Don't judge before you read it all... then... don't judge...

There's a lot going on around the Internet, regarding a lot of different things.  There is also a lot going on in my life, regarding, surprisingly enough, a lot of different things.  I'll start at the beginning!

I've already commented on Rob Bell.  I commented almost 2 months ago, when this whole media storm began, and I stand beside what I said then: read the book or shut up.  Bell said about the same thing in his owns words last week.  I really hope I can churn a quarter of the talk about New American Hymnal.  Maybe I'll get ahold of John Piper and have him call me a heretic!  PLANS!

Speaking of, I've written the first four chapters and the introduction.  I'm writing as it comes to me, and hopefully I'll have a full draft for the beginning of the Summer to edit through until September so I can get a few copies out to some people to read: Summer, Missy, Matt Turner, maybe even Paul Steinbrueck, Jon Acuff or Carlos Whittaker... I hear they're not busy...


The other day I saw the newest rage in Ichthys' (ie: Jesus Fish)!  I saw one that was proportionately bloated and inside where there would normally be "Jesus", "ΙΧΘΥΣ" or "ΙΧΘΥC" I saw an advertisement for a church.  This church had turned a symbol of Christ into an advertisement.  I nearly wrecked, praying I hadn't seen it, but when it drove by, I saw it, and I also saw the church.  How can you seriously take a Christian symbol and make it a marketing item.  Actually, no, I know how it can be done, but who thought it would be a good idea.  I feel sorry for this particular church because I spent a Sunday worshiping with them, and they seem like nice people.  Their main offices are run a little tight, but I'm not surprised this particular church did this.  It's the same church that sent us four, count them, four, different pieces of mail... in one week... about the same event...  So, am I surprised it's the same church: no.  Am I sad they're doing it: yes.  That reminds me, I need a new Ichthys for my car... and thank you unnamed church for justifying my ideals that the church is becoming a giant marketing ploy...

On another note, and a complete change of subject, it's official: the government can't decide where the line lays.  Nothing new, though, right?  They can't seem to come up with a budget but they continue to compile their personal reflections and throw it out the window under the thumb of popular opinion.  Personally stating, anyone who has seen American Idol knows the damaging effects of popular opinion.

What the hell does any of that mean?  My more recent feelings about the government determining what marriage is.  Now, I won't go into the biblical backings of how homosexual marriage is wrong, nor will I point out the everlasting damages done because of the lustful repercussions of same sex marriage, but I want to bring up something entirely different: Polygamy.

Now, before those who know me sit up closer in their chairs, waiting for some sort of huge bombshell of an announcement, forget it.  Now laugh.  Good.  What I'm getting at is Kody Brown.  My wife has become obsessed with the TLC show Sister Wives.  Kody and his wives, all four of them, are the center of this show, and no matter how much I am still completely confused by the concept of plural marriage, I am more behind that practice than I am of gay marriage.  Normally I would just throw the grenade and wait for hate mail, but let me explain.

Basic, fundamentally speaking marriage is about love, but it's also about growing a family from both sides of the marriage.  The spreading of ones love enough that it produces another life.  Now, yes, the world is going through a rash outbreak of infertility and the struggle to have children.  No, gay marriages are still not the same as a couple who can not conceive.  Yes, people can adopt until their face turns blue (Angelina Jolie, I'm talking to you) but there is still a reason we were created as male and female.

The government believes love is love, and people are protesting for equal rights because they're gay, and the government is bending, and states are already falling to the pressure.  Fine.  Again, a marriage isn't a marriage unless it's in the eyes of God, so putting a bright rainbow bow on it and calling it marriage doesn't make it any less a piece of paper.  Have it.  It's okay.  I believe in love, and I believe in redemption, and there is always room for God to work in everyone, so have your papers.

What does this have to do with Kody Brown?

Like I said, he has four wives, sixteen children, and doesn't live in a compound.  He is raising his family in a very conservative Christian household, and even though his beliefs are primarily based on the Mormon religion (something I am highly against), his recent legal issues is what brings me to point.

Kody is being charged of being a polygamist.  He's currently breaking a law, and should be tried for it.  However, I do believe that in the same tone as Kody's unlawful marriage, homosexuals are getting married.  Homosexual marriages, once against the law, is now becoming legal because of public opinion.  However, Kody is in the wrong because he's raising his family under fundamental religious beliefs that the same church that once recognized, denounced it because of public opinion.  The bad side of polygamy is the 60 year old marrying a 14 year old from a book that's kept by the profit prophet of compounds.  Those same prophets using a false calling to preach a false God who uses their power to hold people down, to keep children obedient by fear, not love.  I can understand why it was outlawed.  I also see the new side, the good side, the happy families of sixteen children, five wives, and a God centered home.

Am I taking up a polygamy stand?  No.  Biblically speaking, I don't have enough information that isn't one sided or skewed.  There are plenty of sites out there that gives me great evidence against it, but at the same time, there are sites that give great evidence for it.  The biggest thing against it is in one of Paul's letters, it says Priests shouldn't have more than one wife, and even though we're not all called to the priesthood, I do believe all husbands are the leader of their household, and because of that it's presented that we're all technically priests.

My problem, however, isn't with the Brown clan, but the government trying to make a name for itself by repressing a loving husband, and allowing other crimes to become legalized because of public opinion.  I'm on Kody's side, even if I think spelling his name with a 'K' is completely uncalled for.

Grace and Peace,
Jesse