Several kudos and one big Praise the Lord! for Chip and Joanna Gaines.

Their new HBO show features three families trying to survive as 1880s homesteaders.

And one of the families is a gay couple—two dads—along with their 10-year-old twin sons, born via surrogate.

Good for Chip and Joanna!

There is a loud backlash from the conservative side of the church family.

Rev. Franklin Graham is all bent out of shape.

He says same-sex marriage is not biblical:

“God’s design for marriage is between one man and one woman.”

Well—not so. Biblical marriage is all over the place. Just ask Solomon. He had a bunch of wives.

And with some biblical heroes, marriage was not required.

Men had concubines.

It’s there—in the Book.

You know what else is in the Book? Some powerful insights from Jesus.

Including this one: “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.”

It’s a general principle.

Rules don’t hold when they work against kindness and compassion.

Marriage was made for people, not people for marriage.

I know several couples in strong, loving same-sex marriages.

And the Jesus I know is very happy with this.

Chip and Joanna are standing firm against the extensive criticism from conservative Christians.

“People want to judge first and understand later. Never!” says Chip.

Chip and Joanna have a lot, which means they have a lot to lose.

God bless them for taking a risk for Christ.

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