Not so Happy Happy Happy....my thoughts on Phil Robertson

Although you may not know it, I am a huge Duck Dynasty fan. My family thinks that it is hysterical that I like this show so much.  Yet one of my favorite things to do to unwind after a day at work or a hard homework session is laugh and learn with the cast of Duck Dynasty.  Our family went to the set of the show over the summer vacation, and my little sister Olivia has worn her shirt that she purchased there into the ground.

So, it should not surprise you that A&E's decision to "suspend" Phil Robertson from their show due to his comments concerning homosexuality has gotten me pretty upset.  If you haven't heard about this so called controversy, let me explain.  Phil, the head of the Robertson family, was interviewed by GQ for their January 2014 issue.  In the interview, he touched on quite a bit of subjects.  He also offered some comments concerning the subject of homosexuality.  He had some graphic content, but basically condemned the practice of sexual relations with someone of the same gender.  He also made a point to show the slippery slope that sin can have, saying,

"Start with homosexual behavior, and just morph out from there.  Bestiality, sleeping with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."

The most resounding part of the article, however, was when he provided a thought from Corinthians:

     "Don't be deceived.  Neither the adulterers, the idolaters,
       the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy,
       the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers - they won't    
       inherit the kingdom of God.  Don't deceive yourself."

Let's really look at this paraphrased Bible verse.  This is not saying:

     "Don't be deceived.  Neither the adulterers, the idolaters,    
       the male prostitutes, ESPECIALLY the homosexual
       offenders...."

No - in fact, it's right up there with the drunkards! Christ wasn't singling anyone out in their sin.  SIN doesn't get into Heaven.  It doesn't matter what sin, it's not getting past the gates of Heaven.  So if you constantly lie, do not think you are any better than a person acting out on homosexual tendencies.  Without God's grace and contrition on your part, Heaven isn't going to be something for either of you to enjoy.

As I've stated before - Christians do not hate gays.  They don't enjoy seeing them hurt or abused, or living in sin when Christ offers freedom from sin and addictions in every shape or form.  The fact that Wilson Cruz, who is a spokesperson for GLAAD said the following proves that he knows nothing about true Christianity:

     "Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil's lies  
       about an entire community fly in the face of what
       true Christians believe."  

Christianity's statement on this issue - a belief that should not only be verbally provided but LIVED is that people do not go to hell because they are "gay" or "straight."  More importantly, having sexual feelings towards someone of the same gender isn't a sin.  But, acting out on those feelings with full knowledge of the weight of that sin is a mortal sin.  (BTW, so is having sexual feelings towards someone of the opposite gender and then acting out on those feelings outside of marriage with full knowledge of the mortal sin effect.)

People struggle.  Everyone has their cross. Mine is my temper and quick snarky remarks.  Do you think that's going to be welcome in Heaven?  Nope.  Although Saint Jerome could sure have at it. So if people struggle with homosexual tendencies,

The Catechism does a beautiful job of explaining the Church's stance on the subject of homosexuality:

     "The number of men and women who have deep seated
       homosexual tendencies is not negligible.  This inclination,
       which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them
       a trial.  They must be accepted with respect, compassion,
       and sensitivity....homosexual persons are called to
       chastity."

Translation?  There most definitely are people who struggle with homosexual tendencies.  And their struggle isn't fake, so it should be treated with respect and love.  As children of God they should be accepted into a community with love (NOT their sin, THE PERSON.)  More over, they are called to chastity

Yet not just homosexual people are called to chastity.  All of God's children are called to chastity.  

So, in regards to Phil Robertson's comments and consequent hiatus from the show, I think his comments couldn't have come at a better time.  I'll close by sharing my Dad's thoughts on the subject:

"John the Baptist was a manly man out in the wilderness preaching repent and come to God...as does Phil.

John the Baptist made people be curious about the message...as does Phil.

John the Baptist told Herod the truth about his sinfulness...as does Phil.

John the Baptist paid with his head...Phil was suspended from the show.

Jesus gives me my hope..Phil is just one example of Godly men standing in the breach of the city wall with evil attempting to come into the city.  God is calling all of us to stand in the breach.  Is your faith making people uncomfortable? Every pastor and priest needs to be standing in the breach and preaching the truth...whatever that may cost."

God bless!

Chloe M. 

These Boots Were Made For                       Holiness

  What Wearing One Pair of Shoes for 3 Weeks Taught Me. 


So, I'm on a glorious 38 day break from college classes and I have an enormous amount of time on my hand.  What better time to write a blog!  (Since it has been over a month since a new post appeared on this poor, neglected page!)

Three weeks ago, in Bible Study, my youth group decided to pick three things to work on to grow closer to God until we met again for the next study.  After much deliberation, and, let's be honest, a lot of goofing around, we finalized our three:

1) Eat only bread for lunch of Fridays

2) One random act of kindness during the three week time period.

3) Pray for 30 minutes a day.

After deliberation after Bible Study, the guys jokingly suggested that the girls should only wear one pair of shoes for the entire time.  This came up after they pointed out that some of us, (yours truly), had over 50 pairs of shoes. The guys said they would take cold showers for the 3 weeks if the girls wore one pair of shoes.  Who could say  no to that kind of offer!  So, I committed to one pair of shoes, my boots, for the 3 weeks.

I didn't know it would be this hard, to be honest.  There have been many days during this time that I have gotten mad that I couldn't wear what I wanted to for work since it didn't really look that great with boots.  Shallow, right?  After a week of trying to stifle thoughts of cussing in my head at the youth group boys who suggested this challenge,  I realized that the opportunity for grace and growing closer to God was passing me by.

So, every time I was frustrated with that pair of boots, instead of getting angry,  I got my prayer on.  During a parish mission, a priest had told us a story from St. Therese of Lisieux's life.  She once said that she would "prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifices to all ecstasies.  To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul."  If simply picking up a dropped pin can save souls, what could one pair of boots do? 

The lesson learned from these three weeks is perfect in it's simplicity: Even the littlest things can bring your closer to God.  You can offer up anything to the Lord and He can perfect it in His amazing way - transforming your small gift into graces for others.

May your Christmas season be full of the blessings of the Lord and your New Year bring with it opportunities to grow closer to Our Lord!

God bless,

Chloe M.