THE BLOWING WINDS

From My Perspective - - -

The basic definition and idea for Wind is: “Air in natural motion, as that moving horizontally at any velocity along the earth’s surface.” It is the intensity and velocity of the wind that differentiates between a refreshing breeze or a threatening and destructive storm. In recent years, most have become aware of an atmospheric phenomenon known as Wind Shear. Wind Shear refers to a change in wind speed or direction with height in the atmosphere. Aircraft can be subjected to Wind Shear that will drastically affect the altitude at which the plane was travelling. It will cause turbulence that at times feels like being on a bumpy road. Wind Shear also impacts weather patterns and contributes to both tornadoes and hail being experienced on land.

In a broader application of winds, we have a figurative statement used of people who see “which way the wind is blowing” before they choose to make a comment or commit to a direction or action. These are people who may act more out of convenience than conscience. The idea is to see what personal benefit one can gain in going in one direction or another. If they have convictions, they are most likely to compromise in order to achieve the most favorable position or personal gain. In the process, they allow themselves to become those absent the courage of conviction while displaying a readiness to be a “player”, namely, “to go along in order to get along.” This is common in politics, business and religious circles. It is interesting to observe how readily compromise surfaces when or if one’s vested interest is involved.

Historically, those who reference The Greatest Generation have events and efforts around and during World War II in mind. The only world leader of that time to chronicle a History of those events and efforts was Sir Winston Churchill. The first volume of his History is entitled, The Gathering Storm. A review of this tome states: “The first half looks at the road to war, beginning in 1919 with the peace settlement and then moving on to examine the rise of Hitler and his pre-war career. The second half of the book covers the invasion of Poland, Churchill's time at the Admiralty, the Phony War, Norway and finishes with the fall of the Chamberlain government and Churchill's own appointment as Prime Minister…” The point of his writing was to indicate the obvious signs of the impending storm and the choices some made to ignore the blowing winds of that day. The Introduction to this Volume states: “We may now return to our question: Was World War II The UnnecessaryWar? And the answer is obvious: yes, it was unnecessary or avoidable, if steadypurpose and reasonable common sense and prudence had prevailed in Great Britain and with her allies. But these were precisely the qualities that were lacking amongst the Allies, and not least of all in Great Britain, as Churchill’s narrative convincingly shows us.And so the war became unavoidable or necessary, in the sense of being result of the pattern of unfolding historical events…”

It is not unlike The Gathering Storm of our own day. The Culture has been allowed to operate unchecked and the trends are leading the nation and world away from foundational principles and core values that are based upon Biblical Standards. How much longer will The Blowing Winds and The Gathering Storm be ignored? There will be a day approaching when we and the world will realize Jeremiah 10:10-13, “…the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. Tell them this: These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.” While Jesus interacted with Nicodemus regarding the necessity of being born again, He stated in John 3:8 – “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” In the Hymn – O Breath of Life – the second stanza is: “O Wind of God, come bend us, break us, Till humbly we confess our need; Then in Thy tenderness remake us, Revive, restore, for this we plead.” Let these words be included in your prayers and practice.  Consider these things with me.

TO BE COGNIZANT

From My Perspective - - -

All of us have an obligation to be as fully aware and knowledgeable of the unfolding events and activities in our world, nation, society and culture. The next step that follows awareness and knowledge should be action – doing whatever one can to be and make a difference. To be one who “plays it safe” and who never takes a risk, is unacceptable to the Creator of this Universe, and of no benefit to those who are staggering and directionless in our day. Our culture is so oriented to amusement and technology that many do not even know who holds public office or what the current news events that are occurring.

It is tragic to hear those who hold elected office and those who represent them resort to parsing words, or blaming others, or pleading: “I don’t know!” of “I recused myself!” or “I just heard it from the news media!” In recent history, a senseless crime occurred that bore the name of Watergate. A question that flowed from the Senate Committee at that time became: “What did the President know and when did he know it.” All kinds of behavior and actions took place to avoid response to that question. Then, as now, it can remind one of a character from the Hogan’s Heroes Television Program (1965-71). The Sergeant Schultz character who would often respond to his superiors: “I know nothing!” or “I hear nothing!” or “I see nothing!” It was his way of excusing himself from any responsibility for the activities that would occur within and without the Prisoner of War Camp in Germany. One can hear the Sergeant Schultz responses quite often in the current news cycle. We are being led to believe that all questionable behavior and activity was due to lower echelon workers and those with the major responsibility of governance knew and know nothing about what was taking place. The term employed for this rationale is: “Plausible Deniability.” Wikipedia states: “Historically, it is a term coined by the Central Intelligence Agency during the John F. Kennedy Administration to describe the withholding of information from senior officials in order to protect them from repercussions in the event that illegal or unpopular activities by the CIA became public knowledge.”

How should the “Christian” of our day respond to the cultural trends that are becoming more blatant and more unbiblical each day? How should the “church” respond to the cultural and societal needs that seem to be accelerating? Can we afford the luxury of a Sergeant Schultz response to the world and life – “I know nothing…I see nothing…I hear nothing…”? Even though a previous post used the following verses, they do require repeating – Proverbs 24:12, “If you say, But we knew nothing about this, does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?” There is a God in heaven Who knows what you know and He knows why you failed to speak and act upon the knowledge you possessed. A question to ponder in this verse: “Does not He Who weighs the heart perceive it?” This speaks to one’s inaction, silence, shrugging off responsibility. Hopefully, The Message Paraphrase of this verse will prove to be convicting and call for your renewed consecration – “If you say, Hey, that's none of my business, will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know - Someone not impressed with weak excuses.” 

A further reflection that is of benefit is James 2:12-26. The basic premise is in verses 14-16, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”The concluding words in verse 26 should provoke soul-searching by all: “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” There are too many - clergy or parishioners – who choose to safeguard their turf and/or position – preferring the proverbial “ivory tower” and fortress than to be engaged in the nitty-gritty battle that needs to be fought. What choice should one make – Acceptance by man – or – Acceptance by God?” Too many are skirting the issue and running the risk of hearing Jesus one day say (Matthew 25:41-45) “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me…I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.” Consider these things with me.

THE DAY OF DELUSION

From My Perspective - - -

If you are one who feels our nation acts as though it has lost its way, you are not alone. If you are one who believes that truth is being more and more obscured, you are not alone. If you are one who believes the “church” behaves as though it is impotent, you are not alone. If you are one who believes the affairs of the culture and world are leading us down a perilous path, you are not alone. As a matter of fact, there are several who believe the path taken by this nation will most assuredly lead to its demise. There are those who have referenced the State of this Nation being comparable with the Rise and Fall of The Roman Empire. Some of the reasons suggested for the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD are: (1) general malaise, (2) loss of civic virtue, (3) military decline, (4) political corruption, (5) environmental and health deterioration, and (6) overall cultural transformation (some add the great love of sports and recreation).

Historically, there are also reference points for review and reflection. Two interesting quotes and sobering thoughts have been shared by a military veteran and holder of multiple Purple Hearts. First is by Ayn Rand: "We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force." The second is by Patrick Henry: "The battle, Sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, Sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable; and let it come! I repeat, Sir, let it come!"

As one grapples with the direction of various nations and the times in which one lives, there is an additional consideration, namely, where is God in all of these trends? The Culture has persistently tried to squeeze God and His Standards out of the thoughts and discussion of the nation. However, does that mean that God’s Plan and God’s Acts have been neutralized and removed from viability? Some may think so – but they err in doing so. There is a failure to comprehend two factors about God: (1) His anger and indignation, and (2) His control over the nations and His final plan. In terms of His anger and indignation, Psalm 7:11 states – “God is angry with the wicked every day.” Within the context of Romans 1:18-32 are these words, “for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” The point is – the ways and behavior of mankind does not go unnoticed by a Holy and Righteous God. The Indignation of God is also expressed in the Seven Woes Pronounced by Jesus Christ to the religious community of His day.

In terms of God’s control over the nations and His final plan for His creation, II Thessalonians 2:1-10 gives indication of what will take place: (1) a man of lawlessness will emerge, (2) he will exalt himself over everything that is called God or worshipped, (3) he will set himself up in God’s Temple and (4) proclaim himself to be God. II Thessalonians 2:7-12 states: “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work… The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” For clarity, Jesus stated in Matthew 24:36-39, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man…people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” This is as concise and factual as it can get. You can escape the strong delusion by turning to Jesus Christ Who is the only way, the only truth, the only life. Consider these things with me.

INDIGNATION

From My Perspective - - -

Indignation is a word easily understood even though it is many times misdirected and/or misapplied. The general definition and display is: “anger or rage ignited by perceived or real injustice; offense; resentment or bitterness.” An illustration of this occurred in a Presidential Press Conference yesterday. Present with him was the Prime Minister of Great Britain and that may have been the basis for the President’s response to a Media question. There are some so-called scandals attached to IRS revelations of targeting conservative groups; Benghazi and how talking points were scrubbed and nuanced; the Department of Justice tracking more than 20 phone lines of the Associated Press to determine sources of leaks; etc.

To some of the above, Huffington Post reports the President’s responses as: “He pushed back strongly against fresh Republican criticism of the administration's handling of last year's deadly Benghazi attacks, calling it a political sideshow. The president was dogged by the persisting political controversies as he tended to diplomatic duties during a visit with British Prime Minister David Cameron. Obama acknowledged that people are properly concerned about acknowledgements from the IRS that conservative political groups were targeted during the 2012 campaign to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status. But he angrily dismissed continued questions over September's insurgent attack in Libya that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. There's no there there, Obama said. The fact that this keeps on getting churned up, frankly, has a whole lot to do with political motivations." His physical expression and his inflection indicated the presence of indignation.

In a more interactional way, the citizenry of the nation, as well as the “Christian” community, should not only be indignant regarding certain trends in our culture and society – they should also be outraged. The Associated Press Report yesterday included: “Tennessee, the first US state to track the number of infants born addicted to prescription drugs, has reported a surge in their numbers that has medical professionals concerned. Known medically as “neonatal abstinence syndrome,” babies born with a drug dependency will require small doses of an opiate, such as morphine, until they can be weaned off and their withdrawal symptoms are brought under control. According to…a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association cites over 13,000 infants were born with the affliction across the country in 2009. Babies born with a dependency can suffer from nausea, vomiting, severe stomach cramps and diarrhea. The newborns may also experience issues eating and sleeping, and can even suffer from seizures. Shockingly, the AP reports that at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital about half of its neonatal unit’s 49 newborns are being treated for drug addiction…” Another issue that should result in indignation and outrage is a statement offered by concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee: “Another tragic sex-trafficking statistic is that 200,000 American Children are being used for sexual exploitation every year. Twelve is the average age of girls being forced into pornography and sexual slavery in the United States…”

For those who embrace a feigned naiveté and/or deeming such reports as being incredulous – thus excusing any involvement or action – the Word of God poignantly declares and asks in Proverbs 24:10-12, “If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say: But we knew nothing about this, does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?” Romans 1 and 2 could well be written about the events of our day and the times in which we live. In the midst of that important context are these words in Romans 2:8, “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” If you fail to stand for righteousness, you need to re-examine your core values. If you are one who condones what God condemns, you have made an unwise choice that will have a negative consequence. Consider these things with me.

ATROCITIES

From My Perspective - - -

Atrocity is a seldom used word. It has the meaning of acts that are marked by cruelty; that which is fierce or frightful; or deeds that are beyond reason and/or comprehension. The Online Etymology Dictionary adds an additional meaning: “of fiery or threatening appearance.” It is easy to employ the word to reference historical events such as The Holocaust or the ethnic cleansing that has and is occurring in various countries. At present, the possibility of Chemical weapons in the ongoing conflict in Syria would be considered a “red-line” in terms of what should constitute an atrocity.

Our Culture has allowed for a continuing atrocity for more that forty years. It is excused on the basis of a Woman’s Right to make a personal choice in terms of Aborting an unwanted pregnancy. Such behavioral choice has been legal and has resulted in more than fifty-four million abortions. There are many champions of Women’s Rights and Abortion Rights who use the talking point of the danger for women if Roe V. Wade was overturned. They further state that women would be forced into the back alleys for illegal abortions and run the risk of injury or death. However, the news of the day states: “Jurors will return Monday to deliberate on the charges that Philadelphia doctor Kermit Gosnell killed a patient and four babies that prosecutors allege were born alive. Gosnell, 72, ran the Women’s Medical Society clinic in West Philadelphia for 30 years until the FBI shut down the facility in a raid in 2010. Gosnell faces a third-degree murder charge in the death of a patient...He is also charged with four counts of first-degree murder for infants who were allegedly born alive and were killed by…severed spinal cords at Gosnell’s hands. Several clinic employees have pleaded guilty to murder charges.” Does this get our attention? Does this cause anyone to re-think the presence of Abortion in our Culture and Society? Isn’t this an Atrocity?

There are other atrocities that have received little notice. One has been in the considerable debate and discussion about ending the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, whereas very little attention is given to those who fought in those wars. CBS News and on 60 Minutes ran a segment entitled: “Succeeding As Civilians.” Some of the Script included the following:  “There are three million Americans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and they face a host of problems when they come home. It's not just unemployment, nearly half have a disability because of their service. Most tragically, more soldiers killed themselves last year than died at the hands of the enemy.More than 22 veterans kill themselves every day that's almost one an hour…” Our eyes pass over those numbers without any shock on our part – not even a gasp. Yet, this is an atrocity that is impacting hundreds of thousands – and – almost one per hour each day will commit suicide. Do we – can we understand this in terms of an Atrocity?

Sunday, May the 12^th, was Mother’s Day. It is interesting that many Ministers made reference to the godly and virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10-31. However, the words of wisdom of the King’s Mother are seldom referenced – Proverbs 31:1-9 (NKJV) – “…Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.It is not for kings…to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted…Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” What if we were committed to being defenders of the unborn and championed Adoption Rather Than Abortion – what potential would there be among those whose lives were spared and allowed to live? Could we not frame our discussion based upon and in light of Psalm 139:13-18 – “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.” Have you ever addressed an Atrocity or taken a stand to offer a moral value alternative or a Biblical standard? Consider these thinks with me.

COGITO ERGO SUM

From My Perspective - - -

Rene Descartes, a 17th Century Philosopher, expressed the concept “I Think, Therefore I Am” (cogito ergo sum). His rationale was: If I am able to think, therefore I must exist. It implies that anyone capable of any form of thought necessarily exists. Is this a true measure of rational, reasonable and meaningful thought? Is this approach predominantly subjective rather than objective? For the one doing the thinking, does it matter what is being thought and why it is being considered for validity? What about the person who doubts, does that one have an invalid basis of thought? When the Bible gives a guideline for meaningful and purposeful thought (Philippians 4:8-9),  “…whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice…” Would this be the acceptable criteria for valid thought?

In a column published on May 7, 2013 in Instant Analysis, Thomas Sowell writes: “Words That Replace Thought.” Some of what he states is: “If there is ever a contest for words that substitute for thought, ‘diversity’ should be recognized as the undisputed world champion. You don't need a speck of evidence, or a single step of logic, when you rhapsodize about the supposed benefits of diversity. The very idea of testing this wonderful, magical word against something as ugly as reality seems almost sordid…” His concern is expressed as: “The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the government has a ‘compelling interest’ in promoting diversity -- apparently more compelling than the 14th Amendment's requirement of ‘equal protection’ of the law for everybody…” He then goes on to ask a basic question that challenges the notion of the need and place for diversity: “How does a racially homogeneous country like Japan manage to have high quality education, without the essential ingredient of diversity, for which there is supposedly a "compelling" need? Conversely, why does India, one of the most diverse nations on Earth, have a record of intergroup intolerance and lethal violence today that is worse than that in the days of our Jim Crow South? Even to ask such questions is to provoke charges of unworthy tactics, and motives too low to be dignified with an answer. Not that the true believers in diversity could answer anyway….” Sowell goes on to expand his thinking about “thought” by stating that words as a runner-up to “diversity” one finds the use of “fair” and “affordable” as the progressive “thought” of our day.

Not everyone who speaks and/or gives an opinion is necessarily one who possesses valid thought. An old critique of one who is constantly speaking and opining is – “he/she keeps speaking until they can think of something to say.” This is easily observed in a wide-range of venues – from the classroom to politics; from the church pew to the theological seats of learning; from the writing of a note to the authorship of tome – words and thoughts and opinions are multiplied regardless of the validity of concepts or the benefit to those who are hearing or reading such verbiage.

The Bible shares a terse and meaningful statement in Proverbs 10:19 (NASB), “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” In The Message Paraphrase, Proverbs 10:19-21 reads: “The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words. The speech of a good person is worth waiting for; the blabber of the wicked is worthless.The talk of a good person is rich fare for many, but chatterboxes die of an empty heart.” Proverbs 17:27-28 (NIV) adds: “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” Proverbs 18:21 amplifies: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” From A Purely Christian Perspective, how should one think and speak? What should be a Christian Purpose and Mission in life? Isaiah 50:4-5 focuses on the servant’s obedience: “The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back…” Do you have an “instructed tongue”? Do your words “sustain the weary” (those who believe they are unwanted, unneeded, and unnecessary)? If not, why not? Consider these things with me.

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

From My Perspective - - -

It appears as though Political Correctness has infiltrated the consciousness and conscience of the “Church.” The “Church” has gradually succumbed to the pressures of the Culture to the point where it appears as though the Traditions and Forms of the Church are of greater value and importance than the Message and Practical Application of its belief system. The “Church” has become too concerned with the possibility of offending those who are more vocal about their alternative lifestyles and choices than they are about being offended by that behavior and vocalization of that which is contrary to Biblical values and standards.

This past week, an NBA Basketball player, Jason Collins, announced that he was Gay. As a result, following an ESPN Discussion on their Outside The Lines segment, the following occurred: “Chris Broussard, who covers the NBA for ESPN, had said on the air that Collins and others in the NBA who engage in premarital sex or adultery were walking in open rebellion to God, and to Jesus Christ. Broussard, a former reporter for The New York Times, spoke during ESPN's Outside the Lines program Monday discussing Collins' announcement…ESPN's Josh Krulewitz said the network regrets that a discussion of personal viewpoints became a distraction. The network offered its own view of Collins' news: ESPN is fully committed to diversity and welcomes Jason Collins' announcement…During his on-the-air discussion, Broussard described himself as a Christian. I don't agree with homosexuality…I think it's a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is…”

Another entry in this regard appeared in the Wall Street Journal Opinion Page. In his “Best Of The Web Today” column, James Taranto wrote: “One fascinating oddity of the contemporary multicultural left is that it is devoted to the assumption that no important differences between people, and especially groups of people, are genetically determined--with one exception. Such blank slate-ism is most notable in debates over intelligence and differences between the sexes, which are claimed to be entirely the product of nurture rather than nature… The exception is homosexuality, which we are supposed to believe is all in the genes. (Your sex is supposedly more malleable than the sex to which you are attracted!) The position that being gay is in the DNA is expedient, since it makes it harder to object to homosexuality on moral grounds… Collins has an identical twin, Jaron, who was "astounded" to discover that his brother had entered into the homosexual lifestyle. He, despite sharing Jason's identical DNA, is as straight as a laser beam. Identical twins share straits [sic!] that are genetically determined: height, skin color, eye color, hair color and so forth. If homosexuality is a genetically caused sexual preference, Jaron Collins should be as gay as his brother. He's not…”

However, our Culture is relentless in its pursuit of alternative lifestyles. As a result, it apologizes for the comments by a Chris Broussard, but we find very little umbrage taken with the Jason Collins announcement. The Culture gives wide support to that which should be offensive and repulsive – from the President of the United States to the performing arts, etc. A Weather Reporter on a daily TV Network announces that he is engaged to be married and also introduces the nation to his “husband” – and – his peers and associates are gleeful and applaud his announcement. No censor or apology for his comments. No sensitivity regarding any viewers who might be offended by his choice and announcement.

Jesus once said – “My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me…” (John 10). Jesus also stated: “Feed My sheep…Feed My lambs…” (John 21). However, Jesus never suggested that the lambs were to be silent in a culture that is corrupting and becoming more corrupt. Regrettably, leading evangelical leaders have been silent. This may have occurred because they’re concerned regarding their support base and membership numbers. The posture seems to be that the “Church” is allowed to condone that which God has condemned – and to do so with impunity. In December 2010, The Washington Post featured comments by The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire that the sin in Genesis 19 (Sodom and Gomorrah) was not Homosexuality but a lack of Hospitality. In Matthew 11, Jesus referenced the reality of Sodom and Gomorrah when He addressed the contemporary culture of His day and the blatant disregard of His miracles and His Word. Be a courageous lamb and represent The Shepherd in this declining and decadent culture. Consider these things with me.