Standing up for your beliefs is part of your faith~

Do you feel strongly about something? Anything? Are you willing to stand up for your beliefs in a way that others can visibly see? I am and I'll tell you why. I believe in traditional marriage between one man and one woman, just like the Bible says. Genesis 2:24 says " That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." I guess I didn't realize how strongly I felt about that verse until it's existence was questioned in a very public way.

A few weeks ago, Dan Cathy, the CEO of the popular fast food chicken restaurant, Chick-Fill-A, made a honest statement on a Christian radio station, stating his beliefs about traditional marriage being between a man and a woman, the way it is ordained in the Bible (Genesis 2:24). Chick-Fill-A is a Christian company, which is actually closed on Sunday's against the advice of everyone in the industry. Truett Cathy, the founder of the restaurant chain, made that decision years ago when he opened his very first restaurant. They would be closed on Sunday to honor God and the Sabbath Day, even in the malls across the country. Not a popular decision, but I admire Mr. Cathy for standing up for his beliefs.

Dan Cathy, Truett's son, made his comment on the Christian radio show that he believed we are inviting God's wrath on our country if we say we know better than He what the idea of marriage should be. Then he said that he prayed for God's mercy on this generation and their arrogant attitude towards their Creator.

                                 This was a picture that was being shared on Facebook 
                                        for those in support of traditional marriage                                                                                  

Frankly, I couldn't agree with Mr. Cathy more. I am amazed that we are still holding together as a nation the way we have turned on back on God Almighty in the last 20-30 years; really in just one generation. I've heard many people question whether God may have allowed the attacks on 911 as a wake up call for our nation to turn from our sinfulness and turn back to Him. I've often wondered the same thing. Maybe the Lord is trying to get our attention. I've seen him do that in my life and in the life of friends and family members, why not as a nation?

Really, could we blame Him? We have turned our backs on our Creator in many ways; running Him out of our homes, our schools, the courts, and many public gathering across the country. God has been left behind.

Here is a link to the interview Dan Cathy gave, which in my opinion is totally innocent. He uttered no words of hate of any kind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIOOZBhH du4

This simple and non-controversial interview set off a firestorm across the country. The Jim Henson Company (aka "the muppets") pulled their contract with Chick-Fill-A for their kids meals saying they wanted nothing to do with them because they were discriminating against gay marriage. I didn't hear any mention of that in the interview, did you? The mayors of Boston and Chicago said they didn't want their franchise in their cities. What??Just because the man said he supported traditional marriage? Dan Cathy said nothing about gay marriage. He didn't utter one word of hate out of his mouth, yet the people on the left side of the issue jumped on him, BIG TIME.

                 One of the signs posted on Facebook in support of Dan Cathy and his statement.

I agree with Dan Cathy and I also pray humbly for God's mercy upon this generation and the next. I pray we will turn back to God and not away from Him.

On August 1, former Presidential Candidate and governor Mike Huckabee organized a Support Chick-Fill-A day across the country. He petitioned people through Facebook, Twitter and other media outlets to come out and support Dan Cathy and his first amendment rights by showing up at Chick-Fill-A on August 1 and purchasing something.

The response across the country was unbelievable. Over 1 million people came out in droves across the country, from near and far to say, we support you Dan Cathy and we agree with your right to say anything you want. Your right to free speech is what this country is all about. Here are some of the pics from the eventful day:

The message was loud and clear from the conservative right. We are tired of being pushed around and told what we can and cannot say and do. We believe in traditional marriage too and we support Dan Cathy's 1st amendment rights to free speech.

My husband and I went to our local Chick Fill A for breakfast before the crowds came and I'm really glad we did. We got right in and had the place to ourselves. From news reports around the country, it seems that many people stood in line or in their cars for hours on end to make a statement. There was no violence, just many, many Christians standing together in support of their strong beliefs. Yeah us, it's about time we stood in agreement behind a Godly man.

                        Here's a picture of Steve and I with our friends Kent and Stephanie Dash
                            and their sweet doggie in training King Arthur (Artie) at Chick-Fill-A
                 Steve and I have been happily married for 34 1/2 years and we're sticking with it!

There were some who were outraged by the outpouring of support for one man and his simple statement, but for me, it was a matter of principals. I believe that God ordained marriage between one man and one woman and that is it. I wanted to support Dan Cathy's right to make that statement in our free country without being threatened by people on the other side of the issue to pull their business.

Some said that us supporters of Cathy hate gay people. Not true, especially not for me. I have many gay friends. Do I believe they should have the right to get married? No, because I believe that "marriage" is something ordained by God and that is sacred between and man and a woman. I feel very strongly about this. If gay people want to live together that is their business, not mine, but when they want me to support their right to marry, I have to stand up for what I believe in.

When our President, Barack Obama, came out and said that as the leader of our country he endorsed gay marriage, I was appalled. I have disagreed with the President on many things, but generally, have believed that he was a man of high moral standards. Not anymore. I believe his statement in support of gay marriage was purely for political reasons and to try and solidify the gay vote in November. I pray that it backfires on him because I feel so strongly that he is going against the Word of God and we are indeed inviting God's wrath on our country.

This country was founded on Christian principles. John Hancock, first signer of the Declaration of Independence said this: "Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us." 

Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the U.S. was bolder in his statements about the Almighty:

 "God who gave us life, gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event." 

I pray that the people in this country will wake up before it's too late. The conservative right was awake and made a positive statement on August 1. That statement was loud a clear FOR the Word of God. The election is only 85 days from now. When you go to the polls in a few months in November, I pray that you will have the courage to vote the Word of God. Not a particular candidate that you like because of what he says he will do for you, but for the ticket that stands most closely in alignment with the Bible before it's too late for any of us. 

My verse for today is above in red.

My prayer today:

Lord God Almighty:

Please forgive us for our sins. Forgive us for turning our backs on You and Your Word. I pray for each person reading this, Lord. I pray that they will have the courage to step out and vote the Word of God above anything else in November. I pray for our nation Lord, I pray for our people. Bring us back to you Lord. You are calling, help us to answer.

In Jesus Name,
Amen