Hi Magnet55,

Here I would like to make a distinction between the love that we seek for our own pleasure and the love that we live in obedience to God (eros/philos/agape, if you like). I recognize the infinite importance of loving one's neighbor as oneself. This compassion and Godly respect for other people is precisely what we see Jesus display throughout the Gospels. But where does Jesus himself demonstrate the importance of preserving one's own right to romance and sexuality? Has He ever commanded us to do something that He Himself did not do?

You're pretty sharp! :-)

I think this is a really good point! As someone who believes that homosexual desires are NOT to be acted on, my perspective is: "life isn't fair, but God is good". As wonderful as it would be to have a loving sexual relationship with a woman, it is not to be, through the cruel twist of fate that gave me these attractions. Some people are born blind, and never get to experience a sunset. As wonderful and God-given as sight and sunsets are, some people are just going to miss out. And He calls them to love Him anyway, and to be faithful in the situation in which they find themselves. When they leave this life, they will see Him face to face, and that will be more wonderful that a billion sunsets. But for now, they are called to "do without" and trust Him to supply their needs.

For us it's the same (if you believe as I do): He calls us to be faithful with what we have got. We may not get to experience the fullness of the sexual gift we have been given in this life (because we are called to be faithful to Him above our own desires), but in the end it will all be worth the struggle and heartache. I have no doubt of that.

I love that Pushing Daisies quote, too! I think I must make that my new screensaver :-)

Blessings,
Rainboy