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California Same-Sex Marriage

At 5 p.m. PDT (8 p.m. EDT) Monday, the California Supreme Court's May ruling creating homosexual marriage took effect and the words "Party A" and "Party B" replaced "bride" and "groom" on marriage licenses. Hundreds, if not thousands, of same-sex couples throughout California took advantage of the occasion.

The decision by the California Supreme Court — to implement its May 15 decision legalizing same-sex "marriage," despite the fact that an amendment poised to nullify that decision is now on the November ballot — poses a real and present danger to the democratic process in this state. *

Last month the court voted 4-3 to declare unconstitutional the existing law defining marriage as exactly what the great majority of Californians know it to be: the union of one man and one woman. To issue that ruling, the four-judge majority had to ignore thousands of years of legal tradition and the clear wishes of most California voters —instead deciding to experiment in lawmaking and culture-shifting.

Unfortunately, four judges facilitated that compromise by assuming the role of the legislature, dispensing with hundreds of years of unshakable legal precedent, and carelessly ignoring the votes of more than 4 million Californians.

Of course, none of that matters to those pressing the homosexual legal and political agenda.

The same-sex couples now lining up to have their "marriage" licenses approved are doing so knowing full well that such unions are under a cloud of uncertainty until November.

That's the choice California's voters will have to make, come November — a choice not only to defend marriage, but to protect the foundations of their democratic system.

I hope the ceremonies spark a backlash among California voters this fall, when they face a referendum on the ballot asking to overturn the California Court's decision. A potential backlash that will help preserve the definition of marriage as one man and one woman under the state constitution.

It's a tragic day for this country when California judges impose so-called gay marriage and the governor so easily relents to judicial activism. I think it is very wrong, and I hope it gets overturned in November.

(*) Los Angeles Times.

Jesus VS. Christians

How are Christians (me and possibly, you) viewed in this culture? As a person who remembers what he thought of Christians before he became one -- my 'Bad Christian Radar' is always active, filtering what I do and say through the eyes of the non-believer.

It's not easy. Tele-Evangelists, anti-Gay demonstrators, legalism, organ music, irrelevant liturgy, unattractive churches, unloving religious fanatics and bad Sunday leisure suits -- paint the popular opinion. Tough competition.

As part of his talk, Scott Hodge showed this video. The video is straightforward, bothersome, and quite revealing as it illustrates a huge gap between how people view Jesus and how they view the people who are supposed to be representing him.

Scott says, the video was not edited to make a point.  In the 45 minutes of interviews, he did not receive ONE positive comment for the second half of the video.

From Scott Hodge's blog, pastor at The Orchard.

Gas Pains

Regular gas in the Chicago area is well over $4 a gallon. Fortunately Sheri and I work at home. I don't know how normal people do it, commuting and filling-up twice a week!

This week we're hosting a couple from Norway while they attend a conference at our church. Last night after liter-to-gallon and Kroner-to-Dollar conversions I was surprised to learn that a gallon of fuel in Norway is over $12 a gallon!

At 5,000,000, Norway's population is half that of Chicago -- and the geography much tighter --  making alternative transportation modes (bicycles and walking) more viable. Fuel prices aren't big news in Norway.

Does anyone else get the idea God is trying to get America's attention?

Maria Sue Chapman's Funeral Service

It is great that so many have been drawn to the story of the Chapman family and this one child.

Here’s Jim Houser’s entire post about the memorial service:

For those who couldn’t be here, I thought I’d share a rundown, the best I can remember it as I was a bit emotional. It was a beautiful and moving celebration of this little girl’s life. And in typical Chapman fashion… God was honored, the Gospel was presented, and… It went long. : )

Throughout the service, pictures of Maria were shown on screens above the platform. There were about 2000 people present and the program was just over 2 hours.

Michael W Smith provided a beautiful prelude and then sang “Still” to open the service. Then a prayer of invocation was offered, and a Pastor at Christ Community Church, the family’s home church, Scotty Smith called us to worship with a congregation responsive reading of a portion of The Heidelberg Catechism and the question What is your only comfort in life and in death?

Matt Redman, who was in the airport in Atlanta preparing to fly back to his home in the UK when he heard the news of Maria’s death, left the airport rather than board his flight and drove to Nashville to serve the family anyway he could. The Chapmans not knowing Matt was in the country had discussed him being a part and we’re overwhelmed to hear he was able to be there. Matt led worship along with Christy Nockels singing several songs including two that Redman has written out of his own loss and sorrows, “Blessed Be Your Name,” and “You Never Let Go,” as well as the hymn “It Is Well.”

Then Matt explained that Steven and he had penned a song “Close To Your Heart” a few months ago for a close family friend of the Chapmans just after the loss of their child. Little did Steven know it would bring comfort to him and his own family on this day, as Matt shared it at Maria’s service.

One of Shaohannah’s Hope’s orphan care partners in China, Robin Hill flew in for the service and he offered a prayer.

Then family and friends stood just feet away from Maria’s tiny coffin and shared stories about the spunky, adorable little girl. A few here…

Family friend Karen sharing how Maria loved to wash dishes butt naked, and loved when her family “was altogether,”

The unpredictable Mary Beth with a few stories including how Maria loved her nicknames and running the sweet list down,

Family friend Melissa challenging us to live like Maria and love others like she did, not holding back!;

Caleb sharing how he had prayed for God to heal Maria after the accident, and how God did it in a way that he didn’t like very much (taking her to heaven) but that he has never been more convinced that Jesus is real,

Miss Meagan, Maria’s pre-school teacher, commenting on her love of art, drawing flowers, her classmates and her family,

Emily telling the story of how when she told Maria that Tanner had asked her to marry him that Maria asked her “whacha say?” and Emily went on to challenge us with the picture God gives of how the groom Jesus has asked his bride, us, to marry Him with a relationship through the cross, “whacha say?”

lastly, Steven sharing that Maria had professed Jesus as her Savior and those moments; as well as a moving story from him about how he had asked God to help him see that Maria was safe, and how God showed up. (I’ll let him tell it soon)

Next, children in the service brought flowers to Maria’s casket as SCC’s best friend Geoff Moore sang “With Hope,” a song Steven wrote 10 years ago for a family that lost a child, that same family the Mullicans are now walking he and Mary Beth through this now shared tragic experience.

Scotty Smith then took a few precious minutes to challenge us on the Gospel, that Maria’s story is our story and we can be adopted into God’s family and see Him and Maria at the end of our lives. (I’m not able to do Scotty’s words justice)

Tammy Jensen then sang “Jesus I Am Resting, Resting,” close family friends mentioned above the Mullicans prayed to close our time. And then the video of “Dishwashin Daddy and “Bellyflop” that has gone around the world was played.

Friends, it was such a difficult, yet sweet time. I urge you now to pray for this family. Be intentional. Set an alarm to go off on the 21st of every month, or anytime you see an SUV let it be a reminder, or whenever you hear a Steven song… whatever you feel is best. As someone who has experienced a difficult loss, some days ahead will be difficult for this family because the rest of the world moves on and forgets. It’s very understandable of course. If you can though, remember to keep them in your prayers.

I too echo Caleb and his wise beyond his years comment, after having the privilege to walk with so many of their family and friends next to the Chapmans through this time, I have never been more convinced that Jesus is real, that the Gospel is true. Despite this tragedy that could seem to contradict He is a good and sovereign God, we know the truth that is on the front of Maria’s Memorial Service program! That He has plans for us “plans for peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Steven Curtis Chapman Daughter Killed in Accident

The 5 year-old daughter, Maria Sue, of Christian, and Grammy winning, musician Steven   Curtis Chapman was killed Wednesday by an SUV driven by her teenage brother. Maria was playing in the driveway when her brother backed over her. He didn’t see her.

Steven is a friend of this ministry — I can't imagine your pain. We're praying for you. Please pray for the family.
 

•   The Chapman family blog
•   Steven Curtis Chapman Interviews, Articles and Reviews

 

Half of U.S. losing its religion: study

The study released Monday by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, interviewed more than 35,000 adults. The survey found that the U.S. religious marketplace is extremely volatile, with nearly half of American adults leaving the faith tradition of their upbringing to either switch allegiances or abandon religious affiliation altogether.

How might this impact marriage?

We are huge proponents of community: doing life with like-minded couples, and seeking out solid relationships for support and accountability.  The best place to find these relationships is in the context of the local church. If increasing numbers are 'unaffiliated',  community will be  that much more allusive.

• While much of the study confirms earlier findings — mainline Protestant churches are in decline, non-denominational churches are gaining and the ranks of the unaffiliated are growing.
• More than one-quarter of American adults have left the faith of their childhood for another religion or no religion at all, the survey found.
• One in four adults ages 18 to 29 claim no affiliation with a religious institution.
• The Roman Catholic Church has lost more members than any faith tradition because of affiliation swapping, the survey found. While nearly one in three Americans were raised Catholic, fewer than one in four say they’re Catholic today.
• On the Protestant side, changes in affiliation are swelling the ranks of nondenominational churches, while Baptist and Methodist traditions are showing net losses.

Associated Press

Bye-Bye Podcast

In September 2006 we published our first Growthtrac Podcast. We're pleased with the Growthtrac Podcast, and we think you are too, as evidenced by the hundreds of you subscribed to our feed. Thank you.

Twenty-One Podcasts later, we've decided to discontinue Podcast production and focus on new venues.

As with all small, entrepreneurial ministries -- we strive to be financially responsible, selectively choosing programs that will deliver on our initiatives, maintain quality objectives and impact lives.

Lately, our energy has shifted to a new exciting endeavor -- Growthtrac Radio -- 24-7 Contemporary Christian music with marriage programming. Growthtrac Radio will launch next month, in February. We believe this is a very worthy project and I hope you'll listen.... And tell your friends.

You may still listen to our Podcast archive files here. Thanks for listening.

The Christmas Message from an Unexpected Voice

You may have viewed this two-minute video already, as it virally speeds its way across the web. If you haven't seen it, here it is.




Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, Texas. Logan called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf. His words have wisdom beyond his years.

The Latest Media Scandel

This is a bit off our usual marriage trac, but this caught my eye and need to share with you. Blogger LaShawn Barber commented today about a media scandal related to some unpopular -- perhaps out of context -- Christian-related comments made by Ann Coulter.

What I love most about this particular post (and LaShawn in general) is that she tells it like it is. This time LaShawn expressed quite clearly, with no excuses: who Jesus is, why we need him, and how to receive Jesus in to our lives so our sins will be forgiven.

Good Stuff.

Read LaShawn's post here

Heaven Overrated?

The Way I See It #230
"Heaven is totally overrated. It seems boring. Clouds, listening to people play the harp. It should be somewhere you can’t wait to go, like a luxury hotel. Maybe blue skies and soft music were enough to keep people in line in the 17th century, but Heaven has to step it up a bit. They’re basically getting by because they only have to be better than Hell."

-- Joel Stein
Columnist for the Los Angeles Times.

The Starbucks' The Way I See It campaign features author quotes like the one above.

• What do you think? Is heaven overrated?
• Are you looking forward to heaven?