Berenstain Bears Co-Creator Dies

Stan Berenstain, who authored the Berenstain Bears books along with his wife, Jan, died at the age of 82. They co-authored their first book in 1962. They developed the series with the well known "Dr.Seuss", Theodor Geisel, the then head of Random House. The object was to teach the kids to read while entertaining them. And, they did a great job! My children grew up on Berenstain Bears and Dr. Seuss.

The couple met and started drawing together in 1941 at Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art. They married right after Stan got out of the World War II-era Army service. They first did cartoons, which were submitted to magazines, and later to The Saturday Evening Post, McCall's and Collier's. Their sons joined them later, and the latest books are collectively "The Berenstains".

Linked to Adam's Blog -Pick The President Open Trackback #3

Abortion Aftermath

We hear about abortion issues all the time. But, we never hear the other side - what happens when abortion doesn't work, and babies are born alive. The idea that a baby is born breathing, heart beating, and then something is done to kill them is horrible!

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which regulates methods of abortion, has also mounted its own investigation.

Its guidelines say that babies aborted after more than 21 weeks and six days of gestation should have their hearts stopped by an injection of potassium chloride before being delivered. In practice, few doctors are willing or able to perform the delicate procedure.

How can a Mother face abortion, knowing that her child may be born alive, and then be killed by the Doctor? For that matter, how can anyone who has carried a child in their womb stand to abort it? Is there no feeling attached to the Mother? Has she lost her God-given ability to feel the emotions that set in on her, at the first move? In fact, I was moved to 'love' the child the moment that I found I was pregnant! There is nothing on earth that would have convinced me to abort that baby!

I don't think that we have the right to abort a baby. God has given us the ability to conceive (we are to replenish the earth), yet so many decide (1) they aren't ready for pregnancy, (2) they made a mistake outside of marriage or adultery, (3)the baby has downs syndrome or some other disease, or (4) is malformed. But, whatever the case, God gives us the ability to handle these things, IF we are faced with them. I've seen so many downs syndrome children that are perfectly adorable, live good lives, and bring pleasure to their parents. And, if we don't want to be pregnant, then do something about it BEFORE getting pregnant, not after.

Abortion-on-demand is allowed up to 24 weeks in Britain. A baby can be born breathing and crying at 19 weeks.

“If a baby is born alive following a failed abortion and then dies (because of lack of care), you could potentially be charged with murder,” said Shantala Vadeyar, a consultant obstetrician at South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, who led the study.

An investigation of data has shown that probably 50 or more babies are born alive, after an attempt at abortion. And, there may be many more we don't know about. Many go on to lead productive lives. But, what do they feel about the parent who tried to abort them? God had a purpose in life for these unwanted babies, and He saw to it they lived to carry out that purpose.

HT: Right Equals Might: Monsters, Inc.

Tags| Abortion,

Supreme Court Falling Apart

But, it has nothing to do with the Justices on the bench. It has everything to do with the structure that houses them, though. Seems that a large chunk of marble fell from the facade and shattered into about 40 pieces. It was part of the molding that serves as a frame for the sculptured figures.

A spokesperson said that the building had been inspected just 2 years ago. There is a $122 million renovation going on at the old Supreme Court building. But, it's unsure if this had anything to do with the falling marble.

Visitors had just gone under the structure, when the pieces fell. They were going in to try and get seated for an argument going on in the Supreme Court today. Nobody was hurt by the falling marble.

Tags| Supreme Court, Marble

Will Your Church Be Closed For Christmas?

I can't remember when Christmas was last on Sunday. Frankly, I can't remember church ever being called off because Christmas Day fell on Sunday. But, this year, December 25th does fall on Sunday, and most churches will be closed. I have no idea what we will be doing on that day. I do know that we will have a Candelight Communion service on the Friday night before Christmas.

Christmas Day does seem to be a 'family day', although Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on that particular day. Why not open up and have at least a late morning service for those who want to attend? The Church could be fuller than it was the Sunday before! There may be those just wanting to 'find Jesus', and looking for a church to attend.

Well friends, it seems the church is spiritually dozing off once again; because if you haven't yet noticed, food, family, fun and fellowship have now become the new measure of all things Christian; and beginning this Christmas, officially more important than gathering on Sunday to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth.

It seems 'fellowship' has become more prevalent in our churches these days than has the Word of God. Frankly, I'd rather skip singing, after Sunday School, and go right to the meat - the sermon, which is always enriching at our church! Hopefully, there will be at least one meeting on Christmas Day in which to observe the birth of our Savior, Christ Jesus!

Tags| Christmas, Jesus, Savior, Church, Fellowship

The Reason For The Season

What is your reason for the season? As John, at Blogotional says, “It celebrates that which I decide it celebrates.” What a true statement!

Lot of the big stores across the country, including WalMart, Target, and Lowe’s, are becoming politically correct. In order not to offend anyone, they have decided to take Christ out of Christmas. You cannot say “Merry Christmas” to the customers, but you say “Happy Holidays”. And, the Christmas tree is no longer called a Christmas tree. Most Christmas music you hear in the Malls will not be Away In A Manager, or other loved Christmas songs, but you’ll hear secular songs instead. In other words, Christ has been removed, put ‘under a bushel’, in order not to offend. Well, it does offend many Christians!

But, I’ve decided, whether the world recognizes the reason for the season or not, Christ is the reason we are here. I can choose to keep my focus on Him during the holidays, or I can get caught up in all the hullabaloo that goes along with the shopping at this time of year. Oh, I love to shop, but keep it in perspective. This time of year has become so commercialized that people, even Christians, become depressed, anguished, and mean over the inability to keep up with the Joneses’, when it comes to buying things to put under the tree. The stores push this along by having early morning sales. And, this year, one Mall in our area opened at 3AM, in order for those nighttime shoppers to get there and buy what they wanted before the crowd came in. We need to get a handle on spending, get back to the ‘basics’ of the season, which is Christ, the Saviour is alive!!

Linked at Conservative Cat - Trackback Festival

Tags| Christ, Season, Christmas

Text Messaging Gets Teenager In Trouble

I am one of those who thinks cell phones have gotten a little too much on them, such as cameras and text messaging. And, it has come to haunt a teenager, who was text messaging on his cell phone, while driving!

The teenager from Highlands Ranch, CO, hit a cyclist while trying to send a text message on his cell phone. The Sheriff's Department doesn't think it was intentional, just 'inattentiveness' to the road. But, by Colorado law, this mistake could cost him a year in jail, if he's charged with careless driving resulting in death. The cyclist, Jim R. Price, died two days later.

Price's wife says she's not angry with the teen. She thinks he made a stupid mistake. But, her husband had been hit by a car, while cycling 2 years ago, on a bike path. And, he had been very careful of cars since.

Off To A New Start

The Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, which has been closed since Hurricane Katrina, re-opened on Friday. The people were all teary-eyed, when they started in the zoo. It's a very sad time for the city, a city without families, or children right now.

The zoo had to lay off 600 workers, after Katrina. They lost 2 otters, a racoon, and 2,000 trees. But, the rest of the animals are in good shape.

The Aquarium of the Americas in the French Quarter, also run by the Audubon Society, was not as lucky as the Audubon Zoo. It lost 10,000 animals. Also, they say that the Louisiana Nature Center may never open.

Tags| Zoo, New Orleans, Audubon Society, Katrina

Book Review: Brokenness by Lon Solomon

We fear brokenness, as a Christian, because of what it may bring. We fear it might be too hard, or our family might be involved, which is something most of us could not deal with. What we don’t understand is whatever God’s will is for our life, He will give us grace to face the trails we go through.

Lon Solomon, author of Brokenness: How God Redeems Pain And Suffering, shows us how God can work so much more through our lives, if we allow ourselves to be broken. It did not come easy for him. When God sent their daughter, Jill, into their lives, he said he was hit with confusion, self-deception, fear, and stubbornness. And, instead of realizing God was trying to work through his life with the trial of a child with disabilities, he ran away from it.

Our dependence upon God shows, when we are hit with such a devastating trial. We either run after God and His healing power, or we refuse to recognize it is brokenness God is trying to get us to embrace. We are denying the very power that would help us through our situation. We think we are all sufficient, until we find ourselves sort of behind the eight-ball, forced to recognize we are not as sufficient as human beings on our own as we thought. But God’s Word says, ‘my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ He may bring us to our knees in brokenness, but He will raise us in power, if we let Him.

When we allow ourselves to be broken before God, it becomes a more intimate relationship with the Father. We have put our full trust in Him, in that He can communicate with us much more. We notice a new sense of closeness with God. When life’s trials come, we can rest more assured that we can leave them with God, and He takes over.

Fanny Cosby wrote 'Safe In The Arms of Jesus'. This was a hymn among 8,000 more she was able to write through her intimacy with God. How much more effective could we be in serving God, our family, and our church, if we allowed ourselves to walk the path of brokenness, allowing God to fully work His plan for our lives? Solomon states, “If God gave me nothing out of brokenness except this deep and special intimacy with himself – this alone would make it all worth while.”

Solomon states that “a broken Christian discovers a new freedom to forgive people from the heart.” This spirit of God lets loose the supernatural freedom, something we don’t have through the fleshly realm. And, this brokenness changes how we relate to the world in all things.

Solomon noted that God makes no mistakes. He feels, given the choice of perfect health for his daughter or brokenness for him, that the answer would be to tell God to le it happen just as he chose to the first time around. He feels the “products were worth the process.” But, fleshly desires sometime over power the spirit within us. He is afraid, if God let him make the choice, he would have chosen health for his daughter, therefore missing out on what God had planned for his life. But, he feels that the past 12 years have been worth the process of brokenness.

Because of his daughter, Solomon’s church, McLean Bible Church is now among the leading churches in ministering to people with disabilities, especially children. And, the Church is now in the process of developing a Christ-centered, over-night respite center for children with disabilities. And, this would be the first in the states. This has come about because of his daughter.

One our most beloved hymns, ‘It Is Well With My Soul’, was written out of brokenness. Haritio Gates Spafford had sent his wife and four daughters to France ahead of himself. He had to attend to a business meeting, and was to follow them soon. But, before the ship had arrived in France, it was hit broadside during the night, which resulted in the death of all four of his daughters. As Spafford sailed to join his wife, he came across the spot where his daughters lost their lives, and the words of this song were penned. This hymn, which became a favorite quickly among the Christians, was written only through “painful loss and suffering.” It brought about a great brokenness in Spafford’s life, where God could work. His wife was spared her life, and dedicated the rest of her life to service for God.

Solomon gives each of us a challenge to pursue usefulness and power with God. He believes we must go through brokenness in order to be truly useful to God and significant in His hands. If we allow the process of brokenness to fully take over our life, become humble before God, the end product will be worth the hard process. It’s hard for us to imagine that with our mind. But, we have to keep our eyes fixed on God, fully trusting in Him, and God will bring us through our brokenness triumphantly!

Note: Brokenness by Ron Solomon was given to me by the Publisher, Red Door Press, as a free gift to reviewers.

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Tags| Book Reviews, Brokenness

I Wouldn't Change

I came across Dr.Bob's post, The Choice of Fools, and all the comments left there. He spoke lots about how age changes your life. I completely agree with him, that your perspective changes. What once seemed so important is no longer as important. You look back on your life lived,and realize that impressions made then seem far less impressionable than they did then. Life has changed, and changed for the better. Squabbles you may have had then seem like silly incidents that wouldn't have happened, had it been a 'now' scene. Life is too short to take on the heated discussions anymore, or try to be someone you aren't.

I commented to someone the other day how, as we grow older, time seems to get shorter. Yet, when you talk to young people, especially teenagers who are ready for 'life to begin', through their eyes, time is forever. But, as we age, we realize that isn't so. Today is gone and tomorrow seems to be here all too fast. What we do today makes our tomorrows either better or worse. We don't have time any longer to make the mistakes we made in our youth - no time to repair damages to relationships, since those people are also aging just as we are. When we put off 'what we can do today' until tomorrow - mending fences, building bridges, giving hugs and 'I love you's' to all, tomorrow may not come for us or for those with which we want to contact.

Within the post, Dr. Bob talks about an earlier post concerning prayer, where he got a comment from one who was a 'self-declared skeptic whose disdain for Christians and their faith is robust' . He was shown his 'flaws in logic' ..... don't we all have flaws? Aren't we all putting ourselves to the test, when we open our mouths and speak (touch the keyboard and begin to respond)? What is within our heart doesn't always come out of our mouths exactly how we are thinking, nor does it come out in print as we envisioned it would appear to others. Therefore, we do set ourselves up for comments that we might not have been ready for, when we made our statements.

But, with all that said, I wouldn't change. God gave me the ability to live life the way I wanted. He gave His Son to die on the cross for me, that I might see my sinful ways, and accept His free gift of Grace for salvation by faith. In all that I do, I want to please Him. To please man, would be nice, but we won't always please man, no matter how we try. We can be as honest as the days are long; yet, when trying to please man, it doesn't matter. Man will always find something to disagree or argue about, if we let him. So, I continue to live my life, as there was no tomorrow, yet planning like there is a 'lifetime' ahead. And, there is, if you believe in the hereafter. It's either heaven or hell - no matter what some may say. There are no other alternatives. Philippians 1:21 says, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But, for the unsaved, it is a different story.

Tags| Christ, Salvation, Prayer

It's Turkey Day Again!

If you are in the Central Time Zone or the East, then your turkey should be in the oven, almost done. This is my first year not to have Thanksgiving at my home in many years, back since my Mother got too old to hold it at her home. This year, it's my daughter's turn. And, she's baking the turkey, as well.

The protesters have come out in full force this year, against cruelty to the turkeys. I saw one from PETA on television yesterday, telling us that those 'little birds' are fed until they get so big, they can't breathe. Then, they are hauled off to the factory, where they are killed unmerciful, bleed to death, and scalded while still alive. They 'die a horrible death'. In other words, don't touch those birds! God didn't put them on earth for us to eat - just to feed and look at. Sure!

I don't know about you, but I'm enjoying my turkey today, along with all the trimmings - dressing, sweet potato pie, cranberry sauce, green beans, potato salad, pumpkin bread, a number of casseroles - green bean and a broccoli/rice one,and all the sweet tea I can drink. To top that off, my daughter made a chocolate cake! Let your tastebuds take that in, wipe the dribble from your mouth, and enjoy this wonderful Thanksgiving that God has so graciously blessed us with! Let us give Him Thanks that we are alive, healthy, and blessed beyond measure!

Tags| Thanksgiving,

Giving Thanks On Thanksgiving And Always

Thursday is Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks for all those blessings we have received throughout the year. But, I digress. Remember all the things you (and I) have complained about during the year? Did we once stop to think that God may have allowed those things to come our way to see how we would react? What did we do? Complain! And, scripture says for us to 'in every thing give thanks'.

Oh, I know it's almost humanly impossible to give thanks in every thing. I know I haven't. But, when we become humble, God can bless us. When we become humble before the Lord, then he's able to act on our behalf.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let us remember to thank God for all those blessings He has sent to us, all those He would have sent, had we obeyed Him, and all those blessings He still has in store for us. God is a God of more than enough, and He is ready to share with all those who will honor and obey.

I personally thank God for my family that is healthy, and blessed. I thank Him for the very breath I breathe, for the country I live in, and the freedom to worship Him today. I thank Him for waking up to a beautiful morning, the sun shining, the birds chirping, and the ability to see and hear all those wonderful things He has loaded us down with! He is so wonderful, loving, and deserving of all our praise and thanks!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Psalms 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Thanks to California Conservative for the Thanksgiving Trackback party.
Linked to Floating Trackback Festival at Conservative Cat

Tags| Thanksgiving, Thanks, God

32 More Days Until "Happy Holidays"

Sound ridiculous? It should! All those businesses who expect us to buy their products, while denying their employees the right to say Merry Christmas, should be ashamed! And, many of those businesses will be boycotted this Christmas season.

I was excited to be in one of those stores advocating "Happy Holidays" the other day, only to have one of the employees say to me, as I left, "Happy Thanksgiving" and quickly added, "and, Merry Christmas". I just smiled and said, "Thank you. You have a Merry Christmas, too." I don't know that anyone else heard her, but it sort of made my day!

I think this has become a 'politically correct' issue. It's no longer PC to acknowledge Christ in public - the removal of the manger scene and other things depicting a Christian Christmas season has become the norm these days. The secular world is taking over, and we Christians are letting them.

The businesses do not 'own' my voice. Therefore, when Happy Holidays is voiced to me, I'll answer with, "Merry Christmas", and go on my merry way. I'm sure to get a few of those said back to me, if their employer isn't in ear shot! I think most of the employees hate to have to resort to this sort of thing, during the busiest holiday of the year. Why not let the employees have a voice in what they say or do not say? What's the harm? Are they afraid someone is going to get offended?

By the way, they can remove 'Merry Christmas' from their speech, and have a 'Happy Holidays' theme. But, they can't take away the true meaning of Christmas for a Christian, nor can they remove the love of God from our hearts!

Linked at Conservative Cat - Floating Trackback Festival
Open Trackback Tuesday at Pursuing Holiness

Tags| Christmas, Christ, Holidays

Memories

Do you know where you were 42 years ago today? I can tell you exactly where I was, and what I was doing.

42 years ago, on November 22, 1963, President J.F.Kennedy was assassinated. I will never forget the day, since I was working at First National Bank, when they came in and told us the news. We immediately quit working, congregated in the Trust Department where I worked, and listened to the radio.

I had a date with my future husband that night. He was 22 years of age that day, waiting to go into the military. Many things have taken place since then (marriage, babies, grandchildren, deaths), but we have survived. Today is his birthday, and he's now 64 years of age.

Tags| JFK, Kennedy, Memories

Where Is Your Jesus?

Apparitions of Jesus, as many call them, have been appearing on very unusual things. For years, we've heard about different appearances of Jesus or Mary. Lately, there was the 'sighting' on a 50 year old walnut wardrobe. Now, there seems to have been another one on a flower pot! Where will Jesus be 'spotted' next?

This flower pot with the image of Jesus (?) was found on the island of Cozumel, at the Occidental Grand, after 200 guests emerged from their shelter after 3 days, after the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina. A receptionist first saw it, then others began to come and bring candles and worship before it. Now, it's sort of a 'shrine', roped off by a crimson cord strung between brass poles, with a single candle before it.

The Word says in Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. I believe anything that we 'bow down to' is our god. We should never worship before something such as a 'wall, wardrobe, or flower pot' that 'seems' to have the face of Jesus upon it. None of us know what Jesus looks like, so how would you know whom you are worshipping? The Bible says that satan is transformed as an 'angel of light'. And, he comes to steal, kill, and destroy whom he may!

God says in John 4:24 that God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The Spirit of the Lord dwells in all born-again believers. Why should be we looking for something else, i.e. images on wardrobes, walls, doors, flower pots, to bow down before and worship? HE is with us always!

Linked at Conservative Cat - Floating Trackback Festival
Blogging Outloud - Monday's Open Trackbacks
Third World County - Monday Open Post

Tags| Apparitions, Jesus, Spirit, Hurricane Katrina

Retailers Adjust to Katrina

WalMart has re-opened in Waveland, Mississippi. But, it's not like any other in the country. While plywood walls shield the rebuilding going on in the food department, pallets are stacked on the floors, containing mops and buckets, fans, and heaters. They are supplying things that are currently needed. As things progress, more things will be added to inventory. It uses only about 1/3 of the original size of the store. But, the store manager says that will change as the customers go from cleaning up to rebuilding. About 100 of the pre-Katrina 400 employees are now working at WalMart.

Along Highway 90, WalMart is the only store open, except for a fast-food restaurant and several convenience stores.

Best Buy in Gulfport, Mississippi, converted an old grocery store into a warehouse-type store. 81 days after Katrina, a Home Depot store opened in New Orleans. It uses only half the original size of the store, and houses only building materials and appliances.

Tags| Katrina, WalMart, New Orleans, Mississippi

If At First You Don't Succeed---

Try the mountains. This is what illegal immigrants are doing east of San Diego,California. The Otay Mountains are now one of the busiest areas along the border of California and Mexico.

The Border Patrol is now using helicopters and then putting patrols out on foot in the rugged mountain areas. Tens of thousands of illegals come across the border in the mountains every year.

Passings have been made more difficult in San Diego, California, and in El Paso, Texas, by increasing enforcement in these areas.

The illegal immigrants are taken into custody, but usually released to go back to Mexico and not face any fines or jail time.

One Mexican had been deported three times before. Another said he was a foot guide for the smugglers and was to be paid $200 a person. Neither met federal prosecution guidelines.

"That's what's so demoralizing," said Chuck Albrecht, the Air Mobile Unit's field operations supervisor. "You know a lot of them are just going to try again eight hours later."

When is something going to be done in order to stop these illegals from coming over our borders? Nothing seems to deter them; not even the threat of dehydration or death. It's as if, 'at first I don't succeed, I'll try, try, again.'

Linked to Conservative Cat - Floating Trackback Festival

Tags| Illegal Immigration, El Paso, San Diego, Mexico

From Madelyn Murray O’Hair To the King of Kings

Dan Wooding, founder of Assist Ministries, has a great article on the radical turn-around for broadcaster, Charlie Butts. Butts had booked O'Hair for years on talk shows so she could spread her hatred of God over the air waves. Today, Butts is the Religion Editor for USA Radio Network in Dallas, Texas.

Asked what he would do today, if O'Hair was alive, he said he would tell her he believed in God now, and 'could we have a talk?'.

Butt is also a born-again Christian. He knelt and gave his life to God 13 years ago. Right after he began going to church, he lost his job. A new owner of the radio station was firing 38 people, and he was the 38th person. But, shortly after that, he was called by USA Radio Network and was hired on the spot.

Linked at Conservative Cat - Floating Trackback Festival

Daily Life Of A Marine Mom

I just came across this Blog written by Tami, the Mother of Marine Eric, who is serving 7 months in Iraq. Go visit this Mom and read her posts. You'll find her son has always wanted to be a Marine, and he never deterred from that through out his life. Today, he's serving his country in Iraq while his Mom sits at home and encourages him, and blogs her feelings. Being a Mom, and knowing what my husband's Mother went through during his Vietnam stint, I am sure she worries about her son.What Mother wouldn't?

Tami also has links to other good Military blogs you might want to visit, as well.

Tags| Marines, Iraq,

Professor to Soldiers: Kill Officers In Iraq

Rebecca Beach, a freshman at Warren Community College in New Jersey, soon found out that not all professors are tolerant of beliefs contrary to their own.

Rebecca had worked hard to get decorated hero of the War on Terror Lt. Col. Scott Rutter to appear yesterday to discuss the progress being made in Iraq. She then innocently invited Professor John Daly. He responded with an email to her, telling her he was going to ask his students to boycott her event.

In response to her invite, Beach received this: "Real freedom will come when soldiers in Iraq turn their guns on their superiors."

Does this professor not realize he's asked soldiers to commit treason? He needs to apologize to all the men and women who are serving our country in Iraq, as well as to all their commanders! And, he needs to apologize to Rebecca for the way he has spoken to her.

President Austin, of Warren Community College, needs to take action against this professor. If you would like to write to him, his address is austin@warren.edu . If many people would email him, perhaps he would be forced to do something about this professor and others who may think it's perfectly okay to attack young freshman females who don't hold to their views.

And, here is more venom spewing from the same professor's mouth!

HT: Freedom Folks: More Insanity From Professor Daly
Linked to Conservative Cat - Floating Trackback Festival

Tags| Iraq, Treason, Freedom, Tolerant,

Evolutionist/Creationist - ID QUIZ

Visiting over at HE LIVES blog, I ran across his quiz. I liked the topic, so I chose to take it. After all, David said it was 'just for fun'. So, here's my results:

You are a young-earth creationist.


What Type of Evolutionist/Creationist Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Ralph Edwards, Host of This Is Your Life, Dies at 92

Ralph Edwards, famous broadcasting pioneer, died in his home on Wednesday, of heart failure. He first made it big in 1940 with Truth Or Consequences on the radio. That show later went to television in 1941. When we went to World War II, that interrupted the television shows, and Truth or Consequences didn't come back to television until 1950.

Earlier that year, Edwards had promised to broadcast the Truth or Consequences show from whatever town agreed to change it's name. Hot Springs, N.M., in a vote 1,294 - 295, voted to change their name. Edwards said he went back to Truth or Consequences, N.M. many times, over the years.

Besides changing the name, townspeople made Edwards an honorary member of the Sheriff's Posse. The name continues a half-century later. Periodic efforts to reverse the change failed.

"I am truly proud of my namesake city and have enjoyed a wonderful association throughout the years," he said.

Edwards' wife, Barbara, died in 1993. They had been married for 53 years. They have one son, and two daughters. The memorial service for Edwards will be December 1st.

Linked at Conservative Cat - Floating Ping Festival

How to stop Hollywood and Congress from trampling on your constitutional rights

How to stop Hollywood and Congress from trampling on your constitutional rights by ZDNet's David Berlind -- Earlier today, I wrote a blog entry entitled The day the broadcast died. It talks about how the RSS subscription protocol has been married to TV programming in a way that could completely disintermediate the current channels of TV program distribution. In response, you should expect the entertainment industry to pursue every avenue at its [...]

HT: The Up And Down Times

Tags| Constitution, Congress, Hollywood

Tidbits of History for November 10

The first state to nullify an act of Congress can be found at this site.

The Touch-tone phone was introduced by A T & T.

Updated Information On Adrian Pierce Rogers

You will find information on AdrianRogers.org concerning the memorial service for Dr. Rogers. Also, you can either email or phone in your reflections on Dr. Rogers. The family would love to hear from you.

You can also find a article on Dr. Rogers by Michael Ireland at Assist News Service.

Opportunity For Evangelism By Swedish Pastor

Swedish Pastor Ake Green will answer to a 'hate crimes' charge on Wednesday which stems back to 2003. He was charged for preaching a sermon on homosexuality. Thomas Jacobson, representative to the United Nations by Focus on the Family, said the trial was seen on national television which gave him the chance to have his whole sermon plus his defense of that sermon aired.

This was unprecedented in the history of the Swedish government to have a whole trial televised. In his 45 minute speech, Pastor Green had the opportunity to declare truth and the gospel of Jesus Christ - the compassion and forgiveness that is available to everyone.

Pastor Green was convicted of a hate crime and sentenced by a district court to one month in prison on June 20, 2004 for preaching a sermon in which he said, “What these people need, who live under the slavery of sexual immorality, is an abundant grace. It exists. Therefore we will encourage those who live in this matter to look at the grace of Jesus Christ. We cannot condemn these people. Jesus never belittled anyone. He offered them grace.” (read the full sermon here: http://www.akegreen.com/sermon_transcript.htm)

If convicted again, Pastor Green could face up to 2 years in prison. He says that he wants to go to prison, not do community service, if convicted. He says this lifestyle is abnormal, and he should be able to say that.

HT: The Black Kettle

Does The Bible Command Us To Be A Member Of A Church?

A Missionary pastor to Mexico, Mitchell Muller, answers the question. He gives six reasons why we should be a part of a local church.

1. Being a member of a local church identifies me as genuine believer.
2. Being a member of a local church helps me to focus on others.
3. Being a member of a local church helps me to develop spiritual muscles.
4. Be a member of a local church because it needs me.
5. Being a member of a local church helps me to fulfill the mission of the church.
6. Being a member of a local church may help keep me from backsliding.

Pastor Muller gives scriptures for each of the reasons he gives. I believe being a member of a local body gives me a body of believers to whom I am accountable. When someone is 'watching' your life on a day-to-day basis, you are more likely to watch your life more closely. You become established in that church body and it gives you the ability to take part in what goes on within that body. You hear sound preaching and learn the Word much more easily than when trying on your own.

Perhaps the Bible doesn't command us to be a member of a Church, but it does give the following Word:

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Linked to Conservative Cat - Floating Ping Festival
Thanks to Diane's Stuff for Wednesday Weekly Open Trackback alliance Fest II
Linked to Stuck on Stupid - Wednesday Open Trackback Party

Tags| Church, Bible,

US To Stay In Control of Domain Names

The United States will keep control of the domain names. This is according to a 20 page document passed by the summit.

"Let me be absolutely clear: the United Nations does not want to take over, police or otherwise control the Internet," said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. "Day-to-day running of the Internet must be left to technical institutions, not least to shield it from the heat of day to day politics."

A California non-profit body known as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, will continue to oversee the system that matches addresses like "reuters.com" with numerical addresses that computers can understand. Individual countries will have mostly control over their domain names. But, with the oversight of the domain names kept by the US, it is a setback for the European Union and other countries, such as Iran, China, and Pakistan, who have pushed for international control by the United Nations.

Linked to Conservative Cat - Floating Ping Festival
California Conservative - Wednesday's Wide Open Post
Stuck on Stupid - Wednesday Open Trackback Party

Tags| Internet, United Nations, Domain

Adrian Rogers Dies

Adrain Rogers, longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, died today at the age of 74. He was battling double pneumonia and cancer.

Rogers came to Bellview 35 years ago, and just retired this year. He had built the church from a 9,000 membership to over 29,000 in his time as pastor. He also had a Love Worth Finding radio and television ministry. Many people knew him through this ministry.

Rogers was probably best known for his leadership in the movement in which the Southern Baptist elected a series of conservative leaders "response to evidence of theological liberalism within the denomination's seminaries and entities. "

Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth Texas, said Rogers' role in the Conservative Resurgence was immeasurable.

"He is home with Jesus with a full hallelujah!" Patterson told Baptist Press. "While we rejoice for him, he leaves a vacancy in my heart more massive than the sweep of the Grand Canyon. So many contributed massively and heroically [to the Conservative Resurgence], but in my estimation Adrian was the one human, essential prophet in returning the SBC to the faith of its fathers. Whether the discussion is compassion, mental alacrity, sense of humor, prowess in the pulpit, passion for Jesus and for lost sinners, or just faithful encouragement of the brethren, Adrian Rogers brought it all to Southern Baptists. If we Baptists had a Hall of Fame, Dr. Rogers would be enshrined tomorrow."

Daniel Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., said Southern Baptists "have lost perhaps their greatest leader and statesman."

Akin went on to say that Rogers was one of the greatest preachers God's people will ever hear. He had impacted many throughout his ministry.He was the model for everyone on how to preach, pastor a church, and love your family.

We all send our sincere sympathies to his wife and family. He will certainly be missed among God's people, but none more than with his family. The earth mourns, but Heaven rejoices!

Linked at Conservative Cat - Floating Ping Festival

Tags| Adrian Rogers, Pastor, Bellevue

Schools To Proclaim In God We Trust

The Brunswick News, from Brunswick, Ga, is carrying the story that Glynn County's School Superintendent, Michael Bull, is about to have "In God We Trust" posted in all schools in the Golden Isles. The previous school board approved signs with "In God We Trust" to be put up at every school, and the school board has essentially given Bull the ability to carry through with this. They said he'd get no opposition from the board.

Civil Liberties organizations will no doubt get involved in this case. I am sure they think this is in violation of the clause 'separation of church and state'. That same argument got prayer taken out of our schools in 1962.

Webster said many activists have a distorted view of the intentions of the Founding Fathers."I don't believe that in the Constitution (separating church and state) was ever meant in the first place," Webster said. "Studying history, you find the Bible was even used in the schoolhouse as part of the learning curriculum ... When I was in school, we prayed and all that. All at once, (the courts) decided that this was wrong."

Tags| God, Bible, School

Michael Newdow Is At It Again

The atheist, Michael Newdow, probably America's best known atheist, has once again come into the limelight. This time it's about 'money'. He believe that it's wrong to have 'In God We Trust' on the face of our money, since it's against those (atheists) that don't believe in God. He says this doesn't treat them 'equally'. Newdow plans to file this week.

"People say, 'Are you an atheist activist?' And I'm not," he continued. "I couldn't care less what anyone believes. I just care that our government treats everybody equally."

To believe he isn't an atheist activist would be to believe he isn't completely against God - just that he doesn't want his name mentioned on anything he may have to touch. In fact, on the news this morning, he made the statement that they couldn't take up a collection on his 'church', since they didn't believe in God. "In God We Trust" interfered with this process.

Tags| Atheist, God

Hooray For 'The Ambassadors' Christian Band

'The Ambassadors', a Christian band from Wright State University in Ohio, were scheduled to play at the WSU homecoming event. But, the University Activites Board decided at the last moment they didn't need them.

'The Ambassadors' held fast to their faith, when asked to 'tone down' their religious music (remove the mention of God or Jesus) in order to play for the secular event. In other words, get rid of the Christian music, and you are free to play. But, 'The Ambassadors' refused, since that is what they do - play worship for their local campus ministry. I applaud these young men for refusing to change just to appease the Activites Board.

According to Seidler, the Ambassadors are considering whether to file a discrimination complaint, charging Wright State University with reneging on its contract with the band. He says he has no doubt the group was snubbed for no other reason than its Christian message.

Linked at MacStansbury.org - Open Trackbacks 7
Point Five - Weekend Open Trackback
Conservative Cat - Ping Festial

Tags| Christian, God, Jesus

It's The Pits For Dover, PA School Board

The 8 member school board in Dover, Pennsylvania, put their city on the map with their policy to teach intelligent design in the classroom, along with evolution. So the voters crossed party lines to vote for candidates they liked, therefore, succeeding in voting them all out! If they had not crossed over, more than likely all eight would have been voted back in, since all ran on the republican side, and 70% of the town is republican. Dover CARES succeeded in bringing in all eight of their candidates.

The town was tired of being protrayed as Northern version of Dayton, TN, where 80 years ago, a teacher was tried for trying to teach evolution in the Bible Belt. Christians attending the same church went against one another. There were dueling lawn signs by neighbors.

The election came only four days after closing arguments in a six-week trial of the Dover school board and administrators in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg, about 25 miles to the northeast. Eleven parents had sued the Dover board on constitutional grounds, claiming that intelligent design was an outgrowth of religious creationism. The case will be decided by Judge John E. Jones III, who said he expected to rule by early January. Intelligent design holds that the universe is so complex that it must have been created by some kind of higher force.

The policy that was put forth did not tell teachers they had to teach intelligent design, but just to mention it in a 4 paragraph statement that would be read to students. Also, the statement said that 'evolution is not a fact'.

The case won't be affected by the election. But, the newly-elected board may decide to reject the policy. But, most of the Dover people just want this to go away!

Tags| Intelligent Design, Evolution

Persecution Of The Church

This morning, in Church, I was thinking of the freedom we have here in Amercia to worship and serve God. I believe there will come a time when it won't be as easy to be known as a Christian as it is today. In many places of the world today, they have to go 'underground' in order to serve God or even read the Bible. Some places hold worship in their homes, but, if they are found out, they are in deep trouble, faced with jail time, or possibly death. For the Bible says, in the end times, people will go to their death, claiming God as their King, the Almighty One, the One True God. They will be martyrs for the faith. It's already happening in the world today.

Jesus knew that the Church would be persecuted even before his death. He knew we would be hated because of His Name. The world hates us because of our Liberty in Christ Jesus. They don't know God; therefore, they don't understand our believing in a one TRUE God, one to whom we will cling, even in death.

Richard and Charlene Fairchild have some great links on their website: Connections: Persecution & The Church. Among them is the link to IDOP, International Day of Prayer. This week, November 13-20 is International Prayer Week for the persecuted church. If the Church (God's people) ever needed prayer, we need it now.

HT: Christian Persecution Blog
Linked at Conservative Cat - Floating Trackback Festival

Tags| Church, Persecution, Martyrs

Jordanians Denounce Terrorists

Jordanians have said enough is enough. With the bombings in the three hotels, that killed at least 59 people, Jordanians have come out in protest of the terrorists. They are saying "Burn in hell, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi!"

King Abdullah II, a strong U.S. ally, vowed in a nationally televised address to "pursue those criminals and those behind them, and we will get to them wherever they are."

"Oh my God, oh my God. Is it possible that Arabs are killing Arabs, Muslims killing Muslims? For what did they do that?" screamed 35-year-old Najah Akhras, who lost two nieces in the attack. Similar thoughts were heard over and over throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Al-Qaida, with ties in Iraq, seems to be expanding outside of Iraq. They said that the bombings put the United States on notice that the "backyard camp for the Crusader army is now in the range of fire of the holy warriors."

Iraqi government spokesman Kubba says that Iraqi's may have had a hand in this latest bombing.

"The al-Qaida organization has become as a plague that affected Iraq and is now transmitted by the same rats to other countries. A lot of Iraqis, especially former intelligence and army officers, joined this criminal cell," Kubba said.

On Thursday, President Bush condemned the hotel bombings in Jordan. He said the killings should remind us that there is an enemy who is willing to kill innocent people to farther their cause, even bombing a wedding party. He went on to say we have a duty to stay strong and to bring these people to justice.

Bush, in a call to King Abdullah II on Thursday, said he strongly supports the king's leadership and that the United States will stand with Jordan.

Linked at Oblogatory Anecdotes - Weekend Trackbacks

Tags| Jordan, al-Qaida

A Small Fish In A BIG Pond

Each of us, as Christians, have a work to do. Some do it well; others seem to be on ‘auto-pilot’ – that is, doing the work, but finding no joy in doing so. Some just choose to do nothing but go in the doors on Sunday, hear the sermon, and go out again, waiting on the next Sunday service. We call them ‘Sunday Christians’.

How each of us, claiming Christianity, handles the expectations of our Savior, is left up to the individual. I know I must fall short, at times. I try my best to study the Word, make it to Church, when the doors are open, although I do miss occasionally. Praying enough is probably my downfall.

I read ‘Fit As A Trout’s’ article on “Who Wants to Be a Preacher?” He talked about vulnerability, being real, and expectations by others. I know a preacher has many more problems than us lay people, in that there is only one of him and many of us!

But, this preacher talked about his sermon and how one young lady had come up afterwards and said, “thanks, that’s just what I needed to hear right now…” Many times a preacher must preach, wondering if he reaches any of the congregation or not. ‘Fisherman’, as he calls himself, went on to say, “I know enough now to simply pray…”

Prayer changes things, whether it’s in our own lives, or lives of others. Fisherman prays before each service, I am sure, because he had mentioned about praying before this particular service. My pastor prays before he preaches, in his office beforehand, and as he takes the pulpit. I know he is in prayer at all hours for the people in his church.

But, we shouldn’t leave praying to the pastor. In fact, we should be praying for the pastor, that God uses him in a way that touches lives, even our own. We need to pray for the church, that, we, the people of the church, only do the work of the Lord, and don’t stray over into what man thinks church is. We are all ‘small fish’ in a big pond, and it’s up to each of us to whether we ‘sink or swim’. The pastor is the leader, but he can’t be held responsible to bring us the ‘lifeboat’, if we choose to jump overboard, when things go wrong! We have to do a little work ourselves, in this regard. But, rest assured; he will be praying!

HT: See-Through Faith - Today's Thought

Tags| Christianity, Church, Prayer

Pat Robertson

There is controversy going on over the statements being made by Pat Robertson of the 700 Club. Some of those in question are:

• His statements in 2003 that the State Department be blown up with a nuclear device.
• Feminists encourages women to "kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."
• He called on his daily show for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
• The latest being his charge to the rural town of Dover, PA, that disaster mike strike their city because 'they voted God out of their city'.
  

Robertson goes on to tell the people of Dover not to turn to God, if a disaster strikes their city. He said that his comments were made to mean that 'our spiritual actions have consequences'. Well, and good, but I don't think everyone in that town has turned away from God. I've seen God and prayer taken out of our schools over the nation, but has every person turned from God? I would think not!

I agree with Robertson, in that 'God is loving and tolerant'. But, God is also a merciful God. While, our actions do have consequences, I don't believe God is going to turn away from those that earnestly seek Him in time of need. We may suffer for going against God, but I think the only way He will reject us is for us to completely reject Him and His calling on our lives.

HT: Writing Right - Will Someone Please Smack Pat Robertson

Tags| Pat Robertson, God

Honoring Our Veterans in 2005

November 11th is Veterans Day. It's a day to pay tribute to all our veterans, from all wars. It's for those from all walks of life that have given of themselves freely to wear the colors of the Armed Forces, to fight for the freedom that we now have in this great country. Many of those veterans from years back were drafted into the military. But, many went on to serve their country for many years passed those required by the draft.

We Stood For Freedom

We stood for freedom just like you
And loved the flag you cherish too

Our uniforms felt great to wear
You know the feel, and how you care

In step we marched, the cadence way
The same is true with you today

Oh how we tried to do our best
As you do now, from test to test

How young we were and proud to be
Defenders of true liberty

So many thoughts bind soldiers well
The facts may change, not how we jell

Each soldier past, and you now here
Do share what will not disappear

One thought now comes, straight from my heart
For soldiers home, who’ve done their part

I’m honored to have served with you
May Godly peace, help get you through

And now I’ll end with a request
Do ponder this, while home at rest

America, respect our day
Each veteran, helped freedom stay

©2002 Roger J. Robicheau

Roger is a Former Specialist Fifth Class, US Army. He sent this to me through email. Thanks to Roger for his service to our country, and to all the veterans out there - those that are alive, and those that have gone on before. And, thanks to my husband who was drafted into the Army, but chose to serve in the Air Force, and served in Vietnam.

Many of the bloggers whose blogs I read are also veterans. One of those is KMG at Right Equals Might, who served in the Marines. He has a great post today, also, so go by and check it out.

Linked at Outside the Beltway - Beltway Traffic Jam
Covered Dish Supper at Basil's Blog
Permanent Floating Ping Festival at Conservative Cat
Linked at Don Surber - Veterans Day
Veterans Day Linkfest
Veterans Day Open Trackback at Big Dog's Weblog
Open Trackback Friday at Cao's Blog
Linked at California Conservative - Honoring Veteran's Day 2005

Tag| Veterans Day, Military, Freedom, America

Veterans Day Has Fresh Meaning For Iraqi Freedom Vets

You have no doubt heard the tale of grief and woe, not coming from the soldiers in Iraq, or those that have been there, but from people who perhaps have never been, and were not in favor of the war. I've heard from several soldiers who have been in Iraq, and while it's probably not some place they would have chosen to go on their own, they are committed to doing their duty and defending our freedom.

All of the veterans have their own stories and memories of the battles in which they have fought. And, those fresh from the battle in Iraq have their memories and stories as well. Most are eager to return - even those who have been wounded.

Retired Navy Rear Adm. Greg Slavonic was visiting wounded coalition soldiers in Baghdad's International Zone hospital last year when he started a conversation with a badly wounded soldier. That day, the soldier was being prepared for evacuation to Germany to receive critical medical care.

"There was no doubt his rehab was going to take months," Slavonic recalled. As medical staff continued to ready the soldier for his flight out of Iraq, the soldier looked at Slavonic and said "'Sir, I want to go back to my unit and my buddies. The job's not done here, and I'm not ready to go home. Can you help me stay?'" Slavonic said the soldier told him.

These men and women have payed a price that most of us will never pay. Some have payed with loss of limbs; others have paid with their lives. But, still they love their country enough to press on.

Not all experiences in Iraq are good ones. But, they aren't all bad ones, either. For every death or shooting, the soldiers are met with 'high fives' by the children, and soldiers are being thanked for what they are doing in Iraq. The news media just doesn't cover all the good - mostly the bad.

These men and women have served the military and sacrificed themselves so that we may be free. There is a common bond among them all - service in Iraq - and they have the convictions that veterans are owed a lot by their nation.

As one man said so rightly, "The American public needs to take just a minute to say thank you, not only on Veteran's Day, but every day." I do each day - living with a Vietnam veteran.

Linked to Conservative Cat - Floating Trackback Festival
Linked at Don Surber - Veterans Day
Veterans Day Linkfest
Veterans Day Open Trackback at Big Dog's Weblog
Open Trackback Friday at Cao's Blog

Tag| Veterans Day, Iraq,

Get A Clue!

Was the Newark High School completely clueless, when they authorized an assembly meeting with Athletes United in Christ? I don't think so, but, apparently some parents object to these athletes bringing the message of encouragement to the students to take responsibility and make the right choices in life.

The two parents complained because the group handed out fliers that had the name Christ and a cross on it. What would one expect to be on a flier from this group? On top of that, the principal took the side of the parents, although he was responsible for bringing this group in, and said that the group 'crossed the line'. Where? Did they have an altar call? Did they try to recruit the children for Christ? Or, were they merely trying to encourage the students to stay clean from drugs and other things that many teenagers engage in today?

The principal apologized to the parents for the group 'crossing the line'; yet, he said he stood by the message presented by Philadelphia Eagles football player Tra Thomas. This escapes me: why apologize, if you uphold the message? How did they 'cross the line', if the principal didn't object to what was said and done, during the assembly?

I think the real rub is the fact that the Delaware ACLU is so afraid that religion will be worked into the school. To me, that wouldn't be a bad idea, considering the way teenagers are going these days!

Try Breakfast at Basil's Blog - lots of good entree's!

HT: The Narrow

Tags:Christ, ACLU, School

Christian Carnival XCV Is Up!

Chad, at Eternal Revolution, has done a great job in putting on the Christian Carnival this week. And, there are some great entries! I just got through reading a couple, and one among them, That Terrible Power by Dr. Bob at The Doctor Is In is a must read! It is a very real and moving story! But, there are many more just like this in this week's round up! Go check them out.

Tags| Christian Carnival

Andrea Yates Will Get New Trial

Andrea Yates, the mother who drowned her five children in the bathtub, will get a new trial.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest criminal court, left intact a lower court's decision that overturned Yates' convictions.

In January, the lower appeals court found that an expert prosecution witness, Dr. Park Dietz, presented false testimony. Dietz told jurors Yates may have been influenced by a "Law & Order" episode, but the episode did not exist.

Yates' lawyer says this new trial is a 'mixed blessing', in that she will have to relive the death of her children. But, he feels she should be found not guilty by reason of insanity. He wants to try and strike a plea deal that would send Yates to a mental health facility rather than back to prison. He did not seek her release after the hearing, because she is receiving medical treatment for postpartum depression.

Linked at Third World County - Open Trackbacks Wednesday.
Linked at Conservative Cat - Permanent Floating Trackback Festival

Evolution Suffers Kansas Setback

Science standards have been approved in Kansas that cast doubt on evolution.

Critics say it is an attempt to inject creationism into schools, in violation of the constitutional separation between church and state.

The vote was the third time in six years that evolution has taken a hit in Kansas.

The new standards include several specific challenges, including statements that there is a lack of evidence or natural explanation for the genetic code, and charges that fossil records are inconsistent with evolutionary theory. It also states that says certain evolutionary explanations "are not based on direct observations... and often reflect... inferences from indirect or circumstantial evidence".

"This is a great day for education," board chairman Steve Abrams told the Reuters news agency.

New standards will be developed for tests to see how well students are being taught science. But, some educators fear that they will be pressured to teach more creationism or intelligent design and less of evolution.

Middle of the Week Trackback at 'Stop The ACLU' Blog
Linked at MacStansbury.org - Open Trackbacks
Midweek Open Trackbacks from Adam's Blog
Linked at Conservative Cat - Permanent Floating Ping Festival
Linked at Choose Life - Tuesday Open Post

Tags| evolution, creationism, Science, intelligent design

How Soon We Forget!

Since the Libby indictment, Democrats have been trying their best to saddle President Bush with the charge of erronous intelligence leading to the war in Iraq. But, with the bad reporting from the Press, I’m sure most of the US actually thinks what they are hearing is correct.

Look at the way Democratic leader Senator Harry Reid called the Senate into secret session. Just another ploy to attack the administration and try and turn the public against them. In fact, the Clinton administration had the same intelligence reports, and so did the acting Congress, when President Bush went to war. After all, they voted to go to war.

Look at these statements from the Pittsburg Post-Gazette:

The president went on television to announce: "Earlier today, I ordered America's armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq. Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors."

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years," the vice chairman of the Intelligence committee told the Senate.

Now, this didn’t come from President Bush, nor did it come from the acting vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee.

The president was Bill Clinton (Dec. 16, 1998). The senator was Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat from West Virginia (Oct. 10, 2002).

So, why all the fuss now? Do the Democrats forget what has gone on in prior years, or is it ‘selective memory’? They are so intent on making President Bush look stupid, they are looking that way themselves. I don’t think any President would want to go to war on trumped up charges, setting himself up for a fall. But, evidentally Harry Reid and others think so.

"The Libby indictment provides a window into what this is really all about, how this administration manufactured and manipulated intelligence in order to sell the war in Iraq," Sen. Reid said.

But Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald had made it clear that that was not what the Libby indictment was about. "This indictment is not about the war," he said. "This indictment will not seek to prove the war was justified or unjustified."

Do you think the Democrats will ever admit that they are giving out false messages? Do you think it even bothers them one iota? I guess you call that ‘politics’, but, to me, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth!

HT: Right Equals Might: History Just Won't Go Away for democrats
Linked at Conservative Cat - Permanent Floating Ping Festival
Linked at Linkfest at Bloggin' Outloud

Tags| Politics, President, War, Iraq, Democrats

It's All In The 'Plates'..,,

License plates, that is! Seems the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and three individuals in Tennessee have a problem with some proposed speciality license plates for cars. The one in question is Choose Life, which isn't even in circulation.

Tennessee started a special program several years ago that allowed private groups to share in the revenues collected from speciality plates, which cost $35 extra. The Choose Life plates were created in 2003 by a legislative bill, but the amendment to allow Pro-Choice was struck down. The Democratic Governor allowed it to become law without his signature and then started a review of the entire program. In stepped the ACLU and others. A Federal Judge in TN ruled in favor of the ACLU in 2004. The Tennesee Right To Life is urging all that want the plates to contact their legislators and the court system, expressing their support for the Choose Life plates. Otherwise, they may never be seen on the road, if the ACLU has their way.

Middle of the Week Trackbacks at Stop The ACLU

Tags| Pro-Life, License, specialty, ACLU

Not A Perfect World We Live In

Texas will vote this Tuesday to ban same-sex marriages. We, as Christians, understand this to be against the Biblical principles of God. But, a question was posed on Unclaimed Territory that asks, “Why aren’t Texas Christians voting on Tuesday to ban divorce and re-marriage?” The case is being made that God doesn’t allow divorce or re-marriage. But, I choose to differ.

Man did make woman from Adam’s rib, for his helpmate – true. He wanted them to replenish the earth. Somehow, along the way, things got a little exploited, man sinned a little more, and a little more, and his conscience became seared. Sin didn’t seem to affect him anymore; his conscience told him things that God looked down upon was no longer sinful. So, he strayed a little more and a little more.

This brings us to society today. Society has come to believe it’s okay to be tolerant of such things as divorce, re-marriage, same-sex marriages or unions, and sin, in general. I don’t think God had tolerance in mind, when he closed the Garden of Eden to Adam and Eve, after the serpent tricked them into sinning. They had become too knowledgeable for their own good. Sin was in the midst, and it’s still in our midst today. But, God gave man a choice; either follow Him, or follow the enemy. Just looking at the state our nation is in today will let you know how far man has gone!

One of the statements within the above site says: “Christians are required, of course, to vow to God to remain with their spouse ‘til death do us part’ and ‘for as long as we both shall live.’ And, this should be what happens. But, as I said, sin is in our midst. Scripture says that ‘the enemy comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy’ – and he has done a pretty good job of it! He has humans so tangled up, that most Christians don’t take their vows seriously anymore. Instead of marrying ‘forever’ and keeping their minds on God and letting Him guide their path, they figure, if something goes wrong, “I can get out of this marriage”. I remember what the Judge of Probate, who married my husband and me, said to us the morning we stood before him to say our vows. He gave us a long, fatherly talk (now, we weren’t youngsters!), and said, ‘it’s easier to get into than it is to get out of’, and perhaps, back 40 years ago, it was. But, we married for the right reasons – friends first, then love – and we never had a thought of giving up, if we didn’t agree on every little thing. It’s still that way today.

So, since sin is still in the world, and we can’t stop sin, other than in our own lives, humans aren’t about to put a ban on divorce and re-marriage. Besides, the secular world would not go for that, either. How many of you would go the polls to vote to ban divorce and re-marriage?

While I believe that we should try to stay together, I can’t fault everyone who gets a divorce, or those that re-marry. I believe, under God’s laws, a person has the ability to remarry without sinning, if he or she is on the receiving end of adultery. The person who commits the adultery AND the one who marries that person is living in adultery. But, I believe GOD will forgive these people, if they confess their sins. He is a merciful God, and, while I believe it hurts Him to see His children sin, He allows us to make our own choices in life.

Another statement was made that said ‘the highest rates are in the Bible belt’. And, I’ve heard that before. I would suppose the one thing that the states that ‘sanction same sex marriages’ and the states that ‘have more divorces among Christians’ have in common is TOLERANCE!

So, until we change the Politically Correct status of our nation, I don’t think you’ll ever see a ban on divorce or re-marriage. You won’t see a Christian Governor trying to get them banned, either, simply because he knows it would never get passed all the ‘sinners’ in the legislature.

Perry said by e-mail: "That marriage is the union between a man and a woman is a truth known to each one of us already, and any attempt to allow same-sex marriages is a detriment to the family unit and hurts our state and nation." His message was sent via the Texas Marriage Alliance, a Web-based effort started earlier this year to support Proposition 2, which is among nine proposed constitutional tweaks on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Texas Governor Perry is doing what he thinks is best – pushing to get the referendum passed to ban same-sex marriages – a start, if not the best, to getting back to God’s laws. Christians know and understand that God didn’t make Adam and Steve, but He made Adam and Eve – to co-habit together. But, sin got in the way, just like the enemy has gotten into the families of Christians, and the result is sometimes divorce and re-marriage. We do not live in a perfect world, and we are not perfect, by a long shot! But, I would venture to say, "If there was a vote to ban divorce and re-marriage, it would not only affect Christians, but every citizen of the United States.

Linked to Oblogatory Anecdotes Weekend Open Trackbacks
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Tags| Same-sex, Marriage, Family, Christian, sin, forgiveness, Texas

How Times Have Changed!

I was listening to a local talk show yesterday and the subject was 'what rights do parents have in raising their children? This was in light of the decision the 9th Circuit Court made in San Francisco.

God gave us the ability to have these children. We are expected to raise and nurture them until adult hood. One of the questions posed on the radio program was this: "If our child does something that is wrong, then we are now held responsible. But, why is it, we have no rights when it comes to informing our children about sex as they grow, but the school system has been given that right?

"Schools cannot be expected to accommodate the personal, moral or religious concerns of every parent," Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote for the panel. "Such an obligation would not only contravene the educational mission of the public schools, but also would be impossible to satisfy."

Our schools have become a place where children learn more than they should about things they shouldn't be teaching in school. I have yet to figure out why a child has to be taught SEX in school, let alone in elementary grades. I would think, unless a child had been sexually abused, or witnessed lots of sex around them, or sex was talked about, he/she wouldn't have any thoughts on sex, period! I didn't even know what the word was when I was that young. And, I guess my first 'experience' with sex, is when I found out it meant the difference in a male and female - nothing to do with 'having sex'!

The survey given to 7 year olds were asked to 'rate the following activities':

8. Touching my private parts too much
17. Thinking about having sex
22. Thinking about touching other people’s private parts
23. Thinking about sex when I don’t want to
26. Washing myself because I feel dirty on the inside
34. Not trusting people because they might want sex
40. Getting scared or upset when I think about sex
44. Having sex feelings in my body
47. Can’t stop thinking about sex
54. Getting upset when people talk about sex

What child at the age of 7 would be thinking about sex to consider any of these things, unless previously abused? The parents of these youngsters were very upset when they learned the nature of the survey . They went to the school and complained. They got no where, so they sued. But, the 9th Circuit of Appeals ruled against the parents. While it's indoctrinating the students unfairly, if they pray in school, or say the Pledge of Allegiance, the school has the right to teach the children about sex. How times have changed!

Tuesday Open Post at Choose Life

Government Employee Suspended For Expressing Religious Beliefs In Email

An woman employee of a state agency in California was suspended for 30 days, due to an email she sent out. She had read an article in a national magazine that featured a lesbian attorney and her partner. What upset the woman was a sentence attributed to the attorney:

That statement read: "Hypocrisy occurs when religion is used to justify why two people should not be married."

She wrote to the attorney, explaining her views from a biblical standpoint, and quoted scripture. The attorney contacted her employer and complained about the email and said that quoting scripture was 'harassing'. Would you think perhaps this attorney got a little 'convicted'?

The Pacific Justice Institute has now filed an appeal with the State Personnel Board on the employee's behalf. PJI's Brad Dacus says workers' rights to express their religious convictions -- "especially when they are acting in their personal capacity" -- must be preserved.

Brad Dacus said other employees were able to email during their breaks or lunch time, and they weren't punished. He says no employee should be punished simply because their email is coming from a Christian perspective. He also said that there is protection in the Constitution that prohibits an employee from censoring mail sent during lunch or break time, "simply because they don't like the religious viewpoint or perspective used in that email".

A lawsuit may be possible. But, the employee has just finished her 30 day suspension. But, he says his law firm won't stand by while free speech if flattened because of political correctness.

Technorati| Religion, Free, Political

Stranger Than Fiction

Wayne Goldsberry, from Bentonville, Arkansas, went to investigate what sounded like a broken window at his daughter's house. He probably figured what he saw in the bedroom was straight out of the books! After all, who would ever imagine a deer being in their home? But, this five-point whitetail deer probably saw his image in the bedroom window and jumped, thinking he was fighting a rival. But, he didn't realize who was on the other side!

Goldsberry is a big 6' 1" 200 pound man, and was able to subdue the deer, after he ran down the hall, into his daughter's master bedroom. After being kicked a few times, Goldsberry managed to grip the animal, and twist his neck, killing him. Goldberry had the deer butchered, and he now has fresh vension in his freezer for the winter.

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