One Bad Apple

Until someone gave me my first MacBook Pro in 2006, I was mainly a PC user. That was usually my only option when using a computer at the public library. Since then I’ve grown to appreciate Apple products. Currently, I’m on my third MacBook Pro. Last fall I purchased an iPad primarily for its extra features in GarageBand (which is used to create my music). I’ve also owned two iPods. Unfortunately, some issues have dampened my enthusiasm with Apple Inc.

Whenever possible I avoid doing business with companies that support abortion and the homosexual agenda. When Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007, AT&T (a longtime sponsor of the Gay Games) was the only long-distance carrier that worked with it. That plus not wanting to be locked into a contract discouraged me from getting an iPhone. The following year, Apple donated $100,000 to oppose Proposition 8 that defended traditional marriage in California. I didn’t know about this until two years later. After Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died, Tim Cook became their CEO and came out as gay.

Apple claims to be an equal opportunity employer that doesn’t discriminate on the basis of religion. Yet they have shown a double standard in this area. In 2010, the iPhone/iPad application for the Manhattan Declaration, a Christian organization promoting family values, was removed from the iTunes Store. This was the result of a small but very vocal protest by those favoring gay marriage and abortion. The Manhattan Declaration app was originally accepted by Apple and rated as “4+”, meaning it contained no objectionable material. Meanwhile, the iTunes Store continues to allow apps by Planned Parenthood and numerous homosexual dating sites.

The Manhattan Declaration stated the following on their website…

“We emphasize with great sincerity that ‘disagreement’ is not ‘gay-bashing.’ Anyone who takes the time to read the Manhattan Declaration can see that the language used to defend traditional marriage, the sanctity of human life, and religious liberty is civil, non-inflammatory, and respectful. The Manhattan Declaration clearly calls its signers to reject ‘disdainful condemnation’ of those who disagree and declares that all people are worthy of respect, because all are loved by God.”

Apple has continued this hypocrisy by removing the apps of other organizations helping homosexuals overcome same-sex attraction. Among them were the now-defunct Exodus International and most recently Living Hope Ministries.

Changes with how Apple computers are manufactured may eventually result in me shunning them completely. Earlier this month, my 2011 MacBook Pro stopped booting up properly. I brought it to a certified Apple technician who informed me his business has decreased. Newer MacBook Pros have parts soldered together as opposed to using screws, making the laptops more difficult to repair. I suspect this is to force people into buying new Macs more often. Older models can be repaired or refurbished for less money. Even that option may disappear if Apple continues a policy of planned obsolescence.

I pray God raises up people who will come up with better computers and other products so Christians won’t have to make buying decisions that conflict with their moral convictions.

“I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.” - Proverbs 8:12 (KJV)

42

A friend once invited me over to his place to watch “42”, a biopic about Jackie Robinson. The title comes from the uniform number Jackie wore. When he became the first African-American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era, Jackie initially faced all kinds of discrimination and persecution. His courage and playing abilities opened the door for other black athletes to play on the professional level. Nowadays, Jackie’s uniform number is retired by every Major League Baseball team except during the annual “Jackie Robinson Day” on April 15th when every single player wears #42.

A couple weeks before seeing the movie “42”, I learned of another fact involving that number. One morning I made my usual trip to Caribou Coffee. They offer a 10-cent discount for correctly answering a trivia question. The question that day was, “What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything?” I answered “Jesus Christ.” That wasn’t the answer the Caribou employee sought. Instead, it was “the number 42.” This is according to the science fiction novel “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”

Numbers in the Bible have symbolic significance. The number 42 is connected with the Antichrist. Revelation 13:5 says the Beast will hold dominion over the Earth for 42 months. In 2 Kings 2:23-24, bears mauled 42 youth after they mocked Elisha for his baldness. On the other hand, the Gospel of Matthew lists 42 generations in the Genealogy of Jesus. It’s also interesting to point out the Gutenberg Bible is known as the “42-line Bible” because it contained 42 lines per page.

Incidentally, I still received a discount on my coffee. I stated the number 42 wouldn’t help anyone get into heaven. The only true “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything” is Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6

“Marriage Equality” Doesn’t Add Up

Although I prayed God would intervene somehow, I wasn’t totally surprised with what happened two days ago. The U. S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that homosexual couples have a constitutional right to marry. This decision overrides same-sex marriage bans passed by voters in various states.

What really disturbs me is the rationale some people use to justify homosexuality. A popular slogan used by gay advocates is “love is love.” What does that prove? That’s like saying, “Blue is blue” or “4=4.” Minnesota Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson tweeted the following statement: “Love is love? So what will we say when the 30yr old loves YOUR 10 year old. When the dad loves HIS 6 year old?”

During the past two years the Human Rights Campaign has encouraged people to use the above symbol to promote “marriage equality.” The Human Rights Campaign should be more accurately named the Homosexual Rights Campaign. Their only focus is helping those who choose to live alternative lifestyles. The HRC has never fought for the rights of any “straight” people such as ministers being imprisoned or tortured for their faith.

It’s totally illogical to compare “gay rights” to civil rights. In 2009 while living in Washington, DC, I attended a rally protesting the DC City Council introducing legislation that paved the way for same-sex marriages to be performed in the nation’s capital. Most of the rally speakers were African-Americans. One of them pointed out, “I’ve never met a former black person in my life.”

Sadly, many gay activists resort to name calling when they come across so-called “bigots” whose convictions differ than theirs. As a Christian, I believe every human being deserves to be treated with courtesy and respect. However, my conscience will never let me condone same-sex marriage. Homosexuality was wrong when the Scriptures were written and it’s still wrong today (see Romans 1:18-32 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Imagine what would happen if a group of homosexuals were placed on a deserted island. Then come back in one hundred years and see how many people are left on the island. This homosexual society would cease to exist. Only heterosexual unions can fulfill God’s commandment to “be fruitful and multiply.” Heterosexuals reproduce but homosexuals can only recruit.

“Marriage equality” doesn’t add up.

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” 

- 2 Corinthians 6:14

Godly Discrimination

One sign we’re living in the last days is society’s increasing acceptance of homosexuality. At the time of this writing, 36 American states have legalized same-sex marriage. In response to Florida being the most recent, a Tampa Tribune writer claimed it “should represent no threat to anyone’s personal faith.” Baloney!

In many other places, Christian business owners who stood up against the homosexual agenda have been severely persecuted. One Colorado baker named Jack Phillips was threatened with jail time for refusing to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. Instead of going to a different bakery, the two men filed a lawsuit. A judge ruled Phillips was guilty of “discrimination” and ordered him to make wedding cakes for other same-sex couples who visit his store. He has since stopped making wedding cakes altogether.

One homosexual wrote to me claiming Jesus never discriminated against anyone. Therefore, Christians shouldn’t do that as well. A closer study of Scripture would reveal otherwise. Although the Lord doesn’t want anyone to perish, He will resist certain individuals such as the proud (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5). Likewise, Christians are to distance themselves from certain types of people. Among them are those who contentiously promote false teachings...

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” - Romans 16:17

“Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” - Titus 3:10-11

“If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.” - 2 John 1:10-11 (NLT)

We are also to avoid fellowship with professing believers living in willful sin. 1 Corinthians 5:11 says, “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.”

Now it’s different if you are ministering to sinners. Jesus reached out to thieves and prostitutes not to affirm their behaviors but to give them opportunities to repent and be transformed. Likewise, Christians can cultivate friendships with unbelievers in hopes that they will come to know the Lord someday. However, we are not to feel guilty when boundaries must be set with those who repeatedly reject the truth of God’s word. 

It’s not always hate to discriminate.

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” - 2 Corinthians 6:14

The Same Love

During my teens and early twenties, I was a regular listener of Casey Kasem’s radio show “American Top 40.” That inspired me to subscribe to Billboard magazine whose record charts Casey based his weekly countdown on.

Nowadays I avoid listening to most of today’s hits because of the increased amount of profanity and sexual content in the lyrics. Still, I occasionally log onto Billboard’s website to find out what’s happening with the pop music scene. There's now a song in the Top 20 by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis called “Same Love” that openly endorses same-sex marriage. Some of the song’s lyrics attempt to discredit the Bible’s prohibition of homosexuality…

The right wing conservatives think it's a decision

And you can be cured with some treatment and religion

Man-made rewiring of a predisposition

Playing God, aw nah here we go

God loves all his children, is somehow forgotten

But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five hundred years ago

While other Billboard.com readers wrote positive remarks about the success of this “gay anthem”, I wrote one that wasn’t. As a result, it got me blocked from adding future posts to the website. It’s sad how those who are the loudest to promote “equality” and “tolerance” are very intolerant of those opposing their views. My comments were not hateful. I simply stood up for biblically-based morals this nation was founded upon.

Philippians 2:2 talks about “…having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” The next verse goes on to say, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Same-sex marriage advocates don’t seem to care how their actions are affecting future generations especially parents who want to raise their children “…in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) People who demonstrate true agape love put the needs of others first instead of seeking to fulfill their own lusts.

A featured performer on “Same Love” is a woman named Mary Lambert who considers herself “a gay Christian.” In the chorus she sings, “I can't change even if I tried/even if I wanted to.” She also sings a portion of 1 Corinthians 13:4 (“Love is patient/love is kind.”) It would be helpful for Christians to remind themselves of that Scripture whenever they have the opportunity to minister to homosexuals. We should show the same love to them as to other sinners.

It’s also worth noting Mary was originally raised Pentecostal but then after her parents divorced, she became a lesbian as well as her mother. Let’s pray for laborers to cross the paths of both Mary and her mother so they receive inner healing from past hurts and deliverance from deception.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” - 1 Timothy 4:1

The Law of Love

This past Tuesday in front of the State Capitol in St. Paul, Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill making same-sex marriage legal in Minnesota effective August 1, 2013. This so-called “history-making” event was attended by thousands of people. I happened to be in St. Paul that evening but was evangelizing by a lake five miles from the Capitol.

A few hours before the bill was signed, an old childhood friend who I reconnected with through Facebook posted the music video for “Love is the Law.” This song by the Suburbs was a regional hit thirty years ago. I used to like this song but was saddened to learn the Minneapolis-based group had donated use of it for the cause of “marriage equality.”

The Bible has a few things to say about the law of love…

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” - Romans 13:8

“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” - Romans 13:10

“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” - Galatians 5:13-15

Same-sex marriage activists who claim to be believers need to study the Bible more. It’s hypocritical for them to preach about love when they often express hatred toward God-fearing individuals who don’t agree with their beliefs. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” One of those commandments is to “flee sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). That includes homosexuality (see Romans 1:18-32 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Jesus also said this about the last days: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12) People who willfully disobey God’s commandments can harden their hearts to where they become desensitized to His voice. It is only through the Holy Spirit that one can truly walk in God’s love (see Romans 5:5).

Non-Christians may demonstrate acts of kindness but cannot fully obey the law of love unless they first become born again. Then they must be willing to lay aside their own selfish desires and follow all of God commandments instead of cherry-picking those they agree with.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” - 1 John 4:7-9

Get a Clue

Ever since I was a kid, the Minnesota Vikings have always been my favorite football team. However, actions by one of its players have somewhat dampened my enthusiasm for them. Punter Chris Kluwe (pronounced “Clue-ee”) has spoken out publicly in favor of same-sex marriage in response to a marriage amendment that’s on the Minnesota ballot for this Tuesday’s election. Chris even posed shirtless for the homosexual magazine “Out” despite claims not to be gay himself (he has a wife and two daughters).

Kluwe and other same-sex marriage advocates have campaigned for “marriage equality.” If homosexual marriages do become legal throughout the United States, it’s possible polygamous and incestuous marriages will be as well. When one university professor was arrested for a three-year, consensual affair with his adult daughter, his attorney noted, “It’s OK for homosexuals to do whatever they want in their own home. How is this so different?”

I will continue rooting for the Vikings. However, I am also praying for Chris Kluwe to have a divine encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ so that he will hopefully become a godly role model for young football fans and (more importantly) his two daughters. Legalizing same-sex marriage will never make homosexuality acceptable in the eyes of God just as legalizing abortion doesn’t make it right to murder unborn children.

“For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” - Romans 1:26-27, 32

Born This Way?

Since I’ve worked as a disc jockey and keyboard salesman plus owned my own recording studio, I still have an interest in what’s going on with the secular music industry. During last night’s Grammy Awards, Lady Gaga hatched out of a giant egg as she performed her new release, “Born This Way.” The song’s lyrics (inspired by the old Whitney Houston hit “Greatest Love of All”) promote a message of loving one self. Sorry to say, “Born This Way” also endorses homosexuality and people who live a “transgendered life.”

Surely God wants everyone to have a positive sense of worth and not live in condemnation. But apart from the lordship of Jesus Christ, self-esteem can take people down a destructive path. 2 Timothy 3 says that in the last days “…men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”

Psalm 139:14 does say that we are all “…fearfully and wonderfully made.” However, we live in a fallen world resulting in some individuals born with diseases and birth defects. God didn’t make them this way. Just like in Bible times, people born blind and crippled are being healed today.

God also didn’t make people born with deviant sexual desires. Personally I know individuals delivered from homosexuality and transvestism. 1 John 5:4 says, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

We were all born with a sinful nature and in need of the Savior. I pray Lady Gaga will someday recognize the necessity of being born again. The “Poker Face” singer could become a powerful (and definitely an interesting) witness for the Lord if she totally submitted her life to Him.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” - John 1:12-13

Who’s the Real Bully?

Three days before Christmas, President Obama signed into law a bill repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” This action now paves the way for outspoken homosexuals to serve in America’s military. Shortly after the bill was signed, I logged onto the White House’s YouTube channel expecting to see a video about that. Instead, the featured clip was called “It Gets Better” in which “several LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender] White House staffers share their messages of hope and support for LGBT youth who are struggling with being bullied.”

As a Christian and as someone who was severely picked on as a child, I certainly don’t approve of bullying anyone. Jesus told us to turn the other cheek and to “love your enemies.” (Matthew 5:44) Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. Every person deserves to be treated with love and respect even if we don’t agree with his or her behavior.

But while homosexual activists campaign for “equal rights”, many of them threaten lawsuits against God-fearing individuals and organizations that won't embrace their alternative lifestyle choices. The online dating service eHarmony.com was sued for not accepting homosexual advertisements, despite their being other match services available exclusively for gays and lesbians.

Who's the real bully?

Two doctors in California were sued for refusing to artificially inseminate a lesbian because of their personal religious convictions, even though they provided the names of physicians who would provide such services. The California Supreme Court ruled against the doctors!

Who's the real bully?

Recently while walking on the campus of North Dakota State University, I noticed the Memorial Union has a room designated as a LGBT “safe zone.” Yet last July, a Michigan woman faced a civil rights complaint after posting an ad on her church bulletin board seeking a Christian roommate.

Who’s the real bully?

Incidentally, I do not have a victim mentality like some non-believers want to claim. Colossians 2:15 says, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He [Jesus] made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” In Christ, I am “more than a conqueror.” (Romans 8:37)

The only person I want to bully is the devil.

“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” - Romans 16:20