Facebook marked its fifth anniversary on February 5, setting a milestone for social networking as a cultural phenomenon. I enjoy it and like keeping up with friends. But as with anything there are some guidlines that are good to follow. Below is a list that was complied by Dr. Albert Mohler.
Here are a few suggestions for safeguarding the social networking experience:
1. Never allow social networking to replace or rival personal contact and communication. God made us to be social creatures that crave community. We cannot permit ourselves to substitute social networking for the harder work of building and maintaining personal relationships that are face to face.
2. Set clear parameters for the time devoted to social networking. These services can be seductive and time consuming. Social networking (and the Internet in general) can become obsessive and destructive of other relationships and higher priorities for the Christian.
3. Never write or post anything on a social networking site that you would not want the world to see, or anything that would compromise your Christian witness. There are plenty of young people (perhaps older persons now, too) who are ruining future job prospects and opportunities by social networking misbehavior. The cost to Christian witness is often far greater.
4. Never allow children and teenagers to have independent social networking access (or Internet access, for that matter). Parents should monitor, manage, supervise, and control the Internet access of their children and teens. Watch what your child posts and what their friends post.
5. Do not allow children and teens to accept any "friend" unknown to you. The social networking world can be a dangerous place, and parental protection here is vital.
6. Encourage older friends and relatives to sign up and use the technology. Grandparents can enjoy keeping up with grandchildren and with friends and loved ones separated by distance or mobility.
7. Use the social networking technology to bear witness to the Gospel, but never think that this can replace the centrality of face-to-face evangelism, witness, and discipleship.
8. Do all things to the glory of God, and do not allow social networking to become an idol or a display of narcissism.
The fifth anniversary of Facebook is a milestone in American culture -- and a good time for a reality check. We were made by our Creator to be social creatures, but made for far more than mere social media.
In Emerging Worship, Dan Kimball writes, "The average person is awake 112 hours a week (assuming he or she sleeps eight hours a night). If a person goes to a weekend worship gathering that lasts two hours, then 98.2 percent of their week is not in a weekend worship gathering. To most people, 'church' involves only 1.8 percent of their time. The rest is supposedly not 'church.' This is pretty crazy because in reality you and I and other Christians are the Church 100 percent of the time." What are your thoughts about this?
Regardless of what you think about him his story is inspiring. He could have been an aborted baby, but thankfully his mother chose life and we all get to see what he can now become. Pray for your new president today. You can check out an amazing prayer for our new President here. Also, check out the video below as well. Pastor Phillip
I am for the most part a single-issue voter. I have said this in the past, not that I don't care other issues, I deeply do. But, saving the lives of unborn babies is the most pressing issue in our day. You can say whatever you want about Pres. Bush. I have not applauded his every decision, his fiscal and monetary policy especially and his theology makes me cringe. But, the man has done whatever he could to protect life and deserves a great thank you.
The following is a thank you letter from the National Right to Life.
Thank You, President Bush. The Pro-life Movement salutes you for eight years of outstanding pro-life service as President. Thank you on behalf of all the unborn children you have saved by your pro-life leadership, policies, and legislation. These children are a living tribute to your presidency. Thank you, too, for appointing two new Justices to the Supreme Court who have already cast key votes to uphold the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. They are likely to be an important pro-life legacy of your presidency well into the future.Your strategy of prohibiting government funding for stem cell research which requires the killing of human embryos and funding instead of the more promising ethical alternative of stem cell research which does not require the killing of human embryos has already begun to prove itself. Major research breakthroughs in adult stem cell research which requires no killing have been made during your Administration. This is another major pro-life achievement of the Bush presidency and is proving to be the most promising way of really finding cures. Thank you for your respect for the sanctity of life.We salute you for all of your efforts in defense of life during your presidency and for your steadfast strength and courage persevering even in the face of severe harassment from hostile anti-life opponents and media. You are an example to all of us of how to stand strong and speak the truth about abortion in spite of being attacked.Thank you for having the wisdom to ensure that your pro-life policies were effectively carried out by placing dedicated pro-life people of great talent in key positions in your administration. We recognize the importance of their service, too. Thank you for personally using the "bully pulpit" of the presidency to speak out for life. Your message to America was loud and clear. "Unborn children should be welcomed in life and protected in law." You will be remembered for those words and the dedication and determination behind them. Your pro-life words at the public signing of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, as well as your public speeches at major White House events you hosted on key life issues, all helped Americans focus more clearly on the life and death struggles to protect unborn children. Your defense of life was strong and courageous, but it was also compassionate. You were an example to everyone of how to fight abortion forcefully without condemning the people who advocate it or the women who have made the tragic error of having one. Polling data has shown that during your presidency the nation has become more pro-life, especially young people. This could have a very significant impact on our future.We know we will miss you terribly in the days and years to come, but we are very grateful for the accomplishments of your presidency. It has been an honor for all of us to know you and work with you for this great cause.God Bless you and God Bless America.
Written by Darla St. Martin who is the Co-Executive Director of National Right to Life. She has worked with President Bush since 1988.
I love PETA (people eating tasty animals). They are great. They used to go to fishing tournaments and slap the water with bamboo poles to scare the fish away. Now, they are seeking to save fish by re-naming them sea-kittens. I can't really make this up. You must go and check out this website. You can adopt a sea-kitty, read bedtime stories to sea-kitty. It is great. It makes me want to thaw out some frozen catfish filets for dinner tonight.
I also learned this great facts like these
Like their surface-dwelling cousins, the land kittens, sea kittens enjoy being petted. Their lack of arms makes it difficult for them to pet back, but they often gently rub against each other as a sign of affection.
OR
Sea kittens talk to each other through squeaks, squeals, and other low-frequency sounds that humans can only hear through special instruments. Most ichthyologists—scientists who specialize in sea kitten biology—agree that this is just about the cutest thing ever.
But, re-naming something is a strong tacit. Jerry Bridges recently came out with a new book which is titled, Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We tolerate. In one of his opening chapters, he states:
"We see that the entire concept of sin has virtually disappeared from our American culture at large and has been softened, even within many of our churches, to accommodate modern sensibilities. Indeed, strong biblical words for sin have been excised from our vocabulary.
The Bible says we are sinners. But take Joel Osteen When asked by Larry King if he uses the word “sinners,” he replied,
“I don’t use it. I never thought about it. But I probably don’t. But most people already know what [when] they’re doing wrong. When I get them to church I want to tell them that you can change.”
He does not use the word sinner and what’s remarkable is the he has not even thought about it. Sinner is offensive so just don't say it. Look at the repacking of other words. Take the sin of adultery, it is called an affair, or sleeping together, running around, cheating. It is adultery, it is a sin, no matter how you dress it up. Or take fornication, it is now hooking up, a fling, or one night stand. Homosexuality is now alternative lifestyle.
All I am saying is fish are fish, sin is sin, and beware of you are anyone else starts repacking words, ideas, and concepts. Do you call the sin your life sin or do you rename and package it. I am sinner, because if I was not or did not see myself as such then
2 Cor 5:21 "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ" would not be true for me.
At Christianbook.com they have a sale on "The Bible Panorama." This is chapter by chapter guide to the whole Bible. I use it daily. It is concise, short and just enough to help you put all the parts of Scripture together. They have it on sale for 14 dollars which is a great price. I seriously recommend picking it you will not be sorry. Pastor Phillip
The following is something I came across and thought it was really interesting. We do tend to focus on numbers in our churches today. Do we really think God is more concerned with how many people we have sitting in pews, or is He more concerned about the hearts and souls of those people? Is He more concerned about how many showed up to an event, or how many lives were actually changed because He was a part of that event? I think it's time we focus on God and not on how many bodies we can get to show up for entertainment. I realize bringing people in is a way of getting the gospel to them, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a huge crowd, but that should not be our focus. I'm praying that God will help me see the needs of others and help me grow to minister to others. I want to be a part of God's work in bringing glory to Him and seeing lives changed! Can't think of anything more exciting than that!
WHAT A WEARISOME YARDSTICK-
J. Grant Swank, Jr., of Windham, Maine, once wrote an article
for "Christian Clippings" which he entitled, "Frankly, I Don't
Care How Many Are In Your Sunday School."
He began the article by remembering minister friends who
seemed to love to tell how many they had in Sunday School
the day before, as if that was the only criterion to be used in
measuring the effectiveness of a church. He wrote, "Finally,
when the dust of planet Earth will have settled and souls will
have departed, who will care how many we had in Sunday School
and how many bucks were deposited in the plate?"
Swank went on to list what he called "the yardsticks of the
church":
-How many were in Sunday School?
-How many showed up for worship?
-How much money came in?
-How many buses do you have running?
-How many are on your staff?
-What programs do you have for my kids?
Then he wrote: "But what a wearisome yardstick. There is
definitely a self-centeredness about it. And it smacks too much
of the business syndrome of success. Further, I do not have an
easy feeling about it in that it does not seem to have biblical
support. Instead, it appears to be more "wood, hay and stubble,"
than "gold, silver and precious stones."
He continued: "One of these days I just know it has to happen --
someone is going to approach me with these questions:
-How much unity is there in your church?
-Is there real love there?
-Do your people have an excitement about the Bible?
-Do your parishioners know how to pray?
-How solid are the Christian families in your congregation?
-How much time do the fathers of your church spend with their
children?
-Does your church allow much time for people to be away from
the church building in order to build their homes?
-Are new people coming to know Christ personally?
-Have the households of your congregation given up the notion
that the church program should baby-sit their offspring?
"Well, if that miracle does not take place soon, I just may plant
a zinger the next time one of my colleagues starts in with,
'How many did you have in Sunday school yesterday?' That
is, playing deaf to the question, I may ask, 'How strong are
the marriages in your congregation?'"
"Interestingly enough -- and logically enough - that could also
go for our annual reports to the congregation, the district and
general levels of the denomination. Instead of reporting the
number of heads and dollars for one year, what if each pastor
gave an honest accounting of the oneness, caring and strength
of his/her congregation. It would not be as easy to feed into
the computer, but it just might have more value in the sight
of God." -The Timothy Report
What are your thoughts about the way we measure success in church? Is this better criterion? Thanks to Diane for posting this! It was very challenging for article. Pastor Phillip
I am all for protecting Christmas. But, I never thought that it would have to come to this to keep baby Jesus safe!
When Baby Jesus disappeared last year from a Nativity scene on the lawn of the Wellington, Fla., community center, village officials didn't follow a star to locate him.
A GPS device mounted inside the life-size ceramic figurine led sheriff's deputies to a nearby apartment, where it was found face down on the carpet. An 18-year-old woman was arrested in the theft.
Giving up on old-fashioned padlocks and trust, a number of churches, synagogues, governments and ordinary citizens are turning to technology to protect holiday displays from pranks or prejudice.
About 70 churches and synagogues eager to avoid the December police blotter jumped at a security company's offer of free use of GPS systems and hidden cameras this month to guard their mangers and menorahs.
Others, like the Herrera family of Richland Hills, Texas, took matters into their own hands. Upset after their teeter-totter was stolen, the family trained surveillance cameras on their yard and was surprised when footage showed a teenage girl stealing a baby Jesus worth almost $500. Police have obtained the tape.
"They took the family Jesus," said Gloria Herrera, 48, a Catholic. "How can anybody do that?"
For two consecutive years, thieves made off with the baby Jesus figurine in Wellington, a well-off village of 60,000 in Palm Beach County, Fla. The ceramic original, donated by a local merchant, was made in Italy and worth about $1,800, said John Bonde, Wellington's director of operations.
So last year, officials took a GPS unit normally used to track the application of mosquito spray and implanted it in the latest replacement figurine. After that one disappeared, sheriff's deputies quickly tracked it down.
Sensing opportunity in that kind of success story, New York-based BrickHouse Security is offering up to 200 nonprofit religious institutions a free month's use of security cameras and LightningGPS products it distributes.
Chief executive officer Todd Morris said the idea was born after a few churches asked about one-month rentals instead of longer contracts that are the norm. The first 20 or so applications came from synagogues, he said.
So far in 2008, Baby Jesus has appeared in several police reports. At FirstUnitedMethodistChurch in Kittanning, Pa., a baby Jesus was stolen and replaced with a pumpkin. In Eureka Springs, Ark., someone who absconded with a plastic baby Jesus from a public display last week also took the concrete block and chain that was supposed to act as a deterrent.
Previously, stolen Jesus figurines have also been defaced with profanity or Satanic symbols.
The incidents raise a question: Is stealing Baby Jesus harmless juvenile fun, or anti-Christian?
"I suspect most of it is childish pranks," said attorney Mike Johnson of the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian legal group. "Clearly, there are adults with an agenda to remove Christ from Christmas. But they tend to occupy themselves with the courts and courtroom of public opinion."To see the whole story click here.
Thinking About Putting GPS in Cason’s Rear End So I Can’t Lose Him, Pastor Phillip
Stop the griping and start praying! You head me, stop the griping and start praying! Am I happy the most pro-abortion candidate ever has been elected president? Am I happy at the direction in which our country seems to be heading? No and No, but we have to refuse to gripe and moan about the situation. Put your negative emotions into positive prayer. We have no idea what God can yet do in our nation. Put these scriptures in your heart and mind today.
Philippians 2:14-15Do everything without grumbling and arguing,(15)so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.
1Ti 2:1-8First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,(2)for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.(3)This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,(4)who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.(5)For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, a man, Christ Jesus,(6)who gave Himself--a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.(7)For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.(8)Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.
1Pe 2:13-17Submit to every human institution because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority,(14)or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.(15)For it is God's will that you, by doing good, silence the ignorance of foolish people.(16)As God's slaves, live as free people, but don't use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.(17)Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor.
Rom 13:1-7Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.(2)So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.(3)For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval.(4)For government is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.(5)Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience.(6)And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God's public servants, continually attending to these tasks.(7)Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.
Obey God’s Word Today! Pastor Phillip
10/23/08
I can't commend the work of Catholics enough on the issues that truly matter most to myself, and our nation. Please watch this moving video, it is challenging and inspiring for all.
I am not a Catholic obviously, but our Catholic brothers and sisters are some of the most thoughtful, eloquent, and biblical defenders of life. There work against abortion is exemplary. Here are some extremely though provoking statements.
"America you are beautiful . . . and blessed . . . . The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless. If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." - Pope John Paul II
"It is a poverty that a "child must die", So that you may live as you wish... - Mother Teresa
"There are two victims in every abortion: a dead baby and a dead conscience." - Mother Teresa
I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is "Abortion", because it is a war against the child... A direct killing of the innocent child, "Murder" by the mother herself... And if we can accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with love... And we remeind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts... - Mother Teresa
We must not be surprised when we hear of murders, killings, of wars, or of hatred...If a mother can kill her own child, what is left but for us to kill each other? - Mother Teresa
Please protect the unborn in our nation! Pastor Phillip
I loved field trips in school. We go to go to goat farm and milk some goats one time, random museums, a overnighter to Charleston. They were great. Mildly educationally, usually slightly chaotic, but I always looked forward to them. Well, I am not sure about this field trip in San Francisco. I was blown away by this. I found this here.
A group of San Francisco first-graders took an unusual field trip to City Hall on Friday to toss rose petals on their just-married lesbian teacher - putting the public school children at the center of a fierce election battle over the fate of same-sex marriage.
The 18 Creative Arts Charter School students took a Muni bus and walked a block at noon to toss rose petals and blow bubbles on their just-married teacher Erin Carder and her wife Kerri McCoy, giggling and squealing as they mobbed their teacher with hugs.Mayor Gavin Newsom, a friend of a friend, officiated.
A parent came up with the idea for the field trip - a surprise for the teacher on her wedding day."She's such a dedicated teacher," said the school's interim director Liz Jaroslow. But there was a question of justifying the field trip academically. Jaroflow decided she could. "It really is what we call a teachable moment," Jaroflow said, noting the historic significance of same-sex marriage and related civil rights issues. "I think I'm well within the parameters."
On Friday, McCoy and Carder, both in white, held hands on Newsom's office balcony overlooking the rotunda and recited their vows."With this ring, I thee wed!" Carder said, shouting the last word for emphasis.
After traditional photos, the two walked out City Hall's main doors where the students were lined up down the steps with bags of pink rose petals and bottles of bubbles hanging from their necks. McCoy, a conferences services coordinator, was in on the surprise and beamed as the children swarmed around Carder. The two met on a dance floor two years ago.
Creative Arts administrators and parents acknowledged that the field trip might be controversial, but they didn't see the big deal. Same-sex marriage is legal, they noted. "How many days in school are they going to remember?" asked parent Marc Lipsett. "This is a day they'll definitely remember."Carder's students said they were happy to see their new teacher married.
"She's a really nice teacher. She's the best," said 6-year-old Chava Novogrodsky-Godt, "I want her to have a good wedding." Chava's mothers said they are getting married in two weeks.
The students' parents are planning to make a video with the children describing what marriage is to them. Marriage, 6-year-old Nolan Alexander said Friday, is "people falling in love." It means, he added, "You stay with someone the rest of your life."
As is the case with all field trips, parents had to give their permission and could choose to opt out of the trip. Two families did. Those children spent the duration of the 90-minute field trip back at school with another first-grade class, the interim director said.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's not controversial for me," Jaroflow said. "It's certainly an issue I would be willing to put my job on the line for."
So, is your child going on this trip? What are you feelings? For your information this is what is at stake in the culture wars between conservatism (both social, political and religious) and liberalism (both social, political and religious). This is where the left wants our nation to be heading. They want to use schools, media, taxes, whatever they can find to bring about their agenda. We must be pray and be active. Remember as Edmund Burke said "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Not Liking At All San Francisco Values, Pastor Phillip
Man, I got to be honest I am little depressed, the whole debacle with economy and Sarah Palin with the ethics violations dealing with ex-brother in law state trooper. McCain supporters at rallies yelling out concerning Obama "Terrorist, off with his head, he is an Arab!" This is untrue and grossly wrong. Then there Obama with his duplicity, love of abortion and ever changing views. Things look just from a political standpoint pretty abysmal.
I have to remember that from a Christ-Centered standpoint that Isaiah 6:1-4 is ture "I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple. (2) Seraphim were standing above Him; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. (3) And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth. (4) The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke." I have king and I am part of a kingdom that far transcends the party-politics of this nation.
I try and remember that if politics could save the world, we would not need Jesus. So, instead of being afraid and our being depressed run to God in prayer. I pray the words of Rev 22:20 “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”
ZHAO XIAO, a former Communist Party official and convert to Christianity, smiles over a cup of tea and says he thinks there are up to 130m Christians in China. This is far larger than previous estimates. The government says there are 21m (16m Protestants, 5m Catholics). Unofficial figures, such as one given by the Centre for the Study of Global Christianity in Massachusetts, put the number at about 70m. But Mr Zhao is not alone in his reckoning. A study of China by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, an American think-tank, says indirect survey evidence suggests many unaffiliated Christians are not in the official figures. And according to China Aid Association (CAA), a Texas-based lobby group, the director of the government body which supervises all religions in China said privately that the figure was indeed as much as 130m in early 2008.
If so, it would mean China contains more Christians than Communists (party membership is 74m) and there may be more active Christians in China than in any other country. In 1949, when the Communists took power, less than 1% of the population had been baptised, most of them Catholics. Now the largest, fastest-growing number of Christians belong to Protestant “house churches”.
In a suburb of Shanghai, off Haining Road, neighbours peer warily across the hallway as visitors file into a living room, bringing the number to 25, the maximum gathering allowed by law without official permission. Inside, young urban professionals sit on sofas and folding chairs. A young woman in a Che Guevara T-shirt blesses the group and a man projects material downloaded from the internet from his laptop onto the wall. Heads turn towards the display and sing along: “Glory, Glory Glory; Holy, Holy, Holy; God is near to each one of us.” It is Sunday morning, and worship is beginning in one of thousands of house churches across China.
House churches are small congregations who meet privately—usually in apartments—to worship away from the gaze of the Communist Party. In the 1950s, the Catholic and main Protestant churches were turned into branches of the religious-affairs administration. House churches have an unclear status, neither banned nor fully approved of. As long as they avoid neighbourly confrontation and keep their congregations below a certain size (usually about 25), the Protestant ones are mostly tolerated, grudgingly. Catholic ones are kept under closer scrutiny, reflecting China’s tense relationship with the Vatican. To read the rest of the article more click here trouble. (This keeps me from getting in trouble)
Here is very sad article. I pray our nation never comes to this, but with this upcoming election we can't know for sure that it won't. Remember that Barack Obama is a cosponsor of the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act which has been called "the most sweeping piece of pro-abortion legislation ever proposed in Congress." The FOCA is a bill that would make partial-birth abortion legal again, strike down restrictions on taxpayer funding of abortion, and nullify virtually every state and federal law or policy that would in any way "interfere with" access to abortion, including parental notification laws. Please vote and pray!
Proposed abortion laws threaten doctors' rights By Eamonn Mathieson
The Legislative Council should reject this legislation and the legislators should return to the drawing board and start again. (ABC TV)
The anti-conscience clause in Victoria's new Abortion Law Reform Bill 2008 is extreme and unprecedented. Even the ACT, which has the most liberal abortion legislation in the country, includes a provision to safeguard the rights of health professionals to refuse to participate in abortions.
This extraordinary attempt by pro-abortion legislators to coerce health professionals to participate in the taking of human life is an unconscionable attack on their human rights.
Under this proposed legislation many health practitioners will find their practices under threat if they are unwilling to advise or perform an abortion or refer for abortion. The right to conscientious objection by professional health practitioners in the state of Victoria will be severely curtailed.
Such a provision is contrary to the codes of ethics of the AMA, the Royal Australian College of Nursing and the National Health and Medical Research Council. It is also in breach of section 14 of Victoria's Charter of Human rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights.
This misguided and unethical provision reflects how poorly drafted this legislation is. It relies on the false premise that "abortion is just like any medical procedure". Only euthanasia and medically assisted executions share the same intent and objective: the direct taking of human life. It bases its framework on an incorrect definition of abortion. It defines abortion as "intentionally causing the termination of a woman's pregnancy". This is incorrect. This would include inducing a live birth prematurely for serious health risks and the management of ectopic pregnancies. This flawed definition enables the creation of the clinical fiction of "emergency abortions". And it is this misleading category that gives the apparent justification to the coercion of health professionals to participate in abortions.
The management of complicated and life-threatening obstetric cases does not necessitate the direct and active killing of the unborn. The indirect and unintended loss of life of an unborn child in early pregnancy resulting from the management of serious maternal health risk is not an abortion per se. And attempting to deliver a live birth late in pregnancy is always the safer option in emergency or high risk situations. Suicidal risk for a pregnant woman is a psychiatric emergency, not a surgical or abortion emergency. In almost all clinical situations the management of maternal health risk need not involve the consideration of an abortion.
In this way, despite claims by legislators their legislation does not reflect a competent grasp of the realities of current clinical practice.
Regarding the rights of doctors to refuse to participate in the process of abortion by refusing to refer "to another whom the practitioner knows does not have a conscientious objection to abortion". The legislation relies on the mistaken advice given by the VLRC that Victoria would be following a precedent in the United Kingdom. This is just one of several incorrect and misleading recommendations given by the VLRC which have gone unchallenged. It reveals the flawed process in which VLRC recommendations are not open to public scrutiny and expert criticism following their release and prior to legislation being framed around it.
Only last week a UK doctor received confirmation from the General Medical Council that he was acting according to professional medical rules by conscientiously objecting to participating in abortions through referral.
The issue of objecting to referral for abortion seems to confound some people. If the word 'abortion' was substituted with 'euthanasia' or 'female circumcision' it is perhaps easier to see the issue. If these practices were legal and the state compelled doctors to refer, despite their conscientious objection and against their clinical judgement, to known 'euthanasists' or 'genital mutilators' the issue of participation is perhaps more evident.
This point was made in a recent letter by AMA president Dr Doug Travis to Premier John Brumby:
The Bill infringes the rights of doctors with a conscientious objection by inserting an active compulsion for a doctor to refer to another doctor who they know does not have a conscientious objection. Respect for a conscientious objection is a fundamental principle in our democratic country, and doctors expect that their rights in this regard will be respected, as for any other citizen.
It was also a point made recently in Ontario, Canada, when an attempt to override doctors' rights to conscientiously object was defeated. Rabbi Reuven Bulka stated, "Referring is just a way of sloughing off your responsibility ? If you're opposed to these things, referring is the same as taking part in the evil."
Not only should the state protect the lives of its citizens, it should also protect the rights of health professionals not to participate in killing against their will. The Legislative Council should reject this legislation and the legislators should return to the drawing board and start again.
Dr Eamonn Mathieson is an obstetric anaesthetist and a member of the Doctors in Conscience Against Abortion Bill group.
I found this interesting article. It is worth a read and tell me what do you think?
More family meals mean less risky sex for teens
By Anne Harding
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Parents who don't want their teens to engage in risky sexual behavior should make family time a priority, a new study suggests.
Adolescents who took part in family activities more often had sex less frequently, less unprotected sex, and fewer sex partners, Dr. Rebekah Levine Coley of Boston College and her colleagues found.
Most research on parenting and teen sexual behavior has simply looked at whether or not a teen has had sex, not the degree of sexual risk he or she takes, Coley noted in an interview with Reuters Health. But given that two out of three U.S. teens have sex before they turn 19, more specific information would provide a better understanding of the risks involved, Coley and her team point out in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
To investigate, as well as to better define whether parental qualities influence a child's sexual behavior rather than vice versa, Coley and her team used increasingly stringent statistical techniques to analyze the results of a survey of 4,950 U.S. teens, 1,058 of whom were siblings. The adolescents were 12 to 16 years old when the study began, and completed the survey every year for 3 years.
By comparing parenting quality and sexual behavior for siblings raised in the same household, Coley noted, it is possible to tease out potential cause-and-effect relationships.
The more times a week that an adolescent reported having dinner with their family, "doing something religious" as a family, or having fun with their family, the less likely he or she was to engage in risky sexual behavior, the researchers found.
However, having a parent who used "negative and psychologically controlling" behavior increased the likelihood that a teen would be having risky sex. This includes "criticizing the ideas of the adolescents, controlling and directing what they think and how they feel," Coley explained.
"Negative and psychologically controlling parenting behaviors may inhibit adolescents' development of self-efficacy and identity, interfere with mature and responsible decision making skills, and affect the development of healthy relationships, in turn leading to an elevated likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors," the researchers suggest.
On the other hand, they add, family activities are "centrally important supports for children, providing opportunities for emotional warmth, communication, and transmission of values and beliefs."
The findings make it clear, Coley said, that "what parents do with their adolescents really matters."
SOURCE: Journal of Adolescent Health, August 2008.
Going to be eating dinner with Cason everyday of His life! Pastor Phillip
I was researching why it is that I have been told and taught throughout my life not to mention politics from the pulpit. I want to preach whatever ever is needed and crucial to the church. I think I should have the is right to do this without government interference after all the first amendment reads
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
This says the state should not establish or interfere with churches. We have the right to air our grievances. But, that has been taken away. It is always bothered me. The freedom of speech protects Klan members, pornographers, but not preachers from teaching their members how to be informed on the issues that matter most to an election? Jesus was a very political man. He fought against the incumbent and establishment Jews, he criticized their capital the temple, their worship, and all this was both religious and political. Well below is a commentary from World Net Daily. It is a great news site. Tell, me what do you think? Should preachers continue to silent on some of the salient issues of today? Should preachers respect the “Johnson Amendment” or should their churches voluntarily give up their not-for-profit tax exemptions? What do you say?
The American War of Independence has been characterized as one inspired in the pulpits of the colonies."No king but King Jesus," was one of the slogans of those who fought the British soldiers, leading to the creation of a new independent state and the greatest explosion of freedom the world has ever known.
Because our founders believed churches were essential to maintaining the kind of Christian culture necessary for a free society in America, houses of worship were free of taxation and regulation by government. (This is fundamental tenant of Baptist theology as well.)
Pastors, priests and rabbis were free to say what they wanted to say about politics and the issues of the day through the early history of our nation – in fact, right up until 1954.That year, Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, D-Texas, was facing opposition in his re-election bid from Christians and anti-communists, some of whom were speaking their minds freely from the pulpits.
Johnson, a powerful figure in the Senate who would later become John F. Kennedy's vice president and succeed him following the assassination in 1963, had a solution for his own political predicament – to muzzle churches and clergy with federal regulations. Through what became known as "the Johnson Amendment," the U.S. Congress changed the Internal Revenue Service code, prohibiting non-profits, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates.
It should have been seen as a clear infringement of the First Amendment back in 1954, but it wasn't. And this most regrettable action has haunted America ever since. Recently, Wiley Drake, pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, Calif., was notified by the IRS he is under investigation for endorsing Mike Huckabee's candidacy for president. His crime? Using church letterhead and a church radio show for speaking his mind.
Now his church is threatened with losing its tax-exempt status as a result. Whether you agree with Wiley Drake or not, he and his church have every right to take a position on who should be our next president without risking the church's tax status. Under the First Amendment, Congress has no power to tax churches. Period. End of story. Under the First Amendment, Congress has no power to stifle freedom of speech.
Ever since 1954, the government has unevenly applied its illegitimate oversight of churches – winking as some pastors turn their churches over to political candidates to make stump speeches, while warning others it is inappropriate.There is only one real solution – repeal the Johnson Amendment.
Just as we learned that repealing the Fairness Doctrine in 1987 resulted in an explosion of lively political debate in the broadcast industry, so will the repeal of the Johnson Amendment result in an explosion of political debate in the pulpits.
And what's wrong with that?
Why should pastors be muzzled? Don't they have an obligation to speak out on the great moral and political issues of the day, just as they did when they inspired the War of Independence? Don't members of the clergy deserve at least the same freedom of speech as other individuals in our society? Shouldn't churches be encouraged to be the salt and light in our society just as they were during the first 180 years of our nation's history?
Over the last 50 years, America's churches have been controlled and intimidated by these hideous IRS regulations. They've been neutered. I blame the clergy for so timidly falling in line with the illegitimate government restrictions as much as I blame the government.
But it's time to recognize the Johnson Amendment was an abuse of the system by a powerful politician who had no respect for the Constitution, for religious freedom and for freedom of speech. Johnson himself, as president, used the illegitimate Fairness Doctrine to target broadcasters who criticized him.
He was a petty tyrant, and we need not live under the dark cloud of suppression he created back in 1954.
Let Barack Obama speak in the churches. Let Hillary Clinton speak in the churches. Let John McCain speak in the churches. Let Mike Huckabee speak in the churches. Free pastors to say what they want, when they want.
It's no threat to freedom. It is an example of freedom.
Mulling over Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it's right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; (20) for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Are you broke or are you stupid? This a big question. If you are either or both and or nether, you need to go over and check this post at Perry Noble's blog.
I found this advertised in Christianity Today yesterday. I hear St. Al Gore appears in this version here!
The definitive green movement Bible that shows God is "green" and helps us see how we can care for and protect God's creation.The Green Bible equips and encourages you to see God's vision for creation and helps you engage in the work of healing and sustaining it. With over 1,000 references to the earth in the Bible, compared to 490 references to heaven and 530 references to love, the Bible carries a powerful message for the earth. This Green-Letter edition of the Bible highlights scriptures in green ink that teach about God's care for creation and how God interacts with creation, in an effort to bring greater awareness to how this message is woven throughout the Old and New Testaments. Essays from leading conservationists and theologians on how to read the Bible through a "green lens" as well as a green topical index and Green Bible Trail Guide for personal study will be paired with teachings throughout the ages to show people how caring for God's creation is not only a calling, but a lifestyle.
Features include:
Green-Letter Edition - verses that speak to God's care for creation will be highlighted in green ink
Inspirational poems from St. Francis of Assisi and Wendell Berry
Essays from key leaders and thinkers on various aspects of scripture and its mandate for creation care
Quotes from Christian teachings throughout the ages from St. Augustine to C.S. Lewis
A green topical index
Green Bible Trail study guide
Appendix to include information on ways to get involved and practical steps to take
Printed on recycled paper, using soy-based ink, with a cotton/linen cover
Southern Baptist leader Richard Land: "Sure it's important, but when they asked Jesus what was most important, he said, 'Love your God, and love your neighbor as yourself.' He didn't say anything about creation." I agree with Richard! Anybody plan on buying this? What are your thoughts?
GE, which developed the 4D ultrasound imaging technology, has a website of images that follow the timeline of the unborn's development from six weeks to birth. It's a fantastic window into the womb to see the human being, bring to life the formerly unseen, at stake in abortion. These pictures are worth 1000 words, but use the words as well to explain the value of these children.
