Children

Apparently so.

An article by AdvanceUSA, in which I interviewed for, was published today.  I will lift two quotes as something I think speaks to today’s decision.  The first quote does not address the decision directly but I hope it will speak to how I approach these type of public policy issues.  The second quote does not specifically analyze the California decision but it does share my views on marriage.

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Friday Five: Randy Thomas
by Devon Williams, associate editor’Gender identity is very important to God.’

Parents of children who struggle with gender confusion are being encouraged to raise their kids according to the gender they want to be.

Nationally, organizations are adopting gender-neutral restrooms.

And in California, students now can “choose their own gender” when deciding whether to use the boys’ or girls’ restroom and locker room.

According to the American Psychological Association, “transgender” is a term used to describe people whose self-perception differs from their biological gender. This condition is commonly referred to as gender identity disorder.

Randy Thomas is executive vice president of Exodus International, the largest worldwide Christian outreach to those affected by homosexuality. He spoke with CitizenLink about transgenderism and his own journey out of homosexuality…

Click here to read the entire interview.

Exciting news, I had an article published on Boundless today!  I had a lot of fun writing it.  The artwork for their article is based on my own drawings too.  I hope you like both the article and drawings.

It’s a long one but here is a snippet …

… Artists will be stunted if they are not allowed to express. We have to know that the Lord will open the door for us to do so. He is a Good Shepherd and He will tend to His children and the creative gifts he has given them.

We also must be content. Our culture also idolizes artists in a carnal manner and forms an entirely different stereotype to impose on these gifted people. As artists, we must be content that true expression and fulfillment takes place when we work with our Creator to produce something glorious for Him. Whether one person or one billion … or no other human appreciates your efforts, as long as it brings a smile to your Father’s face … that’s all that really matters. Be content.

I’m happy to say that the arts are coming back in full effect. It’s wonderful to see all the fantastic new talent, concerts, skits, videos, songs, worship genres, quality writing, singers, poets, prose and on and on rising up all throughout the Body of Christ. Yes we all know the Word of God is sufficient. The Scriptures are alive and is the voice of God to us. The very cool part of it is that we also give voice to The Word. We sing it, draw it, dance it, rap it, shout it, paint it, act it, record it, reveal it in glorious ways.

We were created by the Creator to create. So … get busy.

Go read the whole thing.

And here is a hearty welcome to all the Boundless readers clicking through to visit my blog.  Glad you are here!  I pray for you to be blessed.  Plus, if you are an artist in some form or fashion… let’s see some of your work.  You can leave links in the comments if you would like.

ETC initial post here.  Thanks for the tip C!

Hutcherson’s Wife Says Family Is Being Harassed

www.komotv.com/news/local/15436121.html

KOMO TV

February 7, 2008

Feb 7, 2008 at 11:50 PM PST

SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — The family members of pastor Ken Hutcherson say they have been under attack ever since the pastor made controversial comments during a school assembly. Hutcherson’s wife addressed the school board on Thursday night.

“In the three weeks since the assembly, our life has been anything but back to normal,” said Pat Hutcherson. It was standing room only at the school board meeting as Pat discussed the harassment that has followed the couple and their four children since her husband spoke at an assembly at Mount Si High School on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

“My family is boldly called names like ‘bigot’, ‘homophobe’ and we’ve been permanently branded in the valley,” she said. The pastor, who is known for his anti-gay stance, was booed and publicly questioned by two teachers during the assembly. The incident has raised numerous concerns and issues, including bad manners and the acceptance of gays and lesbians. Some students are even concerned that teachers are imposing their personal beliefs on the students.

“I have six classes a day. I know the personal beliefs of all six of my teachers and I don’t want to,” one student said at the meeting. “I also think that to invite an anti-gay person was sending wrong message to students at Mount Si,” another said.

“We shouldn’t cast blame..but rather learn from this and accept diversity,” a third said.

Mount Si’s principal said the two teachers involved in the incident were dealt with appropriately, but refused to discuss the details of the school’s personnel matter.

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From Florida4Marriage.org:

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN– AGAIN!
Florida Marriage Protection Amendment
Now Officially Certified to be on 2008 Ballot!

A record breaking 92,000 petitions collected in just 13 days!

Vote YES On Amendment 2
November 4, 2008
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(Tallahassee, FL) Friday February 1, 2008.  Tonight at 9:17 PM, the State Division of Elections Director called John Stemberger, State Chairman of the Florida4Marriage.org campaign and informed him that the Marriage Protection Amendment was officially certified for the November 4, 2008 ballot with a total of 649,346 petitions certified.  611,009 are needed by law.

Stemberger said, “We are grateful to God first, and to our supporters second, for this amazing victory.   What our people did was simply remarkable. They collected 92,000 petitions in about 13 days.  That is about 7,000 petitions per day.  No paid petition collectors could ever match the force of this effort.  This is real proof for grassroots momentum for marriage as the union of one man and one woman in Florida.”

While a shock to many, the emergency push was actually a major blessing for the group.  “It better organized us, galvanized our infrastructure and created more awareness by Floridians about what the amendment is really all about.” Stemberger remarked.

“Children need a mom and a dad.  It is just that simple.  When you create a same sex marriage, you are simultaneously creating a same sex family.  Same sex marriages subject children to a vast, untested, social experiment.  Homosexual marriage proponents must take the position that there is no inherent value or importance to human femininity and human masculinity when it comes to the socialization of children.   Dad and mom’s are optional.  This is the assumption of their position.”

Accordingly to elections officials, 15 of 25 congressional districts also met the required numbers to be certified.  Only half of the 25 congressional districts are required to meet a certain number of petitions.

Stemberger said, “I just wish there was some way I could meet each of the hundreds of thousands of supporters across this state who have worked so hard and personally thank them.  The people have spoken — twice now — and they will speak again on November 4, 2008.  We will now proceed with our campaign plan to overcome the final and most serious hurdle — 60% popular vote passage of the amendment.”
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