We wrapped up the sermon series on homosexuality Sunday morning. You can watch, listen, or download the sermons at our FBC website. With four sermons lasting 45 to 50 minutes each, we obviously covered a lot of information. Yet we still were not able to answer every question or discuss every issue. So beginning Tuesday I’m going to address some of those remaining questions and issues on this blog. I encourage you to check it each day this week.

One of the important questions we looked at Sunday was: “Are people born gay?” This is the accepted cultural position even though science says the answer is more complex than a simple “yes”. The American Psychological Association, which is very supportive of gay rights, on their website answers this question this way:

“There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.”

The best science available seems to indicate that both nurture (environment, childhood experiences, etc) and nature (biology, genetics) play a role in some people having a same-sex attraction. To say it is completely one or the other is to say more than the science supports.

If you missed yesterday’s sermon, I encourage you to watch or listen to it on our website.

I also want to thank everyone for your prayers and support this month as I taught on this important subject. The necessary study and research has taken up a lot of my time but it’s been worth it.

I was very pleased with the participation in Sunday evening’s “Prayer Covering”. To see so many of you show up to pray encouraged me. Think about the fact that we prayed:

• in practically every Sunday School and meeting room on our church campus
• on the preschool playground
• in our parking lots
• in the gym
• in the church offices
• in front of our custodial closets and elevator
• in every restroom
• in the sound, TV, projection, lighting control room
• the worship center
• the church kitchen
• in the ROCK
• in the DOCK
• in the B45 room
• under the covered drop offs
• beside the boiler and chiller room

I want to say a big “thank you” to our deacons for leading in this prayer event and a huge “thank you” to everyone who showed up. God will honor our prayers.

After the Prayer Covering, I stopped by the B45 room where Rev. Scott Blassingame met with a large group of kids and their parents for fun, food, and information about THE BRIDGE. What’s that? It is our preteen ministry for 4th and 5th graders. Scott is doing a great job and this ministry has made a big difference this past year.

I know I’ve already written a lot, but I have to say it was great seeing all those teenagers sitting down front in their Rock the House T-shirts Sunday morning. They and their leaders had been together all weekend, but there they were awake and smiling…well, except for a few of the adults who were struggling to stay awake.

On a personal note, Monieca and I enjoyed having our son Steven and his wife, Sara, spend the weekend with us. Having them here with Jacqueline and her kids, who are visiting from Italy while Evan is deployed in Turkey, was a blessing. We played in the pool, ate, talked, went to church, and ate some more and just enjoyed being together. It’s a blessing to watch your adult children interact and have fun together.

I hope you enjoy the pictures below from this weekend.

Pastor Steve Hogg