Friday, January 31, 2014

No Tolerance For Jesus At University of Connecticut?

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
In the seat of the "tolerance" movement, the University of Connecticut appears to be making it clear that tolerance, inclusiveness and diversity embody the ultimate expression of truth---unless it involves Jesus.

Ernest Jones is the assistant football coach at UCONN. He is also responsible for a year long personal life development program for the football players.

In an interview with the Hartford Courant he said, "Just because you come to the University of Connecticut doesn't mean you won't have the opportunity to pursue your faith. No, you're going to come here and love the God you love. So we provide opportunities for [players] to grow spiritually in our community."

He then explained how, regardless of a players religious background, he would be helped and encouraged.

But his reference to Jesus brought the blitz.

He said, "Jesus Christ should be in the center of our huddle."

Rena Epstein, a West Hartford resident, wrote a letter to the paper and the president saying the coach's words made her feel "alienated."

UCONN President Susan Herbst has publicly rebuked Coach Jones, while the Anti-Defamation League says he is a good man.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Chick-fil-A Walks The Talk

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

Chick-fil-A is back in the news again, but just barely, because it's not about their deeply held biblical beliefs on marriage. This story is about "practicing" their deeply held biblical beliefs. Its about walking the talk.

And speaking of "talk," the homosexual activists are eerily silent about these particular religious beliefs. And so is the press.

Most of us are aware that the South---the Deep South, has been gripped by freezing weather, snow, ice, wind -- served up in sub zero temperatures.

Associated Press reported yesterday that helicopters have been sent out in an attempt to help people who are stranded in the weather.

Jessica Troy told AP, "We literally would go 5 feet and sit for 2 hours." It took her more than 16 hours to get home after work. Work to home is 12 miles.

Some school kids were forced to sleep on their bus and some had to remain at school.

The Deep South isn't used to or prepared for 4 to 8 inches of snow accompanied by freezing rain. And wind.

It causes you to wonder about so-called "global warming."

I suspect the idea of warming crossed more than one mind parked on the freeways.

Chick-fil-A is in the news again, but not so much as a year ago last summer and then again this past summer when the owner Dan Cathy said he and his family believe in traditional, biblical marriage because they believe in Christian, biblical values and principles.

So what are they up to now?

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

"Where Have All The Children Gone?"

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
Most are saying President Obama's State of the Union speech last night did not live up to how it had been promoted. It was less threatening than promised by his people. It seemed to me to be more about style than substance.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Republican response was great. It was transparent, kind and inspiring. Washingtonians and Republicans alike should be proud.

This is a link to her response and the Tea Party response from Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Rand Paul.


Joseph Kenschbaum wrote the haunting and weird lyrics. Many have since used them as illustration for everything from the drop in fertility rates, to the passing of time, to the changing culture, to crime that has driven the children from playing on the street corner.

He wrote, "The creeking silence of age echos through the streets...all of the children once running around, have evacuated...or maybe they've just disappeared...where have all the children gone...maybe its just a dream...we hope they're hiding, but we know this is really happening...where have all the children gone?"

Hopelessness.

PC Pickney told the Southern Baptist Convention on September 18, 2001, "Oh, God, we are losing our children."

That was over 12 years ago and statistics still show "we are losing our children."

They are not hiding, they are simply walking away from many evangelical, biblical beliefs while sometimes continuing to attend church.

The religious left declares, "The Religious Right Is Dead" while others refer to our era as "Post Modern," Post Christian," or simply "Post Evangelical."

There is an identity crises, it's not a dream. Young evangelicals are continuing to attend their churches in many cases, while walking away from biblical values as they relate to abortion, the redefinition of marriage and biblical teaching regarding sexual behavior, to name a few.

But don't write the eulogy just yet. We've been here before. There is an answer, but it may not be what you think.

I don't personally believe this is a "Post" anything era. Here's why.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Bibles "Hidden Behind Registration Counter"

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
An atheist checked into a hotel the other day and found themselves gripped by fear---and indignation.

Yes, they have filed a complaint. And may file a lawsuit.

"We atheists and agnostics do not appreciate paying high prices for lodging, only to find Gideon Bibles in our hotel rooms, sometimes prominently displayed, knowing they contain instructions, for instance, to kill 'infidels' and 'blasphemers', among other primitive and dangerous teachings," says Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) co-president Dan Barker.

The hotel, or lodge, is owned by the University of Wisconsin. The Bibles had been given to the hotel by the Gideons, whose mission is to give away Bibles.

The Bibles have now been removed, but the University and the atheists may have a problem with this particular prohibition.

Monday, January 27, 2014

"Income Equality"---Act of Compassion or Curse?

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
We're hearing a lot about "Income Equality" these days. In fact, a carefully woven narrative has emerged in Washington DC that seems to resonate with many decent, compassionate people.

And the President is making it one of his top priorities.

Income Equality, on the surface, claims to be an attempt to ensure fairness and provide that the lower wage earners get more and those making more not get so much...creating an "equality."

That, of course, is a dramatic departure from the intent of our Founding Fathers who saw government as the "protector" of God given rights and of the opportunities that flow to all in a free society operating on a free market ideology. They did not envision a government that would become the provider and equalizer.

President Obama will most likely talk about the need for "income equality" in his State of the Union address tomorrow night.

Last year he called for an increase in the minimum wage. Progressive Democrats scolded him for not calling for more. He will probably heed their call this year.

Is a government committed to "social justice," "income equality" and the extreme expansion of a welfare state an act of compassion? Or is it a curse under the guise of compassion?

Is it a Christian act of social justice or an expansion and further intrusion of government into personal lives, enlarging power for those in leadership?

Does massive government welfare work? Has the so-called war on poverty made a difference?

What is the Christian perspective?

Friday, January 24, 2014

NPR Reports "Secret Progressive Network" in Seattle

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

Many of us on the conservative right have wondered how the secular progressive left seems to have so much success with issues in Washington State---issues ranging from tax increases, to gun rights, to electing left, to far left progressive candidates and even social issues such as redefining marriage and abortion.

Is the state really that liberal---that far left? Most of my family has lived in Washington State for 6 generations. They're not liberal. Traveling the state and talking with people doesn't affirm that level of liberalism or progressivism.

Austin Jenkins with National Public Radio, has published a report this week that sheds some light on who is involved in the extensive, near invisible, progressive network and how they are so successful.

Jenkin's report is informative for sure, but I think there is a lesson to be learned from his report for conservatives---particularly biblical conservatives.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

"I'm In Mommy's Tummy--I'm Scared"

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
"Temperatures were frigidly low, but spirits were uncompromisingly high" is the way Cortney O'Brien described the March For Life in Washington DC yesterday.

It was close to zero degrees. Spirits were high among all who participated, especially the youth who showed up in mass.

CBS, ABC, and NBC reported that "thousands" of "anti-abortion activists" were marching on Washington DC, while there were actually, by most reports, over a hundred thousand "pro-life citizens" advocating for life.

Words make a difference don't they? They shape what people believe and reveal something about the person speaking them.

There were many words---words affirming the sanctity of life and words seeking to diminish the event, reduce its impact and marginalize those who participated. There were words of resolve to fight on for the cause of life. There promises by politicians to do what they could to pass laws that would honor and protect life.

But in the end, those who love life prevailed. They came, they marched, they prayed and they promised to go home and continue the struggle, then come back and do this again next year.

Of all the words, perhaps the most poignant, at least to me, were those written on a home made sign in bold letters.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Diary Of An Abortion Activist: Yakima To DC

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
Today is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the case that legalized abortion in 1973.

We are mourning the loss of 55,000,000 babies who, since Roe v. Wade, have been discriminated against and not given a "choice" regarding their life.

Hundred's of thousands are marching for life today from small communities to Washington DC.

By all accounts, the practice of abortion is loosing favor with the American public. The realities of abortion---the ultra sound pictures of the child in the womb---factual medical information---a spiritual awareness regarding the sanctity of human life---all are causing America, particularly this generation, to push back on abortion.

Planned Parenthood has closed a number of abortion clinics this past year. Many elected officials have and are standing strong against public funding for abortion.

"Mourning" is turning to "Morning," but not without significant resistance on the part of those who work to advance and expand the practice of abortion.

Tori Westman works for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. She refers to herself as "a community organizer."

Her latest email fundraising message is a diary of her recent efforts. It chronicles her work in Yakima and elsewhere around the state.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Atheist Lawsuit: "Ten Commandments Violate Constitution"

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

CBS is reporting that an atheist group has, last week, filed a lawsuit which alleges that not only is the State of Oklahoma's Display of the Ten Commandments on capitol grounds unconstitutional, "but the majority of each of the Judeo-Christian Commandments are themselves in violation of the U.S. Constitution."

This lawsuit is different than previous suits that seek to "remove" the Ten Commandments from public property, it takes aim at the very constitutionality of the Commandments themselves.

Here's what the suit claims.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Redefining MLK's "Dream"

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his most famous speech which we know as the "I Have a Dream" speech.

His speech said in part:

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

He had a dream that one day "slaves and slave owners would sit together in peace."

This, however, is not the "Dream" the progressive left would have us see and hear, nor is it the "dream" our children will be taught in public school.

Martin Luther King's own niece has attempted to clarify her uncle's message, pointing out that he was not even a member of the Democratic Party because of their history of racism and pro-slavery actions.

But it is former U.S. Rep. Allen West, an African American himself, who brings the most clarity to the revision of King's dream.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Middle School To Parent: "List Of Sex Acts Aligns With National Standards"

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
When Mark Ellis's middle school daughter told him about the poster in her classroom, he thought it must be some kind of student prank.

After contacting the school, he learned it was not a student prank. The list of explicit sex acts boldly presented on the poster were part of---you guessed it--- the school's sex-ed curriculum.

Ellis was very upset.

Leigh Anne Neal, spokeswoman for the public school district, said it was part of the "teaching materials." And that it "aligns with national standards."

She told the concerned parent the "teaching material" is actually part of their "abstinence based" curriculum.

The more the parent has learned, the more questions have been raised.

Is public education now telling parents the curriculum is "abstinence based" as a ploy to continue as they have? Does a classroom suggestion that kids abstain from sex now clear the way for the same indoctrination that has become synonymous with sex-ed in the public classroom?

Has the word "abstinence" now joined the ranks of "tolerance" and "equality" and "choice" as a useful tool to advance an agenda by redefining the meaning, or in this case as a mechanism for deception?

Keep in mind the concept of "deception" has been around a long time. Planned Parenthood, NARAL and a number of homosexual activist groups have perfected the practice and have had significant input in the creation of most sex-ed teaching materials.

Some of the information below is graphic, but its in our children's classrooms and often taught as "normal" and "natural."

Every parent and grandparent must be informed and aware.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Abortion: The Top Priority For WA Democrats?

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

Is advancing abortion the top priority for Washington State Democrats this legislative session?

Apparently. At least for many of them.

While God created "Light," calling it "good" then separated it from the "Darkness" on the first day of Creation, Democrats chose "Darkness" for the first day of the 2014 legislative session.

In less than an hour after the 2014 session convened this week, they re-introduced a bill that would require all healthcare plans in Washington that include maternity coverage to also pay for abortions.

Representative Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle) has sponsored House Bill 2148.

When a similar bill, that failed, was introduced last year, some, even in the faith community, were publicly suggesting that it wasn't really all that important.

They were wrong then and will be wrong again if they haven't changed their mind.

Planned Parenthood and NARAL are also assuring people of faith that this bill covers their concerns about conscience and objections to abortion. Don't worry about it, they say.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Losing Faith, Losing Freedom: U.S. Falls To #12 Worldwide

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

Our Founders fled England in search of a better life.

Freedom.

The Declaration of Independence rehearses their grievances with the King--in detail. It also explains the action they intended to take.

The record is abundantly clear that biblical principles and the Christian faith was their guiding light in the quest for freedom.

Faith.

Freedom was the goal. Christian faith and biblical principles was the path.

A new country was created. And it became the most free and prosperous nation in the history of the world.

Now, a new Heritage Foundation/Wall Street Journal study reveals that America isn't even ranked in the top 10 most economically free countries in the world for 2014, falling from #6 to #12 during President Obama's administration.

The study finds loss of property rights and corruption among the factors contributing to the decline.

Heritage, as always, has done an excellent job in producing the new 2014 "Index of Economic Freedom."

Let's look at what they found.

Who is #1?

And some personal thoughts on the linkage between our faith and our freedom.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Can Christians Operate Their Businesses on Biblical Principles?

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
This question will come before the United States Supreme Court on March 25.

Before we look at the details, most of us will need to pause as we consider how America has gotten to this point, given our heritage.

No question, our Founders would be shocked. This was not their original intent. Their written and spoken words make that abundantly clear.

John Adams, American Founder and second President of the United States said, "Statesman, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand."

A generation later, Daniel Webster, honored to this day as one of the greatest statesman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate said, "Let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought here by their high veneration for the Christian religion. They journeyed by its light and labored by its hope. They sought to incorporate its principles with the elements of their society, and to diffuse its influence through all their institutions, civil, political, or literary."

He also said, "If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instruction and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury us in profound obscurity."

Now, some 8 generations later, people of faith have conceded so much liberty and religious freedom to the secular progressive movement that we find ourselves asking the U.S. Supreme to rule on whether a Christian can operate their business on biblical principles.

Will the next evolutionary cycle require the Supreme Court to rule on whether churches can teach certain biblical principles on marriage and family? Or will "sudden catastrophe bury all our glory in profound obscurity?"

This is what is presently before the Supreme Court. And some personal thoughts.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Associated Press: "We Are Redefining Family"

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
The AP published an article this weekend titled, "Redefining Family."

The Spokane Spokesman Review chose to publish the AP story, the Seattle Times chose not to do so. The Seattle Times did, however, publish Danny Westneat's opinion piece titled, "Students Winning as Eastside Catholic Twists Gay Marriage Logic."

The kids, in fact, are not "winning" at Eastside Catholic High. They are loosing. More on that later.

While AP is not advocating for redefinition of the family as some do, they are reporting in a way that leads the reader to assume living together and bearing children out of wedlock---setting aside traditional morality and marriage, is normal, healthy, morally accepted and the next step in the evolutionary trip to social Nirvana.

No question in most minds---traditional marriage and family, humanity's oldest social pillars, are under attack.

AP says, "No longer taboo, living together has become a more common arrangement for America’s couples who become pregnant while dating."

“The emergence of cohabitation as an acceptable context for childbearing has changed the family-formation landscape,” said Christina Gibson-Davis, a sociology professor at Duke University. “Individuals still value the idea of a two-parent family but no longer consider it necessary for the parents to be married.”

AP says, "With marriage on the decline, the shift is helping redefine the traditional notion of family."

While they refer to traditional family values as a "notion" they fail to address, or even mention, the catastrophic consequences to society as a result of the breakdown of the "notion" we know as traditional marriage and family.

Here's why there are no winners in the war on marriage and family.

Friday, January 10, 2014

"Help Us Obama--Please!! Now!!

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

The picture defines the outcome of a nation led toward socialism and dependence. People are conditioned to look to the government, or a man in control of the government, as the ultimate source.

Socialism is immoral. Capitalism has a moral case, but unfortunately, it is seldom made.

Socialism is not just a good or compassionate idea gone wrong---it is an evil ideology in action.

Socialism isn't driven by compassion, it's driven by greed and jealousy. And a drive for power.

This week, President Obama failed to recognize the 50th anniversary of the launch of President Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society" in 1964.

However, he launched his own version of the same thing which he has called "Promise Zones."

The government will funnel substantial amounts of taxpayer funds into 5 "Promise Zones." They are San Antonio, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, southeastern Kentucky, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

So what's wrong with helping the poor?

Doesn't the Bible command that we are to help the poor?

Indeed it does. But here's what's wrong with this picture.

Thursday, January 09, 2014

District Of Corruption--A City Of Two Tales: Who Is Most Corrupt?

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
It was Charles Dickens who wrote "A Tale Of Two Cities," the second bestselling book of all time--a distant second to all time sales of the Bible.

Dickens wrote, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us... "

He wrote, "It was the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred seventy five...mere messages in the earthly order of events had lately come to the English Crown and People, from a congress of British subjects in America: which, strange to relate, have proved more important to the human race then any communication yet received through any of the Chickens of the Cock-lane brood."

The "most important message" created the most prosperous, blessed and free nation in the history of the world---the United States of America.

It is now the year of our Lord two thousand and fourteen, and again it can be said, it is the best of times, it is the worst of times.

Our capitol has become a city of two tales. A center of corruption. A place where elected officials lose their way and break their promises.

Some of those whom we have elected have told the tale of promise to represent those who elected them, yet the account of their activities is a very different tale---one of self service and personal advancement, not public service.

Here is the list of the most self serving "public servants" in 2013.

Wednesday, January 08, 2014

Eastside Catholic vs. Gay "Married" Vice-Principal

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

It happened on the Friday before Christmas break at Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish, Washington, a Seattle suburb.

I have followed the story during the holidays. Now that classes have resumed, the issue has erupted into a national and international story.

Most of us are not directly involved with this school, but there is a much bigger issue here that touches us all---Protestant or Catholic.

Mark Zmuda was vice-principal of Eastside Catholic until December 20. Zmuda and his "husband" moved to the Seattle area over a year ago. He says they waited until they could live in a state where gay "marriage" was legal to get "married." Previously they were registered domestic partners in Florida.

Zmuda says he was terminated after school officials found out he had "married" his male partner.

He also says the school's president told him he could keep his job if he divorced his "husband" of 5 months and had a commitment ceremony.

That is disputed by officials at the school.

Students found out about his departure over the Christmas break and some are reacting, drawing significant attention from the press.

Alex Kovar, a senior at the high school told the press Monday, "We're gonna keep moving until everyone is equal in the church."

Other students are saying, "Our goal is to change the discriminatory attitude regarding homosexuality in the church."

This, now international, story seems to raise more questions than it provides answers and may be forcing a church to publicly revisit what they believe and why they believe it.

Tuesday, January 07, 2014

RNC Leaders Will Participate In March For Life In DC

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

The press is calling it an "extraordinary move." And "unprecedented."

But why is it extraordinary for a political party to participate in something that merely affirms its own platform that clearly states a pro-life, traditional marriage core value?

Why is RNC Chairman Reince Priebus delaying the 4-day winter meeting of the Republican National Committee so he and all the Committee can participate in the annual March For Life event in Washington DC scheduled for January 22?

No other Chairman has done so in the past.

Has the Republican Party, some of whom have been calling on Republicans to avoid getting involved in what they call "hot button social issues," now seen the light?

Monday, January 06, 2014

U.S. Government: "Show Your Love For The Earth" On Valentine's Day

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
In a news release this past week, our federal government---the Environmental Protection Agency--- EPA put out an alert suggesting Americans "show their love for the earth" this coming Valentine's Day.

The strong suggestion is followed by a long list of ways you can "show your love for the earth."

In reading this, I wondered if the government was trying to establish a religion---a state sponsored religion.

Or is the government merely attempting to advance an old one?

Earth worship is a religion---a very old religion.

It's difficult to see the government's list of suggestions as merely "helpful hints."

A glance at the government's comments affirms that this is not an effort directed at better understanding biblical stewardship of the planet. Or even a commonsense approach to managing the environment.

But the narrative parallels that of religion. Is the State only separated from the church that teaches"biblical Christianity?"

In reading their missive carefully, I'm thinking it's not about "God's" Creation, but rather an extension of an ancient religion that Al Gore, the United Nations, the Christian left or "Emerging Church Movement" and many others are advancing as a noble cause to save the planet. And as an alternative to biblical Christianity.

This movement is not only religious in nature, but anti-Christian.

Renee Dubos, with the Planetary Citizens, an author and frequent speaker on college campuses has said, "Since the roots of our trouble are largely religious, the remedy must also be essentially religious, whether we call it that or not. We must rethink and refuel our nature and destiny."

Al Gore and, unfortunately, the "Emerging Church Movement" are actively advancing the notions of Earth Worship as an alternative to biblical Truth.

This belief is regularly taught in the public school classroom and advanced through a thousand efforts such as the latest "newsletter" from our own government...the EPA.

Friday, January 03, 2014

2014: A Year Of Decision

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
I believe 2014 will be a year of decision. It will also be a year of revelation.

This year we will see if America is still a politically center-right nation.

We will likely discover this year if conservatism has been marginalized to the extent that it is no longer a viable political ideology in America.

We will also discover if the continued moral decline in our culture is sufficient to awaken those who have been seduced to silence by political correctness and intimidated by a very small minority who claim right is wrong, wrong is right, up is down and down is up, moral is immoral and immorality is morality and virtue.

And tolerance is affirmation and endorsement. To disagree is bigotry and intolerance.

Is conservatism finally beaten and silenced in America?

Has secular progressivism become so enshrined in law and in the minds of our government educated children that we have crossed a cultural and spiritual "Rubicon?"

Is the Christian church so convinced that we are now living in "Post Christian America" that inevitability has become the only vision?