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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Why twelve, you ask? I don’t know. I was looking at pictures of our year in Israel this morning and started thinking about how I love that place. For those of you who don’t know, we spent last year living in Israel and serving on the leadership team of Succat Hallel, a 24/7 house of prayer in Jerusalem. It was one of the best years of my life but also one of the hardest years of my life. I know that sounds strange, but it’s really true. The difficult times refined my walk with God in a way that nothing else could, so I treasure even the hardest days.
These twelve things are in no particular order. I couldn’t put them in order even if I had to. I love every one of them. Ok…here goes….
1. Looking out my living room window at the Jordanian mountains of Moab. The security fence that borders the West Bank is visible also.
2. Visiting my 2 favorite places on the Temple Mount. This was the location of Solomon’s temple & possible site of the third temple.
And this is the inside of the Eastern (Golden) Gate where Yeshua will enter the city when He returns. (Who is that handsome man standing there?!)
3. Worshiping with the community at Succat Hallel
4. Watching Bar Mitzvah ceremonies at the Western Wall on Thursday mornings
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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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Posted in Family on 19. Jun, 2010
I have a special privilege that many grandparents in the world do not have. I live with six of my seven beautiful grandchildren. Every day is so much fun. Seriously, it is. After being without them in Israel for a whole year, I am enjoying every single second. They are so funny and sincere, and, I must say, very obedient. That makes living with them that much better. Of course each one has moments where he is testing his boundaries, but those are few and far between. We are all working on establishing a house of prayer here in Brussels, and it’s so much fun to see the kids participate. Ashlyn loves to bring her Bible in almost every morning and take part in the worship and prayer. The younger ones take part, too, and it’s always in the form of dancing and singing. We try to have special times when they can have their own watch. That way they can be as loud as they want! You’ve never seen a group a kids love to sing more than my group! It is amazing.
Ashlyn (7) in her dancing dress
Lyric (3) and Madysen (6) with their strollers and dress-up clothes
Kadyn (4) in dress-up clothes
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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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