Obama Urged to Appeal Nat’l Prayer Day Ruling
April 25, 2010
By Nathan Black – Christian Post Reporter Just weeks away from the annual National Day of Prayer, a federal judge ruled on Thursday that the day is unconstitutional.U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb struck down a federal statute creating the “National Day of Prayer,” concluding that it connotes endorsement and encouragement of a particular religious exercise.
“Defendants argue that the purpose and effect of the National Day of Prayer is to acknowledge the role of religion in American life, which is not objectionable,” she wrote. “However, the line between ‘acknowledgment’ and ‘endorsement’ is a fine one.”
Attorneys with the Christian legal firm Alliance Defense Fund are urging President Barack Obama to appeal the decision.
ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster argues that the national prayer day is “America’s heritage” and “belongs to Americans.”
“The National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for all Americans to pray voluntarily according to their own faith – and does not promote any particular religion or form of religious observance,” Oster contends. “It does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, and this decision should be appealed.”
The annual prayer event was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Since then, all presidents have issued proclamations designating the National Day of Prayer each year.
Last year, President Obama issued a proclamation designating the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer, and prayed privately.
Despite the ruling, Obama still intends to recognize the day this year on May 6.
The lawsuit against the annual prayer day was filed in October 2008 by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The original defendants were President George Bush and Dana Perino, his press secretary. President Obama and Robert Gibbs are the current defendants.
Judge Crabb rejected arguments that the NDP is a longstanding tradition, noting that no such tradition existed in 1789.
She noted recent controversies around the event and how “religious expression by the government that is inspirational and comforting to a believer may seem exclusionary or even threatening to someone who does not share those beliefs.
“One might argue that the National Day of Prayer does not violate the establishment clause because it does not endorse any one religion. Unfortunately, that does not cure the problem. Although adherents of many religions ‘turn to God in prayer,’ not all of them do.”
Crabb also noted in her ruling, “The same law that prohibits the government from declaring a National Day of Prayer also prohibits it from declaring a National Day of Blasphemy.”
Opposing the ruling, Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice called the decision “flawed” and expressed confidence that it will be overturned.
“If the appeals court fails to reverse this decision, we’re confident the Supreme Court will hear the case and ultimately determine that such proclamations and observances like the National Day of Prayer not only reflect our nation’s rich history, but are indeed consistent with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment,” he stated.
Last month, Shirley Dobson, chair of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, was dismissed from the lawsuit. The task force has organized thousands of local prayer events throughout the country, including gatherings in Washington, D.C., with government leaders.
Dobson says it is imperative “now more than ever before” to pray.
Though the National Day of Prayer was ruled unconstitutional, Crabb made clear that religious groups are free to organize prayer events and the U.S. president also remains free to discuss his own views on prayer.
Christian Singer Confirms Sexuality
April 25, 2010
By Josh Kimball – Christian Post Reporter
Award-winning Christian music artist Jennifer Knapp has returned from a seven-year hiatus with a bang.
Aside from touring with provocative singer-songwriter Derek Webb and preparing for the release of a new album, Knapp is confirming what some had for years suspected – she’s gay.
In interviews with The Advocate, Reuters, and Christianity Today – all published Tuesday – Knapp spoke openly about her sexuality while making it clear that she is not a pro-gay activist or even a self-described lesbian despite being in an eight-year relationship with a woman.
“I’m just a normal human being who’s dealing with normal everyday life scenarios,” Knapp told Christianity Today.
“As a Christian, I’m doing that as best as I can,” she added. “The heartbreaking thing to me is that we’re all hopelessly deceived if we don’t think that there are people within our churches, within our communities, who want to hold on to the person they love, whatever sex that may be, and hold on to their faith. It’s a hard notion.”
Though not the first Christian music artist to “come out” as gay, Knapp is arguably the most prominent.
Knapp’s impressive history includes over one million albums sold with her three releases to date – Kansas (1998), Lay It Down (2000), and The Way I Am (2001). In 1999, Knapp won her first Dove Award for Best New Artist. The Kansas-born musician later scored a Grammy nod in 2002 and another Dove nomination in 2003.
“She’s like a fine cabernet. She only gets better with age,” commented John Huie of Creative Artists Agency, Knapp’s booking agent.
In September 2002, however, Knapp decided to leave the music scene over a number of issues – her “crazy” and exhausting schedule, for one – and has for the past seven years been spending time and soul searching in Australia as well as traveling throughout Europe.
It wasn’t until the last year that Knapp picked up a guitar again and came out with a couple of new tracks that led to her return to the United States last July.
After a few sessions in the studio, it became clear to Knapp and her team that it was time to make music again, and so Knapp officially moved back to the states in August together with her partner, whose identity Knapp is adamant about protecting.
Now, the finished product, titled Letting Go, is slated for a May 11 release and will be the first test of her fans’ loyalty given her sexuality confirmation.
While the decision to “come out” one month before her new album’s release is a risky one, The Advocate said Knapp chose to do so partly because she didn’t want people to love her music and then discover that their own values won’t let them sing along full-throated.
“I think it’s going to be shocking and feel like a betrayal to some people who live their spiritual lives through the music they listen to,” Knapp told the LGBT publication.
Furthermore, the move provides Knapp a chance to be “wholly myself.”
Currently, Knapp is on tour with former Caedmon’s Call member Webb and will be until at least the end of April.
On Monday, Knapp turned 36.
Are You a Spirtual Do-Gooder”?
April 25, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late As I waited in traffic for the light to change my eyes fell on the license plate of the car in front of me. Its message, DU GOOD, was simple, yet it challenged me.
This term was at one time used by non-believers to not so graciously refer to believers. Most generally it was not received with appreciation by believers. However, as I recalled the term, I began to realize that it should not have been offensive to believers but considered a compliment.
In 1 Peter 2:12 we are admonished to “live such good lives” that the non-believers around us “may see your good deeds and glorify God.” What a challenge for us as believers!
Over and over the Bible admonishes us to “do good.” It starts in Psalms 37:3 with the words “Trust in the Lord and do good.” Proverbs 11:27 promises that “he who seeks good finds goodwill,”
Christ urged us to even “do good to those who hate you” in Luke 6:27. The apostles continued this theme in various passages as the following:
“having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8)
“Let us not become weary in doing good” (Gal. 6:9-10)
“Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil” (I Thes. 5:21)
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds” (I Tim 6:18)
We are also warned to be careful as to what we call good in Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” And we are admonished by Paul in Romans 12:9 to “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
While we are admonished to do good things (works), these will not earn us salvation or eternal life. That must come by believing in Jesus Christ as God’s perfect sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:28). However, once we have done that, as His followers, He becomes our example for doing good (Acts 10:38). The good we do is the result of that faith (James 2:18).
In light of the above, it should cause us as believers to reevaluate our own standard of good and evil as related to those things which we once considered evil but now have begun to tolerate in our world.
Join John next time when he examines “Our Hope”.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
Do the Do’s, Also
April 17, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late It is so easy to get caught up in the things that followers of Christ shouldn’t do, the don’ts. But Jesus’ message was mostly a message of doing. It was a positive message. Yet the Bible puts the two together. For example,
we read that to know to do good and not do it is sin. Ouch! Did you mean that for me, God?
It has been my experience that when a Scripture stands out to me or keeps coming back to my mind, because I have hid it in our heart (Psalms 119:11), it is time for me to listen to its specific message.
Did not our Master promise us that the Holy Spirit would teach us and remind us of everything He said? (John 14:26) Did not the Bible say that the Word of God is sharper than a double-edged sword and judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart? (Hebrews 4:12)
We all struggle with doing what we should do. Even the Apostle Paul confessed in Romans 7:15 that he did not always do what he knew he should do. So what is required of each of us?
First, we must listen for the Holy Sprit’s voice as He speaks to us through our Bible study and daily circumstances. Next, we must pay special attention to the dos we see as we read the Bible. Then we must remind ourselves that, as Paul, we have not already attained or been made perfect. We must forget our failures and press on toward the goal (Phil. 3:12-16).
We must not let the devil load us down with a sense of guilt for not always doing the dos. “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14). Yes, even the sin of not perfectly doing the dos.
Join me next week when we talk about the “Do Gooders”.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
Why God Loves Humans
April 13, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late In pondering the many whys about life, I could not avoid asking myself this question: Why Does God Love Human Beings? Perhaps it has crossed your mind too. The Psalmist asked it in Psalms 8:4-8.
So why does God love us? Why does He continue to love us in spite of our dismal record of deeds throughout the record of history?
Although God provided no way of redemption for the fallen angels, He chose to make us the object of His love and to provide for our eternal salvation through the suffering, death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son?
In Genesis 6:11-13 we read that even in early history man was “full of violence” and so corrupt that God determined to destroy His entire creation and to start over with “a righteous man” who “walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9).
However, just as Adam and Eve disobeyed and chose their own ways so also has mankind continued to this very day (Matt. 22:38, John 14:23).
Yet the Bible tells of God’s unfailing love for all mankind (John 3:16-18) and beckons us to come near to Him (James 4:8).
The words of the song The Love of God ring in my mind: “O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure….” It seems that I hear God ask me: “Why do I love you like I do?” His answer comes back: “I just do. I always have and always will. I have demonstrated how much I loved mankind through My Son’s death on the cross. But you must believe that I do and accept My love by loving me in return.”
Will you accept His love for you today? For help or more information, either email John below or call 888-NEED-HIM.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
John Piper to Reexamine His Soul
April 13, 2010
By Lillian KwonChristian Post Reporter Well-known evangelical preacher John Piper announced Sunday that he will be taking his first-ever break from ministry to reexamine his soul.
Pastor John Piper announces on March 28, 2010, that he will take an eight-month leave of absence. Elders of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis approved his request.
The long-time preacher apologized to his congregation for not a specific deed but for the “sins of my own soul,” “ongoing character flaws” and stresses that they have caused to others.
“I see several species of pride,” Piper told Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. “They may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry. Nevertheless, while I don’t think they do, I grieve over them.”
Piper, who is considered one of the most influential preachers among Protestant pastors, made the announcement after preaching about Jesus Christ and the cross he beared. It was the first of four final sermons before his eight-month leave from the church and ministry.
In the 30 years he has been preaching, Piper said he has never let go of his passion for public productivity – ever. That is, until now.
“In this moment (the leave of absence), I’m letting go of all of it,” he said.
That means no preaching, no book writing, no blogging, no tweeting, no articles, no papers and no speaking engagements – with a few exceptions that his wife, Noel, agreed to.
“One of the goals of fasting,” he noted, “is to determine levels of addiction or, as Paul Tripp of Tim Keller would say, levels of idolatry.”
“The reality check is what will happen to John Piper’s soul … and to my marriage … and to my future … when there will be no prideful sipping from the poisonous cup of international fame and notoriety,” the 64-year-old preacher said. “I need to find that out and I don’t know any other way to do it.”
“I just want to preach so bad I can hardly stand it,” he admitted. “I love what I do.”
The break from ministry will also serve as a period for him to work on his marriage to his wife of 41 years.
The couple is “rock solid” in commitment to each other, he stressed, and there is “no whiff of unfaithfulness on either side.” However, Piper said the term “rock solid” is not always an emotionally satisfying metaphor.
“The precious garden of my home needs tending,” he told his congregation.
“I want to say … to you, Noel, that I want you to feel precious, precious over the ministry.”
Piper’s leave has been approved by the elders at Bethlehem Church, which currently has three campuses. The elders have also appointed a group to stay in touch and keep Piper accountable for the leave.
Though future plans are not certain, Piper said he hopes to return after the leave of absence to preach for at least five more years.
“My prayer and my high expectation is that these months will be a launching for a humble, happy, fruitful five years – I believe the best five years of 35 years and the best five married years of 46,” he said.
Piper will be preaching three more times, including on Easter Sunday, before his leave.
Alive
April 4, 2010
by Max LucadoFrom No Wonder They Call Him the Savior ROAD. DARK. STARS. SHADOWS. FOUR. SANDALS. Robes. Quiet. Suspense. Grove. Trees. Alon e. Questions. Anguish. “Father!” Sweat. God. Man. God-Man. Prostrate. Blood. “NO!” “Yes.” Angels. Comfort.
Footsteps. Torches. Voices. Romans. Surprise. Swords. Kiss. Confusion. Betrayal. Fearful. Run! Bound. Wrists. Marching.
Courtyard. Priests. Lamps. Sanhedrin. Caiaphas. Sneer. Silk. Arrogance. Beard. Plotting. Barefoot. Rope. Calm. Shove. Kick. Annas. Indignant. Messiah? Trial. Nazarene. Confident. Question. Answer. Punch!
Peter. “Me?” Rooster. Thrice. Guilt.
Proceedings. Court. Rejection. Prosecute. Weary. Pale. Witnesses. Liars. Inconsistent. Silence. Stares. “Blasphemer!” Anger. Waiting. Bruised. Dirty. Fatigued. Guards. Spit. Blindfold. Mocking. Blows. Fire. Twilight.
Sunrise. Golden. Jerusalem. Temple. Passover. Lambs. Lamb. Worshipers. Priests. Messiah. Hearing. Fraud. Prisoner. Waiting. Standing. Shifting. Strategy. “Pilate!” Trap. Murmurs. Exit.
Stirring. Parade. Crowd. Swell. Romans. Pilate. Toga. Annoyed. Nervous. Officers. Tunics. Spears. Silence. “Charge?” “Blasphemy.” Indifference. Ignore. (Wife. Dream.) Worry. Interview. Lips. Pain. Determined. “King?” “Heaven.” “Truth.” “Truth?” Sarcasm. (Fear.) “Innocent!” Roar. Voices. “Galilean!” “Galilee?” “Herod!”
9:00 A.M. Marchers. Palace. Herod. Fox. Schemer. Paunchy. Crown. Cape. Scepter. Hall. Elegance. Silence. Manipulate. Useless. Vexed. Revile. Taunt. “King?” Robe. Theatrical. Cynical. Hateful. “Pilate!”
Marching. Uproar. Prisoner. Hushed. Pilate. “Innocent!” Bedlam. “Barabbas!” Riot. Despair. Christ. Bare. Rings. Wall. Back. Whip. Slash. Scourge. Tear. Bone. Moan. Flesh. Rhythm. Silence. Whip! Silence. Whip! Silence. Whip! Thorns. Stinging. Blind. Laughter. Jeering. Scepter. Slap. Governor. Distraught. (Almost.) Eyes. Jesus. Decision. Power. Freedom? Threats. Looks. Yelling. Weak. Basin. Water. Swayed. Compromise. Blood. Guilt.
Soldiers. Thieves. Crosspiece. Shoulder. Heavy. Beam. Heavy. Sun. Stagger. Incline. Houses. Shops. Faces. Mourners. Murmurs. Pilgrims. Women. Tumble. Cobblestone. Exhaustion. Gasping. Simon. Pathetic. Golgotha.
Skull. Calvary. Crosses. Execution. Death. Noon. Tears. Observers. Wails. Wine. Nude. Bruised. Swollen. Crossbeam. Sign. Ground. Nails. Pound. Pound. Pound. Pierced. Contorted. Thirst. Terrible. Grace. Writhing. Raised. Mounted. Hung. Suspended. Spasms. Heaving. Sarcasm. Sponge. Tears. Taunts. Forgiveness. Dice. Gambling. Darkness.
Absurdity.
Death. Life.
Pain. Peace.
Condemn. Promise.
Nowhere. Somewhere.
Him. Us.
“Father!” Robbers. Paradise. Wailing. Weeping. Stunned. “Mother.” Compassion. Darkness. “My God!” Afraid. Scapegoat. Wilderness. Vinegar. “Father.” Silence. Sigh. Death. Relief.
Earthquake. Cemetery. Tombs. Bodies. Mystery. Curtain. Spear. Blood. Water. Spices. Linen. Tomb. Fear. Waiting. Despair. Stone. Mary. Running. Maybe? Peter. John. Belief. Enlightenment. Truth. Mankind. Alive. Alive. Alive!
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2005) Max LucadoChrist’s Unanswered Prayer
April 4, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is the author of It’s Never Too Late At first glance this would almost seem to be a false statement or even blasphemy. To even think that the Son of God had a prayer that was not answered seems preposterous. However, it is true.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, as His “soul was overwhelmed with sorrow,” Christ went alone to pray. Leaving three disciples close by to pray with Him, He prayed “may this cup be taken from me” (Matt. 26:38, 39).
How can we blame Him? Although He was the Son of God, He took on our humanity and descended into a world full of sin that failed to listen to its Creator. His soul was not only overwhelmed with sorrow, but to the very point of death.
Christ had spent three years calling the world to repentance. He had suffered rejection by the religious leaders. He knew what lie ahead. He knew Peter would deny Him. He knew Judas was nearby plotting his despicable deed.
This was not a thoughtless request He asked of His heavenly Father. He knew that soon those who He had chosen to continue His work would run for the hills for fear. He knew that even after He would rise from the grave Thomas would still doubt (John 20: 24-28).
But there was more to His prayer. He also spoke these words: “My Father, if it is possible…Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39).
Of course, it was not possible. Christ was God’s “one and only Son” (John 3:16). He was the only perfect sacrifice for man’s sins (I Peter 2:22 -25). Submitting to further humiliation at the hands of the throngs of His enemies, He also submitted to His Father’s will. This plan was devised before the creation of the world (Rev. 13:8).
However, Christ had another prayer that was answered. It was His last prayer from this earth. It is recorded in Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they do no know what they are doing.” That prayer was for all who are willing to receive it. You will find the reason God could not answer Christ’s unanswered prayer in John 3:16-18.
During this Easter season when we remember Christ’s willing sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, will you not accept God’s forgiveness and Jesus Christ as your own very personal Savior?
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
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