From Stan: Many do not approve of my blog postings because they believe that Christians should not be so concerned about things deemed “political.” To be honest with you, I believe that that kind of thinking is short-sighted and dangerous. For Christians, we can’t just hide in our churches and think that society will not bother us if we just keep our beliefs to ourselves. We can’t just “go along to get along” because our Lord Jesus never did. He stood up against what was clearly wrong in his society, even in regards to the Roman government (ie, the political power of the day). And in the end, that societal power sentenced Him to the cross.
This site is dedicated to speaking about the truth of what is going on in our country. Many do not believe that the faith of Christians is under attack. Of course, during this Christmas season, you just have to note the ways even saying "Merry Christmas" is being banned in the public square to see evidence of Christianity's growing disfavor in our country.(Of course, you can say "Happy Hanukah" or "Happy Kwanza" or whatever and be on safe ground.) But as further evidence of the TRUTH of Christianity's declining place in America today, I'd like to refer you to the email I received just the other day from a long time friend (reprinted below). I hope that you will read it, pray for the fellow believers under attack and for how religious liberty in this country is being threatened, and really think about whether we as Christians can afford to “just go along to get along’ or are we just inviting our own persecution for our beliefs. Don’t kid yourself; if it happens to other believers today, we are also threatened! – Stan (P.S. – I encourage you to pass tell your friends about this posting and encourage their prayers.)
[email received 12/19]“Stan, This is in reference to a friend of mine, Phyllis Young. She and her husband own a Bed and Breakfast in Hawaii Kai. Several years ago they refused to rent to a lesbian couple because of their Christian beliefs (They're Catholic like me). The lesbians appealed to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, and are now suing Phyllis. Phyllis below is asking for prayers. This story is going around the nation--so I'm trying to get people around the nation to support her and pray for her. Please forward to anyone you think will pray. – Glenn Nakamura”
[forwarded email from the family targeted}
Aloha Dear BCC Family,
"...Shortly after, the doorbell rang. Don answered it to find a sheriff delivering certified papers for the discrimination law suit filed against Aloha Bed & Breakfast—not my name as was done with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. Not long after that, the doorbell rang three other times with news reporters and their cameras letting us know that Lambda Legal Defense, who represents the lesbians filing the complaint against us, sent out news releases and they wanted to hear comments from me. Phone continued to ring with more reporters wanting comments from me.Then the “hate calls” began. They continue throughout the day leaving vulgar messages. When we don’t answer the phone, some call back every 15 seconds repeatedly."
"E-mails come in with hateful messages. Thank God, there have been a few e-mails from people telling me that they are praying for me. I am receiving e-mails from Chicago, Texas and who knows where others are from because most don’t say where they live. Don and I knew that this was a spiritual battle in defending our right to discriminate against same-sex couples in our home—our home, not a commercial business! But, I had no idea of the ugly calls and e-mails that would be coming to me non-stop."
"I am writing to ask for your continual prayer support for us. I am asking that you pray for the Precious Blood of Jesus to be upon us to protect us from all evil. I am asking that we would know the Lord’s Presence and His Peace as we engage in this battle for something in which we strongly believe to be His Holy Will. We believe that when one opens up a rental in one’s own personal residence, whether it be for over 30 days or less than 30 days, that the owners have religious rights to choose to whom they will or will not rent out rooms! I am asking that you hold the banner of prayer over Don and me, as well as our lawyers Jim Hochberg and Brian Raum (ADF [Alliance Defense Fund – nationally known Christian ministry] attorney) that with the grace and help of God, we will win this battle!"
"We know that we have many who love and support us in our BCC Ohana [family]. Please refrain from calling us until after Christmas as I am on overload trying to get things in order to celebrate Christmas with our children and grandchildren—and, of course, with one another. God bless, Phyllis" “Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord … we adore you as being in control of everything.” 1 Chronicles 29:11 (LB)
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