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.
Unholy Week? Crucifying Christ Afresh through ‘Gay Marriage’
On the week that centers on Christ Crucified for millions around the globe, the USA has acted in a most unholy manner. Palm Sunday to Good Friday was marked by daily advances of ‘gay marriage’ forces in our land. Our Bridegroom King, whose very image is manifest in male and female, and who is returning for a Bride, spotless and true, is being crucified afresh.
Consider this: I read on Palm Sunday that Iowa’s unanimous Supreme Court decision to legalize ‘gay marriage’ deliberately excluded any ‘religious’ interference. According to the justice who wrote the Iowa decision, the Judeo-Christian structures on which our entire judicial system is built should no longer inform marriage. Left in the hands of secular servants, marriage mutates. We crucify Christ afresh.
On Monday, Rick Warren, arguably the most influential Christian leader in the USA, said on national TV that he never really supported a ban on ‘gay marriage’ in CA. (He clearly had and did.) He claims that he called all of his gay friends and apologized for any perceived support of the ban, underscoring that he has ‘never been and never will be an anti-gay marriage activist.’ Deceiving, confusing, political back-pedaling: Warren is rewriting history and has bought the lie that to support marriage is ‘ant-gay’. And he is backing off entirely from standing for marriage when it is most in peril. We crucify Christ afresh.
On Tuesday, Vermont became the first state in the union to allow same-sex marriage through legislative action instead of a court ruling. That empowers nine other legislatures that are considering marriage measures this year, including New York, New Jersey, Maine and New Hampshire. Activists in New England are unashamed to admit that they are choosing states where organized religious opposition is the weakest. We are now aware and without excuse: there is a systematic, targeted effort to establish a same-sex marriage stronghold in the Northeast. We crucify Christ afresh.
On Wednesday, I read of Obama’s appointment of a gay political activist and ‘Christian’ to his advisory board for ‘Faith-based Partnerships.’ The appointee, Harry Knox, was previously head of Religion and Faith for the biggest gay advocacy group in the nation (the Human Rights Campaign), and has been instrumental in reinterpreting scripture in a gay-affirming manner for churches throughout the USA. We crucify Christ afresh.
By Maundy Thursday, I was beat up. I needed my feet washed from the idolatrous ground of my nation; I was hungry for Jesus and I partook of Him heartily at the communion table that night.
As we gathered for Good Friday as a church, I looked around the body and saw Gideon’s army, a humble band of men and women whom the Crucified has rescued from the idolatry of this world: husbands and wives, singles, old and young, heterosexually and homosexually broken and yet being made new, ‘an army whose weaknesses are being turned to strength and who are becoming powerful in battle, able to route foreign armies.’ (Heb. 11: 34)
I felt hope. Isn’t that what Good Friday is all about? In the darkest hour, at the time when men extinguish the light, God prepares the most glorious expression of His light. N.T. Wright says: ‘The cross is not the world’s victory over Jesus, but Jesus’ victory over the world.’
Jesus death is the ground on which resurrection power is manifest. So is our surrender to His purposes. Let man’s efforts to crucify Christ afresh through ‘gay marriage’ have its perfect work. Raise from the dead a Gideon’s army, O God. Let a repentant, empowered people arise.
Let us arise out of fear or intimidation of the dark powers. Let us hold fast to Him as the One who makes a way for us to make Him known. We do so by upholding His image in humanity and by refusing all efforts, however winsome, to distort that image.
Marriage matters. It represents Christ on earth more clearly than any other relationship. While we have the light, let us live with integrity what it means to bear His image and insist on its clear representation in the land. We cannot afford to be unclear or uncommitted towards marriage in this perilous hour.
We do so in and through Him, His resurrection power rooted in our very weakness. May we emerge out of this dismal winter of ‘gay marriage’ advances and into the spring of upholding God’s design for all. Consider man for woman, woman for man-the awesome dance of masculine strength and feminine beauty. It’s worth fighting for.
Post by Andy Comiskey — Copyright © 2009 by Desert Stream Ministries
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Seven Things I Wished That Pro-Gay People Would Admit
1. I wish they would admit that many people are not happy with their homosexuality or lesbianism, and that this conflict is internal, based on legitimate, intelligent religious and moral convictions–not just the result of a so-called “homophobic” society which is forcing guilt upon people who don’t conform to a heterosexual ethic.
Stop throwing out the cheap, inaccurate labels like “internalized homophobia” to explain our motivations.
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2. I wish they would acknowledge that homosexuals and lesbians can experience significant change in their sexual feelings and desires, even though they may never be totally heterosexual in their sexual thoughts and feelings.
Be honest enough to admit that such change is significant and genuine, even if it isn’t complete.
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3. I wish they would acknowledge that many former homosexuals and lesbians have found a greater measure of peace and satisfaction after leaving a gay or lesbian lifestyle than they ever experienced while embracing homosexuality.
Not all “ex-gays” are miserable, plotting how to secretly fulfill their homosexual lusts without being caught.
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4. I wish they would acknowledge that many former homosexuals and lesbians have genuine joy in their marriages.
Most former gays and lesbians don’t get married in a futile attempt to “escape” homosexuality; they marry as a natural consequence of resolving that issue in their lives.
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5. I wish they would acknowledge that all people have as much right to pursue a heterosexual lifestyle as they do to pursue homosexuality.
Former homosexuals and lesbians should not be harassed and castigated by the gay community. But I have never heard any gay or lesbian leaders speak out against the violence (such as bomb threats and physical/verbal abuse) which some people perpetuate against Exodus ministries.
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6. I wish they would stop equating our decision to leave homosexuality with “hatred” and “bigotry” against gays and lesbians.
We don’t hate gays; we simply desire to live free of homosexuality. Don’t put nasty labels upon our motives. That’s being judgmental and unfair.
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7. I wish pro-gay religious leaders would admit that their endorsement and promotion of monogamous homosexual relationships is a facade.
Many–probably most–men and women involved in long-term partnerships are not sexually monogamous, but gay churches don’t discipline members for committing “adultery” outside their “gay marriage.” Neither do they discipline gays or lesbians who have sex before entering into a “holy union” with their partner.
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Bob Davies is the Director Emeritus with Exodus International, as Bob was the Executive Director with Exodus International from 1985 -2001. Alan Chambers is the current Executive Director of Exodus International.
Copyright 1997 ~ Used with permission from Bob Davies
