So apparently, a couple of weeks ago there was some brou-ha-ha over Miss California not getting the crown because she opposes gay-marriage.  I don't know much about it other than what I picked up from the headlines.  That, and a pretty good earful from my wife.  To admit more would be admitting that I actually care about Miss USA or America or Universe or whatever pageant it was.

All I know was that she made an "appearance" at the Doves for some unknown reason (probably to make some sort of statement I guess) and that she's been making the rounds on the talk shows.  Well, good for her.  Do your thing.  I'm all about opportunity.

But all of this does lead me to this week's installment of "It's Tuesday... Let's Talk."

I know I mentioned last week that I wouldn't make statements just for the sake of being provocative.  And, this week, I'm keeping that promise.  But, what I'm about to toss out there is sure to cause some to begin fervently praying for me (please do) and others to at least raise an eyebrow.  I want to talk about this statement...

Concerning the Sanctity of Marriage:  "It's not like gays can screw it up any more than heterosexuals already have."

When you consider what we've all heard...

While it may be alarming to discover that born-again Christians are more likely than others to experience a divorce, that pattern has been in place for quite some time. There are a millions ways to crunch the data, but no matter how you slice it, it is easy to see that Christians divorce just as often as non-Christians"  - George Barna, president of Barna Research Group

...I think it's probably a pretty good discussion to have since statistically either me or you is going to go through it.

Now, I know it may appear I'm on some sort of crusade to force the Church or individuals to look inwardly when really I'm not.  All this talk about grace and compassion and not judging.  Honestly, I don't know why I write or blog.  Maybe it's ego and I'm just trying to be a blog rockstar.  Believe me, looking at my stats is nothing to get prideful about.

Or maybe, it's because in between cool kicks and social trends, however presumptuous it may be, I feel like our lives and stories can help each other along the way.

On this issue of marriage... I've not always gotten in right.  In fact, I've made incredible mistakes and blunders.  My wife and I have been on the brink of divorce twice and in 12 years have experienced a lot of "life" but we're still here.  And that's God's grace.  We're not just barely hanging on either.  We're strong and vibrant and healthy.  And although that is a miracle indeed, we did have to make decisions as a part of this amazing grace-story (and it is amazing).  So, my hope is that we can at least be an encouragement to those who are barely hanging on.

I would like to say that if you've been through the incredibly gut-wrenching ordeal of divorce, there's no judgement here.  That's not what this post is about.  The point here is that as Christ-followers, before we attempt to collectively pull the speck out of society's eye, we need to ask God to help us pull the plank out of our own.

It's Tuesday... Let's Talk. Where do you stand on the issue?  Is it important and why?  And, let's try and keep it from becoming too political.  Last I checked, marriage was a biblical issue... not a political one.