By now most have heard about the decision handed down on Friday by the supreme court in support of homosexual marriage,thus immediately prompting most to pick a side so to speak,either for or against.I can only imagine the emails being forwarded right now,most including that old reliable chant,you know the one “it’s not about taking sides,it’s about love” and for those saying that you are right.Love so deep & true it brought our Savior Jesus Christ from a Heavenly home to a corrupt sinful world in order to save us all.Love so deep & true He endured the brutality of Calvary.Love so deep & true 3 days later He arose for me & you.Love so deep & true it gives us the opportunity to choose & worship the only Risen Savior Jesus Christ.However when we choose God we must make good choices,we must choose obedience,obedience to God.Obedience that He has made clear & achievable with carefully laid out instructions word by word,it’s called the Holy Bible.God’s infinite wisdom provides answers for everything & anything we may encounter in life,including,here it comes,the taking of sides, remember making a choice,obedience,it’s really all the same,see Luke 12:30″ Whoever is not with me is against me,and whoever does not gather with me scatters“ another words, choose a side,make a decision,seek to be obedient,three decision’s that will lead to a Heavenly Kingdom or eternal damnation.So now we see how God has explained the two, it’s up to us how we put them together, love & choice’s one deciding how we handle the other,either for God or against God,uh oh there’s that picking sides thing again.When we make the decision to live a sinful life style it is impossible to serve God while doing so,whether the sin be bumping a line on a mirror or participating in homosexual lifestyle,the sin is separating us from God.If our desire is not constantly focused on being in the center of God’s will,the desires of this world will take over whether it be idolatry,adultery and yes homosexuality.If we are constantly choosing the ways of this world rather than seeking a relationship with God He will turn us over to a reprobate mind Romans 1:28.This leads me to the decision by man to accept homosexuality as being ok when God’s word is plain & simple,homosexuality is a sin. The Bible teaches against any sexual relations except between husband & wife (man & woman) these listed scripture are just a few of many that teach us,homoseuality is a sin.Genesis 19:1-13,Leviticus 18:22; 20:13,Romans 1:26-27,again just a few of many listed through-out the Bible. Let’s remember Jesus Himself in Matthew 19:4-6 spoke of marriage,notice how Christ clearly defines marriage as being between male and female..Jesus also in Mark 7:20-23 condemn’s all forms of sexual immorality.Identified through God’d Holy word homosexuality is a sin.With that said let’s take on the “I was born this way, phrase” with that I say God doesn’t make mistakes.Know this,God does not and would not create us in a way He knows would take us further from Him rather than drawing us closer, and that my friends is what sin does,take us further from God, separating us from our Saviour.We must fight off any sinful desires realizing our strength & victory is through Jesus Christ. So we’er back to the choices and what side we stand on,it’s not Christ-like to say “if that’s who they are it’s ok with me”, or to say “just keep them away from me”the love we are commanded to have (Mark 12:32)says otherwise, we as Christians should care enough to speak up when we see someone living a life that leads to eternal hell.The time is now for us as disciples to correct & rebuke (2 Timothy 4:2)refuse to be silent make a choice to pick a side, either you will scatter or gather,IT IS A CHOICE!The love of Christ allows us to speak up in order to prayerfully show others not only the side we as Christians choose,but why we’ve chosen the side of God.As disciples of Christ, we are to be teaching,supporting & encouraging everyone that we come in contact with to choose the right side,to make the correct eternal choice,Heaven.We as Christians are at a major turning point as to how we are going to serve God,we can’t hide from it,we cannot sit quietly as others around us make the wrong choices,while resting on the old saying “that’s their problem”.I along with this ministry will continue choosing to deliver the message of Jesus Christ even when it’s not with the approval of today’s society.I must say when the verdict came down in support of homosexual marriage It was sad to see so many celebrating man’s victory while not realizing the Spiritual loss.In closing think about this; Fighting off the sins of this world is a everyday battle,a battle that can only be won when we have the armor of God on.For many people they have not realized His armor is a”one size fits all” or maybe they don’t know how to put it on.It’s up to those of us blessed enough to already be fitted, safe & sound in His armor, to show others where the rack is and if need be how to put it on,all while praying they allow Christ to keep it a snug fit.I’ve had those people in my life,those who were in constant prayer for me,praying that I too would make the “right choice”putting on the armor of God,I’m sure you have too.As we continue in prayer,remember God’s Grace is more than sufficient to save anyone.I know it for a fact,He saved me and that my friends is God’s mercy.All that I am is by His Grace and to His Glory.

Anyone wishing to comment can do so here on our website or reach us by email info@Crossmembersmensministry.com

in Christ

Keith

Before we get started, allow me to state that this ministry does not up up-hold nor condone homosexuality just as we as do not condone any other sin or anything that goes against God’s word & teachings.Now,let’s keep in mind, it’s more about the opportunity to teach God’s word while preaching His message, especially to those who may be lost & still alive ,than it is about conducting a funeral.

The following thoughts are in reference to an article forwarded to our ministry today,while asking for a response.A response to a politically correct world & the need people have to be socially accepted. Please keep in mind we are a Christian ministry seeking to grow the Heavenly Kingdom while serving Jesus Christ with a Biblical foundation. The article we received was in reference to a recently deceased gay woman’s family being told no after they had requested to have her funeral in a local Church.While not knowing all circumstances around the churches decision to say no to allowing the funeral but still feeling lead to write a response I thought it best to do what always works before doing anything,pray. While writing this I couldn’t help but think of how typical this very issue is of today. We live in a politically correct world,were if you’re not in the agreement that if everyone is happy all is well then you’re the one shoveling dirt in the wrong hole. We’ll.with that said our response will not be politically motivated nor will it be politically correct(never is) but what it will be is in line with Christian values while not denying obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As always any comments,thoughts or concerns can be forwarded here on our website or via email.

So after much prayer our thoughts are as follows;

If the Church were going to allow such a funeral to take place there would have to be some parameters in place.Things like ,the family would have to agree that the funeral would be conducted by a Christian preacher(remember,there is no possible way to be homosexual and Christian,the two do not go together “Leviticus 18:22″) with the same Christian Preacher to handle the preparing of all content and the speaking(all through the teachings of Christ). Next,it would have to be clear with all in agreement that any kind of non-Christian materials,be it literature,pictures or video would not be allowed neither at the church nor the place of burial,this would also include any material about the deceased’s life,this would  include anything which does not encourage Christian values. There would have to be total understanding of the respect to be shown while in God’s house, including words and or actions.If  all these things were discussed understood and accepted I believe the next thing I would have to ask myself as a disciple of Christ shouldn’t I seek to not miss any opportunity,especially a Divine appointed one,we never can tell when that is(so embrace every chance).I believe we have to ask ourselves,what if that one homosexual or adulterer(or any lost sinner for that matter) while attending this funeral (being conducted by a Christian preacher) was placed under tremendous conviction and what if that same person while hearing God’s word began feeling this pull on their heart and felt the Holy Spirit touch them then this same lost person ask for forgiveness to be washed “by the Atoning Blood of Christ” then being turned from the sinful life they had known. The Bible tells us “All of Heaven rejoices over one”, Then on the flip side what if that opportunity wasn’t taken,what if that same one person was missed? Wow,makes ya think. For myself I will not miss a chance to tell someone about Jesus.

I have to note that even though the funeral were to be preached by a Christian Pastor no amount of preaching could preach this person(homosexual) or any other sinner that is lost at their time of death into Heaven,we all know it doesn’t work that way. With that in mind let’s remember a funeral is for many things,a time to reflect,a time to grieve,a time to say good-bye,a time to hear of God’s saving Grace while telling those in attendance of  Christian obedience but couldn’t the same funeral be used as a setting in order to tell those in attendance what’s needed to push away the sins of this world,while living. With that said,why wouldn’t we take every opportunity God gives to reach the ones that still have a chance, to ask for forgiveness,to make the right decision so that they too may know the eternal Salvation that only comes through Jesus Christ.I keep in my mind going back to Christ’ Great Commission and how as Christians we shouldn’t be so concerned with picking & choosing of who we share the message with that we forget the reason for the message or most of all the example of He who brought the message.Here it is; sin is sin,from lieing to stealing from adultery to homosexuality it all does the same thing separates us from God. Knowing that we can not with a clear heart run from the issues be them politically correct and or socially accepted. We as disciples of Christ must speak up when and where ever God provides the opportunity without fear,for myself I will not run from issues but walk to them in the light of Christ.Remember,God provides the doors to walk through,the message to share once inside and the strength & love to move it forward,never shut that door. Tell someone today about Jesus. So how do we respond to the article,the same way we reference a political world with the only text that is 100% infallible, The Holy Bible.Follow His teachings.

In Christ

Keith

With all this ministry has been through in the past several months it would have been real easy for us to kinda ease up but instead we got knee deep in prayer and continued on staying the course following the plan that Christ has in place. I would like to say thanks to all who have continued to encourage, support and most of all pray. We are truly blessed to have many of these prayer warriors God has on the front lines involved with this ministry. With that we encourage all to forward what ever prayer request you may have whether it be finical, physical, emotional or whatever God has the answer. All prayer request are forwarded immediately through our prayer chain. Once again thank you and we look forward to the upcoming year as we spread the wonderful news of Jesus Christ and the assurance of “He is on tha throne”!

In Christ

Keith