A Simple Financial Solution

Everyone seems to be talking about the economy now. Even people that normally "dislike" Economics, etc. seem to be interested in the trend of the Dow Jones, etc. Furthermore, with Congress screaming "Armageddon!", it seems as if the world is about to end. But is it really? Such corrections in the market have occurred before (Dot Com bubble burst, Black Thursday, etc.) and the U.S. and the economy survived. Even the Great Depression was not the end (though through the U.S. government it was prolonged). Now understand, I am not happy about what is happening, but much of it is contrived. Much of the problem has come about from greed and improper government interference. In fact, many of the people who caused the problem are the SAME ones trying to "fix" the problem. Now that's scary! Unless, of course, you enjoy living in the United Socialist America.

What can be done to fix the situation? Well, actually there are several solutions. One of the easier and actually "common sensical" solutions would be to remove the Mark-to-Market accounting (a.k.a., Fair Value accounting) requirement and allow the companies to actually free up capital thus improving the liquidity status. Here are some definitions of the Mark-to-Market accounting process:

1. The act of recording the price or value of a security, portfolio or account to reflect its current market value rather than its book value. This is done most often in futures accounts to make sure that margin requirements are being met. If the current market value causes the margin account to fall below its required level, the trader will be faced with a margin call. (WSJ)
2. In terms of mutual funds, a MTM is when the net asset value (NAV) of the fund is valued upon the most current market values. Mutual Funds are marked to market on a daily basis at the market close so that investors have an idea of the fund's NAV. (WSJ)

Furthermore, such accounting methods have consistently led to fraud in the financial arena. (Like we need more of that!)

For more information, check out Forbes.

Where's The Energizer Bunny?

Yes, we are still without power. Fortunately, a generator has been donated, and we were able to save our food in the freezer. They told us the power would be "back on" by Wednesday night or Thursday morning. I hope it's before then, but if not, well, I guess we'll wait.
Hope all of you are fine.

Constitutional Questions

(The following is from the Alliance Defense Fund website. The white papers are also available for download.)

Pulpit Freedom
You may be aware of a special project we’re undertaking here at the Alliance Defense Fund, culminating in an event on Sunday, September 28 called Pulpit Freedom Sunday. We are excited about this opportunity that will, God-willing, give us the opportunity to restore now missing aspects of the First Amendment to our nation’s spiritual leaders. It’s no surprise that not everyone agrees and we have recently come under attack.Many Americans’ attitudes and actions toward slavery, child labor, civil rights, and even the American Revolution itself started in the pews of our nation’s churches. As pastors preached and taught Biblical principles related to those issues and evaluated the politicians who promoted or decried them, their parishioners could decide their own stance in light of Scripture. Starting in 1954, that most basic right was ripped away from our pulpits. The U.S. Congress amended IRS Code 501(c)3 without debate or analysis to restrict the speech of non-profit tax exempt entities, including churches. So, for the last 54 years, out of fear of losing their tax-exempt status, our nation’s pastors and priests have largely remained silent. Rather than risk confrontation, pastors have often self-censored their speech, ignoring blatant immorality in government and too often pronouncing their aversion from speaking about public policy. Those pastors who have longed to be relevant to society, to preach the Gospel in a way that has meaning in modern America, have studiously ignored much that has gone on in every tumultuous election season lest they drew wrath from the IRS.On Pulpit Freedom Sunday, pastors from 20 states will reclaim their constitutional right. From the pulpit, they will advise their congregation what scripture says about today’s issues apply those issues to the candidates standing for election just like their forefathers did for 150 years. This week, the Washington Post reported opposition to Pulpit Freedom Sunday spearheaded by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. You can read that article by clicking here. (You can read a response to that article from ADF Attorney Erik Stanley by clicking here.) Those who oppose us publicly demand “separation of church and state” when it suits their agenda. They claim to defend “free speech,” when, actually, they want the government to monitor, censor, and control what happens in our churches and punish those whose speech violates their dark vision for America’s future.At ADF, we do not welcome attacks but understand they will come as we humbly seek to do God’s will to defend these pastors who love God and want to serve Him. We expect complaints will be made to the IRS. We will pray and stand firm. We will represent these pastors should they come under fire and we will fight this battle all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary. It is just that important. As theologian Dr. John Frame notes, initiatives of this type are part and parcel of our constitutional legal system:
“In some systems of law, including the United States, the only way to establish the unconstitutionality of a law is by means of a test case. Someone must break that law, undergo trial, and then use as a defense that the law is unconstitutional. Such test-case lawbreaking is not a violation of the overall system of law… but rather attempts to purify the system by eliminating inappropriate legislation.”We will fight this battle because it is the right thing to do. Our pastors and priests should be able to use their knowledge of Scripture to advise us in all areas of life, even in politics. By God’s grace, we will win this battle, but we cannot do it alone. We need your prayers, your support and the Lord’s blessing and protection. John 15:5.

Ever have this problem?



(copyright - S. Phelps, owner)

Funny Illustration

An elderly man was desperately ill. Knowing the time for his departure was near, he called for his closest friends to come see him one last time. Attending him were his doctor, his pastor and his business manager. The old man said, “I know you can’t take it with you, but who knows for sure? What if the experts are mistaken? I want to account for all possibilities. So I’m giving you each an envelope containing $100,000. When I die, I want you each to slip the envelope in my jacket pocket at the funeral service. Then, if I do need money in the life to come, I’ll be ready. And I’m giving the envelopes to you because you are my most trusted friends.” Shortly thereafter, the man did die. Each of his three friends was seen slipping something into the deceased’s coat pocket as he walked up to the casket to pay his final respects. Following the service, while these friends were visiting with each other, the doctor, with a sheepish look on his face, said, “Guys, I have a confession to make. You know with the cost of medicine today, I don’t make that much money. The hospital is desperate for funds. We can’t even replace the CAT scan machine that’s broken down. So, I took $20,000 for the new CAT scan and put the rest in the coffin.” The minister cleared his throat and looked down at his shoes. He said, “I, too, have a confession to make. As you know, our church is seriously overburdened by the needs of the homeless. I couldn’t just see burying that money. So, in hopes of helping the homeless, I took $50,000 out of the envelope and put the rest in his pocket.” Looking sternly at the doctor and the minister, the businessman exclaimed, “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I am astonished and deeply disappointed that you would treat a solemn trust so casually. He was our friend. I want you to know that I placed in his casket my personal check for the full $100,000.”

(From Sins We Love, Randy Rowland, p. 125-126)

This Makes Me Feel Better (and yes, it's from the 90's!!!)

Just Pathetic...

The Arkansas State/Texas A&M game has to be one of the most horrible games we've played in a LONG time. How in the world do you lose to Arkansas State?!? That is just ridiculous. We have talent that should make any team jealous, yet we play like we have never seen a football. Coach Sherman had better right the ship quick (and yes, I am more than willing to give someone time to get his program going...but come on, tonight was pathetic!!!) or the powerful alum will be headhunting.

Hell-fire And Brimstone

The following excerpts were taken from a commentary by Dan Kimball in the Winter 2008 issue of Leadership:

The subject of hell and judgment is all over the New Testament. Still, we don't hear much about hell today, at least not from the church. We tend to cover other subjects repeatedly, but ignore one that Jesus talks about all the time. There are some exceptions, but the preachers yelling "turn or burn" on street corners are rare.
We cannot approach the subject of hell merely as a doctrine and ignore the human impact. Teaching on hell is not for the sake of knowing Christian trivia or to satisfy theological curiosity. If we believe in hell, and if we believe people created in God's image will either experience eternity in communion with him or apart from him, then we should be communicating the gospel, both the good news and the bad news.
Of course, this calls for balance. Christians have often been guilty of making hell the primary motivation for salvation. I believe this is an alteration of the holistic gospel found in 1 Corinthians 15. But if we completely ignore the reality of hell and judgment, we are forced to make one of Jesus' frequent teachings little more than an obscure metaphor.
As Charles Spurgeon said, "If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for."

Christian Fraternity Will Proceed at U. of Florida

The Christian men’s fraternity Beta Upsilon Chi received an injunction in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday that will allow it to proceed as an active “on-campus” organization the University of Florida.
According to a release on Christian News Wire, representatives from Beta Upsilon Chi sued the university on grounds of religious discrimination after they learned they could not be an active organization on campus this year. The group exists on 20 other campuses throughout the United States, many of which are public institution like the University of Florida. The university wanted to shut down the group because being a Christian is required for membership into the organization. Florida officials say that stipulation violates the university’s own nondiscrimination policy.
“In this decision, the Court has reiterated the importance of ensuring faith-based organizations are treated fairly and equitably in the public square,” said Brett Williams, board member of Beta Upsilon Chi. “This ruling is encouraging to the young men of Beta Upsilon Chi at the University of Florida, but more importantly it makes a strong national statement that the rights of religious freedom and free association must be respected by universities.”
The case has not reached a final resolution, and as arguments continue, Beta Upsilon Chi continues to assert that the Constitution gives them the right to form a religious group and the university’s policy cannot infringe upon that.

(Article copied from Church Solutions.)

2008 Southern Baptist Convention Compensation Study

The 2008 Compensation Study was a joint project of state Baptist conventions, GuideStone Financial Resources, and LifeWay Christian Resources. Compensation and congregational data was collected anonymously from ministers and office/custodial personnel of Southern Baptist churches and church-type missions. Reports are based on compensation for nearly 13,000 respondents from all 50 states. While this data is made available with respect for the autonomy of each local church, the information can help a church be objective in considering appropriate staff compensation. Use menu options (left) to view reports based on data from all states or for a selected state convention(s). All amounts are annual amounts based on 2008 compensation. Cost of living adjustments should be made when using the data in subsequent years. A key feature of this study is the CUSTOMIZED REPORT. It provides reports for only those churches of similar attendance, membership and budget to your own. CAUTION: Some position categories (Senior Pastor: Interim, Senior Pastor: Part-Time, and Ministerial Staff: Interim) contain a relatively small number of respondents. It would be best to include all of these respondents in reports.

Click here for more information about the Compensation Study and its uses.
Click here for answers to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about the Compensation Study.

(All information listed above is taken from the LifeWay Compensation Website.)

Environmental Stewardship In The Judeo-Christian Tradition

I am currently studying the above titled book (which I received free in the mail) from the Action Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While I have not finished it, there are some good thoughts in this book. In fact, let me quote part of the introduction as it is given on the back cover.

"A fair and honest debate about religious responses to environmental issues should always distinguish theological principles from prudential judgments. The Cornwall Declaration and the accompanying essays in this volume were written to do just that. They were not written to provide theological rationale for current environmentalist fashion. Rather, they seek to articulate the broad Judeo-Christian theological principles concerning the environment, and to distinguish those principles from contrary ideas popular in the environmental movement." (Jay W. Richards)

Part 4 of the book really piqued my interest. It is entitled "A Biblical Perspective On Environmental Stewardship" and contains a section (Section IV) entitled "Some Human And Environmental Concerns For Present And Future". Within this section such issues as population growth, global warming, and species extinction are discussed. Section V, "Environmental Market Virtues," also promises to be a good read.

Besides this book, there seems to be a large undercurrent within the Judeo-Christian world to become "green." Sometimes we use the terminology of "eco-friendly" or "eco-conscious" but it basically has the same purpose. What is the general concensus on such a move? Is it warranted? Or should it be avoided at all cost? Is there some middle ground, and if there is, how do we reach it?

Church Branding

This is one of the hot topics of today. To get a greater feeling for this issue, read the following post. (Click here for original blog post.)

Branding: A blog by Dennis Richards (on Church Solutions)
10/11/2007

As I write this, I’m getting ready to ask the staff of Bent Tree, “What is branding, anyway?” My guess is that most of the responses will be standard: logo design, naming, colors, the look of the Web site or bulletin, etc. These are all valid responses, and all are elements of what makes up a brand. Dictionary.com describes “brand” as a trademark or distinctive name identifying a product or a manufacturer.
I think branding for ministries is much like contemporary worship used to be 10 or 15 years ago. People are realizing that there is something different happening, and this thing called branding is not going away. People are starting to realize they need to pay attention to how things are changing around them in a world of communications, branding and messaging.
Branding is often seen as a mystical thing. I hear all the time, “If we could only have our brand strategy understood or clarified” – again, valid comments. But branding, ultimately, is simply letting people know who you are; it’s sharing your personality with the world. It’s the difference between choosing to pull on a pair of jeans, a comfortable T-shirt and sandals for work, rather than dressing up in a suit and tie each day. It’s part of my personality, and it’s my persona.
The same is true of a church. Some churches are more formal, while others are more edgy and reach a different audience. The trick is letting these distinctions shine through. Is it logo, color, Web site or identity package (brochures, letterhead, business cards)? The answer is “all of the above.”
What is the DNA of your church? Are you more the jeans-and-T-shirt place or the suit-and-tie spot? Once you figure out who you are and how you live out this thing called church, the hard part is over. The fun part of branding is coming up with the right messaging and design that allows your personality to be well-known for Christ.

Dennis Richards is the director of communications for Bent Tree Fellowship, where he successfully leads the church in the branding, marketing and communications. Prior to joining Bent Tree, Richards served as a professional marketer and brand manager to the interiors industry, working for several domestic and international brands. Those skills have proven an added resource in helping Bent Tree in its building-expansion program. In addition to his normal responsibilities, Richards also enjoys serving in the Worship and Arts Ministry as one of the guitar players.

The Nation Of Georgia

This article was written by Louis Moore concerning the Georgian crisis and its relationship with the U.S.

The year was 1991. The Soviet Union was nearing its final gasping breaths. By year's end the hammer-and-sickle red flag would fly no more over the Kremlin or elsewhere in the Evil Empire.
Six years earlier I had traveled to the Soviet Union to write my award-winning newspaper series about Jewish Refusniks—Soviet citizens who wanted to flee their motherland for life in either Israel or the United States but were held back by persecution and sometimes imprisonment. I traveled incognito as a tourist in a group of Texas Jews supposedly vacationing in the land of their ancestors. By day we visited tourist sites; by night we ventured from apartment to apartment for our clandestine meetings with the Refusniks. These Soviet Jews were genuinely scared to death of their political keepers; their paranoia was contagious—something we visiting Americans experienced vicariously for the first time.
This time—in December 1991—I now was among my own Baptist people. Our small delegation traveled by way of Moscow to the Republic of Georgia, one of the new countries that was emerging from the breakup of the Soviet Union. Frankly, I'd never heard of the Republic of Georgia until I was invited to join the group.
We were invited there by Georgia Baptist leaders, who feared their Orthodox brethren almost as much as they had feared their former communist masters. Georgia's Baptists wanted the five of us U.S. Baptists to talk directly with Georgia's Orthodox leader about ending what they perceived as persecution by Georgia's Orthodox majority against their tiny Baptist minority. In short, they wanted us to bring American influence to bear on the patriarch, who in turn would influence his people to be nicer to the Georgia Baptists. For our part, we never could figure out how much influence we had, except that we were there physically. And we were Americans.
On arrival in Tblisi we thought our proposed talk with the Orthodox patriarch was our goal. Little did we realize the Georgia government was eyeing us with great curiosity and a much bigger game plan.
I tell this story now because I believe it illustrates the dilemma the U.S. faces in light of the overreaction by Russia starting last Saturday against the little nation of Georgia over Georgia's efforts to reclaim land—called South Ossetia—it believed was stolen from it about the time we visited by revolutionaries aligned with Moscow.
As soon as we arrived in Tblisi in 1991 we started hearing "We love America. We love Americans. We want to be allied with you Americans. Please, can't you get your country to begin diplomatic relations with us?"
Within a few days of our arrival these messages were being delivered by top Georgian government officials, who seemed more than eager to clear their calendars in order to welcome a band of wandering Baptists from America. Each day the top Georgia government official wanting to meet us seemed to be a little higher up in the ranks.
To everyone we met we kept saying, "We are here representing a large group of Baptists in Åmerica, not the U.S. government."
We decided we must be five of only a small handful of Americans in the entire country of Georgia that year. We also decided Americans were certainly greatly loved in that small, faraway country—or else somebody there sure thought they needed us awfully much.
Finally the invitation arrived for a command performance in the office of Zviad Gamsukhurdia, the country's first elected president. I must readily admit that even though I've traveled in more than 45 different countries, I'm not accustomed to spur-of-the-moment invitations to visit heads of state in their executive offices. This was a total surprise.
Richard Land, our group leader, tried to explain to the Georgian president about our interest in Orthodox persecution of Baptists. Gamsakhurdia was much more interested in whether we had connections with George H.W. Bush, then-President of the U.S, and influential people in the U.S. Congress. He specifically wanted to know if we could help him secure diplomatic recognition of Georgia by the U.S. government. Richard finally told him we would do what we could to help him—which wasn't much.
Returning in a taxi from the president's office/palace to our hotel, we were astonished to see so many military tanks and personnel on the Tblisi streets near the capital.
The next day we flew out of Tblisi to Moscow during the worst snowstorm I've ever seen on the smelliest and worst-maintained Soviet aircraft than I could possibly imagine.
Days after we met Gamsakhurdia, a coup ousted him from office. A few weeks later he and his family members all were murdered as they fled the rebels. In the upheaval the office in which we met him was burned.
In so many ways, the Baptist trip was more unnerving than was the previous Jewish trip, which itself was hair-raising. Georgia was a strange, strange place. Men walked around holding hands with each other. They even kissed each other goodbye in very unmanly ways. The military looked like something straight out of World War II. Why the government officials thought a tiny band of visiting Baptists from America might help them unlock their political fortunes in the U.S. would have been laughable had they not seemed to be so desperate.
Still, in 1991 the Georgians communicated beautifully several important messages: We love America. We need America. We will do anything we can to align with America.
Why did they love and need us so much? Probably because they hated the Soviets (translate today: Russians) so much.
Those are the messages they still are communicating this week.
My heart goes out to the Georgians now as the Russians have taken out their pent-up frustrations on those poor people. I just wish, however, that Georgia's government had not acted so stupidly last Friday night. Didn't it know the bully in its back yard was still a real threat and the country its people love so much was half a world away mired down in its own problems including Iraq and Afghanistan?
But now that the Russians have over-reacted so severely, maybe the Georgians will still get what they've sought for so long—the reciprocal U.S. interest in them accompanied by sympathy, awareness, and massive financial aid. Sometimes you have to lose in order to win. In this situation, Georgia still may turn out to be the big winner in its losing war with the Russians.

Posted by LOUIS MOORE

The Henderson (Jerusalem) Priority

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth (Acts 1:8).

In the coming months, EBC is going to experience some exciting things. First, all of our normal school year activities will get back in full swing. Second, the Faith Promise Conference (more details on the back) will be held in September. Third, The Jerusalem Priority will occur in October. What a wonderful time it will be here at EBC!
To give you a quick idea of what The Jerusalem Priority is, a few excerpts from the Leader book from Bogard Press have been included below.

The Jerusalem Priority is an outreach emphasis program. The curriculum is designed to assist churches in reaching their communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The materials are provided for churches to use during a four-week campaign each year. The target month is October, but the curriculum is undated and can be used anytime. The focus will be on evangelism and outreach for four consecutive Sundays during the selected month. The curriculum includes sermon outlines and Bible lessons for the teachers and students. Promotional materials include bulletin covers and inserts, doorknob hangers, invitation cards, postcards, publicity posters, and vinyl banners. Other items include a daily devotional book, a salvation tract, and an evangelistic survey.
Church members will have the opportunity to invite friends, acquaintances, and family to attend worship services and Bible study. Many will have the privilege of sharing their faith with friends and family during the process.
The presence and power of the Holy Spirit is essential. Psalm 127:1, “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” Prayer will be the most important part of the process. Pray that souls will be saved, people will be baptized, and new Christians will be discipled.

I believe it is important for EBC to reach the surrounding community. While God has blessed us in Great Commission Giving, He will also bless us in Great Commission Work here in Henderson (our Jerusalem).
Therefore, in the coming days, a Jerusalem Priority Outreach Committee consisting of staff members and key leaders in the church will be formed. Furthermore, other members will be enlisted to help with the community outreach events during the fall months.
While this is a big step for EBC, it should not scare us, for we are just doing what the Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to do.
For more information concerning this program you can go to www.thejerusalempriority.com.

Another Thought

Wouldn't the verse below be a problem for hyper-Calvinists?

Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11)

What A Catch!

Chris Miller sent me this picture of a fish he caught. And no Chris, I don't think all Missionaries "goof off" - just you! Hahaha!!!

What has happened to logic and our legal system?

While eating lunch today, I saw a news item on Fox News concerning "Sanctuary Cities." The news item focused on San Francisco and its mayor (both of which have issues), and how the city was spending taxpayers' money to advertise itself as a "sanctuary city" for illegal aliens. While I have major issues with the whole idea of sanctuary cities, one statement was made that almost made me choke on my poppy seed chicken casserole.

(To give you a clearer understanding of the following statement, let me inform you of an issue being discussed. There was an illegal alien that had committed a crime and was not deported because he was able to make it to a sanctuary city. Unfortunately, he then killed a man and his two sons. The widow wonders why this man was able to remain in the United States after committing a crime and then able to kill her husband and two sons. While they were discussing this issue, the following was statement was made.)

"Sanctuary cities are not designed to protect criminals."

Then for what reason do you have a sanctuary city?!? A sanctuary city allows illegal aliens (someone who has BROKEN a federal law) to safely live there. So, you have a city designed to protect criminals but it's not a city to protect criminals...uhhh...okay. This is idiocracy (nice word, huh?)! No wonder our nation is in the mess it is. Politicians and citizens cannot even fathom the problems because they don't understand simple issues such as this!

Well, I say let the sanctuary cities be sanctuary cities. In fact, I'll make sure I stay out of there and keep my money out of there. I'll make sure cities such as San Francisco, Austin, and Houston (sanctuary cities) do not have to worry about "my kind." Besides, we don't want law-abiding citizens there...oops, I mean...criminals.

Well, I have more - but for now, I'll stop and let you post your thoughts.

Whew!

What a summer! It has been one BUSY summer for me. I have loved every minute of it, but my body (and mind) is exhausted. Regardless of that though, I am glad God helped me in so many ways to accomplish His work. And yes, it was because of His blessings that I was able to do the following in the last 7 weeks:

Outrigger Island VBS
ABA Messenger Meeting in Spokane, WA
Kids Kamp Evangelist
Encounter Camp Evangelist
The Journey Team Rec Director

Well, now I can get back to my "normal" routine and hopefully catch up on a few things...yeah right!!!

God Bless America

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people - Proverbs 14:34.

The United States of America is a great nation, and has been preserved for 232 years by God. The young country of 1776 has grown from two million strong to over 300 million, with fifty states, much wealth, and power. The necessities of life are available to all and freedom is granted as a right to each individual citizen. What a truly blessed nation we are. However, can such a nation continue being blessed when abortion, pedophilia, drugs, murder, and a general hatred towards one’s neighbor is the norm? We all know the issues facing our country, but what can be done about it?
Fortunately, we are given the answer in Scripture. To continually be exalted, we must be righteous. Yet, the righteousness spoken of here is that of just principles and actions which seems to be foreign to the train of thought of many Americans. No matter what the pundits say, righteousness is required by God for a nation to be blessed and that righteousness can only be found in Jesus Christ. We as a nation are not righteous, but we as a nation following the Lord Jesus Christ can be righteous.
“Justice, reigning in a nation, puts an honor upon it. A righteous administration of the government, impartial equity between man and man, public countenance given to religion, the general practice and profession of virtue, the protecting and preserving of virtuous men, charity and compassion to strangers, these exalt a nation; they uphold the throne, elevate the people’s minds, and qualify a nation for the favor of God. Vice, reigning in a nation, puts disgrace upon it: Sin is a reproach to any city or kingdom, and renders them despicable among their neighbors. The people of Israel were often instances of both parts of this observation.” (Commentary)
The early leaders of our nation realized morality and righteousness were needed for a nation to truly succeed.
“Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt, that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages, which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its Virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices ?” (George Washington in his farewell address to the nation)
May we as Christians pray for our nation, repent of our sins, allow the righteousness of Christ to lead us, and be the godly citizens the U.S.A. needs!

Fox News Reports...You Decide

Schoolboys punished with detention for refusing to kneel in class and pray to Allah

Two schoolboys were given detention after refusing to kneel down and 'pray to Allah' during a religious education lesson. Parents were outraged that the two boys from year seven (11 to 12-year-olds) were punished for not wanting to take part in the practical demonstration of how Allah is worshipped. They said forcing their children to take part in the exercise at Alsager High School, near Stoke-on-Trent - which included wearing Muslim headgear - was a breach of their human rights.

Alsager School, near Stoke, has received furious complaints from parents after two Year 7 boys were punished for refusing to kneel to Allah during a religious studies class. One parent, Sharon Luinen, said: "This isn't right, it's taking things too far. I understand that they have to learn about other religions. I can live with that but it is taking it a step too far to be punished because they wouldn't join in Muslim prayer. Making them pray to Allah, who isn't who they worship, is wrong and what got me is that they were told they were being disrespectful. I don't want this to look as if I have a problem with the school because I am generally very happy with it."

Another parent Karen Williams said: "I am absolutely furious my daughter was made to take part in it and I don't find it acceptable. I haven't got a problem with them teaching my child other religions and a small amount of information doesn't do any harm. But not only did they have to pray, the teacher had gone into the class and made them watch a short film and then said 'we are now going out to pray to Allah'. Then two boys got detention and all the other children missed their refreshment break because of the teacher. Not only was it forced upon them, my daughter was told off for not doing it right. They'd never done it before and they were supposed to do it in another language."

"My child has been forced to pray to Allah in a school lesson." The grandfather of one of the pupils in the class said: "It's absolutely disgusting, there's no other way of putting it. My daughter and a lot of other mothers are furious about their children being made to kneel on the floor and pray to Islam. If they didn't do it they were given detention. I am not racist, I've been friendly with an Indian for 30 years. I've also been to a Muslim wedding where it was explained to me that alcohol would not be served and I respected that. But if Muslims were asked to go to church on Sunday and take Holy Communion there would be war."

Parents said that their children were made to bend down on their knees on prayer mats which the RE teacher had got out of her cupboard and they were also told to wear Islamic headgear during the lesson on Tuesday afternoon. Deputy headmaster Keith Plant said: "It's difficult to know at the moment whether this was part of the curriculum or not. I am not an RE teacher, I am an English teacher. At the moment it is our enterprise week and many of our members of staff are away. The particular member of staff you need to speak to isn't around. I think that it is a shame that so many parents have got in touch with the Press before coming to me. I have spoken to the teacher and she has articulately given me her version of events, but that is all I can give you at the moment."

A statement from Cheshire County Council on behalf of the school read: "The headteacher David Black contacted this authority immediately complaints were received. Enquiries are being made into the circumstances as a matter of urgency and all parents will be informed accordingly. Educating children in the beliefs of different faith is part of the diversity curriculum on the basis that knowledge is essential to understanding. We accept that such teaching is to be conducted with some sense of sensitivity."