Great article filled with truth! Thank you for these words! I just recently learned about this book, and it is sweeping our city (Charlotte) like a wildfire. It seems everywhere I am turning, I keep hearing from women, "You have to read this book!" Really, do I? Really, do you know what I "need" to read? Do you really know I can handle these kinds of books/stories? Do you really know me? The answers to all these questions is profoundly one simple one...no. We must be very careful with what books we recommend to people. I read Twilight, Harry Potter and a vast array of other fantastical story books...and I can handle those stories. They don't affect me the way perhaps they may affect someone else. However, this kind of book from the description alone turned me off like a light switch. Why? Because my mind can easily become ensnared in such a story line in a manner that isn't good. So I must be very careful to not only choose my books carefully when it comes to fiction, but also to recommend such books to anyone unless I truly know they can handle them (which happens rarely). So I usually stick with recommending books that truly can help people. Books that provide God-focused insight that lead us to further study of His word on our own. Books that uplift and point toward Christ. What I read on the side of these books, for my own fantastical imaginary getaway, I table for myself and keep from the ears of others.

Two things... 1) I am right there with you concerning the conservative voice you have. I, too, have found myself amidst a minority here - but alas, as you state in this post, and I fully concur, "I don’t always agree with my fellow writers here, but I stand by their right to say whatever they want." I am absolutely right there with you. Now... 2) I am a HUGE Garth fan...and this is one of my favorite songs. I am so thankful and grateful you focused on the message of this song, because truly that is the full intention of the message itself. Thank you for shedding light on this...thank you! We need it now, more than ever, in our society today - with so many differing voices and viewpoints. We need to be supportive of one another in how we see things, giving one another the grace God gives us all to grow and develop (even in our differences) in the timing He deems proper - not how we judge appropriate.

Arbie, I have but one sincere question for you...and please deeply study this question (and study the scriptures). Does God commend anywhere in scripture the man+man, or woman+woman relationship, in a sexually intimate manner...or does He condemn it?

Ken, while what you state is truth...the truth of it still is He was also still very human. This is the very reason it is nearly incomprehensible for the human mind to embrace a complete understanding of how He can be both God and human. But the truth is...directly revealed in scripture...He was indeed both. Therefore, while still God, Christ was born into a Jewish family, raised on Jewish traditions and He honored them. It isn't distinctly worded in scripture, but looking underneath the layers of Christ's actions...it's evident His embrace of the Jewish life into His human side was multi-fold. But mainly it was to honor the covenant that God made with Abraham, Issac and Jacob...and to have Him relate to humans so they knew God desired relationship with them. There is always reason for why God does what He does...and He will always reveal His ways in scripture...maybe not word for word, but it will be revealed in what He teaches, how He teaches and how He related to His children while walking this earth. So Jonathan definitely speaks of truth when he states what he does concerning Jesus being highly informed by Judaism. It is all encompassing concerning the God-Man...Christ.

Hi Alise! This is a great write up...I do have to state that I admire your writing. I have since we have connected. However, there is a divide between us on this issue. I once held, within myself for many years, a condoning of same sex marriage - until I really started to see what God had to say about it through His Word. And considering such, I now find myself not able to condone this lifestyle in my heart. Boiled down...no matter how anyone tries to breakdown scripture to make it sound all inclusive...homosexuality is a sin. It's no greater a sin than any other laid out in scripture, but nevertheless is it still a sin. And considering this, my heart can't find it's way to condone it...therefore, I cannot condone marriage between two people of the same sex. While I love and respect everyone, I can't condone or tolerate lifestyles that are outwardly sinful. And when asked on a ballot if I support it or not, I will make my mark in a lack of support because I know how God feels about this lifestyle - and I can't turn my heart away from God on a heart issue I know he outwardly opposes Himself. This battle can't truly be fought in a courtroom or government body (based on the votes of the majority of the citizens who cast their votes), it can only be fought at the feet of God by approaching His throne on our knees in prayer for all our sins (homosexuality included)...therefore, leaving what we truly cannot conquer in His hands. Until the day comes when the truth is revealed for all of us to see with our own eyes, beyond the written word we are given today, I will love others and respect their choice to do as they will, but you better believe I am placing [even my own opinions] in His hands and praying for a change of heart for all mankind concerning the nature of sin and how it can only be fought on the battlefield of His grace.