The only song I've ever heard three times on Excursions: The Three of Me. The first time, it smacked me upside my head. The second time I listened more closely, and later looked up the lyrics and blogged about it. Today it came on while I was power napping with the radio volume on its lowest setting, and it woke me just enough to call me back to work.
I hope that its lack of effect on me this time might mean that the man I was doesn't still have the prominent place in me that I had given him for too long.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Temptation and Sin
It is said that when we sin, temptation lessens. For this reason, Jesus alone knows the full weight of temptation, because He never yielded to it. Many others know that power in one area of their lives or another, but perhaps no one but Christ has ever known it in their weakest area.
Or maybe it's also true that, when we sin, that particular temptation grows stronger the next time. Or does it just feel that way because the will is weak in that area? We probably can't be certain.
And it is probably not very useful to dwell on this overmuch. In either case, it is with the beginnings of gratitude that I observe that purity requires diligence, along with a determination to trust God to do what I never have before. I haven't believed it impossible, but I have dismissed it as less desirable than carnality.
Or maybe it's also true that, when we sin, that particular temptation grows stronger the next time. Or does it just feel that way because the will is weak in that area? We probably can't be certain.
And it is probably not very useful to dwell on this overmuch. In either case, it is with the beginnings of gratitude that I observe that purity requires diligence, along with a determination to trust God to do what I never have before. I haven't believed it impossible, but I have dismissed it as less desirable than carnality.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
A thankful sigh
Thank you, Lord, for getting me through this evening. My clean walls (more to go) and unscathed soul thank You for Your steadfast help. Still, this feels a lot like the start of a build up phase, and I don't want it to be that. Guard my heart and my will, Lord.
The open-minded myth
I was just reading how S. E. Hinton was recently blasted online for daring to suggest that she neither conceived of nor wrote her characters as gay. The "open-minded" liberal community strikes again. Anyone who doesn't agree with their conclusions will feel their wrath.
One reason for this is that the LGBT community was oppressed for "being who they are" for so long that they are determined to never return there. And I get that. The acts of violence committed against those who see and express their sexuality in non-traditional ways have been unconscionable. They are going to see anyone who disagrees with their experience of and conclusions about their sexuality as enabling or even an extension of that violence.
But perhaps there is also this element: when we insist on something that we want to be true, we tend to be militantly defensive about it. Unfortunately, the only answer that satisfies us is for everyone to affirm us.
One reason for this is that the LGBT community was oppressed for "being who they are" for so long that they are determined to never return there. And I get that. The acts of violence committed against those who see and express their sexuality in non-traditional ways have been unconscionable. They are going to see anyone who disagrees with their experience of and conclusions about their sexuality as enabling or even an extension of that violence.
But perhaps there is also this element: when we insist on something that we want to be true, we tend to be militantly defensive about it. Unfortunately, the only answer that satisfies us is for everyone to affirm us.
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