Coming to Peace with Amy Grant Even If I Disagree with Her

This is almost like a gift. Years back, we had tickets to see Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith in concert, and then my father was scheduled for emergency heart surgery the same day. Out of state. We gave the tickets to some friends. I flew out to see him, and we moved on. I haven't had a chance to see her again.

Even longer ago, when Amy came through town on the House of Love tour, we had great seats! Gary Chapman opened for his wife and was quite good But I waited for the title song. The hit song with now husband Vince Gill is still one of my favorites- and truth be told, when the Building the House of Love video came out on A&M Records, my wife and I could easily recognize the spark and chemistry between she and Vince. Little did we know what was going on. 

Amy is no stranger to controversy. Now, her affirmation and support of her niece's wedding to another woman is just somewhere that I can't go. We've had many family members whom we love deeply who are gay- but for the life of us, we cannot find references or a consistent support in the Bible for same sex relationships. Our lives belong to Jesus Christ, and if we're going to carry his name, we've got to be 100% willing to die to everything that God's word says is unholy. Everything. 

I was more than disappointed in Amy. I was angry. Very angry. 

Some say she's abandoned her faith, others say she never had it. I say Amy is still growing in it, and like many of us, have chosen to believe things that are not true- or worse, failed to align their beliefs with what God deems clean and pure. But let me state clearly- she is wrong in this approval of those living the LGBTQ lifestyle and professing Jesus. To support what God deems evil is wrong. There is deception going on here. The truth is always loving. The presentation of it must be loving as well.

We're all broken. We're all imperfect. Even if you side with Amy on this issue, look deep within and admit there's still a lot of work left to be done in you. If you disagree with her on this issue, remember you like I am not perfect. There's still work to be done, and if God's spirit is in us, we must choose to disagree peacefully and civilly. That attitude reflects God's heart to a world that needs to know Him. Not pride and ego, arguing and fighting. We all - believer in Jesus Christ or not- can come to God imperfect and broken, but we must yield to Him and His ways to continue to show Him that he is loved. Sermon over. 

Pray for Amy to come to the truth in humility and to be willing to stand up for it- lovingly, kindly, but bravely. Many will fall away from Jesus. The Word tells us that. Is this the beginning of Amy's total move away from the Lord? I hope not.

It's still hard for me to listen to her now- sadly, even her Christmas albums- which I love.

Now... here's a great concert where Amy performs hits both secular and sacred, and she tells many stories along the way. Human stories that reveal brokenness in her own family and God's enduring faithfulness. 

Thanks to 7th Stone Media for publishing this concert for 2023:

Pride, Sexuality, and the Gospel of Jesus

Gay, Straight or something else on the spectrum? Atheist, Agnostic, or Adherent to a particular faith, or adherence to none. Dr. Christopher Yuan writes a mesmerizing book that successfully addresses the idea of healthy, holy sexuality. Reading it will help the LGBTQ+ reader understand the perspective of those who don't understand them and visa versa, people of faith and people of no faith. It's a book that addresses the Bible, Christianity, Pride, Brokenness, and who can follow the call of Jesus Christ. It was an eye-opening journey which brought many questions to light and made me consider what it meant to look at complex issues from multiple sides of the equation. Read it if you want your world view stretched.

Baymax! Cancelled

One of my favorite Disney characters, the very kid friendly Baymax from Big Hero 6, is a tool... a tool of The Walt Disney Company which feels it now has to insert political and sexual agenda into their product. As I've said numerous times before, I think parents have the right and responsibility to educate their kids on sexuality. And I do not want Disney, Marvel, or anyone else doing that job. 

This new series Baymax! (exclamation point to indicate excitement) had me excited- that is, until I watched the episodes. This PG rated series discusses menstruation and same sex coupling with a dash of transgender inclusion (wink, wink). This is only season one. These are not PG issues. These are at least PG-13 issues and should be labeled and dealt with as such. Ugh!

Parents and grandparents, you are making a big mistake by letting those little minds watch Disney+ without supervision. By doing so, you are not giving the chance for these little ones to ask questions that need to be talked about in a safe environment from the family they trust. Disney's lack of labeling on content shows they no longer care about what parents want. Innocence is lost quick enough. At least show some respect. Bob Chapek, you and your board better wake up.

I'm cancelling Baymax! and Disney+ is on the way out as well. I've had enough.

Luca- A Straightforward Tale of Friendship

A charming tale of the power of friendship- pure and simple bliss from Disney/Pixar as if it were developed during the days of Toy Story. There's no hidden agenda, and no language or characters that would make the most sensitive of parents question whether a preschooler could watch it. There is nothing in Luca even remotely offensive, so relax and enjoy a film meant to put a smile on your face. 

The growing friendship between main character Luca and Alberto is as innocent as the summer season the film portrays. When they meet new friend Giulia, the trio is complete, and the story becomes all the more richer. In a nice twist, our hero has both parents, and neither are remotely close to being repressive or anything but emotionally healthy.

Contrary to what you may have have heard about it being a tale of LGBTQ sensibilities with a growing male to male romance, you have to be actively reading into the story and the main friendships to go that direction. In fact, in an interview with Luca director Enrico Casarosa by Yahoo! Entertainment, he emphatically states, "... it truly goes without saying that we really willfully went for a prepubescent story … this is all about platonic friendships.” 

The landscapes of the town strongly echo the gorgeous region of Cinque Terra, Italy, and the colors of the village, sky, and water, are a feast for the eyes. The whole movie is delightful- It's a breath of fresh air and makes me hopeful for more films like this from the powerhouse in family entertainment. Movies that exist just to entertain without an agenda. Well done, Pixar! Well done!

The Rainbow Promise

Ah, the rainbow! What a wonderful reminder that we are all worthy or love and respect as we are created in God's image. But did you know the rainbow represents a promise? It's the very sign set in the sky by Him to remind men, women, and children, that He will no longer destroy the earth by flooding it. The book of Genesis, chapter 9 tells us all about it. Not only are rainbows beautiful, they bring hope! And God brings new life to us through Jesus Christ. All of us have sinned and fall short of what God intended, but He alone paid the price. It's time to turn toward Him and regain what God intended, isn't it?

Sexualization of Children Needs to Stop

It's time for some common sense. The ongoing sexualization of children needs to stop, but unfortunately some artists are using creative freedom to target children. The latest of Billboard magazine's lead articles this Tuesday feature Nina West (of RuPaul's Drag Race) and her desire to create the "Drag Alphabet". 

In an interview with the artist, Nina shares, "I have wanted to build a really solid foundation of a relationship in children's spaces for drag, and for drag entertainment to enter those spaces," she says. "So what a better way to revisit this idea and this topic than to start with the alphabet?" 

Let's be honest: Parenting is a way in which adults use their time with their own children to impart values near and dear to them. Issues relating to sexuality and expression of it should be handled by the parents of children, not the media, and certainly not the government. However, media giants under the guise of artistic freedom have decided to break those boundaries. Disney has done it before with the live action Beauty and the Beast, Pixar is now doing it with Onward, and it's only the beginning. Anyone in the industry can tell you their ranks include those who prey on children and young teens. Where is the line drawn?

This is not just an inclusive reflection of our society. For those so inclined, this type of media is also a form of grooming- preparing children to be sexualized and used by adults for their own gratification. 

If the #MeToo movement has taught us anything, it's taught us that it's time to stop allowing this madness to continue.

This ongoing assault against children needs to stop. The producers of this garbage are leaving us no choice but to make hard decisions.  Who will lead the way?

Chick-Fil-A's Decision is Bad for All of Us

Chick-Fil-A's decision to back away from supporting ministries that stand behind traditional marriage is a loss for all of us: straight, gay, and anywhere in between. Why? Each individual and each organization- be it business or non-profit- has the right to choose where their money goes and should be able to respectfully stand by and explain their choices. Without threats and with out bullying from those who disagree. 

Succumbing to pressure, Chik-Fil-A showed a fear of man by backing down on their support of the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, two groups that do tremendously great work in the community for decades. Unfortunately, they did not show a fear of man toward their loyal customers who support their business and their beliefs.

More troublesome is this: The company's decision supports and even encourages an ongoing erosion of American freedom of speech and truly free enterprise. That is something all of us should be wary of whatever our beliefs and lifestyle choices.