Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas

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"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Centuries before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah, through Divine revelation, saw this time when the Messiah would be born.

And he saw beyond this moment at the manger.

He saw the child---the Son, become a man. A man that would offer Himself as the final sacrifice for the sin of all mankind.

"Unto us a Son is given," he wrote. In other words, "This is the Son of God who became the Son of man in order to become the Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

Much is made about the heart of Christmas being about family and loved ones. Marjorie and I are spending Christmas with all our children and grandchildren. This is our favorite way to celebrate Christmas.

But the heart of Christmas is this: "For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV).

Have a blessed Christmas.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Do You Hear The Bells?

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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, my personal favorite poet, wrote the poem "Christmas Bells" on Christmas Day, 1864.

John Baptiste Calkin would later use the words of the poem to write the song we know as, "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day."

But the story behind the poem is a compelling one. It is one that has particular relevance as families continue to bury their dead in Oregon and Connecticut. And broken people across this nation and around the world suffer loss and hopeless grief---wrapped in silence.

It is a story of personal loss and restoration.

Here's the story:

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Charlie Daniels: "There Ain't No 'X' In Christmas"

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I've seen a number of retailers this year advertising some special deal for Christmas, but rather than spell out the word "Christmas," they insert "X" in place of the word "Christ."

I know this has been going on for a long time, but somehow it bothers me even more this year.

I'm not the only one bothered by it.

Charlie Daniels is bothered enough to have written an article about it yesterday.

He says, "I am sick and tired of a few atheists, politically correct elitists and the lawyers at the ACLU telling Americans we have no right to publicly display of the symbols of Christmas.

Talk about the tail wagging the dog. The only reason we even have Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, hence CHRISTmas. What's so hard to understand about that?

Does this seem as ridiculous to ya'll as it does to me?"

Charlie is saying what I have been thinking. I have included his article below. Read it, smile and agree.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Christmas: "It Ain't What It Looks Like"

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Former New York Yankees great Yoggi Berra once said, "Sometimes a thing ain't what it looks like."

With the recent re-election of the most anti-biblical President in US history---including strong advocacy for homosexual "marriage" and abortion, and with Washington State following his lead off the moral cliff and legalizing marijuana to further dull the senses, sometimes we get the perception that the majority of Americans have abandoned biblical values and assigned them to the ancient past.

Adding to this misconception, atheist groups publicly attack Mary, Joseph, Jesus and all things related to the true meaning of Christmas.

It seems, sometimes, everyone has abandoned the Christian faith.

But, "It ain't what it looks like."

A Rasmussen Survey earlier this month found a very large majority of Americans feel that Christmas should be more about Jesus and less about Santa.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Broken Heart. Broken Culture?

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Hearts are broken in Newtown, Conn. and other communities across the nation, following the shootings and killings in several cities.

It was a normal Friday in Newtown, just over a week before Christmas. Pastor Greg Laurie, who knows the sorrow of loosing a son said, "It's Christmas time. Parents bundle up their children another day for school before Christmas vacation starts, there's shopping to do, errands to run before they pick them up."

Broken hearts. A day that will never be forgotten.

Greg Laurie's Harvest Christian Fellowship, Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Association, along with other Christian ministries, immediately sent Christian counselors to help the grieving.

Christian ministry organizations have a history of being among the first to arrive at tragic events---storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and even wars, wherever they occur in the world.

Franklin Graham said Friday, "Senseless killings like the one we've seen today in Newtown Conn., leave us stunned and looking for answers..."

Friday, December 14, 2012

Planned Parenthood Raises Money For "Life Saving Health Services"

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President Barack Obama and  Cecile Richards
CNS News points out that Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood, referred to the "life saving" services of the organization in her fundraising email sent out to supporters yesterday.

She wrote, "Planned Parenthood health centers are reaching more women than ever before with life saving health services."

Somehow, when I think of saving lives, Planned Parenthood does not come to mind.

In 2009-2010 fiscal year, the organization received "government health services grants and reimbursements" totaling $487.4 million.

How many lives to you think they terminated by abortion during that same period?

Thursday, December 13, 2012

The End Of The "Schrammie"

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KEN SCHRAM
After 35 years of broadcasting in Seattle, KOMO has let Ken Schram go. He said "goodbye" on Monday.

KOMO is buying out the remaining year on his contract.

Schram says he doesn't know what he will do next and, "I don't know what happened to be quite honest with you. It's never been fully explained to me...it was strange."

In recent years Schram has become well known for his "Schrammie" awards, which he publicly awarded to those with whom he disagreed.

I can remember, maybe, a couple of times I agreed with him, but for the most part, particularly on social and moral issues, I could not have disagreed more. And I have often expressed my disagreement in our daily blog. And to him personally.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

New Lawmakers Urged Not To Join Prayer Caucus

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I keep hearing there is no war on Christmas, nor is there any attempt to silence the Christian voice in our culture.

Yet the assault continues. This time with a little different twist.

Newly elected members to Congress received a letter immediately following the election from Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association.

While it began cordially with, "Dear Representative, Congratulations on your victory in the 2012 elections," it got right to the point.

It was a letter of warning regarding organized prayer.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Prayer Restored To Board Meetings

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This story is about victory based on conviction, unity and perseverance. There is a lesson in this for the faith community.

One of the most diverse/left leaning counties in their state voted to abolish the Christian prayer prior to each board meeting. Now it has been restored.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Supreme Court To Consider Homosexual "Marriage"

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Fox News is reporting:

"The Supreme Court will take up California's ban on same-sex marriage, a case that could give the justices the chance to rule on whether gay Americans have the same constitutional right to marry as heterosexuals.

The justices said Friday they will review a federal appeals court ruling that struck down the state's gay marriage ban, though on narrow grounds. The San Francisco-based appeals court said the state could not take away the same-sex marriage right that had been granted by California's Supreme Court.

The court also will decide whether Congress can deprive legally married gay couples of federal benefits otherwise available to married people. A provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act limits a range of health and pension benefits, as well as favorable tax treatment, to heterosexual couples.

The cases probably will be argued in March, with decisions expected by late June."

Friday, December 07, 2012

The Economics Of Moral Decay

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As marriage between one man and one woman is redefined after 5000 years of historical precedent and marijuana becomes legal, homosexuals are blushing and dopers are lighting up.

It could be said, "A good time was had by all."

Besides the moral tragedy we are witnessing, we are beginning to see the financial component, as well.

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Sodom Sunday: "The Cut Flower Syndrome"

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This coming Sunday marks the first day that homosexuals can legally "marry" in Washington State.

Those who advanced the redefinition of marriage are celebratory, to say the least.

Seattle's First Baptist Church and others are joining the celebration as they break with over 5,000 years of societal norm, and even more tragically, defy God and His model for marriage.

Recently I have been receiving a number of comments both publicly and privately from homosexual advocates, reminding me that marriage has been redefined and the sky has not fallen. Some have reminded me that Massachusetts has had same-sex marriage for years, and everything is just fine.

But it isn't fine.

We are not only defying God's model for marriage, we are violating a principle of nature that has absolute consequences. We are living in The Cut Flower Syndrome.

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Liberal Website Slips and Calls Unborn Baby a "Baby"

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This is worth noting:

Lifenews.com has pointed out that earlier this week when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced that the Duchess is expecting a baby, a major pro-abortion website got caught up in the moment and forgot the lie they supposedly believe about unborn children.

When the announcement came, the website "Gawker" blew it.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Britain: "Let's Return To Christian Roots"

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A nation that has been consistently described as "Post Christian," is re-thinking its present moral condition and the matter of its Christian roots.

Britain has been fertile ground for Darwinism, atheism and secular progressivism for generations, but a recent poll released by Oxford University indicates that a large majority is ready for a return to their Christian roots.

Monday, December 03, 2012

"Spouse A" - "Spouse B" - "Bride" - "Groom" - What To Do?

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While the 3% or so of Washingtonians who are homosexual revise the Washington State marriage license for themselves and the 97% who are not homosexual, but will be impacted by the resulting actions, there is much confusion. I know---it's with majority consent. It's still a mess, however.

The path to the "equality altar" is strewn with ghosts of the past, but the mighty state with all the kings men and all the kings horses is clearing the way.

Cameron Satterfield, spokesman for King County says of the revisions, "We're working hot and heavy on it."

In an environment where men are "wives" and women are "husbands," one would expect some confusion when you redefine the societal norm of more than 5000 years.

The most pressing issue seems to be how to revise the marriage certificate. What to call the people getting married. All people who will get married.

Thinking about this, I glanced at my wife and my marriage license from Yakima County. Much simpler times.

The newly revised marriage law in Washington becomes legal this Thursday, December 6. Homosexuals can begin getting "married" on Sunday.

Here's what the state is doing with the certificate, some of the details regarding their clearing a path to the altar and what I believe will be the short term impact of this confusion.