NRB Leader Warns Congress of ENDA's 'Chilling' Effect on Christian Groups

Pastortim »

Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:23 am Agree: 10   Disagree: 1

Flagged as inappropriate. show I am a pastor. I believe in the authority of Scripture and that God gave us Scripture to help lead us in the better pathway of life. Having said that, I hope ENDA passes......I really do....because then, I would urge every pastor, every Christian, every person in America who believes in Scripture...to defy the law, be arrested and go to jail....we will overwhelm the system in protest....forcing the police and the courts to "arrest" pastors in their pulpits, Christians preaching from the street corners and submitting letters to local newspapers in clear violation of what is a stupid and ridiculous law......will be the single best way to combat such governmental idiocy....and that's exactly what ENDA is: governmental idiocy. The awful truth is at this point, people of faith and belief simply don't have the power or ability to stop this measure. The Congress and the President are intent on passing this legislation. So be it.....and we'll see what the consequences of that idiocy will reap. I will defy this law....and if that means jailtime, so be it.The threat of arrest didn't stop Jesus; the threat of jailtime didn't stop Paul and Silas; it should not stop nor deter us, either. hide

D.C. Judge Rejects Efforts to Block Gay Marriage Bill

Pastortim »

Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:58 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

It's interesting to read these comments, going back and forth with interpretations of the Bible. The bottomline is simply this: is the Bible credible or not? Will the Bible apply to your life or not? Will the Ten Commandments plus Two rule your life or not? Will these "laws" of life and the examples presented in the Bible of how individuals have flaunted these laws and suffered serve as examples for us or will we forsake them? We have a choice to either accept the truths of the commandments or we will struggle to fight against them , both as a nation and also as individuals. Either way, we will reap the results. Vance Havner once wrote these words: "You cannot break the laws of God. You break yourself against them. You can jump off a skyscraper but you do not break the law of gravitation. You break your neck, but not the law of gravitation." IN much of what we're doing in the church today and in our nation, we are trying to break ourselves against the basic laws of life which God has given us. We are trying to say: "These laws don't apply to me and I will live the way I want to live!" That's a sure recipe for disaster, as history...and the Bible, I might add...shows. We are great at self-rationalization and that seems to be the choice we are making as individuals and a society/culture, but in that choice, we completely fail to see the wisdom which God has in initially giving us the "laws" by which to live. And there is another basic law of existence which states for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. Nothing we do can be done without consequences, including the choices we make in how we want to live.

D.C. Judge Rejects Efforts to Block Gay Marriage Bill

Pastortim »

Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:58 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

The pro-gay groups and individuals across American may want to claim victory in this ruling and similar rulinsg like it. However, I would caution them to be careful of what they wish for. Each overreaching court ruling, such as this one, which takes away the rights of the people to speak, only turns up the heat and resentment against both the judiciary and the pro-gay movement. By abrogating the right of the people to have their voices heard, the pro-gay movement and the judiciary acting in colusion are sowing a potentially bitter harvest. And when the people of this country eventually get fed up and begin to strike back, it will not be pretty nor will it be able to be stopped. Instead of "forcing" these measures down the throat of people thru the "violence" of judiciary activism, a safer and more lasting process would have been to change the hearts of the people. That has not been done. Instead, by manipulating and playing with questionable legislation and resorting to the "violence" of judiciary activism, seeds of animosity have been sown....and that harvest is going to be bitter.

Veterans Appeal to Americans to Protect Mojave Desert Cross

Pastortim »

Tue May 26, 2009 8:02 am Agree: 8   Disagree: 6

Let's be honest. The true intent of the ACLU is to eventually go after Arlington and every other cemetery BUT the ACLU is slick and smart enough to know going after Arlington would be a losing proposition, so it circles the herd, picking off the "victims" it thinks it can easily handle, with the intent to eventually create such a file of "victories" it can change the judicial landscape with precedents. Although originally instituted to protect civil rights and liberties, the ACLU is a classic example of liberalism/progressivism gone wrong. It not longer exists simply to protect civil rights/liberties; it exists to follow a political agenda of its own. It's time to disband the ACLU and start over. The Mojave cross and the San Diego statue are perfect examples of why the ACLU needs to go.

The ELCA's Widening Chasm Over Homosexuality

Pastortim »

Wed May 06, 2009 8:41 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 3

WOW! Bccontz's story is the best thing I've ever seen conerning this issue of homosexuality/lesbianism and how the church needs to deal with it. In the secular world, we are seeing the true nature of the extreme radical element in the gay movement (Perez Hilton and Miss California!!!) and when you couple the rhetoric like Hilton's with the facts of death, drug use and domestic abuse within the gay community, we see a lifestyle that is not conducive to anything Biblical in nature. So, who does love the individual more: the one who says Go ahead and the one who says Do what you can to stay out of that lifestyle because it is dangerous and deadly? We are called to be honest..truthfully honest.....and that means sometimes, we have to tell folks that what they are doing is not good for them.

Vt. Governor Flooded with Critical, Supportive Mail Over Gay Marriage

Pastortim »

Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:29 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 12

Gay marriage is not about "equal" rights for anyone; it is about "special" rights for individuals based on how they choose to live out their sexuality. If the entire premise actually is about children, study after study shows the single best way to raise children is in a male-female-morther/father marriage, not in any other kind of pseudo-marriage. Instead of promoting gay marriage, we should be spending our time and effort on promoting, supporting and encouraging a father-mother marriage relationship where children are raised in a loving, caring environment. The continued emphasis on gay "marriage" only worsens the environment for that stable, loving, caring male-female relationship. Look no further than Europe and the countries which have approved "gay" marriage to see the dissatrous results in these countries on traditional marriage. Do we as a nation truly want to follow down that same disastrous path? I think...and hope...not.

Methodist Women Seek to Pastor Large Churches

Pastortim »

Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:01 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 6

It's interesting...yet also dismaying...to read the comments concerning the issue of ordained women. I am a United Methodist pastor.....and I have experienced good and effective pastoral ministry from men AND from women, just as I have experienced crappy and in-effective ministry from both men and women. Gender appears to be no guarantee of, nor hindrance against, effective ministry. It's unfortunate that so many people in the Christian community (read that as universal church) neglect and overlook our history. In the early Christian communities, women were important and effective leaders and ministers. Don't take my word; study your history. It's only been since the early to late Middle Ages that women have been denied leadership or pastoral responsibilities in the church. But here's the question: if we truly want to be a "church" which represents Jesus Christ to the world....and more than 50% of the world is female, how can we honestly deny females the opportunity to represent Jesus to the world? I do not have a problem with a female pastor...what I look for more than gender is the spiritual center from which an individual empowers his/her pastoral ministry. And while I commend our UMC for at least addressing the issue of why women aren't n the largest churches, I will be honest and tell you my intense fear is this issue will become politicized....as we have a tendancy to do in the UMC. The issue is really not one of whether someone who is a women can lead a large church...the question is whether someone who is a women has the experience to lead such a church. At this point, we have not "trained" enough women to do that; that is our issue. I am a small churhc pastor; I am a white male; I am not qualified nor experienced enough to lead a large membership church...and I don't have any special right to "demand" such a position. I believe a better appraoch would be to deliberately train and purposely develop women to be able to lead such churches, not simply to scream and bemoan the fact and then "demand" that we place inexperienced women in positions where they will be most likely to fail because of inexperience, not gender.
Those are my thoughts; couple those with 50 cents and you might get a cup of coffee at the local has house.

Half of U.K. Catholic Adoption Centers Forced to Serve Gay Couples

Pastortim »

Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:49 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 4

Unfortunately, the emotionalism of this issue is clouding the real issue. It really isn't a question of GLT couples adopting children (or the motivations behind those adoptions or desires), the real issue is what extent will a human-based, secular government have control over the religious denominations in its realm. The question is what "right" does a government have to dictate the moral positions of a relgious denomination? The issue of GLT marriage, adoption, special rights, etc. is a moral issue and here in the United States, we have seen the very real tragedy of a federal government attempting to dictate moral positions. The UK is in even worse shape than the US in that regard. Our US Constitution clearly states government WILL NOT infringe upon the moral positions of our nation's churches and religions, but as long as Christian, in particular, stand idly by and do not take a stance against the intrusions of government into the moral positions of churches, the "blob" of secular government will continue to engulf religion in the US until we become exactly like the UK and Europe: morally and religiously bankrupt. The UK has become an empty shell of religion and faith with church attendance down into the 20-30% range. Again, the real issue is how firmly will religions/faith-based organizations stand by their moral convictions against the oppressive and intrusive push of the secular government.

Social Gospel is 'Marxism in Christian Clothing,' Says Warren

Pastortim »

Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:46 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 2

Rick Warren is sounding the trumpet that many of us in the mainline denominations have been trying to sound for years. Indeed, Jesus was concerned both with soul and body, although the soul is the primary emphasis and must remain as such. However, it is much like taking a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and trying to claim the peanut butter is more important or the jelly is more important. Both have their place in the sandwich, just as evangelism and social gospel have their place in the church. However, one distinction needs to be made. With a PB&J, it is the peanut butter that is traditionally placed on the bread first and then the jelly is added; we've all learned through trial and error that trying to put jelly on first just doesn't work. The same is true for our mix of evangelism and social gospel; evangelism and the changing of the hearts must be our first and primary, stated and emphasized goal before we can add the "jelly/social gospel" to the mix. If we do not change the heart first, no degree of social gospel ministry will EVER effectively change the world. That's where the mainline denominations have dropped the ball: we've put social gospel ahead of evangelism, hoping that by changing worldly systems, we can change the spiritual natures because like a PB&J, if you put the jelly on first, it's just about impossible to get the peanut butter spread on the bread.For many well-meaning but short-sighted folks in the mainline denominations, they still insist on forcing the jelly to be spread first, which has meant the "peanut butter/evangelism" has simply slide off the bread and fallen on the floor.
So, I will not be critical of someone with the stature and authority of Rick Warren trying to bring our churches back to their roots.

God References to be Added to Capitol Visitor Center

Pastortim »

Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:47 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 2

Sen. Harry Reid's (D-NV) comment is a clear indication of how much contempt the cliques in Washington actually have for the "great, unwashed masses" of regular citizens. It clearly shows the disconnect which those Washington insiders, which includes much of the Congressional staff, have for the rest of the country. The "smell" of the tourists is the smell of the people, and the Capitol, just like the government, belongs to the people, not to Washington elites. That elitism has also, unfortunately,has become reflective of the contempt with which many in Washington now hold religion and the importance of religion in the establishment and development of this country. When we, as a nation, begin to lose our connection with our faith and God, we are indeed doomed to repeat history...the history of the Israelites and how they turned their back on God, the history of the German people who turned their backs on God and replaced God with Nazism, and even more recently, the people of Great Britain who are increasingly turning their backs on God. The question is, how long will it be before Christ comes back and cleans house?

Major Shift in Faith Voters toward Obama, Survey Finds

Pastortim »

Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:38 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

At the risk of being labelled subversive, prejudiced or biased, I am greatly concerned about thie election. I'm a pastor and I've been voting for 40-plus years. In all that time, I have NEVER seen a more frightening candidate for president than in this election. I'm not a end-timer; I am not one of those extremists who believe the world will end tomorrow; I am also not affiliated with any political party. I am independent and only count my membership in the Christian party. However, I have also studied the Bible, including the descriptions of the anti-Christ.....and believe me it scares me to see the patterns of the anti-Christ and how they fit so smoothly with Sen. Obama. Now I know, for some of you reading this, that immediately labels me as some kind of Biblical kook. I am not. Neither am I a racist. But what I'm seeing is scary. I have seen the videos with young children, dressed in military style uniforms and outfits, singing the praises of the "messiah and savior" Barack Obama. I have seen how the world apparently wants to embrace him as the "one" who will bring peace and prosperity not only to the USA but to the rest of the world. One of the primary characteristics of the anti-Christ will be that the individual will come out of the church but not be of the church. That fits Sen. Obama to a "T." I would pray that people of faith...and I mean Christians.....would pray hard and allow their eyes and hearts to be opened to the reality of what is transpiring here. Sen. Obama is being funded, backed, promoted and manipulated by very, very powerful financial interests from outside the United States. He has already been "endorsed" by the major terrorist leaders and countries of the world. He has publicly excoriated and criticized the United States on numerous occassions. Where is his allegiance? Who will he be beholding to if..or when...he is elected? It woudl appear to me he will not be beholding to the American people. I wish...I hope...the "real" Barack Obama is revealed and unveiled before we as a country make a serious, serious, serious mistake.

Second Episcopal Diocese Breaks from National Church

Pastortim »

Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:35 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

It's sad to watch this soap-opera-like tragedy taking place in the Episcopal Church. Unfortunately, it will not be the last denomination to experience this kind of tragedy. I especially find it unsettling to watch the haggling over the "spoils" of the split: the church property. The extreme liberals who have taken over the mainline denominations seem to be more intent on keeping property and assets than in keeping differing beliefs in the denomination. Maybe...just maybe...the beliefs of the extremists are not as bound up in ideology as they are in power, authority and physical assets.However, they know if the assets are permitted to walk along with the individuals who are walking away from the church, the remaining "liberal extremist" church will not be able to survive on its own. That makes asset retention more critical than "blessing" of a split and departing with an amicable spirit. Church splits are historical and a part of our Christian heritage. Asset squabbling is unfortunately also a major part of those splits. How sad...how very, very sad.

Palin: I Identify with the Average American Struggles

Pastortim »

Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:46 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 4

It amazes...and saddens me greatly to read these postings.Here we have the first person in a long, long, long time who clearly and distinctly identifies with the vast majority of Americans as simple, blue-collar, everyday people...and we are giving ammunition to the elitists in government and media whose sole purpose is to crucify her and destroy her reputation and her personhood. Instead of celebrating having the first woman running for vice president, we as a nation are trying to destroy her...and her family. I've been voting for presidents/vice presidents for 40 years and I HAVE NEVER seen such antagonism toward a VP candidate..and she is eminently more qualified than most of the VP candidates we've ever had. Folks, open your eyes and try to see what's going on here...we are in a critical battle for the heart and soul of America....a country where a blue-collar "hocky Mom" can indeed run for the second highest office in the land....and not have both her and her family destroyed in the process!!
It's sad to say.....but we deserve what we get. Our system is set up so average everyday folks like Sarah Palin can aspire to reach the highest office in the land....but the government and media elitists have taken it upon themselves to be the "deciders" who is qualified and who isn't. That's wrong and totally against our American ideals. All I can say is God help us!!!!

Evangelical Woman Leader Lauds VP Palin

Pastortim »

Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:33 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 3

The furor over Sarah Palin has totally amazed me. In my 40-plus years of voting, I've never seen such intense scrutiny over a vice presidential candidate. Is she perfect? Hardly...but name me one VP candidate who was...or IS for that matter. I'm tired of the partisan politics by the political parties AND the national news media. Sarah Palin is who she is and that's that. Either you like you and support her or you don't. However, we don't need to crucify her and her family, and we need to speak our loudly against those who are trying to crucify her, regardless of which political party you are affiliated with. We need to tell the rabid politicos and the equally rabid national news media we, as Republicans/Democrats/independents will NOT accept this kind of abhorrent behavior on their part. We may have freedom of speech in America but we do not have freedom to character assassinate simply because we disagree ideologically with someone.

Protesting Pastors Back Candidates from the Pulpit

Pastortim »

Mon Sep 29, 2008 5:52 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 1

Kudos to the pastors who were willing to take the "fight" to the IRS. If more pastors had been willing to speak out against Adolf Hitler in pre-WW II Germany, maybe a few million lives could have been spared. Our federal government has forced this issue, not the churches or the Christian community. The government has become heavy-handed, obtrusive and openly antagonistic towards religion and faith-based organizations in this country. That was NEVER the intent of our founders, but it has become the intent of the anti-religious group that now has infiltrated and assumed control of the government. It's time to stand up and be counted. Again, kudos to the courageous!

'Supermajority' of NAE Leaders Know Who to Vote For, Survey Finds

Pastortim »

Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:48 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

To blue 1018, sorry to disagree but again, the point you make about abortion "always" being with us is the exact same point the Southern states tried to make concerning slavery in the 19th century. Likewise, they attempted to use legislation and the courts to protect and entrench that horrendous institution, which was just as lucrative for individuals back then as abortion is for Planned Parenthood, abortion clinics and abortion providers today. The victory over slavery proves even something as entrenched as abortion can be defeated. It will take a continued effort on the part of Christians to accomplish that, however, just as it did with slavery. History does repeat itself.

'Supermajority' of NAE Leaders Know Who to Vote For, Survey Finds

Pastortim »

Sun Sep 28, 2008 2:47 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Sorry, but I don't find it "sad" at all that evangelical Christians see abortion as either the #1 or close-to-#1 issue. Murder of unborn babies, under the protection and approval of the government, epitomizes the moral degradation of our culture and society. That degradation has spilled over into every other aspect of culture. Some would claim it is a lightning rod issue. So be it. Slavery was a lightning rod issue in a previous century and it amazes me, truly amazes me, how all the arguments being used to promote and defend abortion are almost word-for-word the same as the arguments used to promote and defend slavery. It took the churches & evengelical Christians back then to eliminate slavery; it will take the churches and evengelical Christians today to eliminate abortion.