Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Seattle Mayor Boycotts Religious Freedom

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Openly homosexual Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, who led Washington State down the path of so-called "tolerance" to redefine marriage in the state, is now displaying anything but "tolerance."

He's angry because Indiana has chosen a different path than Washington did. They chose to honor religious freedom.

Indiana's Governor signed a law last week that reflects the federal Religious Freedom and Restoration Act signed into law by then President Bill Clinton.

Mayor Murray says, "The law doesn't reflect the values of our city."

Apparently Murray's view of his city includes no provision for religious freedom, because the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act absolutely does not discriminate against homosexuals, but rather protects the religious freedom of all people---unlike the newly minted laws in Washington State.

Angry Ed is now organizing a national boycott of Indiana.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence, who signed the law Friday, says there has been an "avalanche of intolerance" poured out on our state. Reports says the "liberals anger is off the chart."

"Its outrageous," Pence says.

Also, on Friday, Barronell Stutzman, the owner of Arlene's Flowers in Richland. WA. was officially fined $1,001 because she declined to compromise her biblical values on marriage.

There is also an "And" in the ruling.

The $1,001 fine is a token offer to coax her to compromise her faith.

The "and" if not complied with, will destroy her financially. She says she will not "compromise her faith in Jesus regardless the cost."

Monday, March 30, 2015

Is God Finished With America Yet?

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Last week Senator Ted Cruz announced he is running for President of the United States.

Among other things, he told the tens of thousands gathered at Liberty University he believes "God is not finished with America yet."

Not everyone agrees. What do you think?

For the past several years a chorus of world voices have been predicting the demise of America---some probably hoping for our demise. Some in our own country agree.

George Packer, who is widely read in Europe and elsewhere, wrote an in depth article on the subject for the British paper The Guardian titled, "Decline and Fall: How American Society Unravelled."

He writes, "In about 1978, America's character changed."

What follows is the chronicle of a long list of what America has done wrong over the past several decades. Interestingly, Packer writes that our institutions are so strong that in spite of all the mistakes America has made, we have still had within us to power to "self correct."

He now questions whether our society is too unraveled to "self correct."

More important than what he thinks is what do you and I think?

Most important: What Does God think?

Friday, March 27, 2015

Cardboard Friends And Jesus

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My high school grandson alerted me to the story that KOMO News was reporting earlier this week.

A motorcycle State Patrol officer pulled over a man driving in the HOV lanes in Fife near Tacoma last Monday because the trooper spotted an unusual friend setting beside the driver, thus "legalizing" travel in the fast lane.

The officer wanted to take a closer look.

More than 2000 years ago, over 2 million people had crowed into the city to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. There was talk circulating that something beyond the normal important celebration may be in the works. They had heard that the man from Nazareth had raised Lazarus from the dead. His teaching was becoming more and more controversial.

They wanted to take a closer look.

The religious leaders found places to observe. They were concerned. Very concerned. In fact, John quotes the Pharisees as saying, "Look how the whole world has gone after Him."

As the Triumphal parade of Jesus moved into the city streets, the Roman soldiers watched and smiled---they had seen this kind of Triumphal procession in the city of Rome where war heroes were honored--- but who is this?

Who is this man riding on a donkey? An imposter? Is He a merely a cardboard likeness of what some wanted Him to be? Or is He more---and different?

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Lexington, Mass. Cancels "American Pride" Prom

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Lexington, Massachusetts was ground zero for the Revolutionary War, with the "shots heard round the world" being fired and the first battles fought in this town.

However, 240 years later, "American Pride" is considered offensive to the school system, and some of the students they are trying to indoctrinate.

The prom committee voted to have "American Pride" as the theme of this year's high school prom.

That fits...doesn't it?

After all, up the street from the high school is the monument that commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord---the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

The monument itself, erected by the community in 1799, declares it was erected to honor "The Freedom and Independence of America, Sealed with the blood of her sons."

Aren't we proud of that?

"No."

Assistant Superintendent Carol Pilarski says the "American Pride" theme "would not be inclusive."

Prom canceled.

What are the students who daily walk or drive past one of America's most important national monuments to Freedom thinking?

They're thinking this is about something much more important than a school prom.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Daughter Of Lesbian: "I Ached For A Dad"

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Heather Barwick was raised by her mother and her mother's lesbian partner.

She isn't angry. She is not a "hater." In fact, well into her twenty's she advocated for same-sex "marriage."

But that has all changed now.

Both time and experience has taught her same-sex "marriage" is the wrong path.

She says same-sex "marriage" is not the same, nor is it normal as she was taught. She now knows that the traditional family is the best.

Addressing her remarks to the homosexual community in which she was raised, she says, "A lot of us, a lot of your kids, are hurting."

She says her father was not a good man, but, "My father's absence created a huge hole in me and I ached every day for a dad. I loved my mom's partner, but another mom could never have replaced the father I lost."

She has published an essay in The Federalist in which she directs her comments and her appeal, not to those of us who stand for and support traditional marriage, but to those who seek to redefine marriage. Those with whom she was raised.

Her essay begins with, "Dear Gay Community: Your Kids Are Hurting---I Am Your Daughter."

Yesterday I wrote that the foundation of the secular progressive's agenda is being questioned by the very activists who have been advancing and advocating for it.

Heather says there are many, many children of gay parents who share her feelings, but are afraid to speak out about how they really feel.

Apparently one of the homosexual communities' strongest arguments for redefining marriage and family is collapsing as their children come of age. Two mommies is not normal.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Progressives Becoming Disillusioned, Conservatives Becoming Emboldened

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Minds are changing. Hearts are changing.

I believe our cultural climate is approaching a threshold of change toward Truth.

Yesterday at Liberty University, the largest Christian university in the world, Senator Ted Cruz formally announced that he is running for President of the United States.

He told the packed auditorium, "God is not done with America yet."

A growing number of young Americans agree with him.

Others who share similar beliefs will also announce their candidacy for the presidency in the coming days.

While optimism is building among Christians and conservatives, there is a growing pessimism among those who have embraced secular progressivism.

Even those who have led the movement to establish relativistic values, political correctness and the so-called new "Tolerance" and diversity are now expressing regret over the oppressive political correctness regimes that liberals and progressives have implemented on college campuses and elsewhere in our culture.

One leader in the progressive movement recently expressed her disillusionment saying, "There is something dark and vaguely cultish about this particular brand of politics."

University professors are admitting, confidentially and out of fear, that they are fearful to have an honest discussion or to dissent from the secular progressive view of marriage, sexuality and family.

Some in academe are now saying the cultural "codes" sweeping America's campuses "are a striking abridgement of everyones freedom" and that the results of political correctness "are intellectually embarrassing."

Political correctness is suffocating our culture, even those who have advocated for it are now gasping for air.

Is the sun rising on America again?

Monday, March 23, 2015

A Lesson In Leadership: Huckabee/Obama

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In December of 2011, Jay Leno, then host of NBC's Tonight Show, asked President Obama about his "leading from behind" leadership model. You will recall that our American Embassy in Libya had been bombed and burned leaving 4 Americans dead, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama trying to blame it on some guy from California who had made a negative video about Islam.

President Obama told Leno that he was actually leading both from behind and from the front. The president then explained that this was "merely a phrase that the news media had piled up on."

Interestingly, only a few months before the president identified with the concept, the Harvard Business Review had published an in depth article advocating "leadership from behind" as the new paradigm for the 21st Century---a business model whose "time has come."

Leading from behind may have been a good model for Nelson Mandela who actually coined the phrase, but it doesn't work for America and the world. Mandela actually popularized the phrase in his 1994 autobiography, "Long Walk To Freedom," by using the metaphor of a shepherd who follows and herds his sheep.

Mandela suggests that if you successfully lead from behind, stay behind the flock, the sheep will go where you want them to go thinking it is their idea..

Last year Time Magazine concluded what most ordinary Americans already knew--- the "lead from behind" idea doesn't work for America. Or the world.

We continue to become painfully aware of just how much this model does not work in our world that is out of control.

The Middle East is now burning from the relentless actions of Islamic terrorists, Putin is expanding his empire and the rest of the world is holding its collective breath because of the vacuum created by the US "leading from behind."

Two recent letters, both written by patriots, have struck a clear and current contrast between "leading from behind" and simply leading by being a leader.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Seattle's Satanic Temple Takes On Clark County

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Seattle's Satanic Temple chapter is campaigning against a "In God We Trust" sign set to be put up in a Clark County public hearing room in Vancouver.

The county council voted to accept and display the sign last month after it was donated by a nonprofit organization.

They said the sign is not "promoting" or "establishing" a religion, but merely reflecting an historical fact and a motto that appears on our federal currency.

The Satanist group says if the council actually hangs the sign, they will demand a sign of their own. Their sign, they say, will indicate it is sponsored by Seattle's Satanic Temple and will read "E Pluribus Unum" or "From the Many, One."

Clark County Manager Mark McCauley says they "will" hang the "In God We Trust" sign, but doesn't believe the Satanist sign "would be welcomed by the county council."

This conflict will play out in the coming days and weeks.

The story behind this episode---the back story, is both revealing and informative. It is also heart breaking.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Presbyterian (USA) And Planned Parenthood United In Deception

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Tuesday evening America's largest Presbyterian denomination voted to redefine Truth, by redefining the church's belief on homosexuality and marriage.

Yesterday Planned Parenthood announced a new feature page on their web site, explaining "Sometimes a person's sexual orientation changes over time..."

The Presbyterian Church explained to its 10,000 churches and 1.8 million members that homosexuals can't change, they're born that way, therefore the right thing to do is to abort the Bible and embrace the facts about this lifestyle. This, they explained, is an act of compassion toward those who do not feel fully accepted.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Are We Sinking Into Tyranny?

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Robert Knight, a senior fellow for the American Civil Rights Union and a columnist for the Washington Times, says we are.

Knight says, "No wonder Mitch McConnell skipped the Conservative Political Action Conference [a few weeks ago]. He's too busy with his day job as Minority Leader of the United States Senate."

Knight continues, "What, you thought that with the Republicans taking the Chamber in January following the historic November election that Mr. McConnell is the Majority Leader?"

"No," Knight says, "that would be Harry Reid....who obviously still calls the shots in the World's Greatest Deliberative Body."

Knight is reacting to how elected, some newly elected, "conservatives" are falling in line with a fore-ordained agenda, not what they promised voters while campaigning.

Maureen Dowd, not a conservative and writing for the New York Times says the upcoming presidential election is a done deal. She writes, "Brace Yourself For Hillary and Jeb."

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Why Is "Christianity Today" Defending Margaret Sanger?

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The magazine "Christianity Today," founded by none other than Billy Graham, is, in a published article, defending Margaret Sanger, the eugenicist who founded Planned Parenthood.

Why?

This article causes some of us to wonder what Christianity Today is in the minds of its editors.

Isn't this foreign to Billy Graham's message? Is this what he was thinking when he founded the magazine?

Franklin Graham publicly shared last week that there are a number of people who challenge him for "speaking out" on the so-called "controversial" issues of our times---reminding him that his father Billy never did that.

Franklin sets the record straight. And in doing so reminds us of one of the great causes of moral decline in the American culture.

Monday, March 16, 2015

SF's Largest Evangelical Church Twisting The Gospel

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In a letter to the membership of San Francisco's "City Church," the city's largest evangelical church, the pastor and the Elder Board announced, as of this weekend, the church will now accept the LGBT as full participating members---dropping the prior requirement of "life long celibacy" for those homosexuals who wanted to become members.

The "evangelical" pastor and the board claim they arrived at this conclusion after careful consideration of the Scriptures and of the current needs represented in the church. The "celibacy" requirement was causing obvious harm, they say, and had not led "to human flourishing."

They say the prohibition on homosexual behavior caused people to feel "deeply damaged, distorted, unlovable, unacceptable, and perverted."

Is it the "prohibition on sin" or the sin itself that is so destructive?

Earlier last week before this announcement was made, Chelsen Vicari, formerly with Concerned Women for America now a director with the Institute on Religion and Democracy, published a stark warning to the evangelical community titled, "Here's How the New Christian Left is Twisting the Gospel," drawing from her own experience of being misled and that of others. She offers a biblical response every Christian parent and grandparent should read.

She writes, "Peek behind the curtain and you'll find more than just a contemporary worship service. You'll find faith leaders encouraging young evangelicals to trade in their Christian convictions for a gospel filled with compromise."

Here's a peek behind the curtain.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Using Christ's Name, VP Biden Blasts Christians

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While addressing one of the nations most powerful homosexual advocacy groups, Vice President Joe Biden used the name of Jesus Christ and God in vain while defending the claim that homosexuality is hereditary.

He then attacked Dr. Ben Carson and all who believe biblical teaching on homosexual behavior, saying they should be eradicated from the planet in the name of "equality" and "tolerance."

Biden conceded, "We're never going to be able to eliminate the bigots." Adding, "They're a small percentage of the population."

A few thoughts for the small percentage waiting to be eradicated from the planet.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

VA Hospital Mocks Veterans With Mental Issues

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Robin Paul, a licensed social worker who manages the "Seamless Integrated Care Clinic" at Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Indianapolis, has been found mocking returning combat veterans suffering from mental health problems.

She was publicly mocking the very people she and those who work under her are charged with helping---those who have laid their lives on the line in combat for our freedoms.

Her mockery is sick.

The way the hospital has responded is profoundly disappointing. The response of NBC News and CBS News is, I suppose, not so surprising.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Navy Seal Chaplain May Be Kicked Out

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Lt. Commander Wes Modder, an Assemblies of God Navy chaplain who once ministered to the Navy Seals, may now be permanently kicked out of military service because of his biblical beliefs.

Modder has been accused of being unable to "function in a diverse and pluralistic environment" of the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Goose Creek, SC.

The chaplain's commanding officer Capt. Jon R. Fahs has written in a memo, "On multiple occasions he discriminated against students who were of different faiths and back grounds."

For the past 19 years, Modder's personal file is filled with only positive accolades and endorsements---including from Capt. Fahs.

How does a chaplain go from being the best of the best for over 19 years to being unfit for service in the span of 5 months?

Here's how.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Supreme Court "Out Of Touch" On Redefining Marriage? Or Merely Asleep?

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The Supreme Court will hear the arguments over same-sex "marriage" on April 28 and will make audio of the proceedings available later that day.

This is the only time this term the Court will do a "quick release" of audio recording of the proceedings.

Obviously they recognize the level of public interest in the movement to redefine marriage and family.

But do they recognize the strong and growing push back in the country toward redefining the most basic human component---marriage?

Apparently Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg does not.

In an interview with Bloomberg News on February 12 she was asked if she thought that there are parts of the country that would not accept" a Supreme Court decision declaring "a constitutional right for same sex couples to marry?"

She said, "I think it's doubtful that it wouldn't be accepted. The change in people's attitudes on that issue has been enormous."

Perhaps the Justice has been sleeping again, as she did during President Obama's recent State of the Union Address. (She later explained she had drunk too much wine before the speech).

We have been forcefully told by the secular left progressives that America has changed its attitudes regarding marriage, however, in light of current and ongoing assaults on freedom of religious expression and the right of conscience, Americans are taking a closer look---and apparently changing their minds.

Monday, March 09, 2015

President Obama Crosses the Bridge in Selma

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This weekend President Obama crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches.

His speech at the event was soaring and passionate.

However, some feel he is crossing the wrong bridge. And trying to take this country along with him.

On Friday, before Saturday's march, President Obama invoked the "spirit of Selma" to justify his executive amnesty policies.

President Obama told those gathered for the Selma event, "That's what it means to love America. That's what it means to believe in America. That's what it means when we say America is exceptional."

He said, "We were born for change"..."Look at history."

Noting a long list of notables in American history, from Lewis and Clark to the "fire fighters who rushed into those buildings on 9/11" he suggested that we are all them---they are all us.

He continued: "We're the gay Americans whose blood ran in the streets of San Francisco and New York, just as blood ran down this bridge."

What?

Friday, March 06, 2015

Big Bertha: "Torn Apart to be Repaired"

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The Seattle Times reported yesterday that "Bertha, the world's largest tunnel-boring machine, is in position to be torn apart so it can be repaired."

The Times says, "The broken machine reached a stopping point inside the rescue pit late Tuesday, clearing the way for workers to start the disassembly process."

As I read this article, I could not miss the metaphor.

Bertha is our government.

Thursday, March 05, 2015

Immigration, Birth Tourism and "Maternity Hotels"

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Have you heard about the new concept of "birth tourism" and "maternity hotels?"

Most Americans believe we have an immigration problem. And it's out of control.

The progressive left, religious and secular, essentially want open borders. Our president leads that effort.

Conservatives advocate for orderly immigration that assimilates, rather than overwhelms the culture. That's a concept that has served America well.

After all, we are a nation of immigrants.

The abuse of America's goodness has been taken to a new low.

For a moment---just a moment, forget our southern border and the millions who are illegally crossing it with the blessing of the progressive left. And our president.

Think China.

It was revealed this week that Chinese "entrepreneurs" are running a birth tourism business, including "maternity hotels," travel and high end shopping trips in Southern California for Chinese women who want "made-in-America babies."

NBC says it's a pretty big operation.

I'm sure you are aware that the House caved to the Obama administration regarding the budget bill. 
The vote 257-167 (9 no vote) was disappointing for conservatives. 75 Republicans voted with the Democrats, including Washington's Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dave Reichert and Oregon's Greg Walden. Washington's Dan Newhouse and Jamie Herrera Beutler stood with conservatives and voted against the bill.

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

PM Netanyahu: "Be Strong--Don't Be Afraid"

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to a joint session of the US Congress, the American people and the world yesterday.

Well, most of the world. President Obama refused to attend or watch the speech. He said he didn't want to influence the upcoming election in Israel, so he wouldn't be there or even watch it on television.

Most of America, and probably the world, knows he is mad because Speaker of the House John Boehner who went around him and invited Netanyahu, because there is growing concern about the "deal" this administration is trying to make with Iran, the world's leading terrorist supporter.

And there is a sense among many that, unlike our own leadership, Netanyahu would tell it like it is. And he did.

If our president, who was cloistered in the White House and refusing to attend, would have even bothered to watch the speech on television, he would have known it was not about an Israeli election, it was about the future of the civilized world. This leader is a neighbor to the epicenter of terrorism, and America's closest ally in the region and the world.

Only the very petty, small minded politician could really believe it was about getting votes in a local election.

Last week Susan Rice, President Obama's National Security Adviser, told the media the speech would be "destructive." President Obama said it would be a "distraction."

It was neither.

It put light on the current situation in the Middle East, elevating the importance of the US making the right decision in dealing with Iran. And revealing that America is about to make a generational mistake--- that we are on the wrong path.

It also revealed the stark contrast between leading and following---clarity and ambiguity. It was a profile of courage and conviction. A contrast of principle rather than politics.

It was a reminder of the difference between maturity and childishness.

It was also a reminder of how desperately America needs leadership.

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

War On Christianity. Who is Leading in Your State?

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In 2007, presidential candidate Barack Obama told the American people, "I am absolutely convinced that culture wars are just so 90s. Their days are growing dark."

Half truth.

Over? No.

Dark? Yes.

Following the election in 2008 we have seen an unprecedented expansion of the culture war---a war against our nation's Christian heritage, our Christian values, freedom of religion, specifically Christianity, the Bible, and ultimately a war against Almighty God Himself.

Dark indeed.

A terrific resource has become available this week which enables Christians and conservatives to access an interactive map identifying more than 200 anti-Christian organizations that have set up shop in each state.

*****
Today Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is speaking to Congress on the growing threat of terrorism. In doing so he is speaking to the American people and the world.
 
In rebellion to his speech, President Obama, Vice President Biden and 42 Democrats have said they will not be attending. 
The Hill is reporting the names of those refusing to attend.
******

Which states have the most anti-Christian activities?

Monday, March 02, 2015

Ben Carson: "I Hate Political Correctness"--Here's Why You Should Too

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