...Con Tutti Mi Cuore

WEDDING DAY!!!!

2010-08-14T09:09:00.000-07:00

Today is the day that Gabe and I say "I do" and I can't wait!!! We have been waiting for this day for over two and a half years and it is finally here!
Yesterday, we got everything decorated at the church and the reception hall and then had rehearsal. There were a few hiccups with things taking longer than planned, things being forgotten at home, etc., but it was a good day overall and we couldn't stop smiling.
I get to marry the love of my life today and I am just a bit giddy!

More later when I am Mrs. Gabriele Venditti!!

Our God is STILL an Awesome God!

2010-07-15T17:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I promised follow-up...
Gabe went and saw the house on Saturday and really liked it. There were some concern areas but nothing he saw was "that bad." Sunday, after church, he went over to his Realtor's office to draw up an offer he was comfortable with then came home to tell me all about it. A short time later, Al, his Realtor, called him to tell him about some disclosures that were made when he took the offer over to the sellers' Realtor. Apparently, the house was used as a small scale marijuana grow-op (as they call them in Canada) about ten years ago AND, due to flooding twice in the past 20 years, it is classified as being within the boundaries of the Bilston Creek flood plain.
Gabe and I talked about it, prayed about it and got feedback from some of our dear brothers and sisters in Christ as to how to proceed. We decided to keep on going with the process for the time being because maybe that was how God was going to make it affordable for us.... Well, on Monday, Gabe heard back from Al that the sellers had made a counteroffer and he countered back. Monday evening, they had come to an agreement (about 2k more than Gabe original offer and 8k under the sellers' original listing)!
At the same time, Al started talking with Gabe about how difficult it would be to get a mortgage for the house because of the marijuana grow-op in particular. ...Seems there is a lot more fear of damage from a grow-op in Canada than in the States, but that could be because a lot of the times, the pot has to be grown inside the house since the climate isn't hot and humid enough for it to be grown out in the fields... Anyway, Gabe talked with the mortgage broker in Al's office who told him there was no way he would mortgage that house. Gabe was getting a little downtrodden but, undaunted, he went over to his bank to talk with them and got two different answers. One lady told him there was NO way that they would mortgage it while a second lady came up and started telling Gabe about another buyer that she had helped get into a former grow-op.... so there was still hope.
After Gabe got the news that his offer was accepted, he called and left a message at his bank about setting up an appointment to get a final answer on the mortgage issue. Tuesday afternoon, he went to his bank with a printout of the disclosures from the sellers and I get the impression that the bankers just about laughed in his face. Not only is there the marijuana and potential mold but flooding and potential mold. There was absolutely no way they would mortgage it; no ifs, ands or buts.
So, now we are resting in the promises of our God. He has a plan for us and we will follow Him wherever He takes us. If no one else is able to come up with the funds for the house, the sellers will have to lower the price and they may even lower it enough that people would be able to secure cash for the purchase. Only God knows and we continue to and always will have faith in what He is doing in our lives.

30 days until we get married and I get to be with the God-given love of my life!!!!

THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAS TO SAY ABOUT 'LIVING IN WASHINGTON!'

2010-07-09T23:55:00.000-07:00

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Washington.

If you've worn shorts, sandals and a parka at the same time, you live in Washington.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Washington.

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Washington.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Washington.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Washington.

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Central, Southern or Eastern Washington.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over 2 layers of clothes or under a raincoat, you live in Washington.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow and ice, you live in Washington.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Washington.

If you feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash, you live in Washington.

If you know more than 10 ways to order coffee, you live in Washington.

If you know more people who own boats than air conditioners, you live in Washington.

If you stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal, you live in Washington.

If you consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain, you live in Washington.

If you can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Tullys, you live in Washington.

If you know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, you live in Washington.

If you know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup , Abiqua, Issaquah, Snoqualamie, Wenatchee, Spokane, Umpqua, Yakima and Willamette, you live in Washington.

If you consider swimming an indoor sport, you live in Washington.

If you can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food, you live in Washington.

If you never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho, you live in Washington.

If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain, you live in Washington.

If you think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists, you live in Washington.

If you buy new sunglasses every year because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time, you live in Washington .

If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your Washington friends, you live or have lived in Washington.

Our God Is An Awesome God...

2010-07-09T00:42:00.000-07:00

Oh my word, God is SOOO amazing!! Over twelve hours later and I am still bouncy and giddy over it.
So, background, I have been unemployed and living (and planning a wedding) off of babysitting and unemployment since May 21. I have been sending my resume off to childcare and preschool places all over Victoria all summer and not hearing anything back at all...
Monday, I sent off another round of resumes to five different places in the greater Victoria area (including Sidney and Langford) and finally heard something back from someone! Tuesday, I got an email back from Kim at the Sunshine Group Daycare Centres in the Langford area. Great, she wants to do a phone interview with me so I told her about the hoops I have to jump through in order to be able to work in Canada and to get back to me if she would still like to do a phone interview. Wednesday, I get a second email from her saying that she would definitely be willing to jump through those hoops with me and to send her a number where she can reach me if a 10:30 a.m. call would work for me on Thursday morning. Of course, I responded and told her that would be great.
So, now that we have been brought up to this morning in the job search arena, let me tell you about the home search arena. Gabe and I regularly look on mls.ca to check out the houses on the market and to see if there is anything remotely affordable on the Island. Tuesday night we are looking through the houses again and he sends me the link to one that he "knows I will love!" and I take a little gander at it. It is a gorgeous house on a 1 acre lot with a creek running through the backyard, trees all around it (the land around it is owned by government so there won't be subdivisions going up around us), a greenhouse, hardwood floors, etc. EVERYTHING we wanted in a house! ...And, in terms of the Victorian market and Gabe's condo that would be sold, affordable!!! Lovely, but we said we wouldn't get excited about it and would just pray and leave it all in God's hands.
Well, Wednesday morning, after receiving the second email from Kim, I started looking to see exactly where in Langford this centre (catch that Canadian spelling there?) is located. As I am looking at it on the map, I notice that it is rather close to something else... the house is less than half a mile away from the centre and is on the same road!! I called Gabe and told him what I found out, including that I kept hearing Alisha in in head saying "there are NO coincidences, Lily!" I told him that this had to be a God thing and either both of these would work out or neither of them would. He responded with "yeah..." in a rather nonchalant and dragged out tone, "I decided to give the Realtor a call, do you have his number handy?" !!! (So not like Gabe to jump at something like that; he likes to ponder things.) I went to my Life Group last night and told them all about this excitement and they all prayed over me and for the interview this morning and for the house and the general direction God seems to be leading us.
Last night, we are both giddy, excited and at peace over the whole thing and he tells me some more about what he has learned about the house, including that he is trying to set up a viewing. We pray some more and leave everything in God's hands.
This morning, I receive my phone call from Kim and we talk for an hour! Right from the start, I didn't have any nervous feeling while talking with her; it was like I was talking with an old friend, discussing our views on childcare, discipline and praise. It was amazing! At the end of the conversation, she says that she would like to make a job offer and would I like the job?!?!? Um, YEAH! Oh, I forgot to say that she sent me their policies, procedures and philosophies in the first email and I read through them going "yup, yup, yup!" So, everything is in line with that, it is the place God wants me to be! I start calling people and telling them about all this (including Gabe, of course) and every single one of my dear brothers and sisters in Christ tells me "I knew you would get that job! You know that house is yours, right?"
Praise God for He is good and He holds our lives in the palm of His hand! He has some amazing plans for our lives and we just have to walk in faith and go until He says no!
Btw, Gabe has an appointment on Saturday to go see OUR house! We'll keep you posted!

Kaylee

2010-07-02T18:03:00.000-07:00

The peace of a child's face, quiet in repose
The eyelashes flutter, the thumb is sucked
As she lays down her head and drifts off
In the dreamland, what will be?

Remembering the joy of playing in the park
Swinging way up high, running oh so fast
Playing with her brothers, playing with the cat
Perhaps she dreams of Jack?

Rather, I believe, she is resting in the arms
Of her Lord and King, telling Him her story
Hearing His in return, hearing of His love
His promise for her life, to love her eternal.

The peace on her face as she rests in His arms
“I love you, my child, and I have great plans
My daughter, you will grow strong in your faith
Your voice will be true as you sing praises of your King.”

“Before your parents knew you, I formed your every bone.
The hairs on your head placed there by My hand.
My dear child, use the words and voice I give
Share your faith and live true for me.”

A Father's Embrace

2010-07-02T17:55:00.000-07:00

A Father's Embrace
Lillian Ford

I hear your call, I hear your pain
My child, I will always be near to you
Nothing you can do will make Me leave
I listen to your cry; come to Me, my child.

My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.

As you cry out to me morning, noon and night,
I will always hear and answer your cry
My heart breaks for you as I hear your pain
My child, you will always be Mine.

Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.

In every part of your life, I am there
In your joy and in your pain, in your sickness and in your health
Call My name and I will hear
Lift your eyes to heaven and I will be there

Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.

Do you see the beauty around you?
The mountains and valleys, oceans and plains
All that you see is My love story to you
My love for you is all around and written in the very stars in the sky.

Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.

The very air you breathe, the very life you have
All that I created, I give to you.
I love you so dearly and will never leave your side
I will always be with you, my child, I feel your pain and feel your joy.
You are my child and I will forever love you with all that I am.

Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.

Desperation

2010-07-02T17:46:00.001-07:00

Speak to me, Lord, let me hear Your voice
Show me Your way and fill me with Your peace.
Lord, I feel so lost and alone; I need to feel You near.
I cry out to You, Lord; show me the way!

I need to hear Your voice, I need to feel Your hand
Comfort me, Lord, and heal my brokenness!
Please, Father, come to me now.

What did I do? Why do I feel this?
Pain, uncertainty, guilt, sorrow.
Lord, I beg You to come and wash over me
Wash this sin away that I may be
In Your presence again, I plead.

I need to hear Your voice, I need to feel Your hand
Comfort me, Lord, and heal my brokenness!
Please, Father, come to me now.

I yearn to be with You, my Lord and King.
Where I feel no sorrow, no pain, only joy at Your side
I need You, Lord, I need to be with You
No more sin, no more broken hearts.
Lord, guide me home, safely to Your side.

I need to hear Your voice, I need to feel Your hand
Comfort me, Lord, and heal my brokenness!
Please, Father, come to me now.

Your all encompassing love, like a Father for His children
The pain You must have felt at the sacrifice
The sacrifice of Your Son, the death that saved us all
The joy You felt as He rose again and
Saved all Your sons and daughters.

Oh, Lord, I thank You every day of my life.
You saved my soul, You gave me breath
With the sacrifice of You beloved Son.

Follow Me

2010-03-21T18:15:00.001-07:00

“Follow Me,” says the Father to His children.
“Follow Me as I show you new and exciting things!”
“Follow Me,” says the Teacher to His students.
“Follow Me as I lead you away from danger.”

I will follow, all of my days
Show me Your ways
I beg You, please.

“Follow Me,” says He. “I do not promise and easy road.
In fact, I tell you now, it will be hard.
There will be persecution; there will be pain
But I promise you, the reward is great!”

I will follow, all of my days
Show me Your ways
I beg You, please.

“Follow Me,” says my King.
“You will hear My voice, you will feel my hand.
I will guide you to adventures untold.
As you give your life, I will give you mine.
Follow Me.”

I will follow, all of my days
Show me Your ways
I beg You, please.

Mantle of Authority

2010-03-13T19:06:00.003-08:00

I have His mantle over me
I claim it now, I claim it always
His mantle over me gives me the authority
The authority to live, the authority to love
The authority to fight and heal in His name.

His mantle over me, His covering of blood
The power contained, the power revealed.
All in His name, comes the grace of salvation
All in His blood, comes the power of healing.

His mantle over me, His mantle over me
Through His mantle over me, I live my life for Him.

All around the world, His mantle of authority
Moves His church in His grace
His healing power of love
Healing His land, healing His people.

Turn my face upon Him, upon His word, upon His grace
Claim the mantle over me
And face the battle again.
Run the race, claim the healing,
In Christ's name, I pray.

His mantle over me, His mantle over me
Through His mantle over me, I live my life for Him.

He paid the price, He sacrificed
His life for me, His healing He gave
His revelation spoken unto me
His revelation brings me live, His mantle gives me authority.

He takes my sin, He takes my sickness
He takes my pain and my sorrow.
He gives me love, He gives me grace
He gives me authority and words to speak.

His mantle over me, His mantle over me
Through His mantle over me, I live my life for Him.

By His Stripes

2010-03-13T19:06:00.001-08:00

By His stripes, He has paid for my sin
By His stripes, He has bought my pain
By His stripes, He has conquered the grave
And my flesh shall die, shall die so He may live.

May He live in me as I die to myself
May I leave my pain at His cross
That He may live through me.
May I open my eyes and praise His holy name.

By His stripes, I will die myself.
By His stripes, He will live for me.
By His stripes, we are saved eternal
By His stripes, it is complete.

I pick up my mat and declare the Truth
He didn't die for me to suffer
He died that He might live in me.
Through His love, might we live with Him.

Through the nails piercing His flesh,
Our sin is killed, our flesh has died.
Through the nails piercing His flesh,
Our pain is gone, completely conquered.

By His stripes, I will die myself.
By His stripes, He will live for me.
By His stripes, we are saved eternal
By His stripes, it is complete.

By His stripes, I will die myself.
By His stripes, He will live for me.
By His stripes, we are saved eternal
By His stripes, it is complete.

As a Child

2010-03-13T19:05:00.002-08:00

Faith as a child
Is what we are called to have.
The questions they ask
“Who?” and “How?”
But most importantly, “WHY?”

Give them an answer
They accept without doubt, without fear
With many more questions
But faith in the Truth.

Faith in the Truth, You call us to have
Faith in the Truth, now and forever.

Faith as a child
Accepting Your way.
Growing in Truth
Every step of the way.

Show me more, teach me how.
I believe what You say
You love me, I know
Teach me more of the Kingdom.

Faith in the Truth, You call us to have
Faith in the Truth, now and forever.

As a child longs
For his father's embrace
So also, do I long
To be near to You.

I long for Your love
I long for Your Truth
I long for the faith as a child
We are called to have.

Faith in the Truth, You call us to have
Faith in the Truth, now and forever.

Love Song

2010-03-13T19:05:00.001-08:00

His gentle love washes over me
Cleanses me from head to toe.
His sacrificial love breaks my heart
As I see Him up upon that cross.

I close my eyes and weep
As I ponder His love for me.

I have no power
I have nothing to boast about
I have only my sin and
Crumbling remains of life.

Yet, He loves me still
He loves me, yes, me!
He loves me enough to give
His life for mine.

I open my eyes in awe
Of His wondrous, powerful love.

My King looks upon me
His entire body shining with His love.

“My child,” says He.
“I will love you for all time.
Call upon me and I will be there.”

“Lift your eyes and see my face.
Fall to your knees within my embrace.
I will be here for all time,
This is merely the beginning of our story.”

Priorities

2010-03-13T19:04:00.000-08:00

Everybody tells me
My husband should be
My first priority.

Everybody tells me
My happiness should be
My first priority.

Everybody tells me
“Whatever makes you happy.”

I'm here to tell you
That's not the way it's going to be!

You see, my first priority
Is my Lord and King.
Let me tell you, my first priority
Is whatever makes Him happy.

My life's priority
Is to live my life for my King.
My first priority
Is to glorify my risen Savior.

Now, does that priority
Have a certain vision?
That, I cannot say
With certain clarity.

But I can say
It will be a wonderful life
As I am broken and molded
As I am shaped in God's will.

My first priority
Let me say it again
Is to live my life
Not for me, but for my King.

Healing

2010-03-10T00:07:00.000-08:00

I reach down to soothe the pain
To comfort the broken heart.
Tears fall from my eyes
As I hear her hurting sobs.

“Why do I hurt?
Why do I cry?
Why is this happening to me?”

Please, God, come down
Rain your healing love all over this broken soul.
May she feel your loving grace
As it washes through her life.

Lord, I see your face;
Reach out my arms again.

Her anger hurts, her anger cuts
Through the deep, abiding pain.
They glare with their fists
Ready at their sides.

“Why do we hurt?
Why do we cry?
Why has this happened to us?”

Please, God, come down
Let your forgiveness cover their aching lives.
May they feel your embrace
As it wipes away their sins.

Lord, I feel your joy;
Reach out my arms again.

I raise my hands in celebration
Their joy reaching down in my heart.
Their eyes are opened
They feel your grace.

“The Lord has come.
He has saved our lives.
My Lord loves us through all time.”

My Call

2010-03-10T00:06:00.000-08:00

I have no crowns of thorns; I have no courts of glory.
I have no purple robes; I have no coins of gold.
Yet I am set apart to worship our King.
Yet I am set apart to glorify our King.

I will worship; I will glorify.
For He is worthy; for He is holy.

I have my hands and feet, I feel them moving.
I have my human heart, I feel it breaking.
I have my spoken words, I hear them teaching.
Move in me, my King; use my life, my Lord.

I will worship; I will glorify.
For He is worthy; for He is holy.

Even in the darkness, let me shine Your light.
Even through trials, You show me the way.
Use me forever, I am Your child.
Mold me and make me into Your will.

I will worship; I will glorify.
For He is worthy; for He is holy.

You give me the words, I will use them.
You give me the passion, I will live it.
You give me the pathway, I will follow.
You give me my life, let me use it well.

I will worship; I will glorify.
For He is worthy; for He is holy.
I will worship; I will glorify.
For He is worthy; for He is holy.

Oh me, oh my!

2009-10-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

I would say that it is a safe assumption that I will never be the person who posts her every thought, every single day! I get too busy and wrapped up in everything else going on (not on the computer) to keep up with posting on here constantly.... So what is going on in the real world, you say?

Well, Gabe and I have been doing wedding planning since July and that planning has only kicked into higher gear since he officially proposed in September (September 11th now has good memories for me! :) )... Not only are we planning our wedding, but we also get to plan out moving and immigration headaches too! Oh joy!! :-) No, seriously, it is very exciting and I just look forward to the day I get to walk down the aisle to him!!!!

So... wedding planning... Gabe and I both really like medieval types of things and in order to incorporate that into our wedding, we are going with a a bit of a "stained glass" theme. We both absolutely love the old gothic and renaissance churches and the stained glass windows and I can't wait to play with all the colors the come in with that theme! :-) Burgundy, cobalt and gold, but not in a heavy, dark, overwhelming manner! :-P It is going to be a blast!!!

To give you ideas of what it will be like, here are some links I have been looking at (but no one gets to know what has been decided on.... and if you do know: hush up, yo!!)....

http://www.kathrynandalexandra.com/Medieval_1067_1.htm
http://www.foreverbridals.com/gownpix.asp?Style=710116
http://www.foreverbridals.com/gownpix.asp?Style=79214
http://www.foreverbridals.com/gownpix.asp?Style=49226
http://www.foreverbridals.com/gownpix.asp?Style=49209
http://www.dahlias.com/miniatureblooms-upto4blooms-clickhere.aspx
http://www.amazon.com/Frosted-Flames-Snapdragon-60-Seeds/dp/B000V451UO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1249170554&sr=8-7
http://www.invitesite.com/weddings/products/Baroque-Wedding-Invitations-BAROKIT.php#
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tussy-Mussy-Holder-Glass-Wall-Pocket-Cobalt-Blue-NEW_W0QQitemZ290354521015QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439a7a63b7
http://www.jimsformalwear.com/tux922_dest.htm
http://www.theweddingoutlet.com/s.nl/it.A/id.7070/.f?sc=9&category=56#

Enjoy surfing if you want... :-)

Should We Ordain Gay Clergy? Can a Christian of Any Stripe Be Gay?

2009-09-01T18:46:00.000-07:00

A very well-written article that I wanted to share but cannot take credit for.... One point I would like to make though is that, with any sin, if someone is professing to be Christian while living in sin (adultery, alcoholism, homosexuality, ... ""Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." ~ 1Cr 6:9-10 (NKJV)"), it is the responsibility of their fellow Christians to share the truth and approach them about that sin.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2122855/should_we_ordain_gay_clergy_can_a_christian.html?cat=34

Can You Be a Gay Christian? (August 30, 2009 bytheBarefoot theBarefoot)

Something you are never supposed to write about is religion, but no one ever accused me of being judicious so let me stick my big toe into the whole gay clergy controversy.

Rule number one: Christians are not Jews so we're going to leave that whole Old Testament stoning thing right out. Christians have a new covenant with God and are not bound by the old laws.

Rule number two: There is nothing special about being in the clergy. I don't believe in the whole "ordained clergy" thing. I think we are all just Christians and like any society, some are better at one job while others are better at another. There's nothing special about being a clergyman (clergywoman, if you are so leaning).

Rule number three: If you are not a Christian, this article isn't for you. While I love my Jewish, Muslim, Wiccan, and atheist friends, you don't get a say in how Christians handle their affairs. So no comments from the peanut gallery.

This is simply about being gay and being a Christian.

The Sociological Argument
Does society evolve? Sure. We make advances all the time in medicine, engineering, etc. The argument that we, as a society, need to move past the first century mores that stigmatize homosexuality just doesn't strike me as valid though. Society may change, but human nature hasn't. We still struggle with the same things humans have philosophized about for 10,000 years. Why do people suffer? What is the struggle between good and evil? How do I define myself in the cosmos? Human beings are still the same today as they were when God created them. Therefore, the same things that were valid 2,000 years ago are valid today. Furthermore, Christianity's core beliefs have root in the revelation of the nature of God through Christ. Christ choose to come 2,000 years ago and, if what he revealed was true then, it is true today.

The Genetic Argument
Are people born gay? While I don't think there is a gay gene, I do admit that hormones during gestation play a major role in our personalities. It's a given fact that even a pairing of XY chromosomes still requires specific hormones before they can develop into a male of the species. Being born male, female or hermaphrodite, does not mean we are without choice. Christianity teaches that we all have choices, for right or wrong, for good or evil, for cake or pie, and these choices have consequences. Even the act of becoming a Christian is a choice.

While we are all born with certain pre-dispositions. Ultimately it is the choices we make that determine our destiny. I have a disproportionate history of alcoholism in my family. I think it's pretty clear there is some genetic component to it, but I choose not to drink alcohol. No one is predestined to live their life without choice. However you define homosexuality, by birth or not, it is still a choice to participate. Simply being heterosexual does not mean I have to participate in sexual relations with the opposite sex. Neither does being homosexual mean that you are forced to participate in the gay lifestyle.

What would Jesus do?
Forgive. Really, it's that simple. Jesus forgave a lot. The gospels are full of Jesus forgiving everyone, all the time, including the guys who drove the nails into him. That's a lot of forgiveness, folks. I have a hard time forgiving the guy who cuts me off in traffic. It's of particular importance to notice that often when Jesus forgave someone, he added, "Go and sin no more." (e.g. Jn 8:11)

Christianity is about a change. The entire act of becoming Christian is repentance (from the Greek metanoia "a change of mind"). It means you were going in this direction, but you changed your mind and now you are going in the other. Hopefully, it means you were on the path to destruction, but now you are on the path to salvation.

Is Homosexuality a Sin?
The word for "sin" in Hebrew is het. It means "to err; to miss the mark." Sin survived into Old English as an archery term. When you think about sin and repentance in those terms, becoming a Christian is simply that you were headed in a direction where you would miss the target, but you change direction and now you are traveling towards the goal.

There are plenty of things that draw Christians off the path. Most of them are clearly spelled out in the Bible. Jesus reminded the rich man in Luke 18:20 of some of those things that trip us up, "'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'" Is homosexuality one of those things? Yes, but no more or less so than any of those other things. People often start thumping their Bibles on 1st Corinthians 6 at this point to prove that homosexuality is a sin so let's deal with that now.

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." ~ 1Cr 6:9-10 (NKJV)

That seems pretty clear, but most people fail to read verse eleven which says, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." It's clear that the early church was made up of some pretty unsavory characters, at least the one in Corinth. I guess if I had to paraphrase that, it says, "You did some pretty horrible stuff in your past, but now you are Christians, go and sin no more because if you let those things distract you, you'll miss the mark." I guess homosexuality is no more a sin than anything else that gets between us and Christ.

I'm a Gay Christian
If you are, you're not a Christian. If anything, and let me be clear, anything comes between you and Christ, you are not a Christian. If you define yourself as an "anything" Christian, you are missing the mark.
You can not predicate your relationship with Christ on any other modifier. Burglars can not be thieving Christians. Alcoholics can not be drunk Christians. Loan sharks can not be extortionist Christians. Homosexuals can not be gay Christians. In the same vein, heterosexuals can not be straight Christians any more than they can be fornicating Christians. If you wear any additional label but Christ, you are not a Christian.

Another central tenet of Christianity is being your brother's keeper. Further on in 1st Corinthians, Paul writes, "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being (1Cr 10:24, NKJV). If I throw a stumbling block on my brother's path, I am not a Christian. If I seek to destroy my brother for the sake of myself, I am not a Christian. In other words, I won't force heterosexuality on you and you won't force homosexuality on me just to prove a point. We come together in Christ. We give him our attention and worship. We give our brother no offense. We depart to sin no more. It's usually that last part that trips us all up.

Is it really that simple?
Probably not, but I'm a simple man. That's how I see it. You'll have to do your own soul searching to find if you are comfortable with being a Christian. Not any particular Christian, just a Christian. After all, "love is long suffering and kind...love does not behave itself unseemly and seeks not her own." (1Cr13:4-5) That verse packs a lot to think about on both sides of the argument. I wonder what the Christian landscape would be like if heterosexuals were kind to homosexuals. I wonder how peaceful we would be if homosexuals did not seek to have their own agenda become everyone's cause.

Did I prove a point or win the argument? No. Like Paul, "I did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom." I only wrote this because "I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1Cr 1:2 NKJV). I guess if we all took that attitude, we'd be more concerned about tending to our brother's needs and less concerned with proving ourselves right.

Just plain worn out

2009-08-31T20:03:00.000-07:00

You know, there are some days when you are just ready to go home and crawl back into bed! I don't have any inspiration or fun stories for today... I love work but today, I was ready to be back home within 2 hours!! One of the little guys was having a really rough day (lots of home stuff) and decided to take it out on me... so, should I be flattered that he feels safe enough to take it out on me or curl up in a ball and sob because I was beaten up by a 5-yr-old?? He was screaming at me and chucking stuff at my head! ...So now I have a swollen and tender ear and a swollen and bruised hand (would be a black eye if I hadn't thrown my hand up in the way)!

Oy vey!! I am ready for a fresh start for tomorrow though! :-) We are going to have an end-of-the-summer party (school starts on Wednesday) and go to the park for a picnic and then going to watch a movie in the afternoon!

I am definitely ready for the change in routines and schedules.... We get our first round of preschoolers coming back on Wednesday (they are returning then because they have older siblings who are starting school or because their parents work with the school system) and then we will have Head Start and preschool starting on Tuesday after the long weekend.... Fun transitions coming! :-)

God Bless, y'all!

Building Up My Foundation

2009-08-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my wonderful pastor and God speaking through him, I have been very convicted today about building up my foundation properly.

How much does God mean to you? Only as much as His Word means to you!

You want God to mean more to your life? Spend more time in His word!!

Yet what am I doing? I am surfing the net, watching TV, watching movies, reading books.... All things that are taking me away from building up my foundation properly on the Word of God, on Christ alone!!

I have tried multiple times to commit to reading my Bible more thoroughly and regularly but after my conversation with Allegra last night about spiritual maturity and the sermon today... There is no more "try," there is only "do!!" I WILL read my Bible every day and I WILL build up my foundation on Christ alone!

God Bless, y'all!

yum...

2009-08-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

I really need to stop looking at recipes, man!! I looked at one recipe (http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/oldfashioned-blueberry-cake-recipe.html) and then I got sucked in!! ...Looking at all sorts of molasses cakes and berry cakes and frostings.... Good thing I'm not hungry! Gabe and I spent a good half of our conversation discussing diferent recipes!

We still want to have a specific flavor for our wedding cake but may end up going with a professionally made cake after all... Anyone have any ideas or suggestions about that?

Hello

2009-08-29T14:48:00.001-07:00

Howdy folks,

This is now the second blog I have started. I removed the other one because I hadn't posted anything in about a year and I haven't really done anything with Read for Life since last fall.... Starting over has been fun though cuz now I know a smidge more about how Blogger works and now it is my *own* page, rather than just a template I picked out of a list...

Anyway, who wants to read about setting up a blog?? Not me! ...So, on with things now.

For anyone who doesn't speak Italian... First, why not? 'Tis a beautiful language and I could just listen to Gabe talk all day long! :) Second, the name of the blog, "Con Tutti Mi Cuore," means "With All My Heart" and that is how I want to live my life.... In all things, I will live with all my heart! Whether that is worshiping God, my relationship with Gabe, teaching the Bad Girls class, teaching at school, or my relationship with my family.... It is always a wholehearted endeavor.

Speaking of wholehearted, has anyone read The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright? It is a wonderful book about a couple and their lives together. After they pass away (within minutes of each other), all their kids come back to town to lay Mom and Dad to rest and find these boxes of letters written every Wednesday, from the day they got married to the day they died. Even when things were not going well in their lives and marriage, that commitment and wholehearted devotion to each other kept going! They didn't just give up when the going got tough or one forgot to put the toilet paper on the roll the wrong way! I know that we aren't married yet and that at least a few of you guys who will be reading this are... I know that is the kind of marriage Gabe and I both are committed to having. What advice would you give to a couple just starting out in their marriage?

More real thoughts will come later; right now, I am just having fun setting this up! :-P