California's ban on same sex marriage UPHELD !!

I know this is a touchy subject.I certainly intend no offense and am actually one of the most unbiased/non prejudiced people you will meet.I have gay family members and friends and love them all :) So,let me just preface this post with that !!
California today upheld a ban on same sex marriage.I was VERY thankful to see this.
I know alot of people were upset and rightfully so.This is such an emotional subject and to have it constantly changed via law,etc makes the issue even that more difficult.
There are many legal same sex marriages who can't share that same joy with their best friends or family members due to the laws changing.That's hard I know. So,while I am very glad to see the ban upheld I'm not celebrating.These are people's lives and beliefs we are talking about here.This is seen as a slap in the face and a "belittling" (if you will) to same sex couples.Most gay people I know have fought for a LONG time to reconcile this issue within themself. Self esteem and relationships have been affected.Many gay people really struggle with who they are and why they are gay.It takes them a long time to come to a place where they can accept themselves for what they believe is how they are made.So,for someone to then say "who you are is wrong" is a VERY VERY hard pill to swallow.It's caused suicide,depression,divorce,etc. This is the message many people say a ban on same sex marriage says."You're not worthy"."You're not human" "You don't have rights",etc.
However,it is my belief that the approach many people have taken on this issue is the wrong one and VERY harmful !!
God loves each and every human.He CREATED each and every human.He has a will for each and every human.We were all created with special gifts and quirks. That's what makes God's creation so beautiful and diverse.However,along with all this beauty we were also given free will.We are vulnerable to temptation and sin.From porn,to anger,to gluttony,to murder,to lust,to envy, etc we ALL have sinful behavior and sinful tendencies. Homosexuality is among this list too.It's no worse than envy and just as conquerable. The Bible tells us that God will not tempt us beyond what we can bear and that God sent Jesus to be tempted too so we could relate to Him who was without sin. Being tempted is not sin.Succumbing to the temptation is the sin.
This is how I view homosexuality.And,because I do have this view,any measures we can take to prevent temptation or condone sin is welcome by me :) Just as I welcome higher taxes on cigarettes,drinking laws,prison terms,church discipline,etc. I'm just really starting to study and ponder just how much sin is in each of our lives.Believe me,I have my share of mine :) And,YES,I give in at times.But I also have the Holy Spirit reminding me of God's word and take actions so try to keep temptation at bay.
So,this is why I'm glad the ban on same sex marriage was upheld !!It's certainly not the only issue America should be looking at and not the only thing I want to see banned.It's just a start and you have to start somewhere :)

Great Quote Friday !!!!

Hey everyone ! I was reading a friend's blog and she was talking about a quote that inspired her.She then asked people to share their favorite quotes.I have actually started a book of quotes as I LOVE them :) So,I thought I'd start GREAT QUOTE FRIDAY on here ! I'll begin with a few quotes and then you can comment and share yours.
From now one,Fridays will be devoted to sharing a quote.(I'm doing multiple today just because I'm that excited !!). Hope you enjoy these and don't forget to share one of your own. TGIF !!!


1) "Preach the gospel at all times...and when necessary, use words." St. Francis of Assisi

2)"A daily recommitment is not to ensure that we’ll never fail, but to help us develop the mentality that every day is a new day. A new chance to follow Christ. Obedience to God is not some diet we suddenly blow. It is something to which we recommit every single day, no matter how we blew it the day before. Victorious living is not an instant arrival. It is the pursuit of one victorious day at a time until the sun sets on enough to begin forming victorious habits." - Beth Moore

3)Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one!'

- C.S. Lewis

4)"A single gal's walk is never easy but it's much better in a GREAT pair of shoes !"
- Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City)

This is a video of a song sung in Swahili.It's one of my all time favorites !!LAtely,I've been really burdened with reaching out to people with different culture backgrounds than myself and this was an encouragement to me :)

p.s. There may be a prize for the first person to post the name of this song in my comments :)

Me too !! Me too !!

Gosh,didn't realize it'd been so long since I posted.I guess I got busy celebrating my birthday :) I'm SOOOOO glad warmer weather is here even if it is rainy.Life is pretty good for me lately.I am truly blessed and try to remember that every day !!

One of the things that has made life bearable lately is all the people in my life that seem to be saying "me too!!".People are willing to listen to me and "carry my burden with me" and also to comfort me and say "me too!!" or "been there done that".
Authenticity is precious and I'm very thankful for it.Having someone who has had the same or similar situation as yourself is a Godsend.Even if you are celebrating,having someone who is excited for you or with you is AWESOME !! I've also been able to be the one to say "me too!!" lately.One example is with a lady I don't know personally whose 5 month old son is suffering from SVT (superventricular tachycardia).He had the same surgery performed that I did in 11/2002.I've been able to encourage a very special christian lady by being willing to "be an outsider looking in" and offer advice to her on her life and home.I've talked with a friend who is having emotional ups and downs and say "me too!!" as I went through the same thing last spring.I've been VERY VERY encouraged by others as we share common family dynamics.I've enjoyed coffee with a fellow church member as we've shared the same vision for a ministry at church. FUN and PRECIOUS times indeed !!!!!
So,I share this to ask 2 things of you. 1)share with me times in your life where "me too!" has meant something to you and 2)be willing to be authentic enough to be a "me too!" person or to ask for a "me too!" person. What an amazing thing when 2 or more with a similar experience can get together and help each other !!