Westside Baptist - CIC

Mocking God

2010-07-11T20:03:00.001-07:00

The Sunday School lesson this week on the story of David and Goliath got me thinking about parallels with todays culture.

Just as Goliath mocked the Israelite army and their God, the "Goliaths" of our culture mock God today:

Our schools teach children that evolution created them, not God, mocking his role as Creator and Sustainer of life.

Our courts mock the institution He created and blessed - marriage - by ruling that those who practice the sin of homosexuality, which He called an abomination, can also be married.

Those same courts mock God by insisting that women have the right to choose whether or not their unborn child should live, usurping His role as the giver of life and mocking the sanctity of life.

The mainstream media mock God by portraying his followers as narrow-minded and intolerant for insisting that there is a standard of truth found in the Bible.

Our politicians mock God when they refuse to remain faithful to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution, which were written by men who understood that God is sovereign not government.

The list could go on for a while. The difference is that while David felt outrage that Goliath would mock God, we throw up our hands and say "that's just the way things are".

In God's eyes that may be the worst insult of all.

Day of Prayer

2010-05-03T19:24:00.001-07:00

For many years I have prayed and heard others pray, thanking God that we live in a country where we can worship freely. I am beginning to wonder how much longer that will be true. The erosion of our religious freedom is proceeding at a pace that none of us would have envisioned, even a few years ago. The latest example is the ruling by a US District Judge in Wisconsin that the declaration of a National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. This endangers a tradition begun by President George Washington in 1789. Once again the First Amendment, which was intended to keep Congress from imposing a religion on the states, is being misused as a tool to eliminate all religion from public life.

Maybe the worst example of religious repression is occurring right in our backyard with the approval of the Santa Rosa county school district, which encompasses Pensacola. The district has entered into an agreement with the ACLU to restrict all religious expression in their schools. Here is an idea of the scope of the agreement, excerpted from a news release from the Liberty Counsel.

"As a result of a Consent Decree drafted by the ACLU, agreed to by the school district, and entered by a federal court, legitimate religious expression, such as voluntary, student-initiated prayers or off-the-clock religious discussion among adults, has been criminalized and made extinct in the schools of Santa Rosa County. Students can no longer say "God Bless," teachers must hide in closets to pray, parents cannot communicate frankly with teachers, volunteers cannot answer any questions regarding religion, Christian groups cannot rent school facilities for private religious functions benefiting students, and pastors are dictated how they can and cannot seat their audiences at private, religious baccalaureate services held inside their own houses of worship."

Does this sound like the country we grew up in, or more like a decree issued by a communist government that had just taken over a country? Thank God for organizations like Liberty Counsel which battle the rising tide of atheism and secular humanism trying to eliminate all traces of religion, especially Christianity, from public display.

What can we do? It always starts with prayer. We need to humble ourselves before God, and pray that He will light a new fire in this country. I urge you to come to church this Thursday night for a Day of Prayer service and join with hundreds of others who want to show the ACLU and others that the majority of people in this country still believe in a sovereign God. I pray that its not too late.

" The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God."

(Ps 53:1-2)

America's Christian History

2010-04-25T19:58:00.001-07:00

Always a lightning rod for criticism, Sara Palin was recently ridiculed by liberals for suggesting in a speech that America was a nation blessed by God because it was founded on Christian principles. Nothing makes a secular humanist more angry than the notion that we owe God anything. This is why the emphasis in our schools and from liberal commentators is that there is no American Christian history and our country was founded on principles of the Enlightenment.

I've just finished moderating a 5 part course on America's Christian History which is based on lectures given by Gary DeMar, president of American Vision, who spoke at Westside last fall. DeMar refutes the attempt to re-write our history, point-by-point. Most of us who grew up in the 40's and 50's know that this country was settled primarily by Christians seeking refuge from religious persecution in Europe. Even a casual glance at the early colonial charters, and state constitutions, as well as the original mission statements of our major colleges and universities, will show that the early residents of this country believed in a sovereign God and the teachings of the Bible. The sad fact, however, is that those who are in the public school system these days do not learn this and come to believe the lie instead of the truth.

Here are some of the major points of the course:

America's Christian History

What are the facts?

1. America was founded by people who were predominantly Christian and almost without exception believed in God.

2. Early charters and state constitutions exclusively recognize Christianity as the predominant religion in place at the time they were written.

3. The basic underlying principle of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution is that man is subject to laws that come from our Creator God and cannot be taken away by government.

4. The First Amendment was not intended by the Founders to prohibit the public practice or display of religion, but to prevent Congress from imposing a religion on the states.

5. Education was viewed as having a strong foundation in religious values. The Bible was used in many areas as a textbook and early primers mentioned God and used Biblical examples. Most of our leading private universities were founded as seminaries or had strong ties to Christian denominations.

6. An extensively researched opinion of the US Supreme Court reached the conclusion in 1892 that "America is a Christian nation". Many Presidents and Supreme Court judges have made the same statement publicly over the years.

Why does it matter?

1. The guiding principles that have enabled America to become the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the history of the world are being eroded by those who claim that we are wiser today than those who founded our country. They are now attempting to re-write history to cover their tracks as they dismantle our foundations. Unless we know the facts we will not be able to stand against them.

2. Our children are not being taught in school about the religious beliefs and values of those who started America. If they don't hear it from us, they won't hear it and in one generation our Christian History will be lost.

Why Elections are Important

2010-04-06T06:51:00.001-07:00

In the book "The 5000 Year Leap" author Ron Skousen outlines 28 principles that underly the US Constitution. Principles that led America to become the most prosperous and powerful country the world has ever known. Principle Number One is that good government is based on Natural Law - that is the eternal and universal laws given to us by our Creator God. Not the laws devised by men for their own, often evil, purposes.
Principles Two and Three are closely related. A Constitutional Republic can only survive if the people are of good moral character and if the leaders they elect are of good moral character. John Adams wrote "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

This why elections are important. Individually our fate is determined by our character. As a nation, our fate is determined by the character of the people we elect. One of the most insightful studies of early American political culture was written by the French jurist Alexis de Tocqueville, who summarized his finding this way:

"America is great because America is good. If America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great"

The coming election for Mayor of Gainesville is a classic example of this. On one hand we have the man- Craig Lowe - who has used his position on the city commission to advocate for laws to advance "gay rights", and has voted for several fiscally irresponsible uses of taxpayer funds. One the other we have Don Marsh, a conservative Christian businessman who has a long history of fairness and public service.

The problem is that low voter turnout in Gainesville, especially in runoff elections, has allowed the extreme liberal fringe to control the city politically.

Gainesville voters, the future is in your hands. Don't just vote on April 13th. Make sure that everyone you know also votes. It's time that the will of the majority is heard in Gainesville.

A favorite scripture of the early colonialists was Proverbs 29:2 -

When the righteous are in authority , the people rejoice : but when the wicked beareth rule , the people mourn

Big Government

2010-03-31T07:47:00.001-07:00

With the passage and signing of the Health Care Reform Act the idea of "states rights", and the doctrine of federalism are basically dead. The Founding Fathers and the vast majority of people in this country at that time were adamantly opposed to a strong central government. They had seen the abuses of people by monarchies in Europe and wanted no part of it in their republic. The main idea of the "establishment" clause in the first amendment is to prevent the Federal government from dictating religious preferences to the states. If the Federal government can dictate your health care, and whether you carry insurance, are there any limits to its power anymore?

Read the words of a George Washington University law professor in USA Today:

"With this legislation, Congress has effectively defined an uninsured 18-year-old man in Richmond as an interstate problem like a polluting factory. It is an assertion of federal power that is inherently at odds with the original vision of the Framers. If a citizen who fails to get health insurance is an interstate problem, it is difficult to see the limiting principle as Congress seeks to impose other requirements on citizens. The ultimate question may not be how Congress can prevail, but how much of states' rights would be left if it prevailed.

There's an old saying - Government big enough to give us anything we want is a Government big enough to take everything we have.

It's time that we, as Americans, decide to serve a sovereign God, not a sovereign government. Otherwise we will soon find ourselves in the same condition that the people who built this nation were escaping when they came here.

Tower of Babble

2010-03-23T07:07:00.001-07:00

Lost in all the analysis and political babble coming from Washington over the passage of the Health Care Reform Act are two simple facts - it is unconstitutional and it is un-biblical. The Constitution defines and limits the role of the Federal government to impose its will on the states. Just as the 1st amendment denies the Federal government the power to impose a religion, or restrict a religion, so the 10th amendment denies the Federal government any power not granted in the Constitution. The imposition of federally-mandated health care violates that restriction and will be challenged by several states, including Florida.

The reason the Founding Fathers sought to restrict Federal government is that they understood that God is sovereign, not government. Listen to the words of Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional convention:

"If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice (Matt 10:29), is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it' (Ps 127:1). I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel (Gen 11).

The builders of the tower of Babel wanted to "make a name for themselves" and build a world without recognizing God. God confused their language and scattered them. America is on the same path, seeking to build a government that is sovereign in every area of life from cradle to grave. By turning our back on the Constitution we have also turned our back on the concept of a sovereign God and replaced it with a sovereign government. We have no reason to expect that God will judge us any differently than the builders of Babel.

Democracy Inaction

2010-03-17T11:05:00.001-07:00

One of the basic tenets of a democratic society is the individual's right to vote, and the importance of that vote in the political process. Now we must confront the fact that in Gainesville, and in our Congress, people just don't want to vote. What does it tell you about the courage of our legislators in Congress when they seek to impose an unpopular and potentially disastrous health care plan on America without voting on it? What does it tell you about the apathy of voters in Gainesville when fewer than 15% go to the polls on a beautiful spring day to vote for a new mayor, the highest elected office in the city?

Compare this to the more than 60% of Iraqis who braved suicide bombers, death threats, and sporadic gunfire to vote in their national election last week. Maybe if Americans had to live in Iraq for a while they'd take more interest in their democracy and appreciate their freedom. Ultimately we will get the government we deserve. The current situation in Washington looks like our just reward.

On the local scene the good news is that Don Marsh is in the mayoral runoff. Conventional political wisdom is that anyone who didn't vote for Craig Lowe should vote for Marsh in the runoff. Hopefully that will happen, but the turnout for the runoff will be even smaller and small turnouts lead to skewed results.

The larger issue for Gainesville is the cost, both politically and financially, of having city elections in the spring, separate from other elections. I think we can safely say that the argument that city elections will get lost on the state/national election ballot is trumped by the fact that city elections are being ignored anyway - at great expense to city government. Unless, of course, you don't really want to know what the majority of city residents think.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke

Local Politics

2010-03-01T10:41:00.001-08:00

Former House Speaker Tip O'Neil once said "all politics are local politics". The truth of this saying is recognition of the fact that everything our government does affects us, whether we realize it or not. The Florida Legislature is in session and Gainesville city elections are coming March 16. Our Congress seems bent on passing a health care bill that most American's don't want. There's plenty for Christians to be concerned about. Not that we should believe that government will solve all the world's problems - only Jesus Christ can do that. What we do want is a government that will keep the peace and provide an environment where the gospel can be advanced. We don't want government that passes laws that contradict our beliefs and promote sinful behavior.

Charles Van Zant, a former member of Westside, is now a state representative from Keystone Heights. He is planning to introduce legislation that will severely restrict the availability of abortion in Florida. This is a clear example of an attempt to correct a law that violates our Christian beliefs, and he deserves our support. His website is - www.charlesvanzant.com. Go there, offer your encouragement to him, and see what you can do to support this cause.

Gainesville's city elections are just around the corner and the office of mayor is on the ballot, along with the District 4 commission seat. If politics as usual prevails, 2 term commissioner Craig Lowe will be elected mayor. He was the driving force behind the Gender Identity Ordinance in 2009, which protects those with an "inner sense" of being a different gender, by allowing them to use whichever public restroom they feel more comfortable in.

If you are a Gainesville voter who would like to see a change in city leadership please attend a Candidate Forum at Parkview Baptist Church on Sunday, March 7 at 5pm. Parkview is located at 3403 NW 13th St. See and hear the candidates for yourself.

Don Marsh, candidate for mayor: www.donaldmarsh.com, and Mason Alley in District 4: www.masonalley.com, have been recommended by Gainesville Watchman as professing Christians who are pro-business and socially conservative. Gainesville Watchman is a conservative Christian group that emerged in the aftermath of the attempt to overturn the Gender Identity Ordinance. Gainesville's reputation as an ultra-liberal city is based on historically low voter turnout during the spring election cycle, which allows the commission to remain in the grip of a minority of voters. If we, as Christians, don't get out and vote in support of good candidates, we have only ourselves to blame for the consequences.

Support the Haiti missionaries

2010-02-10T06:54:00.001-08:00

Any tragedy seems to bring out the best and worst in people. The Haiti earthquake is no exception. There has been a great outpouring of aid - food, medicine and money - over the past weeks. Rescuing children from dire circumstances has been a priority for many. I'm sure you are aware of the 10 Baptist missionaries who were arrested for trying to take a group of Haitian children into the Dominican Republic. I have no doubt that this was done with the best of intentions. I also do not debate the right of Haiti to control the removal of children from their country. It's time for our government to support the missionaries, and resolve this without further punishment, so the focus can return to helping the children.

Please email your congressman and Senators and ask them to push for a resolution. The easiest way is to work through the Ethics and Religious Liberty commission website set up for this purpose - http://capwiz.com/ethics/issues/alert/?alertid=14667836&type=ML.

Free Speech?

2010-01-26T20:19:00.001-08:00

Isn't it amazing that the same groups that champion free speech and rail against censorship on issues like sexually explicit literature and "adult" themed entertainment suddenly want to pull the plug when the message contradicts their point of view. I'm talking, of course, about the uproar over the prospect that Focus on the Family will show a pro-life ad during the Super Bowl featuring Tim Tebow and his mother.

Feminists and pro-abortion groups are outraged that CBS would allow such a controversial ad to be shown during the biggest TV event of the year. How dare they interrupt our comfortable enjoyment of a football game with an issue of eternal consequence.

I believe God is using this to wake up the pro-life movement in this country, which has been asleep too long. Of all the "wicked ways" that the US must turn from before God will heal our land, abortion is at the top of the list.

Please take the time to let CBS know that you support their decision to air the Tebow ad. You can leave a message at - http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land". 2 Chronicles 7:14

Thanksgiving

2009-11-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, the Independent Florida Alligator (UF's student newspaper) published an editorial/commentary before Thanksgiving, praising it as "our favorite non-religious holiday". I wrote a letter to the editor, which was not published, asking whom they were thanking at Thanksgiving, and what indication from the historical beginnings of the holiday led them to the conclusion that it was "non-religious".

If you have any doubts that we have lost contact with our Christian heritage in America just consider what has happened to Thanksgiving. Now it's just a bump on the retail-driven speedway that begins at Halloween and ends at Christmas. There's too much food, too much football and very little thankfulness.

Today's most quoted online reference source - Wikipedia - gives this definition of the holiday:

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is a holiday celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States. While perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.

Was it "gratitude in general" being expressed by the Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1621 at the first recorded Thanksgiving feast, or by the members of our first Congress who issued this proclamation in 1777?

IN CONGRESS November 1, 1777

FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of….

Can you imagine our current Congress issuing such a statement? Here is the beginning of the first Thanksgiving proclamation issued by President George Washington:

THANKSGIVING DAY 1789 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION 

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be…

Does that sound like a President or a nation confused about the meaning of Thanksgiving?

It was President Abraham Lincoln who began the yearly celebration of Thanksgiving in 1863. Here is an excerpt of his proclamation:

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

I highly recommend reading the full text of these and other Thanksgiving proclamations issued by Congress and the Presidents over the years. They can be found at - http://www.pilgrimhall.org/ThanxProc.htm

I'd also encourage you to start a new Thanksgiving tradition at your house. Read an excerpt of one of these early Presidential proclamations as part of the prayer time before the meal. I'm sure your children will be surprised that the government that now seems intent on removing all traces of religion from public life once felt the need to thank God for our blessings. I can assure you they won't learn it in their history class.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm 33:12

America's best idea?

2009-09-29T08:57:00.001-07:00

PBS has begun another Ken Burns documentary series called: National Parks: America's Best Idea.

While I enjoy visiting the national parks, and admire the foresight that has preserved the wonders of God's creation, I still believe that America's best idea is -

"All men are created equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

No other nation is founded on such a basic Christian principle - the sanctity of life. Yet we now battle the culture of death, promoted by those who hold the humanist worldview that currently controls our schools and our government. The Worldview conference with Gary DeMar last weekend highlighted for me just how far our country has drifted from its Christian foundation. Ever since the Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion in this nation we have been under God's judgement. Healing can only begin when Christians believe the Bible and recognize God as the giver and taker of life - just as the Declaration of Independence does.

The "legal" justification for abortion rests on the idea that the fetus is not a person, and is therefore not protected by the Constitution.A new pro-life movement has begun. It's called Personhood, and it rests on the biblically and biologically correct idea that you are a person at the moment of conception - entitled to all the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The Personhood movement seeks to amend by petition those state constitutions that allow it, to define the fetus as a "person" under the law, which would make abortion murder.

I believe this movement has the potential to energize the pro-life movement and change the culture of death in this county. Eventually it will result in a national amendment, but change must begin from the bottom not the top. Please visit their website - http://personhoodfl.com/ - and look for further updates from the Community Issues committee. The first step is to gather enough petitions to get the Personhood amendment on the Florida ballot in 2012. Just like the Yes 2 Marriage amendment protected the sanctity of God's plan for the family, the Personhood amendment will protect the sanctity of God's gift of life.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb. Ps.139:13

Coming events

2009-09-14T12:29:00.001-07:00

I'm convinced that one of the greatest challenges of our generation is focusing on what's important in an environment where distractions are everywhere. I've just learned that one of the most important events of the year at Westside - Gary DeMar's Worldview conference - is in conflict with (gasp) a Gator game! That's right, the conference begins at 6pm Saturday, Sept.26. The Gators game with Kentucky has been re-scheduled by ESPN for telecast at the same time. Talk about conflicting worldviews - here's your first test. I know you know the right answer. Grab the game on your DVR, or VCR and come hear one of the country's most influential authors talk about how Christians can influence our increasingly hostile culture for Christ. Tim Tebow would be the first to tell you that there are more important things than football. This is one of them.

That same day is the Eric Yerman 5K Walk/Run at Westside Park, starting at 8am (fortunately). Proceeds benefit the effort to build a Baptist Children's home here in Gainesville - a worth cause and a good time. Registration is $20 and can be done in the lobby on Sunday or the day of the run at 7am. Plan to be there.

Finally, I'd like to offer some food for thought on the local political scene. Gainesville city elections are coming again this spring. Last spring we saw the effort to remove the Gender Identity ordinance fail. One of the prime supporters of that ordinance - Craig Lowe - is now running for mayor. If you are one who is concerned about the direction of our city, county, state and nation; it's time to start encouraging and supporting Christian candidates for public office. It may even be time to consider running yourself. The qualifying deadline in Gainesville is Jan. 29, 2010.

Remember the words of Edmund Burke - "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Those words have never been more true than they are today.

God Bless

What's the Rush?

2009-09-09T03:59:00.001-07:00

A favorite columnist of mine is Thomas Sowell. His column yesterday is worth saving.

Listening to a Liar
Thomas Sowell
Tuesday, September 08, 2009

The most important thing about what anyone says are not the words themselves but the credibility of the person who says them.
The words of convicted swindler Bernie Madoff were apparently quite convincing to many people who were regarded as knowledgeable and sophisticated. If you go by words, you can be led into anything.
No doubt millions of people will be listening to the words of President Barack Obama Wednesday night when he makes a televised address to a joint session of Congress on his medical care plans. But, if they think that the words he says are what matters, they can be led into something much worse than being swindled out of their money.

One plain fact should outweigh all the words of Barack Obama and all the impressive trappings of the setting in which he says them: He tried to rush Congress into passing a massive government takeover of the nation's medical care before the August recess-- for a program that would not take effect until 2013!
Whatever President Obama is, he is not stupid. If the urgency to pass the medical care legislation was to deal with a problem immediately, then why postpone the date when the legislation goes into effect for years-- more specifically, until the year after the next Presidential election?
If this is such an urgently needed program, why wait for years to put it into effect? And if the public is going to benefit from this, why not let them experience those benefits before the next Presidential election?
If it is not urgent that the legislation goes into effect immediately, then why don't we have time to go through the normal process of holding Congressional hearings on the pros and cons, accompanied by public discussions of its innumerable provisions? What sense does it make to "hurry up and wait" on something that is literally a matter of life and death?
If we do not believe that the President is stupid, then what do we believe? The only reasonable alternative seems to be that he wanted to get this massive government takeover of medical care passed into law before the public understood what was in it.
Moreover, he wanted to get re-elected in 2012 before the public experienced what its actual consequences would be.
Unfortunately, this way of doing things is all too typical of the way this administration has acted on a wide range of issues.
Consider the "stimulus" legislation. Here the administration was successful in rushing a massive spending bill through Congress in just two days-- after which it sat on the President's desk for three days, while he was away on vacation. But, like the medical care legislation, the "stimulus" legislation takes effect slowly.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that it will be September 2010 before even three-quarters of the money will be spent. Some economists expect that it will not all be spent by the end of 2010.
What was the rush to pass it, then? It was not to get that money out into the economy as fast as possible. It was to get that money-- and the power that goes with it-- into the hands of the government. Power is what politics is all about.
The worst thing that could happen, from the standpoint of those seeking more government power over the economy, would be for the economy to begin recovering on its own while months were being spent debating the need for a "stimulus" bill. As the President's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, said, you can't let a crisis "go to waste" when "it's an opportunity to do things you could not do before."
There are lots of people in the Obama administration who want to do things that have not been done before-- and to do them before the public realizes what is happening.
The proliferation of White House "czars" in charge of everything from financial issues to media issues is more of the same circumvention of the public and of the Constitution. Czars don't have to be confirmed by the Senate, the way Cabinet members must be, even though czars may wield more power, so you may never know what these people are like, until it is too late.
What Barack Obama says Wednesday night is not nearly as important as what he has been doing-- and how he has been doing it.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." – Edmund Burke
"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." – Samuel Adams
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." – Thomas Jefferson
"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." – Thomas Jefferson
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." – Ronald Reagan
"The trouble with socialism is that you finally run out of other people's money." – Margaret Thatcher
"So everyone who hears these words of Mine & acts upon them shall be like a wise man that built his house upon the rock." – Matt 7:24

School Prayer

2009-08-19T10:57:00.001-07:00

If you need any additional proof that our school system has become anti-Christian, just read the story in the latest edition of the Florida Baptist Witness, which recounts the arrest of the principal and coach of Pace High School in Milton for praying at a school function - http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/10646.article

Please be praying for the arrested men, and the Liberty Counsel lawyers to stand strong and hold the line against the ACLU in upcoming court hearings.

In just two generations, we have gone from a country where the Bible was used as a textbook, to being told that even silent prayers in school are against the law. If that doesn't provoke a sense of outrage, I don't know what will.
Students of history know that both the Nazi's and the Communists placed special emphasis on publicly-funded, state-controlled public schools. They knew that controlling the minds of the younger generation is the key in taking over society. This is why the Bible places the responsibility for education in the hands of parents, not the government.

The secular humanists that control our school system are determined to remove all traces of religious expression from our schools. How long will we stand by silently and watch?

Why Get Involved?

2009-06-29T06:38:00.001-07:00

Westside Baptist Church

Community Issues Newsletter

Summer 2009

Why get involved?

This is the first newsletter from the Westside Baptist Community Issues committee. Future editions will highlight and focus on specific issues, which you can impact with your involvement. We want to begin, however, by answering the question that many Christians ask first – Why get involved?

Jesus expects it - His example is clear throughout the Gospels. Jesus engaged the culture of His day, including the religious and political leaders, at every opportunity. He also preached about compassion for our "neighbors" in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and concern for the physical needs of others in the parable of the sheep and goats (Matt 25: 31-46). As Christians, striving to follow Christ's example, we should be moved toward involvement by compassion for the lost and hurting, and outrage when our laws and our leaders deny and contradict the truth of God's word.

Our children's future is at stake – Anyone with children and/or grandchildren has to be alarmed at the direction in which our society is headed. Unless Christians make their voice heard, and their votes count, the next generation will live in a society that is not just post-Christian, but anti-Christian. Last springs Gainesville city election is an example. 73% of registered voters stayed home and allowed a coalition of gay student groups and hired gay activists to defeat the amendment to overturn the Gender Identity ordinance, exposing our children to the threat of sexual predators using the law as cover for lurking in public restrooms. When Christians unite and stand up, as they did in the "Yes 2 Marriage" amendment vote last fall, traditional biblical values are preserved. Our public school system is another area where the prevailing attitude is hostile to Christian belief and expression. As Christian parents we must get involved or risk losing the hearts and minds of our children to a humanist education system.

God ordained government – When Jesus told us to "render to Caesar that which is Caesar's"(Mark 12:13-17) it goes beyond paying taxes. In a democratic society each of us is Caesar. We enjoy the benefits of government laws and services. We are also obligated to ensure that government works well and that its laws are not contrary to God's law. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 provides the rationale for God's interest in good government. Only in an atmosphere of order and peace can the gospel spread. God's primary desire is that all people have the chance to repent and be saved. Our Christian obligation to government in a democratic republic is to participate with our vote and our voice.

I'll close with one issue that requires immediate attention. The Federal Hate Crime Bill is another expression of the homosexual legislative agenda being pushed by the current administration that seeks to criminalize thought, and will have the effect of making anyone who speaks against homosexuality, e.g., your pastor, a criminal. This has already happened in other countries with similar laws. A Senate vote (S.909) is expected soon. If it passes it will be signed by the President. For more information and ways to contact our Senators, visit the Family Research Council's website – www.frc.org

In His Service – Frank Ahern, CIC chairman

Contact Information

2009-05-04T08:18:00.001-07:00

Contact Information

To follow up on Pastor Gary's message Sunday, on the importance of the Christian community making its voice heard on policy issues, here is some information that will make it easier for you to contact your national, state and local officials. The best website I have found is the Family Research Council, which is affiliated with James Dobson's Focus on the Family. Their link to contact your officials is: http://www.frc.org/contact-elected-officials

We are also alerted to the possible expansion of gambling in Florida, as a short-sighted answer to the budget crisis. Please contact our representative and Speaker of the House Larry Cretul to give your input on this decision - larry.cretul@myfloridahouse.gov

I recommend that you use your own words and not relay some form letter. They are easily recognized and usually ignored.

Please continue to pray for our elected officials, that they will seek God's wisdom and truth for the many difficult decisions they will be making in the coming months.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1

Bible Bee

2009-04-17T07:09:00.001-07:00

Bible Bee coming soon!

"Governed by a biblical worldview…" is how the Community Issues Committee begins its mission statement.

All too often, the Church tends to fall short of the role our Creator intends for us because we simply haven't invested enough time in His Word. As a result, we do not have a sufficiently clear biblical worldview from which to direct our leadership, guide our purposes, and conduct our lives.

As adults, we have some catching up to do. Westside has received commitments from hundreds of members to read thru the Bible in 2009… what a blessing.

For our children, we'd like to make everyone aware of a new and exciting way to advance their learning of the Bible this year – it is the "National Bible Bee" competition.

This competition is happening nationwide but there is a Local Bible Bee Contest happening September 12^th to qualify for the national competition on November 5^th-6^th.

To enter the contest, you must enroll your child by the registration deadline of APRIL 30^th.

To enroll in the course or to find out how to help with the Local Bible Bee Contest in Gainesville, contact Steve Westbrooks at (385) 559-3173 or biblebeegainesvillefl@yahoo.com.

You'll need to receive a code from him to enter on the www.biblebee.org website which just informs the National Bible Bee folks that the contestant has been approved for the local contest by the local representative.

Just imagine the lifelong benefits to your children of truly studying the bible this summer instead of watching a few more hours of tv each week. Steve's hoping to have 120 contestants in the local contest… let's show him he should have aimed even higher!

Stan Higginbotham

Point of View

2009-04-07T16:21:00.001-07:00

Point of View

In thinking back on the Amendment One campaign it struck me how the same words can mean something entirely different to different people depending on your point of view. Case in point: the word discrimination. The anti-amendment forces used the word like a club, conjuring up images of people being driven from their homes and losing their jobs due to their sexual orientation. Their goal is to eliminate discrimination.

Yet, as Christians, we are called to constantly discriminate between right and wrong, good and evil. In Isaiah 5:20 it says "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil". The Bible is the standard of truth that we use to discern what is right and wrong. The Gender Identity ordinance is clearly wrong on many levels and it is our duty as "discriminating" Christians to oppose it.

That brings us to another heavily coded word - tolerance. As Pastor Gary said recently - "We will have what we will tolerate". He didn't mean that in a positive way. The Old Testament Jews tried to tolerate the pagan nations that inhabited the Promised Land instead of driving them out as God commanded, and incurred God's wrath as a result. The secular humanist worldview that pervades Gainesville today would also like us to tolerate everyone and everything. If we do, the results will be the same.

Have you ever stopped to think that, if you really believe Jesus' words "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father, except through Me" (Jn 14:6) - tolerance is just a way for Satan to reap a huge harvest of souls. If he can just get us to "live and let live", don't rock the boat, and keep the gospel to ourselves; fewer people will be won for Christ. That's always Satan's plan.

Jesus never tolerated sin, but He did tolerate sinners, with the goal of bringing them to repentance. We can all thank God for that, and follow His example.

The reason I am continuing to harp on this subject is the battle is not over. The Alachua county Equal Opportunity Commission is also considering a Gender Identity ordinace, and will discuss the status of their work during their next meeting on April 15. You can rest assured that I and the other members of Citizens for Good Public Policy will be watching closely.

We should also be watching closely the end of the Florida Legislative session. There are many bad bills under consideration each year. Thankfully, most do not get passed, but sometimes its necessary to contact your local representative or Senator to make your voice heard.

An excellent organization is the Florida Family Research Council - http://www.flfamily.org/index.php - which is affiliated with Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family organization. Go to their website and click on Legislative Updates, and you will get a good picture of what is happening in Tallahassee at this critical time of year.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke

Round 1

2009-03-26T07:06:00.001-07:00

It's disappointing, but not surprising that the 27% of Gainesville voters who went to the polls Tuesday defeated Amendment One and upheld the Gender Identity ordinance. Gainesville has already cemented its position as the most liberal city in Florida. The Yes 2 Marriage Amendment last fall would have failed if the rest of the state voted like Gainesville did. This election was swayed by an influx of money from gay advocacy groups around the country, and a surge of political interest from UF students - mobilized by the LGBT student union - who turned out in bus loads during early voting.

The fact that 27% is considered a good turnout for a city election is a shame in itself. I still believe that if a majority of the registered voters in Gainesville had voted, the outcome would have been different. The anti-One side succeeded in convincing some people that gay, lesbian and transgender individuals would be subject to Jim Crow-like discrimination if the amendment was passed - without any evidence that such discrimination existed before the ordinance was enacted!

Once again I must emphasize that we did not oppose the Gender Identity ordinance out of hatred for homosexuals or transgendered people. Our concern is that a poorly drawn law designed to protect a small group that has virtually no demonstrated history of being discriminated against, has literally opened the door to allow sexual predators into our public restrooms - and that has been demonstrated.

Most local political observers think it is only a matter of time until Alachua county commissioners decide they want to be seen as "progressive" and pass a similar law. Then it will be time for county residents to decide where they stand. Round 1 of this culture clash is over, but Round 2 may not be far away.

My hope is that we will be able to look back and say this was the beginning of a movement by God's people to work together to bring back a society based on eternal truth and not the "cause of the month". My prayer is that it doesn't take a tragedy to wake us up.

I'll close with a little personal vignette: last week, while driving my kids to school, we heard one of the frequently-repeated radio ads for the anti-One side. One of my boys asked me why I was against the Gender Identity ordinance. While I was trying to think of a scholarly and scripturally accurate answer, my 10 year old daughter said ..."because if God says its wrong, we can't say it's right". That sums up a Christian worldview better than any book I've read to date.

Finally, I'll end with this verse, which popped into my head while reading the results of the election Wednesday morning.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Prov. 14:12

Time to Vote!

2009-03-11T07:20:00.001-07:00

Time to Vote! - Yes on 1

Every spring in Gainesville we talk about March Madness. This year its not about basketball, but the city election on March 24. The madness is the city ordinance, passed last year, that allows someone - based on an "inner sense" of his/her gender - to decide which restroom facility they will use. Those who think this is a harmless accommodation to the homosexual community need to read this article from the Gainesville Sun on March 5th - http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090305/ARTICLES/903051023

Citizens for Good Public Policy - www.citizensforgoodpublicpolicy.org -has been leading the charge to repeal this ordinance and change the city charter permanently, so that the city commission won't replace common sense with "inner sense" again.

If you are a registered voter in Gainesville its is critical that you vote YES ON Amendment 1. If you know someone who is a Gainesville voter, call them and urge them to vote. Our opponents are vocal and well-financed. The Chamber of Commerce, the Gainesville Sun and other secular organizations have registered their opposition. It's time for the Christian community to stand and make its voice heard.

The Community Issues committee wants to help you join the fight for Amendment One. We will have information tables staffed after each service this Sunday, March 15, to give you opportunities to show your support, by taking a sign for your yard or volunteering to hold a sign at busy intersections in town next week. We also encourage you to financially support the CGPP, if you can, by making an online donation at their website.

Early voting starts Monday March 16, at the Supervisor of Elections office in downtown Gainesville. Help us end the madness and restore common sense to our government.

Vote Yes on Amendment 1

CIC Blog 1

2009-02-13T11:00:00.001-08:00

Hello and welcome to the first edition of the Community Issues blog of Westside Baptist Church. I'm Frank Ahern, chairman of the committee, and I'm delighted that you have taken the time to check it out and I hope you'll come back often for future updates.

Since this is the beginning point, I'd like to take a minute to explain our purpose and mission. The committee was formed last fall to help focus the church's response to a couple of issues – the Gainesville Gender Identity Ordinance petition drive and the Yes to Marriage Amendment to the Florida constitution.

Both were successful, but Pastor Gary and the committee realize that the assaults on family, sanctity of life and other core Christian values will continue from a culture that is hostile to God's biblically revealed truth.

Our purpose now is to provide a place where you can be informed and encouraged as you try to stand up for what you believe, at a time when our nation is drifting farther and farther away from its Christian heritage.

The top thing on our agenda right now is the vote on the Gainesville Gender Identity Ordinance. The amendment to the city charter that will repeal the ordinance, and prevent any similar laws in the future, will be on the ballot in Gainesville on March 24.

If you are a resident of Gainesville, it is critical that you vote.

If there is any reason to think you won't be available that day, please get an absentee ballot. The request forms are available at the website of the Citizens for Good Public Policy: http://www.citizensforgoodpublicpolicy.org/ and at the church office. Read the Frequently Asked Questions section of the CGPP website for a good summary of the issues from a public safety perspective.

When Christians oppose the "gay rights" agenda they are often accused of hating homosexuals. What we are really doing is believing the Bible and being obedient to the command of Jesus:

Matt 5: 13-15 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."

Here's a quote from Christian counselor Joe Dallas:

"The Church's role in society as Salt and Light requires that we both love and resist the homosexual activist community. We're called to love them by showing respect to them even as we disagree; by refusing to resort to name calling or aspersions when we refer to them; by co-existing with them peacefully whenever possible; and by sharing the gospel with them at every opportunity. But our call to love them does not negate our responsibility to oppose their goal of legitimizing homosexuality, and their tendency to silence all voices of those who disagree. Herein we have the challenge to exhibit grace and truth—the challenge to be truly Christ-like in our response to gay militancy."

And another from Mike Goeke, of Exodus International - http://www.exodus.to , a ministry focused on helping people leave the homosexual lifestyle.

"If we, as Christians, truly believe that Jesus Christ can change a life, then the ultimate form of love we can show is to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone in need of salvation, healing, or change. Hate speech is speech designed to hurt. God's Word is truth designed to heal. There is nothing hateful about that!"

Westside is one of several local churches that have partnered with Forgiven and Free Ministries - http://forgivenandfreeministries.com - which reaches out to those struggling with same-sex attraction by offering counseling and local support groups. Share this with anyone you know that is dealing with this issue.

At the state level, the Florida Family Assocation - http://www.floridafamily.org/ - is an organization that fights pornography and those who support it by advertising. They also advocate for Christian candidates for office. Right now they are seeking your help in petitioning Governor Crist to appoint C. Ted Lawson to the Florida Supreme Court.

Click on the Active Issues link on their website to find out how to send your petition to the Governor.

On the national scene, a good overview of the issues can be obtained from Richard Land, head of the Southern Baptist's Ethics and Religious Liberty commission, found at: http://erlc.com As you have undoubtedly seen, things are changing quickly in Washington, and many of the changes are not in line with Christian values. Dr. Land has been a government watchdog for the past 20 years and provides a valuable service.

These are, of course, just a few of the organizations and ministries that are out there on the front lines, defending Christian values. Let me know of others you have found that are worthy of our support and I'll try to pass them on in future posts on this site.

Thanks for your time and attention.

Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."

Westside Baptist - CIC

Mocking God

Day of Prayer

America's Christian History

Why Elections are Important

Big Government

Tower of Babble

Democracy Inaction

Local Politics

Support the Haiti missionaries

Free Speech?

Thanksgiving

IN CONGRESS November 1, 1777

America's best idea?

Coming events

What's the Rush?

School Prayer

Why Get Involved?

Westside Baptist Church

Community Issues Newsletter

Contact Information

Bible Bee

Point of View

Round 1

Time to Vote!

CIC Blog 1

IN CONGRESS November 1, 1777