Standing for Marriage for The Good of All
A good friend, leader in ministry, and co-laborer in ministry, Andy Comiskey, Executive Director of Desert Stream Ministires has organized a call for prayer and fasting for the sanctity of marriage through the leadership of the Holy Spirit. I am embracing this call, and I am asking others to do so as well. Below you can read Andy Comiskey’s call and reasons behind the fast Please click on the hyper links for more information.
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Calling for 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting for Marriage • October 17 – November 25
Click here for more information
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8 Reasons to Resist ‘Gay Marriage’
1. ‘Gay marriage’ radically redefines the meaning of marriage.
Marriage is the most basic and arguably the most important building block of civilized society. For thousands of years, society has made marriage the one context in which sexual attraction between a man and woman matures into an enduring, exclusive unit that creates and protects children.
Marriage has always been defined by gender complementarity, or gender unity within difference, and by commitment, a pledge of permanence and fidelity. ‘Gay marriage’ radically alters that definition, and the values that underlie it. To say that the definition of an apple must include the attributes of an orange changes the meaning of an apple. It ceases to be what it was. Similarly, ‘gay marriage’ changes the meaning of marriage as it has always been understood by civilized society.
A wise man said that ‘the corruption of society begins by a failure to call things by their proper names.’ I refuse to ascribe marriage to homosexual unions based on the original and true meaning of marriage. That is why I use quotes to reference the misnomer of ‘gay marriage.’ I urge you to do the same.
2. ‘Gay Marriage’ devalues gender differences in human relating.
‘Gay marriage’ is founded on the premise that gender should no longer matter in sexual relationships. For example, licenses in states which have legalized ‘gay marriage’ have replaced the language of ‘Bride and Groom’ with ‘Partner 1 and Partner 2’.
‘Gay marriage’ removes the centerpiece of marriage: how one gender provokes and balances the opposite gender, creating (besides children) an emotional, spiritual, and sexual whole. Instead, ‘gay marriage’ redefines sexual wholeness as the freedom to desire and wed whomever one wants, regardless of gender. That undermines the inner logic of man for woman, and woman for man, and makes freedom from that logic optional for all.
3. ‘Gay Marriage’ devalues monogamy.
‘Gay marriage’ tweaks the meaning of fidelity. Gay men in particular tend toward tolerating multiple sexual partnerships in the context of a commitment to one partner. A marriage license will not change that tendency.
J. Michael Bailey, Chair of Psychology at Northwestern University and one of the foremost researchers in homosexuality, contends that “regardless of marital laws and policies, gay men will always have more sexual partners than straight people do. Those who are attached will be less monogamous.”
4. ‘Gay Marriage’ is founded on a false understanding of homosexuality.
California’s ‘gay marriage’ decision was founded on a 1948 Court decision (Perez vs. Sharp) to strike down a state ban on interracial marriages. That means today’s Court tends to equate ethnicity with homosexuality. Bad reasoning. Unlike ethnicity, homosexuality is neither genetically-based nor immutable.
Same-sex attraction is a three-fold cord of nature, nurture, and culture, all bound together by one’s moral decisions. The fact is: many choose to change their homosexuality, and find peace and purpose in heterosexual relationships. ‘Gay marriage’ advocates refuse that truth and insist that homosexuality is destiny, which is a false understanding.
5. ‘Gay Marriage’ makes its opponents racists.
Based on #4, those who oppose gay marriage will be seen as bigots. ‘Gay marriage’ validates as normal and good the problematic, complex condition of same-sex attraction; all who choose to view that attraction as a problem not a birthright will inevitably be accorded the same social shame and even legal consequences that racists incur.
6. ‘Gay Marriage’ encourages and increases homosexual behavior.
Over the last 50 years, homosexual behavior has increased due to media advocacy, our culture of divorce, porn, and promiscuity, and the greater economic and emotional independence of women from men. Validating ‘gay marriage’ will further encourage men and women to explore homosexual unions.
Social shame used to inhibit homosexual experimentation; ‘gay marriage’ casts off the last restraint, and increases homosexual behavior in our society. Between 1995 and 2005, lesbian unions in the USA increased 7 times, while male unions doubled.
7. ‘Gay Marriage’ opens the door to other types of ‘marriage.’
In changing the meaning of marriage to include infidelity and gender sameness, ‘gay marriage’ sets a precedent for other types of units, like incest and polygamy. Legal cases involving polygamy now invoke the same legal precedents of gay rights advocates. What seemed unthinkable 10 years ago is now ‘gay marriage’ law. We flinch until we become sensitized, then we flinch no more.
8. ‘Gay Marriage’ unleashes a global legal nightmare.
‘Gay marriage’ will clog the courts with myriad issues. Already, married gay couples are demanding marriage rights wherever they settle, regardless of the current laws of that state or nation. Not to mention the hundreds of cases in the USA alone concerning a host of bewildering issues, like gay divorce and ownership of artificially inseminated offspring.
The profound needs and fragility of soul at the core of same-sex unions will make for messy and consuming court battles—all within an already beleaguered system that has no precedents for the legal Medusa that ‘gay marriage’ has created.
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Pray & Fast with staffs and participants of Desert Stream Ministries and with First Stone Ministries
Saturday October 17 through Wednesday November 25, 2009
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We ask that each one joining us would ‘fast’ something of meaning for these forty days and pray instead.
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Please set aside 30 minutes a day for this effort.
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During the 40-days, we will employ the “Honoring Marriage for the Good of All” daily devotional guide, —available at www.desertstream.org.
Andy Comiskey will also post key battles we are targeting for prayer, and provide a daily podcast.
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For more information contact info@desertstream.org or visit our website at www.desertstream.org.
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Pray with understanding. We can all bow down and ask God to honor His image. And we can grow in our understanding as to why upholding His image in marriage matters for all.
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Restore the broken. Our prayers issue out of a commitment to making every effort possible to provide restoration for those who know they are broken.We can and must give practical helps to those seeking healing for their personal lives and marriages.
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Appeal to the good of reason. One man pledged to one woman helps ensure the well-being of the children they create, while providing a witness of gender order and stability to children in our culture who are not blessed with a Mom and Dad at home.
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Yield to the Lord. Having prayed, offered restoration, and appealed to reason, we surrender to God. We dare not fight this battle in our own mind and strength.We prayerfully join the One who created man and woman in His image, and who wills that all of creation benefit from that image.
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I would like to know if you have made this commitment, you can email me at: stephen@firststone.org
Mean-spirited emails over Carrie Prejean post
I have received some very interesting emails about my previous post.
Let me clarify again; I am not trying to communicate that Carrie Prejean is to be compared to the godliness of an Esther or that her sacrifice of giving up the Miss USA crown is the same level of sacrifice as Ether’s submission to an evil king. This post should be read in context with Pastor McPherson’s message and Carrie’s behind the scene testimony.
This blog post went up because I merely find it amusing and interesting how this issue – (A Biblical Standard of Holiness) was brought to National attention; it took a 21 year old “beauty queen” persecuted by a gay activist – Prez Hilton, a silent Donald Trump, and the gay sympathizing Ms. USA judge panel bias. Another reason for this post was the amusing and sad part of this whole account; that this wasn’t brought to National attention by the CHURCH or godly men.
I find it interesting that I received emails from hateful gay blog bullies and religious folks who are unwilling to come out of the shadows to actually talk to me and reveal their identities but are content to spew their hate and religious talk.
I close with this thought. My original post was not an endorsement of Carrie Prejean’s past behavior of taking photos half nude or even being a beauty queen. However it is about a mere observation of a 21 year old, growing adult, willing to come full circle and surrender a pageant title to her faith in God and her personal belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. This took a lot of courage, and unfortunately it is more courage than many pastors. I am still waiting on the pastors who are unwilling to speak out against this new President’s pro-gay agenda; the very pastors that endorsed Obama and voted for him as President; as this President has set this country into a new level of homosexual acceptance. Sadly it seems there has been more courage displayed in this “beauty-queen” than most “Christian” men in the Church who are unwilling to take a public STAND about these social issues of our day.
However Pastor McPherson gave us very good reminder that we are to STAND!
For Such A Time As This… Carrie Prejean
Esther is the 17th book in the Bible. Carrie Prejean entered the pageant world at age 17. Esther was a winner of beauty contest to be a queen, and Carrie Prejean was in a beauty contest. I am not trying to communicate that Carrie’s stand for righteousness is equal to an Esther. I am amused by God using the simple things in this life to confound the wise and even religious. Isn’t interesting how God used the incredible life of Esther to save the Jews from destruction. Esther actually won an ordered line-up-beauty-contest to see who would be the king’s wife. Esther was born “for such a time as this” to bring salvation. (Es. 4:14). Could it be that Carrie Prejean lost her Miss USA crown to gain another crown? Perhaps a crown of righteousness? Perhaps to lead the way of courage and wake up many other Christians to stand up for the truth! There are many pastors and Christian leaders who could learn courage from this woman. I am not writing this because I think Ms. Prejean is perfect, we all have a past, but it is about the present and being courageous. Mean people will dig up her past to use it against her. Yet, with political-correctness opposition, gay marriage promoters, and hate crimes legislation to potentially arm gay activists to stop Christian speech, perhaps Carrie Prejean has been used of God to defend marriage and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for a call to others to follow. Perhaps it takes a little 21-year-old young-woman to speak the truth. Truly God has a bigger crown than Miss USA for Carrie Prejean. We must seek God’s approval and not mans’ approval and Carrie Prejean was good example of this truth. I am very proud of this 21 year-old culture-warrior.
Carrie Prejean has said nothing wrong; she merely took a stand for her belief about marriage and it cost her. God gave Carrie His word as she traveled to New York the next day after the pageant for her first interview. Carrie was asking God, “why?” And her Bible opened to “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” 2 Tim. 3:12 This is true for all those who desire to follow Christ. Carrie had no idea what was going to happen. Listen to this interview “No Compromise: Standing Firm On Your Faith” and be encouraged.
Carrie’s Pastor – Miles McPherson interviews Carrie about the behind-the-scenes story. This is an excellent interview and a wonderful word of encouragement, especially for those of us who are under attack by cruel and hateful people. We must STAND strong for the truth!
Here are Pastor McPherson’s message points “STAND” from the interview:
1) S – Stare Down Courage ~ we must have “stare down courage!” We must put our lives on the line for The Truth! We cannot be intimidated by angry gays or those who are politically correct.
2) T – Trust in The Truth and never a lie! We must base our lives on the truth of God’s word. If we always tell the truth we don’t ever have to wonder what should be said, we will be speaking God’s truth.
3) A – Accept God’s Sovereign Provision – God will provide our needs even when it seems like everything comes crashing down for those who live according to HIS principles. God will give you courage, wisdom, help, strength and physical provisions. (This point really blessed me today!)
4) N – Never Fear Man! “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.” Our God is holy and we must love and obey Him rather than please man. The fear of man is a snare to our soul. When we walk in the holy fear of God our motives will be made right by His Spirit, but when we fear man it will lead us into deception.
5) D – Die to Yourself – We must be true to ourselves; by having a life devoted to Jesus Christ as Lord.
Carrie Prejean ended this interview by thanking the gay community. A very classy and kind woman, not that I agree with her assessment that most of the gay community is kind towards her beliefs. As a former homosexual, I am very doubtful about the majority of the gay community’s sentiments with Carrie’s belief. Again this just shows Carrie’s willingness to be kind in the face of such hate! “We overcome evil by doing good.” A Biblical truth foreign to the homosexual community. I actually do agree with Carrie that there are civil minded homosexuals that actually realize that Carrie isn’t a bigot to believe in God and the Bible, unfortunately they are few.
Pastor Miles McPherson was interview on The O’Reilly Factor this evening, May 5, 2009. This was his answer to Bill O’Reilly concerning the pastor’s belief about gay marriage:
“I find it very offense that someone would equate their behavior to my ethnicity, I know a lot of people who USED TO be gay. I don’t know any body who USED TO be Black. I don’t see the similarity between those two things. I am offended by it. We are talking about behavior and someone’s ethnicity and there is no comparison between those two things. What is the evidence that God makes people that way (gay)? There is no evidence (science) of that. And does the Bible affirm that God made people homosexual? (No) Which He doesn’t. I would say where’s your evidence? If people feel one way, that’s one thing, but to say that God did (make people gay) that’s a whole other thing, I think we have to go to the Bible and look at what HE says.”
Pastor Miles McPherson made it very clear that he does not believe that people are created by God to be homosexual, and communicated in the interview that we must believe the Bible! Thank God for another pastor willing to stand for the truth, and who continues to stand for Prop. 8.
Miss California Faces Intolerance with Class
Disclaimer / Warning: The content of the bottom YouTube video with Perez Hilton is offensive. The use of this video is not to be construed as an endorsement of the video producer and is used only as informational purposes only.
The level of intolerance in the USA is at an all time high, but not from the “right-wing” conservatives or from Christians. It is coming from those who scream the loudest for tolerance. Politically correct tolerance is only for those who believe that homosexual behavior must be given civil rights status equal to race and gender; and any other beliefs are met with hostility and intolerance. This intolerance not only came from the openly gay Perez Hilton as seen in the hateful video clip below, but from the betrayal of Miss California’s “friends” and colleagues. It is now obvious Carrie Prejean’s “friends” were in this only for the “win” and not for Carrie personally. Miss Prejean’s “freinds” Shanna Moakler and business partner Keith Lewis completely snubbed Carrie, only later to continue in their intolerance by communicating divisive twitter posts.
Miss California, Carrie Prejean who was winning the contest for Miss USA until she was asked the controversial question by Perez Hilton a self proclaimed gay celebrity gossip queen. Perez asked the question since four states have legalized gay marriage shouldn’t all the states now legalize marriage? Whatever happened to majority rules in a vote? There are currently 30 other states that have already said “NO” to gay marriage, apparently all of Miss Prejean’s critics have forgotten this known fact. Let’s remember, Miss California does represent California as it was the majority who voted for Prop 8. No doubt Miss California faced fierce political and spiritual opposition on the stage in giving her answer, yet Carrie stayed true to her convictions and boldly shared her belief in God and her faith in Jesus Christ as seen in this YouTube interview with Sean Hannity.
Carrie Prejean feels so blessed to be one who would rather live by her convictions than compromise to be a man pleaser! She is a much better role-model than those left behind in this story. Carrie Prejean stood strong on her faith and Biblical beliefs. I applaud Miss California! I pray she goes far, and I believe she will. We are now living in a day when there are fewer and fewer people willing to take such a bold stand. Many minister’s could learn from Carrie’s stand and bold witness. Unfortunately everyone is told by the politically correct left that it will offend someone, and masses of Christians are shut down and silenced.
Miss California has continued to handle her interviews with dignity and class. Sean Hannity asked Ms. Prejean in this interview how she felt about Peres’ verbal attacks; as his politically motivated judgment cost her the crown. Carrie answered with great class and godliness, as she communicated forgiveness to Perez. She wishes Perez and her friends the very best. It was sincere and truly beautiful. What a terrifically beautiful woman of God, inside and out.
Perez Hilton could learn a lot from this REAL queen, Miss California. Read how outrageous this leader of the gay Hollywood elite treats the classy Miss Prejean. Perez Hilton has come unhinged and sadly represents many who feel the same way. Perez Hilton, Miss USA judge, calls beauty queen, Carrie Prejean the ‘B-word’ and the ‘C-word’ with sarcasm and hatred. So where are the drive by media decries? Where is “Miss USA Pageant” quick denouncements? Sadly they are non-existent.
