Last Wednesday Judge Vaughn Walker, a California federal judge, issued a ruling in a case that has far reaching implications all across America. He struck down and overruled Proposition 8. (Prop 8 essentially denies marriage rights to same-sex couples.) He further stated,
“Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same sex couples.”
He is basically saying that denying a marriage license to two men or two women is irrational…that it supports the notion that a marriage between a man and a woman is better than a marriage between two people of the same sex. I have read many reports that Judge Walker is gay and is wanting to marry his long-time partner. Ahhh, that explains it. We definitely have some biased judging going on here. But on the other hand, would we expect anything different?
God have mercy on America. We are falling down a slippery slope. This will definitely be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, and only God knows how those justices will rule. I think there is a very good chance that they will agree with Judge Walker and rule in favor of same-sex marriages.
“Judge Walker in a sole act of imperial arrogance has just illegally crossed the ancient and timeless boundaries of marriage set by the Creator and affirmed by generations, as well as the will of the people of California by ruling against Proposition 8 and striking down marriage between a man and woman.
Judge Walker has “j-walked” across a highway boundary that has preserved society for centuries. We are witnessing the collapse of foundations that have and could continuously secure blessing and protection for our children and children’s children. Most likely this ruling will be appealed to higher courts and end up in a US Supreme Court tribunal.
What can be done at such a time as this?
1. Pray. If there is ever a time in American history that we need divine intervention and an undeserved mercy, it is now.
2. We must, as a people turn from our covenant breaking and our casual treatment of the sanctity of marriage.
3. We must take a bold stand from the pulpits to the polls with an unwavering proclamation of truth, yet without reverting to unrighteous anger and hatred for those who oppose us.
4. We must do the work of parenting by raising up Godly offspring even in the midst of the coming persecution of the church. America, America, how far we have fallen!”
I received the email above from Lou Engle a couple of days ago. I can’t think of a man more committed to seeing America return to Biblical standards than Lou. I respect this man immensely and love his tireless passion for purity and righteousness.
David Sliker, a senior leader at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City put it this way:
“One man did what no Congress & President has ever dared: declare the moral and religious part of marriage as “irrational”, then redefine it for all.
Then, the very next day a small group of men and women appointed a supreme court judge who desires to help nationalize & popularize that redefinition.
Next, another very vocal minority will seek to normalize that redefinition and all will enter into the next phase of history.
Small groups, both the radically wicked and the radically righteous, will determine the course of history from this point forward.”
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Yesterday I was listening to a teaching by Billy Humphrey, founder of the the International House of Prayer in Atlanta, Georgia. Billy came to our home church (Shady Grove Church) several times while we were pastoring, and we have always loved his fiery, prophetic spirit and passion for God. His opening text of the message I listened to yesterday was one verse in the book of Matthew, and it has gripped my heart. When you read it with natural eyes, there is nothing unusual about it. Actually it’s a verse that most of us have read many times. Billy described it as the “reset button” in his life. When it seems like life is getting too complicated or he’s having trouble focusing on what really matters, he meditates on this one verse in Matthew 22:2.
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son.”
This is what it’s all about. Our highest purpose is to be a bride prepared for the Son of God. It’s not what we do for Him. It’s who we are. This has been His purpose from the beginning of time. We, as sons and daughters of the Most High, the Church, are being readied for the marriage supper of the Lamb, to be married to the One who will ride on a white horse of war rather than a donkey of peace. His robe ‘dipped in blood’ but not his own. (more…)
Living with six of my seven grandchildren is a joy. Poppy and I get to spoil them and love on them continually. We try not to spoil too much, but we just can’t help it. Like last night. The parental units went to an Explosion youth leadership dinner and meeting, and we kept all the kids. At dinner time we lined up six plates, filled them one by one, and passed them around the table to each one. When the plates were passed out, we started on the drinks. One of the older ones said they wanted Pepsi Max. Pepsi Max is a beloved drink by some around here. It has 30% more caffeine than regular diet Pepsi, and the kids are not allowed to drink it. The next thing I know, Poppy is handing the two oldest girls their own glasses of Pepsi Max. Poppy said Ash and Maddy needed it, because they had had such a busy afternoon. They had gone with him to run an errand. They ended up walking in the forest and got lost. (That story will have to wait for another blog post…) You should have seen their faces when Poppy told them they could have Pepsi Max. You would have thought we gave them a $100 bill! All this to say, we usually give them what they want…especially when mom and dad aren’t around.
I don’t know why I went off on that story, because the real reason I’m writing this post is to talk about how the kids are learning to play instruments during our watches in the BHOP (Brussels House of Prayer). Ashlyn is very interested in the harmonica, and it sounds so great. It’s not your typical “hoe-down” harmonica sound. She has learned how to make it sound good even in slower worship songs. Madysen is loving the piano. She practices all the time. She has learned two chord progressions and we have been singing several songs to those progressions. It’s very beautiful, actually. Kadyn is a natural on the drums. She is learning to keep a steady beat and is very good at it. (She has her dad’s drumming genes.) Lyric loves to play the guitar she got for Christmas last year. She does a great job, and she sings at the same time. The boys are just 2 1/2 and 18 months, so all they do is dance. It’s so cute to watch.
Ashlyn on the harmonica
Maddy on the piano
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This morning in the BHOP (Brussels House of Prayer) was one of those times when it seemed easier to hear God and vision just seemed to be so clear. We came away from that watch with a definite set of objectives that we know He has given us to get accomplished. And we all heard Him. The worship was sweet. The devotional time was full of revelation. We started a 4-part series by Billy Humphrey from IHOP-Atlanta entitled “Zeal for the House of Prayer”, which is amazing. The discussion time afterward was great. Today was a good day in the prayer room.
I wish I could say the same about every watch in the prayer room. That would be heavenly. The days where His tangible presence is felt are glorious. But, in all reality, those days are not the norm. Many days in the prayer room are raw and seemingly un-anointed. I worship and pray, because I know that is what God has called me to do. I say, “Soul, worship the Lord whether you feel like it or not.” I pray out of principle not feeling. Sometimes it feels like routine and rut, but you know what? I think that when you get an eternal perspective of the prayer room, you realize that the mundane days bring as much glory to the Father as the precious, anointed days. Abba loves it when we press through to hear what’s on His heart so we know what He wants us to speak forth that day. He is glorified and satisfied when we worship Him from voluntary love, not because we are made to, but because we choose to. He is worthy to be glorified no matter how we feel.
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If I’m asleep and having a dream, don’t wake me up. This is truly a dream come true. We’ve been praying about this for so long, that I’m having a hard time realizing that it’s actually happening!
I love the ways of God. Sometimes you encounter road blocks and situations in life that are just too hard to comprehend, then a door opens and you feel the smile of God on a particular dream and desire you’ve had for years. His ways are so far above our ways. His leadership is perfect. God has made it abundantly clear that He wants a missions base/house of prayer established in Brussels, Belgium. When we first started praying about it, none of the team was here. We now have everyone here except for Zach & Liz Lowrie and Allyster Taubeneck. How awesome is that?!
The latest to arrive is my sweet daughter and son-in-love, Courtney and Nathan AND their four beautiful, adorable children!
Just getting off the plane!
Preston has another buddy, Judah.
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