Will your pastor be arrested?

UPDATE: HR1913 passed the House April 28. As written without definition of gender, sexual identity, it could presumably include thirty recognized and some illegal activities. Video here.

The H.R.1913 Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 was in committee on April 22nd and was passed by the committee on April 23rd in a vote of 15-12. If passed by full House vote, this will expand protected classes to include "sexual identity" and "gender identity".

Here is the following excerpt from H.R.1913 that every citizen should be concerned about:

SECTION 4

(1) IN GENERAL- At the request of a State, local, or Tribal law enforcement agency, the Attorney General may provide...prosecutorial assistance...in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that—
(C) is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim, or is a violation of the State, local, or Tribal hate crime laws.

We agree with the Family Research Council that “All people deserve to be protected from crime, and equal protection under the law means equal protection for ALL. In a hearing on this legislation last Congress, Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) admitted that under the legislation pastors could be arrested for hate crimes based on what they teach and preach, which is certainly a violation of free speech and an example of unfair treatment under the law.”

We believe this legal vernacular opens a dangerous door for people to be held criminally liable for their biblical beliefs, thoughts, and speech, which we believe is a direct violation of First Amendment rights, and the reason why ministers in the pulpit or anyone with dissenting voices should feel concerned over this bill.

Embryonic stem cell debate "dead"

From Randy Alcorn's blog:

Dr. Mehmet Oz, health expert appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show earlier this month and during a segment with Oprah and actor Michael J. Fox announced that due to advances in adult stem cell technology, the debate over embryonic stem cells “is dead.”

Click here to watch the video.

For those who would like to read more about the moral objections to embryonic stem cell research, Scott Klusendorf, director of bioethics for Stand to Reason, has written a great article that's available on the EPM site.

Commissioning Chapel

Here is a cell phone picture from today's commissioning of Southeastern's 2+2 and 2+3 students going out to Central Asia later this year. Dr. Jerry Rankin spoke, and the Boards of Trustees and Visitors were on campus, too.

As the prayer time ensued and I watched faculty and trustees gather around and lay hands on these young students to send them to shine the light of Christ in places of spiritual darkness, I couldn't help thinking of that famous picture of Adoniram Judson, Luther Rice, and others being commissioned as what turned out to be the first Baptist missionaries. What a missionary heritage!

Building a window

William Warren (pictured below) and I have been working on a replacement window for the second floor of the west face of Adams Hall. William is the brains behind the operation. I just mainly get him tools, do what he says, and clean up after him. He is the craftsman. The window is made out of long-lasting fir. The rotten window we took down was probably about eighty years old. Should the Lord tarry, we expect that this window will likely outlast us.

Few schools and especially seminaries in America have people who can hand make a window. This kind of work not only provides much-needed employment for many of the students in the college and seminary, but the seminary gets much of it back in the form of tuition. More importantly, this work saves thousands of Cooperative Program dollars (as opposed to buying and/or ordering the items) and is therefore good stewardship of the resources the Lord has provided.

Another reason to homeschool

Deadly fire alarm

92yo witnesses to her carjacker

Asylum

1934 Chicago Tribune Cartoon

Dr. Akin's major speech

Southeastern Seminary president calls for Great Commission resurgence, streamlining denomination.

Full text
Full video

Speaking personally, I must say that as I sat listening to Danny Akin's policy speech on the Southern Baptist Convention, I found myself compelled to a Great Commission vision, at the point of tears in celebration of Christ Jesus, thankful for his endorsement of large families, and glad that someone of his stature has finally initiated a long overdue discussion on some frustrating issues about the SBC.

Thu., Apr. 16

Dr. Daniel L. Akin President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Axioms for a Great Commission Resurgence - Acts 1:4-8

[Download]

Can you spell success?

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia, talks to NPR about rebuilding her country.

To all you hunters:

see more pwn and owned pictures

Sound familiar?

Doris Kearns Goodwin on Lyndon Baines Johnson and the Great Society, in "Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream":

In his determination to get Congress and America moving again, Johnson demanded support for the Great Society and confidence in the capacity of government to improve all the conditions of society as matters of faith. . . . The intensity of his own belief strengthened his formidable persuasive powers. . . . In so expansive an era, filled with such benevolent intentions, the boundaries between fact and fiction, between the present and the future, no longer held. . . .

And so it went in message after message. The subjects might change, but the essentials remained the same: in the opening, an expression of dire need; in the middle, a vague proposal; in the end, a buoyant description of the anticipated results -- all contained in an analysis presented in a manner that often failed to distinguish between expectations and established realities. . . .

[T]he need for haste often resulted in a failure to define the precise nature and requirements of social objectives. Legislative solutions were often devised and rushed into law before the problems were understood . . . Pass the bill now, worry about its effects and implementation later -- this was the White House strategy.

Was it a Morning like this?

Arise My Love

Christ the Lord is risen today

"Christ the Lord Is Risen Today"
by Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley composed this "Hymn for Easter Day" in eleven stanzas. First sung at the famous Foundry Meeting House, the text was published in Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739). The "alleluia" responses, reflecting ancient Jewish and Christian practice, were added by later editors to fit the tune. The text contains some of the most familiar Easter themes: all creatures rejoice in Christ's resurrection; the work of redemption is complete; death is vanquished; we have new life in Christ now; we praise the victorious Christ. The "alleluias," which remind us of the ancient Easter greeting, do more than interrupt the textual flow: they provide the framework for praising God with each line of text.

Read more about this hymn at Hymnary.org
Read more about Hymnary.org

Holy Week Reading 8

Resurrection Sunday, April 17, AD 29
Women Visit Tomb: Mt 28:1; Mk 16:1
Stone Rolled Away: Mt 28:2-4
Angels’ Message: Mt 28:5-8; Mk 16:2-8; Lk 24:1-8; Jn 20:1
Report to Apostles, Peter/John Return: Lk 24:9-12; Jn 20:2-10
Christ Appears to Magdelene: Mk 16:9-11; Jn 20:11-18
Christ Appears to Other Women: Mt 28:9-10
Guards report to Jewish Rulers: Mt 28:11-15
Emmaus Road: Mk 16:12-13; Lk 24:13-34
Christ Appears to Disciples: 1 Cor 15:5; Mk 16:14; Lk 24:36-43; Jn 20:19-25

Colbert debates Bart Ehrman

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Bart Ehrman
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest

Holy Week Reading 7

Sabbath Saturday, April 16, AD 29
Tomb Sealing, Guard Posted: Mt 27:62-66

Holy Week Reading 6

Crucifixion Day, Good Friday, April 15, AD 29
Jesus Tried, Condemned, Mocked, Beaten (1:30 – 3:00am): Mt 26:57-68; Mk 14:53-65; Lk 22:54, 63-65
Peter’s Denials (2:00 – 4:30am): Mt 26:69-75; Mk 14:66-72; Lk 22:55-62; Jn 18:15-18, 25-27
Jesus Condemned by Sanhedrin (3–5am): Mt 27:1-2; Mk 15:1; Lk 22:66-71
Judas’ Suicide: Mt 27:3-10; Acts 1:18-19
Jesus before Pilate (6:00-6:30am): Mt 27:11-14; Mk 15:2-5; Lk 23:1-5; Jn 18:28-38
Jesus before Herod Antipas (6:30-7:00am): Lk 23:6-12
Jesus before Pilate 2nd time (7:00-8:30am): Mt 27:15-26; Mk 15:6-15; Lk 23:13-25; Jn 18:39-40
Jesus’ Final Condemnation (8:30am): Mt 27:27-31; Mk 15:16-19; Jn 19:1-16
Jesus’ Via Dolorosa (8:30-10:00am): Mt 27:32-34; Mk 15:20-23; Lk 23:26-32; Jn 19:17
Jesus’ Crucifixion (10:00am – Noon): Mt 27:35-44; Mk 15:24-32; Lk 23:33-43; Jn 19:18-27
Jesus on Cross, Darkness (Noon – 3:00pm): Mt 27:45-50; Mk 15:33-37; Lk 23:44-46; Jn 19:28-37
Earthquake, Temple Veil Rent (3pm): Mt 27:51-56; Mk 15:38-41; Lk 23:47-49
Jesus’ Burial (4-6pm): Mt 27:57-61; Mk 15:42-47; Lk 23:50-56; Jn 19:38-42

Holy Week Reading 5

(Maundy) Thursday, Passover begins at sundown, April 14, AD 29
Preparation for Passover: Mt 26:17-29; Mk 14:12-16; Lk 22:7-13
Passover (6:00-11:30pm):
Sop - Betrayer Identified: Mt 26:20-25; Mk 14:17-21; Jn 13:21-35
Afikomen & Third Cup – Lord’s Supper: Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:14-23; 1 Cor 11-23-26
Who is greatest? Lk 22:24-30
Jesus Washes Disciples’ Feet: Jn 13:1-20
Peter’s denial foretold: Mt 26:31-35; Mk 14:27-31; Lk 22:31-38; Jn 13:36-38
Farewell Discourse: Jn 14:1-17:26
Gethsemane (11:30pm – 1:00am): Mt 26:30; Mk 14:26; Jn 18:1; Mt 36-46; Mk 14:32-42; Lk 22:39-46
Jesus Betrayed, Arrested (1:00 – 1:30am): Mt 26:47-56; Mk 14:43-52; Lk 22:47-53; Jn 18:2-11
Jesus brought to Annas, High Priest, sent to Caiaphas: Jn 18:12-14, 24

Holy Week Reading 4

Wednesday, April 13, AD 29
Jesus Anointed: Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9; Jn 12:1-11
Judas Agrees to betray Jesus: Mt 26:14-16; Mk 14:10-11; Lk 22:3-6
Gentiles seek Christ; Jews reject Him: Jn 12:20-50

Holy Week Reading 3

Tuesday, April 12, AD 29
Signs of the Times Discourse: Mt 24:1-51; Mk 1-37; Lk 21:5-38
Parable of Ten Virgins: Mt 25:1-13
Parable of Talents: Mt 25:14-30
Sheep and Goats: Mt 25:31-46
Plot to Kill Jesus Unfolds: Mt 26:1-5; Mk 14:1-2; Lk 22:1-2

Adrian Rogers on socialism

Though Dr. Adrian Rogers said it in 1984, his words are still relevant to today's America. In fact, the quotation below was read and posted in the Congressional Record by Congressman Steve King of Iowa on January 14, 2009.

Dr. Rogers is quoted:

“Friend, you cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. And what one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government can’t give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody. And when half of the people get the idea they don’t have to work because the other half’s going to take care of them, and when the other half get the idea it does no good to work because somebody’s going to get what I work for. That, dear friend, is about the end of any nation.”

Hear the entire message.

Holy Week Reading 2

Monday, April 11, AD 29
Questions Asked:
About Paying Taxes: Mt 22:15-22; Mk 12:13-17; Lk 20: 20-26
About Resurrection: Mt 22:23-33; Mk 12:18-27; Lk 20: 27-38
About Great Commandment: Mt 22:34-40; Mk 12:28-40
About Ancestry: Mt 22:41-46; Mk 12:37; Lk 20:41-44
Woes upon Pharisees: Mt 23:1-39; Mk 12:38-40; Lk 20:45-47
Widow’s Mite: Mk 12:41-44; Lk 21:1-4

Sunday moonlighter

This Chick-Fil-A cow moonlights Sundays.

Holy Week Reading 1

Friday, April 8, AD 29
Jesus Arrives At Bethany: Jn 11:55-57

Sabbath Saturday, April 9, AD 29
Triumphal Entry: Mt 21:1-11; Mk 11:1-11; Lk 19: 29-44; Jn 12:12-19
Cleansing of Temple: Mt 21: 12-17; Mk 11:15-19; Lk 19: 45-48

Palm Sunday, April 10, AD 29
Cursing of Fig Tree: Mt 21:18-22; Mk 11:12-14, 20-26
Christ’s Authority Challenged: Mt 21:23-27; Mk 11:27-33; Lk 20:1-8
Parables: Two Sons: Mt 21:28-32; Wicked Vineyard Tenants: Mt 21:33-46; Mk 12:1-12; Lk 20: 9-19; Guests at Wedding Feast: Mt 22:1-14

Passion Week Timeline

Click the title for a Passion Week timeline for your devotions this week.

How to change a monkey

First you need a monkey, a diaper, and a wipe.

Then take the dirty diaper off the monkey.

Next, gently wipe the monkey clean.

Finally, put on the monkey's new, clean diaper.

ML King on the American church

Life magazine recently released never-before-seen photos of the night of April 4, 1968, when Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot. Following are a few of King's observations on the church in America.

There was a time when the church was very powerful—in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being “disturbers of the peace” and “outside agitators.” But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were “a colony of heaven,” called to obey God rather than man.

Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be “astronomically intimidated.” By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests.

Things are different now.

So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s silent—and often even vocal—sanction of things as they are. But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before.

If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth [and twenty-first] century.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (Source: WHO Radio)

Minnery-Deace radio interview

The above 9 minute video contains highlights from an March 27, 2009, interview with Tom Minnery of Focus on the Family Action by Steve Deace of WHO Radio Iowa. You can hear the whole 28 minute interview here.

This is a debate that is occurring, although usually behind the scenes, within the social conservative movement.

Should social conservatives stand on our principles without any room for compromise or should we be willing to accept some degree of compromise in order to win?

Have the so-called religious right conservatives had too much of the heady wine of political power and ruined their own witness to Christ?

Or have the machines of politics used the naivete of Christians to take their votes and then do as they please?

In the highlight, they have a heated debate over whether social conservative leaders should have spoken out against Mitt Romney and his weakness on pro-life and pro-family issues.

What do you think about this interview?

Obama seeks Muslims for White House posts

Earnestly pray that any Islamic terrorists who are under cover or members of "sleeper cells" are exposed.

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) taking oath of office on the Koran.

Barack Obama is conducting his own affirmative action program to get more Muslims in the White House. The move began when Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), who took his oath of office with a hand on the Koran, began to solicit the resumes of what he considered to be the nation's most qualified adherents of Islam. According to the Denver Post, when White House officials heard about the program, it was put on overdrive.

So far, 45 Ivy League grads, Fortune 500 executives and government officials have been submitted for consideration. J. Saleh Williams, program coordinator for the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association, sifted through more than 300 names as part of the search. "It was mostly under the radar," Williams said. "We thought it would put (the president) in a precarious position. We didn't know how closely he wanted to appear to be working with the Muslim American community." Ellison is serious about his faith. He made the pilgrimage to Mecca with the sponsorship of the Muslim American Society, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.

In 1991, Mohamed Akram wrote a memo for the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood that explained its work in America as "a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and 'sabotaging' its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God's religion is made victorious over all other religions." (www.WorldNetDaily.com 3/28/09)

Most Americans are not aware that a room in the U.S. Capitol is set aside and used for Friday Muslim prayer, just like in Muslim mosques across the country. Observers report that some 100 or more are in attendance. While a multi-faith chapel exists, there are also designated Muslim worker prayer areas with prayer rugs in the Dulles International Airport.

Click here to understand Nazi roots to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Source: Intercessors for America

Obama to rescind health care conscience protections

The Obama government plans “to rescind in its entirety” a regulation that protects health care workers from violating their religious beliefs. Before these protections are completely scrapped, you can share your opinion with HHS.

Public Input Sought on Anti-Conscience Proposal

Source: erlc.com

For decades, the fundamental right to life for developing children in the womb has not been protected in this nation. This is well known. Less known is the fact that protections of conscience rights for those seeking to defend unborn human life are diminishing by the day. ...

Please share your Christlike and straightforward opinion with Health and Human Services by clicking here.

You can place this note in the comment box: "I oppose the rescission of these religious belief protections for health care workers in matters of conscience on the basis of the First Amendment."

We Christians NON-participation in the public square in the past has been largely responsible for the situation we have before us in this post. Please take two minutes to respond.