Let's Have a Gas Out

Don't pump gas on may 15th

In April 1997, there was a "gas out" conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.

On May 15th 2007, all internet users are to not go to a gas station in protest of high gas prices. Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places.

There are over 177,000,000+ American members currently on the internet network, and the average car takes about 30 to 50 dollars to fill up.

If all users did not go to the pump on the 15th, it would take
$2,292,000,000.00 (that's almost 3 BILLION) out of the oil company's pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and lets try to put a dent in the Middle Eastern oil industry for at least one day.

If you agree (which I can't see why you wouldn't) contact as many of your friends as you can and tell them ''Don't pump gas on May 15th".

Herod's grave and tomb discovered at Herodium

The long search for Herod the Great’s tomb has ended with the exposure of the remains of his grave, sarcophagus and mausoleum on Mount Herodium’s northeastern slope, Prof. Ehud Netzer of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Institute of Archaeology announced today. Herod was the Roman-appointed king of Judea from 37 to 4 BC, who was renowned for his many monumental building projects, including the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the palace at Masada, as well as the complex at Herodium, 15 kilometers south of Jerusalem. Herodium is the most outstanding among King Herod’s building projects. This is the only site that carries his name and the site where he chose to be buried and to memorialize himself all of this with the integration of a huge, unique palace at the fringe of the desert, said Prof. Netzer. Therefore, he said, the exposure of his tomb becomes the climax of this site’s research. The approach to the burial site which has been described by the archaeologists involved as one of the most striking finds in Israel in recent years was via a monumental flight of stairs (6.5 meters wide) leading to the hillside that were especially constructed for the funeral procession...Full Story Here.

It Feels Like 1938 all Over Again

Violent attacks against Jews continue to rise all over Europe specially in France. Full Story Here..

Pic of the Week

#@$%&!

For someone who so quickly condemned Don Imus, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) has had no qualms accepting money from celebrities who spew similar obscenities. Last week, Family Research Center Action sent out an alert asking Clinton's Exploratory Committee to return the $800,000 it raised with the help of Timbaland, a rapper infamous for his vulgar and profane lyrics. Included in the alert was the only visible e-mail address on Clinton's web site so that people could contact her office and ask her to return the Timbaland proceeds. The reaction from her campaign was both swift and surprising, considering that it included even more profanity than a Timbaland song. The recipient of thousands of your e-mails at the campaign was extremely upset and he let FRC know in language so offensive the FCC would blush. Does anyone else see the irony in Clinton's committee using profanity to defend profanity?

Barney and Friends

Liberals launched a full-blown attack on family values yesterday, introducing and debating bills that could significantly change America's criminal and employment codes.

In the House Judiciary Committee, the mark-up on thought crimes legislation went on well past 9 p.m., in part because of Republican attempts to include amendments that would make the bill's "protected class" more comprehensive, including: senior citizens, pregnant women, prior victims, children under 18, the unborn, court witnesses, the military, and more. All amendments were rejected. The Committee then passed the bill on strict party lines 20 Democrats for and all 14 Republicans against.

The version that now heads to the House floor violates the Commerce Clause and the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments. It federalizes a vast array of state and local crimes and threatens religious leaders with criminal prosecution for their thoughts, beliefs, and statements.

Adding insult to injury, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) yesterday, which would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote an employee based on his sexual orientation or "gender identity." Several corporations have joined Frank in his attempt to elevate sexual practices to civil rights status, including giants such as Coca-Cola, Gap, General Mills, Hewlett-Packard, Levi Strauss, Microsoft, Nationwide, and Nike. Frank also planned to introduce legislation today that would lift the ban on online gambling. This proposal would legalize Internet gambling over the protests of a large majority of state attorneys general

More Double Standards

The drama playing out at the World Bank seems like a personal morality tale, but there's more to it than meets the eye. World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz is under fire from employees and member nations of the Bank. The lead accusation on the news wires involves allegations that Wolfowitz acted unethically in arranging a pay increase and outplacement for a female professional at the Bank who is described as his "companion." The World Bank is what is known internationally as a multilateral institution; it receives contributions from multiple countries' treasuries and redistributes them as loans for developing country projects. Over the decades since its founding, the Bank has used its massive leverage to accomplish some good, but it is also a lavish bureaucracy with a penchant for financing population control and, indirectly, abortion. It is a frequent partner of International Planned Parenthood. Thus the Bank's sudden fit of morality rings hollow. In fact, on Tuesday of this week, a senior Bank manager urged Wolfowitz to resign, citing "concern" that he wished to impose the Bush Administration's pro-life policies on the Bank. Wolfowitz reportedly says he doesn't (though it would be good if he did). To his credit, Wolfowitz had disclosed his relationship with the "companion" before joining the Bank, asked for ethics advice, received it, and followed it. There are few things uglier than a partisan policy war masquerading as a scandal.

IAF to ask US for world's most advanced jets

In the face of Iran's race to obtain nuclear weapons, the Israel Air Force has expressed newfound interest in receiving the F-22 a US-developed fifth generation stealth fighter jet and has requested that the Defense Ministry present the request on its behalf to the Pentagon. While the sale or transfer of F-22s to Israel did not come up in talks recently between Defense Minister Amir Peretz and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, defense officials told the Jerusalem Post that Israel would ask to receive the aircraft in order to retain its "military edge" in the Middle East. Gates was in Israel for talks with government officials on a range of key strategic issues including American plans which Israel has objected to - to sell smart bombs to Saudi Arabia. The F-22 formally entered operational service in the US Air Force in December 2005 but has not yet been sold outside the US due to a federal law which barred export sale of the aircraft. Last March, however, Congress lifted the nine-year ban on its sale, potentially clearing the path for an Israeli purchase of what is considered the most advanced fighter jet in the world today.

Harry Hedges His Bets

Although Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) was doing his best to maintain a low profile about his past support of the partial-birth abortion ban, his comments last week about Justice Samuel Alito made that goal virtually impossible.

When Family Research Council broke the story on the contradiction between Reid's voting record and his cryptic statements about the Partial Birth Abortion ruling, the Senate majority leader came under fire from conservative groups and probing reporters. In his column today, Bob Novak writes about a conversation he had with Reid about the remarks. When Novak asked if "Reid was repudiating his Senate vote for the bill restricting abortions," the senator said no. He claimed that he was referring to other decisions by Alito. Yet when Novak pressed for answers about specific cases, Reid replied, "I can't recall" but assured Novak that his staff would provide the details. As Novak writes, "They did so several hours later."

Interestingly, of the four cases they supplied, it's not always clear that former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor whom Reid said he "wish[ed] were there" for the PBA ruling would have disagreed with Alito's opinion. And, as Novak points out, there is no record of Reid condemning Alito's vote in any of those cases. Although Reid's doublespeak on the issue is nothing new, it does point to a growing conflict of interest for Democrats who were elected to uphold values often at the expense of the liberal party line. In trying to appease both sides, Reid failed to please either.

Comfort, Comfort My People

This morning I woke up wishing that Monday's tragedy at Virginia Tech University was just a bad dream. Instead, I got ready for work feeling a little more vulnerable, hugging my kids just a little bit tighter, and trying desperately to make sense of it all.

For many of us, the bloody horrors at Virginia Tech served as a sudden and painful reminder that we live in a fallen world where man is capable of unthinkable evil. As the media hastens to report every raw detail and parents struggle to overcome the fears now rekindled from Columbine, we wonder if America like Virginia Tech will ever be the same. Yet on a day scarred by sorrow and disbelief, there are still glimpses of selfless courage men and women who, in the tradition of our great nation, paid the ultimate price to protect others.

Students of Liviu Librescu are alive today because their professor used his own body to block a classroom doorway as the gunman approached. This hero, who survived the Holocaust only to give his life for his students, is one reason the death toll is not larger. And there are countless others. Policemen who rushed the stairwells, carrying out wounded. Students who helped others leap to safety. And friends, whose only service was offering a shoulder for people to cry on.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, "Those things that hurt, instruct." In a world where make-believe violence is entertainment, may Americans finally refuse to pay the real life price. In a country that seeks to silence God in its schools, may skeptics finally realize that on days like this, He cannot be shut out. I pray that as we carry in our hearts and in our prayers the memories of those lost, we also hold on to our hunger for goodness and virtue so that these innocent people have not died in vain.

He's Risen!!!

He's risen indeed.
"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay"
Matthew 28:6

Happy Resurrection Day!!!

Bible Belt Refuses to Buckle under on Religious Courses

A Texas legislator, Rep. Warren Chisum (R), has introduced a bill that would require schools to offer history and literacy classes on the Bible. The proposal, now under debate in the House Public Education Committee, would affect over 1,700 districts throughout the state. If it passes, Texas would join several other states in offering elective courses on the most widely distributed book in the world. Although some are criticizing the move as a violation of church and state, the bill's sponsor said, "We're not going to preach the Bible, we're going to teach the Bible." Proving that the Good Book is experiencing an educational revival, five other states are considering similar proposals.

She Can't Be Syria-ous

Splashed across yesterdays newspapers are photos of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) sporting a headscarf as she visited Syria, which included a stop at a mosque.

While it is troubling that the leader third in line for the presidency (behind only the Vice President) would kowtow to a country that is a major purveyor in the trafficking of women, illegal drugs and terrorism, it's even more disturbing that she would concede by covering her head--which is usually seen as a sign of submission in the Muslim world.

On the home front the anti-family efforts of this new Congress continue to come to light. The major accomplishments the new Democratic Leadership in the House can point to are furthering taxpayer funding of destructive human embryo research, de-funding (and demoralizing) our troops fighting the war against terrorists and passing a budget that would raise our taxes by at least $400 billion.

Unfortunately, this is only the beginning. Waiting in the on-deck circle are bills that would treat homosexuals as a special protected class, eliminate abstinence funding and use tax money for abortions--just to name a few. The more this Congress attacks the values important to American families, the clearer it is that they have strayed from their mandate

Giuliani Can Run--But He Can't Hide

Although presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani is quick to say that he "hates" abortion, his recent choice of words shows little enmity for the practice.

In an interview with CNN, the former New York City mayor reaffirmed that he supports taxpayer funding for abortion. "I'm in the same position now that I was 12 years ago... which is, personally opposed to abortion, don't like it, hate it, would advise [women] to have an adoption rather than abortion." He went on to say, "But it is your choice, an individual right. You get to make that choice, and I don't think society should be putting you in jail."

American women have not been at risk of jail under past abortion laws, nor are they in the future. This canard is what the radical feminists have long said in an attempt to frighten and mislead. Referencing a 1989 speech, in which Giuliani said, "There must be public funding for abortions for poor women," the CNN interviewer asked if he would maintain that same position as president. Giuliani replied, "Probably." Then he added, "Ultimately, [abortion] is a constitutional right, and therefore... even if you do it on a state-by-state basis, you have to make sure that people are protected." That is an odd formulation, since Roe v. Wade is notable for withdrawing the protection of human life. And if abortion is a "private" act, what business does the government have funding it? If it is hateful, what other hateful things merit tax subsidies? Giuliani assured a crowd in Iowa that he would appoint conservative judges who will "interpret the meaning of the Constitution." Yet Giuliani's opinion of what the Constitution guarantees offers little comfort to the vast number of Americans who count themselves among the ranks of the pro-life.

Happy Passover

And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' "that you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.'" So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. (Ex 12:26-27)

Chag Pessach Samaech

Awesome

Well this weekend was totally amazing, pastor Greg brought us a great teaching. Lots of people came and whats better, lots of them came to know the Lord. It was great to see so many people walking to the front accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Here are some of the main points of Pastor Greg's teaching: The title was The Honeymoon is Over and the Scripture was from Revelations 2.

He said that Bible knowledge is worthless unless it changes the way one lives. A person who loves God wants to commune with Him. A person who loves God will love the things that God loves and will hate the things that God hates. We must hate the sin but love the sinner. He also said that a person who loves God longs for the return of Jesus, and finally a person who loves God will keep His commandments. Simple but practical and impacting, it made me look at myself and see where I stood in relation to these points. Where do you stand?

Another Year

Well God has blessed me with another year of life, I turned 47 today, as I look back through the years i can't help but think how they have flown by. I thank God for His blessings and for the chance to serve Him. My purpose for this year is to serve Him to the best of my ability and to not waste time on worthless things, after all, time is short and there is a lot to do.

See You There

This weekend we have the privilege of hosting Pastor Greg Laurie at our Church Calvary Chapel Kendall. Pastor Greg is an awesome man of God he gave his life to the Lord at the age of 19. At that age he started a Bible study with about 30 people, today that group has grown to more than 15,000 who meet every week to hear Pastor Greg teach the Bible. Whether speaking or writing (he has written a few books) God has gifted Pastor Greg with the ability to communicate Bible truths in a way that everyone can understand. You will not want to miss Pastor Greg as he shares from the Bible with us this weekend. Hope to see you there.

Another Prophet of Doom

After a six-year absence, Al Gore was greeted more like a liberal folk hero on Capitol Hill than a former vice president. His newfound fame, provided in part by two Oscar awards, helped persuade Senate Environment and Public Works chair Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) to relax the rules on his global warming testimony.

Unlike others called to testify, Gore was not required to submit his planned testimony 48 hours in advance. Instead Boxer waived the rule, giving Gore preferential treatment and allowing committee members only a few hours to prepare for the hearing.

During the session, Gore's "Chicken Little" scenarios were met with skepticism, particularly from Senate Republicans like Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) who said he, like many scientists, believed the dire global warming projections were a "hoax." On the House side, the former vice president was called a prophet by some Democratic members but his revelations were challenged by others.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) cited 600,000-year-old scientific evidence that Gore's carbon dioxide claims are false. When Gore introduced a 10-point plan to make the environment a U.S. priority, conservatives argued that taking the steps he proposed would stifle the economy and harm the family. Mr.

Gore is not the first prophet of doom. Not unlike 19th century political economist Thomas Malthus, who urged drastic steps to limit population growth because of the scarcity of resources, the proposed cure is more intrusive government. In time Malthus was proved wrong, but his heirs love on.

Four Things to Think About

HERE ARE the four things which, aside from Iraq, take up the most time on the agenda of Western leaders regarding the Middle East. All of them are doomed to fail, which makes one wonder about this set of priorities and manner of thinking:

1) Making friends with Iran while trying to persuade it, through relatively mild measures, to stop working on nuclear weapons.

The fact is that Iran is not going to abandon its drive to get atomic bombs and the missiles to deliver them on target, certainly not unless subjected to the toughest possible diplomacy. Everyone should know this by now. Yet the pretense is that watered-down diplomatic wrist-slaps are going to make some difference.

2) Making friends with Syria to get it to stop using terrorism to take over Lebanon, and terrorism against Iraq and Israel.

3) Trying to moderate Hamas. Like Syria and Iran, Hamas does not want to be moderate. Unlike them, it hardly pretends otherwise. It continues to make clear its virulent anti-Semitism and goal of destroying Israel. To their credit, the Europeans are by and large holding the line. But again, a huge amount of time and energy is going into this dead-end effort at moderating Hamas.

4) Suddenly, at the worst possible moment in history for success, resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become the top priority for many governments. Fatah has collapsed; Hamas is extremist and believes time is on its side, and every Israeli concession has inspired escalation by the Palestinians and others.

I could add two other points: thinking it possible to "solve" the internal situation in Iraq, and expecting that radical Islamists can be reconciled to Western interests.

What do all these things have in common? Not looking at how the interests and ideas of extremists direct them; wishful thinking that concessions and empathy can resolve real conflicts, and so on.

Now ask yourself this question: With so much effort going into guaranteed failures, is it surprising that there are so few successes?

Something to Think About

First we dehumanize you then we can kill you. Read story here.

Guess who's Threathing to deport Palestinians

You won't be reading much about this in the mainstream press, because it doesn't involve Israel.

A Middle Eastern government has announced that it is considering a plan to deport untold thousands of Palestinians from their homes, forcibly uprooting them and compelling them to leave. It won't be the first time this government has threatened such a move – in fact, back in 1995, it carried out those threats, and sent numerous Palestinians packing. But you won't be reading much about this in the mainstream press, nor will you hear nary a peep of protest from much of the left and its sympathizers over the cruelty and brutality of such a move. And that's because the government in question believe it or not is Libya, which views this as a form of protest against the policies of the new Palestinian Authority (PA) government. In fact, the PA is so concerned about the possible Libyan move, that PA Minister for refugee affairs Dr. Atef Adouan went public on the issue, telling the London-based newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi this, "We hope that the Libyan leadership will act wisely and with patience. Deporting the Palestinians from Libya would cause greater suffering to the Palestinian refugees. Full story here.

Religious Persecution in Israel

The arrest of a Messianic Jewish evangelist in Israel reflects the strife that often confronts Messianic Jews despite Israel’s guarantees of religious liberty and without any repercussion from law enforcement officials, the leader of a Messianic congregation told Baptist Press.

Messianic evangelist Eddie Beckford was arrested outside his business, the Chess and Bible Shop in Arad, after a mob of ultra-Orthodox Haradim Jews surrounded his van in the parking lot and beat him Feb. 25. “In general over the years here in the south in the Negev, in Arad and in Beer Sheva, there has been some form of harassment or persecution,” Howard Bass, leader of the Nahalat Yeshua congregation in Beer Sheva, said.

Groups of ultra-Orthodox Jews seem to have a difficult time accepting the fact that some Jews would believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that they would want to evangelize other Jews, Bass said. So those anti-Messianic groups work to stop the people they consider “missionaries” through various degrees of persecution. “In Arad, for instance, for almost three years they have been hounding the believers there at their services, in front of their homes,” Bass, an American Jew with Israeli citizenship, said. Full story here.

House Bids 'Aloha' to Constitution

The House leadership, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and company, is moving forward with bills that undermine the U.S. Constitution. In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a ruling that would have given native Hawaiians "sovereignty." New legislation that would have a similar effect has been quietly introduced under the name "Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act." The bill could lead to exempting Hawaiians from the Constitution and allowing them to create their own race-based government. A second proposal, which would give the District of Columbia its own representative in the House, has come under fire from the White House for being "unconstitutional." The measure has already passed through two House committees and Pelosi vows to secure the bill's approval on the floor. Finally, as if there weren't enough hot air in Congress this week, Al Gore is paying a visit to Capitol Hill to offer his flawed research as grounds for U.S. climate change legislation. He was invited to testify before a joint subcommittee despite the fact that scientists are increasingly critical of his methods and conclusions.

The War over the War Rages On

In the four years since coalition troops first invaded Iraq, it has become painfully obvious that some Americans have short memories and even shorter attention spans. While our brave men and women risk their very lives for freedom, some at home have grown weary of the fight. In their impatience, they have lost sight of what our troops have sacrificed to bring security to America and freedom abroad.

Terrorists have been captured, dictators have been defeated, cities have been secured, and elected governments have been established. Still, many Americans are quick to say that this is not our war. In the face of fearless extremists who seek our destruction, they have forgotten that this is not just a war of weapons but a clash of moral visions and world views.

Popular or not, this is a long-term battle against radical Islam not only for Middle East democracy but for American survival. Bringing our soldiers home will not end the fight against terrorists, it will merely relocate it. As President Bush said today, "It can be tempting to look at the challenges in Iraq and conclude that our best option is to pack up and go home. That may be satisfying in the short run, but I believe the consequences to American security would be devastating... For the sake of the American people, we cannot allow this to happen." This message was echoed by thousands who gathered this weekend to support our troops and counter the latest anti-war protest.

Despite boasting that they would attract 100,000 or more, liberal organizers only mustered a group equal to, if not slightly smaller than, those who rallied on behalf of the war. As The Washington Post reports it, "Much of the passion was supplied by thousands of counter-demonstrators." Veterans from across the country traveled to the nation's capital, in part to protect the monuments from the vandalism that occurred during the January march. That effort, thankfully, succeeded. Above all, our disagreements must remain civil.

Defend--Not Defund!

As part of a bill to supplement the Iraq war effort, a group of liberal congressmen seized on the emergency legislation as an opportunity to fund "emergency" contraception. Led by Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), who has avowed pro-life views, the measure would have lowered the cost of birth control pills to groups like Planned Parenthood.

Ryan, one of a handful of Democrats who campaigned on the life issue, vowed to find some vehicle to pass the measure. Fortunately, the GOP leadership, working with outside groups like Family Research Council, argued that the proposal was entirely irrelevant in "must-pass" legislation and had it removed from the bill.

Unfortunately, a host of unrelated earmarks managed to squeak past the bill's mark-up, including $74 million for "peanut storage costs," $25 million for "spinach growers," and 18 others, which are posted on www.frc.org.

A broader resolution in the Senate, which affirmed that Congress should not cut off or reduce funds to American troops, passed 82-16. That 16 U.S. Senators would vote to endanger our troops as they protect these leaders' very lives is abhorrent. To see the list of those who voted unconscionably to defund our soldiers in wartime, click here.

Remembering Bowie Kuhn

Yesterday saw the passing of Bowie Kuhn, the commissioner of baseball from 1969-1984, one of the most tumultuous (and prosperous) eras in the history of the sport. Kuhn was committed both to the integrity of the game and to its expansion, traits that left him in conflict with many of the game's most interesting characters, like Charlie O. Finley the owner of the Oakland A's and George Steinbrenner owner of the Yankees, but ultimately left him with the respect of them all. What is less well-known is Kuhn's lifelong commitment to family values and the sanctity of human life. He served in leadership roles for various nonprofit entities that foster these enduring values.

Send Out the Clowns

If liberal judicial activism were ever put on trial, the foolish decisions of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (sometimes referred to as the Ninth Circus) would be Exhibit A.

An editorial in today's Wall Street Journal notes that the Supreme Court has reviewed eight decisions by the Ninth Circuit in its current term--and has overturned all eight. The cumulative vote of the justices against the Ninth Circuit's positions is an astronomical 67-5. This gives hope that the Supremes will overturn another absurd Ninth Circuit ruling handed down Friday.

The Contra Costa County (Calif.) Library makes meeting rooms available to the public for "educational, cultural and community related" activities but forbids their use for "religious services." A district court judge overturned this blatantly unconstitutional policy, but a Ninth Circuit panel overruled that decision, and now the full court has refused to hear an appeal.

The judges argue that "mere religious worship" is entitled to less protection under the First Amendment than is secular speech or religious speech other than worship. The dissenting judges declared that "the majority has disregarded equal access cases stretching back nearly three decades." It's no wonder that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told Dr. James Dobson last week in a radio interview that he favors abolishing the Ninth Circuit altogether.

The New Anti-Semitism

In the last few days of the Third Reich, in a bunker beneath the Chancellery, Adolf Hitler began writing his final will and testament. In it, he made this chilling prediction: "Centuries will pass, but out of the ruins of our towns and cultural centers, the hatred will renew itself against those ultimately responsible … international Jewry." Hitler was wrong. It didn't take centuries; it took less than sixty years for anti-Semitism to once again find a place in Europe and the Middle East. From the burning of synagogues, the desecration of cemeteries to Jews being beaten on the streets of Paris, Antwerp, and London, anti-Semitism has become a daily occurrence in our lives. Who would have believed, for example, that it would take only six decades for a president of a member state of the United Nations to have the audacity to call for the destruction of Israel, label the Holocaust a myth, and host a revisionist conference of Holocaust deniers. Even worse, that Ahmadinejad could do all this without suffering any consequences – that no one would even walk out of the hall in protest. Read full story here.

Teen Mania: Breaking the Sound Barrier

Ron Luce at Teen Mania is challenging America's youth to follow Jesus Christ and become cultural warriors for Him through BattleCry events all over the country. Last year the San Francisco Board of Supervisors actually issued a formal resolution condemning the BattleCry event.

This year city officials are using the bureaucracy to harass Teen Mania. Last week the city entertainment commission issued a decree that prohibited the use of the San Francisco Giants' stadium sound system before 10 a.m. Despite the fact that the stadium hosts concerts and ballgames year-round at every time of the day and night, San Francisco has found the limit of its tolerance in BattleCry's morning worship service. City officials are working overtime to dampen what has proven to be a life-changing, health-promoting rally for the nation's youth.

Thanks to the intervention of a local radio station, KFAX AM 1100, which offered to broadcast the service, kids will be able to join in the praise and worship through their personal radios. In hopes of reversing the city's decision, the American Center for Law and Justice has intervened and is considering legal action. The city of San Francisco may pride itself on its "diversity" and "tolerance" but it apparently draws the line on tolerance when it comes to Christians.

The Wrong Impression

Former Sen. John Edwards has turned his attention to wooing voters of faith a feat made more complicated by his recent refusal to fire two anti-religion bloggers. Though the controversy died when the women left of their own accord, Edwards is still trying to carve a niche among evangelicals.

In a discussion with beliefnet's David Kuo, Edwards was asked what parts of American life he thought would outrage Jesus. He responded, "Our selfishness... I think that Jesus would be disappointed in our ignoring the plight of those around us... what we're doing about [poverty]."

An examination of conscience is always a good idea, but Edward's broad assertion about American "selfishness" deserves scrutiny. In fact, as Arthur Brooks notes in his book Who Really Cares, one of the best things that could happen in the fight to reduce poverty would be for Americans to become more religiously conservative.

The reality is that of religious conservatives, secular conservatives, religious liberals, and secular liberals, "religious conservatives are the most likely to give away money each year (91%)." Brooks goes on to write, "Religious people are, inarguably, more charitable in every measurable way. Meanwhile people deeply embedded on the political left are usually not part of a 'culture' of giving." Edwards' claim that the U.S. has turned its back on the poor and destitute is deeply misleading. "Approximately three out of four families make charitable donations each year... [or] up to about a quarter trillion dollars per year," Brooks says. Simply being more vocal about the poor doesn't mean one is more likely to donate his own money to do something about it.

Poll Position

At the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), every GOP presidential candidate but Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) tried to stake a claim for conservative support.

The results of CPAC's presidential straw poll indicate that voters are grappling to find candidates whose platform addresses both the crisis abroad and the dilemmas at home. Of 1,705 registrants, 21 percent backed former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.) for President. Rudy Giuliani, who was given a prime-time slot at the event, came in second-place with just 17 percent of the vote. Senator Sam Brownback received 15%.

The poll also surveyed conservatives for their opinion on what the government's priorities ought to be. Half responded that "their most important goal is to promote individual freedom by reducing the size of government." However, what voters considered the second biggest concern wasn't national security or immigration, but "promoting traditional values by protecting marriage and the life of the unborn."

Although attendees deemed marriage and life priorities, CPAC organizers did not. Neither issue was highlighted during the three-day conference. These results are indicative of the greater divide in the GOP. Contrary to what pundits said in the aftermath of the 2006 election, values voters are still a force to be reckoned with. This is even more evident in the CPAC split over the 2008 conservative front runner. Social conservatives are looking for a Commander-in-Chief who will provide bold leadership in tackling both the internal threats brought about by social decay and the external threats posed by radical Islamists.

Marriage Leads to Prosperity

The Washington Post reported yesterday on statistics which show that married couples have higher incomes than single people or cohabiting couples, and that children raised by married couples are less likely to live in poverty than children raised by single or cohabiting parents. This should come as no surprise. What is surprising is how the Post chose to spin this story. Instead of praising marriage as a ticket to prosperity, it seemed to lament the greed of those who wed, saying that the institution is "becoming the self-selected province of the college-educated and the affluent," a "luxury item" that is "helping to drive a well-documented increase in income inequality." When the Post says that "the marriage gap appears to be driven primarily by education and income," the cart is pulling the horse. Economic prosperity and educational advancement (especially for children) are driven by the decision to marry (before having kids) and staying married--not the other way around. The cost of the marriage license is the best investment most couples ever make.

The Goodbye Girl

Blaming conservative groups like Family Research Council for their "scorched earth campaign" against her, one of John Edwards' much- maligned bloggers has finally resigned. Amanda Marcotte posted a message yesterday saying that she was a victim of the "right wing noise machine." No word yet on whether her anti-religion cohort, Melissa McEwan, will follow suit.

On Religious Freedom, Justice Is Served

Stating that "nothing defines us more as Americans [than] our religious liberties," Attorney General Alberto Gonzales unveiled the Justice Department's "First Freedom Project" to the Southern Baptist Executive Committee in Nashville yesterday. His new Religious Freedom Task Force will step up enforcement of laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of religion and will educate churches on how to file complaints about violations of their rights. Kudos to Attorney General Gonzales for recognizing the ongoing threat to religious freedom and for taking firm steps to defend our "first freedom."

Jury Still Out on Defining the Unborn

In New Jersey, the abortion debate is taking an interesting twist the Alliance Defense Fund yesterday argued a case before the state's Supreme Court that could have important ramifications for the definition of a "fetus."

The story began when Rosa Acuna visited her doctor with abdominal pains and discovered she was pregnant. When she asked Dr. Sheldon Turkish if the "baby was already there," he responded, "Don't be stupid, it's nothing but blood."

Acuna proceeded to have an abortion but later regretted it when she learned that the "blood" was actually a developing baby. In 2004, Acuna sued the doctor for medical malpractice, arguing that she should have been informed that the fetus was a human being. Her case was originally dismissed, but an appeals court reversed the decision, declaring that a jury should decide what information a doctor must disclose to insure that the patient has given "informed consent" for an abortion.

Acuna's attorneys argue that a doctor should identify the baby as "a complete, separate, unique and irreplaceable human being." The decision will have important consequences, not simply for the state's doctors, but for framing the entire abortion debate.

Poor Hillary

Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton feels slighted by her Hollywood friends, who hosted a fund raiser for her opponent Sen. Obama. In true Clinton fashion she responded by lashing out at her friends. Read the whole story here.

Good Terrorists, Bad Terrorists

A sparkling afternoon on the White House lawn; the Jewish celebrity world was there, side-by-side with their Muslim cousins. The Israeli prime minister, a war hero, was shaking hands with one of the most despicable mass murderers of modern time, the man who ordered the torture, mutilation, and killing of hundreds of Israelis, as well as Americans (including soldiers and diplomats), Europeans, Canadians, etc.

But this mass murderer had reformed; he now wanted peace. And we believed it. For the next seven years, the fraud continued unabated - the PLO and its leadership encouraging and committing mass murder of Jews while preaching peace and brotherhood on CNN. And we believed it, shielding our eyes from the brightness of the exploding buses and baby strollers.

We went a step further than just believing - thinking that life must resemble theater, we created "good guys" from the murderers, hard though that may be, to distinguish from the "bad guys", believing the truism of the modern world that they can't be all bad. So, no matter what the "bad guys" did, we had to keep talking to the "good guys". And the stories would have been comical, if they were not so tragic. More on this story here.

Now can we end this charade?

Going into Monday’s three-way summit with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas, visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice admitted there was no evidence that the new “Palestinian” unity government was ever going to comply with international demands that it recognize Israel’s right to exist.

That being the case, wouldn’t now be the time to accept that the current Palestinian Arab leadership (Abbas and Hamas and everyone in-between) simply does not represent a viable peace partner for Israel? Wouldn’t now be the time to accept that the Oslo/Road Map peace process is a failure, and that we need some alternative options? Rice apparently feels that the answer to those questions is a resounding ‘NO’.

Despite the fact that even she now admits the “Palestinians” have a government that will never actually implement any peace deal it signs with Israel, Rice insists direct talks with the Abbas-controlled half of the PA must continue. Why? To what end?

Anglican Leaders Warn U.S. Churches to Straighten Up

While New Jersey's homosexual activists celebrate the legalization of same-sex unions, a conference of Anglican leaders convened to consider reinforcing biblical norms in the U.S. Episcopal Church.

In the clearest statement yet, the Anglican Communion is demanding that U.S. clergy stop blessing same-sex unions and ban the consecration of gay bishops by September 30. If the church does not comply, its relationship with the Communion will be "damaged at best."

Across the country, dozens of American parishes have already severed ties with the U.S. Episcopalians for violating scripture and consistent Christian teaching. Kudos to the global Anglican resolve to preserve the Christian understanding of marriage and human sexuality. For more on this story read here.

Dramatic Case for Life

Before the U.S. Supreme Court hands down its ruling on partial-birth abortion this spring, it should take note of the evidence of little Amillia Taylor.

After less than 22 weeks in the womb, Amillia was prematurely delivered to her Florida parents last October. A typical newborn is born after 37 to 40 weeks.

Barely the length of a ball-point pen at birth, Amillia was not expected to live. Now, five months later, she is scheduled for release from the hospital where doctors say her prognosis is excellent.

Expectant mothers are repeatedly told that the life within them is not a baby but a "blob of tissue." Advances in medical technology continue to move the point of viability, the point at which a baby can survive outside its mother's womb. This "blob of tissue" known as Amillia is taking regular feedings and will soon be sleeping in a normal crib.

While the Supreme Court routinely usurps the legislative branch of government and changes the law, it cannot change the facts. As this tiny baby testifies, life begins at conception--not birth. For more on this story read here.

Double Standards in Our Universities

Once again we can see that liberalism and anti-Christian sentiment is alive and well even in some of our oldest universities, what I'm going to relate next is taking place at William & Mary University, which used to be one of the most conservative universities in this country.

While William & Mary President Gene Nichol opposes the display of a cross in Wren chapel, he apparently is not offended by a display of campus cross-dressers. In a shocking move, America's second oldest college opened its doors to a "Sex Workers' Art Show," sponsored in part by the school's gay and lesbian club.

As part of its nationwide tour, the event included male, female, and drag strippers, escorts, and prostitutes "in various stages of undress" discussing subjects from employment to geopolitics.

William & Mary has been embroiled in controversy since Nichol ordered the removal of a 67-year-old cross from the campus chapel. In his defense, the president said that the display of the cross was an affront to students who practiced other religions. When students and alumni confronted Nichol about the invitation to host the sex workers, he responded, "I don't like this kind of show, but it is not the practice... of universities to censor or cancel performances because they are controversial." How, then, is it the school's practice to censor a religious symbol?

The outcry over this recent hypocrisy has prompted many alums to withhold their financial support. As for the cross, a graduate of the college's law school is filing a federal lawsuit to force William & Mary to restore it to the chapel.

You can read additional story on this subject here.

Privileged

Every once in a while we have the privileged of listening and learning from great people of God. Yesterday was one of those times for me. I had the privilege of sitting at a teaching given by Dr. Robert Foster. Dr. Foster was a guest speaker at my Church CCK.

Dr. Foster is an extraordinary man who has spent most of his life as a missionary to Africa. To be able to listen to the many anecdotes he has from his many years of service would be enough, but Dr. Foster is a man who is totally surrendered to God and in love with Him. He was an inspiration to me just to see him at his age (82) still talking about missions with such a joy. One thing he said really stuck to me, he said that to be a missionary you don't have to get on a plane and go to a far away place you just have to totally surrender your life to Jesus and let Him use you wherever you are. May God continue to bless this great man and may he continue to be an inspiration to many, I know he was to me.

Mecca Agreement

Palestinian leaders recently met in Mecca, Saudi Arabia to discuss how to curb fighting between rival Fatah and Hamas factions that has brought Gaza to the brink of civil war. At the meeting, representatives of the two groups came to an agreement—the "Mecca Agreement"—that calls for a ceasefire and requires the two groups to form a unity Palestinian government.

For some, this agreement raises hopes that a new Palestinian leadership coalition has emerged that may be willing to make peace with Israel. They argue that Hamas, the more radical of the two Palestinian groups, will now be forced to moderate its virulently anti-Israel positions.

The problem is that the Mecca Agreement does not require either Palestinian group to recognize Israel or renounce terrorism—two steps that are absolutely necessary for a lasting peace. How can Israel be expected to coexist with a neighbor whose founding document, the Hamas Charter, refers to the Jewish state as the "Zionist invaders" and declares that "Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it"?

From Hamas' standpoint, the Mecca Agreement is a "win-win" situation. It can retain its founding principles and, by clothing itself with a false air of respectability, possibly regain hundreds of millions of dollars in financial support from the West that was withdrawn nearly a year ago when Hamas first came to power.

Just how serious is Hamas about making peace? You can judge for yourself. Shortly after the Mecca Agreement was announced, one Hamas leader was quoted as saying, "Our battle with the Israeli enemy is still on…. We will be the spearhead of jihad … to defend Arab and Muslim nations."

These are not the words of someone interested in making peace. Quite the contrary. These words reflect the "heart of Hamas" and give testimony why past agreements and cease fires have been quickly broken. The fact is, no agreement will bring peace to this region of the Middle East until Palestinian leadership commits itself to ending terrorism and recognizing Israel's right to exist. And, until this happens, Israel has every right to remain skeptical and refuse to recognize the new Palestinian government.

Epicenter

I just finished reading Epicenter, my good friend Pedro Carrion recomend it to me and I am glad he did. The book was written by Joel Rosenberg a Jew who is also a believer in Jesus. Joel in this book analyzes events occurring in the Middle East from what he calls the third lense of Scriptures, in other words he studies the prophesies in the Bible and then applies them to what is happening in the middle East today. He especifically concentrates in the book of the prophet Ezekiel the 38 and 39 chapters. The book is well written and Mr. Rosenberg is a very knowlegeable man.

On a scale of one to five with five being the highest rating , I give the book a solid five. I recomend it to everyone whether Christian, Jewish or Muslim or even atheist, if you want to better understand what is going on in the Middle East and why, this is the book to read.

Christians in the Crossfire

In the Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 28, a 20-year-old man was shot through the heart and killed. He was the AWANA Club driver for Gaza Baptist Church. The next morning, a bullet stuck the home of another church member, barely missing his head.

On Friday, February 2, Fatah police broke into the church. They commandeered the six-story building to use as high ground to cover the main police station next door.

“The situation in Gaza is very dangerous,” says Pastor Hanna Massad. “We are not able to leave our homes much. We continue to hear shooting, especially at night. Streets are blocked. People are afraid and confused. It is the worst situation we ever went through, even more dangerous than any Israeli invasion.”

Gaza Baptist Church is the only evangelical church in Palestine’s volatile Gaza Strip. The believers are surrounded by nearly 2 million Muslims. Gaza is also the stronghold of the Hamas terrorist organization.

Despite the dangers, the church’s prayer team continues to travel house to house to strengthen and encourage believers. The congregation continues to minister to hundreds of impoverished Palestinian families in neighboring refugee cities.

That they remain in Gaza at all is amazing, in light of the massive flight of an estimated 1,000 people every week out of Iraq and the steady exodus of Christians from Palestine and Lebanon.

Equally as amazing is that, in the midst of the terror, bloodshed and chaos in Gaza, two young people in the church are preparing for fulltime ministry.

“I believe in the power of prayer,” Pastor Hanna wrote in a recent email message to friends in the West. “Please unite with us before the throne of God and pray that He will protect the believers in Gaza, that He will give me the strength and wisdom to minister to the church family at this difficult time and that He will give wisdom to the leaders in Gaza to stop this evil fight.”

Let's unite with this courageous godly man in prayer.

Slow Bleed

The Democrat strategy on Iraq is finally clear.

We've known all along that they want to cut and run before the job is done. But they've been afraid to confront President Bush directly. Yesterday, Democrat Rep. John Murtha let slip what he and Nancy Pelosi really intend to do, and it is genuinely frightening.

They call it their 'slow-bleed' plan. Instead of supporting the troops in Iraq, or simply bringing them home, the Democrats intend to gradually make it harder and harder for them to do their jobs. They will introduce riders onto bills to prevent certain units from deploying. They will try to limit the President's constitutional power to determine the length and number of deployments. They will attempt to keep the Pentagon from replacing troops who rotate out of Iraq. They may even try to limit how our troops operate by, for example, prohibiting our armed forces from creating and operating bases in Iraq.

'Slow-bleed' is exactly the right name for this incredibly irresponsible and dangerous strategy. Cutting and running is bad enough. But the Murtha-Pelosi 'slow-bleed' plan is far worse. It is a cynical and dangerous erosion of our ability to fight the terrorists while we still have men and women on the ground in Iraq. It will put their lives in far greater danger, as resources slowly dry up. How can our troops operate without bases? How can they fight without backup?

'Slow-bleed' cannot become law. Luckily, we have an opportunity to stop it. The Murtha plan depended on stealth. Now, however, the press has broken the story. And now we can act.

No Matter What

Last night I saw the movie Facing the Giants, I'm not going to get into reviewing the movie or talking about the acting or directing or the predictability of the plot, there has been a lot said by others already.

I will say that the movie had an awesome message of faith and trust in God. There was one question asked in the movie that really impacted me, the question was, would you love God no matter what? Now before you answer take a moment to really see the meaning of this question. Get alone with God and ask the question again and analyze all the implications of it. Would you still love God if you loose your job. If you are a parent would you still love God if something happens to one of your children. If you are married would you still love God if your partner leaves you or if something terrible happens. Would you still love God if the doctor tells you that something is drastically wrong with you. I could go on and on but you get the point.

So you see the question is not as simple as it seems. I don't mind telling you that I struggled with this question last night, all I could do was go to my knees and pray to God that He will give me the strength and the courage to always love Him no matter what.

The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 6:5 that we must "and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength". This we can't do on our own we need Him to help us apply this verse no matter what.

Free Pancakes

Here is a message that my good friend David sent me.

International House of Pancakes, a valued Bunge customer, is asking people to join them in celebrating National Pancake Day and supporting a good cause.

On Tuesday, February 20, 2007, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., IHOP will give customers one free short stack of their famous buttermilk pancakes. All IHOP asks is that customers consider making a donation to support the Children's Miracle Network or other local charities.

In 2006, IHOP raised $340,000 for charity on National Pancake Day. In 2007, they hope to give away enough free pancakes to raise $500,000.

Saying Yes to Self-Control

While House liberals tinker with an Iraq Resolution that offers free advice but no solution, the President has made progress on another front by refusing to cave on abstinence in his administration's final two years.

In his 2008 budget, he proposes a $28 million increase for abstinence programs without boosting funds for value free sex education. If the measure succeeds, the government's commitment to abstinence programs would reach an unprecedented $191 million. Although many believe the idea will be dead-on-arrival in the new Congress, it does suggest that the White House is willing to fight on issues that affect the family. If the new Congressional majority was sincere on its promise to reach out to the faith and family community, they should have no problem in supporting the President.

Blogotry is OK?

Former Sen. John Edwards says he is offended by the vile posts of his presidential campaign's two anti faith bloggers, but apparently not enough to fire them. Edwards defends his decision to retain Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan in a press statement. "I talked personally to the two women who were involved. They gave me their word they, under no circumstances, intended to denigrate any church or any body's religion, and offered their apologies for anything that indicated otherwise. I took them at their word."

Given the level of obscenity and vituperation in the women's words, Edwards should have taken them to the woodshed instead. When actor Isaiah Washington slandered a homosexual, he was institutionalized. When Mel Gibson lashed out against the Jewish community in a drunken tirade, he became a Hollywood outcast.

Marcotte and McEwan are being allowed to blog on in Edwards' name. Edwards said, "That kind of intolerant language will not be permitted from anyone on my campaign." What he does not say is why it was acceptable to utter such language in the recent past

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in his Own Words

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's anti-Semitic and anti-Israel views place him and the Iranian regime among the foremost threats to Jews and the state of Israel. Read full story here.

The Three Greatest Threats to Israel in 2007

Anyone who cares about Israel wants to know if her Arab and Muslim neighbors will ever recognize the right of the Jewish state to exist—and whether or not there will come a time when Israel's people will be allowed to live in peace.

Given the news coming out of the Middle East in recent months, it is hard to be optimistic about the prospects for peace. The three volatile situations I describe below—which most Israeli leaders agree pose the greatest challenge and danger to Israel's future—will help you understand why I believe 2007 will be a watershed year for both Israel and America.

Iran is the greatest threat facing Israel and the world today. This Muslim fundamentalist state provides weapons and money to terrorists throughout the Middle East, including Hamas in the Palestinian territories, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and groups murdering civilians and attacking American soldiers in Iraq. The Iranian president has not backed away one inch from his hateful anti Israel, anti Western rhetoric, and continues his country's aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons, in defiance of the international community.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah is struggling to attain more power, leading supporters in violent protests against the government and clashing with rival Sunni Muslims. United Nations' forces charged with enforcing the ceasefire that ended last summer's Hezbollah-Israel war have stood by as Hezbollah rearms and develops more lethal fighting capabilities.

While a Hezbollah takeover in Lebanon would be a disaster for Israel, and would almost certainly mean war on a large scale, maintaining the status quo is not a recipe for peace either: in a recent appeal for an end to sectarian strife in his country, the Lebanese Prime Minister reminded warring factions that they must save their energy for fighting "the real enemy"—meaning Israel.

Scores of Palestinians—including children and other innocent bystanders—have been killed, and hundreds more injured in Gaza during the past few months of bitter fighting between rivals Fatah and Hamas. The likelihood that a true Palestinian partner for peace will emerge from the bloody battle is slim to none. Several "ceasefires" between Fatah and Hamas have been broken, and fighting has begun to spread to the West Bank.

Meanwhile, rockets fired from Gaza by Palestinian terrorists continue to fall on Israeli cities such as Sderot, and suicide bombers—like the one that murdered 3 Israelis last week in the southern city of Eilat continue to enter Israel from the region.

There are few "good" options for addressing these threats. With none of her Arab and Muslim neighbors interested in making peace, Israel will be forced for the foreseeable future to maintain and even increase spending on defense, even though it is likely to come at the additional expense of social programs that benefit Israel's poor and needy.

Christian Persecution Alive and Well

If you do not think that Christians are being persecuted in the United States and Canada, think again. Read this article that my good friend Berny sent me and you will see. A country that was founded on religious tolerance no longer tolerates religion.

Renewing Our Minds

Today during my devotions I came across a verse that I read many times before, the verse is in the book of Romans 12:1-2 and it says: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What would it be like if we took these verses to heart and made them our own? What would the world think if every follower of Christ made such a radical commitment to living each day as if Christ himself were shining his love through us? as if nothing on earth mattered except discovering a complete and unbroken communion with the Father?

Perhaps that’s what Paul had in mind when he encouraged us to no longer conform to the “behavior … of this world,” but to instead let God transform us by “changing the way [we] think” (Romans 12:2 ).

In a word, he was telling us to surrender. To give up. To change—not only our way of thinking but also our way of living. To allow the Holy Spirit to mold and shape us until our heart and mind are wholly devoted to the things of God. Sound a bit radical? That’s because it is. But does Jesus deserve any less?

A Culture of Death

The family of the terrorist bomber that carried out the latest attack in Israel said that they are proud of what he did. Read full story here.

The ERA: IT Serves You 'Rights'

Instead of lobbying for special rights in the face of growing opposition, the Left is promoting legislation that would quietly usher in their agenda through the back door at the state level.

Arkansas is facing a powerful challenge by anti-family groups lobbying for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which, until recently, was a largely irrelevant piece of feminist propaganda dating back to the early 1970s. Now, state Rep. Lindsley Smith (D) is dusting off the amendment in a campaign to "protect women," when in fact, the U.S. Constitution already does so. Smith is pushing her state to ratify the ERA, which seeks not to end discrimination, injustice, or chauvinism, but to undermine motherhood, traditional sexuality, and innate gender differences.

The ERA specifically states that there can be no discrimination based on "sex," language which has since been used in the courts as an argument to legalize same-sex marriage in such states as Maryland, Hawaii and New Mexico. Now the Left, desperate to find some way around public opposition to homosexual marriage, hopes to revive the amendment under the guise of "female oppression." As the state's Republican Assembly points out, the ERA is problematic because it surrenders more rights than it confers. If approved, the ERA could forfeit: women's rights by requiring them to serve in the military; voters' rights by allowing the courts to interpret whether the ERA nullifies the state's marriage protection amendment; and the right to life by requiring the state to pay for abortions as it would for any other "medical procedure."

Welcome to Palestine

In the world of international diplomacy few issues receive more wall-to-wall support than the notion that it is essential to establish a Palestinian state. Leaders worldwide are so busy speaking of how essential it is for a State of Palestine to be founded that none of them seems to have noticed that it already exists. Read the story here.

Leftist Group Seeks To Use ‘God Talk’ To Lure Christians To Democrat Party

A two-year-old public relations firm called “Common Good Strategies” is working behind the scenes to help Democrats convince Christians that they should vote for Democrats of “faith.” Read the story here.

No Guarantees

I wrote in an earlier post that I would be sharing some of my thoughts relating to my hospital stay, well here it goes.

One of the things that became real to me was the fact that we are not guaranteed our next breath or tomorrow for that matter. Yes I know that I have heard this a thousand times, but like I said it really became real to me at the hospital, especially during the time when the doctors were trying to find out what was wrong with me. All I could think of was that I wanted the pain to go away. I would ask the nurses to tell me what was wrong and all I would get was the polite answer of "you'll be alright". Well I knew I wasn't alright I mean I had a fever of 102.7, my head felt like it was going to explode, and my back felt like I was constantly getting stabbed. Yet no one could tell me what was happening. Finally one of the doctors told me that I had a pretty acute kidney infection, great I thought now they can fix it, not so fast, for you see they knew what I had but they couldn't find the medicine to kill it. So there I was I felt like a guinea pig because they kept trying all kinds of medicines and nothing would work. In the meantime I kept getting worse, and I started thinking that I may not make it. I also started thinking of all the things that I had planned to do and all the things that I wanted to say to those I love. You see I'm a person that likes to plan and there is nothing wrong with planning, but let's not let the planning get in the way of living life to the fullest which is how God wants us to live.

So, if there is a phone call you have been meaning to make, make it today, if you want to tell someone you love them do it today don't wait till tomorrow for tomorrow may never come. If you need to forgive someone forgive them now, today. But most important if you need to get right with God do it now, remember we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34

Super Sunday

As I write this the super bowl game just finished, and the Indianapolis Colts are the new champions. It wasn't the best superbowl game that I have seen but it was entertaining. The Colts dominated totally, and Peyton Manning had a great game and now the monkey is off his back all the critics that said he couldn't win the big game will now have to look for someone else. I think they already have the next victim in Rex Grossman the bears quarterback, I've been an apologist for Rex the past few weeks, but tonight he was exposed, he played a terrible game, I won't say that he caused his team the game but he sure was a contributing factor.

Anyways, the best part of the whole game was the trophy presentation, to see the owner and the coach of the Colts give all the honor and glory to God, how awesome is that. Well another football season is over and all we can do is wait till the next season starts and hope that our favorite teams will make it to the biggest football game of all. Congrats to the Colts.

I'm Back

I know I haven't posted for awhile, but I've been out of comission with an infection that took me to the hospital. I'm happy to say that I'm feeling better now and I think that the worst is over, so I'm back. Since my good friend Berny has encouraged me to post about it, you guys will be reading about some of my experiences and how I managed to get through them. All I got to say for now is that once you have health and start taking it for granted is hard when it gets taken away from you. I'm 46 years old and have always boasted of having great health so this episode was really a wake up call for me, however, the Lord was with me the whole time and I really felt His presence. I'm also humbled and grateful for the amount of friends and even strangers that were praying for me during this time, to you guys I say thank you and that I truly felt your prayers.

As I write this I still have to go back to the doctor for more tests and to make sure that the infection is totally gone, I am encouraged by reading psalm 27 which says:
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The LORD protects me from danger—
so why should I tremble?

So as I wait I can rest easy in knowing that my God is looking out for me.