Jason Collins, an NBA player, has come out of the closet. He is the first openly gay player in major team sports. After expressing his homosexuality, the media has gone gaga. He is being lauded as a hero and likened to Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in baseball. Police officers and soldiers are heroes. Men who are faithful husbands and fathers are heroes. Jason Collins is no hero. He is openly living in sexual sin. I do not fear homosexuals, but I do fear God. It doesn’t matter what Jason Collins, or culture says, God says homosexuality is a sin. It is a sexual sin just as is adultery and fornication. Christians are not to throw stones at or hate homosexuals. But, we are not to embrace or approve their sins. Would someone be applauded for being the first NBA player to rob a bank? Would the media salivate over someone being the first athlete to admit beating his wife or not paying child support? Yet, people are excited and encouraged by Jason Collins openly admitting his sinful lifestyle. We are told to be tolerant and accept everyone’s personal views, yet people will not tolerate a Christian’s choice to obey God and call sin a sin. Society is “tolerant” of everyone’s views, except those based on God and the Bible. God help us as a nation.  

For most serious runners, running the Boston Marathon is the ultimate goal. It is the marathon par excellence. I have completed numerous marathons, but none have been Boston. Though it has been a dream/goal of mine. When I heard the tragic news of the attack it made me pause to think and consider. What if I did run Boston this year? What if that were my family or me harmed by the explosions? Some were not so fortunate. A few lost a loved one in the tragedy. For others, their lives will never be the same. Some of the runners, who love and live for running, will not be able to run again. It is a sobering reminder that earth is full of pain and sorrow and sin. Regardless of how civilized or protected our society may be, evil still lurks. The only solution is Jesus Christ. In Him, we have been freed from our sin. In Him, we have victory over sin and Satan. In Him, we have hope of eternal life. While we cannot be guaranteed safety and security here on earth, we are guaranteed eternal life. I pray the events in Boston will draw our nation closer to God. He is the hope of our nation and the world.