Barneyisfat

People are so beautiful. We are all such sinful, beautiful people.

- The boy who witnessed to a girl he had been sleeping with.
- The gay guy who explained why homosexuality was a sin to his boyfriend.
- The boy who wouldn't run for class office because he still masturbated and wanted to remove all the sin from his life first.
- The girl who wants to be a missionary, but always purges after eating.
- The old woman who joined church prayer lists to gossip.
- The woman who left a church she loved to appease her abusive husband's neo-conservatism.
- The boy who molested a little girl.
- The boy who always calls me out on swearing and pats himself on the back for not judging.
- The boy who focuses all of his energy on not sinning.
- The 85% of TFC students who look at porn.
- The girl who slept with a married man.
- The boy who will do anything to be a bad-ass.
- The worship leader who is sleeping with his girlfriend.
- The RA's who go out drinking.
- The girl who always condemns people for their downfalls.
- The mother who neglects her daughter.
- The father who hates his gay son.
- The girl who cuts herself ... every day.


These are (a sampling of) my friends. I love them. Some people feel that my theology is too radical. Some are afraid to talk to "the liberal." I see a whole world full of hurting people - people who haven't been touched by the americanized, conservative, political, or law-filled gospel. I know a lot of people who feel that there are rules (extra-biblical rules) that Christians have to follow. They can't cuss, drink, smoke, or be liberal. Too many Christians believe in a lilly-white Jesus who spoke softly and supports George Bush and Karl Rove in politics (no exceptions.)

I believe that if Jesus was here today - he would be in bars, gay bars, comedy houses, coffee shops, Wal-marts, and other "houses of ill-repute." Jesus wouldn't give a damn what the religious leaders thought (he didn't then ... why would he now?) I can't shake this feeling that Jesus would be so much more radical than we give him credit for.

I'm re-committing myself to loving when it's difficult. People are going to spread a lot of rumors about me. A lot of people will (continue to) refuse to even make eye contact with me. Some people will believe that I'm going to Hell. I don't care what they think. I'm going to keep telling people about God, His Grace, His Freedom, and my Life Change. My story is nothing special - but I've got this crazy notion that God will use it to change lives.

I'm going to apply for the youth ministry position. Maybe not until January, but I feel I have enough confirmation and that this Gospel that God has given me to share is bigger than my personal shortcomings. Praise God.