State Sanctioned Marriage

I have long maintained that the state should not have the power to license or regulate marriage. Marriage, as a human institution, preceded the state and even the church and organized religion by thousands of years. The right and power of marriage rightly belongs to the people getting married. No priest, pastor or rabbi or county clerk should need to be involved except by choice of the couple marrying. If you are Christian or some other faith, you should submit to what your faith group deems right....unless you disagree with it. If that's the case, it might be time to change up churches or whatever. What about divorce? It would become a simple dissolution of a contract.

Alabama is on the verge of history. No more state issued licenses for marriage. I guess that will resolve any more gay marriage issues. There won't be any. According to The Tenth Amendment Center:

An Alabama bill that would abolish marriage licenses in the state, and effectively nullify in practice both major sides of the contentious national debate over government-sanctioned marriage, unanimously passed an important Senate committee last week.

Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Bay Minette) filed Senate Bill 20 (SB20) earlier this month. The legislation would abolish all requirements to obtain a marriage license in Alabama. Instead, probate judges would simply record civil contracts of marriage between two individuals based on signed affidavits.

“All requirements to obtain a marriage license by the State of Alabama are hereby abolished and repealed. The requirement of a ceremony of marriage to solemnized the marriage is abolished.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB20 9-0 on Feb. 23.

The proposed law would maintain a few state requirements governing marriage. Minors between the ages of 16 and 18 would have to obtain parental permission before marrying, the state would not record a marriage if either party was already married, and the parties could not be related by blood or adoption as already stipulated in state law.

Civil or religious ceremonies would have no legal effect upon the validity of the marriage. The state would only recognize the legal contract signed by the two parties entering into the marriage.

I like it. I hope they can get the bill passed. So let it be written, so let it be done. Get the state out of the marriage bed forever.

Varmint Patrol

Two varmints in two days released live and unharmed at Yellow Banks County Park where they lived happily ever after. Raccoon and Opossum. The raccoon bent up the trap in several places. He was a tough customer. He seemed nice enough in person though, and was glad to be freed.

Dinner Last Night Was Delicious!

I ate most of it.

Marriage

I know what you're thinking.

"What does an aging, celibate, gay Christian know about marriage?"

Would that summarize what's on your mind? Thought so.

The short answer to that question is that I know enough to stay as far away from it as possible. Trouble is, the short answer never satisfies, so here I go....

It was suggested to me by a good and trusted, but naive straight male Christian friend on Wednesday, that I should marry. He even knew who that woman, yes woman...should be. And while it turns out that woman is also a very good friend of mine, the answer is "no, no, no".

Let me be clear here. I love my straight male Christian friend.

I do not believe my good and trusted straight male Christian friend had any malicious intent. He saw that I and my female friend were both alone and, in his mind, unnecessarily so. He knew how much we already loved and respected each other, how we think alike, how we care about many of the same things. And this is all true, but it omits much about both me and my female friend that needs to be said here, as well as some basic principles that I think are important if one is to marry another. If I get this wrong, feel free to correct me. You know that will fail, but you can try. My mind has changed about many things over the years. Keep in mind though, only God could do it. I say that because I love y'all...:^)

Why do people marry? You can say, love, companionship, desire for family and children of one's own, union with another, security, community and on and on and on. But as Paul says, it is better to marry than to burn with desire. Most Christian folks get married because it's the only way God will sanction sexual activity. Get real my Christian brethren. You know that's why 99% of you got married. Sex is a big deal to most folks, even Christians.

And you know what? There is nothing wrong with that. Screwin and makin babies is what Christian married couples should do and are supposed to do. Have at it.

Trouble is...even if I was married to a woman, I could not do that. It would not be part of any male female marriage I had because I can't. It ain't possible; not even with a bottle of Viagra and an hour of gay porn before hand. I just can't do it.

What woman of any age would marry me knowing that, even if she loved me? What kind of man would put his female friend through that, knowing that it was impossible to consummate such a marriage? It is not fair to either party.

And since sex if off the table here, is there any reason to marry my female friend? What's the point? Why could she not live with me, be my companion and my confidant and roommate if we so desired without the benefit of marriage?

Y'all are a mess, I tell you what . What do you think is gonna happen? Do you think I will suddenly change my mind by being in mere proximity to a woman. It does not work that way people!!! I am hard wired to be a homo. I am not proud of that fact. It just is what it is. And if proximity had anything to do with sexual behavior none of you would have been virgins on your wedding day and probably most of you were not anyway. But I digress and judge others...sorry.

Seriously though, what is the point of marrying if there's no sex? You fear how it looks don't you? You are concerned about what people will think, even when you know sex would not be possible.

Y'all are seriously broken, but it does not matter.

Me and my female friend like living alone and apart from each other. Yes, we like it. Unlike you married nut jobs wonderful people, that can't stand to be alone, when we get tired of each other, we can separate to our own homes and live in peace and quiet. Our favorite town is Solitude. It's quiet and there is no one there to interfere with our peace. When we need to engage with others and each other, we do.

Now you're a bit envious aren't you? Thought so.

So, no, I will not be marrying my friend or any other female friend barring a miracle. Ain't gonna happen. Doesn't need to. Got it? Probably not, but I will settle for your reticent acceptance.

One more thing. Just so you know. When I came out of the closet at church, all the single women at church took a big sigh of relief. The pressure was off. People quit pushing them in my direction. Why? Because they knew it no longer mattered.

I am not marriage material. Are we clear on that? Good. Time for bed. Big day tomorrow. And if I hurt your feelings well, it was probably not the first time and it will not be the last. I'm sorry about that. I just want you to understand. Marriage does not equal happiness for everyone. And come to think about it, it does not always bring happiness to married people either.

Alone is my natural state. If I want company, I will give you a call. Even so, I love you. Now go away.

Let me leave you with this...

I Corinthians 7:26-28

26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

Hey, Paul said it under inspiration. He was not a married man. Divorced maybe. Whatever.

Getting married will not make me not gay OK? It will not make me straight. If that is the only way I will be acceptable, then maybe I should move elsewhere. I do not want to, but if you cannot accept me as I am, as God Himself made me, then maybe it's time.

I can have a platonic relationship with any number of females. I have that. But I can only be what I was made to be. My Designer never said it would be easy. Bringing glory to God through one's disability seldom is. But I know He loves me as I am. Please join Him. He loves you too, even though you are bent and broken. Let's go to heaven together. OK?

See ya in church. I love you.

JLB

MITCH MCVICKER -- YOU ARE ALL

Listen to the words. Mitch sings it the way Richard wrote it. The Lord is All we will ever need.

Work As Worship

I have always loved chapter three of Paul's letter to the Colossians. The first seventeen verses of that chapter represent some of Paul's best writing. He is almost poetic in his delivery of God's inspired truth about the way Christians should live. The last two verses of that section sum it all up.

Colossians 3:15-17

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Verse seventeen addresses what I wanted to talk about today. We will also look a little further in the chapter, but the idea that anything we do should be done in the name of the Lord, is at once sobering as well as fearsome in some ways.

Most of us spend at least a third or more of our day in the working world making money for survival, for luxuries and just to buy stuff. Some of us will say that our jobs are not our careers. They are simply a means to an end. Others of us will say that we love our jobs and sometimes, just sometimes we would rather be at work than at home.

Let me suggest that if you are a Christian, neither of these is an appropriate attitude toward work.

"And whatever you do...do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus..."

We need to be working for Him, and since it's for Him, it needs to be better than what might otherwise be expected, even by our employer. Now there's a concept. Work as worship, as sacrifice, as an example of what a Christ follower is capable of as opposed to... to... what? As opposed to those that simply see their jobs as a means to an end or those that are more in love with the company they work for than they are with Jesus. I have seen both attitudes among working Christians. Some resent the hand that pays them and others worship it. We should do neither. Instead, we should work as if we are working for Christ. He is our Lord and Master.

Paul's advice in this chapter to slaves that happen to be Christian, really drives this home.

Colossians 3:22-24

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

I know your first thought here is that you are not a slave and that you are free.

Really? Have you ever thought very long about it? When we sign on to go to work for someone, we give up a lot of our freedom. We become obligated. We have to show up. Quality work is expected. Inferior work is punished. Failure to do what is expected can result in termination. Consider also that we must work to achieve the quality of life we desire. If we do not, we will forever be in need or desire or coveting what someone else has.

We have no choice but to work if we want a life that is more than just survival. And that makes us slaves or at least endentured servants. Knowing this, we should heed Paul's advice to those that must work, that have no choice. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters."

Let me put that in 21st century parlance and context in this paraphrase.

"Whatever your chosen career is, do the very best job you can because you are not doing it for your boss, but rather for the Lord Jesus Christ."

Our work has value beyond what it produces for us and our employers. It is a reflection of who we are. It is a product or our minds and/or bodies, no matter how meaningless it might seem or how important we might think it is. We might be proud of our work and want to put our name to it at the end of the day or we might just be glad we are finished and want to go home.

But if we are Christians, and our work is a reflection of who we are, then really, we must be signing Jesus' name to what we have done for Him right? Paul seems to think so and Jesus inspired him to write it down, so it must be right.

Think about it. Work is worship if done correctly.

I know it's easy for me to say all this since I will soon be in retirement. It's also true that my work attitude has not always been stellar, but on the whole, my work ethic has been good. I have never been unemployed. Ya, that's right. I am so blessed. So why not work as one working for Jesus. It will add a new dimension to work that might be meaningless to you or just a means to another promotion.

Work can be spiritual.

The March Is On

I know that February is not yet spent, but we are getting close. Until today, the weather has been unusually nice with some days in the 70's. It's almost as if March was early by a week. To date, I have seen hundreds, maybe thousands of migrating water fowl. There are the usual suspects, Canada geese and many varieties of ducks. I have also observed swans in formation as well as pelicans in their telltale flight circlings to catch the updraft to the jet stream. On my place I have seen herds of robins. They are in the yard right now, maybe 20 of them. I have also seen a pair of bluebirds. I do not usually see bluebirds until the end of March or early April. It all adds up to and early spring in my book despite the snow and ice today with lows in the 20's this weekend. I will take it.

I will be going back to work for another week next week. My coworkers seem to be getting used to life without me. This is good. It's time for me to go. I'm hoping to be out by the end of April or early May. I can feel this transition. It's almost as if I am too relaxed. I think the remainder of my life will be good or at least comfortable. Dennis and Laurie left me in good shape financially. When I add my life savings to theirs, I do not think I will be able to spend it all unless I live to some unnatural age.

Not so long ago, it was my thought to sell the place they left me and sell my condo, moving on to something else. My mind seems to be changing. I like it here. It's quiet. There are woods and gardens and lawns - about 6 acres. Two decks on the house. I sat outside on the east deck the other night, built a fire in the fire pit, leaned back in my chair with my feet up and watched the stars. It was glorious. Then there is the Jacuzzi tub in the master bathroom.

There is also much to do. Lawn mowing and garden keeping and needed repairs to the house and some remodeling to make it my own.

I want to keep it. It makes me happy.

It's close to church, to friends and to family. Why would I want to live anywhere else. These are my peeps. And so I must stay.


    

Corporate Prayer II and Much, Much More

I wanted to clarify some things I said last week about corporate prayer. I may have opined that it was sin to pray in any other way than the way Jesus showed us in Mathew 6. Sin may have been too strong a word for it. It depends.

If we are praying publicly and corporately in such a way that we want to impress God and men with our words, or teach a lesson or preach a sermon with our prayer, then it is sin to pray in this fashion. If you wish to convey that as a teacher or a pastor or an elder, your words are more holy and more likely to be heard, then there is also a sin problem. Jesus did not want us to pray in this way. It's why He preached about it.

So what about praying for others or for each other individually or in small groups?

I do not believe this to be sin, especially if done individually. If small groups are praying for each other or their church, I do not see this as an issue either. My thought is, however, that such prayer should be silent, even when done in group session. Prayer is to be between us and God. Others do not need to hear it. Why would they? Unless...there is another agenda afoot.

Now what could I possibly mean by that?

Even in small groups where prayer is shared among the participants audibly, some are more eloquent than others, some try to use their ability to pray in eloquent fashion to manipulate the group and control them even to the point of assuming leadership.

Friends, prayer is not to be done this way.

Then there is the "I just Want To Help You" pray-er.

They will come up to you, being barely an acquaintance, and they will say, "Hi. How ya doing, Hope all is well. Is there anything I can pray about for you."  

Now what could possibly be wrong with that right?

It is an excellent bonding technique if you are looking to make friends. It's a way of telling someone that you care about them and want to get to know them. Let's hope that is the agenda that's afoot.
There are also those that will say things like that because they are fishing for information or trying to get you to talk about yourself or spill whatever it is they think you are withholding. Church leaders will sometimes do this in an effort to get the spiritual pulse of individual congregants and access the overall health of the church.

Now there is nothing wrong with praying for others in confidentiality before the Lord. Persistence and large numbers of praying people with one purpose get God's attention. He will answer even if it's to shut us up.

But if the "how can I pray for you" line is being used to manipulate or gather info for gossip - well, that's a problem; a very subjective problem. I say 'subjective' because we do not know the motivations of someone's heart in the way that God does. So it's a risk.

Ultimately, we have to decide if we are willing to trust anyone besides God with our personal information or things we would like prayer for or assistance in prayer with. We have to be willing to endure potential hurt and pain and exposure if we are betrayed.

Or

We can also simply pray for ourselves. God already knows what we need. Jesus said so.

 

Corporate Prayer

I have been criticized for my failure to pray in my Sunday school class. I know...I know everyone does it, but I do not. I find myself doubting the utility and even validity of corporate prayer. How often do you see examples of people being 'lead in prayer' in the New Testament? There isn't any. You might find groups of people praying together for a specific purpose at a specific time. And sometimes you see Jesus praying publicly for example sake or for the sake of those gathered so they might believe He was from the Father. Otherwise, you do not see it much in the New Testament.

The fact is that in the Christian age, we can all approach the throne of grace boldly, individually and privately. That's one of the great things about the One True Faith. It's portable and practicable anywhere.

Jesus gave us very specific, and might I add, very powerful instructions in the Sermon On The Mount about how we should pray and it is not public.

Matthew 6:5-8

    5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

It's my observation that some pray to be heard by men and you have to wonder if they are talking to God at all. Others ramble on and on, saying very little, but sounding quite holy. Then there are the old timers that try to pray in King James English as if God was a medieval British monarch.

Really people, you do not need to be 'lead' in prayer. You can pray in small groups of individually as needed and when you are moved to do so, but we have specific instructions from the Lord. Why would you disobey Him over something so important? Why would you expect me to do that?

Corporate prayer is a mirage. It's an illusion that you are all somehow getting blessed by the pray-er and his prayers become yours. This is not the case. Say your own prayers and I will say mine. You do not need an elder or a preacher or a teacher to ramble on and on saying things you wished you'd said.

Effective prayer, in my experience, is individual and powerful for communing with your heavenly Father and offering thanksgiving to Jesus. Petitions and requests become a private matter, even when you pray for others. Personal prayer is powerful. God knows what we need, but sometimes we don't until we talk about it with Him.

So, my friends, say your prayers before you come to class and to church. It will make it all so much better for you. And you church leaders, consider giving the sheep time to pray individually and quietly during the service. A roomful of sincere, silent prayers will mean much more to the One we worship. Take a break. We can pray...seriously, we can.

It's A New Week...What Else Can Happen? I Shouldn't Ask...

Today was good. I presented an enjoyable, but short, lesson to my Sunday school class. The church service was excellent. Two people got saved today. Arlus Curry made me an apple pie (which is delicious) and I had lunch with the Angels.

We went to a sports bar at Adventure Land Inn. I think it was called Spectator's or something like that. I had a pizza. The Angels had various sandwiches. I also had a few Tequila Sunrises. I'm trying to chase away a cold...or maybe it's a sinus infection. I think it helped. I did get a bit smiley faced and the waiters turned into a bit of a distraction, but the Angels quelled my prurient interests by threatening to turn me into a newt. In other words, we had a wonderful time.

I went home after, changed clothes and took a two hour nap. It was the sleep of the dead. When I woke, by sinus headache was gone and my clogged sinus was draining through my tear ducts. It was weird, but it was apparently the problem. I had been having neck issues too and that was much better when I woke.

To ensure continued comfort, after my nap, I filled the Jacuzzi tub with the hottest water I could stand and then I parboiled for about an hour. Now I feel all loose and way too relaxed. The snot is still flowing, but all the aches and pains are gone. I seem to be on the road to recovery. It's a good thing too. I have to go back to work tomorrow.

Just a bit longer now and I will be out. I can do it. Then I can say, "free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, I'm free at last."

I still have much to do regarding Dad's estate. I have to get name changes on the cars. boats, house title and insurance. The there's last year's taxes for both Dad and me. So much to do. So little time.

Many people seem to have a concern that I am spending too much time alone. They seem to forget how busy I have been. There is also the fact that solitude is my favorite place. I don't like it all the time, but it was something that has been totally lacking in my life for the past 5 years and 8 months.
My friends also seem to forget how I lived prior to becoming Dad's caretaker. I was a hermit. For some reason, no one seemed to care back then. What's up with that?

And there are some of you out there that just cannot stand to be alone. You always have to be interacting with someone or intervening in someone's life. Thanks for that. It's OK. Just call first if you want to intervene in my life. I need time to escape :^)

So where from here?...I'm not sure. I am Dadless and dogless and I do not have a plan.

God, Please no more excitement. Let's do something quiet that other folks won't notice, but is helpful nonetheless. Please show me. You will probably have to clobber me with it, because, as You know Lord, sometimes I can't see the garden because of all the vegetation. Lord I love you. I don't always understand you, but I do love you. Also, if you want to do me a big favor, please make my cold / sinus infection go away. When you were here, I know you used to like to heal people. I'm up for that. You know I don't do 'sick' well. I always think I'm going to die and we have had enough of that for awhile...right? I hope so. And one more thing. Please make your owl go away. I really think he's evil.

Thanks Much. In Your Name I pray...Amen

Oliver

As most of you know, Oliver, my Dad's dog has not been well. He suffers from a genetic disorder called Protein Losing Enteropathy. It causes him to have massive diarrhea, loss of protein from what he eats and water retention in the body cavity. There is no consistently effective treatment for it.

I have come to believe that he is suffering. He has no energy. He walks like an old dog. He will stand in the yard and just stare for long periods of time. His lively personality is completely gone. I cannot keep him clean due to the diarrhea and it has been happening in the house. He will come and get me to go out and he does not make it to the door.

After an email conversation with the vet on Thursday, we have both concluded that it would be best for Oliver to go and rejoin Dad. His condition will not improve; it's only going to get worse. Euthanasia, therefore, is the best option. I think he's ready. He just looks miserable.

So at 1030 today, Oliver will leave this world.

I will miss him.

It makes me sad. I love him. He was gonna be my new buddy now that Dad is gone. It just seems so odd to me that Oliver would come down with this right at the time Dad checked out. It seems like more than a coincidence.

Lord, please help me to adapt and figure things out.

Dennis Lynn Brady

Dennis Lynn Brady, 80, went home to be with the Lord on January 30, 2017 while at Parkridge Specialty Care in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. His only son was by his side. The visitation and funeral service will be held at the Rising Sun Church of Christ; visitation on Friday, February 3rd from 5 to 8 PM with the funeral on Saturday, February 4 at 11 AM. Cremation and internment at Rising Sun Cemetery will follow at a later date.

Dennis was born to Pauline and Lloyd Brady on April 18, 1936 in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended school in Runnels, Iowa, graduating in 1954. After a brief stint in radio and television repair, Dennis worked at the Anderson Erickson Dairy for more than 40 years, finishing his career as a buyer. In retirement, he enjoyed fishing, car magazines and caring for his lawn and gardens. Dennis was also very active in his church. He served as deacon, taught children's Sunday school, and with his wife Laura, operated the church bus ministry.

Dennis married Laura Lee Meacham on January 30, 1957 in Des Moines, Iowa. They had one son, Jeffery Brady also of Des Moines.

Those preceding Dennis in death include his parents and his wife of 54 years, Laura Lee.
Memorial contributions can be directed to the Rising Sun Church of Christ or the Alzheimer's Association