"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
- Cary Brunswick
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Some wisdom is best passed down through books
I was visiting a friend out-of-town recently and the subject of providing a "reading list" to young people came up in conversation. He said years ago he had asked a respected acquaintance in Oneonta to compile such a list for his teenage daughter, to help her be better prepared for life, culture, education, politics and people.
Continued ... - Let pragmatism, not politics, determine birth control debate
- As Center Street Elementary goes, so goes Center City
- U.S. intervention in Syria's uprising would be a gamble
- Santorum, Obama both got it wrong on Honduras
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- Chuck Pinkey
- Guest Column
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If we don’t develop a sustainable system, who will?
In Otsego County’s local elections last fall, a number of candidates — most of them on the independent Sustainable Otsego line — ran on an anti-fracking, pro-sustainability platform. They recognized that our current way of life — dependent on increasingly scarce, costly and polluting fossil fuels — cannot continue.
Continued ... - Time to get off the bus and on the computer
- Cuomo's Machiavellian maneuvers are a danger
- Home rule laws aren't a radical idea
- Sustainable shouldn't be a dirty word
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If we don’t develop a sustainable system, who will?
- Lisa Miller
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Being a parent is a constant learning process
I am sitting cross-legged on the floor in the dressing room, waiting for Allie's dance number to be called. The cave girl costume has been donned, the jazz shoes double-tied, the hair pulled back, the requisite dab of lipstick applied.
Continued ... - Healthy doesn't have to mean expensive
- A family era ends with close of Potter series
- Independent stores make up for loss of Borders
- Untethered from the cable box
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Being a parent is a constant learning process
- Mark Simonson
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Perfect attendance by Saturday’s Bread for 20 years in Oneonta
Oneonta became a settlement and has been a place to do one's "trading," whether it was the 18th century, or 2012, because of the five valleys that converge here. Only the places of doing the "trading" have changed a bit over the last 100 years, and Oneonta remains a place that attracts visitors and has always been a decent place to live and work.
Continued ...
100 Years Ago - Recalling the Hindenburg, John D. Rockefeller in May 1937
- Oneonta residents had diversions aplenty in the spring of 1952
- Damaschke essential to ensuring Oneonta baseball in 1927
- Area tunes to WONT in November 1972
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Perfect attendance by Saturday’s Bread for 20 years in Oneonta
- Rick Brockway
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Climbing is one thing, but skydiving?
OUTDOORS COLUMN BY RICK BROCKWAY ... Last week, my friend George and I returned to the Gunks for another rock-climbing adventure. After last week's column, I asked about the rattlesnakes and was told not to worry. Rattlers are usually quite timid and will avoid people as much as possible. It's the copperheads that'll give you trouble. They're aggressive and will stand their ground to defend it. Oh great!!
- Rattlesnakes may be closer than you think, so pay attention
- Spring is here, so fishing should pick up soon
- Sneaky fox may be the next animal looking to horse around
- Pass down the rush of turkey hunting to your kids this weekend
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Climbing is one thing, but skydiving?
- Sam Pollak
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I'm happy with our kids to a certain degree
It was several years ago, and I was in the kitchen, telling my eldest daughter and my then-teenaged son about the person who was taking over as publisher at The Daily Star.
Continued ... - I get by with a little help from my 'friends'
- It’s not easy for a politics junkie to get off the stuff
- The Encyclopaedia Britannica in print, unmourned by me
- Angelo Dundee was always a good man to have in your corner
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- William Masters
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Time for lawmakers who put needs of society first
Richard Lugar, after six terms as a Republican senator -- known for his middle of the road rationality and his foreign policy finesse -- has been ousted by a Tea Party extremist backed by outside right-wing funding.
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War not worth gambling with lives of soldiers
Are you not tired of our war in Afghanistan? It had a point, once, after 9/11. Bush couldn't distinguish his myopic personal agendas from the nation's needs and let Osama escape, dropping the ball entirely, causing many deaths.
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Titanic was a microcosm of U.S. economic disparity
Haunting reminders of the Titanic tragedy have wafted over us with the centenary of its sinking. The maiden voyage of an impressive, state of the art vessel, was a little like that of the Challenger space shuttle, at the cutting edge of developing technology. But the shuttle carried our pride in science and space exploration, not hundreds and hundreds of people.
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William Masters: Nation stands divided between 'us' and 'them'
In February, Trayvon Martin was shot dead as "suspicious" by a volunteer neighborhood watch man. The case has aroused community reaction in Sanford, Fla., and is still echoing across the country.
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A quarterback can't win the game alone
What is the relationship between democracy and wealth? Democracy is a political system, while wealth relates to economics. We have equal political rights, but we don't all have money. Extreme differences destroy the continuity of community solidarity.
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Time for lawmakers who put needs of society first
