Revelation 8:1-6 -- The Tribulation Judgement (Part 1)

Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets

"When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound."
Revelations 8:1-6

Pastor Danny Forshee.  Great Hills Baptist Church.  October 19, 2014:



Outline:

1. Silence (vv. 1-2)
   Joel 2:1
2. Supplications (vv. 3-4)
   
3. Sounds (vv. 5-6)

Highlights:

• Waves of judgement are being poured out upon planet Earth.

• God is on His own timetable: "He's never early and He's never late, He is just right."

• Tells Annise Parker to go pound sand.

• Government officials should be hands off towards the pulpit.

• Can we at least agree there is a fascination with the apocalypse?!?

• God has put eternity on our hearts.

• Sometimes we get so hopped up on God's holiness that we forget God's Love and Mercy.
  => Grace AND Truth
  => Do not fear, God wins.

Annise Parker's FINAL (*) INDIGNATION: Houston Gets DOWNGRADED

"The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender."
Proverbs 22:7

(*) -- Hoperfully

Following the ruinous fiscal legacy of the former mayor, the inevitable finally happened:

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the City of Houston's (TX) general obligation limited tax rating to Aa3 from Aa2, affecting approximately $3 billion in previously issued bonds. Concurrently, Moody's assigns a Aa3 to the City of Houston, TX's $600 million Public Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2016A. The outlook remains negative.

The downgrade to Aa3 reflects weakening economic and financial performance driven by prolonged decreases in oil prices. It also reflects the city's high fixed costs, large unfunded pension liabilities (among the highest in the nation), as well as property tax caps.

The Aa3 also considers recent positive General Fund performance, and growth in non-energy sectors that has offset some of the softening. Additionally, the rating recognizes the positive actions taken by the new Mayor and his plan to engage several stakeholders to modify the city's fixed costs and generate additional revenues, all within the next 18 to 24 months. These plans signal a change from past initiatives, and positive movement on the plans will be key to stabilizing the credit profile.

TPPF has more:

"Moody’s downgrade of Houston is the latest in a series of troubling fiscal incidents that, show how urgently reform is needed. Houston’s booming economy has helped mask the city’s spending and pension problems for a long time. But the city’s big-spending ways can no longer be ignored. It is time that the city got a handle on spending and put its fiscal house in order."

Houston Mayoral Runoff: Harris County Democrats IMPLODING!!!

"There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand."
Proverbs 19:21

Last week, we discussed how big cities across Texas are provoking conservative backlashes across Texas in ways no one has fully considered.  Obviously, Annise Parker's bathroom ordinance was a major component of that equation.  Now there's fallout in the mayoral runoff:

To many it seemed like bigotry and betrayal. That is how many described what occurred at the last Meyerland Area Democrats Club (MADC) meeting on Monday November 16th, 2015.

According to MADC, “Our meeting was electric and very emotional!,” said Art Pronin, MADC President. “100 members showed. Most of the membership attended.”  Pronin likely knew there would be some friction in the meeting. “I spoke to her [Sharon Moses] again in private prior to the meeting and asked her about gay marriage.” Pronin said. “She said gays shouldn’t be allowed to be married and it was a sin for who those who are.” He said that while she said she would support some sort of non-discrimination ordinance, she would not include the transgender community.

An attendee who preferred to be anonymous said that when pressed on LGBT issues, Sharon Moses said some “ugly things.” Jolanda Jones, a lawyer, Houston activist, and recently elected HISD District 4  trustee, was in attendance. It was said that she pressed Sharon Moses on LGBT issues from a legal point of view. Jones pressed her on the HERO bathroom misinformation. According to the attendee, Sharon Moses falsely said HERO left women vulnerable to men entering the bathroom. When Jolanda Jones asked her views on gay marriage, Moses invoked the Bible. Jolanda Jones walked out of the meeting in frustration with Moses’ answers.

Gay marriage is the law of the land. Period. Above and beyond that, one can have whatever insane prejudices they decide not to extricate from their being. That is their right. No Democrat running for office should be elected if said prejudices are externalized. Would we support someone who articulated prejudice over blacks, Latinos, Asians, women, and all the permutations thereof?

In what must have been another dagger in the back of MADC, as Sylvester Turner was being endorsed by the club, Bill King tweeted Chris Bell’s act of betrayal, Bell came out in support of Tea Party favorite Bill King. The Tea Party in Kingwood worked ferociously and efficiently to over perform in Kingwood for Bill King. I was told by one of the Tea Party leaders that the goal was to ensure a second place finish for King. He knew they were unlikely to come in first but knew they could win the runoff. He said the goal was to use the low voter turnout in December to ensure Bill King became mayor. Chris Bell is assisting the election of a man beholding to the Kingwood Tea Party.

Houston is a Democratic City. However it has allowed the Right Wing Religious Complex and the Tea Party to strategically dismember just enough of it to win. From a sect of Black ministers who preyed on their own communities to vote against their own interest based on a lie, to ‘come lately’ Democrats garnering support. Does anyone believe the Right Wing Religious Complex will partner with the black preachers to get support for programs that enhance their communities? Of course not. I covered this on my KPFT 90.1 FM Politics Done Right show a couple of weeks ago 

....

To my Democratic brothers and sisters that have chosen not to live up to the letter and spirit of our platform, you are in fact responsible for our constant disappointment in outcomes. To my Democratic brothers and sisters that are a constant in pushing real liberal and progressive values and outcomes, it is time we all step up and force the hands of the posers.  As well, it is time to get into the electoral game and take the party.

Read the whole thing here.

Bottom Line: Ouch.

Big Cities provoke Conservative BACKLASH across Texas!!!

"There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand."
Proverbs 19:21

Yesterday, the Dallas City Council passed a bathroom ordinance similar to the one voters in Houston JUST shot down.  This adds Dallas to the list of urban governments that have recently made myopic decisions.  This will have long-term consequences that are not yet understood.

It's often noted that, while the rural and suburban areas are OVERWHELMINGLY red, urban areas in Texas lean towards blue.  Since 2013, however, local governments in Texas' cities have overreached in ways that undermine their long-term viability.  The issues vary, but they point in the same direction.

Consider the following:

• Austin -- In 2013, the school bond failed.  In 2014, the rail bond failed.  In 2015, the courthouse bond failed.
  
  Austin has been in a property tax REVOLT for the past two years.  That revolt has already killed the three bonds listed above and put Don Zimmerman and Ellen Troxclair on the Austin City Council.  Conservatives didn't create the climate, but it's easy to exploit.  Furthermore, the status quo crowd shows no sign of heeding this lesson.  Unless incumbent elected officials change course next year (which they won't), Austin's tax revolt will grow DRAMATICALLY in 2016.
  
  Property Taxes.  Property Taxes.  Property Taxes.  Property Taxes.  Property Taxes.  Property Taxes.  Property Taxes.

• Dallas -- Dallas had been lagging, but yesterday's city council vote is likely to produce the same backlash we saw in Houston.

• Houston -- The bathroom ordinance got the most press, but Houston's fiscal CRISIS deserves equal billing.  Houston now has more debt than Detroit.  Those issues combined to produce a conservative tsunami on election night that knocked out an alleged 'rising star' of the Texas Democrat party.
  
  Bill King, the conservative candidate likely to win Houston's mayoral runoff, has pledged to fix the pension situation.  Structural fiscal reforms will permanently reduce the footprint of municipal government.  That's terrible news for statists and their rent-seeking enablers.
  
  The soon-to-be third largest city in the U.S. is about to elect a Scott Walker-style reformer as mayor and radical homosexual activists have only themselves to blame.

• San Antonio -- During Julian Castro's final term, voters belatedly woke up.  In 2014, after Obama gave Castro a face-saving exit, the council elevated a Castro antagonist to Mayor.  In 2015, Ivy Taylor won a full term thanks to conservatives.
  
  Furthermore, turnout in the 2015 election was twice the 2013 total.
  
  Now the City of San Antonio is playing with fire over annexation; woe unto them if they're stupid enough to move forward.

Bottom Line: Across Texas, big city governments have provoked grassroots rebellions.  While the triggering issues vary, the underlying dynamics are identical.  This will have long term consequences no one has considered.

Workman's AFTER THE FACT flip-flop on Houston Bathroom Ordinance

"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons"
1 Corinthians 10:21

[UPDATE: As it turns out, Workman actually endorsed the repeal vote on Tuesday afternoon, not Wednesday morning.  For that we apologize, though we hasten to add that it doesn't change the fact that Workman only hopped on the repeal bandwagon at the last minute.  We've written a more complete explanation here.]

On Tuesday evening, the Houston Bathroom ordinance lost in a landslide; on Wednesday afternoon, Paul Workman posted the following to his Facebook page:

Conservatives scored a major victory last night with the resounding defeat of Houston's Proposition 1 at the ballot box....
Posted by Paul Workman on Wednesday, November 4, 2015

You'll notice that Workman's post appeared NOT ONLY after the votes had been counted, but in the middle of the afternoon?!?  We wonder why.  That MORNING, Jay Wiley (who put his name on the line before the election) had pointed out:

Stood with conservatives from all over Texas, including a majority of House Republicans, to defeat the Houston transgender bathroom ordinance yesterday. Where was Paul Workman??
Posted by Jay Wiley on Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Do we need to say anything else?!?

Texas Conservatives' SPECTACULARLY TERRIFIC night!!!

"if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away[a] his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
Revelation 22:19

How are you supposed to describe going 5 for 5  on election night as anything other than a SPECTACULAR win?!?

Consider this round of local elections.

This website cared about five issues statewide: Annise Parker's bathroom ordinance, Bill King's performance in the Houston mayoral race, the Travis County Courthouse bond, the San Marcos fluoride ban, and Laura Fillault's performance in the Woodlands.  Speaking honestly, this website is SHOCKED we won five for five

That being said, Cahnman's Musings' going 5 for 5 should tell EVERYONE where voters stand.

No, seriously: 5 for 5.

What are you supposed to say about that except for the fact that you produced more votes than the pro-spending crowd for the third time in three years?!?

Bottom Line: When push came to shove, Travis County Repubilicans won.

Annise Parker's Bathroom Ordinance supporter threatens Rape

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
1 Peter 5:8

As if the Houston Bathroom Ordinance wasn't already an abomination of public policy, now there's this:



Highlights:

• Kevin Stoneking directly contradicts Parker.

Bottom Line: This thing needs to go down in flames.

2015 Texas Constitutional Amendments Conservative/Libertarian Guide

"Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established."
Proverbs 16:3

Early voting began today for seven state of Texas Constitutional Amendments and various local questions around the state, Cahnman's Musings endorses the following positions:

State of Texas Constitutional Amendments:

• Prop. 1 -- FOR -- While the 84th legislature didn't do much to reign in property taxes, it did do this.  Prop 1 would increase the homestead exemption for school district taxes from $15,000 to $25,000.  It's not much, but it does move in the right direction.

• Prop. 2 -- NEUTRAL -- Prop 2 illustrates the peril of trying to carve out favorable tax treatment for certain groups, even groups we like.  In 2011, the legislature created (and the voters passed) an exemption from property taxes for the surviving spouses of 100% disabled combat veterans.  Unfortunately, the 2011 amendment included language that limited that benefit to veterans who died after 2010.  Prop. 2 would remove the 'after 2010' proviso.
  
  On the one hand, this epitomizes what happens every time you try to get cute with the tax code; on the other hand, the 2011 exemption isn't going anywhere, so it makes sense to remove the arbitrary cut off date.
  
  Flip a coin.

• Prop. 3 -- FOR -- Prop 3 would remove the requirement that statewide officeholders (except the Governor) reside in Austin; in a world with modern information technology, we see no need to require statewide officials to reside in Austin.

• Prop. 4 -- AGAINST -- When in doubt, vote no; we can't put our finger on it, but something about this proposition STINKS.  Prop. 4 would allow "charitable foundations" of professional sports teams to conduct "charitable raffles" for the benefit of said foundations.  To be honest, this just wreaks of the type of insider based cronyism that runs rampant at the capitol, the fact that Charlie Geren is the primary author of the amendment doesn't increase our confidence.

• Prop. 5 -- FOR -- [UPDATED] Prop. 5 would allow small counties to maintain roads constructed with private funds if doing so makes sense locally.  Living in Austin, this website has no desire how to instruct local entities to maintain roads we'll never see. We can find no reason why letting local counties make this decision for themselves would be considered objectionable.
• Correction: This is what we originally wrote for Prop. 5.  Apparently, we got the intent of the amendment backwards.  We apologize, though either way we see it as a matter of local control.
  

• Prop. 6 -- FOR -- Prop. 6 would add another level of protection should anti-Second Amendment forces or hardcore environmentalists come after Texas.  In a sane world, the second amendment would be all the protection we need.  Of course, we don't live in a sane world.
  
  While we commend the 84th Texas legislature for taking this proactive action on the Second Amendment, we wish they'd extended similar courtesy on issues related to religious liberty and the First Amendment.

• Prop. 7 -- NEUTRAL -- Prop. 7 would take a portion of the motor vehicle sales tax and dedicate it to transportation funding.  Transportation funding in Texas can best be characterized as robbing Peter to pay Paul.  Prop 7 would rob John to pay Peter.
  
  The fundamental problem with transportation funding in Texas is that 25% of the gas tax is diverted to education.  Prop. 7 does NOTHING to fix that.  It just creates yet another "dedicated" account.
  
  And that's before we get into the waste and bloat at TxDOT that the legislature hasn't lifted a finger to change.
  
  On the other hand, we have legitimate transportation needs, and Prop. 7 might be the best we can do given political reality.
  
  Once again...flip a coin.

Noteworthy Local Issues:

• City of Houston Prop. 1 -- AGAINST -- This is Annise Parker's famous bathroom ordinance, which led to the subpoenaing of the Houston 5's sermons.  This thing was supposed to make it onto the ballot A YEAR AGO, but the Houston City Attorney lawlessly declared thousands of signatures invalid.  The Texas Supreme Court has rebuked Parker and the City of Houston on two separate occasions.  This thing has been lawless and tyrannical from the get-go.  The time has come to drive a stake through the heart of this abomination of public policy.

• City of Pflugerville Prop. 1 -- AGAINST -- We haven't had a ton of time to look into this one, but multiple sources we trust inform us that this plan to float $10 million to build an animal shelter is a corrupt boondoggle.

• TRAVIS COUNTY Prop. 1 -- AGAINST  -- And this is the Travis County Courthouse.  It doesn't take a genius to know where we stand on this one.  Travis County is claiming this thing will cost $287 MILLION, though somewhere between $400 and 600 MILLION is probably where the final price tag will end up once you factor in interest and cost overruns.  The current proposal doesn't have enough parking.  It adds more cars to the rush hour bottleneck.  Moving the location to East Austin would save between 25 and 50% of the cost.  Everyone can oppose this thing for their own reason, but Travis County has said the only way they will consider a better alternative is if the current proposal fails.

Bottom Line: The State of Texas constitutional amendments are relatively inoffensive, but we wouldn't trust anything any local government is doing in this type of low turnout election.  Early voting began today and runs through next Friday, election day proper is Tuesday, Nov. 3.  These low turnout elections are when your vote REALLY counts; get informed about what's on your personal LOCAL ballot and go vote!!!

The Texas Response: Pastors, Marriage, & Religious Freedom

"The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him."
Proverbs 18:17

Pflugerville -- Last night, Texas Values hosted an event in Pflugerville to outline the state-of-play on religious liberty in Texas following the U.S. Supreme Court's lawless marriage ruling this past summer.  It highlighted how Churches can protect themselves in the current climate and discussed the Pastor Protection law that the legislature passed last session.  It was a solid start that needs to be build upon.

Jonathan Saenz (Texas Values):



Highlights:

• Several people have been fined and jailed over marriage.

• Houston 5 were attacked by Annise Parker.

• Dan Patrick: "No one should be compelled."

• Scott Sanford carried this bill in House.

• Pastor Protection law protects "religious ORGANIZATIONS."

• ACLU retracted their support for Federal RFRA after marriage decision.

• Pastor Protection Law covers religious hospitals.

Jeremy Dys (Liberty Institute):

Highlights:

• Plugs Ken Paxton -- Filed a pro-Religious Liberty brief at the Texas Supreme Court last week.

• "Religious liberty is broader than human sexuality."

• Define your mission in writing in your church documents.

• Detailed minutes of Church meetings CAN SAVE YOUR BACON in the event of a lawsuit.

• Learn more about protecting your Christian institution at ReligiousLibertyKits.com

Attorney General Paxton:

Highlights:

• Put out his opinion re: County Clerks within hours of SCOTUS decision.

• People of Faith are essential to keeping American "free and prosperous."

• Religious liberty is the first freedom for a reason.

• When we lose our moral compass, things go bad in a hurry.

• "Discrimination against Christians, or other people of Faith, is entirely unacceptable."

Senator Craig Estes:

Highlights:

• Our perilous times are different that First Century Christians or Christians in Syria.

• Pray for the Christians around the world.

• This isn't the hill the hard core leftists want to die on.

Pastor Panel:

[Note: Danny Forshee is the Pastor of this Author's Church.]



Highlights:

• If Christians abdicate politics, the Devil is pleased to take over.

• When you put God in charge, He takes over.

• Joe Gonzales tells a story about praying with his personal state rep.

• Pastor Danny: "To disagree does not mean to discriminate."

• Pastor Mike: Just voting isn't good enough.
• The Church has abdicated it's position.
• We need to participate in the process.
• "Had the Devil known what he was doing, he wouldn't have raised the issue."
• The Church in Texas is coming together (tells the story about preaching in inner-city Kileen)
• Texas is going to be a haven for the gospel.

Lance Berkman is a stand up guy

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."
1 Corinthians 16:13

Former Astros slugger Lance Berkman recently filmed a completely reasonable TV commercial in favor of repealing Annise Parker's bathroom ordinance:



Of course, the national sports media is, if anything, more liberal than the national news media, as these shrieking headlines suggest:

Bottom Line: Many conservative athletes keep their head down because they "don't want trouble."  Lance Berkman, by contrast, was willing to take heat from the SJW lynch mob to make a completely reasonable point.  Good for him.

Important facts about Annise Parker's Bathroom Ordinance

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9

From Texas Values:

5 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Houston's November “HERO” Vote On Tuesday, November 3rd, Houston voters will finally have a chance to vote for or against the controversial LGBT “Equal Rights” Bathroom Ordinance (or HERO), known as Proposition 1 on the ballot. The election is already drawing national attention as it will have a tremendous impact on future religious freedom battles across the country. All eyes will be on Houston. The vote comes after a more than yearlong campaign by Houston Mayor Annise Parker toillegally disenfranchise voters and intimidate opponents, including efforts to silence Houston pastors by attempting to subpoena their sermonsand private church communications. A unanimous Texas Supreme Court ruled against the Mayor in July, ordering the Council to stop enforcement of the ordinance and “comply with its duties” to allow Houstonians to vote on the issue. With Election Day closing in, a thorough analysis reveals the ordinance is about giving local government new power to force private individuals and businesses to affirm homosexual conduct and actual or perceived “gender identity” under threat of serious criminal penalties. Openly lesbian Mayor Parker admitted as much during the original debate over the ordinance in 2014, when she said in her own words ‘This [ordinance] is about me.’ Here are five key points about the ordinance that all Houston voters should consider: The ordinance will allow men access to women’s bathrooms, shower rooms, and locker rooms (any “place of public accommodation”). The ordinance would force employers and private business owners to violate their religious and moral convictions. The ordinance promotes government-backed discrimination by seeking to criminalize opposition to homosexual and transgender behavior. The ordinance equates race with sexual conduct. The ordinance increases government interference in the private sector by mandating employment of homosexual and transgendered persons. CLICK HERE to view our full analysis of the ordinance. Early voting begins on October 19th and the last day to register to vote is October 5th. Houston voters will also have a chance to vote for Mayor and City Council in the election. Our friends at the Houston Area Pastor Council are hosting a Candidate Forum this Thursday, September 17 at Houston’s First Baptist Church (more details here). We encourage all Houstonians to ensure they are registered and prepared to vote in the November 3rd election. Click here to visit the Harris County voter registration page.

Jeff Judson outlines his issues

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

Jeff Judson, running against Joe Straus in HD-121, outlines his priorities should he win:



Highlights:

• 8th generation Texan; family moved to San Antonio shortly after the Alamo.

• UT-Austin alum -- Became conservative after realizing liberal professor was full of crap.
• Personal Note: He doesn't discuss it here, but considering that Straus is one of the main perpetrators, he can't help but be better on U.T. issues.

• At TPPF for 8 years.

• Big school choice supporter.

• Defeated light rail in San Antonio multiple times.

• Austin might be marginally better than D.C.: "but there's still a lot of room for improvement."

• "I was very involved on the school choice front."

• "We've been talking about school choice for 20 years."
• In that time, 27 states have acted.

• School choice hasn't even gotten a hearing in the House.

• Too many "no-brainer" bills didn't move last session.
• eg. American Laws for American Courts

• We "don't have enough money" for roads, but we have plenty for "stupid transit projects."

• Toll roads = "The most expensive way to build a road."

• "If you pour more money into a broken system, you can break it even more."

• Against taxpayer funded lobbying.

• "Our municipal level governments are going crazy."
• Annise Parker and the Houston 5.
• San Antonio bathroom ordinance fight in '13.
• Big government liberalism: "alive and well" in Texas' cities.
• Budgeted at effective tax rate when he was on city council.

• Opposes forced annexation, strongly supports liberty cities.

• "I think the State Board [of Ed.] is an important check."
• Still, school choice can solve a lot of the more controversial issues that come before the Board.

Bottom Line: Education is the most liberal policy area in the entire Texas legislature.  Getting more conservatives elected who are interested in it is CRUCIALLY important to structural change.  In addition to deposing Straus, Judson would bring an ESSENTIAL conservative voice to the Texas House's education discussions.

Texas Supreme Court rebukes Annise Parker...AGAIN!!!

"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Proverbs 29:1

And the farce continues to grow larger:

The Texas Supreme Court has again overruled Mayor Annise Parker's administration in connection with the legal fight over her signature nondiscrimination ordinance, ruling Wednesday that the mayor and City Council erred in choosing the language that will appear on the November ballot when the ordinance faces possible repeal.

The justices, writing in "yet another mandamus proceeding concerning the City of Houston's equal rights ordinance," said the city charter is clear in requiring that voters be asked to vote for or against the ordinance. Parker had instead argued it was proper to vote for or against repealing the measure, and the council approved language with that approach Aug. 5.

"Though the ordinance is controversial, the law governing the City Council's duties is clear. Our decision rests not on our views on the ordinance — a political issue the citizens of Houston must decide — but on the clear dictates of the City Charter," the justices wrote. "The City Council must comply with its own laws regarding the handling of a referendum petition and any resulting election."

Read the whole thing here; Empower Texans has more here.

Texas Supreme Court SMACKS Down Annise Parker

"Arise, O Lord;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly."
Psalm 3:7

Fantastic news, from Texas Values:

Texas Supreme Court Stops Houston LGBT Ordinance, Must be Repealed or Placed on November Ballot Today, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the Houston City Council must stop enforcement of a controversial anti-religious freedom LGBT ordinance, and the City must either repeal the ordinance or place it on the ballot for vote by the people for the November 2015 election. Earlier this year, a state court held a trial on these issues of basic voting rights of one million Houston registered voters, including the 55,000 citizens who signed the No UNequal Rights referendum. The trial court decision resulted in a ruling that only 16,684 signatures were valid, 600 signatures short of the needed 17,269 for the law to be repealed or placed on the ballot. Jared Woodfill is the lead plaintiff, and a board member for Texas Values Action, and he sought to overturn this trial court ruling by filing a request directly with the Texas Supreme Court. Texas Values Action President Jonathan Saenz released the following statement: “This is a total victory for the people of Houston, for free speech, and a major loss for Mayor Parker and LGBT advocates who fought so hard to silence the people’s voice. We are thrilled that the rogue and dictator style tactics of lesbian Mayor Annise Parker and her crew have been stopped by the rule of law and the persistence of faith-based leaders in Houston. The Texas Supreme Court got it right on this one." Last year, Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council passed this radical anti-religious freedom LGBT ordinance, despite overwhelming opposition. The ordinance allows men to go into women’s restrooms, forces business owners to violate their religious convictions, and increases government interference in the private sector. The city secretary reported there were more than enough signatures collected to put the ordinance to a referendum, but Mayor Parker and the City Attorney refused to recognize the signatures. Read more.

Annise Parker's RUINOUS Fiscal Legacy....

"The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender."
Proverbs 22:7

The knock on Houston's lame-duck mayor has always been "yeah, she'll pursue a far-left anti-first amendment social agenda, but she's really good on taxes and spending."

That characterization has always been bogus, but a few days ago Moody's blew the whistle:

One of the top three credit rating agencies dinged Houston for its rising pension costs and property tax revenue cap, revising the city's general obligation debt outlook to "negative" late last week.

Moody's Investors Service affirmed the city's Aa2 rating, a high mark, but warned that the "revision to negative reflects the challenges the city faces from growing pensions costs and liabilities, which are compounded by significantly limited revenue raising flexibility, and projected structural imbalance."

Mayor Annise Parker reacted to the news Sunday, issuing a news release that largely concurred with the agency's warnings about rising pensions costs and the voter-approved revenue cap, which ties property tax collection to the combined rates of inflation and population growth. The city ran into the cap for the first time last year, triggering a modest property tax rate trim.

TPPF has more:

“Moody’s report is a clear indication that the City of Houston needs long-term structural spending and debt reforms so as not to become the Detroit-of-the-South,” said Quintero. “Unfortunately, when it comes to public pension reform—an area singled out for reform in Moody’s report—the city’s current posture prevents good government ideas from becoming reality.

“Some of the city’s largest local retirement systems have made it all but impossible to make changes locally because they have codified their plans in state statute. This has effectively taken local control off the table and put Austin between Houstonians and their troubled pension plans. Any serious effort to address Moody’s negative debt outlook must include the restoration of local pension control so that Houstonians have some say over how their broken systems are fixed.”

Bottom Line: In addition to her anti-First Amendment legacy, Parker's insistent refusal to address the embedded fiscal time-bombs in the city's finances is her final bequest to Houston...

-----

Update: It gets better, from Empower Texans....

The major governmental entities in the Houston area sent forty-nine individual lobbyists to defend and expand their own power at taxpayer expense.

That’s right. Houstonians picked up most of the lobbying tab, while the rest went to Harris County residents living outside of Houston city limits.

During the 84th session, the City of Houston along with Houston ISD spent a combined $1.2 million in taxpayer dollars to further their agendas.

This from the same city who’s runaway Mayor is clamoring to break the voter-imposed property tax cap, among other offenses, because despite having a rain tax, the city still “doesn’t have enough money.”

.....

This figure doesn’t include the number of individual lobbyists sent at taxpayer expense by the Emergency Service Districts, Special Purpose Districts, Appraisal Boards, Harris County Sports Authority, and a host of other government agencies representing the bulk of area residents.

Furthermore, it does not include other taxpayer funded, government-interest associations such as the Texas Municipal League (TML), Texas Association of Schools Boards (TASB), Texas Association of Counties (TAC), Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and other well-funded groups that testify before committee, publish propaganda and engage in policy advocacy.

The amount of money Houston officials spent lobbying legislators certainly makes a compelling case against their dubious claim that, without increasing taxes or passing bonds, they are handicapped by limited funds from the revenue cap.

Faith and Family Day: Dave Welch (Abusive Local Governments)

A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
Proverbs 28:16

Texas State Capitol -- Dave Welch of the Texas Pastor Council spoke about the need to curtail tyrannical local ordinances:



Highlights:

• We need state legislation that specifically codifies the definition of male and female.

• Transgender "marriage" case in front of Texas Supreme Court.

• "Gender expression" depends on how you "feel" about your gender on any given day.

• Most Christians don't have solid apologetics on which to stand.

• The backlash against the Houston case helped the GOP in last fall's election.

• Bill filed to define Male and Female.

• "Not accepting any excuses" in this session.

RPT Chairman Debate

"And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you."
Exodus 18:22

Euless, TX -- This morning, the four declared candidates to succeed outgoing RPT chair Steve Munisteri held a forum in Tarrant County.  The candidates discussed a wide range of topics, from enforcing the party platform to RPT involvement in local races.  View the forum below:

[Author's Note: The forum starts at the 17:00 mark of the first video]











Highlights:

Mechler opening statement:

• It's about fighting tyranny.

• The best way to ensure success is to keep the current team in place.

Woodfill opening statement:

• How do we continue to grow these majorities?!?

• 62-65% victories is the goal.

• Take economic AND social issues into non-traditional R communities.

• Proud of platform, don't water it down.

• 4 GOP county sweeps in 6 terms as Harris County chair.

Armstrong opening statement:

• Push socially and fiscally conservative message in the marketplace.

• Get churches out to vote.

• Use marriage issue for African-American outreach.

Emmert opening statement:

• Long-winded recitation of his Christian CV as a preamble for why the RPT should throw social conservatives under the bus.

Medical Marijuana:

• Emmert against "but will keep an open mind."

• Armstrong no: "Widespread use is destructive."

• Woodfill: Completely opposed, lame straw-man argument about gateway drug and people going to work stoned.

• Mechler has voted yes in past.

Local elections:

• Woodfill: "ABSOLUTELY" get RPT involved in local elections.
• Cites his work fighting Annise Parker.
• Referendum process and attack on pastors.

• Armstrong echoes and praises Woodfill.

• Mechler: Local elections are non-partisan in name only.

Platform enforcement:

• Woodfill: Chair needs to be actively involved in legislative process.

• Mechler: RPT should be a lobby for state convention delegates.

• Armstrong: Helped smack down Rick Perry after HPV mandate.

"Factions":

• Woodfill: Unify around party platform.
• A lot of the time, "unity" is code for telling SoCons to shut up.

Minority engagement:

• Woodfill: Af-Am and Hispanic pastors were some of the closest allies in the fight against Annise Parker.

• Armstrong: Social issues are vitally important.

#ISTANDSUNDAY: Live From Houston

"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. "
2 Chronicles 7:14

Grace Community Church, Houston -- In response to Mayor Parker's recent assault on the pulpit, several Christian organizations are holding a prayer event/religious liberty rally tonight in Houston:

Ted Cruz Stands With Pastors

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:13-16

At a press conference Thursday, Ted Cruz stood with the Pastors of Houston against the unprecedented attack on religious liberty coming from Mayor Annise Parker:



Highlights:

• Today, we all stand united in defense of religious liberty.

• We've seen, in recent years, an indefensible assault on religious liberty.

• The IRS has no business asking any American the content of our prayers.

• We've seen the religious liberty of men and women of our military under assault, as soldiers and sailors and airmen and marines are told if you share your faith with another soldier you risk discipline.

• The city of Houston has no power, no legal authority, to silence the Church.

• "Caeser has no jurisdiction over the pulpit!!!"

• "When you subpoena one Pastor, you subpoena every pastor."

• "Part of me is very, very glad...that the city of Houston is interested in reading sermons."

• Encourage Houstonians to "lift up our city in prayer."