So that is what I read today:

The Transgender Person In The Stall Next To You

God, You know I want to follow/espouse/hold-to the truth, but that blog post has me admittedly wondering about my/our (most Christians) position. I’ve grabbed a list of verses for reference:

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous[a] will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,[b] 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Footnotes:

• [a] Or wrongdoers
• [b] The two Greek terms translated by this phrase refer to the passive and active partners in consensual homosexual acts

Romans 1:26-28

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Mark 10:6-9

6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,[a] 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Footnotes:

• [a] Some manuscripts omit and hold fast to his wife

1 Timothy 1:10-11

10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,[a] liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound[b] doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Footnotes:

• [a] That is, those who take someone captive in order to sell him into slavery
• [b] Or healthy

Leviticus 20:13

13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

Leviticus 18:22

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

Genesis 19:1-5

God Rescues Lot
19 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” 3 But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.”

So yes, you have made it clear that homosexual acts are wrong. But how do I reconcile the ‘intersex’ people, those who are born w/ both male/female parts?  How should they identify? Who chooses? it’s all so confusing. Lord, I pray that You will enlighten me to the truth, that you will open my eyes, and Lord, I pray that You will use me to bring/demonstrate truth. Lord, I love you so much!

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, * 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom * and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. * 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

My prayer for my kiddos ^.  “asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God” — I do pray that for them Lord, and I pray that I would be the primary source of encouragement and learning for them.

Lord, thank You for Your bountiful grace and how beautiful it is in NC right now. This is the time of year that I absolutely love living here.

Lord, I pray You’ll give me wisdom wth my freelancing opportunities and that I will be able to balance them with my Zao responsibilities.

Mane Lord, I pray You I’ll rain blessings on Zao, because Justin and I are so committed to doing business the right way. I pray You’ll make me an invaluable asset there. You brought his opportunity for a purpose and You put the seedlings of an idea in my head years ago. Lord, I beg You to make Your purpose for me known in this venture!

I love You!

Galatians

Lord, it’s another stressful morning for me. I don’t regret leaving WDS, but I do want more peace about being on my own, freelancing. I could have guessed that I would not be good at certain aspects of freelancing.. it’s clear that many have tried and failed or given up at it, so it’s ok that I don’t super-love it. But Lord, I pray that You’ll grant me favor in the eyes of those seeking my help. That they would see my deficiencies and want me to work with them anyway. Lord, i pray that You’ll give me wisdom to do the right thing, the next right step. I pray that You would keep me from  burning bridges, and that I wouldn’t get lost down the code hole, and neglect to keep the business coming in. Lord, I just pray for your supernatural wisdom and guidance! I love you so much!

Lord, thank You for Paul’s words in Galatians, a strong reminder that we do not live under the law. I also thank you for his continual call to empathy, and Lord, thank You so much for the empathy that You have given me. I think that my struggle with sexual addiction may have been the biggest reason for the empathy, and its purpose in my life is not lost on me. Thank you for weaving a beautiful tapestry out of my life!

I love you.

Tags: freelance, work

2 Cor. 10-13

Paul mayst have felt weary writing 2 Corinthians as he was reeling from the pain of betrayal. It is amazing to think of all that Paul did and to see that there were still many who doubted/undermined him. Lord, I pray that You would help me to ever undermine Your servants. That You would help me to supplement and encourage them.

Lord, I also pray with concern right now as I struggle with the tipping scale of depression. I’m having a super hard time being motivated, and feeling like the future is bright. Lord, I know some of that is a result of my struggles with procrastination and doing the next hard thing. Please help me! Please!

2 Cor. 6-9

8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” * 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity * in you.

Paul said You would generously provide for all our needs, and you have not disappointed! We’re so thankful for the abundant gifts you’ve given us, especially through our friends Jenny and Wyatt. It’s such a huge blessing to have them, and Lord I pray that You will shower blessings on them for their generosity!

Lord, I pray You’ll give me a productive week, and help me to get some productive work done, and not just busy work. Lord, thank for all the potential work leads, and I pray You’ll give me wisdom to sort them out!

Lord, I also pray for Meagan, that she would see Your shower of blessings on us, and for Mia, that she would be encouraged and excited to finish out her school year.

Thank You for all You do!

1 Cor. 15-16

Lord, here we are again. :) I love you for all the things you do for me, and Lord, thank you soooo much for the peace You have given me the last 2 days. Thank you for awesome friends like Jenny who will drop by with coffee/breakfast to try and make us feel better. You truly do love and care for us, and know exactly what we need. I just thank You so much for Your tender care.

Lord, I also pray that You’ll bless my work this week, and the things I do to try and get work. Please cover my blog post about not working at WDS in grace and favor, and that alone will garner work leads. Thank you for the leads You have given me already.

I love you so much!

I’m still feeling panicked and pressured. Lord, I have been completely neglecting my relationship with You and reading Your Word. You know my heart and mind and You know how close I am to the edge of depression. Lord, please help me to climb back out. Strengthen me, fortify me, and wrap me in Your arms of love. Grant me peace and wisdom. Lord, I know quitting my job was a step of faith, so I pray that You’ll honor that faith by providing for our family. I pray You’ll give me the strength I need to push through and keep doing the next right thing.

Please help me as I’m working through this proposal for Zao. I’m struggling with it… Mainly the idea of it. And I pray You’ll help me to own it and to win the contract with the client.

I love You. Right now I need to fall back into Your arms and let You catch me.