Wanda Sykes is a gifted comedian. I admire her spunk and her pluck and her point of view on this crazy world.

I am labeled a conservative because I voted republican in the last 4 elections. I am labeled a Christian because I do indeed believe that Christ is God incarnate, that He physically died a criminal's death on the cross to pay for my sins, and that He stands with God the Father in heaven today, alive and fulfilling his mission through those of us who have given our lives to Him. I believe in the Trinity, and I believe abortion is never justified. Kind of like people who are against animal cruelty.

But I sin, too. My opinions do not get me past the bouncers at Heaven's gate. My actions do not build a case for passing Go and collecting $200. I cannot in and of myself break into eternal communion with God. That's why I trust in Christ. He's my ticket. And trusting in him attracts me to God's word in the Bible. As I read I walk with God and listen to the Holy Spirit speaking through those scriptures. He makes me want to follow Christ's lead and gives me the power to overcome temptations and discern what is of the flesh and what is of the Spirit. What I do with my life is, thankfully, up to me because I live in a free country and because God has ordained our will to be our own. Does that mean I gravitate toward sin as I know it? No. I appreciate what's been done so that I can have eternal life in the presence of true Love, and because I wear my label proudly. I do not want to tarnish the name of Christ in my life as a confessed Christian and I take pains to be faithful to my Lord. It is an on-going process, I was once immature, I am growing in knowledge and faith and God isn't finished with me yet. If I look back on this column five years from now and regret that I said any of these things, I will bring my newfound convictions to the feet of His throne and humbly ask that my mind be moved through faith toward His mind, so that I am always just where He wants me to be and able to act on His behalf when called.

For now, I am the only Christian I know of who is not against same-sex marriage. I am against polygamy, underage sex, out of wedlock sex, and bestiality. I can't find anything wrong with two adults of the same gender committing to one another for a lifetime through a civil ceremony. And if they ask God to bless their union in a church ceremony, who am I to interfere? I don't try to think for God. I am not in control of His great plan. It is my understanding through scripture that that arrangement isn't what He wants for us, but neither does he want any of us to lie or steal or have lust in our hearts. If it wasn't for Jesus, I'd be SO defeated!

I also appreciate opinions that are opposite of my own. Opinions run the gamut of extremes from person to person, year to year, from culture to culture. Opinions are a moving target. Everybody has them and they are bound to clash the more friends you have and the more you move about the Earth.

I have enjoyed seeing Wanda Sykes in person. She is hilarious to me. Sometimes she wounds with her criticism but that's part of a comedian's job. I don't begrudge her her soap box. I especially like the waxing bit!

Ever since the White House M.C. gig, I've begun to worry about how far she is going to go with the republican-conservative-white-people-Christian insults on her new late-night talk show. It seems Ms. Sykes has a huge chip on her shoulder and her anger is getting the better of her. Almost a reverse hate seeping through. But I think her talent can overcome those petty attacks and I would like to see her become a little more inclusive with her comedy, her humanity. I'm not asking her to change who she is, but I pray that she doesn't polarize America more than it already is, because she has a huge following and her personality (sans politics) is such a treat!

Wanda, I love ya! Let's coexist. I know you could make mutual respect a laughing matter. It will be much harder than just digging at the 'other side' but I feel you are the one for the challenge. I'll be watching to see if I was right about you (no pun intended). You go girl!