Archive for March, 2009

My Friend, Jim: the Aqua Velva Man

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

This book is a simple, fast chronicle of a very interesting and complex life – a FUN life. We all should have fun lives. Some do more than others. To read my friend’s book is like reading the life of a charmed person. But, I know Jim and not everything has come to him easily.

Abraham Lincoln said something along the line that a person is about as happy as they make up their mind to be. James Galbraith decided long ago, he was going to be happy. His happiness, however, did not spring up from self-determination or any such other efforts. The source of his happiness came from finding salvation in the person of the Son of God.

You see, before he got saved (that’s believer talk for receiving Jesus Christ), he was a miserable wreck. His life was on self-destruct and he was destroying the lives of those around him. Jesus changed all that – in a day, in an instant. This book is a testament to a life sold out for Jesus Christ.

Reading about someone else’s life is always fun, especially when it is someone you know – and they are still alive. I had fun learning new things about my friend and reading about episodes he had told me before – some I had forgot. You will enjoy reading this book as well. Jim wasn’t a victim in any sense of the word. He reached out and grabbed life and you will enjoy reading about his faith and his courage. It will encourage you to raise your sights and set new goals, with the help of God in your life.

Less than one hundred pages and lots of pictures, this book is a fast read. A couple hours with this book and you will be refreshed and ready to take on the day, yourself – with God.

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Thousands Stand Up For Marriage in Olympia

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

Olympia, WA – March 19, 2009 – In a showing of unity and resolve, the Washington Values Alliance joined with numerous organizations, state legislators, and several thousand concerned citizens Thursday on the capitol steps for the mutual purpose of defending marriage in the state of Washington.

Attendees came from far and wide, some driving hundreds of miles to attend the event and to hand deliver letters asking legislators and Governor Gregoire to vote no on Senate Bill 5688 and HB 1727, bills that declare for all purposes under state law, state registered domestic partners shall be treated the same as married spouses.

“I was happy that so many of our fellow citizens (est. 2,400+) braved the rain and cold to attend yesterday’s event, but not surprised as people of this state are beginning to understand that legalizing homosexual marriage presents a very real threat to our hallowed rights of conscience, dissent, and freedom of religion”, said Larry Stickney, President of the Washington Values Alliance, whose organization organized the event.

“If the marriage equality bills are to pass this year, they will demolish the historical understanding and definition of marriage as that of uniting a man and a woman for life. By creating the legal equivalent of the marital union, Washington State will be subject to litigation by homosexual partners demanding that the courts overturn our state’s Defense of Marriage Act. Which is exactly what happened in California prior to Proposition 8″, Stickney continued.

The Washington Values Alliance and the Faith and Freedom Network both vowed to carry on the fight via referendum or initiative if a homosexual marriage equality bill is passed during the 2009 legislative session.

On March 10, Senate Bill 5688 passed out of the Senate on a vote of 30 – 18. SB 5688 is now scheduled for public hearing in front of the House Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM on Monday, March 23 (House Hearing Room A). While it is considered highly likely that the ultra-liberal House Judiciary Committee will pass the bill out on Monday, the Washington Values Alliance is urging those who can to attend the hearing and testify in opposition.

Speakers at the “Stand Up For Marriage Rally” included the following:

Pastor Rick Long, Atonement Free Lutheran Church
Gary Randall (Faith & Freedom Network)
State Representative Matt Shea
Ron Boehme, USRenewal.org and YWAM
Cindy Honcoop, Washington Eagle Forum
Pastor Ken Hutcherson, Antioch Bible Church
State Senator Val Stevens
State Senator Jim Hargrove
State Senator Pam Roach
State Senator Dan Swecker
Representative Jim McCune
Representative Brad Klippert
Representative Shelly Short
Stephen Pidgeon, Esq., Decalogos International
Jarrod Roth, general agent of the Knights of Columbus
Larry Stickney, Washington Values Alliance
Russell Johnson, Family Policy Institute of Washington
Pastor Peter Kulakevich, Christian Center International
Rick Forcier, Christian Coalition of WA

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Restoring the Nation Begins with the Body of Christ

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

This is from David Crowe: RestoreAmerica.org

Last week I wrote “there is a great spiritual awakening occurring in America and around the world. . . but will it lead to revival and restoration in America, as a nation whose God is the LORD?”

As powerful as God’s Grace is to deliver us from sin, shame and guilt, into the joy and life of the LORD, it is yet to be seen whether Christians in America will arise in faith to Restore America to our forefathers vision of a free people under God in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.

In the face of what is transpiring in our national life I am amazed, disappointed, and alarmed that our governmental and spiritual leaders have not put out a “Call” to the nation to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. There appears to be no confidence in God to hear and deliver, in spite of His promises, and the history of God’s providential hand in the face of crisis. What are they waiting for? Or has it even occurred to them that we are in extremis?

There will be no restoration or deliverance for America from the current greed and foolishness of ungodly men without a revived and faith filled Church. There will be no revival without repentance and there can be no repentance without brokenness. God, in His Grace, is bringing America to it’s knees in order that we examine our hearts, turn from our wicked ways, and allow Christ to be LORD of our lives, our marriages, our families, and our institutions.

As Gideon went immediately to his father’s house to destroy all his idols in response to the LORD’s CALL to “deliver Israel”, so too must we be obedient to that CALL, and without delay.

Will you join me in CALLING your family, friends, pastors, and leaders to humble themselves, to come with us, in brokenness and humility before the Throne of Grace in a season of prolonged personal prayer for the nation, and for revival?

Will you believe God as did Gideon’s faith filled 300, to deliver the nation from the ungodly tyranny of the Midianites amongst us?

If you believe that the God of the Scriptures and our Forefathers can and will respond to the prayers and repentance of His people, please forward this email to as many of your friends as you can, asking them to do the same, as you begin the journey yourself.

As I stated last week, “What you believe, determines what you will do.”

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