Thursday, September 27, 2012

Happy Thursday

Just A Closer Walk With Thee Hymn

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Refrain

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Refrain

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Refrain



The greatest verse: to be used by God
by sumner wemp

Obey, thyself Luke 5:5
"He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken another; nevertheless at thy word, I will let down the net" Luke 5:5. By obeying, Peter caught the biggest catch of his life. You will too!

The greatest verse
"At thy word, I will." What a way to live. Obey God! Too many walk by feeling. They live on, "When I get the urge, I will." Their songs are , "Stir me O God" or "Give me a passion for souls dear Lord." Don't say, At thy urge I will but at Thy word I will. "To obey is better than sacrifice" 1 Sam 15:22.

Do what?
"Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" Matt 4:19. "We are no longer fishers of men but keepers of aquariums" in most churches today. "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me" Acts 1:8. "Most are not witnesses, they are judges." "The early church gathered to worship and scattered to witness." They obeyed God and turned the world upside down. Acts 17:6. "Preach the gospel to every creature" Mk 16:15. When was the last time you preached, shared, the gospel with someone out in the world?

The world is going to hell
What are you doing about it? "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46. Read the Word of God. 1 Peter 2:2. "Men ought always to pray" Luke 18:1. "Preach the gospel to every creature" Mk 16:15. "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together" Heb 10:25. "Encourage one another daily" Heb 3:13. "Honor the Lord with thy substance" Prov 3:8. Be Balanced, Brother, Be Balanced.

Dear people, make this you motto,"At Thy word, I WILL." This is, by far, the most important verse for Christians to live by. It is transforming.

Father, Thou art God. There is no other God. What a sin not to obey You. May it be our desire and determination that at thy word I will. In Jesus name.



Daily Smile:

Too Many Hypocrites

Preacher: “How come I never see you in church anymore, Morris?”

Morris: “There are too many hypocrites there, Reverend.”

Preacher: “Don't worry, Morris; there's always room for one more.”


In The News:


Extremist Hindus Rout Christians from Rural Indian Village
Hindus twice assaulted a Christian community in a rural India village early this month, beating believers, forcing them into Hindu worship rituals and damaging their homes, Open Doors News reports. The Sunday worship meeting was underway Sept. 2 in the home of a new Christian, Daminbai Sahu, in Bhanpuri, a village in the Balod district of India's state of Chhattisgarh. Witnesses said a group of villagers stormed into the house and beat several of the people attending the meeting, including a visiting pastor identified only as Dada. The attackers accused Dada of forcefully converting Hindus to Christianity and dragged him out of the house. As hundreds gathered around the commotion, the extremists ordered Dada out of the village and threatened to kill him if he returned, then forced believers to renounce their faith in Christ late in the night. The following night at 11 p.m., about 600 Hindu extremists stormed the houses of five Christian families, calling them "pagans" and accusing them of trying to forcefully convert Hindus to Christianity. They broke doors, damaged the houses and household items, witnesses said. Believers fled to the village of Balod, where they found refuge with other Christians. They filed a complaint with police, but police refused to register a formal report of the incident.

Report: Restrictions on Religious Freedom Increasing Worldwide
Religious believers throughout the world face a rising tide of restrictions, according to a new study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released Sept. 20, the Religion News Service reports. Pew tracked religious freedoms denied by governments and cultural authorities, and found that in the one-year period ending in mid-2010, 75 percent of the world's population lived in a nation with high or very high restrictions on religious beliefs or practices. A previous Pew study on the subject found that 70 percent of the world lived under religious restrictions. The researchers found increasing intolerance in every region of the world; government and social restrictions on religious freedom particularly tightened in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and sub-Sarahan Africa. Globally, restrictions increased not only in countries that already afforded few protections for religious freedom, such as Nigeria and Indonesia, but also in countries where citizens have generally enjoyed a high degree of religious liberty, such as Switzerland and the U.S.



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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Happy Wednesday

Looking to God, Our Provider

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

BIBLE MEDITATION: “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” Psalm 50:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you remember when it was rare to hear of someone whose job was either threatened, or actually lost, due to changes or cutbacks? Well, that’s hardly news anymore. 

These days it seems that almost everyone is struggling with financial problems related to job security.

You may be struggling and asking, “What good can possibly come from my financial problems?” They are wonderful opportunities to trust your Heavenly Father for your daily bread. I’ve always said that it’s better to have a Father who owns a bakery than to have a warehouse full of bread!

ACTION POINT:
Are you having financial woes? Do you know someone who is? Share with them the Good News of God’s provision and faithfulness.



The Old Rugged Cross

Text: George Bennard, 1873-1958
Music: George Bennard, 1873-1958
Tune: ---, Meter: Irr. with Refrain

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
 the emblem of suffering and shame;
 and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
 for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
 So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
 till my trophies at last I lay down;
 I will cling to the old rugged cross,
 and exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
 has a wondrous attraction for me;
 for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
 to bear it to dark Calvary.
 (Refrain)

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
 a wondrous beauty I see,
 for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
 to pardon and sanctify me.
 (Refrain)

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
 its shame and reproach gladly bear;
 then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
 where his glory forever I'll share.
 (Refrain)



Daily Smile:

Money For College


A kid called up his mom from his college and asked her for some money, because he ran out of it. 

Mom said, "'Sure, sweetie. I'll send you some money. You also left your calculus book here when you visited 2 weeks ago. Do you want me to send that up too?" 

"Uh, oh yeah, OK," responded the kid. 

So Mom wrapped the book along with the checks up in a package, kissed Dad goodbye, and went to the post office to mail the money and the book. 

When she gets back, Dad asked, "Well how much did you give the boy this time?" 

Mom said, "Oh, I wrote 2 checks, one for $20, and the other for $1000'" 

"That's $1020!!!" yelled Dad, "Are you crazy???" 

"Don't worry hon," Mom said, as she kissed Dad on the on top of his bald head, "I taped the $20 check to the cover of his book, but I put the $1000 one somewhere between the pages in Chapter 19!"


In The News:



Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Writes Letter of Gratitude After Release
Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani wrote a letter to all those who supported him and his stand for Christ, "the cause that I defend," following his release after nearly three years of illegal imprisonment for his faith, the American Center for Law and Justice reports. The day he was freed from prison, Nadarkhani wrote: "I glorify and give grace to the Lord with all my heart. ... I want to express my gratitude to all of those who have supported me, openly or in complete secrecy. ... Indeed I have been put to the test, the test of faith which is, according to the Scriptures, 'more precious than perishable gold.' But I have never felt loneliness, I was all the time aware of the fact that it wasn't a solitary battle, for I have felt all the energy and support of those who obeyed their conscience and fought for the promotion of the justice and the rights of all human beings. Thanks to these efforts, I have now the enormous joy to be by my wonderful wife and my children. ... The Lord has wonderfully provided through the trial, allowing me to face the challenges that were in front of me." The entirety of Nadarkhani's letter can be read here.

Two Killed in Nigerian Suicide Bomb Attack on Catholic Church
A suicide car bomber attacked a Catholic church in the northern Nigerian city of Bauchi on Sunday morning, killing two people and wounding another 45, The Guardian reports. According to police, the bomber was stopped at the gate of St. John's church, where he detonated the explosives packed inside his car. Bauchi has seen a number of bombings and shootings blamed on the Islamist group Boko Haram, and though no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, suspicion immediately fell on Boko Haram. The group, whose name means "Western education is sacrilege" in the Hausa language of Nigeria's north, has been waging an increasingly bloody fight on religious minorities and the weak central government in its aim to implement sharia law across the country.

Update: Judge Allows Texas Cheerleaders to Use Bible Banners
Cheerleaders at Kountze High School in Texas can continue to use banners with Bible verses after a court granted them a temporary restraining order against their school district, the Religion News Service reports. Kountze Independent School District superintendent Kevin Weldon, after consulting with a legal adviser when an anonymous complaint was made, had stopped the use of the large paper banners the cheerleaders created for the football players to run though at the start of games. Parents filed suit on behalf of the cheerleaders, and on Sept. 20 a Hardin County judge ordered the school district to "cease and desist" from preventing the cheerleaders from displaying the banners. A hearing on the case has been set for October 4. The Liberty Institute, which is representing the cheerleaders and parents in the case, hailed the judge's decision. "We are excited that the cheerleaders for the Kountze High School Lions can again do what they do best -- cheer on their football team without government censorship," said Mike Johnson, Liberty Institute senior counsel.

Tim Tebow's 'Wife With a Servant's Heart' Remarks Misunderstood?
Tim Tebow's comments in the latest edition of Vogue magazine about his ideal wife -- someone with a "servant's heart" -- have stirred discussion online, with some concluding that he wants a "hot slave," as OpposingViews.com put it, the Christian Post reports. When Vogue asked Tebow what he was looking for in a woman, he answered: "I've been blessed to have an amazing mom and two amazing sisters -- so they set a very high standard. Obviously looks play a big part. Being attracted to someone plays a big part, but there's also so much more than that for me. It's about finding someone sweet and kind -- and that has a servant's heart. It's about finding a girl who likes me for me, and not because of what I do or who I am or the name." That sound bite has been picked up by many publications, with the New York Post reporting, "Tebow in market for 'servant' woman" and Jezebel.com stating, "Tim Tebow Tells Vogue His Perfect Woman is Hot, Kind, and Servile." One Christian leader, Russell D. Moore of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, came to the New York Jets quarterback's defense, saying, "In Christianity, a 'servant' isn't a slur." Tebow has clarified what he meant with his comments: "It's someone that can put others first, someone that doesn't always have to be the center of attention and someone that's a helper. Someone that puts their family first, is loving, is caring, all those things, that's what I mean by servant."




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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Happy Tuesday

Remember


I Am The Bread Of Life From Senior Living Devotional

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread of heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."  --John 6:32-35

I love to sit down at the dinner table with my family. While it doesn't happen as often as it used to, there's nothing better than time spent with my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren over a good meal. And there's almost nothing better than Virginia's cooking. It's the best around! With every bite, you can almost feel the warmth take over your body and soul.

What's interesting is that this scenario is completely opposite from what takes place when a human being goes for days or months without food. The body goes into starvation mode breaking down fat and muscles for energy. Diseases are more apt to take over and other symptoms begin to take effect: irritation, fatigue, pain, depression, personality changes, hysteria, and eventually death.

I think it says something that Jesus called Himself the bread of life and the living water (see John 4:1-26) numerous times in Scripture.

He said, "Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:49-51).

Yes, Jesus is our salvation. He does provide eternal life when we enter into a personal relationship with Him. But we are also to fellowship with Him in prayer, His Word, and community with other believers in order to nourish and sustain our spiritual lives.

Challenge yourself to spend time in God's Word each day. Take in one bite at a time and enjoy the consistency and flavor of it. Drink in the presence of Jesus during your prayer time and fellowship with other believers at His table.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Jesus, nourish my soul with Your Word. Fill my cup with Your presence. Give me sweet fellowship and communion with You and other members of God's family.



Daily Smile:

Mom's Time Out


My Parents had not been out together in quite some time. One Saturday, as Mom was finishing the dinner dishes, my father stepped up behind her. "Would you like to go out, girl?" he asked.

Not even turning around, my mother quickly replied, "Oh, yes, I'd love to!"

They had a wonderful evening, and it wasn't until the end of it that Dad confessed. 

His question had actually been directed to the family dog, lying near Mom's feet on the kitchen floor.


In The News:

Chick-fil-A's Dan Cathy: We Have Made No Concessions
Following reports that Chick-fil-A had agreed to stop funding certain traditional family groups in order to get approval for a new Chicago restaurant, company president Dan Cathy said Friday the restaurant had made no concessions and that it remained "true to who we are," Baptist Press reports. Cathy's statement, posted on Mike Huckabee's website, came one day after the company released its own statement saying its corporate giving had been "mischaracterized" for many months and that it would continue to fund programs that "strengthen and enrich marriages." Cathy said: "There continues to be erroneous implications in the media that Chick-fil-A changed our practices and priorities in order to obtain permission for a new restaurant in Chicago. That is incorrect. Chick-fil-A made no such concessions, and we remain true to who we are and who we have been." Focus on the Family president Jim Daly -- whose organization supposedly had been de-funded by Chick-fil-A -- has also spoken up for the company.

Rescue Mission Underway for 2,000 Christians Trapped in Sudan

A major operation by Barnabas Aid to rescue 2,000 Christian women and children trapped in Sudan got underway Sept. 19, with the first successful airlift to South Sudan, ASSIST News Service reports. After a number of practical and bureaucratic obstacles initially delayed the start of the rescue mission, the first of 12 chartered flights departed from Khartoum for Juba, with the rest scheduled for the days and weeks ahead. Church and community leaders have identified the most needy and vulnerable Christians among the hundreds of thousands of southerners trapped in Khartoum. "They will be welcomed at temporary reception facilities set up by the South Sudanese government before moving on to extended family connections around the country," a Barnabas Aid spokesperson said. "The church in South Sudan is ready to help with their practical needs." Christians of southern origin remaining in Sudan were stripped of their citizenship after South Sudan seceded, and were given a deadline to leave. President Omar al-Bashir has made it clear they are no longer welcome, repeatedly declaring his intention to make the country's next constitution 100 percent Islamic and strengthen sharia law. Many have made their own way to South Sudan, but the Sudanese government has closed the border to prevent any more traveling to South Sudan by the river Nile. The vulnerability of those still trapped has intensified over the last week as violent Islamic protests rocked Sudan, the spokesperson said. "As well as facing danger, the impoverished southern Christians have been living in dire conditions in makeshift shelters on the outskirts of the capital for many months."

Another Christian College Files Suit Against Contraceptive Mandate

The College of the Ozarks, a small Christian college in Point Lookout, Mo., has filed suit against the federal government over the mandate requiring employers to provide health insurance coverage for contraceptive and abortifacient drugs, WORLD News Serivce reports. The College of the Ozarks is the 14th school to challenge the mandate in court. "The so-called Affordable Care Act is government at its worst," said school president Jerry C. Davis in a statement. "This is not a partisan issue. It is a constitutional issue, and the College wants its rights respected and enforced, instead of being trampled upon. The Constitution still matters." Although the College of the Ozarks qualifies for a one-year exemption to the mandate, which went into effect Aug. 1, the delay only postpones the inevitable, Davis said. Like other small schools, College of the Ozarks has seen insurance costs skyrocket under the health care reforms. Rising premiums might force the school to make a substantive change to its insurance plan, which would end its eligibility for the exemption, he said. According to The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a legal group representing several schools, institutions and companies fighting the mandate, 29 challenges are pending in courts around the country.

Alabama Woman Sues Planned Parenthood

A woman is suing Birmingham’s only abortion center for negligent care, misdiagnosis and for failing to hire trained and licensed employees, WORLD News Service reports. Roberta Clark went to the Planned Parenthood of Birmingham on Aug. 20, and after an ultrasound and pelvic exam, was told she was eight weeks and four days along in her pregnancy. Abortion doctor Aqua Don Emmanuel Umoren then performed an abortion. But after 25 days, Clark was still nauseous, bleeding and vomiting. She went to the Princeton Medical Center Emergency Room on Sept. 14, where she was told she had an ectopic pregnancy that was 13 weeks along -- putting her life in danger. Dana Cody, executive director of the Life Legal Defense Foundation (LLDF), told CitizenLink that Planned Parenthood records showed an abortion was completed at the clinic -- despite the fact that Clark’s uterus was empty before she went to the clinic, and no fetal remains were found in the aborted tissue. LLDF is taking action to ensure the safety of women in the state. "We have submitted a request to the Alabama Department of Public Health, asking them to investigate the clinic," Cody said.





Monday, September 24, 2012

Happy Monday

Ya Gotta Believe  by Pastor Bill

Scripture: Mark 9:23

Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes" NKJV

August 31, 1973 is a date that has major significance in Baseball. Tug McGraw was pitching for the last place New York Mets Baseball Team. He took the mound that day saying "ya gotta believe". It was a phrase with a nice sound to it but his team mates weren't exactly believing they could salvage their season with so few weeks left.

McGraw went out and pitched an extra inning win over St. Louis and "you gotta believe" took on a new focus. The Mets went from a last place team to winning their division crown just weeks later on the final day of the season.

Tug McGraw said "Ya gotta believe" when only he believed. But he said it time and time again until his whole team believed!

The Bible is very clear about "Ya gotta believe". Jesus healed and set people free because they believed. They believed in him, they believed in what he said and they believed in what he did.

You may be challenged, down and out or just plain discouraged but there is another side to the coin. Jesus can and will help but it starts with "you gotta believe".

Prayer: Father thank you that the healing starts with "Ya gotta believe". In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

FYI: Tug McGraw's phrase, "Ya Gotta Believe" was used as the inspirational tag line in the 1994 Disney film Angels in the Outfield starring Danny Glover, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd and Matthew McConaughey.



Daily Smile:

A Christian lady who lived next door to an atheist

There was a Christian lady who lived next door to an atheist. Every day, when the lady prayed, the atheist guy could hear her. He thought to himself, "She sure is crazy, praying all the time like that. Doesn't she know there isn't a God?"
Many times while she was praying, he would go to her house and harass her, saying "Lady, why do you pray all the time? Don't you know there is no God?" But she kept on praying.
One day, she ran out of groceries. As usual, she was praying to the Lord explaining her situation and thanking Him for what He was gonna do. As usual, the atheist heard her praying and thought to himself, "Humph! I'll fix her."

He went to the grocery store, bought a whole bunch of groceries, took them to her house, dropped them off on the front porch, rang the door bell and then hid in the bushes to see what she would do. When she opened the door and saw the groceries, she began to praise the Lord with all her heart, jumping, singing and shouting everywhere! The atheist then jumped out of the bushes and told her, "You ol' crazy lady, God didn't buy you those groceries, I bought those groceries!" At hearing this, she broke out and started running down the street, shouting and praising the Lord.


When he finally caught her, he asked what her problem was. She said, "I knew the Lord would provide me with some groceries, but I didn't know he was gonna make the devil pay for them!"


In The News:


Afghanistan: Growing Number of Christians Causing Unease Among Muslim Leaders
The growth of Christianity in Afghanistan is causing unrest among Muslim clerics, leading them to call for action against believers, Mission Network News reports. According to a recent report by the Mohabat News Agency, Islamic seminary students and Muslim clerics have "warned the country's government against the spread of Christianity" and called on President Hamid Karzai to "limit the number of aid workers and Christian missionaries coming to Afghanistan" to keep Afghanis from converting to Christianity. Recent turmoil began after a Kabul-based TV station reported the conversion of several Afghans to Christianity and aired photos of them praying and being baptized. This reportedly sparked anger in the parliament, and some members asked to convict believers under sharia law -- which decrees that if someone leaves Islam and converts to another religion, he or she can be executed. The Afghan church is completely underground; the last church building was destroyed two years ago and the small number of known believers risk their lives each time they gather in small house meetings.

Cheerleaders Banned From Using Religious Banners at Texas High School
A national legal group is investigating claims that a Texas school district censored religious speech on student-made banners at football games, CBN News reports. Cheerleaders at Kountze High School were told they could not use Bible verses on signs they created for the football team to run through after an anonymous complaint was made to the school's superintendent. One banner in question read "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Phil. 4:13." The Liberty Institute, a nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending religious liberties, is investigating the Kountze Independent School District's move. "We are disappointed that Kountze ISD is banning student speech on banners because it is from a religious viewpoint," said attorney David Starnes. "Such discrimination and censorship is unfortunate and illegal. Once we complete our investigation, we will take appropriate action." A Facebook page created in support of the cheerleaders and their signs already has more than 35,000 supporters, and some parents have even created T-shirts and signs to display around the area.

Pentecostal Pastor Shot Dead in Colombia
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is calling for a full investigation into the murder of pastor Henry Rodriguez, 44, who was shot dead as he exited United Pentecostal Church in Bogota, Colombia, on September 16. The reasons behind the murder are unknown, but according to local press reports, witnesses said it was carried out by what appeared to be professional hit men. Pastor Rodriguez was leaving the church after an afternoon service when he was shot multiple times by two men on a moped, a method commonly used in professional hits in Colombia. Hospital staff were unable to resuscitate him. While the assassination of a pastor is extremely unusual in Bogota, countrywide church leaders are frequently targeted by illegal armed groups. The Colombian Council of Evangelical Churches Peace Commission estimates that on average, 20 to 30 church leaders are killed each year. In general, leaders are targeted because of their refusal to cooperate or support the objectives of the illegal armed groups; however, the reasons behind the murder of Pastor Rodriguez are unclear, as he had not reported receiving any threats prior to Sunday. Rodriguez, who was on course to graduate from seminary in October, is survived by his wife and three children.

Report: Marriage Cuts Child Poverty by 80 Percent
Being raised in a married family reduces a child's probability of living in poverty by more than 80 percent, according to a recent report by The Heritage Foundation that found the chief cause of child poverty is the absence of married fathers in the home, Baptist Press reports. "Some of this difference in poverty is due to the fact that single parents tend to have less education than married couples, but even when married couples are compared to single parents with the same level of education, the married poverty rate will still be more than 75 percent lower," said Robert Rector, senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation. "Marriage is a powerful weapon in fighting poverty. In fact, being married has the same effect in reducing poverty that adding five to six years to a parent's level of education has." The United States is steadily separating into a two-caste system with marriage and education as the dividing line, Rector said; on average, high school dropouts who are married have a far lower poverty rate than single parents with one or two years of college. The report noted that in 2010, only 59 percent of all births in the United States were to married couples. In 2011, federal and state governments spent more than $450 billion on welfare for low-income families with children, about three-quarters of which went to single-parent families.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Happy Sunday

Never Happened by Pastor Bill

Scripture: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." KJV

The prisoner spoke: "I've never peddled drugs, I've never cheated on my income tax, I've never beaten my wife, I've never ---"

"Wait a minute," the prosecutor interrupted, "Did you or did you not rob the bank?"

"Well, I give blood to the Red Cross, I've served in the army, I gave money to the flood and tornado victims, and I --- "

"Wait a minute. Did you or did you not rob the bank" 


 "Yes, but I've done so many good things!"

One day you and I will stand before a judge and we may defend ourselves with  at least 8 "I" statements:

  I never robbed anyone I never murdered anyone 

  I was a good provider for my family I helped the poor every chance 
  I got I was an upstanding citizen and voted every election 
  I may have done a few bad things, but so did everyone else 
  I went to church at least twice a month and a few Wednesdays 
  I think I'm about 3% guilty for my entire lifetime on earth and that ain't bad

And  the Judge will say as in James 2:10: "For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws" NLT

When I accepted the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for my sins --- my sins were washed away by his shed blood and became as though they never happened.

Angus Buchan of "Faith Like Potatoes" fame puts it this way: "Good People don't go to heaven, BELIEVERS go to heaven!"

Prayer: Father thank you for the good news of Jesus Christ dying for my sins and making them as though they never happened. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!


Editor's Note:
     No Daily Smile... 
    No In the News... 
    I Have Just One Question To Ask You Today...



If Not, JESUS is Calling You Today...

Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

Text: Will L. Thompson
Music: Will L. Thompson
Tune: THOMPSON, Meter: 11 7.11 7 with Refrain

1. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, 
 calling for you and for me; 
 see, on the portals he's waiting and watching, 
 watching for you and for me. 
Refrain:
 Come home, come home; 
 ye who are weary come home; 
 earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, 
 calling, O sinner, come home! 

2. Why should we tary when Jesus is pleading, 
 pleading for you and for me? 
 Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, 
 mercies for you and for me? 
 (Refrain) 

3. Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, 
 passing from you and from me; 
 shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, 
 coming for you and for me. 
 (Refrain) 

4. O for the wonderful love he has promised, 
 promised for you and for me! 
 Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, 
 pardon for you and for me. 
 (Refrain) 


Saturday, September 22, 2012

Happy Saturday


Interested In You

Read James 2:1-8

The psalmist wrote, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” - Psalm 139:14 (NRSV)

Compared to many in my new school, I was from “the wrong side of town.” I had to catch two buses to attend school, while many of my classmates arrived in luxury cars. Being on time or staying for extra activities was difficult for me if one of the buses was late. Making friends was a struggle. I felt that I was judged to be not good enough when some girls discovered where I lived, what my father did for a living, or that my mother had no career outside the home. I began to pray that God would give me a friend. In time, God did give me a new friend and later a whole group of friends.

Neither my parents nor my brother were able to finish their schooling, but they sacrificed to give me an opportunity to complete my education. Eventually, I qualified as a teacher and later as a minister. The key to my achievements was discovering that God not only listens to our prayers but accepts all of us — even me.

I am glad that God does not value us according to where we live, how educated we may or may not be, or our material wealth. God simply loves us and longs to be in loving relationship with us.

Jeanette Krige (Gauteng, South Africa)

Thought for the Day: God loves you just as you are.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your interest in each of us, regardless of who we are or where we come from. Amen.
    



Daily Smile:

What kind of math equation are pirates best at? 

Finding X!



In The News:

Obama Campaign Unveils New Faith Initiative

In an effort to resonate with key faith groups, the Obama campaign has released a “People of Faith for Obama” initiative, which includes a Web video and faith platform.  The initiative seeks to show how faith plays a major role in the president’s decision-making process, CNN reports. In the Web video, Obama makes specific reference to religious liberty, a hot-button political issue in this campaign cycle. “In a changing world, my commitment to religious liberty is, and always will be unwavering,” the president says. The campaign is also releasing what it’s calling a “faith platform,” broken down into three categories: economic security for families, being our brothers and sisters’ keeper, and faith in public life. The platform will be hosted on the campaign website and sent out to campaign field offices. A campaign staffer close to the initiative said they thought the program would have specific resonance with key groups the campaign has been targeting: Catholics and young evangelicals.  


Family Facing Fines for Hosting Bible Study

A Florida family is facing a $250 per day fine for hosting a Friday night prayer and Bible study in their home- an act that city officials argue violates zoning codes, Todd Starnes reports. Shane and Marlen Roessiger of Venice, Fla. host weekly prayer and study gatherings, which are attended by as many as 10 people. The family is also facing fines for putting a small sign in their front yard that reads: “Need Prayer (941) 484-4915.” “It’s difficult to understand how it is illegal to have a prayer meeting on Friday night with a half dozen people but it is alright if I invited the same group on Monday evening to watch Monday Night Football,” Roessiger said.  The Pacific Justice Institute is representing the family. “They are having a specific problem with this family solely because they are having family and friends over to read the bible and pray,” Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice, said. “That may be fine in some tyrannical parts of the world. That is not okay in the United States of America.” Pam Johnson, a spokesperson for the city of Venice, sent a statement defending their actions to Fox News. She confirmed that the two cases against the family involve a code infraction regarding the use of a sign and a zoning infraction regarding using their home as a ‘house of worship.’ The Roessigers run a small ministry called “In Him Healing Touch Ministries.” Dacus believes the city used that to build a case against the family.


Survey Shows 74 Percent Increase in U.S. Mosques in Past Decade
A survey conducted earlier this year by a coalition of religious organizations shows the number of mosques in the United States has grown by 74 percent in the past 11 years -- up from 1,209 in 2001 to 2,106 in 2011, CNSNews.com reports. The survey by Faith Communities Today, which is affiliated with the Hartford Seminary's Hartford Institute for Religious Research, also reveals where those mosques exist, including the 10 states with the largest number of mosques: New York (257), California (246), Texas (166), Florida (118), Illinois (109), New Jersey (109), Pennsylvania (99), Michigan (77), Georgia (69) and Virginia (62). Vermont has the least number of mosques, with only one located in that state. Most mosques are located in metropolitan areas, with Greater New York City ranked No. 1 (192 mosques). Southern California (120), Greater Chicago (90), Greater Philadelphia (63) and Greater Detroit (63) rounded out the top five metropolitan areas for mosque population.

Nail Scarred Hand

Artist: Carl Smith
Album: Softly And Tenderly

Have you failed in your plan of your storm caused life
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Are you weary and worn from its toil and strife
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
He will keep to the end he's your dearest friend
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand


Are you walking alone through the shadows dim?
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Christ will comfort your heart put your trust in him
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
He will keep to the end he's your dearest friend
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand


 
Would you follow the will of the risen lord?
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Would you live in the light of his blessed word?
Place your hand in the nail scared hand
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
He will keep to the end he's your dearest friend
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand



Is you soul burdened down with the load of sin?
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Throw your heart open wide, let the savior in
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand
He will keep to the end he's your dearest friend
Place your hand in the nail scarred hand







Friday, September 21, 2012

Happy, Happy Friday

Be Careful What You Pray For by Pastor Bill

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:11
"Lord, listen carefully to the prayer of your servant and the prayers of your servants who love to honor you" NCV

First Prayer:
At a garage sale for the youth mission trip all the "stuff" left over was placed in a large sturdy box. The box was marked with very bold letters "Free Box." The box was strategically placed at the end of the driveway so it was in the sights of every passing car. The garage sale team all gathered together and held hands as a short payer was said, "Lord please have someone take this box."

A few minutes later a pickup truck pulled up to the box --- a man stepped out of the pickup smartly dressed. He walked up to the box --- looked around while determining what to do next. He picked up the box with all the contents in it and held it waist high. All the while looking around intensely, like a hunter sure there is prey just beyond the horizon. Then suddenly he glanced down, flipped the box over and allowed all the contents to spill over the driveway. Then as quick as a young buck dashing through the woods he threw the free box into the back of his pick up --- jumped into the cab and drove away with his "Free Box".

Second Prayer:
A Local TV News photographer was fairly new on the job and wanted to cover a big story to move his career along. He prayed diligently daily for his big break. Then it happened --- a wild fire was burning in a wilderness. He said a quick prayer and called his boss and asked, "May I cover the wild fire in a valley a few hundred miles away. His request approved and his prayer answered, the Local TV News photographer quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport. He chartered an immediate flight and was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport. 

Arriving at the airport, the Local TV News Photographer spotted a twin-engine plane warming
up outside the hanger. The photographer jumped into the plane with his bag of video and still cameras, slammed the door shut, and shouted over the whine of the motors, "Let's go, we must leave immediately or we'll be grounded."

The pilot taxied out on to the runway --- swung the plane into the wind
--- pushed the throttle down and quickly took off.

Once in the air, the photographer instructed the
pilot, "Fly over the valley and make several low passes while I take pictures for the news tonight. I'd like to get some great pictures of the fires burning out in the wilderness".

"Why?" asked the pilot.

"Because I'm a Local TV News photographer,"
he responded, "And I need to get some really good close up shots to enhance our news report this evening."

The pilot was strangely silent for a few moments.
Then with a look of horror on his face finally stammers, "So, what you're telling me, is --- You're NOT my flight instructor?"

Be careful what you pray for and be specific. As the youth mission team above found out when the box was removed without the contents. And the TV News photographer found that he was on the way to cover his big story to further his career with an unqualified pilot!

Prayer: Father thank you for revealing what in my life needs prayer so I can understand what to pray for and how. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Daily Smile:

A Second Wife

When our second child was on the way, my wife and I attended a pre-birth class aimed at couples who had already had at least one child.

The instructor raised the issue of breaking the news to the older child.

It went like this:
"Some parents," she said, "tell the older child, 'We love you so much we decided to bring another child into this family.' But think about that. Ladies, what if your husband came home one day and said, 'Honey, I love you so much I decided to bring home another wife.'"

One of the women spoke up immediately. "Does she cook???"


In The News:

The Gospel of Jesus' Wife': Ancient Fragment Stirs Debate
Karen King, a historian from Harvard Divinity School, revealed on Tuesday what she claims to be a fourth-century fragment of papyrus containing the phrase, in Coptic, "Jesus said to them, 'My wife ... '" According to King, the text, referred to as the Gospel of Jesus' Wife, suggests some early Christians might have held the view that Jesus was married, but she stressed that it could not prove Jesus had a wife. Darrell L. Bock, senior research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, said if this papyrus was authentic, it would be the only text among many to suggest that Jesus had a wife. It represents "a very small minority in a much later period than original Christianity," Bock said. "It is a fourth-century text in a fringe gnostic group that is not representative of the larger groups that are [part of] Christianity." Dr. Joel B. Green, professor of New Testament interpretation at Fuller Seminary, echoed Bock: "We have no evidence at all of any debate among the earliest followers of Jesus regarding Jesus' martial status. This debate surfaced later. It's important to put this in context. Popular literature (say, from the third and fourth centuries) made all sorts of claims about Jesus ... These claims really don't tell us anything about Jesus of Nazareth, the historical person who lived in the first third of the first century. They do tell us about how some people in later centuries worked out their own beliefs and practices." Green also expressed concern over the "hype" often surrounding such discoveries, adding that "any claims that might be put forward about what it means will be guesses." Nothing is known about the circumstances of the fragment's discovery; King believes it may have been excavated from an area in Upper Egypt.

Pastors Sue Kenyan Government Over Lack of Protection
Protestant churches in Kenya are suing the country's federal government, alleging a lack of help and protection following recent attacks by Islamic extremists, Christianity Today reports. The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), which filed suit after Muslim riots in Mombasa in August destroyed four local churches, is claiming the violence was politically and religiously motivated, led by the Somalia-based al Shabaab extremist group. "The government bears full responsibility for the violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the victims who are under its care," said Peter Karanja, general secretary of the NCCK. The NCCK is also seeking response from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Kazakhstan Jails Pastor, Considers Extradition to Uzbekistan
A former Uzbek house church pastor is in prison in Kazakhstan, awaiting a ruling whether he will be returned to his native country, Open Doors News reports.  Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Supreme Court considers whether to declare him a refugee in the face of almost-certain persecution. Makset Djabbarbergenov was arrested Sept. 5 in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s financial center. He was detained by authorities who have frowned on his leadership in unregistered Christian communities. Djabbarbergenov was at one point an active church leader in Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan, the autonomous republic of Uzbekistan. At present, Protestant churches in Karakalpakstan are illegal. After appearing before court six different times, Djabbarbergenov and his family fled to Kazakhstan in 2007, where they are considered refugees by the United Nations, although the Kazakh government disagrees. Uzbekistan now wants him back to face charges that he practiced religion outside state regulation. He faces two charges; each carry a maximum penalty of three years in prison. Uzbekistan is ranked No. 7 on the World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

Netanyahu: U.S. Voters Should Consider 'Red Line' with Iran
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to American voters on Sunday, urging them to elect a president willing to draw a line on when Iran would face military attack over its nuclear weapons program, Fox News reports. After Obama refused to set specific boundaries on Iran last week, the Israeli leader took to CNN’s “State of the Union” and NBC’s “Meet the Press” to express his frustration. He compared Tehran’s nuclear program to Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh to appeal to his American audience. “It’s like Timothy McVeigh walking into a shop in Oklahoma City and saying, 'I’d like to tend my garden. I’d like to buy some fertilizer.' … Come on. We know that they’re working on a weapon,” Netanyahu said. Obama’s Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, has said he is willing to take a tougher stance than Obama against Iran, although his campaign has declined to provide specifics. Meanwhile, Obama continues to insist that the U.S. will not allow Iran to produce a nuclear weapon.





 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Happy Thursday

How Great Thou Art
Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel he gentle breeze;

Refrain

And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

Refrain

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!


Thursday's Devotional:
THE BODY - A POSITION IN HEAVEN
By  FLOYD BAKER, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3; 2:5, 6;
Colossians 3:1-3

"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." What a blessed truth we see in these two verses concerning the grace of God. We who were "dead in sin," now seated with Christ in the heavenlies. No wonder Paul was inspired to write in 1:3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." From a dispensational view we see this in contrast to Israel's earthly blessings, but we also need to see the practical side.

It is important that we realize our standing and position in Christ, and then we must "walk worthy," on the same plane or level of our calling. We are citizens of Heaven and should live that way down here. Our verses in Colossians 3:1-3, give to us the key on how this is done. We are to "seek those things which are above," and this will enable us to "set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth." The child of God who realizes, his, or her, position in Christ, is enabled to live each day without the burdens of the past and present. Our walk can indeed match our heavenly calling and position. This is indeed God's will for each one of us, to glorify Him here, and to enjoy His glory in the ages to come.



Your Daily Smile:
What did the confused bee say?
to bee or not to bee!
and 
What do bees chew? 

Bumble gum!
In The News:
Movement Day to Transform Cities through the Gospel
Contact: Diane Morrow
NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- A powerful gospel leadership movement is coming to New York City on Thursday, September 27, 2012. Known as "Movement Day," this unique program is about "Leaders Changing Cities through Gospel Movements." It connects ministry and city leaders in order to dynamically impact their city through the gospel. Movement Day seeks to gather city leaders to collaborate on best practices and models that can be replicated and adapted by leaders in major cities around the U.S. The vision is to see our cities, and ultimately our culture and the world, transformed with the gospel.

The Movement Day Congress will feature remarkable global leaders such as Richard Stearns of World Vision; Luis Palau of the Luis Palau Association; Ajith Fernando, formerly with Youth for Christ; and several others. This event promises to inspire and challenge leaders, churches and ministries to cultivate partnerships and share best practices to resolve some of the biggest issues facing our cities.

Through consultations hosted during the last 15 years by The New York City Leadership Center (NYCLC) -- and Concerts of Prayer Greater New York -- for more than 10,000 leaders from 50 cities, it has been confirmed that cities all over the U.S. face many of the same spiritual and social issues. These issues include vast populations unreached by the gospel, profound poverty and an emerging youth population that is struggling to surpass the 50 percent high school graduation rate.

NYCLC hosted the inaugural Movement Day in September 2010, a significant success with more than 800 leaders attending from 34 cities and 14 nations. More than 1,000 leaders attended the second annual Movement Day in 2011. The Movement Day Congress is being hosted and designed by The NYCLC with Redeemer City to City. The American Bible Society is one of 22 national and regional Christian organizations that are co-sponsoring the event.

Movement Day is a leadership development initiative of The New York City Leadership Center founded by Dr. Mac Pier. Their vision is to become a model of Christian leaders impacting the spiritual and social climate of an urban center. Their mission is to exponentially increase the leadership effectiveness of ministry and marketplace leaders. Visit their website at www.NYCLeadership.com.  
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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Happy Wednesday

Credit or Debit By Skip Heitzig
There’s the story of a frog that fell into a pail of milk. He tried to jump out, but the sides were too high. So he just paddled around and around in the milk. Eventually it was churned into butter, and he was able to jump out and free himself. It’s a cute story, but it illustrates what a lot of people think salvation is like: “Just keep paddling, do your best, and you’ll get to heaven.”

How much different is the truth found in the Bible! Chapter 4 of Romans is a wonderful explanation of justification by faith, and I invite you to ponder it. I want to focus on one verse: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).

The fact is, righteousness doesn’t come by the Law, or by baptism, or by joining a church, or by any self-effort…but by faith! “Accounted” in this verse is the Greek word logizomai. It’s a banking term, and it means to apply something to one’s credit.
Picture a financial ledger. There’s a debit side and a credit side. Abraham, with his pagan background, was spiritually bankrupt. His ledger was packed on the debit side, with nothing on the credit side. But the moment he said, “I believe you, God,” God changed the ledger and wrote “righteous” on the credit side.

So it is with us. On our debit side is sin. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). On our credit side, we try to put “works,” “religion,” “church,” “baptism,” “good deeds,” etc. But the credit of all those things isn’t enough to match the debit. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). “The soul that sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).
The point is, for there to be enough on the credit side, somebody had to die. So God sent Jesus to die for us. It’s as if God calculated the total number of sins that you individually (and the world as a whole) would ever commit, and He decided that the shed blood of His Son was adequate payment for it all!

So if you believe—not in your works, but in His finished work—the credit side of your ledger reads “righteous.” It’s “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). Abraham isn’t the “father of those who work,” he is “the father of all those who believe…that righteousness might be imputed to them also” (Romans 4:11).
We are saved by the finished work of Jesus Christ. When we trust in that, God says, “I receive you. I declare you righteous.” Sovereign, holy God credits sinful man with the righteousness of Jesus Christ!

We’re not left to paddle on our own. God’s wonderful accounting system has made a way for us!


Daily Smile:

The New Moses

The Rabbi's wife called a psychiatrist and said, "My husband thinks he's the new Moses. Almost like a reincarnation!"

The doctor assured her that these delusions of grandeur were only a passing fancy.


"OK." she responded. "But in the meantime, how do I keep him from parting the waters in the hot-tub?" 

 

In The News: Compiled & Edited by ReligionToday Editorial Staff


Lisa Whelchel Struggles with Her Christian Convictions on ‘Survivor’

Lisa Whelchel has always been a huge fan of the show ‘Survivor.’ Now the former ‘Facts of Life’ star will be a contestant, Fox News reports. However, as a devout Christian, Whelchel is wondering how her faith will play out in a game where the only rule is, ‘There are no rules.’  “I didn’t want it to come across that I was asking God to be on my side to help me win a challenge or win a million dollars,”
Whelchel said. “That just doesn’t seem to line up with who God is.” While Whelchel was concerned about how lying- a key component of the game- might come across to other Christians, she wasn’t too concerned about the cursing and
occasional nudity on the show. “Maybe because, personally, I have experienced so much judgment myself, I go  overboard with mercy,” Whelchel explains. If she wins,
Whelchel plans to give ten percent of her earnings to her brother, who recently started a church in a low-income neighborhood in California. “I love what he’s doing and it would be a joy to give away ten percent to him!”




Toronto Churches Face Eviction as School Rental Fees Skyrocket
Churches in Toronto, Canada, that rent space in public schools may face eviction if they fail to pay increased rent of up to 800 percent to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Christianity Today reports. The TDSB announced August 29 that churches renting space in schools would no longer qualify for reduced rental rates as the school district seeks to close a $110 million budget gap -- though other nonprofits still qualify for subsidized rent. Some pastors gathered to protest the rental fee hikes, claiming the increase to be an attack on churches, while other pastors prayed over the school board for divine intervention.

Burma: New Report Exposes Religious Persecution of Ethnic Chin Christians
A new report by the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) shows ethnic Christians in Burma's Chin state continue to face systematic religious discrimination at the hands of the government and are often forced to convert to Buddhism, according to Religious Liberty Monitoring. "Chins continue to face religious persecution," says Salai Za Uk Ling, CHRO's program director. "Despite strong government reforms, these efforts have yet to be extended to religious freedom." Benedict Rogers, Christian Solidarity Worldwide's East Asia team leader, says that while there are positive signs of Burmese reforms and grounds for optimism, "there is a danger of premature euphoria. ... There is still a very long way to go. The change of atmosphere has not yet resulted in a change of system." He adds: "One of the most under-reported aspects of Burma's human rights record has been the regime's discrimination and persecution of religious minorities and violations of religious freedom."

German Officials Prosecute Rabbi for Performing Circumcisions
In Germany, officials have pressed charges against a Jewish rabbi for performing circumcisions, WORLD News Service reports. The action comes in the wake of a court ruling in Cologne that banned all circumcisions but those done for "medical" reasons. After the ruling, a physician filed a complaint against Rabbi David Goldberg, who serves as a mohel (ritual circumciser) for the Jewish community of Hof in northern Bavaria. Goldberg, 64, has performed more than 3,000 circumcisions on infant boys, a procedure that is required under Jewish ceremonial law. The German court ruled that when medically unnecessary, circumcision represents a "severe and irreversible interference into physical integrity." Many religious leaders have argued that prosecuting Goldberg represents a major violation of religious liberty. Activists in San Francisco also attempted to ban religious circumcisions in a citywide vote in 2011, but a judge forbade the initiative, noting that state law prevented localities from regulating healthcare providers. Princeton University professor Robert George, a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, has called on Americans to defend Jews' right to maintain the practice, saying that banning religious circumcision is, "in effect, to forbid Jews from being Jews."



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Last Day To Register - October 9, 2012
(Tuesday, which is next business day after Columbus Day)