Stop the Effeminate Slackness

I'm so tired of the effeminate Jesus of American Christianity. We need the full Christ of Scripture! The one who said take up your cross but also said take up your sword. The one that stood silent before His accusers except to proclaim "I am." the one that fed the thousands and turned over the tables. The one that was the lamb that was slain and is called the Lion of Judah!

We need the Christ with the sword coming from His mouth and the sash that says "King of kings and Lord of lords." the one whose face is like a shining sun in full strength.

That's my King! The King that doesn't need your acceptance but you need His, the King that will crush His enemies and yet died to save many. The King that suffered and died but yet rose reigns. That's my King!

That is the King we need. That is the Christ we need!

Enough of the long haired, hippy, kume by ya, Jesus! Enough of the gnostic, let's just love everybody because we don't want to make them mad Jesus.

3,000 babies a day are murdered but we should make sure we're being nice? Send that lie to the pit of Hell where it came from.

We don't need nice. We need truth.

Growing up Gay - An open letter to the Church

To all the dear saints in Christ,

May I start out by saying I feel the whole “open letter” concept is really cheesy, but it seems to get people's attention. You are reading this after all. I would try another format, but I'm not really sure another way to get this out to you. Thank you for reading this and passing it along because I truly believe what I'm about to write is important for your to read, but I've been know to be pretty egotistical so take that for what you like.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Jason and I'm a 28 year old redeemed homosexual man. Redeemed, reformed, former, I'm not really sure what words to use. I've found myself attracted to men for as long as I can remember. I keep thinking that I've moved passed it, but then someone catches my eye or a lustful thought crosses my mind and I feel like I'm right back where I've always been.

My story is a little different from most. I grew up in church and considered myself a Christian from a very young age. I never lived openly as homosexual though I admit to sexual sin and about three and a half years ago I decided to “come out of the closet.” Well not exactly as openly gay, but as Christian dealing with that sin. I had no reason to do so. I could have gone my entire life without telling anyone, but I wanted to try to give hope to others and glory to God. I was interested in ministry and the whole Ted Haggard incident had recently taken place. I figured if I tried to be open about my sin I could never bring such shame to the gospel.

I told everyone by making a really cruddy YouTube video. I thought it would be so straight forward, but as was making it I just began weeping over my own sin. Of course, homosexual persons on YouTube have used my tears to tell me how miserable Christianity is. They have no clue about the joy that comes from a broken repentance before Christ.

I had no idea what people's reaction would be to the video. I fully expected to lose friends and I wouldn't have even been surprised if I was asked to leave my local church. I think we always assume the worst so we can take comfort when it is only a little rough. To my amazement though I had never felt such loving acceptance. Almost universally their was a great appreciation for the honesty of the video. Sure some morons online attacked me, both Christian and homosexual persons, but that was nothing compared to the love of Christ poured out in my local church. Telling my story gave me opportunity to share the gospel of Christ with thousands of others online and I was even given an hour on a local secular station (many thanks to the Dave Glover show for the opportunity and the way you handled all sides of the topic).

Telling people online was much easier than in person. Even tough I've never been openly shunned I always notice an unconscious crossing of the arms and step back so they can protect themselves. Yea, I watched the entire series of Lie to Me and notice these things.

I guess I should also tell you that I'm a fat guy. You're welcome to use big, chunky, thick or “run for the hills before he eats us” if you're uncomfortable with the F word. I'm certain God used that for my own good in keeping me from sexual sin, but it certainly didn't help growing up gay.

I went to public school and that was the closest thing to Hell on earth as one can get. I was kid that regularly ate lunch alone or with a teacher as I pretended to have some project to work on for another class. I'm pretty sure that teacher was a lesbian and didn't buy my excuse, but she never said anything. It is sad that out of all the Christian teachers in my school the only one I felt accepted by was probably not.

Having such a clear view of my sin without a proper understanding of the gospel led to major bouts with depression in high school. I clearly remember taking a knife multiple times and holding it to my wrist. By God's grace, I never went through with it.

Suicide is not about hurting yourself or even relieving pain though. At least it wasn't when I considered it. It was a warped since of revenge and justice. I remember thinking how sorry they would be when I was gone and how “that would show 'em.” And it might have, but we all know teenagers are really dense and self-absorbed so it would have been generally put out of their minds within a week. It really really wasn't worth it. Of course nothing is worth taking your life over. Especially when you realize it isn't yours anyway.

Even as a Christian, completely confident in the saving and transforming work of Christ, I think we all find it easy to focus on the sin in our lives. That can be a good thing as long as it leads us to repentance and trusting more in Christ, but it can also lead to an inward focus on self that is not godly.

As much as I remember and battle my flesh in a continuing repenting spirit, I must also remember I have a new nature. I know that I am not just forgiven and washed clean, but I've been covered in the righteousness of Christ. I am not just a servant of my Sovereign, but I am an adopted child of my King. I am an heir to God and a co-heir with Christ.

I am so much more than I used to be. I don't need to look for a self-image to bring me out of depression I need to look at the God-image I was created in and restored (and more) to in Christ.

Well that is my story and I'm sticking to it, but it wasn't what I wanted to write to you about today. I wanted to right to you about how the Church can and should respond to homosexual persons.

I love the Church. I don't just mean my local church (though I adore all the saints that make it up), but I mean the Church universal, the whole body of Christ. As much as I love it though I see the response and reaction to the homosexual persons to be off and often sinful.

People in general find it easy to fall into extremes. Either they come off as hating homosexual persons or as overly accepting of their sin. I understand that.

Homosexuality isn't just any sin. The Scripture does refer to it as an abomination just like idols, arrogance, dishonesty, murder, cheating customers, and those who sow discord. As much as some like to say that “sin is sin” it does seem to hold a special category. Of course we understand that all sin is and should be punished by God's wrath in Hell, but we can't deny certain things are more grievous to the Lord.

It is also a sin that committed against one's own body. While all other sins are committed outside the body, sexual sins are committed against our own body.

And of course it is a sin that is being shoved down society's throat on television and politics as many strive to make it appear as just another preference like chocolate or vanilla ice cream.

So how does one respond to this in a Christlike matter?

First, we realize who we all are with and without Christ. If God had not changed our hearts we would likely be just as sinful. It is only the common grace of God that keeps both Christians and non-Christians from being so much more wicked in deed than we act upon.

Second, we must repent for being such a terrible example in personal conduct and marriage. The greatest thing we can do is not go before the masses in protest, but to go before them on bended knee in repentance (with our Chick-fil-A sandwiches of course).

Third, we must be open and even blunt about how God views sin. Sin is so despicable to God that not only do we deserve Hell, but it took God the Son, Jesus the Christ, to suffer the perfect wrath of God the Father to forgive His people. That must never be taken lightly.

Fourth, we cannot expect full transformation. Yes, the moment we come to Christ we are justified and seen as perfectly righteous by God. And yes, one day we will be glorified and perfected, but today we are still being sanctified and becoming more like Christ. As much as I wish it were instantaneous it isn't. At times it is a slow process that may be three steps forward and one step back. Some days I look back over a few weeks and realize there is no progress, but when I look back over the years I can see how far my God has brought me.

The key is not to look at the moment or the last sprint, but the full track and to keep our eyes upon Christ, the object of my faith. Then I can run with endurance and finish the race.

Fifth, always be full of grace. When I came to Christ, I realize now I knew nothing about being a man, especially a man of God. Even though I was raised in the church I was never taught many of those things. I had to change and fight certain effeminate characteristics and those that have never been in the church will need even more patience. We must also understand the difference between modern day manhood and biblical manhood. I'm still not into most sports and that is perfectly fine (though I do love the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues Hockey).It is much more important to see proper examples of godly husbands and fathers. It is extremely important to be surrounded with male friendships centered on Christ.

Sixth, we must realize that there is probably some past event that has occurred to motivate this sin. I get asked a lot of I think people are born gay. The truth is I have no clue. I know from Scripture that we are sinful from conception and that sin does effect the body. Whether you're born gay or not does not give the excuse to sin. My personal belief is that we are all born with a bent toward certain sin and that our environment helps shape that.

I read a great book a while back called “Washed and Waiting” by Wesley Hill where he mentions that there seem to be three things found in most homosexual persons. It can be one of these or all three.

1. Sexual molestation or rape as a child.
2. An early introduction to pornography. - More and more common with the internet.
3. A warped or non-existent relation with one's father.

I experienced all three of these and found it to be true in most homosexual persons I've spoken with. For females who consider themselves gay or bisexual it has inevitably been that they experienced rape or molestation at some point from those I've spoken with and for some it had even been forgotten as they tried to guard against the trauma.

Overcoming such past events is not easy and can requires a patient heart.

Seventh, watch the gay jokes. I'm not trying to be political correct, but I am trying to be honest. I don't personally mind most such jokes, but we must remember that we are talking about sin and it should not be taken lightly. We must also remember that we don't know who is around us that may be hurt. Since many people don't realize my past I hear “smear the queer” type jokes all the time.

The most hurtful one happened several years ago on the Fourth of July. I was outside at a church event and standing around with several folks discussing politics when the pastor's wife made the comment, “I believe we should let homosexuals join the military. That way they can go over to Iraq and die.” Everyone around her laughed and I chuckled so as not to be “found out,” but the truth is that I was weeping inside. I thought to myself, “that is the heart of it. If they knew the truth about me they'd want me dead.” That is not what they really wanted, but it certainly felt like it to me.

Yes, the Bible describes those outside of Christ and in open rebellion as enemies of God, but it also says to love your enemy. We miss the last part.

Eighth, remember that politics don't change hearts and minds, the gospel does. I love politics. I just returned from some activist training. I think Christians must take a lead in politic forums, but I also realize that it is no match for the transforming power of the gospel.

Only the gospel changes hearts. As a matter of fact that is exactly what God does for someone to respond to the gospel. He takes their sinful heart of stone and gives them a new heart of flesh. How glorious is our God that He would save a wretch like me!

If you want to stop homosexual marriage and the indoctrination of the nation well the answer isn't found it in the courthouse, or the voting booth. It is found in sharing with your neighbor, praying with your children, witnessing to the stranger, and caring for the orphan. The answer is found in laying down your life and your rights and picking up your cross and telling a nation that there is true hope and change, but it isn't found Washington, or at the bottom of a bottle, or in the bed of a stranger. True hope is found only in the eternal son whose name is Jesus Christ.

That is the message that changes the world. That is how you respond to the homosexual person. That is the love you show to a world that hates and despises you.

And when we respond like that then it doesn't really matter what they think or say, because in that we have given honor and glory to our King.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and pass it on. May the grace of God be seen in it and may He be made famous.

To God alone be the glory,

Jason

How's that workin' for ya?

The inevitable finally happened today, Senator Rick Santorum suspended his bid in the republican presidential primary. Whether you supported him or not, you have to give it to him for coming so far while polling at 1% a week before Iowa.



For a while I was a big supporter of Santorum and even gave my first political donation to his campaign. After a while that waned as he showed some significant challenges. So then I joined the Ron Paul bandwagon. I had some problems with him as well, but I respect his consistency. After watching a debate where he seemed wobbly on whether the morning after pill (which may be responsible for many more murders that all other types of abortion put together) should be illegal I had to pull my support.



So now here we are with Mitt Romney as the presumed nominee. I know many dear friends that will continue shouting Ron Paul from the top of the lungs until November (spamming and annoying others to the point that they refuse to even consider Paul) but rationally speaking that is over.



I'm left with quite the predicament. I consider the Obama administration one of the most tyrannical in the history of this nation. President Obama has helped wage class and race wars since taking office. So it makes perfect sense to then vote for the person most likely to defeat him right?



A year ago I would have said yes straight away, but now I'm not so sure. It's not that I think the answer is no, but probably for the first time in my life I want to really weigh out my options before checking beside the “R.”



If I compare Romney side by side with Obama then Romney wins hands down, but if I compare him to the Bible then he fails miserably.



In no way do I believe that one must be perfect to vote for them, but I think their may be some realistic standards we should hold.



The real challenge we have in setting such a standard is that an elected government official is not spoken of in the Bible. Scripture gives many exhortations for appointing elders and deacons but is pretty silent on officials elected by the people. There are no governmental democracies or republics spoken of in Scripture (yes, Rome was a republic, but that aspect is not spoken of in Scripture).



So then what can we look to for guidance? Well I think there are certain areas of Scripture we can look at for idea. Ultimately I would say that whomever one votes for is not a matter of sin, but rather wisdom. So if a friend votes for Barack Obama, I don't believe he is sinning to do so, but he may be foolish in doing so (just as I may be for voting for Mitt Romney).



We know all authority is ultimately given by God. That means whomever is elected is truly in God's power. We can also understand that we have a unique responsibility to take part in that, but after it is all said and done elections fall just as God's sovereign will proclaimed that they would.



We also know that just because it is part of God's sovereign will that it doesn't necessarily fall under his moral will. God put many evil kings in place for a time over Israel and Judea to discipline His people, but His true desire was always for their repentance.



With all of that said here are some of my big hesitations with voting for Romney.



1. Inconsistency on issues.



I would rather support a man I disagreed with on issues than a man I can't figure out his stance. At least then I know where to stand guard. With Romney you just don't know what you're getting.



"What you are in public will never blind God to what you are in private." - John Blanchard



2. Romneycare



I have no idea how he side stepped this during the primaries. The majority of the nation was furious over the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) but yet we just welcome in the architect of the idea. Sure, what is allowable on a state level is different than a national level, but socialism is socialism no matter the scale.



3. The complacency of Christians when a republican is in office.



I'm not a Bush hater. I respect many things about the man, but he greatly expanded government's role and deficit during his tenure. When someone with an “R” by their name is in office Christians tend to stop paying attention to what is going on and blindly support whatever they say. This leads to bills like the Patriot Act and No Child Left Behind passing with nary an objection. With Obama in office many more are alert and with a Republican congress it is hard for him to achieve much.



4. Do we really want 8 years of Romney?



Four more years of Obama is pretty bad, but if we elect Romeny that is at least eight more years before we have the chance to elect a great leader.



5. Can I really prop up Mormonism?



I'm sure some will consider this bigotry, but since it's founding Mormonism has been considered a cult. They have so many heretical doctrines I won't even try to talk about them, but they absolutely are not Christians (something Joseph Smith used to state emphatically). Can I really vote for a cultist in good conscience? Does that not make the cult more main-stream and possibly lead people away from the one true God? I love freedom, but freedom is found in truth. That is something neither of the main candidates understand.



6. Has voting for a mediocre candidate really achieved anything?



It so often seems like we come back to voting for the “lesser of two evils.” Every time we vote it seems we're just holding our nose and keeping the vomit down as we select a candidate we don't really want. Don't you ever just get tired of it? Our society just keeps sliding down hill and instead of saying “I stand with a righteous man to rebuild the foundation” we say “at least we only fell a couple feet this year.” Is this really what I want to do all my life? Check beside the lesser demon?



Considering those objections what then are my options?



Abstain from voting for president.



I could just decide not to even bother voting for the office of president. Millions around the country do it every four years. Yet, I truly believe in the responsibility of the republic to be counted. So I don't think this is a great option.



2. Vote for a third party or write-in candidate.



Many consider this the same as not voting or even voting for Obama. I don't see it that way. Sure, a third party candidate is very unlikely to win, but a strong third party candidate in one election can lead to a great opportunity in the next. Maybe if we stood behind a godly man this election, though he may lose, we will have a great opportunity in the next election. Perhaps.



3. Hold my nose and vote for Romney.



I may end up doing this, but as of now I truly feel as though it would simply seer my own conscience to do so.



Conclusion:



I still don't know where I fall on any of this. I don't think either option fits into the scope of God's revealed will, but most likely one will be our president for the next four years. It could happen that God miraculous save either or both of these men and draw them to true repentance. It could even happen that a strong third party candidate does win. I have a feeling both of these would come as a result of a national repentance, so amen to that idea.



I certainly have to definitive answers right now, but I'm happy to at least think about these things. I know many will disagree with me on these issues and will hold to ABO “anyone but Obama” and I understand that. I'm surprised I'm not in that mindset myself. But instead of just being against Obama I'd rather stand for something and I think that something is found in the someone of Jesus Christ. I can't guarantee I'll make the perfect decision in voting, but I know that keeping my eyes on Him instead of the letter beside someone's name as I once did will bring Him much more glory.



To God be the Glory,



Jason Vaughn

Beyond Acceptance

Had the privilege of working with the creators of this film last week. Thought I would share their trailer. I encourage you to check it out!

http://push.beyondacceptance.com/share/trailer?id=035jv

Ron Paul and Homosexuality

With a another presidential election year upon us the informed public will once again begin to debate a myriad of issues from war to welfare to apparently contraception though how that topic made it to a national debate seems questionable.

One topic that will be in many circles is homosexuality. One candidate above any other seems to be a sticking point in that debate is Congressman Ron Paul of Texas.

Ron Paul, who claims to be and seems to be by many accounts a conservative evangelical Christian is a center of this debate because his stance seems a bit hard to nail down. He has said he believes “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” was a fair military policy though he has no interest in reinstating it as president, he believes states can vote to allow or ban homosexual marriage and does not support a marriage amendment to the constitution, and he doesn't believe other states must recognize those marriages.

For a republican candidate he seems to have gained quite a bit of support from the homosexual community (thought there is quite a bit of hatred thrown at him as well) and is supported by a strict conservative Christian homeschool community as well. It truly is an odd coalition.

Beyond those aspects what makes Paul even more controversial on this issue is that according to an interview in 2007 Paul alluded to the idea that he believes homosexual persons are born gay and that while he understands many people call homosexuality a sin he is not willing to, nor would he say that God calls it a sin.

From the interview it seems Paul's main point about homosexuality was it was more complicated than a simple yes or no.

For this reason many Christian conservatives have stated they cannot support Paul.

In this post I'd like to take the time to briefly explain why he is right and wrong in his stance.

Paul is really making 2 statements about this. First that people are born homosexual and second that because of this homosexuality is not a sin.

I want to look at them separately. The first question would then be is homosexuality nature, nurture, or a choice people make? I would like to make the argument that it is a combination of nature the environment one is raised in.

I understand many people will disagree with me on this, but please hear me out.

Ask any homosexual person whether they were born gay or not and you will generally get a definitive yes. Most people don't want to be outcasts or go through discrimination often from friends and family. It makes no logical sense to say someone would choose to be gay. There are some instances I've seen where a teenager will take on a flamboyant persona purely to gain attention and with shows like Glee making Coming Out the “in” thing we may see more teens doing it, but historical this is not the case.

Many homosexuals admit to these feelings from a very young age at the same moment their peers are becoming attracted to the opposite sex.



More importantly, the Bible seems to say this as well. We were all born in sin, and even conceived in inequity. From the moment of our conception to birth we are in rebellion to God according to Scripture. This has effected the whole earth as it groans and is fallen. If you need proof that sin effects our body then consider the effects of gluttony and slothfulness. Sins which I have committed and the effects are clear. We have this lie indoctrinated that we were born perfect, but the Bible tells us just the opposite.

So yes, I do believe it is part of the nature a person is born with at least the tendency is there. This is also in combination often with the environment someone with these tendencies is raised in.
There seem to be three factors that play into this as well.

1) Sexual abuse. I've never met a homosexual lady that at some point wasn't sexually. Sadly, this is often by a relative or family friend. This is also the case for many gay men.
2) An early introduction to pornography. As the ease and access of porn grows this is an increasing problem as it brings young minds to sexual thoughts and images their body and brains are simply not ready to handle.
3) And the greatest environmental factor is often a dysfunctional or non-existent presence of a father in their lives. So they never see what healthy normal relationships should look like they seek out someone else to fill that. They try to love the love of other men of flee men completely.



So considering those environmental factors it is no wonder we have such a prominent rise of homosexuality.

So to Dr. Paul's first point that homosexual persons are born that way we can agree, but does that mean that mean homosexuality is not a sin?

No! I tell you emphatically no! Why do I say this? Because homosexuality nor any other sin has ever been a sin because of biology. It is a sin because a holy creator God has declared it to be so.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
(1Co 6:9-10)

The Bible is clear, not only here but in other places that homosexual practice is sinful.

There are all kinds of practices that the New Testament condemns that modern science has found a biological aspect too from excessive gambling to alcoholism. Murderers have even been show to high elevated testosterone levels.

This is where Dr. Paul gets it wrong. He talks homosexuality as though if people are born that way it is an automatic excuse.

Straight men are born with a broken sexuality as well that causes them to sin in lust, but we don't accept it as normal for married men to commit adultery.


A broken world does not give us reason to believe the Bible is wrong, but to believe it is right. That this world is effected by sin and in need of a savior.

I truly hope Dr. Paul and others will see that and base their beliefs on the Bible, and not experience. Only one is perfect and unchanging.

Until then Conservative, Bible believing Christians will each have to make a decision of consciousness whether they can support Ron Paul for president. Personally, with the choices before I have decided I can and will pray he change his mind on this and other issues I disagree with him concerning.

But beyond politics there is something each of us must consider. 1 Cor 6: 9-10 tells us the first part of the story, but it is the next verse that truly changes everything!

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(1Co 6:11)

This is the promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ! No matter who you are, or what sins you've committed the Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man took the punishment for all those who repent, turn from their sin and trust in Him.

Whether you're a homosexual person, or a heterosexual person you were born in sin and have broken God's law, but Christ is your way out from under the judgment of God.

Repenting and trusting in Christ doesn't mean you won't sin,but it does mean God has given you a new heart and this is one that longs after Him.

It's not about being straight or even being good, but about trusting in Christ. He alone is worthy.