The Bulletin Board:(Please SCROLL DOWN this page to find the article titled on this post in LARGE CAPITAL LETTERS. Thank you.)
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: Save Christian Mom Asia Bibi from Execution - A Christian mom has been sentenced to death in Pakistan for her faith. Asia Bibi was falsely accused of “blasphemy” – speaking against the prophet Muhammad. Now this wife and mother of five will hang for her Christian faith.She would be the first woman executed under Pakistan’s Shariah blasphemy law.This is the ultimate human rights violation. We’re mobilizing our international affiliate – the European Centre for Law and Justice – and its partner in Pakistan to stop this atrocity. Add your name to our letter to the government of Pakistan demanding Asia Bibi’s freedom.Go to > http://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution; please add your signature to mine and over 35,000 others AND pray for Asia Bibi.
URGENT REQUEST: Pray for Brittany Maynard (discussed in past posts #1025 and #1026 and the second article in post #1032) who plans to commit suicide SAT., NOV. 1. Pray that there are family and friends who will finally persuade her to change her mind.
U.S. Supreme Court has Reconvened: Let's be praying WHENEVER the Court is in session as their decisions can have impact on GENERATIONS to come. The fact that they may have an opportunity this session to actually vote on same-sex "marriage" where it has the same impact on this country that Roe v. Wade did should be motivating enough!
ELECTION DAY, NOV. 4th. Let's begin praying that the American people will have wisdom in voting into office those who will lead our communities and nation with integrity and wisdom from God and DO NO HARM!.
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
Friday, Sept. 26th - Two Year Anniversary of Pastor Saeed Abedini's Imprisonment in Iran! - [NOTE TODAY'S POST!]
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign]
"Not Everyone Happy with Religious Ambassador Pick," Caitlin Burke,July 29, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "..An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States must take a strong stand against those violations. "Around the world repressive governments and extremists groups have been crystal clear about what they stand against, so we have to be equally clear about what we must stand for," Kerry said. "We stand for greater freedom, for greater tolerance, greater respect, for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience," he said A key development in the 2013 report is the large number of displaced members of religious communities, including entire Christian communities in Syria and Iraq that have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution."
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
Of course, let's CONTINUE PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA AND THE HEALING OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907) Pray that allied forces will be able to drive the group ISIS back (see post #964)
/PRAYER ALERT- UKRAINE: As the Lord leads, please pray:
*For God to suppress President Putin’s ambitions to "restore" the Soviet empire.
*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
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"Criminalizing Innocent Christian Behavior" - David Limbaugh | Oct 21, 2014; http://townhall.com/columnists/davidlimbaugh/2014/10/21/criminalizing-innocent-christian-behavior-n1907570?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl [NOTE: Check out my commentary on yesterday's post #1035 that dealt with another threat to religious freedom]
Where are all the atheist freedom lovers we always hear about? It's time for them to start standing up for religious liberty.The left and militant gay movement are getting bolder and bolder, and too many Christians are stewing in their apathy.
It seems that with each passing month, this senseless tyranny advances. The latest is that two Christian ministers in Idaho, Donald and Evelyn Knapp, have allegedly been ordered to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies at their chapel or face fines or jail sentences. This nightmare began Oct. 7, when the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated Idaho's marriage laws and legalized same-sex marriage in that state, which allowed Idaho county clerks to begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses a week later. On Oct. 17, the Knapps declined a request to perform a same-sex wedding ceremony.
According to a lawsuit filed by the Knapps, the city of Coeur d'Alene is "unconstitutionally coercing" them to perform these weddings at their Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in violation of their religious beliefs, their ordination vows and their consciences. City Ordinance Section 9.56 bars sexual orientation discrimination in public accommodations, which forces the Knapps to choose between betraying their religious convictions and following them and facing up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. According to their complaint, they arguably commit a separate and distinct misdemeanor each day they refuse to perform such ceremonies, with the potential criminal penalties piling up cumulatively.
Let's not brush over this as if it's an immaterial matter to the Knapps or other Christians. Their belief in marriage as between one man and one woman is deeply rooted in their biblical faith -- and not just in the Old Testament, as some have speciously argued.
When the Pharisees asked Jesus whether it is lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause, he replied, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?" (Matthew 19:4-5). Jesus was quoting Genesis 1:27, lest there be any confusion that there is conflict between the testaments.
The point isn't whether you or I believe this, though I do. It's whether the Knapps believe it -- and they do. Their attorneys' complaint clearly states that they "are ordained Christian ministers who believe biblical marriage is good for society. Not only have they been happily married for 47 years, they have married roughly 35,000 couples and seen countless lives blessed through marriage. As ordained ministers, the Knapps believe God called them to promote the welfare of their community by uniting others in marriage. ... Because their religious beliefs affect everything they do, the Knapps and Hitching Post, LLC only perform wedding ceremonies consistent with their religious beliefs."
Is that good enough for you? For our society? For the city of Coeur d'Alene? For the state of Idaho? For the United States of America?
In the old cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses saluting the flag and young men declaring themselves conscientious objectors to the draft, the question was the sincerity of their beliefs. But increasingly in our society, the sacred and not-so-sacred beliefs of everyone but Christians are protected while Christians are deemed intolerant pariahs who must be forced to conform to behavior repugnant to their beliefs.
Notice who the aggressors are here. Notice who is being intolerant. Why can't same-sex couples who want to marry under the newly minted law find ministers who have no objection to the procedure? Are they seeking the vindication of their rights or trying to force their beliefs on other people to the point of compelling them to deny their own?
Unless we have lost our collective mind and the state of Idaho and federal government have cashiered their respective constitutions, this can't conceivably be a close case. As the complaint states, the ordinance is unconstitutional as applied to the Knapps, as it violates their right to free speech, their free exercise of religion, their right to equal protection under the law, their due process rights and the applicable Idaho statute, the Free Exercise of Religion Protected Act.
Do you remember when many of us warned that the same-sex marriage movement wasn't just about living and letting live, that it would inevitably encroach on the religious liberties of Christians and others who don't agree with this newly created institution? We also warned that this would involve not just societal pressure but the power of state coercion, and we're already here. The left's denials that religious liberty was in jeopardy were as trustworthy as President Obama's assurances that Obamacare would not violate the conscience rights of religious groups -- which is to say, not at all.
The sheer acceleration of the left's militancy should horrify people. Just last week, these actions seemed like a realistic but distant threat, but today they're already happening.
Many of us keep warning our fellow Christians (and other freedom lovers) that their apathy and refusal to fight for their rights in the public square is going to bite them where it hurts. Could it be that this, along with other disturbing developments around the country, will wake them up? We shall see.
[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]
David Limbaugh, brother of radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, is an expert in law and politics and author of the book Crimes Against Liberty, the definitive chronicle of Barack Obama's devastating term in office so far. He also authored the recently released book "Jesus On Trial."
"City Threatens to Arrest Ministers Who Refuse to Perform Same-Sex Weddings" - Todd Starnes | Oct 20, 2014; http://townhall.com/columnists/toddstarnes/2014/10/20/city-threatens-to-arrest-ministers-who-refuse-to-perform-samesex-weddings-n1907567?utm_source=thdailypm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl_pm
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: Save Christian Mom Asia Bibi from Execution - A Christian mom has been sentenced to death in Pakistan for her faith. Asia Bibi was falsely accused of “blasphemy” – speaking against the prophet Muhammad. Now this wife and mother of five will hang for her Christian faith.She would be the first woman executed under Pakistan’s Shariah blasphemy law.This is the ultimate human rights violation. We’re mobilizing our international affiliate – the European Centre for Law and Justice – and its partner in Pakistan to stop this atrocity. Add your name to our letter to the government of Pakistan demanding Asia Bibi’s freedom.Go to > http://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution; please add your signature to mine and over 35,000 others AND pray for Asia Bibi.
URGENT REQUEST: Pray for Brittany Maynard (discussed in past posts #1025 and #1026 and the second article in post #1032) who plans to commit suicide SAT., NOV. 1. Pray that there are family and friends who will finally persuade her to change her mind.
U.S. Supreme Court has Reconvened: Let's be praying WHENEVER the Court is in session as their decisions can have impact on GENERATIONS to come. The fact that they may have an opportunity this session to actually vote on same-sex "marriage" where it has the same impact on this country that Roe v. Wade did should be motivating enough!
ELECTION DAY, NOV. 4th. Let's begin praying that the American people will have wisdom in voting into office those who will lead our communities and nation with integrity and wisdom from God and DO NO HARM!.
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
Friday, Sept. 26th - Two Year Anniversary of Pastor Saeed Abedini's Imprisonment in Iran! - [NOTE TODAY'S POST!]
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign]
PRAY ALSO : - For comfort and peace for Saeed’s wife and children here in the U.S.\
- For a strong witness and testimony from Pastor Abedini in the prison where God has placed him
- For Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ
- For leadership from the White House and State Department in defending the freedoms of Abedini and other Americans
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "..An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States must take a strong stand against those violations. "Around the world repressive governments and extremists groups have been crystal clear about what they stand against, so we have to be equally clear about what we must stand for," Kerry said. "We stand for greater freedom, for greater tolerance, greater respect, for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience," he said A key development in the 2013 report is the large number of displaced members of religious communities, including entire Christian communities in Syria and Iraq that have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution."
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
Of course, let's CONTINUE PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA AND THE HEALING OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907) Pray that allied forces will be able to drive the group ISIS back (see post #964)
/PRAYER ALERT- UKRAINE: As the Lord leads, please pray:
*For God to suppress President Putin’s ambitions to "restore" the Soviet empire.
*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
"Criminalizing Innocent Christian Behavior" - David Limbaugh | Oct 21, 2014; http://townhall.com/columnists/davidlimbaugh/2014/10/21/criminalizing-innocent-christian-behavior-n1907570?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl [NOTE: Check out my commentary on yesterday's post #1035 that dealt with another threat to religious freedom]
Where are all the atheist freedom lovers we always hear about? It's time for them to start standing up for religious liberty.The left and militant gay movement are getting bolder and bolder, and too many Christians are stewing in their apathy.
It seems that with each passing month, this senseless tyranny advances. The latest is that two Christian ministers in Idaho, Donald and Evelyn Knapp, have allegedly been ordered to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies at their chapel or face fines or jail sentences. This nightmare began Oct. 7, when the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated Idaho's marriage laws and legalized same-sex marriage in that state, which allowed Idaho county clerks to begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses a week later. On Oct. 17, the Knapps declined a request to perform a same-sex wedding ceremony.
According to a lawsuit filed by the Knapps, the city of Coeur d'Alene is "unconstitutionally coercing" them to perform these weddings at their Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in violation of their religious beliefs, their ordination vows and their consciences. City Ordinance Section 9.56 bars sexual orientation discrimination in public accommodations, which forces the Knapps to choose between betraying their religious convictions and following them and facing up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. According to their complaint, they arguably commit a separate and distinct misdemeanor each day they refuse to perform such ceremonies, with the potential criminal penalties piling up cumulatively.
Let's not brush over this as if it's an immaterial matter to the Knapps or other Christians. Their belief in marriage as between one man and one woman is deeply rooted in their biblical faith -- and not just in the Old Testament, as some have speciously argued.
When the Pharisees asked Jesus whether it is lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause, he replied, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?" (Matthew 19:4-5). Jesus was quoting Genesis 1:27, lest there be any confusion that there is conflict between the testaments.
The point isn't whether you or I believe this, though I do. It's whether the Knapps believe it -- and they do. Their attorneys' complaint clearly states that they "are ordained Christian ministers who believe biblical marriage is good for society. Not only have they been happily married for 47 years, they have married roughly 35,000 couples and seen countless lives blessed through marriage. As ordained ministers, the Knapps believe God called them to promote the welfare of their community by uniting others in marriage. ... Because their religious beliefs affect everything they do, the Knapps and Hitching Post, LLC only perform wedding ceremonies consistent with their religious beliefs."
Is that good enough for you? For our society? For the city of Coeur d'Alene? For the state of Idaho? For the United States of America?
In the old cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses saluting the flag and young men declaring themselves conscientious objectors to the draft, the question was the sincerity of their beliefs. But increasingly in our society, the sacred and not-so-sacred beliefs of everyone but Christians are protected while Christians are deemed intolerant pariahs who must be forced to conform to behavior repugnant to their beliefs.
Notice who the aggressors are here. Notice who is being intolerant. Why can't same-sex couples who want to marry under the newly minted law find ministers who have no objection to the procedure? Are they seeking the vindication of their rights or trying to force their beliefs on other people to the point of compelling them to deny their own?
Unless we have lost our collective mind and the state of Idaho and federal government have cashiered their respective constitutions, this can't conceivably be a close case. As the complaint states, the ordinance is unconstitutional as applied to the Knapps, as it violates their right to free speech, their free exercise of religion, their right to equal protection under the law, their due process rights and the applicable Idaho statute, the Free Exercise of Religion Protected Act.
Do you remember when many of us warned that the same-sex marriage movement wasn't just about living and letting live, that it would inevitably encroach on the religious liberties of Christians and others who don't agree with this newly created institution? We also warned that this would involve not just societal pressure but the power of state coercion, and we're already here. The left's denials that religious liberty was in jeopardy were as trustworthy as President Obama's assurances that Obamacare would not violate the conscience rights of religious groups -- which is to say, not at all.
The sheer acceleration of the left's militancy should horrify people. Just last week, these actions seemed like a realistic but distant threat, but today they're already happening.
Many of us keep warning our fellow Christians (and other freedom lovers) that their apathy and refusal to fight for their rights in the public square is going to bite them where it hurts. Could it be that this, along with other disturbing developments around the country, will wake them up? We shall see.
[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]
David Limbaugh, brother of radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, is an expert in law and politics and author of the book Crimes Against Liberty, the definitive chronicle of Barack Obama's devastating term in office so far. He also authored the recently released book "Jesus On Trial."
"City Threatens to Arrest Ministers Who Refuse to Perform Same-Sex Weddings" - Todd Starnes | Oct 20, 2014; http://townhall.com/columnists/toddstarnes/2014/10/20/city-threatens-to-arrest-ministers-who-refuse-to-perform-samesex-weddings-n1907567?utm_source=thdailypm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl_pm
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