Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Thanksgiving: A Matter Of Proper Perspective

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Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.

Wiser voices than mine have said how a person expresses "thanks" and to whom or what that "thanks" is directed says much about what they really believe.

Chuck Norris wrote an article last week titled, "Neutering Religious Holidays," observing that "we haven't even hit Thanksgiving, and already the war on Christmas is underway" and concluded that we "are heading down a slippery slope in our culture."

As a guest of Fox News Network, he was asked about the article and his mention of a cultural slippery slope. He mentioned Montgomery County School District (which we wrote about a couple of weeks ago) as the latest causality in this war.

He put some of the blame for the cultural slide at the feet of President Obama and his unwillingness to stand for biblical values...marriage, abortion, etc.

The secular left exploded toward Norris.

"So," Norris said in typical Texas Ranger style, "I decided to look into it."

"I decided to compare President Obama's Thanksgiving addresses over the past several years with that of President George Washington," Norris says.

It's revealing, to say the least.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Be Thankful, Not Anxious

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In her classic autobiography, "The Hiding Place," Corrie ten Boom tells of the time she and her sister went through Nazi inspections at a death camp.

They were forced to suffer the humiliation of taking off all their clothes. Corrie stood in line feeling forsaken, defiled and desperate for answers.

Suddenly she remembered that when He hung on the cross, Jesus too, was naked.

During that seemingly degrading moment, Corrie was struck with a great sense of awe and worship to God.

She leaned forward and whispered to her sister, "Betsie, they took off His clothes too."

Betsie's simple response, underscores a monumental truth about Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 24, 2014

War On "Fundamentalist Christian Monsters"

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Tolerance is not all its cracked up to be by secularists. In their world, it's a tool, not a virtue.

Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) asked atheist Michael (Mikey) Weinstein last week in a Congressional hearing if he publicly called evangelical Christians "Fundamentalist Christian Monsters?"

Mikey Weinstein is the founder of the atheist "Military Religious Freedom Foundation" that consistently attacks any expression of Christianity and Christians who express their faith publicly while serving in the US military.

He has unusual access to the Pentagon, often bragging publicly that he can get a Christian symbol removed from a military base within hours.

He has consulted the Pentagon regarding matters of separation of church and state. And helps provide materials for some courses related to this issue.

Weinstein's organization is responsible for dozens of cases where Christians have been silenced and punished, and inspirational wall hangings that had any Christian association removed military bases.

His organization is responsible for an airman recently being relieved of duties for opposing same-sex "marriage," chaplains silenced and punished for sharing the gospel (proselytizing) and wall hangings removed because of any reference to Scripture.

I've written about it dozens of times over the past several years.

Now Mikey is appearing before a Congressional Armed Services Committee. And the questions are not "softball" questions.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Millennials Turned Off By Trendy Churches

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Millennials (age 18-29) are saying they need a break from their fast paced, technological world, and they now prefer a more traditional--classic church building in which to worship.

They told a recent survey they "don't want something created artificially for them; they don't want a bait and switch" experience---they want something "deeper and more authentic."

The new study has caught the attention of those who design and build churches. It should also catch the attention of church leaders who want to reach this generation.

Ironically, the study seems to buck the trends of mega-churches and multi-purpose/gym/sanctuaries that have become common.

I believe there is something more and deeper than mere architecture reflected in this new study.

What are the young people saying?

Thursday, November 20, 2014

The American Family And The American Economy

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"It's the economy, stupid" is a phrase that finds a new life before every election.

The phrase contains a grain of truth in that the American economy has been in decline or stagnant for some time. Many economists are not terribly optimistic about the near future.

While there are those politicians from both parties who attempt to marginalize the "controversial, divisive social issues" every election cycle, new studies and research is revealing that it is the state of the family that is actually the problem with the economy.

Strong families equate to a stronger economy.

One new study reveals that the American economic landscape looks bleaker today because the American family unit is not as strong as it once was.

While homosexual activists work to redefine marriage and family, a secular progressive government undermines its very foundations while claiming to help it.

Another study reveals that the War on Poverty, championed by the far left progressives, has actually become a war on marriage. A so-called "helping hand" has become a slap in the face of marriage.

Godly principle on marriage and family is the guiding light in our present darkness.

Consider this:

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Selling Obamacare: Inside Gruber's Comic Book

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Jonathan Gruber---the MIT economic professor called the "architect" of the president's signature accomplishment, not only created Obamacare but created a comic book to help sell it.

Nobody much read it, and I wouldn't waste the space to mention it except that this whole fiasco---the comments about the "stupidity" of American voters, the purposeful deception of the public, the disastrous impact of Obamacare on America's health care system, and now a comic book, all at taxpayer expense--- personifies the progressive left in the most illuminating way.

The Heritage Foundation found that Gruber's Obamacare comic book can be purchased, used, for $389.44 on Amazon. A collector's item? Or you can purchase a new copy on Amazon for about $5.

The magic of this comic far exceeds the magic of the yellow brick road.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

National Cathedral Hosts Islamic Prayers

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In an apparent attempt to make the church "relevant," Washington National Cathedral hosted last Friday's Islamic prayers.

In our Capital's most prominent church, they "moved out the pews and rolled out the rugs." A place where American leaders have come to mourn and marry, and find inspiration, prayers were offered toward Mecca.

Church leaders say it was an effort to promote interfaith prayer and improve global relations between Christians and Muslims.

Christine Weick, a Christian, interrupted the Muslim prayers, loudly asking some very interesting questions.

Dr. Sebastian Gorka, Distinguished Chair of Military Theory at Marine Corps University, put the event in perspective.

While the church may not have a clue as to what is actually going on, Dr. Gorka says the Muslims knew exactly what they were doing. And it has nothing to do with global relations and better understanding between the two religions.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Immigration: the President, the Religious Left, the GOP and the Bible

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The Washington Post said yesterday President Obama is about to give "5 million illegals" a pass.

The Republicans call his action amnesty and say, according to the Post, "If Obama goes forward, it would be the equivalent of giving the middle finger to their incoming majority."

Their words, not mine.

Many in the so-called religious left and the "sanctuary" movement are demanding action by the president. Generally those in the religious left want amnesty and open borders, although they generally are more nuanced in the way they present it.

They are urging the president, whom they support, to take that first "courageous" step. The Post says it may come this week.

The political ambitions that drive much of the amnesty movement are often masked in religious, "biblical" terms, suggesting that amnesty, open borders, etc. are beliefs rooted in biblical compassion and virtue.

What does the Bible actually say about immigration? Is it anti-Christian, or anti-biblical to oppose the immigration ideology of the president and his far left support?

Friday, November 14, 2014

School Dumps Christmas to Appease Muslims--Action Backfires

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There's a new front in the war on Christianity....and Christmas.

Ironically, it's a war being waged in the suburbs of our nation's Capitol.

The school board in Montgomery County, Maryland has decided to appease Muslims by making the school calendar "religious neutral."

Beginning next year, all Christian and Jewish holidays will be removed from the calendar. They won't even mention the word Christmas or Easter or Yom Kippur.

Muslims have been urging---actually demanding, the district close schools on at least one of their 2 holidays, and have been gathering outside the school board offices holding signs that read "Support equality for Eid." And, "Because ...our children matter too."

Now that the Muslims have been appeased and Christmas, Easter and Yom Kipper have been dumped, everything is okay, right?

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Hey, Tony The Tiger---Hands Off Our Children

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The Kellogg cereal company is using Tony the Tiger to reach out to our kids with the homosexual agenda, while trying to normalize the behavior to parents.

They are using the Tiger, the beloved Frosted Flakes mascot, in a pro-LGBT advertisement in the Pride Guide for Atlanta's "gay pride march."

Kellogg's is a sponsor of the parade.

The ad is not subtle. Tony is all out for the cause.

But what is the cause? To normalize the behavior? To indoctrinate kids? Perhaps both?

One thing for sure, Tony the Tiger's mission is not so Grrrrrrrreat.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Obamacare Architect: "Deception Was Necessary" To Pass Law

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Jonathan Gruber, President Obama's main man for Obamacare, is caught on video saying they purposefully deceived the voters, otherwise the law would not have passed.

Gruber is also seen mocking the voters for their "stupidity."

As the insurance enrollment period rolls around again, citizens are once more forced to slog through the hyper flawed Obamacare trying to figure out how to navigate the disaster President Obama has foisted on the people and the medical profession.

However, we now know it wasn't simply a lack of management skills---incompetence, or understanding of our medical system that has created so many disappointments for so many citizens---like "if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor" and a long list of other unkept promises.

It was a calculated deception.

Jonathan Gruber, economy professor at MIT and known to be the architect of the health care law, is captured on video at a panel discussion at the University of Pennsylvania on October 17, 2013 telling panelists it was necessary to deceive the voters, otherwise the bill would never have passed.

His definition of "we the people"---the voters, is offensive. The arrogance and audacity with which he defines us is outrageous.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Veteran's Day: "Greater Love Has No Man..."

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Today is Veteran's Day.

It's a day on which we thank and honor those who have served---and do serve in our military.

The US Census Bureau reports that there are 21.8 million vets in our country today.

Over 1.3 million of those served in both Gulf War eras, 211,000 in both the Korean War and Vietnam era and 147,000 in World War II and Korea.

There were 49,500 who served in both the Vietnam War and both Gulf War eras and 54,000 who served during the Korean War, Vietnam War and World War II.

Does America understand the great price that has been paid, and is being paid to create and sustain our freedom?

I hope so.

And what does the Bible say about war?

Monday, November 10, 2014

Nov. 9, 1989: "An Epic Blow To Tyranny"

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By the time I arrived in Berlin in 1990, German youth were sitting on the Berlin Wall chipping it away with small picks and hammers. One of the college students gave me a piece of the Wall, it remains on my desk to this day---as a reminder.

The border separating East and West Berlin was declared "open" on November 9, 1989---thousands of people from the communist East streamed through the Berlin Wall to celebrate freedom and reunite with family and friends.

Over 300,000 people celebrated yesterday at Brandenburg Gate where President Reagan told Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "Tear down this Wall."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the Fall of the Wall "An epic blow to tyranny," while the Berlin Orchestra played Beethoven's 9th Symphony "Ode to Joy."

But in the moment of celebration, Merkel reminded the thousands attending and millions watching around the world of another event that also happened on November 9---November 9, 1938. A moment that must never be forgotten.

Friday, November 07, 2014

Restoration of U.S. Capitol

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A year ago, the Washington Post reported that the Capitol Dome will be encased in scaffolding for 2 years due to a restoration project.

They reported the restoration is "long over due."

Earlier this week, the American people---the owners of the Capitol, commissioned a group of people to begin a different kind of restoration on the inside of the Capitol.

A newly elected majority in the Senate and an expanded majority in the House of Representatives have been hired to carry out a restoration in the halls, meeting rooms and in the policies that flow from the most powerful center of government in the world.

When the Dome restoration is completed next year, we know what it will look like.

The bigger question is what should the internal restoration look like? And how great a part did evangelicals actually play in hiring these new public servants and creating the job description?

Thursday, November 06, 2014

Secular Progressivism Found Guilty

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American citizens, a jury of peers, has found the policies and programs of President Obama unacceptable.

And they have declared with their vote that his ideology of secular progressivism is guilty of undermining the institutions of our American society.

Secular progressivism has all but destroyed public education and the economy. It has redefined marriage and family and attempted to devalue the sanctity of life itself.

It is undermining our God-given freedoms, most importantly religious freedom.

All this in the name of "Progress."

Secular progressivism has cast Americans into a sea of uncertainty.

Tuesday's national election was an expression of people in desperate need of an island of certainty in the sea of uncertainty.

They chose traditional values as outlined in the Republican Party platform, rather than more of the hollow promises of ever "evolving" secular politicians.

Here's what really drove a good deal of the voting. It's a force that will not be highly reported, but better be noted by the Party who won.

Wednesday, November 05, 2014

America Turns Right

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I'm not suggesting that America has righted the ship of state---but we have certainly taken a huge step in the right direction in yesterday's election.

And that step certainly reflects a heart felt desire on the part of the citizens to rise from the squalor and chaos of our current state of affairs and seek a better way.

Yesterday we Americans made the best choice we could make given the theater of modern day politics---and that can be difficult, because elections in our time have often become more theater than reality.

By regularly promising the impossible, political candidates often give the dangerous impression that cultural salvation is only a bill or a policy away.

We have come to understand that most political promises are hollow, and at no time more than during the past 6 years.

This has led to many of us being better informed on the Seahawks or the Mariners than the issues that will impact our lives and that of our children and grandchildren.

Does that make us bad people?

No.

But it can make us bad voters. However, it appears there was a majority in many places in our country who chose a different way yesterday.

Now, having chosen, we must hold accountable those in whom we have placed the trust of our vote.

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

When Republicans Win

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Most political "experts" predict a win, perhaps a big win, for the Republican Party in today's election.

Last night the Washington Post said there is a 96% chance the Republicans will win big---CNN--95%, and the New York Times predict a 70% chance.

So when the Republicans add to their majority in the House, and possibly take over majority in the Senate today, what will that mean?

What does a national win for the GOP actually mean?

We are carrying the election returns from Washington, Oregon, Idaho as well as the Federal returns. Use the link in the right hand column of this blog or directly above this blog to access those results. Reporting begins as soon as the polls close. 

Monday, November 03, 2014

A 14-Year Old Atheist Gets Youth Director Banned From Campus

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A youth director has been banned from being a lunch time volunteer at an Oregon middle school.

One atheist student complained that he had "preached" to her and her friends during lunch on October 23.

Tim Saffeels is youth director at nearby Salem Heights Church and has been volunteering at the school where many of the kids from the church attend.

Shelby Conway, a 14-year old student has accused Tim of "preaching" to her, telling her she is not an atheist, she is simply rebelling and much more.

Tim says of the letter she wrote to the principal, "None of those things came out of my mouth."

More on this in a moment. But first: Tomorrow is election day across America. Both Washington and Oregon use mail-in ballots. Your Washington ballots must be "postmarked" by tomorrow, while voters in Oregon must have them in by 8 PM tomorrow.

While Oregon and Washington are among the most secular progressive left states in the nation, there are victories to be won in both states for conservatives and people of faith.

The same is true in other states across the nation. Be sure to get your vote in, or get to the polls in your area.

Now, more on the 14-year old atheist, the school district and the youth director.