According to a post on a LGBT site, this is a pregnant man, Thomas Beatie.

Beatie, who was born a woman, chose to undergo medical procedures aimed at changing her gender to male.  Her reproductive organs were not modified when she chose to become he.

I’m almost at a loss for words with this one.  I guess I can make the obvious statement that I don’t think this is “right”, not just from a moral or theological perspective, but even from a secular social and cultural perspective.  

I mean, heck, I struggle to refer to Beatie as a he, simply because he’s a she, and I’m of the (non-religious) opinion that gender isn’t something that can be “reassigned.”  

On the other hand, I do feel badly that these folks feel they are being discriminated against, particularly in regards to medical care.  If indeed this isn’t a hoax, and there is a baby involved, I sincerely hope that appropriate medical care is found.

We’re going to be seeing a lot more of these types of currently-atypical cases in the years to come, and if the only thing we do is condemn people, we’re stupid.  At the same time, one must recognize that this sort of thing is so severely out of the revealed will of God for marriages and family units, that it must be commented on.

So how is the church to respond?  In what ways can we as Christians both love God and love others, in this case?

A few moments ago, the major news agencies showed video of the Governor of New York State, Eliot Spitzer, announcing that he had been linked by federal wiretaps to involvement in a high-class prostitution ring.

Spitzer is the governor of my state, and while I’ve never been a big fan of his, I fear that people Christians will choose to respond to this situation in what I feel would be an incorrect way.

Should he resign? Yes, I think so. Conservative leaders are already calling for that. But that shouldn’t be the Christian’s focus.

The Christian’s focus should be on prayer. We don’t need to condemn and demonize Spitzer. We need to pray for Albany, that the state government won’t functionally implode due to one man’s sin becoming a political a three-ring-circus. And we need to pray for the state, that a new generation of leaders with a God-honoring sense of morality would rise up. Most specifically, we need to pray for the man, and for his family. Spitzer is married, and has three daughters. Outside of his own guilt, the consequences of his sin will be highest for these four women.

Please understand that we must not think ourselves any better than this fallen man. Spitzer stated in his announcement: “…I have disappointed, and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself.” Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (ESV). If we cannot live up to our own expectations, how will we live up to the standards of a perfect and holy God?

The answer is by Grace, through Faith, in Jesus Christ.

Please join me in praying for New York, and for the Spitzer family.

Actor Heath Ledger was found dead earlier this afternoon.

I’m not the biggest fan of most of Hollywood, and don’t ever recall being truly surprised by a “celebrity tragedy” but I have to say, this one caught me off guard. I have an appreciation for Heath Ledger’s work. From The Patriot to 10 Things I Hate About You, he was truly enjoyable in a variety of different type roles. I’m looking forward to seeing his final performance, as The Joker in the upcoming Batman film.

Please join me in taking a short moment to pray for his family and friends during this hard time.

The Southern Baptist Texan has an article stating that Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is likely to be nominated for the post of President of the Southern Baptist Convention, when the SBC holds their Annual Meeting in June.

Dr. Mohler is currently President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He also a nationally syndicated radio host and blogger. I enjoy his radio program, despite disagreeing with some of the conclusions he draws at times.

I am not a Southern Baptist (I am affiliated with CBMNE and CBAmerica), so I really can’t comment on whether or not he would make a good SBC President, though he seems like a good option to me. However, given the current climate in the SBC regarding Reformed theology, I would think he’d be a controversial figure. Do any of you readers have any thoughts?