Remembering September 11, 2001

It was one of those crisp, sunny, nearly perfect September mornings. I was working at Sears in Evansville that day. Sometimes I would listen to the morning news as I prepared myself for work, both mentally and physically. Those of you you have worked in sales know what I'm talking about. Then those images flashed across the television screen. I still remember them as the planes hit the twin towers and then the Pentagon.

They say you always remember what you were doing when events like these happen. Believe it or not, I remember what I was doing when John Kennedy was assassinated. I was at recess in third grade at Oakdale Elementary. The teacher called us inside and gave us the news. I remember the live black and white images on our television. I remember watching the funeral procession with my parents as most people were not working the day of the President's funeral.

Flashing back to September 11, 2001, I remember some other things also in the weeks after that day.. I remember that the late night comedians weren't hurling the usual crude humor at us. I remember American flags everywhere as people showed their support for our country. Words like God and prayer were even mentioned by the nightly newscasters. Party politics were set aside for a while as senators and congressmen and women came together as one voice. The new President that so many of the comedians had been making fun of amazed many with his leadership. It didn't matter whether or not his grammer was as polished as some. The nation listened to the message he gave the world as terrorists around the world realized there was a new sheriff in town. Those in the military were heroes once again.

Then a few weeks passed...The comedians gradually started telling their jokes again. We didn't hear so much about God, prayer, and love of country from those in mainstream media. The American flags started coming down one by one in our towns and across America. Shades of Viet Nam come to mind when the media discussed those returning from war and offered their "expert" advice. Experts came out of the woodwork as it seemed that anyone who had ever been a miltary commander was now on the payroll of big media. ...How soon we forget. We forget that God still loves us and is still in control, even when the world is falling apart all around .We as a nation forget about the One who made the ultimate sacrifice that we might live...forever...God bless-keith 1 Cor 13

Sign of the Times

Sign of the Times

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon said Monday it no longer includes a Bible quote on the cover page of daily intelligence briefings it sends to the White House as was practice during the Bush administration.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said he did not know how long the Worldwide Intelligence Update cover sheets quoted from the Bible. Air Force Maj. Gen. Glen Shaffer, who was responsible for including them, retired in August 2003, according to his biography.

For a period in 2003, at least, the daily reports prepared for President George W. Bush carried quotes from the books of Psalms and Ephesians and the epistles of Peter.

I have often expressed my sentiments, that every man, conducting himself as a good citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience.

George Washington, letter to the General Committee of the United Baptist Churches in Virginia, May, 1789

BILL SHULER — THE FIRST 100 DAYS: Ten Ways to Pray for President Obama

Pastor, Capital Life Church, Arlington, VA

On January 20, the presidency of Barack Obama was a blank canvas upon which millions of Americans projected their hopes and fears. Now, almost 100 days later, issues such as the economy, foreign affairs and military activity are beginning to define this presidency. As we pause to measure the decisions of this president–or any American leader–let us not neglect the highest honor and responsibility given to each member of the community of faith.

The following are ways we can pray for our president:

1. Pray that God will continually honor him with great wisdom amidst the difficult decisions that he faces each day.

2. Pray for God to protect him and our nation from harm.

3. Pray that his decisions will always reflect a courage that goes beyond polls and politics.

4. Pray that he will be blessed in his role as husband and father.

5. Pray that he will be refreshed in his physical body.

6. Pray for First Lady Michelle Obama and their two daughters, that they will experience great joy in this new chapter of their lives.

7. Pray that he will be encouraged and filled with the “peace that passes all understanding.”

8. Pray for his staff, that they will serve him well and be a strength to him.

9. Pray that he will be humble but fearless in seeking and fulfilling God’s will.

10. Pray that he will build bridges to unite a nation.

The Scriptures command us to pray for “all who are in authority that we may live a quiet and peaceful life.” Let us dedicate ourselves to taking the next 100 days to strengthen our President in prayer.

By so doing, we call forth God’s blessings upon our nation.

Quotes From Our Founding Fathers

Quotes From Our Founding Fathers

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, (I conjure you to believe me fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government.

George Washington, Farewell Address, Sept. 1799

Quotes From Our Founding Fathers

A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.

Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, February 12, 1779

Time to Pray for Political Leaders

Senator to Oppose Budget Because of Pro-Life, Pregnancy Center Donation Cutoff

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Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A pro-life U.S. senator says he intends to oppose the $3.6 trillion budget proposed by President Barrack Obama and Congressional Democrats because it would hurt donations to pro-life groups and pregnancy centers.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas says there are several reasons why he will vote no on the budget, but he points to attacks on charitable donations as one of them.

Under the budget, Obama would limit this deduction for charitable contributions, which Cornyn says would cost charities nationwide anywhere from $4 billion to $9 billion.

Obama has proposed to reduce the tax incentives for charitable giving and wants Congress to limit to 28 percent the tax saving from contributions for taxpayers who itemize their deductions.

The president wants to use the money to fund universal health care that, ironically, could include taxpayer coverage of abortions.

"Charitable organizations depend on the generosity of donors to serve our communities, and for decades we have encouraged this generosity by making charitable donations deductible," he said.

Cornyn says the negative potential impact can be seen in his own back yard and pointed to the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides counseling and services to women who are pregnant or who may think they are pregnant.

"Some of their clients are students. Some are homeless. Some are victims of domestic violence and other abuse," Cornyn says.

"The center provides these confidential services at no cost to women in need. It relies completely on donations from individuals and businesses to fund its programs. Thanks to the generosity of the Austin community, the center now has two full-time employees, one part-time employee and about 60 volunteers," Cornyn adds.

"The recession has made it harder for the center to raise money — even as the demand for its services increases. In just one day this month, the center received nearly 20 calls from women who could not afford to buy diapers," Cornyn continues.

In the words of center Executive Director Lori DeVillez, "There are many times where a bag of diapers or a can of formula truly means the difference between 'Do I eat today, or provide for my baby?'"

The center works to ensure that its clients don't have to face such a terrible choice, but Cornyn says DeVillez estimates that up to 10 of the center's largest donors would see their taxes go up under the president's plan.

"She would like to see policies that would expand her pool of potential donors — rather than dry it up," Cornyn says.

"I believe that charitable organizations like the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center help make Texas a better place," the senator concludes. "They deserve our support. They do not deserve to suffer the impact of higher taxes."

Colleen Parro, the head of the Republican National Coalition for Life, a group that works to keep the GOP pro-life, applauded Cornyn's principled stance.

"Senator Cornyn’s focus on the importance of charitable organizations such as the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center is most welcome," she told LifeNews.com.

"Thousands of centers across the country are dedicated to offering help and hope to mothers who otherwise may have nowhere to turn," she said. "Their dedicated staff members, many of whom are volunteers, carry out their mission supported through the tax-deductible financial gifts they receive from generous donors."

"We are deeply appreciative of Senator Cornyn’s efforts to prevent the Obama administration from limiting charitable income tax deductions," she added.

Cornyn's comments came in an editorial published today in the Austin American-Statesman newspaper.

Whatever our political view may be,our churches and charitable organizations will be affected by higher taxation of our giving.We need to pray for and let our leaders know how we feel about this...

Buzz up!