In a landmark move, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to take up two cases that could either lead to the legalization of gay marriage nationwide or affirm the rights of legislators and voters to protect traditional marriage.The court's action Dec. 7 means that sometime next year -- perhaps in March -- the court will hear oral arguments in the cases and hand down a decision by the end of June.The justices will consider the constitutionality of two laws. One is the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage for federal purposes as being between a man and a woman. The other is California Proposition 8, a voter-approved constitutional amendment which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. ...read more: http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=39315
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
I believe this is a very critical issue for our nation and the Church. We've been given a few month window to seek God on this matter and cry out to Him for mercy and grace. Let's use it wisely.Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. (Psalms 80:3)Here is the entry from the Treasury of David for the above verse from Psalms;Turn us again, O God. It is not so much said, turn our captivity but turn us. All will come right if we are right. The best turn is not that of circumstances but of character. When the Lord turns his people he will soon turn their condition. It needs the Lord himself to do this, for conversion is as divine a work as creation; and those who have been once turned unto God, if they at any time backslide, as much need the Lord to turn them again as to turn them at the first. The word may be read, restore us; verily, it is a choice mercy that he restoreth my soul. And cause thy face to shine. Be favourable to us, smile upon us. This was the high priest's blessing upon Israel: what the Lord has already given us by our High-priest and Mediator we may right confidently ask of him. And we shall be saved. All that is wanted for salvation is the Lord's favour. One glance of his gracious eye would transform Tophet into Paradise. No matter how fierce the foe, or dire the captivity, the shining face of God ensures both victory and liberty. This verse is a very useful prayer. Since we too often turn aside, let us often with our lips and heart cry, Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.In Christ,Ron
_________________Ron Halverson