Late Thursday, U.S. Department of Justice lawyers filed a motion to dismiss a case that challenged the 1996 Federal Defense of Marriage Act often referred to as DOMA. DOMA currently prevents couples in states that recognize same-sex unions from securing Social Security spousal benefits, filing joint taxes and other federal rights of marriage.

The Justice Department lawyers concluded that giving federal marriage benefits to gays would infringe on the rights of taxpayers in the 30 states that specifically prohibit same-sex marriages.

Decisions create your future! Good decisions can create a positive future. Bad decisions can create a miserable future. The decision to eat ice cream each night may give you a good feeling on those nights. You may enjoy the taste. You can receive a sense of satisfaction.

Following a number of those nights with the decision to eat ice cream can also have negative results. Your weight increases. The bad cholesterol levels increase. The doctor warns you of impending health issues. Somehow those decisions that gave you such pleasure in the past don't seem to be good decisions today.

You can change your future by changing your decisions. Your future is not limited by decisions of the past. Tell the ice cream that you are making a change. You have decided not to eat the forbidden dessert each night. Set a course for your future as a winner. Make a decision that will create a better tomorrow than what you are experiencing today. Your new decision will create a positive future for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week marked a nadir in the battle for biblical marriage. Two huge events occurred. First former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney voiced his support for same-sex marriage. Second New Hampshire became the sixth state in the Union to legalize gay marriage. Despite these two events, nationalizing same-sex marriage is absolutely not inevitable. Gay marriage proponents are only too aware that the recent California Supreme Court ruling that upheld the 2008 Proposition 8 victory which, guarantees that a fresh round of marriage amendments, initiatives and referendums will undoubtedly be levied in the states that have scored temporary victories for same-sex marriage.

"There are a lot of people who say that you [Harry Jackson] are a front man for national conservative groups," reporters have stated before they've asked me who was really paying for the same-sex marriage campaign being waged against the D.C. City Council.

Several of the reporters called my public relations firm an "expensive, GOP political campaign firm that has masterminded several conservative victories." Although my firm is very expensive, I was shocked that they did not know that my current firm helped me promote the book I co-authored with Tony Perkins Personal Faith, Public Policy and that they did a fabulous job in helping us on various projects for the past four years.

Other people do not always appreciate what is inside you. They don't always recognize the potential that is waiting to be unlocked. More over some people may never discover your value.

While growing up, your parents may have seen you as someone who didn't always obey them. Your teachers may have viewed you as just another student who didn't get their homework in on time. People who work with you or live in your neighborhood may only see you as another person that they pass during the course of a day.

Although these people may never discover your true value, it is important that you do. Pay attention to the valuable attributes in your life. Congratulate yourself when you win a victory or accomplish some difficult task. Learn to like yourself. After all, you are a unique creation. There is only one you. Recognize your value and watch others begin to value you also!