Here are some well thought out implications of the heavy weight decision by the Presidential Inauguration Committee to shun Louie Giglio because of his religious convictions.
Pastor Louis Giglio has removed his prior acceptance of the offer of giving the benediction at President Obama’s second inauguration.
Check out his letter of resignation. It has the typo of 2014, not 2013, but clearly states that he and his ministry don’t want to wade into an embattled issue that is not beneficial to the goals of their ministry.
January 10, 2014 [sic]
I am honored to be invited by the President to give the benediction at the upcoming inaugural on January 21. Though the President and I do not agree on every issue, we have fashioned a friendship around common goals and ideals, most notably, ending slavery in all its forms.
Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ.
Neither I, nor our team, feel it best serves the core message and goals we are seeking to accomplish to be in a fight on an issue not of our choosing, thus I respectfully withdraw my acceptance of the President’s invitation. I will continue to pray regularly for the President, and urge the nation to do so. I will most certainly pray for him on Inauguration Day.
Our nation is deeply divided and hurting, and more than ever need God’s grace and mercy in our time of need.
It is to bad that Giglio felt so much pressure that he needed to withdraw from such an honor. I think it is interesting that in his resignation letter we find no hint of backing down on his former stance. He is exactly right in how he calls the nation to prayer for our leaders, even if a segment of our nation has clamored against his selection. I believe Giglio is sincere in his words and should be commended on how he has handled this unfortunate development.
Keep up the good work Louie, keep making much of Jesus Christ through every platform available to you.
As we have all been aware of President Obama’s recent endorsement of legalizing same-sex marriage, we may not all be aware of the implications of such an action will have on all of us, even those who oppose it. I’ve already read many versions of “if you don’t like it, then don’t do it”.
Psychologytoday.com posted this article defending gay marriage and ended with this quote:
From my perspective, it comes down to common sense. If it helps some people and it doesn’t hurt anyone, why not let in happen. I think the comedian Wanda Sykes put it best, “It’s real simple. If you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, don’t marry someone of the same sex.” In other words, why not allow gay marriage?
Why not? There are many negative implications that must be considered! Marriage is the foundational institution of our nation. To redefine it changes the foundation and thus the trajectory we are headed as a nation. Marriage was instituted first by God himself, before sin came into the world, and defined as one man and one woman. To redefine that is to reject God’s design and plan.
If same-sex marriage is legalized will it really effect you and me? Yes. We are seeing this already in Massachusetts, the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.
This clip shows how the public schools are teaching same-sex marriage as “normal and acceptable”. I just registered my daughter for Kindergarten in our town literally last week. It scares me to think she will be exposed to anti-biblical, morally bankrupt lifestyles as “normal and acceptable”.
From kindergarten to high school, our children will be exposed to “tolerance” and “equality” as a way to impose an unbiblical worldview into their developing value system.
Whenever you hear the counter argument stating that “studies show” same-sex marriages do not have a negative impact on a child’s development, be ready to think rationally and critically. Do your research to find what “studies” have been done. We all know statistics can be used in a bias manner to prove anything.
As Professor Don Browning of the University of Chicago recently wrote in the New York Times, “We know next to nothing” about the effects of same-sex parenting on children.” “The body of sociological knowledge about same-sex parenting,” he and his co-author wrote, “is scant at best. … There are no rigorous, large-scale studies on the effect of same-sex marriage on the couples’ children.”
With a sample size as limited and reclusive as practicing same-sex couples with children, even a non-scientific mind as myself sees a flaw in reporting any results as authoritative. Beware what the “studies show”, because the studies are extremely limited at best and conducted with bias at worst.
So lastly, what should Christians do and think about these issues in our day? It is good to remember that Jesus engaged His culture, not ignored it. We should take an active role as this is developing. We are blessed to be able to voice our opinions and vote accordingly. Start there. Also we need to think rightly about these issues. Here is a post a good friend of mine, Mark Moore, used to direct Christians to 5 good blog responses to the current debate. Read over these and know where you stand. There is some valuable wisdom written down here.
We know God is in control and trust Him through the thick and the thin. Be in prayer for our country and our leaders as we traverse difficult days. Teach the truth, even when it is not politically correct. 2 Tim 3:12-14 says, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.”
Let us continue in what we have learned, because we know where we have learned it, namely the Word of God.
Here are some well thought out implications of the heavy weight decision by the Presidential Inauguration Committee to shun Louie Giglio because of his religious convictions.
adamlickey.com 