TRAGEDY AND THE EXTERMIST RESPONSE

I AM DONE!!  Really, today our country suffered yet another grave tragedy and loss of life and I have to get on here and read the hypocritical bigoted posts from those who want to use this disaster as a means of promoting their severely warped sense of religion.  An eight year old child and two adults were killed in this horrendous event, while countless others have suffered serious and critical injuries.  Instead of just calling for prayer for those affected by the events of the day, the religious extreme has decided to blame everything from "GOD needs to be out back in schools" to "GOD sent the Boston Marathon Bombs to punish Massachusetts for passing the sin of same-sex marriage".  Are these nut jobs serious with this holier than thou hypocrisy?  Do they genuinely believe that GOD would kill an innocent child because the state passed CIVIL legislation regarding same-sex marriage?  This tragedy is another in a long line of tragedies affecting our country, and the crazies have once again proven that they will leave nothing to pass without finding a way to lay "blame" on innocent people. 

Can you seriously support your stance that "if GOD were in our schools" we would not be suffering widespread attacks on our schools?  I think your rationale is flawed. 

The GOD I serve, my lord and savior Jesus Christ said, "Let the children come to me" Matthew 19:14. 

Nowhere in the Bible does it say, "I will punish young innocent children when the church decided to judge others".  Can you show me where, in your warped translation of the Bible, it states that children will pay for the sins of their parents? 

Ezekiel 18:20 says, "The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them."

How dare we allow such tragedies to be made more severe by the constant barrage of the "blame game" of these warped religious extremists.  I am a school teacher, I teach second graders who are 8 years old.  I pray every day, after we recite the Pledge of Allegiance and our school creed, during our daily moment of silence.  GOD is in school.  As long as we have breath in our lungs, prayer will be uttered in our classrooms, and GOD will be ever present within the doors of our educational institutions. 

It is time for our country's citizens to stop looking for someone some belief to blame for tragic events.  It is time we lean on GOD in prayer, and seek the truth through legal means to find the perpetrators of such events and bring them to legal justice.  It is not our place to persecute for the Lord.  GOD will judge all in the final days and then the job will be done. 

 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Matthew 7:1

Until that time, we must return to loving one another, as commanded, and stop judging our fellow man in order to turn and blame their indiscretions for our nation's tragedies.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

WHAT IS EQUALITY?

Let me start by saying how amazingly blessed I feel to have such amazingly supportive and accepting friends and family.  I have become an activist of sorts over the past few years, but those who know me know that I advocate for PUBLIC education in most of my "spare" time.  Occaisionally, I share an LGPT rights post or an equality support post.  Well, today has been a different day.  With the Supreme Court of the United States hearing oral arguments on two key cases this week, it became real to me that equality is not only "on trial", but that it is also gaining support. 

What is equality?  It is something different to everyone, but it should mean equal treatment for everyone.  Today, equality means equal rights and protection under the law.  With the Supreme Court taking up the cases of Proposition 8 and DOMA, it has become apparent that equality for all could be one step closer or it could be set back for a bit longer.  Equality is coming! It is just a matter of time before all Americans will be able to marry the person they love despite gender, race, creed, or religion.  The US Supreme Court could decide this summer to declare laws descriminating based on gender to be unconstitutional. 

As the Supreme Court prepared to hear oral arguments today and tomorrow, supporters of marriage equality began to turn social media pages RED for equality.  As I changed my "profile" picture to the newly reddened equality symbol, I witnessed something amazing.  As friends, family, and friends of friends started to change their own "profile" and "cover" photos, tears began to stream down my face.  Recognizing the amount of support and acceptance from my "small town" friends, I became overwhelmed with emotion and humbled by the outpour of support. 

I know that I flooded social media with many posts, shares, and pictures calling for support for marriage equality, but I never imaigined the huge outpouring of support that would flood my computer screen throughout the day.  I continue to be amazed by the messages, comments, emails, and pictures from my many supportive friends. 

A friend shared this video and again, I was moved to tears as I realized the support for the LGBT community that is being displayed by non-LGBT family and friends.

While the Supreme Court decision (expected sometime in mid-June) may not have an impact on many of them, they still choose to stand behind those of us who will be impacted the most.  We are a nation on the verge of true equality, as expected by our forefathers.  We are one split second away from seeing dreams turn to realities for the LGBT community as a whole nation, not just through individual states. 

I stand with my LGBT family as our "straight" family and friends stand beside us to witness history in the making.  I am proud that my real friends will be on the right side of history when the time comes and all is finally decided.  It may come as early as June 2013 and it may come years from now, but it is coming and we will all share equal rights under the law when all is said and done.

LOVES

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine's Day is a day full of meaning for some and full of dread for others.  As I look at this day, I celebrate the many loves I am thankful for.  This day is about celebrating LOVE, not a specific love. It is not just for celebrating that love you share with your significant other.  It is about the love you share with every special person in your life. 

I celebrate first and foremost the love I have for and from my amazing partner.  We recently celebrated two years together, and are looking forward to many more.  He "completes me" in so many ways.  We have just the right amount mix of common interests and individual interests.  It is wonderful to share the same interests, but it is also amazing teaching and learning about the interests and "obsessions" of others.  I have an obsession and passion for politics and he has a strong love of music and audio equipment.  He is learning to indulge my political rants and ambitions, while I am starting to enjoy heavy bass and the multiple "subs" and "amps" that pass through my life.  It is refreshing to be in a relationship with someone who loves you and accepts your passions as you do theirs.

Next, I celebrate the love of my children.  They have been through much more than most 12 year old boys, yet less than some.  They have shown pure love through acceptance and support. In some things they are mature beyond their years, but they also are amazing children.  They are two of the most loving and accepting pre-teen boys I have ever known, and it is an honor for me to be their father.  I love them for who they are and for who they will become. 

Although strained at times, I have an undying love for my parents.  They brought me into this world and have stood by me through all my many ordeals and shortcomings.  They have always been my "go-to" when everyone else in my life seemed to turn away.  I know there are times they may not understand or agree with me, but they love me through it all and I owe them my undying gratitude for all that they have done and continue to do for me and my family.

My true friends receive the rest of my love.  These people are those who I know I can count on for whatever my needs may be from them, and they the same in return.  I wish everyone could have the loving, supportive, encouraging friends that I have in my life.  These people make me laugh, make me  cry, cheer me up, listen to my venting, and help to keep me calm during life's storms.  It is because of their love and support that I can face the dark days and look toward the light of the future. 

The many loves in my life are what keep me going.  These are the people who give reason for waking in the morning and for staying awake late nights.  I will give all I can for my family and friends, as I know they would do the same for me given the chance.  So, as I look at this Valentine's Day, I do so with the greatest love one can have for another.  I look at this day knowing I am loved by so many, and I have so many to love in return.

Happy Valentine's Day 2013! 

Loves,
Phil