American River Messenger-Church News

Marlys Johnsen Norris (Life Message Workshops) Marlys Johnsen Norris believes strongly that every person has a Legacy worthy of writing and she has held workshops during 2006 to help people write them. Marlys is a published author of five books, one of which won Best Christian book from Northern California Publishers and Authors for 2003-2004.

The prophetic words of the Scriptures are recorded in Isaiah 53 telling mankind about the first coming of Jesus Christ. These now fulfilled, we are now awaiting the events of recorded Scriptures pertaining to His second coming. Many Biblical scholars tell us all indications suggest that it can happen at any time. Is the bride/church ready?

The question remains for each individual, are we ready? Our focus and affections should be so much on Christ and his sacrifice and provision for us--we can easily let loose of all earthly possessions. But can we? Have we become so materialistic we have also lost sight of our “first love” and our personal relationship with Him

We mistakenly live in the scope of the temporal and rarely think about the things that are eternal. As we approach the near time when Christ will return, we need to be diligent and ready ourselves for His coming and think more about the eternal. God’s word clearly tells us the “build-up our treasures in heaven” and that certainly does not mean the material things of this world. We build up treasures in heaven by the good deeds done to help and build-up others in their journey to know and love God with their heart and soul. We do not brag about our efforts but give God all the glory for what-ever happens.

Jesus can return at any time. In fact the Word of God tells us-- it will be “in a twinkling of an eye”--but in the meantime, we are to persevere and wait patiently. It is important to know exactly what we believe and live by those convictions with expectations, ready for His Second Coming.

When one lives without overcoming past hurts of an offended heart, every relationship they have is affected, including their personal relationship with God. Reliving and working up those offenses by gossiping about them add stress to ones life. Until a person has worked through them, reactions to those closest are often handled with angry attitudes that are off-base. It is important to put these hurts to rest. Scripture says “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverb 18:21)

When we are offended by someone and they know it, the words we desperately want to hear is, “I am sorry”. However it is often omitted from the offender’s vocabulary or possibly they do not know how to humbly implement this attitude. Holding on to these hurts opens ones heart for attacks of the enemy of our souls. He causes resentment to grow and give one a critical spirit when one has not yielded hurts into the care of Almighty God and let them go. So then, how can we overcome feelings and put these things in proper prospective in our lives?If we desire to experience relief, renewed joy, peace and freedom; God’s Word tells us “to the measure we forgive others, we also will be forgiven”. Another place it says, “A man’s wisdom give him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverb 19:ll). Oh yes, this is a huge recipe for anyone and forgiveness is always a decision we must make to be in right relationship with God. And isn’t it a better way and more important to have our relationship with God restored by following the precepts He has set before us, than to hold onto those hurts? Let joy, peace and freedom reign in your heart!

Marlys Johnsen Norris LIFE MESSAGE WORKSHOPS “Intimacy Begins Going God’s Way” Marlysj@sbcglobal.net

When the angel announced the birth of Christ he said, “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!” Luke 2:10.

Wow, what a promise - Great joy for everyone. That includes you. But is that possible? Is it possible for “everyone” to be joyful? Yes it is. And the Bible gives us three secrets.

Resist Comparing Yourself. “I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have…” Philippians 4:11. That can only happen when you don’t compare yourself. The moment you start comparing what you have to what others have you’re doomed! Your joy is gone! There will always be someone who’s smarter than you are, makes more money than you, has a bigger house, nicer car, has more, whatever. Our problem is we live with this myth that says, ‘I must have what others have to be happy.’ That’s the myth behind all the ads you’ll see this shopping season. “Everybody else has one, so you need one too.” No, you don’t! Paul said, “I’ve learned to be satisfied with what I have.”

Rejoice In What You Have. Happiness is not getting what you want. Happiness is enjoying what you have. “It is better to have only a little with peace of mind than to be busy all the time.” Ecclesiastes 4:6. You need to ask yourself a very frank question: “Will having more make me happier?” The answer is NO. You cannot buy happiness. If you don’t understand this principle of rejoicing in what you have you will fall into the trap of ‘when and then’ thinking. “When I get this, when this happens, then I’ll be happy.” Let me ask you a very personal question: What are you waiting on to be happy? The truth is this, you’re as happy - you’re as joyful- as you choose to be.

Realize The Source Of True Joy. There are things in life that keep us from believing that living joyfully is a possibility; things that we face on a daily basis. Like the bad that shouldn’t happen, and the good that doesn’t happen. And we lose our joy. The problem is we have a misconception of happiness. We tend to think, “If I could just get rid of all my problems, then I’ll be happy!” Well duh! The only problem is there’s no such thing as a problem free life. You must learn to be joyful in the situation, in the circumstance. That is a sign of spiritual maturity. My joy is not determined or controlled by the circumstances around me. Do you want to know how spiritually mature you are? Check your joy level. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit within you. “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us … joy…” Galatians 5:22 (NLT) If your joy is based on your circumstances, guess what? You’re going to be miserable most of your life. True joy is independent of your circumstances because it comes from God – it’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit. That’s what God wants to give you this Christmas season as you open the door of your life and invite Him in.

Calvin and Lisa Wulf

Do not run until your feet are bare and your throat is dry. But you said, "It's no use! I love foreign gods, and I must go after them." Jeremiah 2:25 (NIV)
The alarm clock rings, "Time to get up."
The grandfather clock chimes, "Time to go to work."
The computer beeps, "Time for your next appointment."
The time clock punches, "Time to go home."
The microwave dings, "Time for dinner."
The cuckoo clock sings, "Time for bed."

We live on the clock. It tells us when to go out and when to come in. We either try to beat the clock or kill time. So the pressure mounts. We juggle our lives to keep as many clocks in the air as possible. If one should fall, the whole system shatters

Ever notice that the clock is often the focal point of a room? It's given an honored place on the mantel. Even churches aren't immune. The cross used to be center stage. Today many sanctuaries have no cross but there's a clock in the back so the preacher can get us out on time.

Jesus never said, "Hurriest thou for we are late!" We don't see him rushing around. Yet he accomplished everything that was necessary. That's because he fixed his eyes on the Father, his compass, and not on the clock. Let's get real. Time consciousness fuels our modern world so we can’t eliminate clock tyranny altogether. But we can make better use of our compass. God gives us all the time we need to do what he has for us. Want to stop dividing life into seconds and minutes? Here's how:

Does your wristwatch have you by the throat? Perhaps now is the time to stop juggling and let your timepieces fall to the ground. Don't let clock worship eclipse God's plan for your life. Free up your hands and eyes to follow the one true compass.

Living for God (TM) offers resources on Christian living. Check them out at www.livingforgod.net or call (719) 578-8837.

Christian Newswire -- Kohath Ministries announced today the launch of its new Bible-study series, "REAL LIFE: Living in Abundance." Contrasting all the daily messages of uncertainty in the world, this study teaches Christians to look past their circumstances and make biblical choices that improve their lives

The basis for the "REAL LIFE" series lies in John 10:10, in which Jesus said, "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."(AMP)

Jack Cohen, pastor and co-founder of Kohath Ministries, said, "You don't have to look far today to find people living less than full and abundant lives. Just dealing with the issues of each day can steal our joy and rob us of peace. But this passage in John is clear. Jesus came to free us from our burdens and give us abundant life here and now. That's what 'REAL LIFE' is all about."

The study is made up of a series of topics that people deal with every day - love, fear, pain, failure, trust. Participants spend four weeks exploring each topic, not only in the reference to the Bible but also in how those topics play out in their own lives. "So many Bible studies focus on teaching you something," said Jill Cohen, co-founder of Kohath Ministries, "but the purpose of 'REAL LIFE' is more than that. This study is designed to not only teach participants but also to enable them to experience something meaningful - the life-changing power of God."

The first two topics in the series have already been released, and more topics are to be available soon. Topic No. 1, "Life Is A Pain," deals with the realities of pain in life and the keys to finding joy and peace in the midst of it. Topic No. 2, "Love Life," redefines love and seeks to improve human love relationships with God and others.

"The Bible says God has a plan for each of our lives, but when the daily distractions of life come in, they can prevent us from seeing it," said Jack Cohen. "It is our prayer that this study series will help people break the barriers that hold them back and enable them to experience the 'REAL LIFE' that God intends." For more information, visit Amazon.com (search for "Kohath Ministries") or call 302-438-2473.

Kohath Ministries Incorporated is headquartered in Hockessin, Del., and led by Jack Cohen and Jill Cohen, brother and sister founders.

Jesus was far from being an old man when his earthly life ended. He was probably well under 40, roughly the age of Mozart, who died at 35, as his genius was still approaching its unimaginable peak.

By contrast, nobody thinks of Jesus as having died prematurely, as if he had been killed before his teaching had been fully developed, and as if it might have ripened into something more profound and interesting had his life span been longer. There is about his life a sense of completeness; he had done what he had come to achieve. At the very end, he said, “It is consummated.” He had foretold his own death and resurrection.

The Jesus Seminar, a liberal group that includes theologians as well as the director of Robocop, has tried to distinguish between authentic and inauthentic sayings of Jesus in the four Gospels; but nobody has ventured to suggest what he might have said if only he had survived another 10 years or so. Those Gospels do seem to indicate the fulfillment of a mission, don’t they?

It is, of course, impossible for anyone to invent a single saying worthy of Jesus. Much easier to coin a phrase worthy of a human genius like Shakespeare! “Heaven and earth shall pass away,” Jesus said, “but my words shall not pass away.” Once we have heard those words, they become part of us. They seem so familiar that we may think they are trite, but they are not. They are eternally new, even when we have heard them all our lives, and they always reward meditation on them.

Some day when you have nothing better to do, try improving on the Lord’s Prayer. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Don’t all religions agree on that? No. In most religions -- see the Iliad, the Koran, and the Psalms, for example -- it is normal to pray for revenge. Forgiving and praying for one’s enemies are among the hardest duties of a Christian. Being “nice” is far from the same thing as being a Christian; after all, Jesus was not tortured to death for urging good manners on his disciples.

But he did recommend good manners. As G.K. Chesterton wrote, the assertion that the meek shall inherit the earth is not at all a meek statement. “Meek” does not mean cowardly or timid; it means polite and unassuming.

If you want to contend that the Gospels are packs of lies and that Jesus never said all those things or performed all those wonders, you should at least admit that Christianity is the most brilliant hoax of all time. Everything fits so well. How could a few unlearned and provincial Jews invent such a supremely memorable character, endow him with the ability to speak immortal words on all occasions, then make virtually all the details of his story cohere so well, tallying even with Old Testament prophecy?

A cliche of literary criticism tell us that evil characters are more interesting than good ones. If so, why is this best of all characters -- indeed, he is sinless -- so fascinating? And how could four unpracticed amateur writers create the most vividly virtuous personality in all literature? And why does he sound like the same utterly unique man in all of their accounts of him?

In Jesus, goodness is not at all bland; it normally inspires, but it can also be disturbing, challenging, even frightening. He is incomparable; he never reminds us of anyone else. He spiritually dwarfs even the charismatic John the Baptist.

It has been said (again, by Chesterton) that whereas the death of Socrates seems to come as a rather arbitrary interruption of a conversation that might have gone on forever, Jesus’ death is the center of his story. Even during his infancy, his mother received intimations of his agonizing destiny. And he knew when his fatal hour had come.

Unbelievers have made it their never-ending task to explain Jesus away. Some have even suggested that he never existed at all! That degree of unbelief is itself unbelievable. Such daft doubts remind us that atheism is the extreme form of wishful thinking.

But there will be no wishful thinking in hell, where all comforting fantasies end forever.

The Reactionary Utopian by Joe Sobran is copyright (c) 2009 by the Fitzgerald Griffin Foundation, http://www.fgfBooks.com, P.O. Box 1383, Vienna, VA 22183. All rights reserved. Editors may print this column if this copyright information is included.

New Pew Forum Poll Explores Why Americans Change Religious Affiliation
Diverse Reasons, but Distinct Patterns Emerge

Christian Newswire -- A new survey by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that Americans change their religious affiliation early and often, and the reasons they give for changing - or leaving religion altogether - differ widely depending on the origin and destination of the convert.

"Faith in Flux: Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S." is a follow-up to the "U.S. Religious Landscape Survey," conducted by the Pew Forum in 2007 and released in 2008, and is based on over 2,800 callback interviews with members of the largest segments of the population that have changed religious affiliation.

The poll results offer a fuller picture of the "churn" within religion in America, where about half of adults have changed religious affiliation at least once in their life.

The report, including a detailed executive summary, methodology and topline questionnaire, is available online (pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=409). For the original "U.S. Religious Landscape Survey," visit religions.pewforum.org.

If you are interested in arranging an interview with a Pew Forum researcher or need more information, please contact Loralei Coyle at 202.419.4556 or lcoyle@pewforum.org or Robbie Mills at 202.419.4564 or rmills@pewforum.org.

The Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life delivers timely, impartial information on issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. The Pew Forum is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy organization and does not take positions on policy debates. Based in Washington, D.C., the Pew Forum is a project of the Pew Research Center, which is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Christian Newswire -- Tightening budgets in states across the nation and drops in charitable giving are leaving American seniors particularly vulnerable in this economic crisis. In recent years, caregivers for the elderly have experienced a greater demand for services. Hospitals are experiencing longer wait times in the ER and an increased number of medical visits by those over the age of 65. As more elderly Americans face these increasing fears and challenges, tending to their Spiritual needs can bring hope and encouragement and help them to rediscover God's purpose in their lives.

Mature Hearts, Scriptural Promises for our Beloved Seniors, is a one of a kind program that grew out of a need to bring encouragement to the seniors who are not able to participate in traditional bible study programs. It is available on DVD and is a convenient way to bring a Spiritual program to those who could benefit from some encouragement and a sense of continued purpose during these difficult times. Because of the unique recorded format, the program can be utilized for those seniors that may be living alone, in the hospital, in assisted living or in a nursing home. The program is adaptable to group study sessions within these settings or it can be used individually with personal DVD players.

Throughout the DVD, Sandy Dunbar, educator and Christian retreat leader from Hickory, NC speaks from her heart and shares her passion for the Word of God. Mature Hearts combines Dunbar's excellent teaching with Scripture, uplifting music and heartwarming imagery to share four lessons entitled: Hope, Grace, Assurance in Christ and Jesus Loves Me. Each is filled with encouragement, comfort and hope to Seniors everywhere. Mature Hearts is truly a timeless message worth sharing.

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Sandy Dunbar, please visit www.maturehearts.com or call (828) 465-4446.

About Sandy Dunbar and Mature Hearts: Sandy Dunbar is a former Speech Pathologist and Christian retreat leader in Hickory, NC. She serves as a board member of the Cooperative Christian Ministries and the Safe Harbor Rescue Mission for Women. Mature Hearts: Scriptural Promises for our Beloved Seniors was released by Casscom Media on November 19, 2008. It has a total run time of 76 minutes but can also be viewed in four shorter lessons. It is available for purchase at Amazon.com, Target.com and other retailers.

Recent Poll Shows Christians Believe Religious Freedom is Crucial to Foreign Policy Issue
May 2008 poll commissioned by Open Doors shows presidential candidates must address religious liberty as key foreign policy topic

Christian Newswire-- More than half of Christians in America believe religious freedom should be a high priority in crafting U.S. foreign policy, according to a recent Wilson Research Strategies survey commissioned by Open Doors USA.

"The persecution of Christians in the world today is on the rise, with an estimated 100 million suffering some sort of repression and even death for their faith," said Carl Moeller, president and chief executive officer of Open Doors USA, a Christian ministry that has served persecuted Christians around the world for more than 50 years. "Open Doors commissioned this study to try to understand what Christians in America feel about religious freedom. Clearly, it is a priority."

Fifty-four percent of U.S. Christians polled consider religious freedom an important issue in making U.S. foreign policy, according to the survey. This is an especially high priority with those who attend church most frequently (60 percent), compared with those Christians who never attend (40 percent).

The study shows that 96 percent of respondents believe strongly that religious freedom is a basic human right, and that more than eight in 10 believe it is a very important basic right. Those who feel most strongly about the issue are women who frequently attend church. Ninety-one percent believe it is a very important issue.

Respondents did not believe that direct intervention should form our religious freedom foreign policy. Instead, they favored the U.S. using more indirect policies, such as economic sanctions (20 percent) and diplomatic measures to pressure persecuting regimes rather than having the U.S. directly intervene.

"The findings of this study demonstrate that senators McCain and Obama must address the issue of religious freedom in their foreign policy positions if they are intent on winning the vote of faithful Christians," said Moeller.

Geographically, the weakest support for religious freedom as a basic human right is in New England, with only 76 percent of respondents ranking it as very important, compared with Mountain States, where 9 out of 10 say it is very important.

Among Christian groups, the strongest support came from Baptists, non denominational/independent churches, Lutherans and charismatics. The weakest group support came from Catholics, Presbyterians and Episcopalians.

Of special interest is the finding that 98 percent of frequent listeners to Christian radio believe strongly that religious freedom is a basic human right. Wilson Research Strategies was commissioned to conduct a research study of 1,000 Christian adults nationwide. A sample of 1,000 has a margin of error of ±3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. The study was conducted by telephone May 27-29, 2008. This sampling represents 72 percent of the United States population, which is equal to roughly 150.5 million people who call themselves Christians. Christians in this study were defined as people who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that by believing that He died for their sins they have eternal life. All respondents were contacted via Random Digit Dialing methodology. The sample was stratified by key demographics, including age, gender and area in order to representatively measure the United States' Christian population at large.

An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to their website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

A lawmaker in Colorado who challenged the authors of SB200, a new law that bans discrimination based on the "perception" of gender, contends it was written to give a wide open door to anyone who wants to banish Christian beliefs or the Bible. "This is so loaded. It's written in an open-ended fashion that anybody can take just about any part of it and grow it into a huge monstrosity," state Rep. Kevin Lundberg told WND today. "It was written with intentional [vagueness]."

This highly practical book is developed around a construction theme, making it accessible to all readers. Following the structure of the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Joe takes otherwise difficult topics about the Catholic faith and makes them relevant to the lives of average Catholics without compromising the rich depth of Catholic teaching and tradition.

"Can you imagine your pastor asking you to represent him at a meeting of non-Catholics who wanted to learn more about the Catholic faith?" asks Paprocki. "I've asked this question to numerous groups of Catholics, especially catechists, and the number of people who feel they would have the right tools to represent the Catholic faith properly is extremely low."

A Well-Built Faith serves a broad audience of individuals who want to deepen their own knowledge of the Catholic faith. It can be used effectively with RCIA candidates, catechists, parents, adult faith- formation groups, pastoral council members, and anyone else who is eager to learn more about their faith.

Joe has been a catechetical leader and religious educator in the Chicago area for more than 20 years. His books include The Catechist's Toolbox, God's Library, and Living the Mass (Loyola Press). He is the managing editor of parish life resources at Loyola Press.

To interview Joe Paprocki or for a review copy, please contact Carrie Freyer (contact info above). Visit www.loyolapress.com/wellbuiltfaith for more information.

Legislator: Law Allows Banishment of Bible
Faith Under Fire
'This is written so anybody can take any part and grow it into monstrosity'
By Bob Unruh
© WorldNetDaily

He spoke with WND after a news conference at which a number of groups and organizations announced plans to challenge the law. Among those promising to dispute the new limitations on speech and actions was Liberty Counsel, which is reviewing the situation now in preparation for a legal challenge.

"Section 8 of Senate Bill 200 is a wide open door for any judge to censor anything that condemns homosexuality, including Scripture," Lundberg said at the news conference. Section 8 is headlined, "Publishing of discriminative matter forbidden."

"I do believe that the Bible is banned, under the plain language of this new statute," said Steve Crampton, general counsel of Liberty Counsel. Others represented at the news conference were WND columnist and national syndicated talk show host Janet Folger, who wrote "The Criminalization of Christianity;" Steve Curtis, president of the American Right To Life Action and former chairman of the Colorado GOP; Kevin Swanson of Christian Home Educators of Colorado; Mark Hotaling of Christian Family Alliance and Colorado for Family Values.

Lundberg told WND the statute includes some "very troubling" provisions "that can be used in fairly heavy-handed ways. It goes so far and it goes so broad … the more I read it the more troubled I get."

He said Section 8, for example, regarding the publication of discriminatory material.

""When it was on the floor of the house and we were debating it I discounted the overall effect, thinking it applied to the posting of rules for hotels and lodging," he said. "When I more seriously looked at all the particulars, then it starts to encompass a prohibition on anything of a printed nature that's distributed or sold or shared for virtually any purpose."

Curtis told WND that the legal challenge will be launched soon by Liberty Counsel, and participants deliberately violated the law with a display of both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, provided by the Denver Tech Center Marriott where the news conference was held at the same time as a pastors' conference at which former presidential candidate and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was a speaker.

"We questioned whether the Marriott Corp. was in violation for distributing [the books] to us," he said. "We displayed them, which is a violation, we sold Janet Folger's book, which is a violation. We gave it away, which is a violation.

"We will go ahead and continue to violate [the law]," he said. "Our challenge to the governor is go ahead and issue the citation, arrest us, do whatever you want."

Lundberg said it's clear the Bible could be targeted by those using the vague definitions in the law.

"If you're going to be distributing Scriptures, there are clear passages that someone of a homosexual orientation could easily find offensive," he said. He said not only did Colorado lawmakers create an open-ended document, "any court could take it to whatever direction they wanted to take it, and they would have the authority of the statute to fall back onto."

The lawmaker said there is an exemption for churches, mosques and synagogues in Section 6 of the law, dealing with public accommodations. But that definition is only for Section 6 and doesn't apply to Section 8, restricting printed material, he said.

And he said the new burden for business owners will force Christians quickly to abandon their principles, or their business.

"When you read all of the particulars, you discover it is much more inclusive of any type of commerce," he said of the rules. "When I confronted the House sponsor [Rep. Joel Judd] in debate on a photographer who found it morally unacceptable to shoot a same-sex commitment ceremony, the answer was, 'If you choose to do commerce in Colorado you have to abide by these rules.'"

There are two other important factors, he noted, including the law itself which includes not just civil, but criminal penalties of up to a year in jail, for violations. And the other is the fact the legislature included a "safety" clause in the law, specifying that the law is necessary for the safety of the state, which means voters cannot take the law and put it to a vote.

"The reason I consider this to be a big deal … to my knowledge people were going to exercise their rights with a citizens referendum, before [that right] was stripped away from them by the legislature," he said.

Curtis said his organization, American RTL Action, is a political 527 group headquarter half a block from where the legislature meets.

"We're not going to hire someone cohabitating outside of marriage," he said. "We will also violate SB200's prohibition on publishing certain biblical teachings on homosexuality."

WND reported earlier that one of the supporters of the bill, Cathryn Hazouri of the American Civil Liberties Union, told the state House Judiciary Committee: "One may practice one's religion in private; however, once a religious person comes into the public arena, there are limitations in how the expression of their religion impacts others."

The Christian publishing house Focus on the Family has called it a payback by the Democrat-controlled legislature and Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter to homosexual activists such as millionaire Tim Gill, who has donated widely to pro-homosexual political candidates.

The Focus analysis of the plan, according to spokesman Bruce Hausknecht, shows that besides the obvious impacts of opening restrooms and locker rooms statewide to members of either sex, depending on a perception of their gender, "the biggest danger this law poses is to the religious or moral consciences of small business owners who may object to doing business with people whose lifestyle they do not want to promote."

"Who would have believed that the Colorado state legislature and its governor would have made it fully legal for men to enter and use women's restrooms and locker-room facilities without notice or explanation?" Focus founder James Dobson said. "Henceforth, every woman and little girl will have to fear that a predator, bisexual, cross-dresser or even a homosexual or heterosexual male might walk in and relieve himself in their presence."

"Now, as I stand outside of a movie theater bathroom or a swimming pool shower room door and guard the most precious thing in my life: my wife and daughter's safety, modesty and privacy, I can no longer stop a man from entering a woman's domain," wrote a concern resident whose name was withheld. "(I will anyway, that's why I'm a criminal!)"

"An act that once was criminal is now legitimate, and what was taught to me as a virtue is now a vice. Not only am I liable for civil penalties but criminal, as I can be sentenced for up to a year in jail," he wrote.

"Will SB200 be the end of it? No. Next, hate crime legislation must be passed so that it is illegal for me to write this letter (as it is now illegal in Canada); then enforced homosexual/transsexual indoctrination of our children in the public educational system; finally, all other alternative forms of education must be outlawed. Impossible, you say? It's already happened in California," he said. "As I'm being forced into this 'shotgun wedding' with the radical homosexual agenda, I hope it's not too late to 'speak now, or forever hold my peace.' What is it called when you are forced, against your will, to participate in a sexual lifestyle that you find objectionable? I believe that is called 'rape.' My state legislature has 'violated' me and charged me with the crime."

Tom Minnery, the senior vice president of government and public policy for Focus, said every Christian, Jewish or Muslim business owner now is under a threat. "We've seen … charges brought by homosexuals against a video reproduction business in Virginia, a medical clinic in California, an adoption service in Arizona and a church in New Jersey," he continued. "Colorado tops them all on the potential outrage meter, however, because in addition to civil fines and penalties, small-business owners can be prosecuted under the criminal laws of Colorado and spend up to one year in jail for trying to live according to their faith."

Giving is on the Decline in America's Churches: Want to Know Why?
New Book Provides the Answer

MEDIA ADVISORY, June 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. McSwain's revealing book, The Giving Myths, is a must-read for every church leader in America. It answers the question, "Why is giving in decline?" It is not just because the economy is down. Giving has never been up. The economy only highlights the problem every church faces in teaching members how to be generous in giving and living.

Filled with stories of real people who are learning the joy of giving, you'll laugh at its humor, cry at its warmth, and cringe at its frankness as Dr. McSwain boldly confronts the 7 most common myths about giving in the church today. These widely-held myths keep people trapped in the madness of materialism and in self-defeating lifestyles. And, they are the principle reason for the decline in giving churches today struggle to overcome and, especially, in today's economy. Learning, however, the secrets contained in this book will unlock the mystery to life's meaning and propel you and your church onto the pathway toward a life of generosity--the life you were Divinely-designed to live.

If you are a church leader, or in philanthropic work of any kind, you must read this book. It will help you to understand the cultural myths about giving held by church members and potential donors. These myths prevent people from becoming self-less and generous and from finding and living a genuinely fulfilling life. Dr. McSwain says, "I've observed these myths at work in my own life and scores of other people. I've written this book, not only to expose them, but to help free people from them. As people are freed from them, then they have the potential of living the life they've really always wanted. The church will see greater revenues as well."

Packed with real-life stories, this book will help you understand the myths that keep members from giving and to develop strategies for positively changing the present giving culture of your church. After reading this book, a pastor in one of the largest churches in America said, "This book is so important, I'm going to see to it that a copy gets into every household in our church."

For more than a decade, Dr. McSwain has crisscrossed America speaking to thousands of people each year and consulting with hundreds of churches and parishes representing virtually every Christian communion in America. In this book, Dr. McSwain shares from his own experience and the experience of others who are discovering the meaning of life and are living the life they've always wanted. If you're looking for answers as to why giving is poor in your church, or, if you are simply looking for happiness or feel discontented about the life you're currently living, this book is a "must read."

To speak with Dr. McSwain personally, call him at 502- 777-9426. To schedule a consult with him, contact Cargill Associates, Inc., at 800-433-2233. Or, to book him for a speaking engagement, contact Jim Rittenhouse @ www.mckinneyspeakers.com or call Mr. Rittenhouse at 502-583-8222.

To order THE GIVING MYTHS, visit any of the on-line retail bookstore outlets or, for bulk orders for group study, order directly from the publisher at Smyth & Helwys, Publishing at http://www.helwys.com/books/giving_myths.html.

OPINION, June 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- Pastor John Hagee is a towering leader in the Evangelical Church who has dedicated a great part of his enormously successful ministry to reaching out in love and loving-kindness to the Jewish people and the State of Israel. He has admirably defended our right to our historic homeland even when our enemies have attempted to disgorge us from our homes and drive us into the sea; he has praised the Lord for having imbued us, the "post- Holocaust dry bones of Ezekiel," with renewed life and vigor even when our arch-enemy and the arch-enemy of the free world has called us a "stinking corpse." He has organized Christian lobby groups for the only true democracy in the Middle East across the length and breadth of the United States even when a former American President and professors from Harvard and Chicago Universities have denounced our own lobbying efforts as un-American and anti-Democratic.

Pastor Hagee has expressed his profound affection for us even when it has been most unpopular to do so. Can we, the recipients of his heart and goodwill, dare be silent now, when the political frenzy of primary elections hysterically seeks to defame and discredit one of the greatest voices on behalf of Christian- Jewish healing and cooperation? No, for the sake of Jerusalem and for the sake of the God of love and peace we must raise our voices in support of and friendship for the very individual who has never faltered in his support and friendship for us!

Does this mean that I must necessarily agree with all of the theological positions taken by Pastor Hagee? Not at all! True friendship means that I continue to love and even partner with my friend, despite disagreeing with him on even fundamental positions of theology and ideology - as long as his views do not threaten the life or limb of innocent human beings. And in fact in subsequent articles I hope to express my own theological position about God and the existence of evil, Jewish history and the place of Hitler (may his very name be blotted out). But if I can only love those with whom I agree completely, then I cannot even love myself - because I may very well come to disagree tomorrow with whatever I may have thought and said today! As Pastor Hagee himself has remarked, if I am completely in accord with whatever you think and say, then one of us becomes superfluous.

We are living in a world divided between those who believe in a God of love and peace, and those who believe in a Satan of Jihad and suicide bombers. Any attempt to marginalize and slander leaders of the camp of the former will only serve to strengthen the camp of the latter, with the future existence of the free world perilously hanging in the balance. And so I continue to proudly shout from the rooftops that this rabbi in Israel stands firmly alongside -his beloved friend, a true friend of Israel and the free world, Pastor John Hagee.

Shlomo Riskin
Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Israel
Founder: Ohr Torah Stone Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding & Cooperation

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new analysis entitled "Pope Benedict XVI on Marriage: A Compendium" and published by the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy on the eve of Benedict's historic U.S. visit, finds that in the first three years of his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI has spoken publicly about marriage on 111 occasions, connecting marriage to such overarching themes as human rights, world peace, and the conversation between faith and reason.

"Over and over again he has made it clear that the marriage and family debate is central - not peripheral - to understanding the human person, and defending our human dignity," says Maggie Gallagher, president of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy.

For example, when receiving the credentials of the new U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, Harvard Law Professor Mary Ann Glendon, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his appreciation for America's recognition of the importance of a dialogue of faith and faiths in the public square and linked this to respect not only for religious freedom but for marriage as the union of husband and wife:

Pope Benedict devoted about half of his message for the January 1 World Day of Peace to the significance of marriage in developing a culture of peace:

Marriage essential to world peace? This may strike American ears as an oddity. If so, Benedict has made clear it is not an unintentional one. On September 21, 2007, in an address to participants in a conference of the Executive Committee of Centrist Democratic International, Pope Benedict prefigured the same theme:

"The short pontificate of Benedict XVI is already a standing rebuke to those voices of our time who seek to make us ashamed or embarrassed of caring about marriage and sexual issues, who try to get us to view the contemporary marriage debate as merely a distraction from more important issues," notes Gallagher, "Pope Benedict clearly connects life and marriage, the human person in the human family, with the most fundamental international issues of peace and human rights facing our times."

Source: Institute of Marriage and Public Policy
CONTACT: Maggie Gallagher of the Institute for Marriage and PublicPolicy, 1-914-522-5310, maggie@imapp.org
Web Site: http://www.marriagedebate.com/