Link to blog post: http://christandthecity.com/2012/05/16/talking-to-your-kids-about-gay-marriage/

Last week was painfully historic. It will probably be decades before we’ll know the full extent of the societal impact of President Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage. Suffice it to say, the magnitude of this unprecedented announcement will be seismic and most certainly stand as a defining moment in our generation’s struggles over the moral dilemma of homosexuality. The tragedy of the whole matter is that it only adds to the confusion and ethical misguidedness that many have succumbed to. As Christians try to grapple with the question of how to respond and engage our culture over the issue of the gay lifestyle, let me suggest that the first step in our strategy should be to make sure the subject is properly handled within our own homes.

If there is a silver lining to the President’s unfortunate endorsement, it is that it provides parents with a powerful teachable moment with our children. It is critical that we seize the opportunity to have a healthy discussion about “gay marriage” with our kids. That’s exactly what my wife and I did a few days ago with our daughter.

Before broaching the topic, we had to think deeply about how to have this type of talk with a five year old. Here are some pointers that I’ll pass on to you. Hopefully, they will be helpful as you sit down and share your heart with your own son or daughter. Each tip is biblically based and appropriate for all ages.

Step #1 – Affirm the responsibility that Christians have to pray for their President. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Step #2 – Let them know that the President’s job is to do good and to honor God, since it is God that appoints our leaders. (Romans 13:1-4)

Step #3 – Help them to understand that when leaders do wrong and dishonor God’s commands, they are to be corrected. (Matthew 14:3,4)

Step #4 – Explain to them why gay marriage is wrong in the eyes of God. (Leviticus 18:22)

Step #5 – Teach them that God made sex to be beautiful and sacred. In order to keep sex pure he set certain boundaries. Marriage acts a parameter to safeguard against the misuse of our sexuality. (Hebrews 13:4)

Step #6 – Show them God’s definition of marriage as being a covenant between a man and a woman. (Matthew 19:4-6)

Step #7 – Make sure that they are clear on the fact that they are responsible to obey God and to honor him more that they honor man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

I recommend that the best way to end your discussion is to ask them to join you in prayer for the President and for our nation. For some, this might be an uncomfortable and difficult conversation, but don’t be afraid, God is with you. Remember, as Christian parents, we should take advantage of occasions like this to reinforce our biblical worldview in the minds of our kids and to train them on how to think critically about the relationship between Christianity and culture. Let’s equip them with tools that they’ll need to persuade others toward Christ and to withstand the many challenges to their faith which are sure to come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=1RVRCd6J2NA&NR=1

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSRF3slguhI

Here come the Men in Black
(Uh it’s the M.I.B.’s)
(Uh here come the M.I.B.’s)
Here come the Men in Black (Men in Black)
They won’t let you remember

Nah, nah, nah,
The good guys dress in black, remember that,
Just in case we ever face to face and make contact.
The title held by me… M.I.B.
Means what you think you saw, you did not see.
So don’t blink,
Think what was there but now’s gone.
Black suit with the black Ray Ban’s on.
Walk in shadow, move in silence,
Guard against extra-terrestrial violence.
But yo we ain’t on no government list.
We straight don’t exist,
No names and no fingerprints.
Saw something strange,
Watch your back.
Cause you never quite know where the M.I.B.’s is at,
Uh and…

Here come the Men in Black. (Men in Black)
The galaxy defenders. (uh oh, uh oh)
Here come the Men in Black. (Men in Black)
They won’t let you remember. (won’t remember)
(uh uh, uh uh)

Now from the deepest of the darkest of night,
On the horizon, bright light in the site tight,
Cameras zoom, only impending doom.
But then like BOOM black suits fill the room up.
With the quickness talk with the witnesses,
Hypnotizer, neuralizer.
Vivid memories turn to fantasies.
Ain’t no M.I.B.’s.
Can I please,
Do what we say that’s the way we kick it.
Ya know what I mean,
I say my noisy cricket get wicked on ya.
We’re your first, last and only line of defence,
Against the worst scum of the universe.
So don’t fear us, cheer us.
If you ever get near us, don’t jeer us.
We’re the fearless.
M.I.B.’s freezin’ up all the flack.
What’s that stand for?
Men In Black.
Uh, M-m-m-…

The Men in Black.
(Uh uh uh)
The Men in Black.
(Uh uh uh, ah ah ah)

Let me see ya just bounce it with me.
Just bounce with me.
Just bounce it with me. C’mon,
Let me see ya just slide with me.
Just slide with me.
Just slide with me. C’mon.
Let me see ya take a walk with me.
Just walk with me.
Take a walk with me. C’mon,
And make your neck work.
Now freeze.

Here come the Men in Black. (Men in Black)
The galaxy defenders. (ooh ooh)
Here come the Men in Black. (Men in Black)
They won’t let you remember. (uh no, no)

A-ight check it.
Let me tell you this in closin’.
I know we might seem imposin’,
But trust me if we ever show in your section.
Believe me it’s for your own protection.
Cuz we see things that you need not see,
And we be places that you need not be.
So go with your life,
Forget that Roswell crap.
Show love to the black suit.
Cuz that’s the Men in,
That’s the Men in…

Here come the Men in Black. (Here they come)
The galaxy defenders. (galaxy defenders)
Here come the Men in Black. (oh, here they come)
They won’t let you remember. (won’t let you remember)

Here come the Men in Black. (Oh, here they come)
The galaxy defenders. (uh oh, uh oh)
Here come the Men in Black.
They won’t let you remember.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrDqi7HQzUc

[Verse 1:]
Each and every day I will seek your face
My soul is crying out
For more, I want more of You
I won’t be satisfied nor content of where I am
So I will apprehend til I’m captured by what I’m after

[Bridge:]
And I will go
From faith to faith
From glory to glory
[repeat]

[Chorus:]
And I’ll forever be chasing after you
I’ll be chasing after you
[repeat]

[Verse 2:]
I will press towards the mark
For the prize, and I won’t faint
There’s one thing I desire and that’s what I’m going for
I can’t continue life, day by day, growing dry
I want to be with you (Jesus) and I’ll seek where you are

[Bridge:]
And I will go
From faith to faith
From glory to glory
[x3]

[Chorus:]
And I’ll forever be chasing after you
I’ll be chasing after you [x7]

And I will go
From faith to faith
From glory to glory [x3]

And I’ll forever be chasing after you
I’ll be chasing after you

From a worldly perspective, Christ’s death signaled His defeat.  After all, dying in agony on a cross hardly seems like the path to victory. But  it was! And He did it all for us. Because Jesus triumphed over death, we can be  victorious in life. Just consider what He won for us by sacrificing Himself on  the cross.

Our Eternal Salvation: The cross was the means of our salvation.  Without it, we’d have no hope of heaven. If Christ hadn’t died in our place,  we’d have to stand before God and receive the just punishment for every sin  we’ve ever committed.

Power over Sin: Jesus not only paid the penalty for  our sin; He also brought us present victory over it. When He was crucified,  our old sinful nature died with Him (Rom. 6:6). The power of the “flesh” was  broken, and Jesus now lives His triumphant  life through us. That means we are no longer enslaved to sin and can choose  obedience to God.

Defeat of Satan: At the crucifixion, the list of decrees against  us was nailed to the cross, and the Devil lost his power over our lives (Col.  2:13-15). None of his accusations can stick,  because God holds nothing against us anymore. And now every time we yield to  the Spirit within us, Satan is defeated once again.

Christ met all our needs on  the cross. By making us a part of His family, He gave us a sense of belonging. When He died in our place, He affirmed our value. And by coming to live His life through each believer, He gives us the ability to live  a victorious, obedient life.

Link: InTouch Ministires

Read Proverbs 15: 1-4

My car broke down in a tunnel during rush hour in downtown Boston. Angry drivers expressed their frustration as they struggled past me. Eventually, the car was towed to a station for repairs. Later it broke down again, stranding me along the Interstate at 2 a.m. Back to the shop it went.

Unfortunately, the repair shop also doubled as a parking lot during Red Sox baseball games. When I arrived after work the next day to pick up my car, it was hemmed in by 30 other vehicles!

Let’s just say I was less than Christlike in my initial reaction. I ranted and raved, and then, realizing it was only making them less willing to help me at the close of their day, I decided to give up. I stormed toward the glass doors and struggled to get them open. My anger increased when the station workers laughed at me.

I had barely made it out when I realized how unlike Christ I’d been. Chastened, I rapped on the locked doors and mouthed “I’m sorry” to the staff inside. They were stunned! They let me back in, and I meekly told them that Christians shouldn’t behave as I had. Minutes later, they were shifting cars to free up mine. I learned the truth that soft rather than harsh words can change circumstances (Prov. 15:1).

Hello on this glorious Easter day!

This is one of the most greatest celebrations of the year! We celebrate that Jesus’s tomb is EMPTY! He’s ALIVE! Our Redeemer Lives! I spoke to Him this morning!  Praise the name of Jesus!

Our Redeemer Lives by Nicole C. Mullen is declared, by me, an Easter song!  Listen to the lyrics.  Absolutely beautiful!!!

Enjoy your Easter holiday!

HE LIVES

Nicole C. Mullen – Redeemer

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
Who told the ocean you an only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide ’til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

The very same God that spins things in orbit
He runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life wihtin me cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives

To take away my shame
And He lives forever I’ll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He’s alive
And there’s an empty grave.

And I know my Redeemer, He lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

Uphold me with Thy Sweet Spirit;
whatever You do,
Lord, don’t take Your joy from me.

Uphold me with Thy Sweet Spirit;
whatever You do,
Lord, don’t take Your joy from me.

Verse 1:
Cast me not away from Thy presence,
don’t take your Holy Spirit away from me.

Make me to hear joy and gladness,
I wanna be able to rejoice with Thee.

Chorus

Verse 2:
Create in me a clean heart,
renew the right spirit within me.

I’ll teach transgressors Your way,
sinners shall be converted unto Thee.
[From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/w/winans-lyrics/uphold-me-lyrics.html]

Chorus

Vamp:
Uphold me, mold me,
shape me, make me;
whatever You do,
Lord, don’t take Your joy from me.

Appoint me, anoint me,
choose me, use me;
whatever You do,
Lord, don’t take Your joy from me.

Rebuke me, reprove me,
chastise me, Lord, revive me;
whatever You do,
Lord, don’t take Your joy from me.

Ending:
Whatever You do,
Lord, don’t take Your joy from me.

Whatever You do,
Lord, don’t take Your joy from me.