Alliance Defense Fund President Alan Sears gives a reality check concerning civil liberties that are under attack everyday for people of Faith. Stories include educational choices that parents have for their own children; a 5th grader wanted to do a Christian song in an open, after school talent show but was told 'there's too much Jesus in the song' regardless of the fact that other students' songs had sexual or poor behavior depicted in their lyrics and were not censored. That boys mother shared that she stood with the child alongside the Alliance Defense Fund in a lawsuit that cause a ripple effect in the school district that removed the censorship against people of Faith. Amazing isn't it, that bad behavior and poor choices are NOT censored whereas the morals that come with faith ARE censored. Also, he tells of a situation in which the ACLU actually attacked a school for incorporating internet filtering, which filtered pornography saying that it was against the freedoms of the user, in this case the users are CHILDREN. In Sweden, a 9 year old boy was seized by the government due to the parents using homeschooling, the child was taken from the home and put in foster care. Alan says, "Our right in America to homeschool needs to be closely guarded." This is ridiculous especially since homeschooled students are often some of the brightest and test quite well.
And lastly, the story of a Graduate student doing counseling clinicals, followed protocol when she realized a values conflict with a patient desiring help in how to improve a homosexual relationship. She was then threatened to not be able to graduate unless she renounced her beliefs. She was dismissed from the school, and the Alliance Defense Fund brought a suit against the school.
The Fund has won 90% of the issues they've been a part of, but the ACLU still uses intimidation to try and pressure school officials or organizations into thinking that they don't have a chance or are powerless. If you're in a situation where your liberties are being attacked, you need to contact the Fund or similar organizations for help.
He also mentions a quote by someone recently appointed to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said that "private thoughts about sexual orientation issues that differ with her should not be tolerated."
Do you participate in Bible studies or small group church meetings in personal homes? There have been zoning officials that come to pastor's homes asking questions like "do you say 'praise the Lord'" in your home threatening reprimand.
Hear the interview via Focus on the Family.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Let God be the Judge
Hardly a day goes by that we don't pass judgement on someone. We pass judgement on people we see on TV. We pass judgement on the person driving the car too slowly in "our" lane, because of course we own the road right? We pass judgement on the politicians, celebrities, and the neighbor next door. Perhaps this sentiment has been uttered,"That politician is corrupt!" or "That celebrity is probably on drugs" or "wow, my neighbor is SO lazy, and doesn't have his yard mowed yet!" So, OK, maybe it's not right to pass judgement on strangers and acquaintances, maybe you get that, and that's just a sinful indulgence we fall into occasionally. But I suspect you feel it is OK to judge a family member that you know a little bit more about? Or to pass judgement on that friend or coworker, of whom you are more aware of closet residing skeletons. How about taking the idea a step closer by suggesting that maybe you feel justified in passing judgement on someone for an act or behavior that you were or are an eye-witness to, or even victim of? If someone offended you in some way directly, that should give you right to judge should it not? You were there, you experienced it first hand, you know the Truth, don't you? You know all the facts right, and have the whole story?
Do you?
Have you heard the verse from the Bible, about only God being the one to judge? The passage is fairly common as a publicly used adage although maybe the usage has diminished as cultures shun moralities. I once thought the primary goal of the verse was to focus on people not being judgemental, and that likely its primary purpose. A twist on the 'why' came to mind though recently. Previously, I understood the 'why' simply to be "because He's God, because He says so for the reasoning that when we judge each other we create turmoil, division, bitterness, shame, and break social bonds." In judging we also spend our time pointing the finger elsewhere much more often than at ourselves, and focusing on the faults of others has never seemed to be the Word's big priority (remember that verse about the plank in someone's eye.... OH Ya, it was the plank in MY eye, riiiight). I neglected an important nuance of the whole issue of not judging others, WE'RE DUMB! Actually, Ignorant is probably a better word. See, Ignorance means not knowing all of the information, and that is exactly our status throughout our lives. We rarely, if ever, know EVERYTHING there is to know about anything. This is highly exemplified in the science and medical fields, and when you are aware of the concept you start realizing just how much 'ignorance' effects us. The old sitcom "Three's Company" had an ongoing foundation for humor based on ignorance and misunderstandings, an idea still used frequently in comedies or dramas today. And though funny or dramatic when in fiction, the reality bites us in the most sensitive of places and at the worst times creating most undesirable behaviors towards our fellow man. Just how Evil would like it to work, seems to me.
Matthew 7.1 "Judge not, that you not be judged." (esv)
Only God can Judge, because ONLY HE knows it all. We are not omniscient creatures! You and I do not know everything about that politician, the celebrity, the neighbor, the family member, or even the one who offended us. Truth be known, you don't even know everything about yourself. So, "knowing" that, how can one judge another accurately. We have a whole judicial system that is tasked with that very issue. But you realize, don't you, that regardless of investigations and trials; verdicts and consequences; regardless of even whether "you were there" or not, the Truth of the matter is that only God knows the context, and understands the Truth. And only God is able to accurately judge. He knows me, and He knows you, fully.
And the Truth He shares is that, while knowing us fully, for reasons only God can understand, He Loves us, enough to pay a price that most of us would certainly NOT be willing to pay.
Do you?
Have you heard the verse from the Bible, about only God being the one to judge? The passage is fairly common as a publicly used adage although maybe the usage has diminished as cultures shun moralities. I once thought the primary goal of the verse was to focus on people not being judgemental, and that likely its primary purpose. A twist on the 'why' came to mind though recently. Previously, I understood the 'why' simply to be "because He's God, because He says so for the reasoning that when we judge each other we create turmoil, division, bitterness, shame, and break social bonds." In judging we also spend our time pointing the finger elsewhere much more often than at ourselves, and focusing on the faults of others has never seemed to be the Word's big priority (remember that verse about the plank in someone's eye.... OH Ya, it was the plank in MY eye, riiiight). I neglected an important nuance of the whole issue of not judging others, WE'RE DUMB! Actually, Ignorant is probably a better word. See, Ignorance means not knowing all of the information, and that is exactly our status throughout our lives. We rarely, if ever, know EVERYTHING there is to know about anything. This is highly exemplified in the science and medical fields, and when you are aware of the concept you start realizing just how much 'ignorance' effects us. The old sitcom "Three's Company" had an ongoing foundation for humor based on ignorance and misunderstandings, an idea still used frequently in comedies or dramas today. And though funny or dramatic when in fiction, the reality bites us in the most sensitive of places and at the worst times creating most undesirable behaviors towards our fellow man. Just how Evil would like it to work, seems to me.
Matthew 7.1 "Judge not, that you not be judged." (esv)
Only God can Judge, because ONLY HE knows it all. We are not omniscient creatures! You and I do not know everything about that politician, the celebrity, the neighbor, the family member, or even the one who offended us. Truth be known, you don't even know everything about yourself. So, "knowing" that, how can one judge another accurately. We have a whole judicial system that is tasked with that very issue. But you realize, don't you, that regardless of investigations and trials; verdicts and consequences; regardless of even whether "you were there" or not, the Truth of the matter is that only God knows the context, and understands the Truth. And only God is able to accurately judge. He knows me, and He knows you, fully.
And the Truth He shares is that, while knowing us fully, for reasons only God can understand, He Loves us, enough to pay a price that most of us would certainly NOT be willing to pay.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Flora Mckee Blogspot
I hope you will consider going to this site: floramckee.blogspot.com and reading "Walk in the Clouds" which the author of this blog has also written regarding his mother-in-law having a "seeing Heaven" experience during her last few weeks of life after battling cancer.
I think it will inspire and interest you as we are all mortal and thus face the same ending, that being death. How we view death is our choosing though.There are many views out there, as many as there are opinions. Hopefully you'll check out "Walk in the Clouds" and be inspired to have a new or bettered view of mortality.
I think it will inspire and interest you as we are all mortal and thus face the same ending, that being death. How we view death is our choosing though.There are many views out there, as many as there are opinions. Hopefully you'll check out "Walk in the Clouds" and be inspired to have a new or bettered view of mortality.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
A coworker came strolling passed with a comment in joking, "Thank goodness it's Friday, it's been a long week!" The joke was, well, it wasn't Friday but rather it was Tuesday. But his wit reminded me of what The Lord has taught us via His Word that we are to live life as if Christ were coming soon, perhaps today! Maybe we can live our Mondays or Tuesdays as if it was Friday betters and better our attitude on those days. And maybe we can live each day as if it is the day of Our Lord and better our own life and the lives of those around us by having an attitude based on His Will rather than our own.
This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Ps 118.24
This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Ps 118.24
Friday, September 9, 2011
Focus on the Family 9/11 broadcast with Jay Jonas, NYFD
Via Focus On The Family
Ten years ago, a horrible day in America's history occurred with the attacks of Muslim radicals on the Trade Towers and the Pentagon. Jay Jonas, NYFD chief and survivor of a tower collapse speaks about his experience. Additionally we hear from survivors of the Pentagon attack.
A quote by Jay that was especially significant to me and applicable to other times when people perish:
"People say to me, 'God was WITH you that day!' and I cringe at that; as if He wasn't with the other guys that didn't make it. And those guys were great guys, some of the finest to ever walk the earth. God was WITH THEM too."
Part 1 Part 2, along with a rescue story of Sheila Moody who survived the Pentagon attack.
Ten years ago, a horrible day in America's history occurred with the attacks of Muslim radicals on the Trade Towers and the Pentagon. Jay Jonas, NYFD chief and survivor of a tower collapse speaks about his experience. Additionally we hear from survivors of the Pentagon attack.
A quote by Jay that was especially significant to me and applicable to other times when people perish:
"People say to me, 'God was WITH you that day!' and I cringe at that; as if He wasn't with the other guys that didn't make it. And those guys were great guys, some of the finest to ever walk the earth. God was WITH THEM too."
Part 1 Part 2, along with a rescue story of Sheila Moody who survived the Pentagon attack.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
An unkept garden
Have you ever seen a neighbor's yard go unkept? I'm sure you have, perhaps YOU were the one who let your lawn go a few too many days without a mowing. Regardless, this post isn't about ridiculing your lack of mowing desire, I am certainly right with you on that issue. But rather, let's use the unkept lawn, or garden, or whatever space is needing some tidy-up as a parable for the world God allowed us to be servants of. And no, this won't been an environmental message either though you could certainly apply the parable to such a context.
My mother-in-law has always liked to keep a tidy and beautiful flower garden. She digs landscaping (pun intended) and really finds enjoyment in that hobby. But then she had to fight some battles with cancer. The battles eventually drained her of the ability to maintain her gardens and landscaping, such that they became totally saturated and overtaken with weeds. In analyzing the scenario, I supposed that the task of separating the weeds from the desirables would be very difficult and laborious, almost to the point of giving up and scraping the whole space clean to start anew.
Anyone that spends even 5 seconds of honest thought and consideration about the world around him or her will surely agree that 'the world is a messed up place.' Spend a few minutes or hours of thought on this and you'll reckon there is much about the world that needs 'cleaned up.' The immorality and irresponsibility regarding sexual matters for example, talk about a mess!! Those issues pop up in TV; Advertising; Film; Music; Literature; Scandals of our voted in 'role models;' the web; social networking; and on and on. The issues are seen in weeds like undesired teen sexuality and the ramifications of such; amazingly poor and illogical legislation relating to sexual offenses; breakdown of the traditional family structures; continued high divorce rates and so forth. And this is just in ONE umbrella area of the human nature given to less than desirable choices!
When you attempt to start cleaning up any one of the symptoms or manifestations of it, the labor you put in often doesn't seem to give a good return. In fact, you may feel like there isn't a way to even make a dent in the problems at all.
Wiping the space clean and starting over may not be possible (depending on how you interpret that). But in one sense of it, maybe we need to mentally wipe our space clean and get back to the roots of purity, and of honorable things. The Bible certainly supports such an idea. The Bible even states one must be "born again," so to speak, thus making yourself wholly different. Seems like this is what needs to happen on a broader scale in order to see some of the rampant issues that we are now seeing get at all resolved.
But that resolve has to start somewhere, that resolve can start with you.
My mother-in-law has always liked to keep a tidy and beautiful flower garden. She digs landscaping (pun intended) and really finds enjoyment in that hobby. But then she had to fight some battles with cancer. The battles eventually drained her of the ability to maintain her gardens and landscaping, such that they became totally saturated and overtaken with weeds. In analyzing the scenario, I supposed that the task of separating the weeds from the desirables would be very difficult and laborious, almost to the point of giving up and scraping the whole space clean to start anew.
Anyone that spends even 5 seconds of honest thought and consideration about the world around him or her will surely agree that 'the world is a messed up place.' Spend a few minutes or hours of thought on this and you'll reckon there is much about the world that needs 'cleaned up.' The immorality and irresponsibility regarding sexual matters for example, talk about a mess!! Those issues pop up in TV; Advertising; Film; Music; Literature; Scandals of our voted in 'role models;' the web; social networking; and on and on. The issues are seen in weeds like undesired teen sexuality and the ramifications of such; amazingly poor and illogical legislation relating to sexual offenses; breakdown of the traditional family structures; continued high divorce rates and so forth. And this is just in ONE umbrella area of the human nature given to less than desirable choices!
When you attempt to start cleaning up any one of the symptoms or manifestations of it, the labor you put in often doesn't seem to give a good return. In fact, you may feel like there isn't a way to even make a dent in the problems at all.
Wiping the space clean and starting over may not be possible (depending on how you interpret that). But in one sense of it, maybe we need to mentally wipe our space clean and get back to the roots of purity, and of honorable things. The Bible certainly supports such an idea. The Bible even states one must be "born again," so to speak, thus making yourself wholly different. Seems like this is what needs to happen on a broader scale in order to see some of the rampant issues that we are now seeing get at all resolved.
But that resolve has to start somewhere, that resolve can start with you.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Check your judgments at the door
We have all fallen short of the Glory of God.
We are all Sinners.
With concepts like this, how is it we are caught in a perpetual desire for judging each other. We judge each others looks, our cloths, our intellects, our ideas, our choices, etc etc. We have unrealistic 'reality shows' based on judging (see American Idol and such). I mean please, Simon couldn't sing a lick's worth compared to most of the finalists on that show so why does he get to judge anything but bad hairdo's (see, see, I just judged his looks).
Let us try to be intentional about stopping the judgementalism. The Word says you'll be judge as you judged, scary thought but I think its true, and not just in the next world. I can say that I've went through some really tough times that brought tons of judgement against me, and really got me to thinking about how much I've judged others in the past. Judging others serves no good purpose does it? Other than to make you feel high and mighty, which if you know anything of God is one of the things He seems to hate most, so not a trait you want to grow. Every time you find yourself judging someone, you need to remember that you have done your fair share of horrible things whether in thought or action; and you still have plenty of time to do more things worthy of judgement before your time is over. Instead of judging, let your noticing of whatever it is you want to judge be a motivator to encourage the person to a better way.
We are all Sinners.
With concepts like this, how is it we are caught in a perpetual desire for judging each other. We judge each others looks, our cloths, our intellects, our ideas, our choices, etc etc. We have unrealistic 'reality shows' based on judging (see American Idol and such). I mean please, Simon couldn't sing a lick's worth compared to most of the finalists on that show so why does he get to judge anything but bad hairdo's (see, see, I just judged his looks).
Let us try to be intentional about stopping the judgementalism. The Word says you'll be judge as you judged, scary thought but I think its true, and not just in the next world. I can say that I've went through some really tough times that brought tons of judgement against me, and really got me to thinking about how much I've judged others in the past. Judging others serves no good purpose does it? Other than to make you feel high and mighty, which if you know anything of God is one of the things He seems to hate most, so not a trait you want to grow. Every time you find yourself judging someone, you need to remember that you have done your fair share of horrible things whether in thought or action; and you still have plenty of time to do more things worthy of judgement before your time is over. Instead of judging, let your noticing of whatever it is you want to judge be a motivator to encourage the person to a better way.
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