussion?
15. If a Christian in Idaho Falls regards homosexuality as a sin, what business would you recommend him to start wherein that individual can retain their freedom of conscience?
16. Can a bed & breakfast owner discriminate on who comes to stay at the home?
17. Can a family discriminate over which nanny or babysitter they hire?
18. Should there be discrimination against bestiality?  If so, why?
19. Will the public court-house allow LGTB weddings?
20. What will be the consequences for acts of discrimination?  Fines?  Sensitivity classes?
21. What is the course for transgender bathrooms in public accommodations?

Corey Taule wrote today in the Cheers & Jeers section of our local Idaho Falls paper:

Jeers to Pastor Stuart Bryan of Trinity Church in Coeur d’Alene.  Bryan is so upset that his city government took this vital step toward equality that he is advocating citizens break the law and thumb their nose at representative government.

“I would entirely support any parishioner who opposed that legislation,” he told the Spokane Spokesman-Review, “I think it’s unjust.”

As Idaho Falls prepares to enter into this fray, here is a lesson in how not act.  Coeur d’Alene’s elected officials have spoken.  Those who disagree are free to oppose them come Election Day.  That’s how our system works.  We can only hope folks on both sides of this debate in Idaho Falls conduct themselves with more integrity and dignity than Bryan.

But I would encourage the citizens of Idaho Falls to hear Stuart out, rather than take this soundbite from Corey who jeers him and targets both his integrity and dignity.  Read Stuart’s recent blog articles.

Judd Wilson spoke up this past March up in Moscow, Idaho.

I wrote this 95 Theses in 2007.

Today’s headline article in our local newspaper prods me to consider writing a new 95 Theses.

It will be a 95 theses on marriage which is defined as between one man and one woman for life.

Stay tuned.

Marriage is precious.  And here are several reasons why . . .

1.  To have another creature who completes you – a gift given to you by the Creator.   Let us thank the Creator for His marvelous design.  Both the male and female reflect His image.  Where you are lacking, your spouse fills those areas where you are not equipped.  God has created men and woman for unique roles.  Thank God for your spouse and all those very important differences.

2.  To be able to live in an earthly relationship of purpose—marriage is a picture of an unbreakable, all-loving, unending relationship with Christ.  There are ten thousand marriages in Idaho Falls.  The Lord has placed in this city a gospel imprint just by the vast number of all these marriages.  Do you and your spouse have a mission statement and purpose for 2013?

3.  To have a companion whom God will use for your sanctification – this marriage partner will reveal your areas of selfishness.  Marriage is a calling on a daily basis to share fully your thoughts, your feelings, your bodies, your time, and your resources for the honor and betterment of the other.  We are all naturally very selfish people.  Marriage is a divine tool for exposing and rooting out selfishness in those very personal areas of our lives.  God’s intention is to make us more and more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Some joys related to marriage

1.  Someone who knows everything about you and still loves you.

2.  Unchanging love in the midst of sickness, discouragement, and struggles.

3.  Love bubbling up through smiles, hugs, and laughter.

4.  A special connection that no one else shares.

Does your marriage need some troubleshooting?  Consider some of these questions.

1.  Husband, is your wife secure in your love?  Wife, is your husband lifted up by your respect?

2.  Are you praying together?  Pray continuously for one another.  Pray together during your shared times of pleasures: nice meals, naps, sex, walks in the woods, vacations, etc.  And of course, pray together over the problems and trials that you face.   Pray each night in bed.

3.  Are you taking the time to problem solve?  Communication is vital and doing it the right way.

4.  Do you rely upon the gospel of Jesus to take care of the sin in your marriage?

5.  Who do you look to for fully satisfying your needs?  Jesus or your spouse?  Don’t put your family in the place where only God should be.

Some final questions for you and your spouse to talk about

1.  What do you most appreciate about your marriage?

2.  What prayer has God answered for you and your spouse?

3.  What is a central issue where you and your spouse are seeking together the wisdom of God?

4.  What are your top five Bible passages on marriage?

5.  How might God be leading you and your spouse to serve Him through the local body of Christ?  Which sick people in the church family does He want you to visit?  Whose faltering marriage does He want you to encourage?  Which children does He want you to invest your time and love?  How has He called you to evangelism and discipleship?

We understand that we live in a changing culture in America, and we understand that those within our very diverse country should not be discriminated based on their gender, skin color, nationality, or religious beliefs. But we do believe that there are fundamental, moral values designed by God that should not be challenged, crossed, and tossed aside. We believe that God created men and women with unique purpose, and we believe that this should be actively promoted and defended among the boys in our country. We are very disappointed with the national council of the Boy Scouts of America considering the acceptance of leaders regardless of their sexual orientation and in effect, delivering a redefinition of what is proper and moral family life before God Almighty. Certainly, family life in our towns and cities is at the core for our boys’ understanding and their preparation for life. We do not hate. We do not believe in bullying. We do not resort to violence. Simply, it is that  we stand unequivocally for love and truth which God has wired in our human consciences. We are pro-family life and desire to strengthen this crucial, yet currently vulnerable fabric within the Boy Scouts of America. We long for the boys we love and spend time with each week to be exposed to men, who are both good husbands to their wives and good fathers to their children. Herein, we rise up and stand.

Matthew 9:18-Matthew 13:30 (January 20, 2013)

Our King heals:

“And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.  For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”  But Jesus turned around and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour” (Matthew 9:20-22).

Has He healed you in any way?  Give Him glory.

Our King calls:

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:36-38).

Has He called you to labor in the harvest field?  Give Him your labor.

Our King is hated:

“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.  But he who endures to the end will be saved. . . . Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both the soul and body in hell. . . . And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:22, 27, 38-39).

Will you die for Him?

Our King has a family:

“But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”  “And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!  For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:48-50).

Are you in this family?

Coming up this week, read Matthew 13:31-Matthew 17:27 . . . 1) What encouragement do you find from Jesus’s parables?  2) How does Jesus minister to you when you are afraid?  3)  Like the Canaanite mother, where can you be the little dog who is full of faith in her Master?  4) Do you think that Christ will build His Church in Idaho Falls?