Thursday, February 28, 2013

Novel Submission

"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ," writes the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:20-21 New Living Translation Bible. These are verses that are violated in so many ways globally with men and women missing opportunities to help each other.

The New York Times February 27, 2013, article "Desperate Hunt for Day Care in Japan As More Women Work, a Shortage Poses a Threat to Economic Growth," implies that fathers and mothers are not equally participating in the rewards and responsibilities of parenthood, which is a global reality.

The article features the plight of Ayaka Okumura in trying to secure day care for her daughter, Ayane. Ayaka, a manager at an accounting firm, does all the hunting for day care, expresses fret that she did not time her pregnancy to put her name toward the top of day-care waiting lists and even wonders if she should have cut short her legally-guaranteed-one-year-maternity leave to better position herself on the day-care waiting lists, which for Japanese-government-subizied-day-care centers is more than 25,000 long and many private day care centers also have long waiting lists.

No where in the article does it talk about a one-year-legally-guaranteed-paternity leave for Ayane's father and Ayaka's husband, Masanori. A one-size-fits all, unequal, imbalanced approach to childcare puts a strain on marriage and parenting in Japan, America and other places. In America one-year of paid leave is not legally guaranteed. "Vive la difference!" is a French saying meaning, "Long live the difference (between the sexes)." Ayane and others like her are not receiving balanced input from their fathers and mothers denying these children the learning of the difference in the sexes and the enjoyment of a close relationship with both their fathers and mothers.  Relationships require both quality and quantity time.

If two or more instead of one were working on child care, maybe Ayane could enjoy two years or more of being cared for by her parents instead of a day care center, and Ayaka, who says in the article, "I'm filled with so much worry, and completely spent," could rest more releasing inspiration for both her marriage with Masanori and her parenting of Ayane. Well-rested wives are more interested in sex than tired wives.  Wouldn't it be nice for husbands and wives to sit face-to-face, hugging each other while engaging in deep vaginal penetration, kissing and eye contact on a frequent basis without fatigue?

What about a men's and women's movement pushing for one-year or more paid paternity leave? Some social rules need to be challenged by creative, courageous, compassionate people. A Hausa of West Africa riddle asks, "Why is a man like pepper?" Answer: "Until you have tested him, you can't tell how strong he is."

Long-term paid leave is good for singles, married people, everyone! Read my articles, "Paid Leave Please" and "Paid Leave is Good for Us."

Also two years or more of paid leave (one year or more for dad and one year or more for mom) is time to work on the heads and hearts of other family members to help with child care. Maybe Ayane and others like her would never have to go to day care before going to school?

The New York Times article says, "Almost 70 percent of Japan's social welfare spending is directed at people 65 or older, while less than 4 percent supports children and families, according to a government-affiliated research group." Elderly family can use some of their free time to help raise younger family. This is an investment that can pay dividends for eternity. International Christian ministers Dennis and Barbara Rainey say, "God designed the family to be a spiritual garden that grows flowers for today and seeds for tomorrow."

Besides day care and paid maternity leave, what are some novel ways to support marriages and raise children?

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Audacious Escapes

"You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. He shall dwell with you, in your midst, in the place that he shall choose within one of your towns, wherever it suits him. You shall not wrong him," says Deuteronomy 23:15-16 English Standard Version Bible. Many Native Americans may not have known the Bible, but they practiced this part of the Bible by sheltering African-American slaves who fled their slave masters searching for freedom in Native American communities.

Rafael and I love to travel to Florida. Before 1819 when Spain sold Florida to the United States of America, Florida was a popular place for runaway slaves to live among the Native Americans. African-American slaves and free people intermarried with Native Americans. The Seminoles consist of Native Americans, African Americans and people who are a mix of both Native Americans and African Americans.

John Horse was of mixed Native American and African-American heritage. Like others like him Horse played a role in Native-American leadership. John Horse and Wild Cat defeated an American army led by Colonel Zachary Taylor at the Battle of Lake Okeechobee. Later John Horse led a group of black Seminoles into Mexico where they were allowed to live in return for guarding the border against rustlers and bandits.

No matter if people are African, European, Asian, Latino or some mixture, God created people with a desire to be free. Sometimes we consider certain practices acceptable for other people that we would never consider acceptable for ourselves. Former US President Abraham Lincoln said, "Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally." How many people really wish that their parents would have aborted them instead of allowing them to live? Gospel singer Fred Hammond's mom tried to abort him, but Hammond survived. Read his story and more in my article "Thoughts About Abortion."

Proverbs 11:27 Amplified Bible says, "He who diligently seeks good seeks [God’s] favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come upon him." President Lincoln said, "As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy." Lincoln fought for his idea. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, encouraging border states to outlaw slavery. Lincoln helped push through Congress the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which finally freed all the slaves nationwide in December 1865.

Rafael and I would probably be slaves today if it were not for President Lincoln.

Not only African Americans but many would probably not be enjoying the freedoms we have today if it were not for President Lincoln. Lincoln led the United States through the American Civil War preserving the Union.

Many people have low expectations of people with mental illness, but Lincoln accomplished great things even while he battled periods of depression. Do we have a Federal, American holiday recognizing the accomplishments of people with mental illness?

Printing transformed literature globally. Printing was invented in China. The written word is a wonderful way to inspire change.

Native Americans and President Lincoln helped African Americans escape slavery. Many Latino countries are experiencing social, political and economic turmoil leading some to immigrate to America. What can we do to help them?

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Love Without Limit

"I absolutely love, love my life. Every year seems to get better for me," said International Bible Teacher Francis Chan in a speech at Liberty University encouraging believers to cultivate an intimate relationship with God that they share with both believers and non-believers in their every day, ordinary lives.

Chan's message is in agreement with Gospel Singer Kim Burrell's song "Sweeter." Burrell sings, "Every day is sweeter, sweeter than the day before, learning how to love you more . . . . The more I get to know ya', know ya', find out that you're so good for me . . . . You're good on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday . . . . Every day makes me want to add another day to my week cause you're so sweet.

God's sweet is too good to keep to ourselves. 1 Juan 3:16 Dios Habla Hoy Biblia dice, "Conocemos lo que es el amor porque Jesucristo dio su vida por nosotros; así también, nosotros debemos dar la vida por nuestros hermanos." 1 John 3:16 Contemporary English Version Bible says, "We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. That’s why we must give our lives for each other."

Some people falsely think that love has a limit. When Hollywood Actor Lauren Bacall discovered she was pregnant, she excitedly told her husband, Hollywood Actor, Humphrey Bogart. Bogart cried. "What's wrong?," she inquired. Bogart responded, "I'm happy, but I'm also very sad." Bogart said his joy was mixed with sadness, "Because once you have a child, I'll never be as important to you as I am now."

While some spouses do neglect their spouses when children are added to the family, God didn't design His love inside of believers to express itself this way. Marital love takes priority over parental love while simultaneously, extravagantly loving spouse and children.

Our children are important, but we don't cleave to them. One day they will form families of their own or branch out into single adulthood. Genesis 2:24-25 Amplified Bible says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not embarrassed or ashamed in each other’s presence." Genesis 2:23-25 the Message Bible says, "The Man said, “Finally! Bone of my bone,flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man.”Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh. The two of them, the Man and his Wife, were naked, but they felt no shame."

Sometimes we close our hearts when God wants to increase our capacity to love Him, ourselves and other people. In addition to developing vibrant relationships with our children, having children is supposed to increase the love between husband and wife. Godly love is a multiplier. Division is of the devil.

Jesus Christ is not arrogant, but He is certainly confident. When Christ added apostles and other disciples to His life, Christ was not diminished as a person, neither were His original relationships diminished by adding new ones.

God seeks to make us like Him. We have corrupt ideas about companionship. Reading, studying, meditating on God's Word, the Bible, and talking to God about His Bible is a primary way that God teaches us to love Him, ourselves and other people. Second Corinthians 3:16-18 the Message Bible says, "Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him."

We want to be loved by the people we share a relationship, and we will often say and do things to indicate how we want to be loved. Some times our loved ones miss the message. An Egyptian saying for this type of miscommunication is, "A thousand raps at the door, but no salute or invitation from within."

Sometimes we miss the plea for love because we expect other people to be like us. Yet no two people, even twins and other multiples, are the same. Like we study God in the Bible, and talk to Him about what He has to say, we have to study people and talk with them about what they have to say. Then empowered by the Holy Ghost, give love the way it can be received.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Paid Leave is Good for Us

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 5:17-18 English Standard Version Bible, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

America is a country filled with Jews and Christians, yet we have unpaid leave. Some countries in Europe and in Asia have one-year and even longer times of paid leave available. In the Old Testament God implemented many feasts and Sabbaths. Some of these holidays lasted for more than one day. God is for both work and rest both with generous, abundant economic provision. Read my article "Paid Leave Please."

It is critical that sick leave and other types of leave from work be paid leave, so that both men and women can meet the spiritual, relational and economic needs of their families.

Short-term and long-term paid leave should not be exclusively connected to sickness or disability; these types of paid leave should also be connected to improving relationships and self. Deuteronomy 24:5 Amplified Bible says, "When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year and shall cheer his wife whom he has taken."

America has a nearly 50 percent divorce rate. Perhaps time off to work on self and relationships could improve marriages, families and people and also employment productivity. Troubled relationships take a toll on employment productivity.

Making leave benefits available to one group of people and unavailable to another group of people can arouse jealousy. Jealousy can destroy team work. Proverbs 27:4 Complete Jewish Bible says, "Fury is cruel and anger overwhelming, but who can stand up to jealousy?" Proverbios 27:4 Dios Habla Hoy dice, "La ira es cruel, y el enojo destructivo, pero los celos son incontrolables."

Singles and married people should have access to short-term and long-term paid leave of one year or more not only connected to illness, pregnancy or disability, but also for no reason necessary to reveal. Not only where newly weds taking off from employment, so were others in Old Testament times. Deuteronomy 20:5-8 New Living Translation Bible says, "“Then the officers of the army must address the troops and say, ‘Has anyone here just built a new house but not yet dedicated it? If so, you may go home! You might be killed in the battle, and someone else would dedicate your house. Has anyone here just planted a vineyard but not yet eaten any of its fruit? If so, you may go home! You might die in battle, and someone else would eat the first fruit. Has anyone here just become engaged to a woman but not yet married her? Well, you may go home and get married! You might die in the battle, and someone else would marry her.’“Then the officers will also say, ‘Is anyone here afraid or worried? If you are, you may go home before you frighten anyone else.’"

Let's talk about paid leave. A Chinese proverb says, "Clapping with one hand produces no sound;" it means, "It takes two people to enter a dialogue."

What are your employment paid-leave policies?

A Maasai of East Africa riddle asks, "Who has more courage than a Maasai warrior?"

Answer: "Two Maasai warriors."

Es posible to change paid-leave policies in America with enough support to do so. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Amplified Bible says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor; For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken."

What are some novel ways to increase paid leave?

Does anyone have an employer who allows employees to choose more leave instead of more income as the reward for a positive annual employment review?

Does anyone have an employer who allows them to chose among benefits and customize their benefit package?

God is for both work and rest both with generous, abundant economic provision.

Four-term former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who contracted polio, became paralyzed in his legs and learned to use his hands to drive, said, "We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that is bad economics."

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Showing Your Heart

Last night when Rafael and I came home, our cat, Isobel Imani Fowler, was waiting for us not far from the front door as she usually waits for us when we return from an outing. Even though I've seen this many times before, I felt joy, delight, excitement and other positive emotions to see her perched upright looking at us and waiting for us.

God is always looking at us and waiting for us. He is so excited to see us. He loves us extravagantly. God has high expectations of us. 1 John 4:7-11 Amplified Bible says, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]. He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins. Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another."

God loves us with passion and purpose. He doesn't have a problem getting high in holiness. Ephesians 5:18 New Living Translation Bible says, "Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit." David writes about God in Psalm 16:11 Amplified Bible, "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore."

Fill us up, and let us overflow with God who is love, joy and all that is good. God is everywhere. While God does not live inside of everyone, the root source of good that we see in people is God.

A young man wrote on a piece of pottery some time during the Nineteenth Dynasty (1304-1085 B.C.) of ancient Egypt:

"When I embrace her,
And her arms open wide,
I feel like a man in Spiceland,
Who is overwhelmed with perfume.

Then I kiss her;
And she opens her lips, Without a taste of beer,
I am intoxicated."

Love is supposed to be exciting.

Routine and rapture are not an oxymoron. Simple things like waiting at the front door for a love one like our cat waits for us shows her love of us.

A lot of little missed opportunities to show love over a long time will harm and even lead to broken relationships. A lover requests of her lover in Song of Solomon 2:15 Complete Jewish Bible, “Catch the foxes for us, yes, the little foxes! They are ruining the vineyards when our vineyards are in bloom!”

A spouse in a class I taught commented that he really wished his spouse would greet him at the door when he returned home from work, and they would talk. The other spouse did not think this would make much difference in their relationship and refused to do it.

"Do not fear going forward slowly, fear only to stand still," says a Chinese proverb.

Little steps expressing love are possible to take. Es posible for believers to change empowered by God living on the inside.

Maybe you can't wait at your front door for loved ones like our cat does. Nick Vujicic was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of both arms and both legs. He cannot hold his wife, Kanae Loida Vujicic-Miyahara, and son, Kiyoshi James Vujicic in his hands, but he can hold his family in his heart. 

Vujuicic can also speak. He is confident, creative, courageous and compassionate. Perhaps he says things to his wife like Solomon said to his Shulammite bride. Song of Solomon 4:7-10 English Standard Version Bible says, "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. Come with me from Lebanon, my bride; come with me from Lebanon. Depart from the peak of Amana, from the peak of Senir and Hermon, from the dens of lions, from the mountains of leopards. You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!"
  
What are some simple things we can do on a regular basis to show we care about someone?

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Who Is This?

"How big is the universe? asks Alicia Larde (Jennifer Connolly) of John Forbes Nash, Jr. (Russell Crowe) in the movie A Beautiful Mind as the couple gaze at the stars during a date.

Nash, who is Larde's professor, responds, "Infinite."

"How do you know for sure?," says Alicia.

Nash says, "I don't. I just believe."

"It's the same with love I guess," Larde replies.

Love is not the only thing on Nash's mind. One of the fears that Nash has is that he will not come up with a truly original idea in his profession. He pushes himself relentlessly in pursuit of his truly original idea.

Abram, who God later names Abraham, was afraid that he would not have a child. In response to his fear, God said to Abram in a dream recorded in Genesis 15:1 Amplified Bible, ". . . Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great."

God and Abram also do some stargazing. Genesis 15:5 Complete Jewish Bible says, "Then he brought him outside and said, “Look up at the sky, and count the stars — if you can count them! Your descendants will be that many!”"

Larde and Nash date and marry. Abram and God are already married. However, everyone but God has a lot to learn about love. 1 John 4:18-19 Amplified Bible says, "There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection]. We love Him, because He first loved us."

Nash is so smart and strangely sexy. Larde initiates their relationship and is excited about her catch. However, it isn't long after marrying that Nash exhibits truly bizarre behavior.

Nash seemed so capable when Larde married him. Later Larde and others discover that Nash has paranoid schizophrenia. He often has delusional dreams that he avidly participates in and at times his mental illness prohibits him from working and performing sexually. In one scene Larde screams in the bathroom after Nash refuses sexual relations.

Instead of waiting for God to open his wife's, Sarah's, womb, in fulfillment of God's promise to bless Abraham and Sarah's lovemaking with a child, Abraham agrees to have sex with Hagar, Sarah's maid. Ishmael is conceived from Hagar's and Abraham's sinful, extra-marital, sexual relationship.

Later when Ishmael is an adolescent, Sarah asks Abraham to cast Ishmael and Hagar out of Sarah's and Abraham's home. Abraham is hurt, but God says this is His will, and God will make a great nation of Ishmael.

Even though God does not always do what Abraham expects, he remains in love with God. Even though Nash is deeply ill and dysfunctional, Larde remains in love with Nash. Larde doesn't divorce Nash.

We can find ourselves in relationships that at times we ask something like, "Who is this?" When people don't behave the way we expect, it can be hard to take, and some take off.

But the love of God operating inside believers seeks to grow and overcome the obstacles of relationships. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Amplified Bible says, "Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]."

One day the pain and disappointment in this life's relationships will cease and something far superior will commence. Revelations 21:3-4 New Living Translation promises, "I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”"

What is any trouble in this life's relationships compared to the ecstasy of relating with God face to face forever?

A Yoruba of Nigeria proverb says, "One should keep one's eyes on one's destination, not on where one stumbled."

Friday, February 22, 2013

Paid Leave Please

"For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus," says Galatians 3:27-28 Amplified Bible.

When I became a single parent 20 years ago, a distinction between male and female certainly existed. I don't recall encountering full-time single dads, but I encountered many full-time single moms.

Although admittedly today most full-time single parents and most of the parenting is being done by women, I am encountering full-time single dads. One of the things that is good and different today is that a greater push for economic justice is not just being framed in terms of women's rights.

While we don't want to worship money, money matters. A Spanish word for "cash" is "efectivo." Money is a necessary tool for survival and for the advance of the Kingdom of God.

Many women say they have abortions because of concerns about the lack of money. Read my article "Thoughts About Abortion."

Proverbs 31:8 Complete Jewish Bible says, "Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves, for the rights of all who need an advocate."

Americans and people of other societies need to reject abortion and to embrace life. One aspect of embracing life is to increase family friendliness in places of employment.

Family friendliness is more than a women's issue. Fathers are not helper-parents. Fathers are co-parents. Read my article "Do Fathers Have a Say in Abortion and Frozen Embryos?."

In the Old Testament God implemented many feasts and Sabbaths. Some of these holidays lasted for more than one day. God is for both work and rest both with generous, abundant economic provision.

It is critical that sick leave and other types of leave from work be paid leave, so that both men and women can meet the spiritual, relational and economic needs of their families. Unpaid leave is partial help. When Jesus connects truth to freedom and life, He doesn't give us a partial package. We must not remain content with unpaid leave. Paid leave is proper. Martin Luther King, Jr. says, "He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."

Change for the better often takes longer than we would like because of misguided, deeply entrenched mindsets. "Pasos cortos, vista larga." ("Short steps, long view.")

Believers are not to worry when they are not working that they will lose income. God promises to give us more than we need, if we do what He says to do. In one of the Sabbaths, God says through Moses in Deuteronomy 15:1, 3-5 English Standard Version Bible, "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. . . . But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess--if only you will strictly obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today." Leviticus 25:3-7 New Living Translation says, "For six years you may plant your fields and prune your vineyards and harvest your crops, but during the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the Lord’s Sabbath. Do not plant your fields or prune your vineyards during that year. And don’t store away the crops that grow on their own or gather the grapes from your unpruned vines. The land must have a year of complete rest. But you may eat whatever the land produces on its own during its Sabbath. This applies to you, your male and female servants, your hired workers, and the temporary residents who live with you. Your livestock and the wild animals in your land will also be allowed to eat what the land produces."

A Chinese proverb says, "Pointing to a deer and calling it a horse." It means, "Right and wrong are deliberately mixed up." Good sounding arguments do not always produce good results. Stingy employment practices hurt business, families, other people and even animals some of whom need people to take the time to adopt them.

"Every violation of truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society," said Ralph Waldo Emerson.

What are some creative and positive results of rest?

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Estas loco! (Are You Crazy!)

A Chinese proverb says, "Great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes." One great soul, George Washington Carver said, ". . . It has always been the one great ideal of my life  . . .  to be of the greatest good to the greatest number of my people."

Carver was born of slave parents in the 1860's on a plantation in Missouri. Carver taught himself to read. Although he won a scholarship to attend Highland University, when he showed up for school, Highland refused Carver admission because he was black. This set-back did not stop Carver from furthering his educating.

Another black man, Booker Taliaferro Washington, saw the bounteous ability in Carver who had been doing research at Iowa Agricultural College after 1891.

Washington, founder of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, sent Carver a letter in 1896 asking Carver to work at the Tuskegee Institute as the head of its Agriculture Department. Susan Altman writes in her book, Extraordinary Black Americans From Colonial To Contemporary Times, "At Tuskegee, Carver developed a system of crop rotation. He planted a legume crop (such as peanuts, which replenish minerals in the soil) one year, followed by a crop of cotton the next year. Its purpose was to keep the soil rich and improve the harvest. This system became so successful that an oversupply of peanuts resulted. Carver responded by coming up with more than two dozen uses for them. Soon, farmers were making more money raising peanuts than harvesting cotton."

"Whatever you are, be a good one," said former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, encouraging border states to outlaw slavery, helped push through Congress the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which finally freed all the slaves nationwide in December 1865, led the United States through the American Civil War preserving the Union and battled periods of depression. In addition to his crop-rotation system Carver invented more than 300 products from the peanut and more than 100 products from the sweet potato.

Carver received job offers from famous and accomplished people like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford says Altman. Carver rejected these offers. Some may have told Carver something like, "Estas loco!" (You are crazy!)."

Money was not the primary motivator of Carver's life. Carver is a Christian who was committed to God and the advancement of people, especially African Americans.

Carver worked 47 years for Washington, who was freed from African-American slavery as a boy and rose to becoming an educator, speaker, author and to the top of African-American leadership during Jim Crow segregation.

"Since new developments are the products of a creative mind, we must therefore stimulate and encourage that type of mind in every way possible," said Carver.

"The mind of the prudent is ever getting knowledge, and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) knowledge," says Proverbs 18:15 Amplified Bible.

Carver prized and practiced seeking and sharing education all his life. God makes each person unique. Everyone has something to share. Romans 12:13 Complete Jewish Bible says, "Share what you have with God’s people, and practice hospitality."

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Multiplication

"Sadly, many people don't really know true love--that is, God's love for them. I'm talking about a real revelation of His unwavering, unconditional love. This may be an underlying cause of many problems in relationships today. Quite honestly, many people just don't like themselves, and it's mainly due to the lack of a revelation that God, the Creator of the universe, is absolutely crazy about them," writes International Bible Teacher Joyce Meyer in her February 2013 Enjoying Everyday Life magazine.

Booker Taliaferro Washington liked himself even as a boy. People who like themselves seek to improve themselves and other people. Shortly after Washington was freed from African-American slavery as a boy, he was forced into the slavery of child labor. Sometimes he had to go to work starting at 4 a.m. in salt mines and working throughout the day. He also later in his childhood had to work in coal mines. Nevertheless, Washington and his mother schemed together for ways to send him to night school and to home school him. Washington taught himself the English alphabet.

While liking himself, it took some time to get over envy of others who were born into lives with more opportunities. Washington, an educator, speaker, author and Civil Rights Leader who was born into slavery and rose to the top of African-American leadership during Jim Crow segregation, writes in his book, Up From Slavery, about his boyhood, "In those days, and later as a young man, I used to try to picture in my imagination the feelings and ambitions of a white boy with absolutely no limit placed upon his aspirations and activities. I used to envy the white boy who had no obstacles placed in the way of his becoming a Congressman, Governor, Bishop, or President by reason of the accident of his birth or race. I used to picture the way that I would act under such circumstances; how I would begin at the bottom and keep rising until I reached the highest round of success.

In later years, I confess that I do not envy the white boy as I once did. I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. Looked at from this standpoint, I almost reach the conclusion that often the Negro boy's birth and connection with an unpopular race is an advantage, so far as real life is concerned. With few exceptions, the Negro youth must work harder and must perform his tasks even better than a white youth in order to secure recognition. But out of the hard and unusual struggle through which he is compelled to pass, he gets a strength, a confidence, that one misses whose pathway is comparatively smooth by reason of birth and race." 

Besides his mother, a multiplicity of people helped Washington to overcome the obstacles of being born into slavery. God never meant for us to live lives of isolation. Proverbs 18:1 Amplified Bible says, "He who willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment."

Self-centeredness is stupid and Satanic.

Jesus Christ talks to God the Father shortly before Christ is going to be crucified, killed and resurrected in three days from the dead. One of the things Christ asks God the Father for is that all believers may be one as Christ and the Father are one.

The Complete Jewish Bible says in Psalm 133:1, "Oh, how good, how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in harmony."

Francis Chan writes in his book, multiply disciples making disciples, "Jesus prayed that we would be united. Why? So that the world would believe that Jesus was sent by God, and so that the world would know that God loves us. Isn't it amazing that Jesus believed that the unity of His church would communicate all of this to the world? So often we assume that having right and logical arguments will be enough, but Jesus said the world will be convinced by our unity. And when you think about it, haven't we all heard the objections from unbelievers who point to divisions in the church as a cause for their disbelief?

... Jesus prayed for our unity, which means that we have to focus on loving and serving each other. But we need to be doing this in such a way that the world can see what we are doing and recognize it as a picture of unity."

Let's live in advocacy without atrocity. While there is plenty we will not agree on, disagreement does not give us permission to mistreat people.

Try to understand people. Ask God for revelation about why someone is sinning.

Everyone is a candidate from coming into relationship with Christ. Don't write-off anyone. Naomi Zacharias writes in her book, the scent of water grace for every kind of broken, about women who appear to be choosing prostitution, "Someone's willingness to subject herself to something has never made a harmful act any less exploitive (sic) or relieved the offender of responsibility. If this were so, then neither should we intervene on behalf of the abused wife who chooses to endure beatings or the laborer who willingly goes to work in the sweatshop because he needs an income in order to eat."

The answer for everything in life is God. He knows how to change us, so that we can get along with people and do other good things. Jennifer Salinas sings, "Ven A Cristo" ("Come to Christ;") He is "Incomparable" (Incomparable).

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A Helping Hand

"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else," said Booker T. Washington, an educator, speaker, author and Civil Rights Leader who was born into slavery and rose to the top of African-American leadership during Jim Crow segregation. Wu Yiebing and Cao Weiping may have never heard of Booker T. Washington, but they have wholeheartedly embraced the message in his saying.

Keith Bradsher writes in his "In China, Betting It All on a Child in College" The New York Times February 17, 2013, article, "Mr. Wu and Mrs. Cao, who grew up in tiny villages in western China and became migrants in search of better-paying work, have scrimped their entire lives. For nearly two decades, they have lived in a cramped and drafty 200-square-foot house with a thatch roof. They have never owned a car. They do not take vacations -- they have never seen the ocean. They have skipped traditional New Year trips to their ancestral village for up to five straight years to save on bus fares and gifts, and for Mr. Wu to earn extra holiday pay in the mines. Despite their frugality, they have essentially no retirement savings.

Thanks to these sacrifices, their daughter, Wu Caoying, is now a 19-year-old college sophomore."

The couple have one child, Wu Caoying. Abortions are forced on women in China. Since 1979, Chinese couples have been limited to one child by law in order to control the country's population. Read my article "Thoughts About Abortion.

Mr. Wu and Mrs. Cao have invested in their daughter expecting her to get a job or run a business after college graduation and to financially support them in their old age.

Family helping family is Biblical. Proverbs 11:25 Amplified Bible says, "The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered."

The New York Times reports that for seven years it followed the family of Wu Yiebing, Cao Weiping and Wu Caoying. The New York Times also says this family is like other poor families in China.

Bradsher writes in his article, "She has chosen to major in logistics, learning how goods are distributed, a growing industry in China as ever more families order online instead of visiting stores.

But the major is the most popular at her school, which could signal a future glut in the field. That is a sobering prospect at a time when young college graduates in China are four times as likely to be unemployed as young people who attended only elementary school, because factory jobs are more plentiful than office jobs."

God has a unique plan for each person's life, and it is not always the safest route. Someone said there are 365 statements in the Bible encouraging us to be not afraid in living according to God's will in every area of life.

Nick Vujicic was born in Australia with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs. He's good with numbers. Family and others encouraged him to pursue a financial career, and they took a while to warm up to him telling them that God called him into motivational speaking and evangelism. But they did warm up. Today Vujicic is an international motivational speaker and evangelist. He is also an author, runs a non-profit group, Life Without Limbs, is married to Kanae Loida Vujicic-Miyahara and the couple had a baby boy, Kiyoshi James Vujicic, born to them on February 13, 2013.

One of the benefits of receiving and living in a-now-and-eternal relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost is that God will bless us even in economic hard times. Genesis 26:1-3, 12-13 Amplified Bible says, "And there was a famine in the land, other than the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. And the Lord appeared to him and said, Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I will tell you. Dwell temporarily in this land, and I will be with you and will favor you with blessings; for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. . . .Then Isaac sowed seed in that land and received in the same year a hundred times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings. And the man became great and gained more and more until he became very wealthy and distinguished"

The blessings of God do not mean that every believer will be financially rich. It may be that being financially middle-class is best for most. Agur writes in Proverbs 30:8-9 Amplified Bible, "Remove far from me falsehood and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, Lest I be full and deny You and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor and steal, and so profane the name of my God."

Many people desire to be rich like Isaac rather than middle class. Isaac was never poor. Even though Isaac knew how to work the resources God gave him in Gerar, Isaac had a head start on being wealthy. Isaac's father, Abraham, was wealthy. After Abraham died, his wealth went to Isaac. Genesis 25:5 English Standard Version Bible says, "Abraham gave all he had to Isaac."

A generous, financial helping-hand from those with means to those of lesser means is Biblical. Read my article, "Faith, Fear and Japanese Americans."

Monday, February 18, 2013

Touch Time

Genesis 1:23-24 New Living Translation Bible says, "“At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one."

Some limit lovemaking to sexual intercourse, but it's supposed to be so much more than that. Sexual relations include multiple skin-on-skin contacts. Touch is good, very good. Touch increases brain activity and heightens alertness. God designed our bodies with sensitive nerve endings that release feel good chemicals like endorphins and oxycotin.

A husband can get on top of his wife and have sexual intercourse with her while simultaneously kissing her feet. Prayer and practice are helpful in perfecting this sex position.

A February 15, 2013, The Times of India "Thai couple smooch to new Guinness World Record" article says, "Hospital security guard Ekkachai Tiranarat, 44, and 33-year-old housewife Laksana locked lips for 58 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds, smashing last year's Guinness World Record by more than eight hours."

We probably don't need to kiss for more than two days to put positive chemistry into our relationships.

Kissing is a type of lovemaking that is not limited to marriage. Kissing is for family, friends, associates and others. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 16:16 Amplified Bible, "Greet one another with a holy (consecrated) kiss. All the churches of Christ (the Messiah) wish to be remembered to you." He also says in 1 Corinthians 16:20 Amplified Bible, "All the brethren wish to be remembered to you and wish you well. Greet one another with a holy kiss."

Touch is a vital ingredient to good health spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and physically. World-Class Actor Denzel Washington, who has been married to Pauletta Washington more than 30 years, says, "Acting is just a way of making a living, the family is life."

We need copious amounts of touch. Implementing a separate Federal holiday for former President Abraham Lincoln instead of one American Presidents' Day would give us more time to touch. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, encouraging border states to outlaw slavery, helped push through Congress the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which finally freed all the slaves nationwide in December 1865, led the United States through the American Civil War preserving the Union and battled periods of depression. Do we have a Federal, American holiday recognizing the accomplishments of people with mental illness?

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Embrace Disability. Reject Abortion.

Jennifer McKenna Morbelli, a 29-year-old woman 33 weeks pregnant entered the Germantown Reproductive Health Center in Germantown, Maryland, on February 3, 2013. LeRoy Carhart peformed a multi-day abortion procedure where the goal was to induce labor and deliver a dead baby. Instead by February 7 both Jennifer Morbelli and her daughter, Madison Leigh, were dead.

Morbelli, a full-time substitute teacher at the Church Street School in White Plains, New York, may have sought the late-term abortion due to a medical condition of her daughter. Dan Morse in his February 11, 2013, Washington Post article, "Antiabortion activists blame Germantown clinic for woman’s death," writes, "The family of the dead woman, preparing to bury her this week, could not be reached for comment.  An online gift registry linked to her and her husband indicated that her pregnancy had been wanted.

In Maryland, late-term abortions — those that occur when the fetus is developed enough to survive — are legal when the life or the health of the mother is at stake or when the baby develops a fetal abnormality."

The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:9 Amplified Bible, "Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the [very] sentence of death, but that was to keep us from trusting in and depending on ourselves instead of on God Who raises the dead."

Learning that we have a disabled child to raise may feel like a sentence of death to some.

Did Morbelli have people around her telling her regularly that anything can be overcome?

No matter who we are we need to regularly hear words of encouragement and edification. Proverbs 18:21 the Message Bible says, "Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose." What we say and do comes from what we think which is influenced by what we are hearing.

We need to hear that God still does miracles, and He wants us to ask Him for them. Miracles come in different manners.

Sometimes God can work through fetal surgery to fix a problem. Most ectopic pregnancies occur when new human life grows in mom's too-small fallopian tubes instead of her uterus/womb creating a life-threatening situation for mom and child. Two percent of ectopic pregnancies occur outside the fallopian tubes. Jayne Jones could have had a life-of-the-mother abortion since, her son, Billy, was growing outside her uterus threatening both his and her lives, but she choose to continue her pregnancy. At this time science is not usually sophisticated enough to preserve both the life of the mother and child when an ectopic pregnancy occurs. But Jayne and Billy's story has a happy outcome. Billy was born through a special surgery called a laparotomy on April 19, 2008, weighing 2lb 2oz and breathing on his own at 28 weeks gestation.

We also need to hear that sometimes people make mistakes, and we need to ask God for knowledge, understanding and wisdom. A child diagnosed inside the womb with a medical problem can be born without a medical problem due to a wrong diagnosis.

We also need to hear that a child diagnosed in the womb with a medical problem can be prayed for, and God will supernaturally heal the child.

We also need to hear that sometimes it is God's will for a child to live with a disability.

God meant for us to have an enjoyable life with or without having a disability. In John 10:10 Amplified Bible Jesus Christ says, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."

A Chinese proverb says, "To plug the ears while stealing the bell;" it means "to deceive oneself." We are deceived if we think we can have an enjoyable life without the energy of the Holy Spirit. God's idea of joy does not mean that we will not experience pain. Abolitionist Frederick Douglass said, "If there is no struggle, there is no progress." Romans 5:3-5 Amplified Bible says, "Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] [joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us."

With a disability and without a disability there are some days and even some years where we just rather not deal with them and/or are not sure where it all is going to end up. But the good thing about being one of God's people is that nothing that happens is without purpose. The Apostle Paul writes about God the Son Jesus Christ in Colossians 1:16-17 Amplified Bible, "For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together)."

God created people with disabilities and abilities to live and not to be killed by abortion, infanticide, suicide or any other deadly scheme to handle problems. 

God wants to spend now and eternity with us. John 17:3 Amplified Bible says, "And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent."

God want us to ask to receive a now and eternal relationship with Him. John 1:12 Amplified Bible says, "But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name."

"I like you very much just as you are," says Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) to Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) when she lists her faults to him in the romantic comedy Bridget Jones's Diary. God would like for us to do like Bridget, and He'll respond like Mark. We don't have to get ourselves together before seeking a relationship with God. God considers all our faults (sins) forgiven and forgotten because of the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

God accepts us as we are, and He wants us to keep on getting better empowered by His Spirit. God is God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit (1 X 1 X 1 = 1). The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Amplified Bible, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit."

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Single Sexuality

Sharon Jayson in her March 22, 2012, usatoday.com article, "Nearly 40% of women today have never been married" reports, "The data, out today from the National Center for Health Statistics, are based on 22,682 in-person interviews from 2006 to 2010 with men and women (not couples) ages 15 to 44. Among the 12,279 women studied, the percentage of never-marrieds rose to 38% from 33% in 1995.

The highest percentage of women who have never married was among blacks (55%), followed by U.S.-born Hispanics (49%), Asians (39%) and whites (34%)."

Most adults in America have had sex outside of marriage. Sex outside of marriage can feel pretty good, but after a while some wonder maybe marriage is better?

Most Americans have also probably heard, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14 King James Version Bible).

Living beyond or beneath the Bible has negative consequences. We are harmed and even die physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually whenever we don't live in the ways of the Word. Moses was close to God. He spoke face-to-face with God. Moses lived in his right mind and in full use of his body right up until his death at 120. He would have lived longer, if he had not disobeyed God in striking the Rock.

Disobedience is deadly. Obedience to God opens opportunities for eminent, enjoyable living. Read my article, "Heart Disease, Depression and Christianity."

God talks about sex and sexuality in the Bible openly, clearly, directly, truthfully and lovingly. Many people globally are not experiencing God's best in sexuality and sex due to sexual sin. Read my article, "Sexual Dissatisfaction."

Leaving the sin of partner-sex outside of marriage is tough and may take a long time. For me it took a number of years and did not happen until I had a child while single. Sadly, like many others both non-Christian and Christian, I was having partner-sex outside of marriage.

Has anyone found the negative side of single parenting to be like being married without the benefits?

A Rosa Heyman Redbook "25 reasons why married sex is better" article says about married people, "By now, you've had a lot of sex together. Part of the fun of having such a long history is that you can talk about your favorite times and do your best to recreate the heat!"

All the arguments against premarital sex based on a desire to avoid HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and to use contraception didn't do much for me and many others. These things seem easily managable. God used relationship training to give me revelation on the destructive nature of sin and the true love of God.

Children have a positive influence on our relationship with God. Genesis 5:22 Amplified Bible says, "Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God after the birth of Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters."

Por favor me ayude. (Please help me.) What has God taught you about partner sex? 

While we do a lot of things that God does not approve of, God still loves all people all the time.

God loves all kinds of singles: singles who have never been married, singles with children, divorced people, singles without children, singles living in various types of non-married-sexual relationships, singles who are victorious over the gay lifestyle, singles who are not victorious over the gay lifestyle. Are there other types of singles?

Many singles enjoy being single. Many singles would also like to be married.

What are your favorite love stories?

Marriage is for multiple types of people. In the movie, My Name Is Khan, Rizvan has Asperger's Syndrome, which is a form of autism. He is rejected at school because his autism behavior is not understood or accepted, so his mom finds another way to educate him. When his mom dies, Rizvan moves from India to San Francisco, California, to live with his brother, Zakir. Zakir gets him a job as a salesman for Mehnaz Herbal Beauty Products. Through his job Rizvan meets Mandira. Eventually Rizvan and Mandira marry.

A lot of the tension in My Name Is Khan revolves around people's fear and ignorance of autism and differences in people. The tension in My Name Is Khan is like the mommy wars in American culture.

Sometimes in American culture we forget about loving people extravagantly and go to war over our misfortunes, challenges and differences. Whether we are mothers whose full-time work is to raise children like Pauletta Washington (wife of actor Denzel Washington) or mothers who are also employees, business owners, non-profit employees and non-profit owners like Naomi Zacharias of Wellspring International, Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries or Cookie Lee of Cookie Lee Jewelry, we all have God-given purpose and roles in life. And this is also true for women who are complete and successful as singles without children like the first African-American female U.S. secretary of state, Condolezza Rice, who is currently a CBS News contributor. Not every woman wants to say, "Sou casada". ("I am married.") Read my article, "Something Horrible Happened?"

We don't need a big name for God to care about us and call us into ministry. Ministry is for all people including divorced people. Being widowed or divorced does not have to mean we are done living.

Who are some non-famous people doing good singles and/or married ministry?

No state of being can separate us from the love of God. God chooses all kinds of people to love, and His love is eternal. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39 Amplified Bible, "For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Friday, February 15, 2013

Awesome Aging

God made Church discipline to be appropriate at times. God did not design Church discipline to be eternal. God through the Apostle Paul asked the Corinthian Church to ask a man who had sexual relations with his father's wife to leave the Church (1 Corinthians 5.) Later Paul encouraged the Church to welcome him back into their group. 

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 Amplified Bible, "But if someone [the one among you who committed incest] has caused [all this] grief and pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure, not to put it too severely, [he has distressed] all of you. For such a one this censure by the majority [which he has received is] sufficient [punishment]. So [instead of further rebuke, now] you should rather turn and [graciously] forgive and comfort and encourage [him], to keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow and despair. I therefore beg you to reinstate him in your affections and assure him of your love for him"

Fashion Designer John Galliano was dismissed in 2011 from the house of Dior after a drunken party in a Parisian cafe that included him saying, "I love Hitler," says The New York Times in the February 14, 2013, article "Tentative Step By Fallen Star To Come Back."

Jesus Christ is for a good party with alcohol. He changed water to wine well after a lot of wine was consumed at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, Israel (John 2.) However, drunkenness is dumb and false joy. Ephesians 5:18 Amplified Bible says, "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit."

"Celebrare ante el Rey.(Celebrate before the King)," sings Abel Zavala in his song "Unanimes" on the album Jesus mi fiel amigo. What about churches having more praise parties with humor, good music and other celebrations of life that are fun? Read my article, "Heart Disease, Depression and Christianity."

And after a good praise party, the mood is set for much, hot and spicy marital sex for couples of all ages. Sexual love doesn't have to end when we reach a certain age. Jack, a character in the romantic comedy Don Juan DeMarco, says to Marilyn, his wife of more than 30 years, "You have very, very beautiful eyes." Marilyn comments, "Come on. You know I have to go upstairs, and um I'm going to take my calcium so my bones don't break into little pieces, my aspirin so my heart doesn't clog up, my Metamucil so I don't get colon cancer, and of course my estrogen to convince my body that I'm still 23." Jack responds, "Come here." They kiss, and marital, senior sex ensues.

Abraham also enjoyed marital, senior sex. Abraham had his first child at 86 and seven more stretching well into his 100s.

In God's eyes age is just a number not a reason to stop living a full, enjoyable life advancing God's Kingdom through relationship building.

If you are not making frequent delicious with your spouse, contact a Bible teacher, Bible counselor, Christian sex therapist and/or Christian marriage counselor. God designed sexual relations for spouses to give and to receive enjoyment from each other while strengthening their marriage. Whether one screams out in passion, silently savors sex or is somewhere in between, marital sex is made for merriment. Solomon writes in Proverbs 5 The Message Bible, "Enjoy the wife you married as a young man! Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose—don’t ever quit taking delight in her body."

Sex at 60 and beyond may not be the same as sex at 25, but then again it may be even better. Moses was married, and he was also in his right mind and healthy body up to death at 120. Imagine the sexual expertise and possibilities!

Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher of North Carolina have been married 85 years (86 in May 2013) and hold the Guinness World Record for the longest marriage of a living couple. Zelmyra is 101 years old. Herbert is 104 years old. They have 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild -- another good testimony against abortion and for life, legacy and immortality. Please read my article, "Big is Beautiful."

How did the Fishers stay married so long? They are Christians who are good lovers and good friends. Solomon's Shulammite wife says about Solomon in Song of Solomon 5:16 New Living Translation Bible, "His mouth is sweetness itself, he is desirable in every way. Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my lover, my friend."

Not only do married people need friends, so do singles. Fashion Designer Oscar de la Renta, who is 80 years old, and others are helping Galliano reestablish himself in the fashion business after working on his alcoholism and attitude.

The New York Times in the February 14, 2013, article "Tentative Step By Fallen Star To Come Back" reports about Galliano, "He was punished because of what he said, and I think deservedly so," Mr. Foxman said. "But if he's punished for the rest of his life, he will become an anti-Semite."" Mr. Foxman is Abraham H. Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League.

Oscar de la Renta is well past the American traditional retirement age. Jack decides not to retire and to continue his psychiatry profession. Brazilian writer Paul Coelho writes in the introduction to his book, The Alchemist, which has sold more than two million copies and been translated in 52 languages, "What is a personal calling? It is God's blessing, it is the path that God chose for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend." 

Age is not a barrier to following our legend. Coelho switched careers in his 40s to become a writer, and he is still writing in his 60s.

We do not have to do the same profession all of our adult life. The apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen who became ministers.

Many people are missing their legend for multiple reasons. The ultimate reason is that they are refusing to listen to and let God lead their lives.

February 10, 2013, marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year. What about celebrating a new release of self-centeredness and embracing God's plans for our lives without any reservations?

God is also for us taking frequent breaks from the regular work routine and resting and celebrating. In the Old Testament God set-up feasts and Sabbaths that lasted sometimes more than one day. It would be good to separate Abraham Lincoln's birthday from President's Day. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, encouraging border states to outlaw slavery, helped push through Congress the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which finally freed all the slaves nationwide in December 1865, led the United States through the American Civil War preserving the Union and battled periods of depression.

Black History isn't just for or by black people. No people's history is just for and by them. Collaboration has been and always will be part of the creative process of bettering the human race.

Paisa (Money) is also a necessary part of the process. People can be trained to the highest, hardworking and still broke. Bucks are needed to boost businesses and other entrepreneurial efforts off the ground. Read my article "Faith, Fear and Japanese Americans." People who were in the bottom 20 percent of income earners in their societies, but are now in the top 20 percent, please share about the financial assistance you received during your climb. Lovers are generous givers.

"I am on a mission, a mission of love," sings Donna Summer in her song, "Love is the Healer."

1 John 4:16 Amplified Bible says, "And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him."

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Caliente! (Hot!)

People with different minds and disabilities have sexuality and sex.

"Being born without arms and legs was not God's way of punishing me. I know that now. I have come to realize that this "disability" would actually heighten my ability to serve His purpose as a speaker and evangelist," says Nick Vujicic, who was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs, in his book Unstoppable The Incredible Power of Faith in Action. Nick is married to Kanae Loida Vujicic-Miyahara. Yesterday, February 13, 2013, Kiyoshi James Vujicic was the first child born to Nick and Kanae.

Disability rights activist Ed Roberts is paralyzed from the neck down. When he was a young person beginning to express interest in sex, some told him to give up on his dreams. But Ed turned his dreams into reality and now has a son conceived through sexual intercourse.

David Ring also did not listen to those who told him he wouldn't get married, have kids or preach because he has cerebral palsy. Ring got married, has four children and has preached to more than 6,000 churches internationally.

Sex researcher Alfred Kinsey found people enjoy expanded physical prowess under the influence of sexual arousal. Kinsey discovered that a stutterer loses his stutter. A person with cerebral palsy gains greater control of their muscles.

Some do not have God-sized thinking when it comes to empowering those with different minds, the disabled and others to live their dreams. Margaret Sanger was the founder of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). As an activist in the birth control and population control movements she advocated for the reduction of births among blacks, other people of color, the disabled and those of limited financial means. Planned Parenthood today is the largest provider of abortions to blacks, other people of color, the disabled and those of limited financial means. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a July 2009 New York Times interview says, "Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don't want to have too many of. So that Roe was going to be then setup for Medicaid funding for abortion."

Let's shift the focus from eliminating people to eliminating poverty and other obstacles to victorious living. Read my article, "Faith, Fear and Japanese Americans."

Our thinking can be the biggest barrier to bold, bountiful living. Ask God to totally take over our thought processes, emotions and our total person. Small-mindedness is a slippery slope to stagnancy. Everyone is disabled to some extent; we all have some inabilities. Cry out to God for the disabled like the father did in response to Jesus recorded in Mark 9:23-24 New Living Translation Bible, and expect to receive miracles: "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!""

Christian, former U.S. four-term President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was disabled, and he fought to have the technology necessary to live the best possible life. Since he could not use his legs due to paralysis from polio, Roosevelt used hand controls to drive.

James Anderson DePreist was a black conductor of international renown, made more than 50 recordings, published two books and received numerous honors, including the National Medal of Arts given to to him by President George W. Bush in 2005. The National Medal of Arts is the highest honor for artistic excellence in the country. DePreist also had polio, used a motorized wheelchair and refused to let disability or blackness stop him from believing and achieving. DePreist died February 8, 2013, and lived as the husband of Ginette DePreist for 32 years. He had two daughters, Tracy and Jennifer, from his first marriage and two grandchildren. Being widowed or divorced does not have to mean we are done living.

As an American culture we think of people with different minds and disabilities as being either asexual, or the topic is taboo. Taboos can sometimes be a territory that Satan dominates. Strip Satan. What are some things we may not know about sex and sexuality in the different minds and disability community?

Fear is a contributor to wrong and limited thinking on sex and sexuality. For much of American history it was illegal for people of different races to be married. It wasn't until 1967, which just happens to be the year I was born, that interracial marriage in America was legal. Before it was legal Fred and Ann Jealous were a white and black couple. Benjamin Jealous, their son and a Rhodes scholar, is currently the president of the NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the country, which just had a birthday on February 12.

Ignorance is also an issue in wrong and limited thinking on sex and sexuality. It wasn't that many years ago that my son, Rafael Damani Fowler, who has autism, and I were in an auto shop and a man expressed aversion to Rafael as if he could catch autism like a communicable disease. And yes, Rafael, has single sexuality that he celebrates within balanced, beautiful, Biblical boundaries. Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, encouraging border states to outlaw slavery, helped push through Congress the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which finally freed all the slaves nationwide in December 1865, led the United States through the American Civil War preserving the Union and battled periods of depression, has some good advice: "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better."

Instead of a holiday honoring multiple presidents on one day, what about a separate Federal holiday recognizing Lincoln whose birthday is February 12, 1809?

An abundant, enjoyable, full, overflowing life is for whosoever is willing to live in the ways of God. Disability does not have to stop someone from living a delightful, dynamic life. Read my article "Disability and a Dynamic Life." God welcomes all people to delightful, dynamic living. We can too. Christian, African American Marian Wright Edelman says, "When Jesus Christ asked little children to come to him, he didn't say only rich children, or White children, or children with two-parent families, or children who didn't have a mental or physical handicap. He said, "Let all children come unto me.""

If we are disabled or in a group some don't want too many if any of, God wants us all and gave us sexuality, sex and the right to life and reproduction for our joy and good.

While we may not want to have autism, depression, tetra-amelia syndrome, cerebral palsy, polio, paralysis or something else, God allowed it. On Orpah's OWN network Vujicic, who does not have arms or legs, said to everyone, "You are beautiful just the way you are." He also said, "You can be angry for what you don't have, or be thankful for what you do have." What a spicy, sex secret now revealed that when it's practiced is guaranteed to thwart body-image problems that create barriers in the bedroom and other areas of lovemaking. Read my article "Sexual Dissatisfaction."

God created sex and sexuality. What God creates is good, very good. Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, who is victorious over homosexuality, sings in his song, "I'm Walking," "I'm walking in authority, living life without apology. It's not wrong dear. I belong here. So you might as well get use to me." Christ confidence is another spicy sex secret now revealed.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Big is Beautiful

When families have more than four children, American culture communicates the idea that the parents must be stupid. Yet what science documents a correlation between inherent intellectual ability and family size? Isn't poverty rather than population the problem? Could reparations play a role in removing global poverty? Read my article, "Faith, Fear and Japanese Americans."

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 the Message Bible, "Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life."

While every amazing person is not from a large family, many amazing people have been conceived in families with four or more children. World-famous athlete and Civil Rights advocate Wilma Rudolph, was the 20th of 22 children, born to Blanche Rudolph and Ed Rudolph. With God on their side the Rudolph family overcome disability and illness. Wilma was a sickly child who had contracted polio at the age of four paralyzing her legs and requiring leg braces on her left leg and foot and an orthopaedic shoe for support of her foot. Wilma also had other illnesses, such as measles, mumps, scarlet fever, chicken pox and double pneumonia. Read my article, "Disability Cannot Stop Us from Overcoming," for more on the Rudolph's story.

Who are some other amazing people from families with four or more children?

African American husband and wife James Forten (1766-1842) and Charlotte Vandine Forten (1785-1884) raised their nine children not only in material wealth but also in Christian and intellectual wealth. James was one of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's wealthiest merchants. James owned a business producing sails for ships. His business employed his own sons and both black and white people. Charlotte was a businesswoman who invested in real estate. James and Charlotte were leading members in the free-black community in Philadelphia, which was America's largest free-black community. James and Charlotte were both abolitionists. Charlotte along with the Forten daughters were founding members of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. James wrote letters and articles advocating justice and equality for black Americans and women published in various newspapers. James was also actively against forcing black people to leave America, which had become their country, to live in Africa or Haiti. James and Charlotte's home was a frequent stop on the Underground Railroad which helped fugitive slaves to hide from their former slave masters on the path to freedom.

The Forten children are: Margaretta Forten (suffragist), Harriet Forten Purvis (abolitionist and suffragist), Robert Bridges Forten (abolitionist), Sarah Louisa Forten Purvis (abolitionist), James Forten, Jr., (abolitionist), William Deas Forten (abolitionist), Charlotte Forten, Mary Theresa Forten and Thomas Willing Francis Forten. James and Charlotte taught their children to select spouses who shared their values. The Forten children absorbed the lessons and selected spouses who were also speakers and writers for abolition and other justice issues like women's right to vote. 

The Forten Christian activism extended to their grandchildren. Our children follow our words and our ways. With God the Holy Ghost in control of our lives, nothing good is impossible. Galatians 5:16 New Living Translation Bible says, "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves." One of the Forten's granddaughters, Charlotte Forten Grimke, was a teacher to newly freed slaves on the South Carolina Sea Islands. One of the Fortens' grandsons, Charles Burleigh Purvis, became the first black American to oversee a hospital with his appointment at the Freedman's Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Who are some more Forten family members who have made notable contributions to society?

In the Forten family instead of men and women waging war with each other, they waged war against evil. Author and motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, says, "Many marriages would be better if the husband and the wife clearly understood that they are on the same side."

Former US. President Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, encouraging border states to outlaw slavery, helped push through Congress the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which finally freed all the slaves nationwide in December 1865, and led the United States through the American Civil War preserving the Union, said, "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

Why don't we have a separate Federal holiday recognizing Lincoln?

Some are afraid of large families because they have bought fear-based propaganda. Yet 2 Timothy 2:7 Amplified Bible says,"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." Yes, one can motivate someone with fear. However, love is a more effective and enduring motivator. Fear creates false realities and causes fatalities. Love liberates and lengthens global good.

Pray for the end of China's forced abortion policies for couples that conceive more than one child, sex-selection abortion which is practiced globally and other evils. Naomi Zacharias, director of Wellspring International, says in the Wellspring International blog entry titled, "What Is Beautiful?" on 4/17/2012, "A tragic issue that has significantly impacted several countries in East Asia and is growing in North America, sex-selective abortion is chosen by parents with a preference for a son, who choose to abort their baby when a sonogram reveals the mother to be carrying a daughter. India alone is said to have 20-30 million “missing women,” and predictions estimate that by the year 2020, China will have 40 million unmarried men, a number equal to the entire population of young men in America. As direct result, crime rates, bride trafficking, sexual violence, and even female suicide rates are all rising." For more about abortion, read my article, "Thoughts About Abortion."

God creates different people with different assignments. International Bible Teacher Joyce Meyer, is victorious over incest and has four grown children, all of whom have been involved in Joyce Meyer Ministries in various capacities. Some of her children are domestic engineers. Others head ministries like world missions. Joyce Meyer also married a man who committed multiple infidelities. She got pregnant by him, got a divorce and remarried, Dave Meyer, who adopted the son from the first marriage. Eventually, God used Joyce and others to build a broadcast audience for Joyce Meyer Ministries of more than 4.5 billion people reaching two-thirds of the world

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Sexual Silence No More

"A lie cannot live," said Christian Minister and Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Many women actually enjoy sex, but not sex stripped down to physicality without spiritually and mentality. Sexuality is a relationship. Even masturbation is not isolation; God is present and participating. Dialogue is abrir la puerta (opening the door) to the best relationships. Proverbs 31:26 Amplified Bible says, "She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]."

Relationships don't contain identical people, and God made us different on purpose. Compare the mindsets of Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles.

Be who you are, and let Jesus Christ keep on making you better. I'm not called to tone it down, but rather to take it up to a heavenly level. What are your thoughts on a Biblical, global, sexual revolution? God created sex and sexuality. What God creates is good, very good.

God designed sex for oneness with Himself, a husband and a wife. Out of this union God sometimes wills for children to be conceived. What God wills, He means to live and not be killed by abortion. While more than one million babies lose their life to abortion in America annually, some survive abortion. Gospel singer Fred Hammond is an abortion survivor. Read my article, "Thoughts About Abortion," for more on his story.

God designed sexuality for singles too, but not in the context of partner sex. What are your thoughts on single sexuality?

Hammond sings about Jesus Christ protecting him and his family in his song, "Jesus Be A Fence Around Me." All of us need God's protection. Satan hates when the Christian Church talks openly, accurately and lovingly about sex and sexuality. Pray for the truth bearers. Satan wants America and the globe to preach and practice promiscuity and portray Biblical sex and sexuality as boring and bondage.

But God built us with an appreciation for pleasure. God is for pleasure. David says about God in Psalm 16:11 Amplified Bible, "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore."

What are some passionate, provocative and pure ways to celebrate Biblical sex and sexuality?

Some believe the truth about sex and sexuality has to be covered up and certainly not discussed by certain people like singles and/or women. Some also believe that sexuality talk should be limited to the night instead of at any time. Some also believe that sexuality conversation is only for married people. But God makes the Bible available to whosoever will read it!

Climbing a tree to seek for fish is a Chinese proverb that means attempting to do the impossible. China is the world's most populous nation with more than 1.3 billion people. What are some Chinese sayings about good sex and sexuality? What are some other good sayings about sex and sexuality? 

What are your favorite books or other media about sex and sexuality? Henry David Thoreau says, "A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting."

Reading multiple translations of the Bible can help guard against the sterility of stiffness. Some have a tendency to get stuck in certain wrong mindsets. By looking at Scriptures in multiple ways, God will reveal new insights. What translations of the Bible do you study regularly?

The Apostle Paul was a single man who wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:3 New Living Translation, "The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs." How delicious to feast on marital sex for seven or more days. After a fast, does the ecstasy increase? A French saying about sex is, L'Appétit vient en mangeant. (The more you get the more you want.)

Some say that they get tired of marital sex. This doesn't sound true to me in the long-term. I enjoy both cooking and eating out at restaurants. There are times when I feel I can't get enough. Is any Christian feasting on marital sex multiple times daily?

Did your children accidentally or on purpose walk into where you were making love? How did you handle that? Do you think your response was Biblical?

Training our children can be progressive learning for our children and for us. A Japanese proverb says, “Fall down seven times, get up eight times.”

Happier marriages and happier singles would do a wonder for the reduction of HIV, abortion, divorce, promiscuity, infidelity and other evils globally.

Some say we should not discuss sexual positions publicly because they are not in the Bible. Read Song of Solomon and consider John 20:30-31 Contemporary English Version Bible which says, "Jesus worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life."

It is curious that what may be the most practiced sexual position, the missionary or man-on-top, is named after spiritual/religious people. What is the history on the missionary sexual position?

Monday, February 11, 2013

God and the Gay Lifestyle

Religious leaders wanted to stone to death a woman caught in adultery as recorded in John 8. In response to the leaders Jesus Christ said, ". . . Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her," and to the woman He said, ". . . I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more."

Sexual freedom is found when we are free of condemnation and harmful living, being led to be whole and to do good in a daily relationship with God. The religious leaders where trying to stone the woman based on texts such as Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 22 which discuss various sexual sins including sex outside marriage and the gay lifestyle which the 2000 Census reports one to four percent of gays make up the population of most U.S. cities. John 8 does not mention the man or woman who the woman caught in adultery was having sex with.

When Jesus implemented His earthly ministry more than 2,000 years ago He revealed the loving way to use the law. God loves us and tells us the way to live that will bring goodness and an enjoyable life for ourselves and others. Charlene Cothran is an African-American who was involved in gay-rights activism and lesbian relationships for nearly 30 years. God has been loving Cothran since way before she was born and was not content to allow her to live in darkness. God revealed Himself in a compelling way in 2006, and Cothran received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. Today Cothran is a licensed and ordained international minister and has founded a ministry called The EVIDENCE Ministry, Inc. Cothran says about EVIDENCE, "God has shown me that people who no longer want homosexuality and other sexual brokenness in their lives need to see the EVIDENCE of change in those who are now made free by simply believing and applying the Word of God to daily life."

Mike and Stephanie Goeke were married in September of 1994, but Mike bolted from their marriage in November of 1996 to build a homosexual lifestyle. Mike knew the difference between right and wrong, yet Mike chose to do things his way instead of God's way reminiscent of prideful ancient Egypt who had the knowledge of God but rejected it to chose to worship multiple gods which are really the glorification/deification/pride of man in their Egyptian Mystery System.

Mike's pride and rebellion didn't stop God from keeping His compassionate hand on Mike and Stephanie. After six months of separation, this couple reconciled. In 1999, they formed Cross Power Ministries. In 2001, Mike left the practice of law to go on staff at Stonegate Fellowship in Midland, Texas, as Executive Pastor. In 2005, Mike took the position of Executive Vice President and Church Liaison for Exodus International in Orlando, Florida. They moved back to Midland in December of 2006, and Mike is currently a pastor in the counseling department of Stonegate Fellowship. Mike and Stephanie have three young children named Margaret, Frances and Peter.

When Mike confronted Stephanie with his homosexuality, she could have fainted and fled from her marriage. Instead she forwent divorce and deliberately kept hope of reconciliation alive and diligently chased after God.

Love and courage are needed to confront people who choose to harm themselves and others through the gay lifestyle and other sins. Jesus showed in John 8 that confrontation need not be violent or disrespectful or unloving. Mike Goeke writes in his article "A Changed Life, A Changed Man" dated October 5, 2010, for the exodusinternational.org website, "On November 1, 1996, I left Stephanie a letter on the door telling her I was gay and that I wanted a divorce. After leaving Stephanie, I made up for lost time and jumped head first into the gay lifestyle. I was out and proud. I went to the Metropolitan Community Church and was determined to be a different kind of gay man – moral, upright and nonpromiscuous. I failed miserably and completely from day one. Meanwhile, the immediate rejection from Stephanie and my family that I expected did not happen. While no one accepted what I was doing as right, no one rejected me or cut me off. Stephanie had known nothing of my struggle and had no exposure to homosexuality, but she refused to pursue a divorce. She said “God put us together and I don't know how, but I know He can repair this situation."

God created our skin with delicate nerve endings that release into our bodies endorphins and oxytocin -- "feel good" chemicals. When a man and a man or a woman and a woman have sexual relations it feels good and is bonding.

Yet everything that feels good is not good. It also feels good to some to eat themselves into obesity. Obesity is a health hazard linked to multiple diseases including heart disease, diabetes and cancers. Homosexuality and lesbianism disfigure the beautiful sexuality that God created and in a marriage and family context denies the couple and the children the learning and appreciation of differences in a father and mother. "Vive la difference!"(Long live the difference (between the sexes)). Ravi Zacharias says in his sermon "Acceptance of Homosexuality in Christianity" that it is absolutely possible to have a homosexual orientation, be a Christian and not practice homosexual sex acts. Zacharias says, "Sex is a sacred gift of God" designed to be engaged in between a husband and wife. Christoper Yuan, an ex-gay who with his mother coauthored a book about his experience called Out of a Far Country and travels the world to speak about homosexuality, says in the November 26, 2012, article "Focus on "Holy Sexuality" -- Real Stories for November 2012" for the exodusinternational.org website, "Change is not the absence of struggles, it’s the freedom to choose holiness in the midst of those struggles."

Homosexual, lesbian, heterosexual sex outside of marriage, other sins don't stop God from loving us passionately. Pregnant women in predynastic Egypt wore tattoos as protective amulets on their abdomens, thighs and breasts. While we wouldn't want to worship the wrong one, God likes tattoos and people. Believers are Zion. Isaiah 49:16 Amplified Bible says, "Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me." God is willing and able to redeem us all and make us holy and righteous. Hebrews 10:10, 14 Amplified Bible says about those who have received a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost, "And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). . . . For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy."

Many have come out of the gay life in a similar way that many heterosexuals have come out of a lifestyle of practicing partner sex outside of marriage. Coming out of sexual sin is not simple and is often not a short-term process. "Muchas personas han tenido que tragar sapos para estar saludables." ("Many people had to swallow toads (to go through hell) to be healthy."

Sometimes people go through a season of several times of entering and exiting the gay life before they leave it permanently. Minister and Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin was raped by his uncle at eight years of age; he became a homosexual; eventually, Jesus delivered him from homosexuality. McClurkin sings in his song "We Fall Down" from the album Praise Your Way Out: Songs of Inspiration & Hope, "We fall down, but we get up. We fall down, but we get up. For a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up."

Please share testimonies of coming out of the homosexual or lesbian lifestyle and into a vibrant relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost. Please feel free to give details of the process of liberation. "Pasos cortos, vista larga." ("Short steps, long view.")

Robert, a former homosexual and current member of Courage, a support group for homosexuals and lesbians coming out of the gay life style and maintaining a life of Biblical sexuality, writes in his testimony for the website couragerc.com, "For me, same-sex lust has been a futile attempt to be who I am (my own man) by trying to possess another man. But instead of becoming whole, I'd simply be left as I was, and I would have abused the other man. In reality, I don't need to possess another man. Rather, by fixating on and uniting with Jesus and growing in friendship and virtue with other men, I can let God give me my own man, that is, myself . . . God wants each of us to confidently be the gifts-the men and women-He made us to be. He wants us to give ourselves away. Love is self-giving, not other-taking. We find our fulfillment in becoming like Christ, who gave us His all."

Dr. Derek Grier said in his January 13, 2013, mid-morning sermon, "The more I get to know God, the more I get to know myself."

Courage also has Courage Latino, Courage Italia and Courage French.

Cothran says as a lesbian there were times of joy and also times of intense loneliness, but today freed from a gay life and found in relationship with God, she says, "The peace and joy that I have I wouldn't trade for anything."

I once had a homosexual tell me he was against abortion, but in favor of anal intercourse. He began to tell me how to have anal intercourse. I cut him off with diversion, but now I think it would be better to deal directly with anal intercourse from a Biblical perspective. Please be my mitr (friend), if you are an ex-gay who has had anal intercourse or a heterosexual, please leave an on-line comment explaining your Biblical perspective on this practice.

The body of Jesus Christ should be equipped to handle a wide variety of issues, so that we can be used by God to spread His Kingdom widely. Bishop T.D. Jakes says something that should be applicable to all of us: "I believe my destiny is to help others reach their destiny." Here is an excellent video on equipping leaders from John Maxwell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLkRPmYBtX8.  Please leave on-line comments.

Some sexual practices are different, but not diabolical. In the movie Dances With Wolves the wife of the Sioux holy man is on top of him making delicious while family and friends are sleeping in the same room! Other people are not participating in the marital sex, they are just present. In our current American culture, some parents complain that after having children, their sex life tanks. Please leave an on-line comment giving your views about the Dances With Wolves sexual technique and if you think it would help parental, marital sex life. Please also share other marital-sex practices among Native American tribes.

You don't have to be a Native American to share your thoughts on marital sex. Have you christened every room of your house with the marriage ménage à trois of God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ, God the Holy Ghost, a wife and a husband? Do you play spousal games like "Hide and Go Freak," Manos Arriba (Hands Up) or invent your own games?

For much of American history it was illegal for people of different races to be married. It wasn't until 1967, which just happens to be the year I was born, that interracial marriage in America was legal. Before it was legal Fred and Ann Jealous were a white and black couple. Benjamin Jealous, their son and a Rhodes scholar, is currently the president of the NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the country.  Do you think interracial couples are still persecuted in America? 

What are some wonderful ways we could welcome persons in the gay lifestyle and work with them to encourage a relationship with God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Ghost and then equip them for a Kingdom lifestyle?

Where are the tongues of fire falling on apostolic heads in the modern church age?

It seems like too many horror stories exist like The Beast and A Baptist instead of love stories like The Beautiful and Bold Bride. Of course in every section of the body of Christ and the world at large their are good and bad people.

Proverbs 11:25 Amplified Bible says, "The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered."

Money is not the only way to be generous, but it is a wonderful tool to advance the Kingdom of God. One word for cash in Spanish is efectivo. Luke 16:8-9 the Message Bible says, "“Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.”"