I pray you are affected by this as much as I have been. Please visit their site and read about this amazing work they are doing.

And, maybe it is time we all stood at the wall more for others.

God bless…

I was blown away yesterday by something I heard that made me instantly cry. Cry for joy, cry for how unbelievable it was, and cry over my own convictions. Many of you know that Habitat for Hope maintains 2 apartments in downtown Memphis, TN. These apartments are given free of charge to families of children receiving medical treatment in Memphis.

One of our families was moving out this past week and I went down to say goodbye, pray with them and help send them on their way. The dad asked me if I had met the neighbors before. I had seen them, waved, but have never met them. The dad told me that a mother and daughter that lived in the apartment next door. The mom is 94 and the daughter is 72. The dad said that one day he was locked out of his apartment (the doors automatically lock) and he went over to ask to use their phone. As they started talking the daughter mentioned how her mother will go over the wall between the two apartments, put her hand on the wall, and pray for the for the family and sick child next door. And pray for over an hour every night.

We have had these apartments for 5 years and she has done this faithfully every day for years! Picture in your mind…a frail elderly lady taking the time every night to pray for your sick child and family…without you ever event knowing about it.

James 5:15 15 “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.”

I want to point out that I will not condone nor allow disrespectful dialog on this blog, my Facebook page, or any other forum. Regardless of your opinion (agreement with me, or disagreement) your comments will be deleted if they do not respect others.

So, here we go.

Item 1: Not believing in ‘gay marriage’ or that people are created homosexual means you are judgmental.

This is possibly the most frustrating element of this issue for me. The fact that I believe gay marriage is not in the best interest of society does not make me hateful or judgmental; nor does not believing that humans are created ‘homosexual’ or ‘gay’.

My personal take on this is that society has evolved over time and people no longer understand love and purpose. Society no longer acknowledges our purpose as the human creation to glorify our creator. Rather society places our purpose at the mercy of our individual emotions and desires. There is no longer a commitment to the good of the whole. People are left to simply do what they want, whether it hurts others or not. Granted there are some limits to this such as murder…yet even that is subjective as a woman can choose to kill a child if she desires.

The love element is also important. No I do not believe that ‘gay marriage’ or relationships are solely based on lust rather than love. I do believe however that we as a people do not understand love. Why is it that the mainstream Christian faith does not use Crucifixes and only uses crosses? Society removes Jesus because it does not understand True Love. True Love is about giving everything for another. But we can’t do that can we? Abortion, divorce, infidelity, care for the sick, elderly…care for the poor… All of these are signs that we do not understand true love for one another.

And why can we not understand true love for one another…because we are not willing to accept it from Jesus Christ who gave it all. Put a crucifix on your wall and daily reflect on what it took to accomplish that. The Grace is in the resurrection, the Love is in the death on a cross.

All of this is to make the point that as someone who desires to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ I do not judge anyone regardless of their actions or beliefs. However not judging is not synonymous with acceptance. I do not have to accept or condone someone’s actions. In fact, it is more the opposite than you who disagree with me can know. I love them soo much I desire for them to see who they really are as a creation of the Father with dignity.

Item 2: God created homosexuals

This is a touchy subject for many. Especially those who have a relative proclaimed to be homosexual, because for many this is emotional not theological or scientific. For this to be in proper context, we must understand the purpose for sexuality. God said to Adam and Eve, “be fruitful and multiply and inhabit the earth.” These are the marching orders for humanity. We have been given stewardship of creation, and dominion over other creatures for a purpose. Sexuality is a fundamental part of creation with a specific purpose as ordained by God. Therefore, I cannot as a Christian believe that God created people to be homosexual. Rather I believe that society as explained above has distorted love and as a result that manifests itself in people not receiving the love they need from the proper places (parents, friends, community, etc.).

There is one other element to discuss here. Since society does not understand love, it also does not then understand purpose. Our “vocation” is critical to our person. Vocation isn’t job, career, or activity; rather vocation is part of one’s identity. I believe that those who believe they are homosexual perhaps misunderstand their identity, specifically their vocation.

That in a nutshell is a glance into some of these issues. Yes, you may disagree with me or not like my beliefs and I respect that.

I pray that we find unity in our society and regain our purpose.

God bless you.

I have previously written about Pilate’s questioning of Christ in John 18 (Que Est Veritas). My point in that post was that as a people, we are not very good at seeking the Truth. Since this post is about Truth, I’m calling it part 2.

I recently learned that the Japanese language has two words for truth in the context of society. They are Honne and Tatemae.

Honne is the underlying truth, what is real. Often this is hidden from the world or public.

Tatemae is the outward appearance, what we can see.

Tatemae is not always consistent with Honne.

I’ve reflected on this for the past few days. I once heard that achieving Zen is simply matching our insides with our outsides. I think of the movie 28 Days in which Sandra Bullock plays an alcoholic. She is taken to a farm and given the task of lifting a horse’s hind hoof off the ground. The horse is strong and cannot be forced, despite her attempts. Only when she matches her inside with her outside can she accomplish it. The last scene of the movie has her lifting the hoof of a police horse after finding her true self.

How many of us acknowledge that what is inside of us isn’t always pretty? And are willing to show it off anyway? In my life I have struggled with many sins which are well documented in the posts of this blog. And even today, I struggle. Everyday I strive to become more like Christ despite my significant shortcomings. He calls us to do this. Believing in Him obligates us to this.

I struggle significantly with mainstream Christianity in the United States and abroad. I see many attempting to live perfection without trying to achieve it. I also think this is why many Christians believe their sin only affects themselves, rather than the whole Body of Christ. It seems as though the Christian Tatemae is a mask for impurity, brokenness, and shame. Only Christian rock stars and preachers are to display their past shame as a method of conversion. And once they believed in Christ everything was fixed…right?

The Honne is very different isn’t it? How many preachers have fallen due to impurity? How many “good” marriages fail? Simply look at the divorce rate for Christians of 51% which is exactly the same as the national divorce rate of…yes 51% How many leaders’ careers and ministries shattered when the truth about their lives are known? One has only to look at Representative Anthony Weiner for an example. I could write an entire book on the topic of Honne and Tatemae in relation to pornography and impurity.

Rather in this post I want to ask a different question. Does our Honne match our Tatemae? Are we living proof of Truth? Or do we hide a lie deep inside?

Jesus Christ came for the broken, not the proud.
Jesus Christ called sinners, not the perfect.
Jesus Christ died for the poor in spirit, not the rich.

Which God do you worship? The one who is happy with who you are and doesn’t want you to change, because who you appear to be is already good enough? The “Come as you are God”?

Or do you worship Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, who came to raise you to a new life. A life of Grace. A life filled with Him. A life in which our souls are purified daily by His blood. That’s the God I desire to worship with you. This is Our God.

Lately I’ve heard twice the quote ‘God accepts you for who you are but loves you too much to leave you there.’

Tonight as you pray, ask God to show you who you really are. And tomorrow wake and show that person to the world. That’s who we want to see. That’s who you were created to be. That’s the one who will change the world simply by being loved by Him.

God bless you.

I Am
I am 13 years old and my great story is being written and my great accomplishments and successes are to come.

I am a self-advocate speaker. I like giving Power Point presentations and answering questions. When I was six years old I read a welcoming statement in three languages at the National Down Syndrome Society Conference in St. Louis. At age 12 I spoke at the 10th World Down Syndrome Congress in Ireland and played a violin recital in front of 900 people at the Plenary Session.

I am a swimmer. I train everyday. I set six Junior Down Syndrome World Records in freestyle, long course:
• 50 meters
• 100 meters
• 200 meters
• 400 meters
• 800 meters
• 1,500 meters

I am a traveler. I have a passport. I have visited:
• Canada
• Mexico
• Honduras
• Ireland
• France

I am a violinist. I started to play when I was six years old. I am on Suzuki Book 3. I am a golfer. I learned to play when I was 8 years old. I like to practice at the driving range. I open golf events with ceremonial drives. I am a polyglot. I am good at learning foreign languages. I speak:
• English
• Spanish
• French
• and I study Latin

I am homeschooled. I know the multiplication tables. I know the Ten Commandments. I know all the presidents of the United States. I study botany and entomology. I am a reader. I learned to sight-read when I was 2 years old. I have a bookcase at home with all my books. I have a library card.

I am a cyclist. I learned to ride a bike when I was 8 years old with Dr. Dick Klein at Lose the Training Wheels bike camp in Chicago. I ride 12 miles with my father in the summer and fall. I am Catholic. I was baptized when I was a baby. I made my First Communion when I was 10 years old. I am an altar server and I am studying for my Confirmation.

I am valuable because I exist. Not because of what I do or what I have done.

I am not a burden to society. My life is worth living with respect and dignity.

I am a self-advocate so that others may understand.

I am a person.

I am Emmanuel Joseph Bishop.

Friends. This is what life is all about. God said “I Am who Am”. We are His creation, always. There is no sometimes, or not this time…God is all in for us 100% of the time. I cannot explain why this young man, and countless others, is born a little different in how they see the world, communicate, and think. I can however be certain that they are beautiful, just like you.

So, why am I posting about this? What’s the point Bob…you ask…

I read this story and my first thought was “I hope that I have the courage to love as this young man’s parents have.” There is another story on the website in which a young lady says she is glad her parents did not abort her! Have you ever had that thought?

As spouses we are expected by God to love unconditionally. Do we?

As parents we are expected by God to love unconditionally. Do we?

As siblings. As friends.

Friends in this young man I see Christ. I see pure Love. And I’ve never met him. And I probably never will. But in reading this story I learned something about me that I needed to hear…and perhaps you do to.

I have value because I am…not because I do.

Lord if we could only learn that our world would be dramatically different. Our marriages would be different. We would be different. And God would be greatly glorified.

Thank you Emmanuel for teaching me how beautiful we are in God. You are in my prayers.

Please become a fan of the IDSC for Life on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/IDSCforLIFE

Also visit their website and learn more about this great organization: http://www.idscforlife.org/p/self-advocates.html

Please take the time to read the stories of the other Self Advocates here: http://www.idscforlife.org/p/self-advocates.html

Let me clarify this post by saying (1) I am a pro-life Catholic who tries to live the teachings of the Church fully and (2) I am a very conservative voter and I do not associate with any political party or movement (3) and lastly that I am a gun owner who wouldn’t think for one second about shooting a home intruder to defend my family.

Recall that recently I wrote about the desire to seek justice and the desire to love.  These two desires are not congruent with one another.  Love is an action, or choice, which is wholly separate from justice because love is our action and justice belongs entirely to God.  This idea is fundamental to understanding my stance on political Catholics. 

The Political Catholic is a breed of Catholic who sees their ministry/passion solely as accomplishing things such as the reversal of Roe v. Wade, or the removal of guns from society, or the reinstatement of prayer in schools.  These “political” issues are, while very important, not elements of the Catholic faith.  As Catholics we are called to be pro-life, pro-prayer, and while the 5^th Commandment tells us not to kill there are no real Catholic teachings on gun ownership. 

See the problem with the Political Catholic isn’t their passion, and often times their theology isn’t faulty.  Rather it is the method of carrying out their agenda, their “mission”, which causes grave concern.  Political Catholics place the advancement of their agenda above the dignity and love of others and often are unwilling to accept any lower result than the perfect one.  This not only turns off others and alienates the Political Catholic, it alienates those that might more tact and Grace to hear the Gospel. 

An example, and an easy one at that, is quote “Pro-Life Catholics” who are overtly passionate about the issue of Abortion.  Abortion is wrong and it IS murder of the innocent.  Roe v. Wade is the most destructive law on the books in the U.S. Government and we lose millions each year because of this lie. 

The problems with the Political Catholic approach to this issue are three fold:

-          First these folks have a distorted view of the Pro-Life movement and they hijack it solely for the issue of abortion.  I am constantly amazed at those that proclaim to be pro-life and yet forget the elderly, sick, abandoned, hungry, homeless….  And don’t get me started on pro-life people who are devoid of love for those among us with disease, physical ailment, or mental ailment such as Downs or another (note that I didn’t say disease or dysfunction, these beautiful people often love better than any of us can ever hope too; would you call that dysfunction?)

-          Second, these folks place the reversal of Roe v. Wade as the number one priority of the pro-life movement.  Hear me clearly: The reversal of Roe v. Wade is an ignorant attempt by those involved.  I wish you luck in your losing effort.  The reversal of this decision will happen only when and only if we Evangelize the world to become more pro-life.  Until then the pro-life is only a movement and not a state of society….which is the ultimate goal.  It’s like a sport, almost always the way to score is not to go directly for the goal, rather it is to work as a whole team to move the ball around and find the best angle.  At this point, we need more on our team to win.

-          Lastly, these folks place their passion, in this case the anti-abortion agenda, ahead of everything else regardless of any collateral damage.  After all what could be more important right?  How about working to save the souls of those that are pro-choice, the abortionist, and those that are turned off by this agenda?  Political Catholics do not consider the negative impact of their words/actions on others.  Often they explain away those that disagree as ignorant or not faithful.

The Political Catholic does more damage than good to the Church.  Their efforts are destructive to the Body of Christ and to others perception of our faith. 

How many people proclaim to be Catholic and yet do not know the Truth?  Shouldn’t we be focused on strengthening our Body [of Christ] rather than berating those among us who don’t agree?  Don’t get me wrong, you cannot be Catholic and pro-choice.  Well, unless you like hot places….[sarcasm…].  Seriously if you are pro-choice you should not be receiving the Eucharist as you are not in communion with the Catholic Church.  You should discuss this with your Priest or another trusted person with a properly formed conscience (which means someone who believes and lives the teachings of the Church)…

Back to the issue.  The Political Catholic would rather those who are not in full communion with the Church simply leave.  Is this Christian?  Is this Catholic?  No, it’s not.  Rather it is a distortion of the Church to advance a personal political agenda.  And more importantly, it’s not acceptable.

Lastly I want to say this.  I agree with a Catholic Politician (who may or may not be a Political Catholic) being denied the Eucharist if they publically proclaim a belief not in communion with the Catholic Church.  I pray I’m never asked to carry that out because I cannot imagine the drama involved however, publically proclaiming a belief that does not fit the Church’s teachings is not acceptable.  Note however that this is a Church issue, not a politic issue. 

If you find yourself in the un-lucky position of being a Political Catholic, you should seriously consider why you say and act as you do and if those words and action reflect Christ.  I pray for you.  And I’m here to help however I can if you ask.

If you find yourself in conversation with a Political Catholic and you yourself are not one my request is simple.  Love.  Show them what real unconditional Christian love is all about.

I pray we are able to find greater unity in the Body of Christ.  That means that the ultra-conservative and the ultra-liberal Catholics need to move to the center….where Christ is.

In Him!

In the next article I’m going to address further the Pro-Life Movement.  I’m growing tired of “pro-lifers” not being pro-life and simply being anti-abortion.  There is more to the picture than that.