Episcopal Leader Claims St. Paul of Tarsus’ Curing of Demon-Possessed Girl Was Wrong By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter

The head of the Episcopal Church has garnered outrage from some in the Anglican Communion over her claim that St. Paul of Tarsus‘ curing of a demon-possessed slave girl as described in the Bible was wrong.

In a sermon delivered before the Diocese of Venezuela on the island nation of Curaçao, Presiding Bishop The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori said that by driving the demon out of her Paul was “depriving her of her gift of spiritual awareness.”

“Paul is annoyed, perhaps for being put in his place, and he responds by depriving her of her gift of spiritual awareness,” said Jefferts Schori.

“Paul can’t abide something he won’t see as beautiful or holy, so he tries to destroy it. It gets him thrown in prison. That’s pretty much where he’s put himself by his own refusal to recognize that she, too, shares in God’s nature, just as much as he does – maybe more so!”

The passage that Jefferts Schori was preaching can be found in the Book of Acts, chapter 16. The chapter provides an account of some of the mission Paul of Tarsus did in the early church.

In the incident described in Acts 16, Paul cures a slave girl of a demon that had given the girl the ability to fortune-tell and made money for her masters.

Upon doing so, the girl’s masters proceeded to drag Paul and his companion Silas before the authorities, who proceeded to throw them into prison.

Jefferts Schori’s message, delivered last week, has garnered many negative responses online, including an entry by George Conger on the website “Anglican Ink” and also in the comments section of the copy of the sermon on the Episcopal Digital Network.

“Paul cast a demon out of the slave girl, an agent of Satan, a force of darkness, and didn’t deprive her of some spiritual gift…this sermon is not a Christian sermon,” posted Fr. Will McQueen.

“It is terribly stunning to read that the Presiding Bishop elevates the sinful practice of necromancy to the Holy Spirit inspired territory of spiritual gifts. This is eisegesis of a demonic sort,” posted Fr. Trent Overman.

“How can the Presiding Bishop miss the point that the woman was exploited- the slave woman was in physical, spiritual and relational bondage – she was being used for profit and her incessant shouting was disruptive and insincere,” posted a user doting the name “BabyBlue.”

Charlie Jackson, a poster who identified himself as “a pretty theologically liberal Episcopalian”, nevertheless concluded that Jefferts Schori’s interpretation of Acts 16 “is just too much.”

Jeff Walton, Anglican program director at the Institute on Religion & Democracy, told The Christian Post that the Presiding Bishop “has a long record of first establishing theopolitical positions and then conforming scripture to align with her predetermined purpose.”

“Earlier this month at a church event focused on climate change, she outlined her view that those who disagree with her climate activism are denying the image of God in creation, much as the heresy of Arianism denied the unique divinity of Jesus Christ,” said Walton.

“This habit of making political opponents into spiritual enemies is something that the religious right has been accused of — yet Jefferts Schori, a figure on the left, is doing exactly this.”

The Episcopal Church did not return comment to The Christian Post about the controversy over Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori’s sermon by press time.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/episcopal-leader-claims-st-paul-of-tarsus-curing-of-demon-possessed-girl-was-wrong-96465/#AXRDW0bcyvE8vB77.99

A battle within our military

A battle within our military

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”   II Timothy 2:3 This verse isn’t addressing war on the battlefields with guns and bombs, but the spiritual battles we fight in daily life.  Right now warfare – spiritual warfare style – is being fought behind closed doors as those in power surreptitiously create policies against Christianity. Note this prophetic warning written in 1990 from Christian leader Dr. James Dobson: “Bloody battles are being fought on a thousand fronts, both inside and outside of government.  Open any daily newspaper and you’ll find accounts of the latest Gettysburg, Waterloo, Normandy, or Stalingrad.  Instead of fighting for territory or military conquest, however, the struggle now is for the hearts and minds of the people.  It is a war over ideas.  … For now, the outcome is very much in doubt.  …”  This war is one that significantly targets the heart and soul of the U.S. military and, congruently, each and every one of us. On May 2, 1778 the General George Washington issued the following orders to his troops at Valley Forge:  “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion.  To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to laud the more distinguished Character of Christian.” Until recently, our nation has a long history of recognizing the importance of faith within the military.  Yet today there is a concerted attack upon Christianity in our armed forces. Rear Admiral William Lee recently stated at a National Day of Prayer event:  “Leaders like myself are feeling the constraints of rules and regulations and guidance issued by lawyers that put us in a tighter and tighter box regarding our constitutional right to express our religious faith.” There are many recent examples of the military targeting Christians, as commentator Todd Starnes reports: •An Army briefing labeled Evangelical Christians and Catholics as examples of religious extremism – linking them to Al Qaeda and Hamas. In another incident, an Army officer warned that the Family Research Council and American Family Association were domestic hate groups. •A War Games scenario at Fort Leavenworth identified Christian groups and Evangelical groups as being potential threats; •A 2009 Dept. of Homeland Security memorandum identified future threats to national security coming from Evangelicals and pro-life groups; •A West Point study released by the U.S. Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center that linked pro-lifers to terrorism; • Evangelical leader Franklin Graham was uninvited from the Pentagon’s National Day of Prayer service because of his comments about Islam; • Christian prayers were banned at the funeral services for veterans at Houston’s National Cemetery; • Christian crosses and a steeple were removed from a chapel in Afghanistan because the military said the icons disrespected other religions; •Bibles were banned at Walter Reed Army Medical Center – a decision that was later rescinded; •Catholic chaplains were told not to read a letter to parishioners from their archbishop related to Obamacare mandates. The Secretary of the Army feared the letter could be viewed as a call for civil disobedience. And the most recent, quoting from Worldnet Daily, Last month, Pentagon officials met with an activist committed to removing Christianity from the U.S. military. Michael “Mikey” Weinstein, the head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, has called the practice of Christians in the service sharing their faith “spiritual rape.” … Now Weinstein’s wants the Pentagon to vigorously enforce an existing policy against proselytizing in the military. The Pentagon’s responded by issuing this written statement: “Religious proselytization is not permitted within the Department of Defense,” the Pentagon statement read in part. “Court-martials and non-judicial punishments are decided on a case-by-case basis.” A firestorm then erupted amid fears of court-martials for service members who share their Christian faith, and the Pentagon was forced to backtrack in an effort to quiet the protests. “Service members can share their faith (evangelize), but must not force attempts to convert others of any faith or no faith to one’s beliefs (proselytization),” Pentagon spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen said in a written statement. That’s not good enough for retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, who is now executive vice president at the Family Research Council. “We’d like to get a statement saying exactly what assurances Mikey Weinstein did get from the Air Force,” Boykin told WND. … Activists like Weinstein argue any Christian witnessing should be off limits, while others say it should only mean service members cannot pressure or coerce others to convert. “If they will tell us that and give us the assurance that living their faith and sharing their faith is a protected right then we’ll be satisfied,” said Boykin. … If the pattern of religious hostility persists, Boykin says young people and their families will simply decide military service is not worth the assault on their values. … As the saying goes, “there are no atheists in foxholes,” but there will be if Mikey Weinstein has his way. As we commemorate Memorial Day, honor the brave men and women who fought for and died for our cherished freedoms.  Remember, too, the sacrificial service of those serving in the military today who are willing to die to protect the liberty we enjoy, yet are seeing their own freedom of religion under attack. For those living in Michigan, you have an opportunity to hear Lt. General Jerry Boykin in person.  Come and hear Lieutenant General (Ret.) Jerry Boykin, one of the nation’s most significant leaders in our day: Thursday, June 6 at 7 PM at Matthews Auditorium, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, 3000 Leonard N.E. Grand Rapids MI Also:  Lieutenant General (Ret.) Jerry Boykin – Friday, June 7 at 7:30 PM at First Assembly of God, 5650 S. Telegraph Rd., Dearborn Heights, MI  48125 http://www.americandecency.org/full_article.php?article_no=1901

Tyranny IS lurking around the corner

Tyranny IS lurking around the corner

Several weeks ago, President Obama gave a commencement address to a class of graduates of Ohio State University.  As he stood before these students, Obama found the need to defend the expanding role of government to his robed audience who would soon go out to either launch their careers or move back into their parents’ basement. “We don’t always talk about this idea much these days – citizenship – let alone celebrate it. Sometimes, we see it as a virtue from another time, a distant past – one that’s slipping from a society that celebrates individual ambition above all else… we know this country cannot accomplish great things if we pursue nothing greater than our own individual ambition…” “Unfortunately, you’ve grown up hearing voices that incessantly warn of government as nothing more than some separate, sinister entity that’s the root of all our problems, even as some of these voices do their best to gum up the works; they’ll warn that tyranny’s always lurking just around the corner.  You should reject these voices.  Because what they suggest is that our brave, creative, unique experiment in self-rule is somehow just a sham with which we can’t be trusted. We have never been a people who place all our faith in government to solve our problems, nor do we want it to, but we don’t think the government is the source of all our problems, either…” “As citizens, we understand that it’s not about what Americans can do for us, It’s about what can be done by us, together, through the hard and frustrating but absolutely necessary work of self-government.” I’m not sure whose voices the president was referring to, since schools rarely teach what our nation’s founders said, but if they did those OSU students might have recalled the words of Thomas Jefferson: “Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” And one from Patrick Henry, “guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.” And of course, there’s the famous line from Ronald Reagan, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” So, yeah, I guess a few people have suggested that “tyranny is always lurking around the corner.” Also, “self-rule” has historically meant ‘each man ruling himself’ not ‘each man voting on who would rule them.’ Jefferson had something to say about that, too: “A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities.” I have one more aside.  I’ll take a brief moment to note that the idea of the citizenry working together to advance their nation and not themselves is the definition of fascism, not of a republic. But, back to the subject at hand, if the president wanted to convince the public that the government was not some scary, tyrannical federation out to control their lives, he probably should have made sure that his employees were not harassing his political opponents and using their positions in the Internal Revenue Service to do it. Here we are, however, in the midst of prying out the facts surrounding discrimination against conservative groups applying for 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 tax status with words like “Tea Party” or “Patriot” in their groups’ names. The biggest question on everyone’s mind is, ‘how far up does this go?’ As an anonymous Obama aide put it to CBS, “We’re portrayed by Republicans as either being lying or idiots. It’s actually closer to us being idiots.”  Those do, indeed, seem to be the options.  The problem is the ‘idiot’ defense starts to look so suspicious when it is used so often – the Benghazi cover up, investigating Associated Press and FOX News journalists, now the IRS, etc. Ultimately, no matter how high any of these scandals go – whether President Obama is a master puppeteer or just a clown who’s lost control of his car – the lesson will be the same.  It is that between President Jefferson‘s idea of government and President Obama’s idea of government, it is Jefferson’s that has been proven true.  Here it is again, “… even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” The more power a government has, the closer it gets to tyranny.  Tyranny IS always lurking around the corner, because when someone has power over someone else – especially someone they disagree with – it is often too tempting to exercise it inappropriately.  Obviously, one would be a bigger violation of the public trust than the other, but, at its essence, it doesn’t matter whether the person in power is the President of the United States or a renegade IRS agent.  Either way, they have perverted their power into tyranny. http://www.americandecency.org/full_article.php?article_no=1899

Biblical principles that we would do well to teach at the earliest stages

Biblical principles that we would do well to teach at the earliest stages

Young people are precious, impressionable and vulnerable.  They are beginning to learn and observe in the earliest of days of their infancy.  They hear.  They see.  They touch and feel.  All around them are varieties of types of stimulation. =============================================================== There are several Biblical principles that we would do well to teach at the earliest stages to our children and grandchildren.  What we watch and listen to DOES impact. 1. I will place no wicked thing before mine eyes. Psalm 101:3a.  This is a Biblical truth for people of all ages.   A household that is television-centered can’t possibly be abiding by this principle.  If our children are being exposed to soap operas, a steady flow of advertisements, talk shows, sitcoms, dramas, etc.., your loved ones  are being exposed to images and themes that are Godless and influential. Aggressively and caringly regulating your television is of vital importance.  Even better is not having television in your household because guarding, overseeing and regulating a television is very difficult to do.  In a household where mother and father are not in agreement with Christian principles of parenting and/or both are at work and kids are home alone watching television without guidance, it can be especially hard to protect the eys of our children. 2.  When viewing television or a DVD together, know what it is that you are viewing.   It isn’t a good thing to be surprised by erotic, profane and/or violent images or themes.  Children are impressionable. 3.  Model before your children and teens behaviors, attitudes, and convictions that send a  clear message to your offspring that you, too, exercise discernment in what you view and are entertained by. 4.  “Pursue holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.”  [Hebrews 12:14]  If this isn’t a concern or conviction of yours, examine your own heart.  This is a central part of the Christian faith. 5. To add balance to this vitally important area of concern is, that  as important as it is to have standards of “don’t do this and this and this,” is the explanation of why you’re saying don’t.     Teaching to do those things that please God and show that we are His children.  All of us need to learn to DISCERN. Test all things.  Hold fast what is good. Abstain from all forms of evil. [I Thessalonians 5:21].    It is easier to memorize a scripture than it is to teach discernment.   At the same time it doesn’t mean that you choose to watch ungodly things and justify it by then pointing out those things that are ungodly. 6.   Ultimately, our children and grandchildren need to be able to stand on their own – to fend for themselves and to stand on God’s standards for themselves.    Deuteronomy 6 speaks of our need to first know Christ ourselves.  And then we are to be making disciples of our children day by day – throughout the day.  Living a Christian life – taking our marching orders from Christ daily.  Walking in the light.  Repenting of our sins as needed.  Asking for God’s help and guidance. Deuteronomy 6:  “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.    You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.   You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” 7.  Godward Focus – taken from Shepherding Through the Stages of Childhood by Ted Tripp “Notice that obedience is a response to God.  Children must learn that they have been made for God.  They have a duty to Him.  He has the right to rule them.  They owe Him obedience. Young children will never submit to you without understanding this truth.  They will never see living in terms of bringing glory to God.  They will be self-absorbed – the prime objects of worship in their own world. Submission to earthly authority is a specific application of being a creature under God’s authority.  Submission to God’s authority may seem distant and theoretical.  Mom and Dad, however, are present.  Obedience to God is reflected in a child’s growing understanding of obedience to parents.  … “ This is significant.   This book referenced  – “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” is an apt title for the discussion of this short treatise. If we as parents have our child’s heart, we will likely have their honoring and obedience, and more importantly will be turning their hearts toward loving, honoring, and obeying God. 8.  These are difficult days.  Pornography, obscenity, and indecency are rampant  and filling our airwaves, television, computer screens, cell phones, radios, et al. What has the power to keep a person of any age from viewing, listening to, and being engaged with godless entertainment?     With some exceptions, the answer is love and regard for Jesus Christ, and the Word of God. 9.  However, all around us people are falling and have fallen morally and spiritually: pastors, police officers, teachers, politicians – from senators to presidents,  high ranking military officials, judges, prosecutors, school and university leaders, doctors, etc.. I believe there is great faltering because the concern of guarding your heart, mind and soul is not held high as precious and imperative.  So many have not had modeled for them godly examples and have little to no regard for God their Creator. “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” Job 31:1 Matthew Henry comments:  The lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world, are two fatal rocks on which multitudes split; against these Job protests he was always careful to stand upon his guard. God takes more exact notice of us than we do of ourselves; let us therefore walk circumspectly.   …  Without strict honestly and faithfulness in all our dealings, we can have no good evidence of true godliness. Yet how many [people] are unable to abide this touchstone! Barnes Note on the Bible: I made a covenant with mine eyes – The first virtue of his private life to which Job refers is chastity. Such was his sense of the importance of this, and of the danger to which man was exposed, that he had solemnly resolved not to think upon a young female. The phrase here, “I made a covenant with mine eyes,” is poetical, meaning that he solemnly resolved. A covenant is of a sacred and binding nature; and the strength of his resolution was as great as if he had made a solemn compact.  By the language (in the Greek), Job means that he had resolved, in the most solemn manner, that he would not allow his eyes or thoughts to endanger him by improperly contemplating a woman. Click here to receive this in pdf form. http://www.americandecency.org/full_article.php?article_no=1897

From Atlanta To The Ends Of The Earth

We no longer live in a time when isolationism is possible. Through the power of technology, those across the world are as accessible to us as those next door to us. What happens in one part of the world now impacts the entire world.

Often, I am asked, “Michael, why do you spend so much time focusing on other nations? We have so many problems here at home.”  While I agree our problems here need to be addressed, and I do address them daily, the time has passed when America can be our sole focus. What is happening in the world politically, economically, and spiritually impacts each one of us sooner or later.

This is why I am spending this week in Jakarta, Indonesia—the world’s largest Muslim nation.  I am meeting with pastors, political and business leaders, and am sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with thousands of people over three nights from May 23^rd-25^th in Istora Stadium.  The event is also being broadcast throughout the entire nation of Indonesia on LIFE Channel and across the Arab world on THE KINGDOM SAT channel. You can watch it here from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Although Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim nation, there has been a surprising amount of religious freedom there. However, in recent years, radical Islamic groups there have committed increasingly aggressive campaigns and attacks against Christians and other minority religions.

Our time may be limited in Indonesia, but we have the opportunity today to see Indonesia reached for Christ and healed from its tumultuous past. I long to see it happen.

My prayer is this week’s event will lead the way towards long-lasting spiritual transformation throughout Indonesia. Friends in Indonesia shared church growth statistics with us pointing to the possibility that within my sons’ generation, we could see the world’s largest Muslim nation become 50 percent Christian.  In fact, last year a Christian governor was elected in Jakarta where there are great efforts to stop corruption, leading to the development of much needed business and governmental infrastructure.

There is no doubt; Indonesia is poised to experience a transformation of lives, society, government, family and businesses.  Before our very eyes, we have the opportunity to witness the healing of a nation—true healing only available through Christ Jesus.

Recently, Indonesia has been an economic marvel as they experience six to seven percent annual growth, close to China’s growth.  Economically, the nation is booming and it is my prayer Indonesia will spiritually boom as well.

Imagine the impact to the world as millions of people in the world’s largest Muslim nation receive Christ. This possibility is why I reach out just as passionately to other nations as I do my own.

I hope you will take a minute to learn more about this event and will pray for us.

http://www.michaelyoussef.com/michaels-blogs/from-atlanta-to-the-ends-of-the-earth.html

The Bipartisan Folly of Our Islam Delusion

Politicians accuse each other of failure, which is to be expected. Each side has their “narrative,” and the truth often loses out (although I am thankful for the honest and courageous ones who do speak the truth).

But since I’m not a politician, but instead have a prophetic journalistic voice, I will speak the truth and let the chips fall where they may.

There is one area in particular where it is hard to find the truth spoken by either Republicans or Democrats: namely, this whole idea that Muslim people yearn for democracy. It is a glaring short-sightedness that both sides hold in common.

To be sure, many of my Muslim friends long for Western-style democracy and freedom. But they are always thwarted (and always will be) by the majority view. That is why even those friends of mine would admit that democracy is incompatible with Islamic ideology.

Knowledgeable people will agree that democracy and freedom is a delicate rose that was planted in the soil of the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation turned the people of the dark ages back to the Bible, with its deeply-rooted respect for the individual.

The Bible unequivocally declares that God values “the individual.” God not only created a man and a woman to be compatible in every way, but God gave man the management responsibility for His creation—thus God placed “the individual” at the helm of importance.

The Christian faith testifies to the fact that although humans fell in the Garden of Eden, God saw fit to redeem them at a colossal cost to Himself—such is the value he places on us.

That is the soil that gave Western democracy its ideals.

Now enter some misguided Republicans and Democrats who think that the ideology of Islam can be rehabilitated and made compatible with Western Christian values.

Neither political side understands that, contrary to the biblical view of man, the root of Islamic ideology declares that man is of no consequence. Allah is. The human individual is of no value; he is only to serve the whim of Allah, his prophet, and the successors (caliphates) of the prophets of Islam. Democracy and freedom rise from the bottom up, whereas Islam is a top-down ideology—Allah, whose words they claim to have received, is all that matters.

So when George W. Bush often said that freedom is “God’s gift to humanity,” thoughtful people needed to ask some important questions.

Such as, which God? Yahweh, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ? Or Allah of 7^th century Arabia?

As well-intentioned as his administration was, a cursory look at our effort to bring democracy to Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza, and Egypt offer proof of the apparent impossibility of the task.

And when President Obama speaks of Muslims yearning for freedom as we do, one must ask: whose definition of freedom is he talking about?

Well over 90 percent of the Islamic states that signed the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights—and the right to freedom of religion contained within it—would immediately qualify it by declaring that “freedom” means freedom to be a slave of Allah and nothing more.

That is why the definition of freedom is so important. Using that emotive word sounds good in the Western press, but it is meaningless in Islamic culture. Just take a look at the president’s efforts in Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt for confirmation.

To get a taste of the dominant view of Islamic ideology, one need only watch the countless videos of Islamic religious leaders available on the internet. Videos like the one of Egyptian Cleric Sheik Murgan Salem after the Boston bombing will help skeptics understand why I hold such contrarian opinions.

Those men do not speak only for a few; they speak for the vast majority. Regardless of whether it’s the one who declares that U.S. aid is a jeziah that infidels must pay to Muslims, or the one who says that Islam will one day dominate the West, they all prove the folly of not facing the facts.

As long as that folly is shared in a bipartisan fashion, the prospects for peace in the world will be very bleak.

http://www.michaelyoussef.com/michaels-blogs/the-bipartisan-folly-of-our-islam-delusion.html

At the Core of the “Gay Marriage” Debate

In Jeffrey Toobin’s recent article in The New Yorker, Wedding Bells, he resorted to name-calling to malign pro-marriage advocates, an all-too common tactic among the gay lobby.

In his article, Toobin wrote: “There are really only two reasons that gay marriage is still illegal in more than three-quarters of the country: that’s the way it has always been; and the very idea of same-sex marriage makes some people, well, uncomfortable.”

Then he went on to define that discomfort as “tradition and bigotry.” So much for returning the tolerance they preach and demand from others—others who actually have legitimate reasons for their beliefs.

The gay lobby—which I contend is the most powerful lobby in America today—has successfully infiltrated the minds of the less-grounded generation. And with that infiltration, they have dismissed the importance of what the Creator Himself demands of His creation.

They have succeeded in framing the argument, not from the creation point of view, but from one of justice and human rights. And who could oppose human rights? I, for one, applaud every effort to give the 100 million persecuted Christians around the world their human right to be left alone in peace.

But according to gay activists, human rights demand that gay couples be allowed to marry regardless of their gender. They are attracted to each other—why shouldn’t they marry?

That is a flawed argument, however. Marriage is a far more significant institution than trivializing it as between any two people who like each other.

In the Jewish and Christian understanding of creation, the Creator has ordained marriage for a far greater purpose than that short-sighted and shallow definition.

As the Anglican Book of Common Prayer declares: “Marriage is an honorable estate, instituted by God . . . and therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained.”

Marriage is far from the concept of being just for two people who love each other—whether it be for a month, a year, or longer. Marriage is far from a hunger for sexual pleasure in whatever way one deems fit. Marriage is far from the idea that, if it feels good, then society must support you in doing it.

The Creator ordained marriage for three vital reasons: for the survival of humanity, for the procreation of children, and for lifelong companionship—specifically a lifelong companionship where one finds the only proper expression of sexual intimacy.

The Maker of humankind instituted that triune foundational bedrock, and one’s lack of religious beliefs cannot alter that elemental truth.

Many people argue that marriage cannot be looked upon with that triune purpose because so many marriages fail. The institution itself is damaged goods, they say. But that’s a false argument. Even if all marriages were to fail, that would not negate the purpose for which it was ordained.

Here’s the crux of the matter: loving someone, even if one intends for that love to be permanent, is not enough to constitute marriage. That trivializes marriage.

Although love is an essential ingredient for marriage, it is by no means the only ingredient—especially when that love is of the selfish nature so common today. Emotional love and good feelings will ebb and flow. But lifelong, deep commitment between a man and a woman, buttressed by children, is the Creator’s purpose for marriage.

Children need a father and mother. And the concept of a father and mother is based on a male/female relationship. There’s no getting around that. It is a foundational concept. But in bowing down to the powerful gay lobby, ten state legislatures have politicized and trivialized it.

I understand that some homosexual activists want recognition and feel that homosexual marriage is the only way for society to recognize them. But even if that happens, they won’t stop there. The next stage will be the demand that homosexual marriage be, not only protected and privileged, but preached as a virtue—even superior to natural marriage.

For deep down—too deep for some of them to admit or even recognize—they know they were created in the Creator’s image and are going against His ordained order. Thus their conflicted conscience will drive them to push society for more and more recognition. They will not be able to stop.

That is the proper understanding of the “gay marriage” debate. It is far more than just intimidating the people they falsely accuse of “bigotry.” It craves and demands respect, even from those who disagree with it.

I, for one, respect people with whom I disagree. That’s just general human courtesy. But no amount of name-calling will give those who reject the created order the respect they seek. That can only come from within, from a conscience that is aligned with God’s will for His world.

http://www.michaelyoussef.com/michaels-blogs/at-the-core-of-the-gay-marriage-debate.html

Tears for Generations

“That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud.”—Numbers 14:1

The Torah portion for this week is Shelach, from Numbers 13:1–15:41 and the Haftorah from Joshua 2:1–24.

There is a story told about the famous French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. He was traveling through a Jewish town in Europe when he entered a synagogue. There he saw men, women, and children, all sitting on the floor, weeping and reading from ancient texts. The room was almost completely dark and the atmosphere was gloomy.

“What great misfortune occurred?” Napoleon wanted to know. He assumed that something terrible must have just happened to the Jews. The Jewish officer with him knew otherwise. He explained, “It is the ninth of Av on the Hebrew calendar. On this day, every year, Jews around the world gather to mourn the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.” Napoleon asked, “When did that happen?” The officer replied, “Two thousand years ago.” Napoleon was shocked and said, “Any people that still cry for their land and their Temple after two thousand years will surely merit seeing both returned to them.”

Indeed, the land of Israel has been returned to the Jewish people. But as the Temple still lies in ruins, Jews continue to mourn on the ninth of Av. In fact, it’s not just the destruction of the Temples that we mourn on that day. The ninth of Av is a black day in Jewish history, a day when many tragedies occurred, including the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem, the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, and the beginning of World War I which led to World War II and the Holocaust. The ninth of Av is a day of sadness, and it has its roots in this week’s reading.

When the spies returned to the Israelites and gave a bad report about the land of Israel, they caused weeping among the people. Even thought they had just witnessed the awesome power of God in Egypt and had recently pledged to accept His Torah and obey His commands, the Israelites lacked faith and obedience that night. They cried because they didn’t want to go into Israel. They cried because they were afraid. But ultimately, they cried for no good reason.

It’s as if God responded “They cried for no reason, so I will give them a good reason to cry!” That night was the ninth of Av, which has become a night of tears for all generations.

Friends, let’s be careful what we cry about. If we whine and complain for no good reason, it won’t go over well with God. On the other hand, the Sages teach that when we cry for good reasons, we will be rewarded. Those who weep over the Temple will get to see it rebuilt. Those who cry for the sake of God will see God do great things for them.

http://www.holylandmoments.org/devotionals/tears-for-generations

How to Graduate with Highest Honors (1)

“There is in store for me the crown.” 2Ti 4:8 NIV

Do you remember the feeling you had when your name was called to receive your high school or college diploma and you heard the words, “Congratulations on your graduation.” You did it! All your effort paid off. Your accomplishment had finally been acknowledged. Now, multiply that feeling a thousand times over! Picture yourself entering the presence of the One who will award you the crown of righteousness while the saints of all the ages look on. Paul anticipated graduating with highest honors: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown” (vv. 7-8 NIV). For the next few days let’s talk about how you can graduate this life with highest honors.
By living an unselfish life. There’s no greater obstacle to the life God designed you to live, than selfishness. Ego and self-promotion pollute our souls and destroy our relationships. Paul understood the need to dethrone ego. “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20 NIV). This reflected: (a) A change of values. Paul once lived to persecute Christians; now he says, “For to me to live is Christ” (Php 1:21). (b) A change of ambition. The old Paul, whose goal was to be a recognized champion of religion, says, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ” (Php 3:7 NIV). (c) A change of mind. The brilliant philosopher, Pharisee and lawyer renounces his self-seeking ways and writes, “Think the same way that Christ Jesus thought” (Php 2:5 CEV).

http://www.theencouragingword.org/how-to-graduate-with-highest-honors-1

A Prayer For Forgiveness

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to thy loving-kindness,
According to the multitude of thy tender mercies,
Blot out all my transgressions,
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For well do I know my misdeeds,
And my sin is always before me.
Against thee, thee only have I sinned,
And done what is wrong in thy sight;
Therefore thou art right when thou speakest,
And just when thou pronouncest thy judgment.

Verily I was born in iniquity,
And in sin did my mother conceive me.
Yet thou desirest truth in the heart,
In my inner soul thou wouldst teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop that I may be clean,
Wash me whiter than snow.
Fill me with joy and gladness,
That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins,
And blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence,
Withdraw not thy holy spirit from me.
Give me back the glad sense of thy help,
And with a willing spirit sustain me.

Then I will teach sinners thy ways,
And wrong-doers shall turn unto thee.
Save me from bloodshed, O God,
That my tongue may sing of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips,
That my mouth may declare thy praise!

For thou takest no pleasure in sacrifice,
No delight in gifts of burnt-offering.
The sacrifices pleasing to thee
Are a broken and a contrite spirit.

http://kids.ochristian.com/Childrens-Bible/A-Prayer-For-Forgiveness.shtml