Defeated Again!

Looks like New York isn't the last state to make a stand for marriage.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/07/new-jersey-gay-marriage/?test=latestnews

I think this is a growing trend. The people don't want it and their voices are being heard by lawmakers.

The Savior is Born!

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:26-38 NIV)

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:1-20 NIV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:1-5 NIV)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)

MERRY CHRISTMAS! JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!!

Defeated!

On Wednesday December 2nd, history was made in the New York Senate. The controversial bill that would legalize same-sex marriage was brought to the floor for debate and an eventual vote.
Several lawmakers in the embattled Senate stood and spoke their approval of the measure, trying to convince the others in the chamber that this would be good for New York and its citizens.
After some heartfelt words and encouragement, it was time to vote. As the rollcall began and made its way down the list of Senators present, it became glaringly clear that this measure was dead in the water.
In the end, 38 Senators voted the measure down, while 24 vote to pass the bill. NYS Gay marriage 2009 died.

As I sat and listened to the tally of votes, I raised my hands triumphantly to the sky. It was a salute to the Maker of all life. I prayed hard that this measure would be defeated, I called His Word out to Him as if I was reminding Him what He wrote. Silly, I know. But it gave me encouragement and reinforced my faith.
He said that His Word would not return to Him void, and it didn’t! As I heard the votes, I distinctly heard "Be still, and know that I Am God."

VICTORY!

Now, let me get to the legal, constitutional and religious implications of all of this. First, as it stands in NY now, same-sex marriage is ILLEGAL! It came before the Senate and was DEFEATED.
Second, if you are gay, you STILL can go about your day in the US and NYS. You aren’t going to jail or an institution. You can vote, drive and join the military of you so choose. Sin can be forgiven by simply accepting Jesus' Sacrifice on the cross. You can be forgiven!
Thirdly and most importantly, the issue of gay marriage is 100% a religious issue. There is no way of getting around it, marriage is a union between a MAN AND A WOMAN sanctified by GOD HIMSELF. There isn’t one scripture in the entire text of the Holy Bible, Old or New Testaments, that say that same sex relationships are ok in God’s eyes.
In previous posts I have laid out what the scripture says.
Now we get to the social arguments.
I am no bigot. I accept everyone as an equal, just as Christ did with the sinful people He was with in His time.
Calling names is not tolerant either. I am not a "homophobe" or anything of the like. If you actually boil the word down it means that I’m afraid of homosexuality. Quite the opposite, homosexuality is a sin that was defeated at Calvary ’s Cross. What do I have to fear?
People will come and try to throw "inconsistencies" of scripture in our faces, trying to create doubt of it’s validity as God’s written Word. They will invoke memories of past transgressions made by people who came in the "name of God."
I have news for you, those same arguments come from the mouth of Satan himself. He’s been using the same M-O for millennia. He doesn’t change his tune, same ole-same ole.
He used similar tactics as the serpent in the garden of Eden. Did he not try to twist what God had said to Adam and Eve?

Now, for constitutional issues. I am not for government getting the authority to legally go in and change any definition that they see currently fit. Not a good idea, when we give them that authority they will systematically take away our rights. Before we know it, America won’t be America anymore.
I realize that they have been doing it for years, but it’s time to put a stop to it and not allow it any longer. Voters are the final checks and balances! We must act, speak and be heard!

I am not perfect. I am a sinner myself and continue to sin. I am human! I strive for perfection, but until I am out of this sinful body, that is unattainable. Only when I enter His kingdom will I get there.
Jesus said "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28 NIV) If that’s true, then I’m done. I’m a guy! What guy (or girl) hasn't, once in their lives, looked at someone else and thought something impure? And following the logic of what sin is: separation from God, I am severed from God’s love because of one fleeting thought. If that's true, our thoughts damned us LONG ago!
Rough, huh? Bottom line, we are all sinful in one way or another. People will say, "I am a good person therefore I’m going to heaven."
Or "As long as I live and good life and don’t murder anyone, I believe that I’ll go to heaven."
Unfortunately, that is categorically WRONG! Sin is separation from God and no good deed will EVER get you to heaven!

Jesus said it Himself, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved…" (John 10:9 NIV)
He also said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NIV)
Also: "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3:3 NIV)

I didn’t write these words, someone far older and wiser is at the heart of these Words. For those who wish to disagree because you think it’s wrong, GET OVER YOURSELF! These Words have been around a lot longer than any of us and will remain long after we’re gone! They have been proven time and TIME AGAIN! He is the Author and Creator of life. Wanna argue with Him some more?

Moving forward, where do we go from here? The battle and attack on Godly values will continue, the devil doesn’t rest and will stop at nothing to get us all to succumb to his lies and deceit.
The issue in the State of New York having to do with same-sex marriage hasn’t gone away. The attacks on the righteous will intensify. The slander will get worse and more disgusting, and of course: personal.
The powers of darkness are regrouping for another volley, but we need to be ready and stand firm against them. We need our feet planted on the sure Foundation, the Rock. When the storms come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will raise a standard against it.
I have the unique position of being able to be in direct contact of government. I once wondered why God put me here like I believe He did. I have my answer, I am to be a foot-soldier right in the trenches of battle. Enemy rounds whiz overhead, but I will continue to push forward until His righteousness abounds. I may not be a deadeye with all my return fire, but when they hit they hit HARD!
Twice, with the might of Christ I was in position to prayerfully attack the stronghold of gay marriage. And twice it fell hard.

History was made, let’s keep it going for Him!

Victory at the Capitol!

In a stunning vote, the NY Senate downed a marriage equality bill that would have legalized gay marriage in New York State. The final tally, 38 no-votes to 24-yes votes. It was bi-partisan, since several Democrats joined the Republicans to defeat the measure.

This is only the beginning of course, but for now the movement is halted! More to come!

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

"Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it."

Tune In!

Have you ever found yourself wondering why it seems at you and God aren't on the same page when it comes to life?

Christians tend to take God for granted. Because we have read His Word, gone to Church and prayed a lot we think we know what God has planned for our lives.

I have a bit of a revelation, we really have only scratched the surface. He has so much more for us.

I sometimes find myself listening for His voice only to question why it isn't louder. Some things aren't as clear as others. Decisions aren't always easy ones to make. Why is that? I confess His name, defend Him to co-workers and pray. So how is it I can seem like His voice is garbled and hard to understand?

Maybe we haven't properly tuned in to Him. Kinda like manually tuning into a radio. I work at a TV News station and run the live trucks for the news. We use microwaves to send the live signals back to the station.

I get to my location and put up the microwave mast. The way I get the signal strong is to turn the dish on top the mast 360 degrees until the stations "sees" me. We then fine-tune it slowly until the perfect signal is achieved. Then and only then, can we do our live broadcast from the field.

How do I achieve the perfect signal? The station can't move, the receive site is fixed, so I have to be the one to move and change my orientation. Liken that to our Christian Walk with the Lord.

Does He change? No! He's provided His road map as to where we need to be. It's up to us to utilize it and get there. Some of us don't like to ask for directions, but we absolutely need to ask the One who made the map. We need to tune into what He wants for us.

How? Read and digest His Word. We need to put Him first. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

If we have problems with not being able to hear God's voice, it isn't Him not being caring or listening. We just need to slow down and fine-tune Him in. He wants the best signal for us so we can hear Him better. So tune in today!!

Today is the eighth anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks on the United States. We need to remember what happened on that day and the resolve that we all had following those terrible events.

I find that one thing that we as humans have is an ability to blot out painful experiences. We definitely need to move on from such events, but we should never forget.

Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. What a wonderful way of putting it. We learn from history. On a day that we mourn for those innocent lives taken in New York City, Washington DC and Shanksville, PA, we also look forward.

We look forward to the Glorious Appearing of our coming Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The day that all pain and suffering will be taken away forever. At the same time, judgement will be handed out to those who rejected His love and willfully brought pain upon others.

Do we look forward to the judgement seat? No. But we know that God is fair and just and whatever He decides will be right and good.

On this day, September 11th, we should reflect and be ever vigilant. Never Forget!