Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers--Did She Say It?

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

Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) is the House Republican Conference chairwoman.

She was chosen to give the Republican response to President Obama's most recent State of the Union address.

She has been criticized by some peers in Washington DC as being "too conservative."

That's why the recent Spokesman Review article quoting McMorris-Rodgers as saying, "It's unlikely the Affordable Care Act [Obamacare] will be repealed," caught my attention.

The Spokesman Review further quoted her as saying, "We need to look at reforming the exchanges."

As I read the article, I wondered if the Republican Party has adopted a new narrative regarding Obamacare as we move into the elections.

And did she actually say that?

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

How Christians Are Facing The Giants Of Hollywood

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
A big budget film---$50 million---titled, "David and Goliath," is coming and the producers are promising that the film will be "biblically correct in every way."

Variety, one of Hollywood's two most influential trade magazines, announced yesterday that Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey, who produced "The Bible" series and the recent "Son of God" film, have been contracted by MGM-Paramount to produce the re-make of "Ben-Hur."

Fox has also announced a new television show based on the early years of Jesus.

Several other Christian themed movies and television shows are in the works.

MGM-Paramount is suggesting, by their actions, they have learned a lesson from past mistakes regarding the Christian community and the "NOAH" film.

Hollywood's actions also suggest they have been watching the box office reports on Christian themed entertainment. They have discovered there are more than a few of us.

But Christians have delivered a message to the massive entertainment industry. And they've done so with conviction. And with their dollars.

There is a "David and Goliath" story in that as well.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Does God Oppose Keystone XL Pipeline?

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
Jim Wallis, leader of the religious left, says He does.

Wallis, founder and head of the "Sojourners" organization, says God is opposed to putting in the pipeline.

He also hosted a prayer meeting Friday asking God to stop the pipeline.

He says the old hymn "How Great Thou Art" reminds us to consider "all the works thy hands hath made" and the Psalms say, "The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork, Day to day pours forth speech and night to night pours forth knowledge."

"Creation," he says, "is a witness to the wonder and awe of God."

I agree---so far.

However, it's concerning how the religious left leader then segues from Truth to deception and begins to claim to be speaking for God in his opposition to the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Is Creation a "witness" to God the Creator, or is it something to be "worshipped?"

Is extreme environmentalism, so-called social justice and a demand for a non-biblical immigration policy simply being used as a tool to gather support from well meaning Christians and churches to advance a misguided socialist agenda under the guise of biblical concern?

Friday, April 25, 2014

Dear Seattle, "Don't End Up Like Us." Love, Amsterdam

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

The national story begins like this:

SEATTLE—Cannabis activists here are, at this very moment, eagerly awaiting the full implementation of Initiative 502, which in late 2012 legalized recreational marijuana in the state of Washington. By early summer, 21 retail marijuana stores will open inside this picturesque city, and entrepreneurs with dollars signs in their eyes are already hatching plans to strike it rich with weed. They see Seattle as a wide-open frontier, an Amsterdam on the Puget Sound.

Who knew Seattle would become the "Amsterdam on the Puget Sound?"

I can think of several reasons why Amsterdam would "love" Seattle, but what is their warning?

Amsterdam probably also loves Colorado, the other state where marijuana is legalized. And where 13 year old children were found joining in the cannabis celebration this week and 4th grade kids were caught selling pot on the playground.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Why Ten Commandments Won TV Ratings

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

The Ten Commandments movie was made 58 years ago, yet it had the highest ratings of any show on television last Saturday night.

We are constantly told how the culture has changed over the past 58 years---and it has.

Perhaps people have not changed so much.

The old movie, made in 1956, starring Charlton Heston as Moses beat everything else on TV. But why?

It's not exactly a premiere release. ABC has been showing the movie every year since 1973---everyone has already seen it.

Why is there so much interest in seeing it again and again and again?

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

BSA vs. United Method Church--What Is "A Reconciling Congregation?"

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

Seattle's Rainier Beach United Methodist Church can no longer sponsor an approved Boy Scout troop, because Geoff McGrath, who is the leader of the troop, has come out as openly gay and has refused to leave the troop. The United Methodist Church pastor says they will not remove him because they are "A Reconciling Congregation."

The Pastor, Rev. Monica Corsaro says, "The church supports McGrath because his work reflects its spirit and values."

She says, "As a 'Reconciling Congregation' it's important to us that we are open to all people."

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, all the Seattle City Council members and 20 Washington State legislators sent a letter to the Boy Scouts supporting the pastor's position of "reconciliation," urging her to support McGrath while urging the Boy Scouts to essentially not act on their new moral policy.

What exactly does she mean by "a reconciling congregation?"

Don't all churches seek to help people reconcile? Aren't most churches open to all people?

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

More Push Back On Common Core

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
Common Core appears to be on the ropes.... but first let me make you aware of 2 news items. First, there is a Planned Parenthood fundraiser in Seattle tonight in which Planned Parenthood will be mocking Catholic nuns at an event on Capitol Hill called "Bar Nun Bingo."

Another PP fundraising "Bar Nun Bingo" will be featured later this week in Seattle, both events will be led by the anti-Catholic gay group "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence."

No, I'm not recommending you attend. I do recommend you read this and be informed.

Secondly, the Boy Scouts of America have disqualified the Rainier Beach United Methodist Church in Seattle from sponsoring a BSA Troop. I wrote about this recently. KING 5 is reporting the latest development in the story.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Will China Become "World's Largest Christian Nation?"

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

Yesterday, almost 6 in 10 Americans went to church to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

Rasmussen also reported yesterday that they have found 39% of all Americans believe Easter is one of America's most important holidays.

Rasmussen has also reported that 69% of Americans believe Jesus did indeed rise from the dead, 64% believe in the God of the Bible and 57% of us believe local Christian churches are essential to healthy communities.

The Christian church has provided both cultural stability and health since our founding.

America's actual history is a very different narrative from that of the 2 or 3% who are atheist. They would have you believe that Christians are trying to create a theocracy in America and destroy their freedom to hate God. They would also have you believe there are fewer Christians and more atheists than there actually are.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Easter. A Fork In The Road

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

The late Dr. David Seamands: missionary, pastor, seminary professor and author often told this story:

A Muslim had heard the message of Easter in his village in Africa. He accepted Christ.

Some of his friends asked him, "Why have you become a Christian?" He answered, "Well, it's like this. Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions, and you didn't know which way to go, and there at the fork were two men, one dead and one alive---which one would you ask for directions?"

This Easter millions in our world and our culture stand at the proverbial "fork in the road."

Some thoughts for those who stand at that fork---and for those who have moved on.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Planned Parenthood--The Great Deception Exposed

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
Planned Parenthood says abortion services are a fraction---about 3% of their business, yet an in depth investigation and analysis by a major Christian law firm shows that over 50% of their revenue comes from abortions.

Planned Parenthood says a lot of things, but the more the light is turned up, the more the deception becomes apparent.

The directors of the PP clinics actually have abortion quotas they are required to meet.

In fact, Sue Thayer, a former PP clinic manager, says her quota was 1,135 abortions per year.

Thayer says, "For my clinic specifically, we were required to perform 1,135 abortions per year, so we're really selling those abortions to pregnant women who are coming in. At Planned Parenthood one of their mottos is that every telephone call and every client visit must be turned into a revenue generating visit. Well, the only way to make a profit off a pregnant women is to sell her an abortion, because Planned Parenthood doesn't provide any prenatal care."

Abby Johnson, another former clinic manager, explains on video how Planned Parenthood bundles their reimbursement requests, using deception to increase their income.

The law firm has also revived the law suit in Washington State that claims Planned Parenthood Northwest claimed at least 25,000 false claims resulting in income revenue which could be as much as $377 million.

Valerie Tarico, Ph.D., from Bellevue who serves on the board of PP here in the Northwest and is a nationally published columnist is saying conservative or evangelical Christianity is "Going Down."

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Is Obama Admin Really Backing Off Common Core?

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

Some are suggesting that perhaps the Obama Administration is backing off the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

Could this be?

And if so, why?

Would those who have invested so much in it---Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ($2 million), ExxonMobil, Chamber of Commerce, etc., be willing to now simply walk away as the President moves on to his next progressive program?

Isn't this federalization of education too far down the road to change?

Here's what we know.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Christian Professor Finally Gets Academic Freedom

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
Dr. Mike Adams was hired as an assistant professor of criminology by the University of North Carolina in 1993.

Dr. Adams was an avowed atheist.

He was also recognized as a brilliant professor who was often acknowledged by the university and his peers for his excellence in teaching, research and communication skills.

In 2000, everything changed.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Murray, McKenna, BSA And A Local Church

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

A Seattle pastor is upset, very upset at the Boy Scouts of America for attempting to enforce their newly compromised moral policy regarding openly gay scout leaders.

As you likely know, last year the Scouts decided to make everyone happy by compromising their 102-year moral policy toward homosexuals. They decided openly gay boys can participate until they are 18, but openly homosexual men can not lead troops.

In trying to please everyone, they pleased no one with their compromise.

The pastor says, "It's very disappointing that a policy that is blatantly discriminatory is being acted out, and so I think it makes us stand more firm and be more clear that Geoffrey is our Scout Master and Geoffery will remain our Scout Master."

The Boy Scouts say Geoffrey is openly gay and his recent actions with the troop that meets in the Seattle church are completely unacceptable and he has got to go.

So why has Seattle Mayor Ed Murray inserted himself into this issue? And how is Republican want-a-be governor Rob McKenna involved?

Compromise regarding moral issues never leads to a good place.

I'm reminded of what Sir Walter Scott once said, "Oh, the tangled web we weave, when at first we practice to deceive."

Let me explain the tangled web and the deception.

Monday, April 07, 2014

Tolerance? Mozilla CEO Fired For Support Of Prop 8

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
Brendan Eich worked his way up through Mozilla to recently become the CEO of the company.

However, he failed to learn one important lesson---until last week.

That lesson is described by a quote in the New York Times from a gay activist organization that helped bring down the CEO: "Those who seek to deny love and instead enforce misery, shame and frustration are our enemies and we wish them nothing but failure."

Eich had contributed $1,000 to Prop 8 five years ago in California. He believes marriage should be between one man and one woman.

This degree of freedom is no longer tolerated.

The lesson? Those who are driving the agenda to redefine marriage and family, and normalize homosexuality, love the word "tolerance," but only to a certain point. That point comes when they are asked to tolerate the views of people who believe marriage is between one man and one woman.

Those who seek to destroy small businesses such as Arlene's Florist and Gifts in Richland, Washington, various cake bakers and photographers, and large national businesses like Chick-fil-A, apparently see "tolerance" as a tool, not a virtue.

Brendan Eich, who recently became CEO of Mozilla, the company who gave us the Internet browser Firefox, was forced to "resign" because of what he believes about the institution of marriage.

The LA Times says those who think Eich was wronged are on a witch hunt and are trying to making a foolish case. The Times says he has "no right to be CEO and never did."

Todd Starnes at Fox says, "The left does not believe people who oppose gay marriage should be allowed to engage in the democratic process. And they have a proven track record of intimidating and bulling those who do."

Friday, April 04, 2014

Obama Administration Now Tutoring Grandparents

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
In an article posted this past Monday by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the government says grandchildren are "a treasure."

Indeed they are.

Trish Britton, writing for the government agency says, "As a proud grandmother, I can attest that grand kids learn by example! They mimic everything you do, so be a healthy role model by taking care of yourself and they will learn to value healthy habits."

I would agree with that.

But there's more. Much more.

As I read on I began to wonder if the government thinks we grandparents know anything at all about raising kids. After all, we didn't just arrive on the last bus. We've been around awhile. And we've raised kids before, that's how we became grandparents, without government tutoring.

And where are the parents in this equation? Are there so many children being raised by grandparents that the government must now intervene? And manage the family?

I also remembered Ronald Reagan's comment during his presidential campaign: "If you don't make fun of my age, I won't make fun of your lack of experience."

Thursday, April 03, 2014

ABC's Modern Family "Softening Hearts, Seducing Conservatives"

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

Actor Ty Burrell told the press the other day he believes ABC's "Modern Family" program is "softening the hearts" of conservatives toward gay marriage and is helping normalize it.

Burrell plays a lead role in the show which attracts about 15 million viewers each week. He also stars in the newly released "Muppets Most Wanted" film.

Modern Family has a "normal" homosexual family with an adopted daughter.

The show also has a large viewership among Republicans, many of whom claim to be conservative and Christian.

In fact, more Republicans watch the show than Democrats. And it isn't about politics, but Burrell says it is changing the culture by changing Conservatives minds.

Wednesday, April 02, 2014

A Miracle In Harlem

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

You may remember hearing about the explosion that rocked Harlem a couple of weeks ago.

Two East Harlem multi story buildings were reduced to rubble killing 8 people, injuring 60 and displacing 100.

Of the 8 who lost their lives, 5 were members of a church that was located in one of the buildings.

NBC 4 in New York, in reporting on the horrific disaster, has also reported on a miracle---not on 34th Street, but in East Harlem.

Tuesday, April 01, 2014

Why Kids Are Leaving The Church

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
How many times have we heard parents say, "My kids don't want to go to church anymore, I just don't understand."

We have also heard the secular progressives who seek to redefine the biblical model of marriage and family and devalue the sanctity of life by advancing abortion available to everyone all the time, point out that "this generation rejects the Christian beliefs of the older generation because they have culturally evolved."

And they use statistics like this:

A recent Barna Study reveals that only 1 in 5 Millennials (age 30 and under) consider church to have any importance in their lives.

Another recent Pew Research survey reveals that 29% of Millennials classify themselves as "religiously unaffiliated."

It is true that both studies show there is a disconnect between this generation and church.

Barna also found that 59% of those age 30 and under who were raised in church have dropped out.

Here are some things to consider.