"Old-fashioned" is defined as "not in accord with or not following current fashion" and "unhip." I'm gladly "unhip" if "hip" means compromising God's standards. Many reject Christ and his moral values, and due to rejecting Christ, sadly face a real hell. That breaks God's heart, and mine too.
God, too, is old-fashioned by the world's standards. He doesn't change to fit with what's fashionably current; He's repulsed, not by people so much, but by any sin, including the act of same-sex couples uniting in marriage, or men and women living together in unmarried sexual relationships.
Times may have changed, but sexual immorality, or any other sin, is still not OK with God in 2011. That offends some, but they shouldn't be offended by those who point this out, but rather take it up with God. He's the one who speaks disapprovingly of men and women exchanging natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, and being inflamed with lust for one another, which God calls "shameful acts."
It's not progress when states vote favorably for same-sex marriages. In God's eyes, which always trumps the state, it's still not acceptable. God doesn't bless such unions. Such state-approved unions are a step backwards for America.
One of Satan's great schemes is to legitimize immoral relationships and cast doubt on God's Word. There's nothing beautiful about immoral sexual unions. That is said with love, as I'm only reiterating what's been made clear according to God.
It's not something commendable when liberal media cheer efforts promoting deviant lifestyles or governors joining ranks of gay parades. With all due respect for their right to their views, it's not wise when media mocks God, pointing out the sun still rises and sets and the world didn't come to an end on the heels of ungodly behavior.
God is showing patience, but at some point, we'll all give an account for how we've lived. It's not admirable when certain segments of God's church join with the world's thinking, viewing sinful behavior as now acceptable. God is looking for pastors and churches with spiritual backbone, that will take a stand for what's right. These views are not reflective of personal, homophobic, hateful or prejudicial views, but, rather, they're God's standards.
Jesus loves everyone, but doesn't approve of sexually deviant lifestyles or any other sin. The church should welcome all to respectfully attend their services, but that welcome must not mean approval of sin. Just as God loves all unconditionally, we must love every soul regardless of their lifestyle.
Christians should not speak with anger or condemnation toward anyone. We have no room or right to condemn. Christians must understand people are conflicted in emotions and feel driven by inward desires. However, not all inward desires should be acted upon.
Some tendencies should be resisted because it's sin according to God. Christians who take stands against evil are not hateful. They desire every soul be saved. That's not hate. That's love.
It's time for God's church to quit being intimidated by Satan's lies, wake up and take a loving, but Biblical stand against evil, and it should be emphasized, not personal attacks against people. The Church must have courage to live and speak what's right. God says shame on the church that compromises to accommodate sexually permissive societies. Revival must begin in God's house.
Some twist biblical teachings to come in line with their behavior. It's one thing to choose one's lifestyle. That's an individual's right and his business when it doesn't hurt others. It's quite another thing to feel it necessary to continually announce one's lifestyle to everyone and insist on special treatment, recognition or acceptance of their behavior.
God says terrible days are coming when evil will dramatically increase followed by judgment. Sexual deviant behavior, including any sexual relationship outside of marriage between a man and woman, is foisted upon the public through media constantly promoting immoral lifestyles. America's a great nation, but she's racing down an immoral path leading to spiritual decline.
Today, many sins are portrayed as "good" while righteousness and purity is declared "evil." Sexual immorality is a crisis of our time and is the face of evil. There's a spiritual war that will only be won by an awakened Church determined to stand for God's righteousness. Thankfully, these views here are given equal opportunity to be expressed. God will forgive repentant hearts and save whoever calls upon God. Jesus went to the cross for everyone.
With all that said, thank God this Veterans Day weekend for our nation's veterans, who lay their lives on the line to preserve our freedom to choose our lifestyle, right or wrong, and to express our views on lifestyles, no matter what those views are.
Thank a veteran today. I thank one every day, whom I'm proud to call my wife.
The Rev. Jim Wheeler Sr. of Oneonta is an evangelist with the Assembly of God.
Columns
God smiles on certain 'old-fashioned' views
- Big Chuck D'Imperio
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Safety Patrol D.C. visits never get old
I asked Cam Morris, head of Eastern Travel/Oneonta Bus Lines, how many years her company has been handling the Safety Patrol trip to Washington, D.C.
Continued ... - My pal Brucie, savior of Sidney's hospital
- Catching a whiff of 'Vermont Vapor'
- Selections from the virtual mailbag
- Recalling days of 'Doughnut King'
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Safety Patrol D.C. visits never get old
- Cary Brunswick
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We've become our own worst enemies
The past month has been marked by a seeming unprecedented number of man-made tragedies, as distinct from those caused by violent outbursts of the natural world, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis.
Continued ... - Plenty of blame to go around for Bangladesh horror
- Obama is going against his word on Social Security
- Reflecting on a Florida trip
- Those magnificent spies in their flying machines
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We've become our own worst enemies
- Chuck Pinkey
- Guest Column
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Records seizure is an insult to free press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
Continued ... - The evangelical view of same-sex marriage
- Manor's fate will be Otsego board's legacy
- A closer look at our economy - Part II
- Use fracking to fill budget gaps
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Records seizure is an insult to free press
- Lisa Miller
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A view from above
Fire towers in the Catskill Mountains have always been destination points, built to capture some of the region’s best views. These sentinel stations served an important role for the earliest possible sightings of forest fires in the remote mountain ranges. But the fire towers and those who manned them fulfilled a multitude of other roles as well.
Continued ... - Being a parent is a constant learning process
- Healthy doesn't have to mean expensive
- A family era ends with close of Potter series
- Independent stores make up for loss of Borders
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- Mark Simonson
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General Clinton Canoe Regatta got a new home in 1972
Ever since 1963, when Charles Hinkley and a group of Tri-Town businessmen came up with the idea for what we know today as the General Clinton Canoe Regatta, people lined the shores of the Susquehanna to watch the canoeists as they made their 70-mile trek from Cooperstown to Bainbridge.
Continued ... - Sunday movies in Oneonta finally shown in 1934
- Politics, fitness and landmarks dominated local news in May 1968
- Local people sought income in many ways in 1933
- Local windstorm in 1983 caused tense moments
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- Rick Brockway
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Kids have sparkle in their eyes
When I was in my teens, old Bill Naatz told me about a stream north of Lake George where a man had panned out enough gold to make his wife a wedding band. It was all rumors, but to his grandson and myself, it sounded like the makings of a great adventure.
- People make the outdoors even better
- Turkey season has ups and downs
- Spring air isn't always the freshest
- Adriondacks keep growing and growing
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Kids have sparkle in their eyes
- Sam Pollak
- William Masters
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Schreibman tops Chris Gibson on women's issues
As the time to vote draws near, we need to remember how money can run politics more than we can. Raising funds is a prominent (if not the dominant) task of getting elected. Raising issues is also crucial, but those efforts are subject to distortion and fear-mongering.
- Republicans feelentitled to allthey can garner An entitlement is a legal benefit available from the government to individuals who are within a defined category of recipients, such as needing insurance for unemployment or health services.
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Romney focuses on self; Obama emphasizes unity
Mitt Romney criticizes President Obama for saying a person's success is rooted in his community, and is not all his alone. Romney belittles this with his belief in individual initiative. He is better at the put-down than the push-up.
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Romney shows little regard for common man
The Republicans in Congress have voted over and over, 33 times, redundantly and uselessly, to rescind what they call Obamacare.
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Scouts' gay ban creates problem where none exists
The Boy Scouts of America's "emphatic reaffirmation" of its vow to exclude any and all homosexuals from its hallowed ranks is ill-considered and pathetic, especially in view of its having reviewed the matter for two years.
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Schreibman tops Chris Gibson on women's issues
