I dig the Advent Conspiracy people. I don’t know when they started this, but I first heard about it a couple years ago. Seems like they’re gaining momentum. Watch the video, then check ‘em out here.

Matthew 24:37/But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

So I thought I’d look at the days of Noah. In light of yesterday’s post, the beginning of chapter 7 caught my attention:

Genesis 7:1/Then the LORD said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.

It was “in this generation” that grabbed me. The generation in question is the one that is found so wicked, they merit complete destruction. A chapter earlier we read, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

Every intent was only evil … continually.

That’s pretty bad. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that generation was more displeasing (wicked, evil – choose your loaded adjective) than ours. I’m sure that’s where we’re headed, since the Lord said the last days would be like the days of Noah, but that’s not the point today.

Noah was found righteous before God in that generation. Moreso, Noah was the only one found righteous before God in that generation. Surrounded by perversion, violence, immorality, and hatred – with no mentor or pastor -Noah maintained his heart before God.

If that’s what God expected of His people in the beginning, it’s what He expects of His people in the end too. Surrounded by our culture, and in the midst of a deteriorating society, God expects us to be found righteous before Him. He understands our temptations, but He doesn’t excuse falling for them.

Noah did it in the middle of that generation. Shouldn’t we be able to do it in ours?

Gay Group Organizes ‘Pink Christmas’ in Amsterdam

I debated about posting this.

It bothers me that Christians are known – in our society – for what we are against. It bothers me that people associate negative images more often than images of love and compassion. I try not to go there.

But you know what? Jesus is against some things. He’s not against people, but He’s against sin. He died to pry people (whom He’s not against) from sin (which He is against).

I’m not against people. The Bible says that everyone sins. I’m not holier than thou. I am against sin, though – in your life and mine – because God is.

And I realize there are people who will read this as “Blah blah blah blah God hates fags blah blah blah.” That’s not true – and that’s not what I’m saying – but I know that some people are just so bitter and hurt and broken that that’s all they’ll hear.

I can’t tailor my voice around people who cling to sin, though. Jesus didn’t.

So I don’t hate these people, but what they’re doing bothers me.

The festival features “a manger stall with two Josephs and two Marys.” The event “intends to increase the range of options for homosexual men and women during the Christmas holiday week.”

Increase the range of options? Options? For Christmas? Does the idea – forget that it’s focusing on homosexuals – seem strange to anyone else? We need options for Christmas now?

Your option is whether or not to celebrate Christmas. If you don’t want to celebrate Christmas, there are other options. Winter Solstice. Hanukkah. Eid. You could even just go secular “Christmas” and just do Santa Claus and stockings and that whole bit.

I understand the desire for equal rights. I understand fighting against stereotypes that tend to invalidate your lifestyle. This I don’t understand. Set up a nativity scene with two Josephs? That’s just not how it happened. That’s where you move from remembering and celebrating the holiday, to imposing your views and distorting the truth just because it makes you more comfortable or makes some sort of statement you can rally behind.

Advent is a time to anticipate His coming. These days that we’re living in are to prepare us for His return. These are times for me to mold myself into His image, not the other way around.