I want to be a minister. Well, more technically, I want to be a minister with the intention of doing pastoral care. I wouldn't mind preaching, but I have a different calling. I feel strongly about my faith. Actually it has really been strengthened the last few years. It is pretty awesome.
There are a lot of things I don't know. Particulars - stories, verses, who wrote what book, etc. But there are a lot of larger things that I don't know. Does the devil exist...like actual flesh/spirit devil? What about hell? Where exactly is heaven? Why didn't Jesus marry someone? (Or did he, and we just don't know about it?) These aren't things that trouble me. I really think I will come closer to figuring them out as I continue on my journey of faith.
I'm not the stereotypical Christian. I believe people of other faiths, or no faith, have the opportunity to go to heaven. I believe that God loves all of us....like, every single person that has ever lived or will live. Yes, even Hitler...and I believe that God does not approve of what we do, but loves us because we are God's children. I believe God does not have a gender. I believe that homosexuality, transgenderism, bisexuality are all genetics and that God made folk that way. I believe that God forgives, and that God understands who we are and why we do what we do. I believe that everyone is welcome to communion, although I think it is only meaningful to people who believe in Jesus. I believe that we as people of God are called to help others and, by doing so, show God's love. I also believe that there are plenty other people out there who also show great grace as they help others and are not believers in God. Non-believers are also good people.
I recently saw a clip from a sermon during which the pastor was very hateful against the idea of homosexuality. He said that, if your son is acting in a feminine manner, you should hit him. Similarly you should force your daughters to dress and act feminine. Honestly, the whole thing was a big load of bullshit. The pastor preached hate. The congregation agreed and *laughed* as he preached, apparently agreeing with his statements. It made me sick to my stomach.
I don't hate this man for his beliefs. I don't approve, I honestly think he is a bigot, but I don't hate him. And God loves this man, despite his beliefs. But out of all the things I know for certain, I know that God is looking at this man wondering what in the heck he is thinking.
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