My Condolences to Bruce Jenner

I don't share my blog posts on social media. They've always been private and as personal as something can be on the Internet. Not something I've shared with friends and family.

But that changes today. 

Diane Sawyer interviewed Bruce Jenner last night. For those of you who don't know, Bruce is a medal-winning Olympian and reality-TV star known for being dad to Kendal and Kylie Jenner, and (ex)step-father to Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian.

Bruce now claims that he is, and mentally always has been, a woman. 

And with that announcement, Bruce Jenner was immediately under attack. Not only by the news, photographers, tabloids, and more, but by Christians.

Let me start by saying this..

• I am a Christian. 

• I know people who claim to be part of the  LGBT community.

And now I will say this, and it will probably make someone who reads this unhappy, but I stand firm on what I believe, and that is this..

I LOVE homosexuals.

I LOVE trangendered people.

I LOVE those who don't know what to do with themselves, because they are lost.

Why? 

Jesus LOVES homosexuals.

Jesus LOVES transgendered people. 

Jesus LOVES those who don't know what to do with themselves, because they are lost. 

I would be ignorant and I would be a hypocrite if I didn't love anyone of the LGBT community, just because they sin differently than me. 

I do believe there is only one way that God designed for marriage to be, (see Leviticus 18:22) but that doesn't mean that I hate anyone doesn't abide by that. 

I fail God daily. 

I lie.

I curse.

I gossip.

And those are all present terms, because I am not without sin, and I can't be.

But God sent Jesus, his son, to die for me despite all of my sin.

He died for the gay.

He died for the straight. 

He died for EVERYONE.

I can't stand to think that if I were to try and share the Gospel with a homosexual, they would think that I hate them all because of a handful of close-minded, so-called Christians that go around with the mentality that, "God hates fags!"

No. Wake up, America! Wake up, Christians! 

As a Christian, I am called to share the gospel and be a light to others. I can only do that through grace, hope, mercy and love. Hatred and bigotry will get me nowhere. 

1 John 4:8 -- Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

Mark 12:31 -- "The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."

Bruce Jenner, 

I love you. You are in the midst of so many attacks, and yet you stand strong. Bruce, I don't agree with your choices or beliefs, but I can't cast judgement. I'm a sinner. And I do wrong all the time. And I am apologizing on behalf of the actions of Christians all across the world. I believe what I know in my heart to be true, and that is that God send his son, Jesus, to die on the cross and take the burden of my sin. Not only to separate me from an eternity in Hell, but so that I would not have to spend my life in separation from the Father, the Creator of all that his pure and Holy. Nothing, aside from not believing the aforementioned, will send you to Hell. I hope you can figure things out. I really do. No, we don't know each other, but I am seeking to build up the Kingdom of God. Not tear it down. 

Sincerely, 

Olivia 

Treasure vs Torture

By now, most of the people I see or associate with are in a relationship of some sorts. Whether that be dating, in a serious relationship, engaged, married, etc., they most all have a significant other. Which means that a lot of times that tends to be the topic of choice in conversation; however, sadly, most of what I hear is discouraging. 

All too often I see and hear friends (and enemies) complaining most about those they should compliment. -- Don't get me wrong, your significant other isn't always going to be a ray of sunshine. There will be fights, arguments, and disagreements. 

But where do you draw the line? 

Where does it become too much? 

When does this person you treasure become a form of torture? 

An example for the fellas: I know a couple. They've been together quite a while. However, there is no balance in their relationship. It is all take and no give. A hard working man works day and night to provide; a woman spends greedily. A man loves and comforts, doing his best; a woman takes, demands, and expects her share with no input to the relationship. What's my point? Stop allowing yourself to be tortured by someone who claims to love you. Love is not a body. Love is not sex. Love is commitment. Love is work. -- Love is a team. And let it be known, that is not team of more than 2. Why do you wonder why there is no more effort put into you? Why do you allow her demands to run your life, and get nothing out of it? Why do you let her control every aspect of your life, and then wonder why you spend your days and nights alone and unhappy, while she is out with her friends doing whatever she pleases? If your woman shows more respect for men at the supermarket than you, maybe it's time to weedeat the relationship and exam where standards are and what you expect out of this person that you desire to be your spouse.

And for the ladies: I know another couple. A girl stays home cooking, cleaning, caring for a child; a man spends his evenings at the bar, letting his eyes wander wherever they please. A girl works hard, studies hard, and seeks to make a better life for her family; a man spends his morning hungover in bed, slurring demands to "his woman." Whats my point? Ladies, please, stop allowing yourself to be used. Stop slaving for a man who shows you no respect. What do you hurt your heart for? Money, love, a 'piece of arm candy'? It is NOT worth it. There is someone for you. Someone who loves you and respects you, and will treat you like the Daughter of the King that you are. Stop settling. 

In all of this, I am just concerned for you all. I hate to see people "fall" so hard, and then hit the ground even harder. 

Please check up on your relationships, people.

Please. 

-- Olivia