Quote: "My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

It's interesting to note how the word 'morality' is slowly being expunged from our vocabulary, and is being replaced by the word 'equality'. A few months ago I compared Billy Graham's inaugural prayer for President Nixon with that of Rick Warren's prayer for President Obama. In his prayer Graham warned of the consequences of forsaking the laws of God in an increasingly materialistic and permissive society, and urged the nation to turn to God in repentance of their sins. Rick Warren never mentioned sin or morality. He seemed more concerned with the fact that Obama was the son of an immigrant African, and that America had a duty to promote peace, prosperity and justice in the world. Noble aspirations. But what about upholding the laws of God, which is the reason why God established human government in the first place? Politicians may talk about the separation of church and state, but the fact is that the Most High still rules in the kingdom of men (Daniel 4:17), whether they like it or not. And God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world by that Man whom He has ordained (Acts 17:31). Have you made preparation for that day? Have your sins been forgiven? Turn away from your sins, and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

Source One News Now, White House

Quote: ""We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," said Ms Prejean, in a section of the show that has become a popular clip on YouTube. "I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman," she continued. "No offence to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised." The remarks drew a mixture of booing and applause from the audience. Speaking after the show, which was broadcast on Sunday evening in the US, Ms Prejean said: "I wouldn't have had it any other way. I said what I feel. I stated an opinion that was true to myself and that's all I can do."

Hilton said he was "floored" at her comments, which he said had "alienated millions of gay and lesbian Americans, their families and their supporters". In reality it was Hilton's question that alienated millions of Americans. He asked Miss California a question about her own personal beliefs, which have no bearing whatsoever on her acceptability to run for the title of Miss USA. Prejean answered Hilton's question in a very reserved and respectable manner, expressing her beliefs without condemning others who think differently. The BBC reported that the contest organizer, Keith Lewis, was "personally saddened and hurt that Miss California believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman". The question is, what on Earth has Miss California's personal beliefs got to do with well being of Keith Lewis? Nothing at all. It seems that it has now become a criminal offence to hold a personal belief in Biblical morality the US. The BBC article fails to mention the fact that Hilton himself is homosexual, and instead attempts to portray him as an independent and impartial judge whose only concern is for the "millions of Americans" who may have been offended by this 'bigoted beauty queen'. Baloney! The BBC also fails to mention the fact that Hilton later branded Miss California a  "dumb b****" on his video blog, for sacrificing the crown by standing up for what is right.

Although I am angry at the utter depravity now emanating from the United States and Britain, I like this story, because it reminds me that as Christians we are all striving for the crown. Not for a physical crown, nor for the type of crown that a beauty queen would wear, but for the laurel wreath that is given to those contenders who are running a race. Jesus Christ said of the Philadelphian church...

Revelation 3:10-11
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

The Philadelphian church is the only church mentioned among the seven churches in Asia which the Lord had no word of condemnation for. The Lord commends them for having "a little strength", and encourages them to cling to what they have, so that no other contender would take the crown they were striving to win. The Lord was warning them not to allow anything to come between them and the goal, so they would not lose out on the reward that awaited them at the finishing line. When I was in Greece, I heard how the Apostle Paul met up with Priscilla and Aquilla, who were tent makers. Apparently they made tents for those who were competing in the games, and that this was where Paul got much of his inspiration from in regards to the race of life. 

Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Whenever an athlete takes part in a race, they set aside every hindrance that might slow their pace and prevent them from winning the prize. In my own life's experience that "weight" is personal ambitions, selfish desires, and anything else that would prevent me from running well. Paul also states that we need to lay aside the "sin" which so easily besets us. That sin may be different for each one of us, but we all have one thing in common, that it so easily besets us. I often struggle with this besetting sin. And when I sin I get depressed because I know I am not running the race as well as I should be. Instead of finishing in first place, perhaps I will get the runners-up prize. But I will lose the crown that I could have got if I had run well. If we are going to run well we need to be living right before God. This is not a race to see who is the fastest runner, or who is the greatest athlete. Heavenly rewards are not given on that basis. This race is an endurance race. Paul says we need to "run with patience". The course is set for us based on our own abilities and responsibilities, and we will be rewarded not for finishing first, but for finishing well. Our reward will not be based on successes but on faithfulness. The reward is promised to the "good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21) who is found to be running well at His Lord's return (Matthew24:46). A good athlete always keeps their eyes on the goal. Many a race has been lost by those who looked back to see where their competitors were. Our eyes should be on the Lord Jesus Christ. He has already finished the course and is waiting for us at the finish line. The joy that was set before Him was men and women being reconciled to Himself. He endured the cross for you. He thought little of the shame because He thought much of you. How much have you thought of Him? Why don't you trust in Him for salvation today. The Bible says that "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name", John 1:12.

Miss California may have lost her crown and the praise of men, but that is little esteemed in God's sight. Don't lose your crown.

Source BBC, Time, Christian Century, Daily Mail

Quote: "Pregnancy advice services, which includes information on abortions, would be allowed to advertise on radio and TV for the first time. Adverts for such services would have to make it clear whether it referred women for abortions. The consultation is UK-wide, but any changes would not necessarily be applied across the UK. Broadcasters would have to tailor any advertising to the area in which it was broadcast.

I dread to think what the fallout will be from these contraceptive and abortion advertisements. To me it's the equivalent of handing someone a loaded gun and then telling them how to use it. Information may help people to make more informed decisions, but it does not help them to make wiser decisions. Especially when the government purposely withholds moral advice from teenagers about these life issues. Thank God that abortion is still illegal in Ireland. But I am ashamed to be called a British citizen. It is no wonder that the United Kingdom is bearing the brunt of this global financial crisis. We have sown to the wind, and we will reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7).

Source BBC, Politics, Times Online, Daily Mail

Quote: "In April, council officials told the girl that she should not attend any church activity for six months, so that she could reconsider the wisdom of becoming a Christian. The carer was also instructed to discourage the girl from participating in any Christian activities, even social events. The council then told the carer there had been a breakdown of trust and in November removed her from the register. ‘It never occurred to me that they would go that far,’ she said. ‘I was concerned that the council seemed to view Christianity in such a negative light. I wonder whether if it had gone the other way – if one of my Christian young people had decided to embrace another faith – there would have been this level of fuss.’ She added that the girl has been devastated by the experience.

The council have since decided to place the girl back with her abusive family, who have not been informed of her conversion to Christianity. Another child that was being looked after has now been placed with another foster parent, and the carer has been struck off the register. Unfortunately this incidence of open hostility to Christian carers is not unique in the British isles. Just a few years ago, a Christian couple who had fostered children for many years were struck off the register after refusing to sign an equality policy, which would have meant they would have to promote homosexual relationships equally with heterosexual ones if asked by the children. Thankfully that unjust ruling was later overturned. But friends of ours who fostered teenagers for many years also found an anti-Christian element within the fostering system. They were often asked to look after teenagers who were addicted to drugs and alcohol. They held Christian house-group meetings in their homes for any who wished to attend. Many of the teenagers they worked with got saved and started to come off the drugs and the alcohol. The social workers couldn't understand what was happening. But when they found out that around 80% of the people in their care were claiming to have been 'born again', they put a stop to the meetings. My friends then decided to give up foster care. Some of the kids went back on drugs after being passed on to other carers, and unfortunately one person who was starting to come around actually committed suicide. I dread to think what will happen to this Muslim girl who has become a Christian, all because some big-wig in the North of England thinks they are protecting her 'human rights'.

Unfortunately this is the kind of society we now live in. It seems that anyone who supports traditional values and holds a faith in Jesus Christ is at best frowned upon, and at worst automatically considered to be intolerant and bigoted. We know we are now living in the last days, because the Bible prophesied that all these things would happen before Jesus Christ returns. The Scriptures foretold that in the last days, there would be people who would be without natural affection, false accusers and despisers of those that are good (2nd Timothy 3:3). That verse is bang up to date with current news events. Isaiah was once asked by God to pronounce judgement against all those who had chosen to disobey His commandments. But when Isaiah saw the Lord in all His glory, he realized that he too was just as sinful in God's sight (Isaiah 5-6). After having pronounced judgement against many for their unrighteous deeds, he then pronounces judgment against himself because of his own sins.

Isaiah 6:5-7
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

It wasn't the live coal that purged away Isaiah's sins. Rather it was the innocent life that was given upon the altar that was able to make atonement for Isaiah's soul (Leviticus 17:11). There is One that has borne God's judgement for sin in your stead. His name is Jesus Christ. Like Isaiah did, acknowledge before God that you are a guilty sinner. Believe that Jesus Christ bore God's punishment for your sins when He died upon the cross. And God promises that whoever trusts in Jesus Christ shall have forgiveness of sins and everlasting life in heaven (Acts 5:31, John 3:16).

Source Beeqube, Christian Today