He Is Risen... And This Means?

Today is Easter. Resurrection Sunday. Pretty much everyone knows that this is the day that Christians celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. Conquering sin. Redeeming the world. All that stuff that so many people consider the stuff of myth and legend. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. Anyways, you may ask, "You think Jesus is alive, wow... and this means what exactly?" I just want to explain what I think it means... I could be wrong. But whatever. This is what I believe.
A lot of men have claimed to be God, but I worship a God who was willing to be a man.

Ok, for a moment, I'll assume that Jesus wasn't God. For a brief instant, I'll entertain the thought that he was just a carpenter. That he was "just a good man."
He claimed to be God. In fact, they killed Him because He would not stop saying that He was God. If He wasn't God, then He wouldn't be a good man. He would be one of the worst men in the history of the world. On top of conning thousands of people while He was here on earth, He would also be a sick liar. Would you do that? Would you claim that you were something you weren't if it meant you would be killed for saying so?

This is why I believe Jesus is who He said He was: because of what it cost Him. Plain and simple. He didn't die to bring glory to Himself. He died to bring glory to His Father, and yes, they are the same, three in one, yes. But Jesus was human. Separated from His Father for a time, yet still connected. He claimed He died for humanity. So that humanity could live forever in peace and happiness. That is why I worship Jesus. He died for me. He paid a debt that I have absolutely NO chance of paying, let alone even putting a dent into it. And the only thing He asks is that I live for the glory of God? It may seem like quite a bit, but in reality, it's nothing when compared to the astounding work He accomplished on the cross.

Yeah, there are a ton of Christians who shove there rules and "holier-than-thouism" on others. But it's those people who are forgetting that Jesus died for their sins just as much as He died for the people that they're judging. Don't let these bad examples distract and repel you from accepting the saving grace of Jesus.

Please, accept Him today. He has always, always, ALWAYS accepted and forgiven you.

The Answer to Why I Think the Way I Do About Homosexuality...

Lately, there has been an undeclared, but very harsh, war between those who believe that homosexuality is fine and those who don’t. Carefully, very carefully, I want to say what I think about this, but not just this issue, rather, sexual immorality as a whole. 
The gay-supporting side of this verbal (rarely physical) war labels those who oppose their lifestyle (or views) “homophobic” or “gay haters”. 
Although I know there are some people (a LOT of them actually) who fit the bill, I guarantee that most of the people who oppose “equal rights for gays” (which aren’t equal rights, by the way, but that is a totally different, though related, conversation/post/comment) are similar to me, and hopefully, by the end of this, you will understand my point of view. 
I am a Christian. Plain and simple. I know that probably takes me down to the gutter in some people’s minds, but I don’t care. I believe that sexual promiscuity of any sort is a sin, so I’m not “against” just gays. Now, many times I have heard the following said (in some way, shape or form) “A man and a woman who find great joy in being married to each other should want that same happiness for everyone. Not just heterosexuals.” At first, those who say “No” to this seem like wicked people, but think about it. I believe that anyone who practices sexual immorality will GO TO HELL if they continue living how they are living and do not repent and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. If I were to help people do what I believe is sin, I would pretty much be saying, “Go to hell, (insert insult)!” But I love people and I don’t want them to go to hell, so I don’t. 
The way I see it, saying “I want the same happiness that I have in my heterosexual marriage for those two guys in their homosexual marriage” is like saying, “That guy experiences the same happiness drinking cyanide, that I get from eating ice cream, and who am I to withhold that happiness from him. We should let him drink it. As long as he’s happy.” That wouldn’t be very loving at all. That’s basically it. I don’t want sexual immorality on any level to become lawfully okay simply because people say it should be. Just like I wouldn't like homicide to be legal just because people say it's okay. How is that hating someone?! I love people. I have worked with several gay men and, although I don't agree with them, I don't hate. I want them to spend forever being happy, and sometimes, doing what you want will kill you and doing what you don’t want will save you. Like it or not, Jesus is the only One that can save you. Remember, He didn't WANT to die on the cross. But, because He loves us (and because His Father wanted it), He did it. Accepting that you need a Savior is the most humbling thing you can do. Or ever will do. Please, friend, please, understand that I don’t hate sinners. Otherwise, I would have to hate myself.

The Beauty that is Les Miserables

So, if you haven't heard, I have the fantastic privilege of playing Marius in Les Miserables and... Yeah. Okay, fantastic is an understatement and I am thrilled to be a part of this. You may wonder why... Well, besides the fact that the music is totally boss and the people I get to work with are fabulous, it's the story that really gets me. The story is about the grace of God's second covenant overcoming the law of His first covenant. It's about forgiveness and the love of Jesus, shown through His people, changing the world. And the musical is one of the most popular musicals... EVER! So I get to be part of sharing the gospel of Jesus... Without being preachy. That is awesome. The story is heartbreaking, wonderful and absolutely powerful.

Simeon.

If you haven't seen the movie, do so. If you live in or near Gig Harbor, come see it. It will run the 17th, 18th, and 19th of May.