Determined Christians Rally to Defend Biblical Marriage

by Allie Martin
July 16, 2004

(AgapePress) - Churches throughout Northeast Mississippi are opting not to have Sunday evening services this week and instead are encouraging members to gather for a rally supporting traditional marriage.

Organizers of the rally to save traditional marriage are hoping to draw 10,000 people to the BancorpSouth Center in Tupelo Sunday evening. The rally will feature speakers such as Gary Bauer, president of the Campaign for Working Families, and Congressman Roger Wicker, a Republican representing Mississippi's First Congressional District.

Pastor Gary Long of Springhill Missionary Baptist Church is one of those who helped organize the event. He says everyone must take a stand on the same-sex marriage issue, and it is essential that Christians speak out on behalf of the biblical view of marriage.

"God ordained the family" Long says, "and God meant for the family to be a family that honors him. I think at this rally that's going to be one of the main messages -- that is, how do we honor God with our lives, with our families?"

And Dr. Forrest Sheffield , pastor of Tupelo's Harrisburg Baptist Church, emphasizes the importance of Bible believing churches being united in the battle. He asserts, "The fight is between the devil and God. It's between the devil's people -- who are being led by the devil -- and God's people. Even the homosexuals are not our enemies; the ultimate enemy of God is always Satan, and his desire is always to tear down and destroy what God wants to do, and what is best, and what God has said."

The battle lines have been clearly drawn, Sheffield says, and there is no neutral ground where the issue of homosexual marriage "rights" is concerned.

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Pastor Works to Turn Sideline Believers Into Motivated Voters

by Allie Martin
July 16, 2004

(AgapePress) - A Tennesee pastor says the recent unsuccessful effort to pass a Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) is proof that Christians need to take more seriously their right and privilege to vote.

Kenyn Cureton is Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lebanon, Tennessee, near Nashville. He often takes the time to encourage his church members to register and says Christians need to be proactive when it comes to choosing candidates and voting. "Find out what your Christian values are on these major issues -- where you stand -- and then look for candidate's who endorse you. Don't endorse a candidate; find the ones who endorse you and your values," he says.

In an effort to equip Christians to do this, Cureton helped the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention develop a new initiative called "iVoteValues.com." The Tennessee pastor says the purposes of the Internet site is primarily to reach the people who are on the sidelines, perhaps saying, "I don't really know whether I want to get involved in the political scene and government -- it's kind of tainted."

These are the very voters Cureton hopes the site will successfully motivate. "We're trying to get people off the sidelines and into the game," he says, "to really exercise their Christian responsibility to be salt and light in every area of life -- not just the spiritual but in the world of art and music and education and, in this case, politics."

The "iVoteValues.com" Web site includes candidate profiles, their stances on a wide range of issues and tips on registering people to vote.

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Additional information on ChristiansUnite.com is available on the Internet at http://www.christiansunite.com/
Copyright © 2003 ChristiansUnite.com. All rights reserved.

Gracey Said:

...and apparently I am not winning the spelling bees, either, rofl (also, I am sure I wouldn't have enough wind to blow a bugle....hot air, sure, but wind, uhh - I leave that up to my hubby)

I think I'll go now, lol

Gracey

     UM??, Sister, are all men full of hot air or just your husband?  I think that I resemble the remark anyway.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to Willowbirch,

       Thanks, I needed those laughs. Truth is many times stranger and more funny than fiction. I found some old family documents, and many of them contained the very funny and strange truth of the times.

I've heard the story of the "trenchers" and I think it is completely true. The rest of them are very interesting, and I would guess that they are completely true. I like the idea of a "toe-stir", and I want one of those.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to JudgeNot,

Brother, I guess that I missed something as it flew right over my head.    I don't understand how anyone would be insulted by anything said here.

We will each decide who to vote for based on what we believe and who we feel would best serve America. I, for one, will pray that John Kerry does not get elected. I've heard and seen more than enough to think he would make America sink lower and further away from God.

Each person is more than entitled to their own opinions and voting for whoever they wish. If John Kerry was the only one on the ballot, I would do a write-in.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I expect the members of the forum to make foolish remarks like, “you’re lost...or you are unsaved” people say foolish things.
However I hold those responsible for administrating the forum to a higher standard.
When the moderator tells someone who has openly said they have accepted Jesus into their heart, that they are lost it goes against my grain.
Quote from: blackeyedpeas on July 10, 2004, 04:50:23 AM
Heidi,

Heidi, you are lost. Many here will help you and pray for you.

Love,
Tom
 
 
Only God knows the heart.

Hello Left Coast,

There was really nothing to judge when Heidi posted all over the forum that Jesus Christ is not God. So, I would have no clue who she believes in. Those in Islam also believe in Jesus, but he was just a man or a prophet according to them. Since Jesus is the only WAY, they couldn't possibly be saved. That's simply a statement, on their part, that they are lost.

I have no problem at all in calling you brother, even though we disagree with a lot of things. We can each pick and choose what we wish to debate and simply agree to disagree.

I would second the thoughts of Bronzesnake. I hope that you reconsider and stay.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Much More from John 5:24

One could spend months on this beautiful portion of Scripture and never scratch the surface of the beauty and truth spoken here.

(King James Version)

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

(Amplified Bible)

John 5:24  I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the person whose ears are open to My words [who listens to My message] and believes and trusts in and clings to and relies on Him Who sent Me has (possesses now) eternal life. And he does not come into judgment [does not incur sentence of judgment, will not come under condemnation], but he has already passed over out of death into life.

This is a little mini-study on John 5:24 that I wanted to share with you. Many people, especially the lost, have problems with some of the terms and thoughts here. One of the most obvious questions by the lost is, "How can anyone have eternal life when we all die." One type of life is a physical life, and men do die physically, saved or not. The eternal life spoken of is spiritual, and it does not depend on the old body that housed us during this short life on earth. This is a little bit deeper than I intended for this post, but the children of God will be given glorified bodies at GOD's appointed time. If you really think about it, why would a child of GOD want his or her old body of clay. We did live in it during our short existence on earth, but GOD has promised a glorified body for eternity. So, just think of the old human body as a temporary vessel.

"He that heareth my word" is a key portion of this beautiful Scripture. "Word" is a very interesting term in the Holy Bible, and it is applied in many ways throughout the Bible.

THE WORD is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

HIS WORD is the inspired and God breathed Scriptures of the Holy Bible.

HIS WORD is also HIS TESTIMONY that works in and through the physical lives of HIS CHILDREN. HIS WORD is in our heart and should be shown in what we do, what we say, and how we behave as a TESTIMONY that we belong to Jesus Christ. As we mature in Christ, we are equipped to share HIS WORD with our families, friends, and others who are desperate to hear the GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL OF GOD'S GRACE. God lets us know that HIS WORD is never wasted or given in vain. HEARING THE WORD is one of the most precious events of this short life. Some of God's children become discouraged when they see defiance and ridicule of many when they HEAR THE WORD. However, that negative encounter might just be the first spark that ignited a lamp of belief and faith. Just remember that faith does come from hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD. The perfection and beauty of the Holy Bible can only be explained by the reality that the words are God breathed and inspired. No other work by so many authors and over such a long period of time can be compared to the HOLY BIBLE. The Holy Bible stands completely alone in whatever way scholars have examined it.

I've tried to compare God's children to an old fashioned lamp. Yes, it is quite possible that spark will ignite a flame. At first, the flame is small, and it doesn't produce much light. It is just possible that the wick will be turned up and the flame will become larger. It is also possible that a globe will be placed over the fire to protect and magnify the light. That first spark just might turn out to be brilliant light for a large area. That wick will need to be trimmed and turned up over and over again as the old is burned up and the new is prepared to give out maximum light. The new portion of the wick is soaking in fuel, and it will be the most brilliant light when it first burns. There will come a time when more fuel must be poured into the lamp. The globe must be cleaned, and a new wick will be needed.

Christians should easily be able to see the comparison between the lamp and people. Some lamps don't have the necessary ingredients to produce a light, and some lamps are dormant and unlit. Other lamps have lights of varying intensity, all depending on the fuel, the length and quality of the wick, and the clarity of the globe that is used to magnify the light. Someone must care for the lamp and maintain it if the light remains bright. In our case, the fuel and wick are a continuous supply of HIS WORD. The brightness of the light does involve the burning of the old man and replacing it with the new man. The clarity and distribution of the light depends on the prominence of Jesus Christ in our lives and yielding to HIS work in and through us. If you were wondering, Jesus is the ETERNAL AND PERFECT LIGHT. He wants to put HIS LIGHT in us and care for us for eternity.

There are many beautiful aspects of our Saviour's love and care for us. It is really impossible to describe with human words and thoughts. Many precious portions of Scripture instruct us in the ways that our JOY IN HIM might be more full. HIS Hands are stretched toward us, and HE wants to give us HIS riches. Our joy will definitely be more full if we simply yield and accept HIS Gifts that are beyond human description.

"hath everlasting life"  "Hath" means NOW and IMMEDIATELY. A new man is born, and that temporary body of clay will be discarded one day. Our life is now IN HIM forever, RIGHT NOW. Worldly possessions and identity mean nothing, because our citizenship is in Heaven, IN HIM forever.

"shall not come into condemnation"  God's children will be judged for rewards, not punishment. Jesus Christ has already suffered our punishment on the CROSS for all who will accept HIM as Lord and Saviour.

"is passed from death unto life"  RIGHT NOW, IT'S DONE. "Passed" is an interesting word. The use here is literally "translated". Death speaks of eternal punishment, not just the physical death of a person's human body. Life does not refer to the physical life of a human body, rather the part of us that lives in HIM and the glorified body that each one of God's children will be given at HIS appointed time.

Brothers and sisters, it's all about HEARING HIS WORD, believing in God, and believing that Jesus Christ took our place on the CROSS. HE felt agonizing pain, as HIS death was very slow and cruel. HE did die and was buried, but HE arose from the dead as a LIVING SAVIOUR for all who would believe and accept HIM as their Lord and Saviour. The man, Christ Jesus, was and is Almighty God. HE was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. HE humbled HIMSELF greatly to take the form of a man, but that was HIS Purpose. It was also HIS Purpose to give HIMSELF for us on the Cross. God is always true to HIS Purpose, keeps HIS Promises, and finishes HIS Work.

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.  John 4:14

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

I feel especially blessed by God to have so many sweet Christian friends. It is a joy to lift each other up in prayer and share our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hello Digme,

I do understand completely. I remember many conversations with people over the years about why so many sweet Christians get sick, suffer illness, or have bad things happen in their family. I think that the real truth is we are in this world, but this is not our home. The devil doesn't like us and would like to tear us down to the point that we are no longer witnesses for Christ. However, this backfires many times and Christians sometimes get closer to their Lord and Saviour than ever. Maybe it is those hard times we can look back on and say that everything appeared to be dark and without hope until I realized my Lord and Saviour was with me. This may also be why some of the happiest Christians I've ever met had little or almost nothing. But that's not possible - they had everything in Jesus.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hello Digme,

I don't make it any secret that I will vote for who I think most represents my Christian values, and that would be President Bush.

You spoke volumes in your post, and many things could be said about it. America started turning its back on Almighty God in the 1950s. With the evil that's grown and our nation's obvious lack of respect for Almighty God, why would God bless our nation? It's getting worse by the second, and some would wonder when it will be time for God to judge our nation for the evil it has become. President Bush didn't turn America away from God. In fact, he's tried the opposite.

One could also look at things and say we're having a preview of the end times. If so, it's too late for America to turn back to God. Biblical prophecy might be unfolding as we speak, and no power in the Universe will be able to stop it.

We are, as individuals, all partly responsible for what happened to America. We certainly can't blame it on President Bush. Personally, I see no comparison at all between Kerry and Bush. You couldn't pay me enough to get me to vote for Kerry. To me, he represents the people who ruined this country. As an example, the ACLU will have parties in the street if Kerry is elected. This isn't a rant, just my personal opinion, but I will have one vote when the time comes.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Let's blame it on aliens and simply give thanks that it may be over now. In fact, I think that I caught the alien on video:

 

Love In Christ,
Tom

SinkSF Said:

well, it's good to see at least something in the liberal media machine can recognize the inherent inferiority of women

Hello SinkSF,

Do you really feel that way about women? The Biblical description of a Christian woman and mother is a beautiful thing. Things get ugly in life when people aren't Christians, but a Christian man and woman with Christ as the head of the family is an incredibly beautiful description. I think that many folks fail to read the Biblical responsibilities a man has to his wife. If you combine those Biblical responsibilities with the Biblical responsibilities of the wife to the husband, you have a Christian home. The description doesn't come close to indicating inferiority, rather of duties to each other and God.

Besides, there are no more men without women, so men should be treating their wives as God has commanded. If both husband and wife obey God in the marriage, there will be a Biblical peace and joy in that home.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

Well, I'm shocked to see American television sink to new lows. "Wife Swapping Show"??  Are there enough American people with no morals for a show like this to make money??  OK, I'm naive, I don't get out much, and I rarely watch network television.

Someone mentioned TVLand, and I do like that. It's like opening a present from the past when nearly everything was completely clean. Christians should have no problem in supporting a channel like this. It's a shame that one must have cable or a satellite dish to find clean family programs. We've probably got a dozen or more basic channels that are always clean completely.

I think that I heard something about Sky Angel, but we can't get it in our part of the country.

In terms of what children see on television, I like the analogy of a computer. The computer is only as good as the information you put into it and how well you organize that material. SO, garbage in always equals garbage out. Maybe this is a poor analogy, but the same is true for children. There is always a negative price to be paid for filling them with garbage, and the price may be paid for their entire lives. I think it's better to say "NO" and explain why they can't watch that show. If they don't like the answer and ask WHY, one can always fall back on the tried and trusted "Because I told you so."   When they start raising their own families, you will see those knowing looks of understanding. If not, "Because I told you so" will have to do.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

   Evangelist

Ring that dinner bell, and we'll all come a runnin'.

YUM!

Deep fried turkey is wonderful. You inject it with your seasonings before you drop it in. Most folks let it sit for a day and drink in the flavors. Cajun style is great. WOW!

Finger lickin' - lip smackin' good!!

Oklahoma Howdy to Gracey,

Sister, if you need Windows network functions with the other computers, I think you are stuck in a Windows world. I don't have a clue about Linux networking functions, but I do know that many are running large networks on them. You know that would mean changing the operating system on the other computers too, as far as I know.

I did check some prices once on Linux type operating systems. I also read reviews about the various kinds of software that came with the system. It was IMPRESSIVE. The prices were almost like paying for media, packaging, and shipping (ridiculously low). I bet you could do Linux on all your systems and spend half what you would on Windows.

I just started using Open Office every day. They also have a version for Linux. It is excellent and free. It's also completely compatible with Microsoft Office, so I'm sure that Bill Gates has fits every time he hears about Open Office.

I really considered going with Linux when my computer fried recently. However, I found a door buster price on a computer that already had Windows. It's really just as well because I don't know how much I would have enjoyed trying to learn an entirely different operating system again. I had enough trouble going from DOS to Windows 95.    The change to 98 wasn't bad, and the change to XP is going to be less painful than I thought.

You just might try Linux if you're at a point where you have to spend money. You won't have to spend much to try Linux, and there are tons of folks making it better by the minute. It's about time there are other choices than Microsoft. Microsoft is trying to hold all of us hostage and make us buy all new software every 5 years. Well, I'm not going to cooperate. The operating system was already on the computer, but I'm using quite a bit of excellent freeware.

Good luck.

Love In Christ,
Tom