What I'm Fighting For

Ok, so I saw someone else do this and was intrigued what would happen if I tried it. Hmmm...I'm posting it, so obviously it was interesting! If you want some fun times, try it yourself with these directions and post it to your Facebook/Blog:

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS! (except if you get a "Track 5" or something in a language you don't know)

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Anthem

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
The One I'm Waiting For

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Morningstar

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Making Memories of Us (so true - working on our wedding album in bits and pieces today)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE
Heart and Soul

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Call On Jesus (WOW!!!)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Holy, Holy, Holy (Not so sure about that one, but anyway)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
More

WHAT IS 2+2?
Majesty

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Beyond Compare (Yup, He sure is!!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE/LOVE?
Wonder of it All (Yes, I am still in awe at all that Nigel is)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
The River

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Strangers in the Night (huh?!?)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
It Is Well With My Soul (smiles)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
I Stand For You

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Time That Is Left (not really, but it's appropriate anyway!)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Glory in the Highest (I hope so - it's an amazing worship song)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Good Morning Beautiful (at least Nigel thinks so)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
American Dream

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Parade (Yes, I think it would be a fun parade too!!)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Be My Escape

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
O Holy Night (on Christmas??)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
To Make You Feel My Love

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I Have A Dream (he he he, yeah, because my dreams are crazy!!!)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
The Name of the Game

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Grace Flows Down (SOOO awesome - as the thing that made me realize I would marry Nigel was the night that he was a human reflection of God's grace to me - not kidding)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
You've Been So Good (not sure about that one...)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Here I Am (Guess I like myself!)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Feeling Like Someone In Love (huh??)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
House of God (yes, especially the house of God I worship at with all the Prop 8, Prop 4, and denominational stuff going on)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
What I'm Fighting For

The hottest topic in CA these days: Part 1

I know it's been a really long time since I posted anything here. Part of it is Facebook, and the fact that I keep in touch with so many of you there. Yet sometimes, I need to write something that's much longer and more important.

I've been debating for a while whether I wanted to write this post or not. I know it might bring very bad things my way. But a very brave friend wrote a very brave message and has inspired me to do the same. And this is my blog, where I can speak my feelings on something and hope that God's truth is the only thing that shines through. So I will take the risk.

I know that many of you who read this are not from California. Though I also know you've probably all heard about the 4 rogue judges who legalized gay marriage this past spring. Well, on the ballot in November is Proposition 8. Here is the text of the Proposition, exactly as it will appear on the ballot:

"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California."

That's it. It's good and bad. If you show up at the polls and haven't done your research, this may look discriminatory to some (especially here in the Bay Area). And of course, that's what those who oppose it are saying. However, it's not the truth, and there is a lot being left unsaid. A yes vote on Prop. 8, according to http://www.protectmarriage.com , does 3 things:

" * It restores the definition of marriage to what the vast majority of California voters already approved and what Californians agree should be supported, not undermined.

* It overturns the outrageous decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people.

* It protects our children from being taught in public schools that “same-sex marriage” is the same as traditional marriage, and prevents other consequences to Californians who will be forced to not just be tolerant of gay lifestyles, but face mandatory compliance regardless of their personal beliefs. "

And there it is, plain and simple. The voters have already, on more than one occasion, voted for traditional marriage. If this doesn't pass, not only will everyone be mandated to be tolerant (read: their definition of tolerance is NOT the same as a biblical definition - it is much broader), but forced into compliance regardless of our personal, religious or otherwise, beliefs. Pastors who refuse to marry gay couples could be sued and their churches could lose their tax exempt status. The Bible could be challenged as hate speech (this is already happening in other countries, as close as Canada). Children will be forced to learn about it in school, regardless of the beliefs of their families. This is already happening in Massachusetts. And freedom of religion will start to be restricted based on outcries of discrimination (also happening in Canada).

The truth: marriage, in cultures across the globe and throughout human history, has
been defined as between one man and one woman. Why would anyone try to argue that? The reassuring factor is that we know in the end by the assurance of God's Word that good triumphs. Yet we also know that the enemies of God will continue to try to gain ground on earth. This is another way that the enemy is trying to gain ground and silence the church.

I am not intolerant. I am not hateful toward gays or supporters of gay marriage. I do hate, however, that because I am a professing, Bible-believing Christian, I'm being lumped into a group that is being labeled a discriminating, lying, homophobic, evil, hateful, closed-minded bunch of bigots. Seriously. I even read of someone who has struggled with thoughts of rear-ending people who have a "Yes on Proposition 8" bumper sticker on their car. Tolerance is what the opposing side says they want. Yet tolerance is a two-way street. I am labeled all these horrible things because I am a Christian. No other reason. I haven't done anything to any of the people labeling me to make them think I am like that. In fact most of them don't know me and never will. I think the actions they are displaying are sad, and grossly unfair, as well as hateful, lying, discriminating, and closed-minded. Just what they're saying about me (and all Christians).

So here's what I DO think and believe. I believe marriage is a sacred, God-ordained covenant between a man and a woman. I believe He created marriage and has the final say on what marriage is. I believe God calls every human being, which He created, to love every other human being.

I think this is a scary time for religious freedom in California, and if Prop. 8 doesn't pass it may set a precedent for much of the country. I am scared to talk about this in public. I've witnessed many people get into hateful, God-dishonoring arguments about it in public places and online. Especially online. I believe in the right to practice one's religion without governmental mandates to silence your beliefs. I believe in freedom of speech.

I believe that morality is mandated by God, not man, and our laws typically reflect the morality and values set forth in God's Word. I believe in the right of all people to visit those they love in the hospital (one of the arguing points of the gay community, saying they are denied this right). I believe that if someone chooses to spend his or her life loving someone of the same sex, that they should get the same legal, health, and tax benefits heterosexual couples do. I also believe it is an eternal issue, and that it is not my place to judge them or point fingers if I don't agree with their choice of lifestyle. I believe it is my obligation to love them and treat them as Jesus would treat them.

There. I said it. The bottom line is the golden rule, which all people regardless of their faith preference seem to agree with: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. And for me, that means treat others the way Jesus would treat them, even if it's sometimes difficult to do so.

I wish there could be more positive dialogue about Proposition 8. The mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom, is spewing the same hateful speech about us that so many others are. Which is making the others do it even more, feeling they are being supported by the mayor. We are not trying to take away equal legal rights for domestic partners (which, by the way, they already have). We are not trying to discriminate. We are trying to keep a sacred, faith-based definition of marriage just that, sacred. Call it a civil union, call it something else. Just leave marriage in it's God-ordained, history proven sense, alone. And let Christians be Christians and practice our faith how we believe it to be.

And at judgement day, we will be rewarded for our standing on the one and only truth:

"Jesus answered, "I am THE way and THE truth and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (emphasis mine)