My two cents

Nowadays, I really prefer to stay out of the public spotlight when it comes to controversial matters. You're hard-pressed to find me really ranting about anything political on Facebook anymore, and while I may have some political stuff in my feed, I don't share it. Reasoning? Everyone seems to have their opinion on everything and are simply looking for a fight. Anything I post, I usually offend someone. So, if you really want to know what I think, ask me. :P Is that so hard now?

I've had a few people ask me in the recent days, "Jacob, what's your opinion on gay marriage?". Oh boy, they just cut right to the chase, don't they? Well, I'm writing a blog post about it. Try to contain your pitchforks.

First off, let's get clear: same-sex romantic relationships are sinful and against God. The more-liberal churches in America like to selectively choose verses from the Bible that tell us to love everyone, like Luke 6:31, Mark 12:31, and Proverbs 10:12. They're all correct when they say we should love them as human beings; I agree, we're all terrible sinners who are destined to hell without Jesus. At the same time, we are also told to correct our brothers when we see them perpetually sinning. If my brother was addicted to heroin, I would say something, not because I hate him, but because I love him and want to see him get better. Galatians 6:1 says, "Brothers and sisters, if someone in your group does something wrong, you who are spiritual should go to that person and gently help make him right again. But be careful, because you might be tempted to sin, too." This is hardly ever an overnight transformation process; it usually takes a lot of time for the sinner to realize what they're doing and own it. It happens to me all the time, too; all of us have been approached at one point over an issue. 

The other problem is that the issue is so polarized. You have the Westboro Baptist Church on one end who calls for gays to be persecuted and you have the militant LGBT community on the other end that makes all gays look like complete assholes. I know that a majority of people aren't like that. I have gay friends and they're some of the nicest people I know. I would defend them like I would any other of my friends; their sexuality really isn't a factor for me (Am I saying I'm not concerned for their sin, no. But it isn't a topic where you can just jump in and tell them it as it is. You need to focus on helping them with other things, first.). The thing that really angers me is when people find out my view, they assume that I hate gays. Since when did disagreement=hate? I really don't understand. I don't agree with most of my friends on everything, and yet, they're my friends. It's so easy to blame the media for everything, but this time I believe it's warranted.

But I don't condone gay marriage any more than I condone murder or extra-marital affairs. To God, ever sin is equal, so why do we treat some sins as if they have priority over others? Politically-speaking, I really don't give a hoot about if gays can marry, because I think the government has different things they should be worrying about, but the unsolvable problem of beliefs influencing how we vote enters into the equation and it just is a big mess. From that view, yes, give them marriage. But the second you start informing or persuading the churches to accept it, then I take issue. Then again, the churches have been failing at the issue recently, haven't they? It's an issue that we honestly won't know the complete answer until Judgement Day, but until then we're left to pray and act off what the Bible says. My hope is that those who don't agree with me can see it from my point of view; it really is more of a religious thing than a political one. I could go so much further into more details, but I need to shower and get ready for the day. :P Oh real life....

To be expanded upon another time.

Jacob

Yeah you, guilted into a blog post

I'll admit it; the only reason I really summoned up the motivation to blog tonight was because my best friend is totally beating me in blog views - like by double the views - and I just watched a Criminal Minds episode about killer bloggers. Motivation level achieved.

Hear that, CBS bastards; you just don't do that. Yet you did. You did. 

Dammit, Mac. You just deleted my entire post; I don't even know what I did. -_- I swear, just when I think I'm getting the hang of it...

Then again, just when I think I'm getting the hang of life, it whips me around. Ain't that the truth?

Jacob

Spring!

As I type this, birds are outside my window chirping. YES. Winter, you're waning. Don't come back.

Of course, we all know Midwest weather; it'll be like 70 one day, then snow the next. I best not get my hopes up.
But I am, anyway.

Even though it's only a tad over freezing, it's sunny, meaning warmer! It's also amazing how much better of a mood you can be in when it's sunny and warm(er). I'm still holding out for those sunny summer days that I spend with my friends, working on my tan at work, and ultimately praising God in the various activities I do. Tough Mudder, anyone?

This summer'll be a good one. God has some great things in store for me and others. Ultimately, I don't know what they are; I have an idea of what I'd like, but we'll see!

Until I have time to blog after midterms...

Jacob