President Obama made a comment this week to a reporter from U.S. News and World Report that discussed how he wrestles with his Christian faith and his "solicitude and regard and concern" for homosexuals. The President is not the only one that struggles with these internal conflicts, as even churches around the world struggle with how to address the issue of homosexuality. After all, it's not as if homosexuals are all atheists or even agnostics. A study by the Barna group shows that 60 percent of gay Americans rate faith as "very important" in their lives, and 58 percent have made a commitment to Jesus Christ.

Yet, despite the results of this study, Christian denominations seem to have different ideas of how to view homosexuals. Some have no issue with homosexuality, while others strongly condemn it. Still, others feel that homosexuality is a sin, but no different from the sins heterosexuals commit daily. Each denomination cites interpretations of scripture for their attitudes toward homosexuality, and those interpretations vary greatly.

So, what is the "right" attitude toward homosexuality? Most of us tend to adhere to the attitudes put forth by the denomination to which we belong. Yet, others change their attitudes over time and change denominations to fit our beliefs. In the end, though, many Christians continue to be very much like the President, wrestling between attitudes toward homosexuality and religious teachings.

Deuteronomy 15:7 - "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother." (NIV)

There are always people in need around us. God calls us not to turn a blind eye toward those in need. Today we are dealing with friends' parents losing their jobs and struggling to make ends meet. There are people living in oppression, not able to speak out or find enough food to eat.

Suffering comes in many forms, and God calls us to open our hearts to those in need. Spending time in outreach activities or volunteering can be big ways to help those in need. Other times, a simple shoulder to cry on is showing compassion. Whatever suffering you see, offer what you can to the person who needs it the most.

The sun is shining. Your best friend's pool beckons. Yet suddenly your mom wants to know where you're going, how long you're going to be there, and don't forget you have to mow the lawn, too. Suddenly you feel like she's treating you like a child, and you start an argument.

Summer may be a great three months off of school, but it is often a time of greater strain between parents and their teenagers. Suddenly you're spending more time together, and your parents want to be involved while you want independence. That's when the sparks start flying.

Yet, there are ways to get along with your parents year round. While it is your break from school, you can't dismiss that your parents want to spend time with you. Make an effort to have fun on the family vacation. Spend some time with your parents during your break, maybe even doing a summer devotional as a family.

Sure, we all get frustrated with each other once in a while, but making efforts to understand one another is key to minimizing the summer relationship strain. After all, God calls on us to honor our parents and make them proud.

Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (NIV)

Strength and courage aren't always that easy to find. Sometimes we'd rather crawl in a hole than deal with the things going on in our lives. Yet, God tells us that He will provide us with the strength to deal with anything. He commands that we face the difficult things in our lives, and He encourages us to rely on His strength to get us through.

There are so many things we face each day that bring about fear in varying levels. One of the things that we fear the most is change. Some of you may just be starting high school or college this year, and it can be very daunting. Will you be able to handle the workload? Will people like you? Yet, God tells us that He will be with us through it all. Sometimes we face these fears because God has more for us to do and learn. When we lean on His strength, He only makes us stronger through the sometimes difficult process.