Posts: March 20 to April 8, 2007

With Arms Open Wide
Sunday, April 08, 2007 1:15 AM

With the busy weekend that goes with this season, I haven't posted for a few days. However, I thought that this weeks sermon goes from Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday, so it fills in that gap PERFECTLY!Have a blessed Easter Sunday, be close with our Savior and enjoy the time you spend with your family and friends.

God is Good!

Pastor Ed

With Arms Open Wide
Sunday April 8, 2007
Pastor Ed Boston

Little Philip, born with Down's syndrome, attended a third-grade Sunday School class with several eight-year-old boys and girls. Typical of that age, the children did not readily accept Philip with his differences, according to an article in Leadership magazine. But because of a creative teacher, they began to care about Philip and accept him as part of the group, though not fully. The Sunday after Easter the teacher brought Leggs pantyhose containers, the kind that look like large eggs. Each receiving one, the children were told to go outside on that lovely spring day, find some symbol for new life, and put it in the egg-like container. Back in the classroom, they would share their new-life symbols, opening the containers one by one in surprise fashion. After running about the church property in wild confusion, the students returned to the classroom and placed the containers on the table. Surrounded by the children, the teacher began to open them one by one. After each one, whether flower, butterfly, or leaf, the class would ooh and ahh. Then one was opened, revealing nothing inside. The children exclaimed, "That's stupid. That's not fair. Somebody didn't do their assignment." Philip spoke up, "That's mine." "Philip, you don't ever do things right!" the student retorted. "There's nothing there!" I did so do it," Philip insisted. "I did do it. It's empty. the tomb was empty!" Silence followed. From then on Philip became a full member of the class.
He died not long afterward from an infection most normal children would have shrugged off. At the funeral this class of eight-year-olds marched up to the altar not with flowers, but with their Sunday school teacher, each to lay on it an empty pantyhose egg.
Open with talking about Arms Open Wide.
I. Jesus Lived with Arms Open Wide
Luke 23
32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
38There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
· That path was the Via Dolorosa.
A) Latin for "Way of Grief"
B) The Way of Suffering
C) Street of Sorrows
D) Way of the Cross
Via Dolorosa to be performed by Ann Boston here.
Jesus' Death
44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
II. Jesus Died with Arms Open Wide
· He opened his arms on the Cross to embrace humanity
47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." 48When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Jesus' Burial
50Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
III. Jesus Lives with Arms Open Wide.
Matthew 28
The Resurrection
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Notice the different tenses the verb in each point:
Lived (past tense)
Died (past tense)
Lives (present tense)

11 Things You Don't Learn in School
Wednesday, April 04, 2007 1:19 PM

I received this following in an email. I don't know if it is really from Bill Gates or not, but the 11 points sure do make sense to me.

Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFOREyou feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out ofhigh school. You won't be a vice-president with a carphone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping:they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Where have you been?
Wednesday, April 04, 2007 11:38 AM

Where has everyone been? I haven't had contact with some of you for a couple of days! Oh wait a second. It's me that's been away and not you. Thanks for straightening me out. Someone needs to relieve my wife with that on occasion!Actually, I've been very busy since Sunday. I used to publish a monthly newsletter for the church, but this year I have gone to quarterly - and the Spring newsletter was finished yesterday. I will email it to many of you, and if you don't get it, email me and I will get you a copy. The other news and something that began for me yesterday is that I've been named as the Chaplain of the Columbus, IN satellite campus of Indiana Wesleyan University. This is a part-time position, but it is doing something I love, and it even pays (most of my endeavors outside the church I pastor is volunteer work). That's a good thing with a my teenaged daughter getting ready for prom, and my other daughter getting ready to bring our 2nd grandchild into this world in May.Strange as it may seem, I really missed posting the last 2 days, and I might make 2 or 3 posts today, just to make up for it.It is my pleasure to share with you, and if I can ever be of help to you, please email me and let me know!God loves you and so do I.

Pastor Ed

Palm Sunday Sermon
Monday, April 02, 2007 12:36 AM

The Triumphant Entry and Jesus' Busy Week

Mark 11
The Triumphal Entry
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "
4They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" 6They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on tJudas Agrees to Betray Jesus he road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" 10"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!"
11Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.Now let's take a look at the things that happened between this event and up to the crucifixion (taking headings of scripture from the Gospels):Jesus Clears the TempleJesus Taught in the TempleJesus Anointed at Bethany Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives Jesus Prays for Himself Jesus Prays for His Disciples Jesus Prays for All Believers Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus The Last Supper Jesus Arrested Jesus Taken to Annas Peter First Denial The High Priest Questions Jesus Peter's Second and Third Denials The Guards Mock Jesus Jesus Before Pilate and Herod The story gets worse, but then Praise God, it becomes "The Greatest Story Ever Told"!

Praying for Carey!
Sunday, April 01, 2007 12:34 AM

I know I just had a featured post a couple of days back, but this is too important not to make a featured post. I personally don't know Carey or his family, but I have known the lady/friend who sent the request and the updates for many years. I'm going to post the original request first, followed by the two updates. I think most of you probably got the initial request, but I haven't gotten all of you the updates.Thank you for praying for this two-year-old boy and his family.Have a wonderful Palm Sunday!!!

Pastor Ed Boston

Thursday, March 29, 2007 5:29 PMEd, I just got a call from a good friends mom. My friends little boy, Cary Foster, fell into a bucket of milk that had just been pasturized. Mom had just done the milking and was processing the milk and had set the bucket on the floor. Carey (he just turned 2) threw something in the trash and backed up and fell into the bucket. They lifelined him from Terre Haute to Riley. He has 3rd degree burns over 35% of his body and is facing several surgeries. They have him heavily sedated and are removing the burnt skin. The milk was at 165*. Please ask for prayer for him. They really need it right now. Dad travels a lot and she is a stay at home mom and raises goats. They are going to need prayer in all aspects of their lives as they will have to manage things at home, work and now the most important is taking care of Carey who will be in the hospital for a while. Thanks Ed!!!! Shelley Young Friday, March 30, 2007 3:23 PMThanks Ed, and yes,please foward them to me and I will copy them and send them to the Fosters. I spoke with Klisse (the mom) last night and Carey is in the ICU at Riley. He will be there no less then 2 weeks and will be looking at skin grafts in the near future. Not sure ow those will be done nor when, will depend on how he heals. They have to scrub the dead skin off and Klisse said that he handled that pretty well as he was fairly sedated when they done that. They called in CPS and that had mom tore up as this was nothing more then an accident. They had to take pictures and all. I tried to explain to her that not all people are the parent that she is and that sometimes these things are done on purpose to a child, thats why they investigate ALL things which she agreed that that was a good thing. That is all that I know for now. It did take the skin off of his mid to lower back, the back of his legs, part of an arm and some got on his stomach. His diaper saved his bottom. I am going up tomorrow and I will let you know more after that. Thanks again Ed! Shelley Saturday, March 31, 2007 7:57 PMHi Ed, Just got back from Riley a little bit ago to see Carey. He is doing well considering. He was sedated and resting comfortably while we were there. He will have his first skin graph on Tuesday. Some of the burns were deeper than originally thought. There are 3rd degree burns on his lower back and when you get to about mid back they turn into 2nd degree up to about the shoulder blades. I don't know if I told you, but they put a port in so that they don't have to keep sticking him. They can draw blood and administer meds through it. They also put in a stomach tube as he needs a high calorie diet and this way they can put what he needs straight into his stomach. We are going to Terre Haute (this is where they live) tomorrow and pick up a couple of their goats that are ready to kid and bring them here so that we can keep an eye on them. They milk around 75 goats and so they have quite a responsibilty to take care of at home as well. They have one of the top show herds in the nation. The local 4-H club has come in to help do chores along with their vet, but they cannot be there all the time to watch the does kid. So we will bring some of the "more important" ones here so that they can be watched. In the mean time, mom is staying at the hospital round the clock, dad is running back and forth from Terre Haute and as many as can are trying to keep things together inbetween for them. These are very good people and it shows with the amount of friends that they have. I told Klisse (mom) today that you had sent so many emails out and she had tears in her eyes. She was very thankful for that. Thanks again Ed and I will keep you posted as often as I get news. Probably won't hear anything until Tuesday now. I will let you know how the surgery goes. Shelley PS Please, as many as you can, let all those people that you emailed know that the prayers are truely appreciated!!!

Red Friday
Friday, March 30, 2007 5:52 PM

I have seen this story before and thought with it being Friday that it would be a GREAT post for today! I don't know if the first part is true or not (someone checked at snoopes.com and didn't find anything), but true or not it is a good story and then the Red Friday part is something we can all do!

Troop Feel Good: Will you give this to my Daddy? Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me begin clapping and cheering. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen. Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's. As they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly on their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped what I was doing and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, no more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "Hi". The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier (he didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself), said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy? Then, suddenly, the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek. The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon." At this point, the mother was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier, in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek. We need to remember--everyday--all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.

RED FRIDAYS

Very soon you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no conservative media coverage on TV to reflect our message or our opinions. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something RED. By word of mouth, press, TV, let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers. Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

Time to Support Our Troops and the CIC
Thursday, March 29, 2007 4:34 PM

Folks, it is time to call on the leaders of our country to quit playing politics with the Global War on Terror! The shame that they call the bills in both the House and Senate that have arbitrary dates for the withdraw of our troops from Iraq is nothing if not political grandstanding. The bills not only call for these dates of withdraw (certain veto), but also contain 100's of millions of dollars in pork. I will highlight some of them below.Wake up America. Wars are not won by 515 CIC's. Get the political divisions out of the equation and let our brave young men and women get the job done. They deserve all of our support regardless if we support the war or not. And for those who say that not showing support for the war doesn't mean they don't support the troops, I would say just listen to what the troops themselves say. Search the net just a little and you will find that the troops don't feel that people who don't support the war show support for the troops, but just the opposite.And the enemy is embolden by every act of cowardice by those who try to weaken our efforts. As I read a good friend of mine say, this is not the enemy we faced in Viet Nam. They had no desire to follow us home and fight us on our own soil. The enemy of the GWOT want us all dead! Period! And let me phrase it this way: They want you and I to die, and nothing short of that will be good enough for them.Below is just the second half the President's speech. The first half (link below) is a good read as well.Thank you President Bush for putting that spark back into your speech! Everyone else, let's turn our fighting men and women loose and "get'er done"!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/03/20070328-2.html

President Bush Discusses Economy, War on Terror During Remarks to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Holiday Inn on the HillWashington, D.C.

(about 1/2 way into the speech)......September the 11th is an important moment in this country's history. It's a sad moment. But it should serve as a wake-up call to the realities of the world in which we live. On September the 11th, we saw problems originating in a failed state some 7,000 miles away that affected how we live. See, September the 11th was not only a day we were attacked, it is a day that our country must never forget, and the lessons of that day must never be forgot, that what happens overseas matters here at home. It may be tempting to say, oh, just let it run its natural course. But for me, allowing the world to run its natural course, which could lead to more violence and hatred, would end up reducing the security of the United States, not enhancing the security. And our biggest job in America, the biggest job of this government, is to protect you from harm.
I think about it every day, and so do a lot of other good, decent citizens of this country. The best way to protect this country is to defeat the enemy overseas so we don't have to face them here at home. (Applause.) And for the long-term peace and security of this country, we must advance an ideology that stands in stark contrast to the ideology of the killers. The best way to secure this homeland is to stay on the offense, and in the meantime, encourage the spread of liberty as an alternative to tyranny.
And it's hard work, but it is necessary work. We went into Afghanistan, and we did so to remove a vicious tyranny that had harbored terrorists who planned the 9/11 attacks on our country. Our message was, if you provide safe haven, if you provide comfort to an enemy, you're just as guilty as the enemy. And so, along with allies, we captured or killed hundreds of al Qaeda and Taliban fighters; we closed down their training camps; we helped the people of Afghanistan replace the Taliban regime with a democratic government. And it's in our nation's long-term interests that we help the people of Afghanistan survive the threats and onslaughts by people who want to reinstate tyranny.
And then we went into Iraq. And we removed the dictator who was a threat to the United States and to the world. And now we're undertaking the difficult and dangerous work of helping the Iraqi people establish a functioning democracy that can protect their own people and serve as an ally in this global war against those who would do America harm.
In 2005 -- I want you to remember -- in 2005, the Iraqi people held three national elections. Oh, it seems like a decade ago, doesn't it? And yet in the march of history, it's not all that long ago that the Iraqi people showed up at the election box, after having lived under the thumb of a brutal and murderous tyrant, to express their will about the future of their country. They chose a transitional government. They adopted the most progressive, democratic constitution in the Arab world. And then they elected a government underneath that constitution. Despite the endless threats from killers, nearly 12 million Iraqi citizens came out to vote, in a show of hope and solidarity that the United States should never forget.
A thinking enemy watched all this. See, there are some who can't stand the thought of a free society emerging in their midst. And this enemy escalated attacks. Al Qaeda is very active in Iraq. And they and other Sunni extremists blew up one of the most sacred places in Shia Islam, the Golden Mosque of Samarra. Why did they do that? They did that to provoke retaliation. They did that to cause people to take up -- arm themselves. And they succeeded. Radical Shia elements, some of whom have received support from Iran, increased their support of death squads, and then the situation began to escalate.
And so I had a choice to make. Last fall, I looked at the facts, I consulted with a lot of folks in Congress, and our military commanders. And my choice really boiled down to this: Do we withdraw our troops and let violence spiral out of control, let this young democracy fail, or do I send reinforcements to help the Iraqis quell the violence and secure their capital? In other words, do we give them breathing space to get on the path of reconciliation so that this young democracy could survive?
Well, I weighed the options, and the military commanders and I concluded that the consequences of withdrawal would be disastrous for the United States of America. And let me tell you why. If we were to step back from Baghdad before it was more secure, before the government could secure its own capital, it would leave a security vacuum. And into that vacuum could quickly come Sunni and Shia extremists, bolstered by outside forces. A contagion of violence could spill out across the country, and in time, the violence of these emboldened extremists could affect the entire region. The terrorists could emerge from chaos -- see, they benefit when the situation is chaotic -- with new safe havens to replace the one they had lost in Afghanistan.
There's no doubt in my mind that their intention is to try to strike us again, and they need the resources and the safe haven to do so. If we were to abandon this young democracy to chaos, it would embolden these extremists. It would enable them to be able to recruit more. It would give them new resources from which to plot and plan. I believe the consequences of failure in Iraq affect the security of the United States of America, and that's why I made the decision I made. (Applause.)
And so instead of retreating, we reinforced -- troops led by a capable commander named General David Petraeus. The Iraqi government saw our firm support, and they're now beginning to carry out an aggressive plan to secure their nation's capital. And the plan is still in the beginning stages. I mean, General Petraeus had been on the ground just for about two months. Only half of the reinforcements that he needs have arrived. And he says it's going to be early June before all the troops that are dedicated to the operation are even in place. In other words, I've sent reinforcements into Baghdad with a new commander, with a plan to help the Iraqis secure the plan, a plan that we believe will be successful. He's been there for about two months. Half the troops that he needs have arrived.
And, look, I recognize it's going to require a sustained, determined effort to succeed; I know that. And there are some early signs that are encouraging. For example, the Iraqi leader has appointed a commander for Baghdad who is working closely with our generals. The last of the nine Iraqi surge battalions arrived in the Iraqi capital. In other words, they said, we're going to commit troops to this plan to secure the capital, and they're delivering. Iraqis are showing up. Iraqi leaders have lifted restrictions that once prevented Iraqi and American forces from going into areas like Sadr City. You've been reading about Sadr City; well, my attitude is, murderers are murderers, and they ought to be brought to justice. And so any political restrictions preventing our people are being lifted. Iraqis are in the lead, we're helping them.
We're now setting up checkpoints across Baghdad. When I say "we," that is the Iraqis, with American help. They're hardening perimeters around markets and areas that have been targets for these spectacular attacks, all aimed at shaking the confidence of the American people and shaking the confidence of the Iraqi people. We've got joint security stations throughout the Iraqi capital. In the past, we would clear an area, and then we'd go home, and then the insurgents or killers would move back in. Now we've got a strategy of clear, hold -- that's what that means -- and then using money to help reconstruct Iraq. By the way, most of the money is coming from the Iraqis -- he's put out a $10 billion reconstruction budget. That's what we expect. A government of and by the people should be spending the people's money to help rebuild their country.
American forces are now deployed 24 hours in these neighborhoods, and guess what's happening. The Iraqi people are beginning to gain confidence. Support from the Iraqi people can be measured by the tips our people get. In other words, people saying, so-and-so is over here; a cache of weapons over there. And we're using the tips to aggressively pursue. We've launched successful operations against Shia extremists. We've captured hundreds of fighters that are spreading sectarian violence. In other words, we're after killers. We're after -- we don't say, this religious group, or this religious group. We're saying, if you're trying to destabilize this young democracy, the Iraqis, with coalition help, are coming after you.
Last week, we captured a Shia extremist leader and his associates who were implicated in the kidnaping and murder of five U.S. soldiers in Karbala. Last month, American and Iraqi forces uncovered more than 400 weapons caches. We're conducting dozens and dozens of operations on a daily basis throughout that country, with the Iraqi forces.
See, ultimately, the Iraqis are going to have to defend themselves. Ultimately, it is their responsibility. That's what the 12 million people who voted want. We just need to give them some breathing space so they can gain their confidence and have the capabilities necessary to protect this country.
We're destroying bomb factories. Just last week, we captured the head of the al Qaeda bomb network, responsible for some of the most horrific bombings in Baghdad. It's interesting, I mentioned al Qaeda; al Qaeda wants us to fail in Iraq. This is what their leaders have clearly said, and they're willing to kill innocent women and children to achieve their objectives.
The missions I described are only the opening salvos in what is going to be a sustained effort. Yet, the Iraqi people are beginning to say -- see positive changes. I want to share with you how two Iraqi bloggers -- they have bloggers in Baghdad, just like we've got here -- (laughter) -- "Displaced families are returning home, marketplaces are seeing more activity, stores that were long shuttered are now reopening. We feel safer about moving in the city now. Our people want to see this effort succeed. We hope the governments in Baghdad and America do not lose their resolve."
I want to read something that Army Sergeant Major Chris Nadeau says -- the guy is on his second tour in Iraq. He says, "I'm not a Democrat or a Republican. I'm a soldier. The facts are the facts. Things are getting better, we're picking up momentum."
These are hopeful signs, and that's positive. Yet at the very moment that General Petraeus's strategy is beginning to show signs of success, the Democrats in the House of Representatives have passed an emergency war spending bill that undercuts him and the troops under his command. This bill would damage our effort in Iraq three ways. First, the House bill would impose restrictions on our commanders in Iraq, as well as rigid conditions and arbitrary deadlines on the Iraqi government. It would mandate a precipitous withdrawal of American forces, if every one of these conditions is not met by a date certain. Even if they are met, the bill would still require that most American forces begin retreating from Iraq by March 1st of next year, regardless of conditions on the ground.
It's unclear what the military significance of this date is. What is clear is that the consequences of imposing such a specific and random date for withdrawal would be disastrous. If the House bill becomes law, our enemies in Iraq would simply have to mark their calendars. They'd spend the months ahead picking how to use their new -- plotting how to use their new safe havens once we were to leave. It makes no sense for politicians in Washington, D.C. to be dictating arbitrary time lines for our military commanders in a war zone 6,000 miles away. (Applause.)
I want to read to you what a major newspaper editorial page said -- and by the way, this editorial page, like, generally not singing my praises -- (laughter) -- "Imagine if Dwight Eisenhower had been forced to adhere to a congressional war plan in scheduling the Normandy landings -- or if, in 1863, President Lincoln had been forced by Congress to conclude the Civil War the following year. This is the worst kind of congressional meddling in military strategy." (Applause.)
Second, the House bill also undermines the Iraqi government, and contradicts the Democrats' claim that they simply want to help the Iraqis solve their own problems. For example, the House bill would cut funding for the Iraqi security forces if Iraqi leaders did not meet arbitrary deadlines.
The Democrats cannot have it both ways. They can't say that the Iraqis must do more, and then take away the funds that will help them do so. Iraq is a young democracy. It is fighting for its survival in a region that is vital to our security. The lesson of September the 11th must not be forgot. To cut off support for the security forces would put our own security at risk.
Third, the House bill would add billions of dollars in domestic spending that is completely unrelated to the war. For example, the bill includes $74 million for peanut storage, $25 million for spinach growers. These may be emergencies, they may be problems, but they can be addressed in the normal course of business. They don't need to be added on to a bill that's supporting our troops. There's $6.4 million for the House of Representatives' salaries and expense accounts. I don't know what that is -- (laughter) -- but it is not related to the war and protecting the United States of America. (Applause.)
This week the Senate is considering a version that is no better. The Senate bill sets an arbitrary date for withdrawal. It also undermines the Iraqi government's ability to take more responsibility for their own country by cutting funds for Iraqi reconstruction and law enforcement. And just like their colleagues in the House, Senate Democrats have loaded their bill with special interest spending.
The bill includes $40 million for tree assistance. You know, all these matters may be important matters. They don't need to be loaded on to a bill that is an emergency spending bill for our troops. There's $3.5 million for visitors to tour the Capitol and see for themselves how Congress works. (Laughter.) I'm not kidding you. (Laughter.)
Here's the bottom line: The House and Senate bills have too much pork, too many conditions on our commanders, and an artificial timetable for withdrawal. (Applause.) And I have made it clear for weeks, if either version comes to my desk, I'm going to veto it. (Applause.) It is also clear from the strong opposition in both houses that my veto would be sustained. Yet Congress continues to pursue these bills, and as they do, the clock is ticking for our troops in the field. Funding for our forces in Iraq will begin to run out in mid-April. Members of Congress need to stop making political statements, and start providing vital funds for our troops. They need to get that bill to my desk so I can sign it into law.
Now, some of them believe that by delaying funding for our troops, they can force me to accept restrictions on our commanders that I believe would make withdrawal and defeat more likely. That's not going to happen. If Congress fails to pass a bill to fund our troops on the front lines, the American people will know who to hold responsible. (Applause.) Our troops in Iraq deserve the full support of the Congress and the full support of this nation. (Applause.)
I know when you see somebody in the uniform, you praise them, and I thank you for that. We need to praise those military families, too, that are strong, standing by their loved one in this mighty struggle to defend this country. They risk their lives to fight a brutal and determined enemy, an enemy that has no respect for human life.
We saw that brutality in a recent attack. Just two weeks ago, terrorists in Baghdad put two children in the back of an explosive-laden car, and they used them to get the car past a security checkpoint. And once through, the terrorists fled the vehicle and detonated the car with the children inside. Some call this civil war; others call it emergency [sic] -- I call it pure evil. And that evil that uses children in a terrorist attack in Iraq is the same evil that inspired and rejoiced in the attacks of September the 11th, 2001. And that evil must be defeated overseas, so we don't have to face them here again. (Applause.)
If we cannot muster the resolve to defeat this evil in Iraq, America will have lost its moral purpose in the world, and we will endanger our citizens, because if we leave Iraq before the job is done, the enemy will follow us here. Prevailing in Iraq is not going to be easy. Four years after this war began, the nature of the fight has changed, but this is a fight that can be won. We can have confidence in the outcome, because this nation has done this kind of work before.
You know, following World War II, after we fought bitter enemies, we lifted up the defeated nations of Japan and Germany and stood with them as they built their representative governments. We committed years and resources to this cause. And the effort has been repaid many times over in three generations of friendship and peace. After the Korean War, had you predicted that Korea would have been a major trading partner in the world, or Japan would have been a major trading partner and vibrant economy, or China would be developing an open market, and the Far East would be relatively peaceful, they'd have called you a hopeless idealist. And yet, because of America's presence and influence, the Far East has emerged as I've described it.
The stakes are high in the efforts we're undertaking in Iraq. It's a part of a long ideological struggle against those who spread hatred, and lack of hope, and lack of opportunity. But I believe, with patience and resolve we will succeed. The efforts we're undertaking today will affect a generation of Americans who are coming up in our society.
You know, it's important for you to understand that the Iraqi people want to live in freedom and peace. I believe strongly in the universality of liberty. I believe people want to be free, and if given a chance, they will take the risks necessary to be free. And that's what's happened in Iraq. We see the desire for liberty in Iraqi soldiers who risk their lives every day. We see the desire in the shopkeepers and civic leaders who are working to reform their neighborhoods. We see it in the desire of Iraq moms an dads who want the same thing for their children that we want for our children.
If we stand by the Iraqi people today and help them develop their young Iraqi-style democracy, they're going to be able to take responsibility for their own security. And when that day comes, our forces can come home, and that we will leave behind a stable country that can serve as an example for others, and be an ally in this global struggle against those who would do us harm.
It's tough work, but it's necessary work -- work the United States has done before, and work the United States will complete now.
God bless you. (Applause.)
END 10:56 A.M. EDT
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Liberals Give Definition to the "H" Word
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 11:24 PM
Hypocrisy is one of the negative words that describes today's liberalism. The story below about rookie Senator Jim Webb shows this in a plain example of do what I say not what I do. This comes from one who voted for a bill that is known to be one the President will veto on arrival and will delay funding for our troops serving in the government's War on Terror!To me this says it's ok for me to do whatever is necessary to make sure my own tail is protected, but since I don't agree with the war we are fighting, I'm going to be a party to holding up funds for our troops to cover their tails.Please don't get me wrong. I'm a big supporter of the 2nd Amendment - but don't have one set of standards for your private life and onother one for your public life.Lick a big "H" and stick it right on Senator Webb's forehead!!!
Webb Denies He Gave Aide Gun That Led to Arrest
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
WASHINGTON — Virginia Sen. Jim Webb said Tuesday he did not give aide Phillip Thompson the gun that led to his arrest in a Senate office building. Webb did not say whether it was his gun.
Webb said he has been in New Orleans since Friday and returned Monday night. He said that he couldn't talk about the case because of the legal proceedings and his desire not to prejudice the situation. But then he denied any role in the alleged felony.
"We had three cars on Friday that were being moved about because of my trip, and that is probably a reason that this inadvertent situation developed. And that's really the extent to which I think I should be discussing. That's really all I can say," Webb told reporters.
Thompson, 45, was arraigned Tuesday in D.C. Superior Court after being arrested a day earlier for trying to enter the Russell Senate Office Building — where Webb's office is located — carrying a loaded pistol and two fully loaded magazines.
Webb's executive assistant was released on his own reconnaissance after he pleaded not guilty to charges of carrying a pistol without a license and possession of an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition. Thompson spent the night in a D.C. jail after U.S. Capitol Police determined Monday that he did not have a license to carry a gun in Washington, D.C., where only law enforcement officials are allowed to carry handguns.
A report filed by the arresting officer said Thompson was arrested after he placed his black briefcase on the X-ray machine. The assisting operator noticed what looked like a gun and two magazines on the X-ray screen.
"The defendant stated that he was in possession of a pistol and two magazines belonging to Senator Jim Webb. The defendant further stated that he inadvertently left the gun that he was safekeeping from the previous days," wrote Officer Elizabeth Langley. The report notes that "the weapon was test-fired and is operable."
Thompson has hired attorney Richard Gardiner to represent him. Gardiner, who said he was hired after a friend of a friend recommended him to the defendant, met Thompson for the first time earlier Tuesday. He said Thompson was "fine" but hungry.
According to court documents, Thompson celebrated his birthday in jail and away from his wife and two kids. He entered the courtroom Tuesday looking very disheveled and wearing a stone-faced expression. He was handcuffed at the legs, had no belt and one pants button was unbuttoned.
Magistrate Judge Ringelle scheduled Thompson to appear before the court on May 1 at 9 a.m. EDT for a preliminary hearing.
A senior Democratic aide said Monday evening that Thompson forgot that he had the weapon when he sent the senator's bag through the X-ray machine at the office building. The aide said Webb gave the bag that contained the gun to Thompson when Thompson drove the senator to the airport.
Thompson, a former military reporter based in Virginia, joined the senator's staff at the beginning of Webb's Senate campaign. Webb was elected to office in November. Thompson travels frequently with the senator.
Asked what support the senator was giving to his aide, Webb told FOX News, "We're doing all we can.
"I want to emphasize, first of all, that Phillip Thompson is a long-time friend. He's a fine individual. ... I have a tremendous amount of respect for him," Webb told reporters. "I think this is one of those very unfortunate situations where, completely inadvertently, he took the weapon into the Senate yesterday."
Webb also shot down rumors that he carries a gun in the Capitol complex. According to one former special assistant to the House sergeant-at-arms, lawmakers are exempt from rules that prohibit staff, visitors and others from carrying concealed weapons on Capitol grounds. Ed Bailor, a former Capitol Police investigator, said in his 32 years on the force he never heard of a senator or representative carrying a concealed weapon.
"I believe that it's important — it's important for me, personally, and for a lot of people in the situation that I'm in, to be able to defend myself and my family," Webb said. "Since 9/11 for people who are in government I think in general there has been an agreement that it's a more dangerous time. Again, I'm not going to comment, again, with great specificity about how I defend myself, but I do feel that I have that right."
Handguns are illegal in Washington, D.C., but nearby Virginia allows residents to carry concealed handguns. Capitol Police rules allow members and their employees to bring a weapon onto Capitol grounds if it is unloaded and securely wrapped. In this case, it was allegedly neither.
Webb said he is a big supporter of the constitutional right to bear arms and thinks Virginia's concealed handgun law is a "fair law."
"Everyone here knows that I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, that I have had a permit to carry a weapon in Virginia for a long time," he said.
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, supports a repeal of the D.C. handgun ban. City officials are petitioning to have the case go before the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Colombia after a three-judge panel of the court ruled earlier this month that the ban is unconstitutional. Stevens said the incident demonstrates "our position that we ought to have the right to bear arms, if we need to."
Stevens told FOX News that he kept a "gun in the car from time to time, before they passed that stupid law," banning handguns in the district. He said he used to keep one in his office until his staff bullied him to get rid of it. Stevens recalled that the late conservative Sen. Barry Goldwater "had a gun with him all the time ... had it with him in his car; had a holster right between his legs."
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Praying for Tony!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:51 AM
I have been a fan of Tony Snow, since his days at Fox News. I love his attitude about beating this cancer - again! I also love the fact that our President tells him that he and Laura are praying for him. Let's all do the same. God is an awesome God and is much stronger than any disease, thus I'm praying and expecting another miracle in Tony Snow's life!I'm going to highlight some points of interest in the article.White House Spokesman Tony Snow Has Cancer Again
Tuesday, March 27, 2007

APTony Snow
WASHINGTON — White House Press Secretary Tony Snow is once again stricken with cancer after doctors found a cancerous growth in his lower abdomen, the White House announced Tuesday.
Snow is expected to return to his job at the White House after treatment, spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.
"We’ll all look forward to the day when Tony can come back and take the podium again," Perino said.
The cancer, originally in his colon, has spread to his liver and elsewhere, Perino said. Snow spoke to President Bush Tuesday morning, who told Snow he and first lady Laura Bush are praying for him.
Bush struck an optimistic tone about Snow's mood, adding that he looked forward to the day when Snow returns to the White House.
"His attitude is one that he is not going to let this whip him," Bush said during a brief statement to reporters in the Rose Garden. "My attitude is that we need to pray for him."
• Click here to read about advances in early detection of colon cancer.
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Enemy of the State
Monday, March 26, 2007 8:52 PM

There are many things that are bad for our country. I could make a list with dozens of bullet points, but you know them probably as well as I do or maybe even better. However there is one organization right at the very top of the list of what I would call the "Enemy of the State" list.You have it correct is you said the initials ACLU!These folks just don't think like real Americans think. I like to think I'm correct about my opinions, but I realize there are times when I am wrong. The ACLU are wrong on 99.9+% of their opinions and cases. They truly are an "Enemy of the State", our wonderful country the USA.Here is another of their ridiculous cases:ACLU Claims Abstinence Education is Unconstitutional
After the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sent a letter to North Carolina school districts claiming that abstinence-only education violates the state constitution, the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) countered with a letter of its own.
"It is outrageous when a group such as the ACLU attempts to discourage children from safeguarding their emotional and physical well-being by remaining chaste," said ADF Chief Counsel Benjamin Bull. "The scientific fact is that the only way for students to completely avoid the possibility of STDs and teen pregnancy is to remain abstinent until marriage."
The ACLU North Carolina’s letter, dated Feb. 2, stated that abstinence-only programs “undermine the equal opportunities for all public school students that are required by state law.”
The group also charged that the curriculum includes “medically and factually inaccurate information, gender stereotypes and inappropriate statements about abortion.”
“The ACLU’s radical mission to sexualize our children to further its own political goal has no place in the public schools,” Bull said. “Their claims that abstinence-only education is somehow unconstitutional under state law are baseless.”FOR MORE INFORMATIONClick here to see the ACLU's letter.
Click here to read the ADF letter.
Both documents require the free Adobe Reader to view.
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004210.cfm
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Sunday, March 25, 2007 12:01 AM
God Can Make You S.M.I.L.E.Each of the letters in acronym S.M.I.L.E. stand for a wonderful attribute of our wonderful God in Heaven and also one that we should strive for!The letter S stands for SEARCH Ezekiel 34:11-12
11 " 'For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.The letter M stands for MERCIFUL Luke 6:27-36
Love for Enemies
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.The letter I stands for Impartial James 3:17-18
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.The letter L stands for LOVE Galatians 5:13-15
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.The letter E stands for Encourage Romans 12:6-8
6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to hisfaith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
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Just Tell the Truth!!!!
Saturday, March 24, 2007 9:05 PM
I am disturbed by a couple of stories that have been playing out the last few days in the media. I am pretty sure that the reason I am upset is not for the same reason of many others. My reason is that certain people in powerful places thought it was necessary to lie about their involvement in the cases I will discuss below.First is the case of Attorney General Gonzales and the firing of 8 Federal Prosecutors. This story is really an non-story. Removing Federal Prosecutors is a common practice, as noted that Bill Clinton fired 92 of them. My complaint with the AG is why lie about a non-issue. That just feeds the liberals, the press, and everyone else who wants to see this Administration fail more insignificant things to talk about. They had no case, and still do not, but now they can rant about "the lie". The second story is the investigation into the friendly fire death of US Army Ranger Pat Tillman. The story had plenty of media coverage due to the fact that Tillman had been a professional football player and had turned down a multi-million dollar contract to join the military. The real story here should be the tragic story of a young hero who lost his life and the fact, as hard as it is to accept, is that we do lose lives to friendly fire accidents. Instead now the story is why people lied and covered up the real story.Now don't get me wrong. I haven't turned on the Attorney General (I wish he hadn't lied) and I'm certainly not against the Army (I'm an Army veteran myself). However, telling the truth (Do the RIGHT Thing), would have made both these stories much different than they are today.I have printed partial stories of both, and you can go to the links provided to read the entire stories.
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Alberto Gonzales approved plans to fire several U.S. attorneys in a November meeting, according to newly released documents that contradict earlier claims that he was not closely involved in the dismissals.
The Nov. 27 meeting, in which the attorney general and at least five top Justice Department officials participated, focused on a five-step plan for carrying out the firings of the prosecutors, Justice Department officials said late Friday.
There, Gonzales signed off on the plan, which was crafted by his chief of staff, Kyle Sampson. Sampson resigned last week amid a political firestorm surrounding the firings.
The five-step plan involved notifying Republican home-state senators of the impending dismissals, preparing for potential political upheaval, naming replacements and submitting them to the Senate for confirmation.
The documents released Friday indicated that the hour-long morning discussion, held in the attorney general's conference room, was the only time Gonzales met with top aides who decided which prosecutors to fire and how to do it.
Justice spokeswoman Tasia Scolinos said it was not immediately clear whether Gonzales gave his final approval to begin the firings at that meeting. Scolinos also said Gonzales was not involved in the process of selecting which prosecutors would be asked to resign.
On March 13, in explaining the firings, Gonzales told reporters he was aware that some of the dismissals were being discussed but was not involved in them.
"I knew my chief of staff was involved in the process of determining who were the weak performers — where were the districts around the country where we could do better for the people in that district, and that's what I knew," Gonzales said last week. "But that is in essence what I knew about the process; was not involved in seeing any memos, was not involved in any discussions about what was going on. That's basically what I knew as the attorney general."
Later, he added: "I accept responsibility for everything that happens here within this department. But when you have 110,000 people working in the department, obviously there are going to be decisions that I'm not aware of in real time. Many decisions are delegated."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,260801,00.htmlWASHINGTON — Nine officers, including up to four generals, should be held accountable for missteps in the aftermath of the friendly fire death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman in Afghanistan, a Pentagon investigation will recommend.
Senior defense officials said Friday the Defense Department inspector general will cite a range of errors and inappropriate conduct as the military probed the former football star's death on the battlefront in 2004, said one defense official.
The official, who like the others requested anonymity because the Army has not publicly released the information, said it appears senior military leaders may not have had all the facts or worked hard enough to get the facts of what happened on April 22, 2004, when Tillman was killed by members of his own platoon.
Dozens of soldiers — those immediately around Tillman at the scene of the shooting, his immediate superiors and high-ranking officers at a command post nearby — knew within minutes or hours that his death was fratricide.
Even so, the Army persisted in telling Tillman's family he was killed in a conventional ambush, including at his nationally televised memorial service 11 days later. It was five weeks before his family was told the truth, a delay the Army has blamed on procedural mistakes.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,260800,00.html
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Energize The Base
Friday, March 23, 2007 10:11 PM
As last weekend's show of force (thank God only in presence was needed) by the Gathering of Eagles demonstrated, at least the Patriotic portion of the Conservative base has been energized. If you are a blog hopper, you've witnessed a great feeling of bringing together those who love country above those who love politics.Another huge part of Conservative base (Born-again Christians) should be a force to recon with as well. Let me just say let's not wait until the last second to get motivated, let's take the momentum started last weekend by the GoE (which many are part of both the base entities mentioned). Let's be praying now for the right leaders to step up to the plate and then we can hit a home run like we did in 1984.
Born-again Voters Still a Force
If the turnout for the 2008 presidential election is anything like that of 2000 and 2004, born again voters will cast roughly half of all ballots, according to a Baptist Press report quoting The Barna Group. “Born again Christians should not be underestimated. They represent half of Republican voters, two-fifths of registered Democrats, and one-third of independent voters,” said David Kinnaman, who directed the Barna study. “As the presidential primaries gear up and both parties try to attract the broadest group of voters, it will be to their benefit not to alienate the diverse Christian segment,” and “appealing to them must go beyond simply saying the right combination of messages or getting them to show up at the polls, but instead should genuinely connect with their perspectives and principles.”
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Tony Dungy - Christian, Family Man, Coach
Friday, March 23, 2007 1:02 AM
Being a Colts fan since the days of Johnny U and when they still played in Baltimore, I am of course proud of the fact that they are the world champions. I am also proud of the kind of organization they have from owner - Jim Irsay to coach - Tony Dungy. Tony is a very good Christian man and a true role model. He has taken some heat for speaking out about his Christian Family Values.http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004178.cfm?eafref=1
Coach Dungy Defends Family Values
by Steve Jordahl, Family News in Focus
“We’re not trying to downgrade anyone else, hate anyone else,” he tells supporters of an Indiana marriage amendment. Coach Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts spoke strongly Tuesday night in favor of traditional marriage. Family advocates applauded his statement, homosexual groups expressed disappointment and the National Football League has remained silent.
Dungy made his remarks after receiving a Friend of the Family award from the Indiana Family Institute (IFI).
“We’re not trying to downgrade anyone else, hate anyone else, but we’re trying to promote the family, family values the Lord’s way,” Dungy said.
IFI President Curt Smith was pleased.
“Coach Dungy said, ‘I’m with God and I believe IFI has taken the biblical, godly position on marriage and so I’m pleased to stand with it.’”
The Indiana Legislature is considering language defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Smith said Dungy’s appearance was not timed to coincide with legislative action.
Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family Action, said Dungy “is a good and brave man. To defend God’s truth so simply and strongly on what marriage ought to mean is to invite a blitz of hateful attacks from homosexual activists and others on the Left.”
Cyd Zeigler of Outsports.com, a pro-gay group, didn’t criticize Dungy for speaking out, but he insists that Dungy has created a “hostile” work environment in the Colts organization.
“I’m afraid that he would not allow a gay player on his team because he did not follow the Lord’s way.”
Smith dismissed that thinking.
“It’s crazy,” he said, “to think that when someone takes a biblical position on a public-policy question, that it creates any kind of a hostile workforce at all.”
Melissa Fryrear, director of gender issues at Focus on the Family, said Dungy’s relationship with Christ should have a positive effect on his workplace.
“Coach Dungy could be the epitome of walking this out in a Christian way in that he continues to defend his biblical worldview and he does that respectfully and compassionately,” she told Family News in Focus.
The NFL declined to comment.
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My New Friend Dave
Wednesday, March 21, 2007 10:41 PM
When I started "Do The RIGHT Thing", I wanted to make sure I had a diverse selection of topics. Most know that I am the Pastor of a small Wesleyan Church. Many of you know about my family, my wife of 25 years, 3 wonderful children, and 1 grand child with another due in May. Many of you even know that I am an Ambassador for the Presidential Prayer Team.But that wasn't what I wanted my blog to be about, at least not totally. I wanted to address issues, political - spiritual - patriotic, etc. I'm finding it difficult not to be Pastor Ed the preacher though, because that is who I am, and I've got a story that I MUST share with you tonight.On Monday, I got a phone call from a lady who said her neighbor was in the hospital, and she asked me if I would visit him. I was tied up that afternoon, but told her I would go see "Dave" later that evening.When I got to the hospital, I met Dave for the very first time. Sometimes it's awkward meeting a person for the first time, and I often wonder how the person will act towards this "unknown preacher" that just shows up. Dave turned out to be a very nice person, and treated me well.Dave was 57, and was having some heart problems and had been in the hospital for a week. I found out when I got there, that he had improved enough that they were going to release him Tuesday.From there, I asked lots of questions, you know the kind that helps you get to know a little about the person. Dave was polite, but not overly talkative. I asked if he had a church he attended - he said no.I asked if he had ever been associated with any church - he said no.I invited him to come to our church when he had the chance - he said I might just do that.I asked him for his phone number, so that I could call and check on him - he gave it to me.I told him if he needed anything from me, like talking about salvation or other topics like that to please say so - he said he would.I prayed with him and after about a 20 minute visit I left.On Tuesday, the neighbor lady called and told me that Dave indeed had made it home. She thanked me for visiting him and I told her I had plans to check back with him in a couple of days.This is where my heart breaks ---- the neighbor lady called this morning and said that Dave's mother had gone to his house to check on him and found him dead on the floor. That means about 36 hours after I met Dave for the first time he has gone to where he will spend eternity.You read the answers he gave me to the questions above, so you can probably tell what I'm thinking. Did Dave make it to heaven. I wish I could tell you yes. I'm not God, so I would never say no. It just breaks my heart to know that people are dying every day without knowing Jesus Christ as their Savior. Please don't let that be you!! Do the RIGHT Thing, and ask Jesus into your heart, repent of your sins, and be ready because we know not what tomorrow brings.

Guest Post: Topic is Abortion
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 11:02 PM
I will let these 2 posts speak for themselves. They come with permission from the author at the blog site:
Miss Beth's Victory Dance http://missbethsvictorydance.blogspot.com/My Pet Rant of All Time--Abortion
My pet rant is probably, to me, the most heinous thing in the world and to me, demonstrates exactly what we're fighting for in the way of VICTORY against liberals and defeatists. That rant is abortion, followed closely by euthansia.But, Miss Beth, you say, what about a woman's right to choose? My response is when an unborn child has a right to choose, then so will a woman.But, Miss Beth, you say, what about in cases of rape? My response is that child, while a product of a violent act, did not choose his or her existence. He or she didn't cause the rape and didn't ask to be brought into this world as a result of a violent act. Therefore, he or she has just as much right to life as the rest of us. If the child is too heartwrenching a reminder, place the child for adoption with a loving family.But, Miss Beth, you say, what about in cases of incest? See above.But, Miss Beth, you say, what if it's not convenient for the mother to have a child at this point in her life? My response is, then she shouldn't have lain down and opened her legs.But, Miss Beth, you say what about when continuing the pregnancy is a danger to the mother? That's a little more complicated. However, there have been many instances where a continuing pregnancy was "dangerous" to the mother and both mother and child have lived.But, Miss Beth, what if the mother is an uneducated teenager and the child interferes with the rest of the mother's life and her future opportunities? There are many schools designed for teenage mothers, teaching them how to be good mothers and continue their education. Again, if the child is truly a "hinderance" to the mother, 1) she shouldn't have lain down and opened her legs and 2) place the child for adoption with a loving family.The truth is we could go on for days with "But, Miss Beth, what if...".The truth is abortion is murder, pure and simple. A capital crime. An ending to a life.We hear so much on the liberal left against capital punishment. I'd like to pose a question: If there are so many against capital punishment, for those who have been properly tried and convicted, why then, are they for abortion against an innocent life that has not been tried and convicted?And the most horrific, the most heinous of these procedures is partial birth abortion.For those not familiar with this, let me describe. It involves the mother going into labor, or being induced into labor. The child is turned around so he or she is born "breech". The entire body is delivered and just before the head is fully presented and before the child takes his or her first breath, the base of his or her skull is punctured and the brains sucked out. Then the rest of the child is delivered and often placed into a "dying room" to let the child die on their own.Thankfully, Congress continues its ban on these horrific murders. However, possibly not for long. Not with San Fran Nan in charge. And not with everybody's beloved poster boy, Bill Clinton, lurking in the background. Clinton, who tried to have the ban lifted, was overridden by Congress. Thank GOD Congress showed some spine then!In a recent issue of Time, there was a significant article regarding crisis pregnancy centers. They provide counseling, help, clothing, find pre-natal care, etc. for women. Planned Parenthood, the biggest slaughterhouse in the country, was boo-hooing becazuse these centers aren't "playing fair". Just what are the crisis centers doing that PP doesn't consider fair? They're showing these women in crisis their children on sonograms. These women see their children moving, breathing, engaging in LIFE. And PP doesn't think that's fair. Why? Because these mothers often choose to give their children life after seeing them on the sonogram. TOO BAD FOR PP!!!I APPLAUD the crisis centers for crusading to end abortions, for showing women there are numerous options for their unborn children, for helping these women--in short, for trying to stop the slaughter.Now, there's "Exhale" that provides "e-cards" for women who have had a "procedure". Sounds like they're just getting a tooth pulled instead of committing murder. Something warm and fuzzy to make the would-have-been mother/murderer "feel better" about her "decision" rather than forcing her to face the consequences of murder and not just murder, but murder of her own child. How disgusting can you get?People on the left are more concerned with the spotted owl and clubbing seals than they are with children. Taking that one step further, your teenage daughter can have an abortion without your permission yet needs your permission for a tattoo or piercing. Where are their priorities?The Supreme Court decision giving women the "right" to a legal abortion, the "right" to commit murder with impunity, was wrong. It's yet another instance of the court trying to legislate in a moral and religious arena. Look at the blood on the justice's hands--not just the deciding justices but all the justices since then who have upheld that decision.
Statistics on Abortion
According to the statistics posted at the National Right to Life website, http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/facts/abortionstats.html, since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Americans are responsible for 48,589,993 abortions.According to the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, http://www.abortionno.org/Resources/fastfacts.html, the worldwide number of murders per year is approximately 46 MILLION, with a daily murder rate of approximately 126,000. American numbers are 1.29 MILLION (2002 figures) murders per year with approximately 3,700 murders per day.We've had 3,200+ troops killed in the greater war on terror in 4 YEARS yet we are allowing 3,700+ MURDERS PER DAY in this country, and the murderers are walking free with impunity.When, I pray WHEN, are people going to WAKE UP and beg forgiveness for the amount of blood on this country for this atrocity?Justices Blackmun, Berger, Douglas, Brennan, Stewart, Marshall and Powell....this is YOUR legacy to America-48, 589,993 AND COUNTING.Justices White and Rehnquist, thank God you dissented and stood up to these accessories to murder-in-black!
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