Comments on: Multiple pathways to sexual orientation, Part 2

By: PianoManKugie

PianoManKugie — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:05:31 +0000

DT, Thank you.

By: Debbie Thurman

Debbie Thurman — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:46:41 +0000

I love the discussion but no one is going to change anyone’s mind. Only God can do that.

Quite right. But maybe … just maybe … someone listening in “with ears to hear” will be encouraged to take the next step that will open them to God’s intervention, whatever course that takes. That’s the hope that keeps us discussing.
Somebody somewhere is praying.

By: PianoManKugie

PianoManKugie — Tue, 05 May 2009 03:58:19 +0000

It is what it is. There are many ways of dealing with it. There are many things that go along with it sometimes and other times not. Some live according to it. Some acknowledge it in their mind and spirit but deny it in their flesh. Some accept it but don’t live according to it; others accept it and do live according to it; others don’t accept it and are at war with it. Let each one be convinced in their own mind. God will judge when the time comes. In the meantime, lets all practice that love/peace/joy/patience/kindness etc. What the words mean “and such were some of you” is up to each person to determine how plain or not plain that is, and what the “were” is referring to. I love the discussion but no one is going to change anyone’s mind. Only God can do that.

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:24:09 +0000

The point I was making is that truth is knowable to the extent that we are “abiding” in Christ or that his will is our will.

Debbie Thurman
With all the moral dilemmas we can face in any given period of time, it is a blessing to have the basic knowledge of what is right and wrong. I do not believe this can be achieved through human thoughts and desires, no matter how we try to rationalize them. To align our will with the will of God, and in my belief, through Jesus and what He taught, is a very good way to know the difference. To trust that belief is a process that is ongoing and often difficult but ultimately is liberating in all ways.

By: Debbie Thurman

Debbie Thurman — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:59:41 +0000

Agreed. I have enough trouble keeping my own fruit growing.

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:21:50 +0000

Yes indeed.
But we need to remind ourselves (or I do, anyway) that if I’m spending too much time as a fruit inspecter, looking for imperfections and flaws in the fruit of others, that my own fruit can get bitter and nasty.

By: Debbie Thurman

Debbie Thurman — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:06:09 +0000

Timothy, while this thread may have gone a little far afield in hairsplitting over “quid est veritas?” I do believe the discussion on truth is relevant to Warren’s post. For the record, I also believe there are multiple pathways to same-sex orientation. As for truth, we all see through the glass clearly on some days and not so clearly on others. I wasn’t implying that you cannot discern truth. In fact, I really didn’t disagree with you an anything you said. The point I was making is that truth is knowable to the extent that we are “abiding” in Christ or that his will is our will. We can’t know if that is the case for anyone but ourselves. We can only observe the spiritual “fruit” in one another’s lives.

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:36:55 +0000

Timothy, at Warren’s request, we need to get this back on topic. Sorry. Just because a rabbit runs by doesn’t mean we have to go chasing it.

Meh. Whatever.
The topic of the thread was that there may well be multiple paths to orientation and that we are all blinded by our own experiences and how we extrapolate them to the world around us. You countered in support of an “absolute truth” that is known by those who read the bible and have received the Holy Spirit. You then insinuated that because I disagree with you that I don’t fit into the second half of your criteria.
Now you think it best not to clarify that assertion. I don’t blame you; I wouldn’t want to go there either.

By: Debbie Thurman

Debbie Thurman — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:53:36 +0000

Ann, your grace humbles me. I can’t be the kind of teacher Christ was. He knew precisely how to get through, although he did realize not all would receive the message. I can only pray and hope for the Spirit to translate my frail words for another’s ears. The very same pastor I referenced above also once told me that he was amazed at the feedback he sometimes received after preaching. He thought he’d said one thing, but the Holy Spirit had taken a different message to someone’s heart. I like that. He knows what we need.

By: Debbie Thurman

Debbie Thurman — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:47:36 +0000

Thanks, Mary. I suppose I could have made it more clear. It’s that doggone elephant. Yes, PianoMan made a very good observation about perspective. I remember a former pastor who was an excellent counselor had a large sign with the word PERSPECTIVE over his office door. Smart.