A Question for Christians

I'm married and have kids. It's all I ever wanted and I love my family. I really do want everyone who wants that to be able to have it. I imagine being gay is really difficult. Maybe you feel like everyone either loves you or hates you. Like everyone is judging YOU based on sexual preference,something you have no control over, instead of really getting to know you. Maybe you feel really guarded. I would. Honestly, if I wasn't a Christian I would be all for marriage equality. But, I am not my own authority on what is right or wrong. That would be putting myself in the place of God. I can't ignore Scripture that makes me uncomfortable. I can't interpret the Bible through the eyes of my culture. I will submit to the the Bible rather than make the Bible submit to me. I understand how people who don't believe the Bible are rejoicing in the court's ruling. I get it. But, I don't understand why Christians are. I understand loving and accepting people right where they are because that's the way God loves us. I understand celebrating less bullying and hate and embracing more love. I'm ashamed how some Christians have treated the gay lesbian community in the name of Christ. It's appalling. We SHOULD celebrate more love. One of the main themes of the Bible is loving God and loving others. All life demands love and respect because all life is made in God's image. It seems like you're celebrating sin and that's where you loose me.  I'm not trying to be argumentative. I really just want to understand your perspective. Please educate me. Maybe I'm missing something.

Romans 1:26-27 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people-none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

 1 Timothy 1:8-10
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine .


There are also several reference in the OT. This just doesn't seem like a gray issue to me. It seems quite clear. Do you think these particular verses just aren't relevant or do you interpret them a different way? I just can't in good conscience celebrate something the Bible calls sin. I love my children, but I wouldn't celebrate their greed or dishonesty. We can love people even when we disagree with them. I don't agree with some of the decisions my kids have made, but that has not changed my love for them in any way. I don't even agree with all the decisions I've made! Have you studied the Scripture on the matter and prayed and stand in confidence before God on the position you've taken? I'm not trying to be confrontational and I'm not trying to change your position.  You intrigue me and I am truly trying to understand you and see things from your perspective.

Sandra Dee Turns Bad Ass

Ok, not really, but I did recently get a tattoo. I'm hesitant to share this because I do not want to boast in my liberty without regard to how it will affect other people, but this is about what God is doing in my life and that I do feel compelled to share. This was a process of five + years of listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit instead of the voice of legalism. I studied what the Bible said on the topic, prayed a lot, talked to people and listened to God. Shouldn't all decisions be made in that manner? Music can be redeemed, art forms can be redeemed, even we can be redeemed.

I chose a cross because all of Christianity hangs on the resurrection. That was the moment of truth and there is just not enough I can say about what those two lines representing the cross encompass. The fulfillment of the OT, God keeping His promise to Adam and Eve, love, grace, freedom from sin and the wrath of God. I chose the fish symbol because that was how the early Christians recognized each other in the beginning of the church. One would draw half the fish on the sand and if the other person was a Christian he would draw the other half. Sometimes they would carve the fish symbol onto their houses or doors so other Christians would know it was refuge during times of persecution when Christianity began. I wanted to identify with them and honor them. In the Greek the acronym stands for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. The fish swims from right to left to represent Jesus leaving righteousness (right)  to defeat sin (left).
I was nervous to get this done only because it was a new experience. I was very excited and at peace knowing God approved of what I was about to do.
At my former church a Sunday School teacher told my free spirited daughter not to draw on herself because "Jesus doesn't like tattoos". Well, Jesus likes this one.

Reasons
1. I truly felt led by the Spirit
2. Anyone who sees this will identify me with Christianity.
3. This is a way for me to demonstrate that I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ
4. It was something I wanted to experience
5. It gave me opportunity to get out of my comfort zone.
6. It broke down prejudices that my children had.