Up here at college, a friend of mine has told me she is considering becoming gay. Several of her friends are trying to talk her out of it, including my roommate's girlfriend, and another of her friend's. For now we will call the girl that is considering "Switching teams" Judy, and the girl that is my roommate's girl friend Jodi. (Changing the names for the sake of privacy) In the past Judy has been very wreckless, and starved for attention, she seems to be a torchoured soul. To help her friends (who are Protestant might I add, and so is Judy) I have composed the following letter, if you see any holes in the theology, please tell me, cause I don't claim to be a very Faithful or knowegeble or worthy servant of Christ. I'm going to submit a copy of this to my parish priest as well before I give it to them to see what he thinks of the letter. Thanks for looking it over!
Jodi, Ive been thinking about the problem with Judy, and it just occurred to me what the problem is. She is trying to fill her soul with the things of this world, like the Tahoe, the latest DVD movie from Ashley Judd, requiring a great amount of attention, and sexuality. These are not the sort of things that can fill a soul which is longing for God (yet doesnt realize it). Ive been there and constantly regress back there, (this is the state of a sinner, we all have this (cause were all sinners)) remember Laura? Brynn? My own starving for attention? Same thing. But it is as they write in the Bible, Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you (Um, actually the whole verse in context is a lot better, cause then you find out what things are added unto you) It has to do with trusting in God for Basic Needs (MATT 6:25-34). But seeking first the Kingdom of God means to make a complete change of life, which must be done gradually and in Gods time; and begin a regular rule of prayer (in the morning and before going to bed) to read the scriptures, (I understand the Protestant tradition does not always include this, Im just telling you my experience with it) and to have a regular rule of confession. Confession ant easy, but its necessary. Im terrible about going to confession, I even dread it, mainly because Im ashamed of what I have become. But if I can goto confession and confess my sins not only does the priest have the power given to him by God to forgive me of them, but the priest also is a representative of God for me, and will instruct me as my Spiritual Father on how to change the way I live, and how I can steer myself away from sin. Confession outside the context of the Church is like sex outside of marriage. Confessing to someone on an airplane, is not the same as confessing in the Church to a spiritual Father. This person may not be a representative of God who will give you good advice. Also confession just before God is not as good as confession with a priest, for as it is written in the Bible where ever there are two or more gathered in my name I am there with them (verse ???) Confession in the Church works wonders there is no better way to obtain forgiveness, if one can go forward to confession without shame for his sins (so that they can be confessed, this is definitely the tough part especially for me) sins long gone by can be forgiven and forgotten about so that the person may start anew and try to form themselves into the Image of Christ, which is what tortured soul of a sinner longs for, my soul, your soul, and Judys soul. And even if Judy doesnt change her ways right away, at least you have planted a seed in her mind that if it is Gods will, will grow and help her in the future, even if you arent there to see the result.
Jodi, Ive been thinking about the problem with Judy, and it just occurred to me what the problem is. She is trying to fill her soul with the things of this world, like the Tahoe, the latest DVD movie from Ashley Judd, requiring a great amount of attention, and sexuality. These are not the sort of things that can fill a soul which is longing for God (yet doesnt realize it). Ive been there and constantly regress back there, (this is the state of a sinner, we all have this (cause were all sinners)) remember Laura? Brynn? My own starving for attention? Same thing. But it is as they write in the Bible, Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you (Um, actually the whole verse in context is a lot better, cause then you find out what things are added unto you) It has to do with trusting in God for Basic Needs (MATT 6:25-34). But seeking first the Kingdom of God means to make a complete change of life, which must be done gradually and in Gods time; and begin a regular rule of prayer (in the morning and before going to bed) to read the scriptures, (I understand the Protestant tradition does not always include this, Im just telling you my experience with it) and to have a regular rule of confession. Confession ant easy, but its necessary. Im terrible about going to confession, I even dread it, mainly because Im ashamed of what I have become. But if I can goto confession and confess my sins not only does the priest have the power given to him by God to forgive me of them, but the priest also is a representative of God for me, and will instruct me as my Spiritual Father on how to change the way I live, and how I can steer myself away from sin. Confession outside the context of the Church is like sex outside of marriage. Confessing to someone on an airplane, is not the same as confessing in the Church to a spiritual Father. This person may not be a representative of God who will give you good advice. Also confession just before God is not as good as confession with a priest, for as it is written in the Bible where ever there are two or more gathered in my name I am there with them (verse ???) Confession in the Church works wonders there is no better way to obtain forgiveness, if one can go forward to confession without shame for his sins (so that they can be confessed, this is definitely the tough part especially for me) sins long gone by can be forgiven and forgotten about so that the person may start anew and try to form themselves into the Image of Christ, which is what tortured soul of a sinner longs for, my soul, your soul, and Judys soul. And even if Judy doesnt change her ways right away, at least you have planted a seed in her mind that if it is Gods will, will grow and help her in the future, even if you arent there to see the result.
you'll come on too strong with this change of life stuff; she needs to clear her mind; not complicate it more with religion right now.
