Category Archives: Faith
A Misplaced Celebration
Two marginal professional athletes – both without a team to call home — dominated the nation’s news cycle today – and for radically different reasons. Both were first-round draft picks in their respective leagues.
Athlete A
A young pro struggling to get his career going was released today. He’d been given one chance to shine in his brief pro career, and he enjoyed spectacular success. But after being traded to another team, he mostly rode the bench last fall, before his release today.
He spent much of his early life sacrificially working with his family to help better the lives of poverty-stricken people in Africa. In a time devoid of heroes, he’s a role model for young men. And he’s destined to become a great husband, father, and mentor. He’s already in demand as a religious and motivational speaker in the Christian community. Yet he’s been scorned and attacked by fascists and the Left-stream media for his faith. The sheep in the Left-stream media’s echo chamber repeatedly say he’s the most polarizing athlete in America.
He lives a clean and healthy lifestyle, but people complain he’s “too Christian.” Recently he’s been working out at a feverish pace in MaricopaCounty to fine-tune his game. He is hoping to sign on with another team and prove he belongs in the National Football League. His coaches marvel at his integrity, his work ethic and how much he has improved his skills and fundamentals in the past three months.
No one of note praised him today.
Athlete B
This aging journeyman center has bounced around the NBA for a dozen years. He has had low visibility from his seat on the bench of six pro teams, and he has not been recognized for anything of note in his communities. Averaging just 3.6 points per game in his career, he has not registered on anyone’s radar. Until today — for something that has nothing to do with his profession.
He has a personality disorder of a type that is often caused by neglect or, at worst, traumatic experiences including abuse. But current and former presidents and the commissioners of the National Basketball Association and the National Football League are tripping over each other to congratulate him. Along with former coaches. They’re hoping many more of their athletes will go through whatever it is he’s been through – and often times it isn’t something you’d wish on anyone – so they can gush how wonderful it is.
“We are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. A former president, the scandal-ridden Bill Clinton, said the “announcement today is an important moment for professional sports.” One of this journeyman center’s former coaches, who just traded him away, said he is “extremely happy and proud” of this player, whose career is nearing its end. “I am extremely happy and proud” of him, said Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner. ESPN is ready to declare him athlete of the century. The Democrats are probably booking him as keynote speaker for their 2016 national convention. Stanford University would gladly name this alum president. And with his newfound fame, he could easily win an election in practically any left-wing state. Neil Armstrong didn’t get this many accolades for walking on the moon.
You probably know Athlete A is Tim Tebow, released today by the New York Jets of the NFL, and Athlete B is Jason Collins, released by the Washington Wizards at the end of the season, and who announced he is homosexual. Collins could not be more highly exalted if he’d just won the Super Bowl and permanently established world peace. He wrote a lengthy story in Sports Illustrated to announce he prefers having sex with men, which biologically speaking, can’t be very much fun.
But the left-wingers are exhilarated. Some to push the radical homosexual agenda. Others just going with the flow to say the right things and sound enlightened, rather than to stand apart and look at what’s really going on.
Until years ago, the American Psychiatric Association’s official position on homosexual behavior was that it’s a personality disorder. But homosexual fascists caused such a ruckus that they intimidated the APA into discontinuing that. Their decision had nothing to do with science and everything to do with activist threats, pressure and political correctness.
The truth is that homosexuality is most often caused by negative events in a person’s life, including sexual abuse and parental disconnection. Collins said his family life is good, intact. But maybe some day after this clamor dies down, a TV or print reporter will interview him and the truth will come out. This man deserves sympathy for what he’s experienced. But the accolades may only serve to the detriment of younger boys who might think the abuse they’ve suffered is normal and acceptable. Many are being deluded, and what is being celebrated today is not compassion.
Three-fourths of homosexual men studied by the CDC did not even know they have HIV. Male homosexuals live 20-30 years less than heterosexual men, because of AIDs, cancer, drug and alcohol abuse, and more. These men suffer high rates of anal cancer. In one study, 41 percent of homosexual males reported having been forcibly raped as children. Do you still consider yourself compassionate, Coach Doc Rivers, Bill Clinton, Roger Goodell, David Stern, Barack Obama, and all you who glorify damaging and destructive life events? Your praises for Collins may have a devastating impact on countless young people listening to you and who look up to pro athletes. You would have multitudes risk severe health hazards in exchange for political correctness. We have an epidemic in this country and around the world … and you on the Left are celebrating its cause.
The political correctness will have a devastating fall-out, as Rush Limbaugh and a caller noted today:
CALLER: My question, let’s say player A comes out and says he’s gay, and he’s a quarterback, running back, something like that. Player B on the opposing team sacks him a few times over a season or in a game, is that gonna be considered a hate tackle? And will Obama come out and say, “My son’s not gonna play because there’s too much hate in football”?
RUSH: I have to tell you something. I haven’t even pondered this. You have a gay quarterback or a gay running back, and there’s a vicious penalty that requires the referees to throw a flag, will the people on TV in the sports media say, “I wonder if they hit the guy hard because he’s gay, I wonder if there’s payback? I wonder if that was a hate hit?” Given, Dan, that we’re talking about liberals in the media, that wouldn’t surprise me. I hadn’t even considered that. I can totally see that happening. I can see the allegation that a particularly egregious hit could be alleged to be a hate hit. And then, ladies and gentlemen, might we start hearing whispers, whispers, whispers of perhaps a bounty on gay players on certain teams? That kind of thing could be reported even if it wasn’t happening. If some reporter thinks it might happen, all he’s gotta do is raise the possibility. Are there bounties in the NFL against the gay players? I hadn’t even thought of that.
The Left certainly has its priorities out of whack. No wonder our country is so confused and in such moral chaos. What’s up is down; what’s down is up. God forgive us.
The Story of Christmas
In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J) 12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.(M) 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.(N) 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(O) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child,(P) he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.(Q)
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses,(R) Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[b]),(S) 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[c](T)
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.(U) He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,(V) and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,(W) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,(X) you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.(Y) 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,(Z) 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”(AA)
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:(AB) “This child is destined to cause the falling(AC) and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet,(AD) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e](AE) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.(AF) 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.(AG)
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.(AH) 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.(AI)
–Luke Chapter 2
The Pilgrims Were Thankful They Abandoned Communism; and We, Too, Can be Thankful
By Liberty Institute
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we should examine the little known fact that the Pilgrims established a short-lived form of agricultural communism.
The land was owned in common; everyone worked for each other and each received an equal allotment of food no matter how hard they worked. This system quickly failed. The women described the communal chores as a form of slavery, men rapidly lost motivation, and the able-bodied feigned illness to avoid work.
As Governor William Bradford described in Of Plymouth Plantation, “[The] taking away of property, and bringing in community into a common wealth…was found to breed much confusion & discontent, and retard much employment…” The crops dwindled to only providing several kernels of corn per meal. It was so bleak that some Pilgrims sold themselves as workers to the Indians for a few cups of food. Others tried to forage for food, but many died of starvation.
After much debate and prayer, Bradford established a free market system by assigning each family a portion of land and giving them rights to what it produced. He was amazed at the results and credited it with creating the bountiful harvest and the reason the Pilgrims were able to celebrate what we think of as the “First Thanksgiving.”
Think of how happy the Pilgrims were to know that they would not face starvation that winter. This is a poignant lesson as some Americans again look at rewarding laziness with welfare and taking from those who work hard and providing it to those who have worked less, or not at all. Let’s be grateful and learn from the Pilgrims, and not repeat their mistake.
Flake’s Former Boss at Goldwater Institute Supports Cardon!
Tracy Thomas, Former Goldwater Institute chairman, delivered a huge blow to U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Flake in an email today. He endorsed the conservative candidate Wil Cardon. Why is this so damaging to Flake?
Because Flake is the former executive director of the Goldwater Institute, and Thomas is willing to admit the truth that Flake hasn’t measured up in his 12 years in the House of Representatives.
In his email, Thomas writes:
“During my time as chairman of the Goldwater Institute, Congressman Jeff Flake worked for me as our executive director.
“Jeff is a good man, but I cannot vote for him.
“It’s not often that a U.S. Senate seat is open in Arizona. It’s imperative that we get this right. This is why I am endorsing Wil Cardon.”
3 Reasons to Support Wil Cardon
1) Proven Job Creator
“Wil Cardon reminds me of Senator Jon Kyl and his background before becoming a great representative of Arizona. Both Senator Kyl and Wil understand business and have experience in the private sector,” Thomas said.
2) Washington Outsider
“As a Mesa businessman, Wil successfully built a company from the ground up. His background as an entrepreneur will make him an effective voice against business as usual in Congress.”
3) Amnesty Opponent
“Arizona’s immigration problem threatens our security and our economic prosperity. Wil has demonstrated his focus will be to pass Arizona-centric legislation. Wil is a leader with integrity who will always put Arizona first.
“Congressman Flake’s main focus during his six terms in Congress has been on opening trade and tourism with Cuba and ending earmarks, both of which have been unsuccessful. He hasn’t passed any mentionable Arizona-focused legislation, and he is a vehement opponent of securing our borders.
“Wil is a proven job creator, a Washington outsider, and he has the right business mindset to truly lead our country back to economic prosperity.”
Should Christians Vote?
Read here (The Arizona Christian) to find out why Christians need to get registered in time for the August 28th Arizona Primary and get informed!
