Spirituality

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.