Christocentric

For now the courts give private schools the right to expel students for immoral behavior as stated by the schools code of conduct.  An appeals court ruled in favor of California Lutheran High School in Riverside County explaining that the alleged sexual orientation discrimination can only be held against businesses and not private religious schools.

Two 16 year-old girls (now in college) were expelled for having an intimate relationship characteristic of a lesbian bond.  According to the LA Times article:

The dispute started when a student at the school told a teacher in 2005 that one of the girls had said she loved the other. The student advised the teacher to look at the girls’ MySpace pages. One of the girls was identified as bisexual on her MySpace page, the other’s page said she was “not sure” of her sexual orientation.

The courts said the decision was narrow but the ruling would protect private schools across California from discrimination.  Schools will be allowed to have their conduct codes defined and to practice them.  The LA Times reported the school’s stance on the immorality of homosexuality:

The school is affiliated with synods that believe homosexuality is a sin, the court said. The school’s “Christian conduct” code said students could be expelled for engaging in immoral or scandalous contact, on or off campus.

In addition to the discrimination claim, the girls also claimed that their privacy was invaded and that they were unlawfully detained:

The girls complained the principal sat “very close” to them and asked them if they were bisexual, if they had kissed each other, and whether they had done anything “inappropriate,” the court said.

Mary Roe said, “He got very close to me and he said, ‘Have you ever touched [Jane Doe] in . . . any inappropriate ways? And he looked me up and down when he asked that.”

But the court said there was no evidence that the principal had a prurient interest in the girls.

Surely the girls could have been treated a little more respectfully by the principal, if what they said was true.  The whole thing could have been handled a bit differently, but the outcome would probably have been the same – the insistence that homosexuality not be considered immoral.

The question now remains how long will this last? Should any organization be able to list homosexuality as immoral according to their own code of conducts?

Read the complete article here:  School can expel lesbian students, court rules

“Life: Imagine the Potential”

Video by CatholicVote.com

“Canada’s decision to legalize gay marriage has paved the way for polygamy to be legal as well, a defense lawyer said Wednesday as the two leaders of rival polygamous communities made their first court appearance.”

It was just a matter of time before other marital non-traditionalists would begin wanting their just due as well.  Canada is not America but because our country could potentially be heading in the same direction, Canada’s issues will give us a glimpse of our possible future.  Gay marriage has been legal in that entire country since 2005.

According to the Associated Press article, two polygamists are facing trial for being married to more than one woman.  This is the first case to try the polygamist question to gay marriage.

One of the attorney’s asked during a telephone interview:

“If (homosexuals) can marry, what is the reason that public policy says one person can’t marry more than one person?” said Suffredine, a former provincial lawmaker.”

That’s the question anyone can ask as legalizing gay marriage just opens the flood-gates to other types of non-traditional marriages as well.

It will be quite interesting to see how this case unfolds!

Good job by Rick Warren! He made it clear that he would not be intimidated by those who refuse to hear the name of Jesus Christ!

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More articles:  (Added 1/21/09)

“One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.”  Proverbs 28:9

(full text of prayer at bottom of post)

Bishop Robinson’s inaugural kickoff prayer, although filled with many good sayings, is sadly a waste and considered an abomination by God.  Why? Not because he claimed it wouldn’t necessarily be “especially Christian” and nor because he said he wouldn’t use the bible, but because of his refusal to turn from the homosexual lifestyle – shunning God’s laws regarding sexuality.

Why the concern of a gay bishop chosen by the president elect? Because it sets the tone in how our president will be approaching God to lead our nation.  He is more willing to please man than to please God.  Yes, he is to be the president of ALL people, but to choose a man who claims to be “of God” yet has a homosexual lover, just shows Obama’s insensitivity to God’s hatred of sin.

It’s never too late for a person to change, so my prayer is that Bishop Robinson acknowledge his transgressing of God’s laws regarding homosexuality and that Obama chooses to truly please God and not man!

Addendum 1/20/09:

Read John Piper’s article on this very topic: “How Barack Obama Will Make Christ a Minister of Condemnation” (Thanks to I’m Speaking Truth for his article sharing this!)

At Barack Obama’s request, tomorrow in the Lincoln Memorial, Gene Robinson, the first openly non-celibate homosexual bishop in the Episcopal Church, will deliver the invocation for the inauguration kick-off.

This is tragic not mainly because Obama is willing to hold up the legitimacy of homosexual intercourse, but because he is willing to get behind the church endorsement of sexual intercourse between men.

It is one thing to say: Two men may legally have sex. It is another to say: The Christian church acted acceptably in blessing Robinson’s sex with men.

The implications of this are serious.

It means that Barack Obama is willing, not just to tolerate, but to feature a person and a viewpoint that makes the church a minister of damnation. Again, the tragedy here is not that many people in public life hold views (like atheism) that lead to damnation, but that Obama is making the church the minister of damnation.

The apostle Paul says,

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves , nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

What is Paul saying about things like adultery, greed, stealing, and homosexual practice? As J. I. Packer puts it, “They are ways of sin that, if not repented of and forsaken, will keep people out of God’s kingdom of salvation.” (Christianity Today, January 2003, p. 48).

In other words, to bless people in these sins, instead of offering them forgiveness and deliverance from them, is to minister damnation to them, not salvation.

The gospel, with its forgiveness and deliverance from homosexual practice, offers salvation. Gene Robinson, with his blessing and approval of homosexual practice, offers damnation. And he does it in the name of Christ.

It is as though Obama sought out a church which blessed stealing and adultery, and then chose its most well-known thief and adulterer, and asked him to pray.

One more time: The issue here is not that presidents may need to tolerate things they don’t approve of. The issue is this: In linking the Christian ministry to the approval of homosexual activity, Christ is made a minister of condemnation.

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Full text of Gene Robinson’s prayer below:

Read the rest of this entry »

The answer is NO! God does not hear those who 1) Reject His Son Jesus Christ  2) Who practice sinful lifestyles and  3) Who harbor unconfessed sin in their lives:

“Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.”  John 9:31

“If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.” Psalm 66:18

“One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.”  Proverbs 28:9

Rick Warren, whom I’ve often held in high regards and often wondered why people would speak against him but I am finding out why.  Although he may be a brother in Christ and who believes that salvation can only come by believing in Christ’s atoning death and resurrection, but the fact that he’s approving of those who aren’t in God’s will is quite disturbing.  This was quoted from the Washington Post:

Warren issued a statement praising Obama for selecting Robinson, saying the president-elect “has again demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground. I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen.”

Rick Warren gave his approval of Obama’s selection of a Gay Bishop.  Now, I don’t believe he had to protest and make life miserable for Obama as some gays do when people disagree with them, but he could have taken a stand and not be a part of a group of “sinners” praying to God.

So, who else is in the company of this gay bishop? A feminist and a minister who supports gay marriage.  Read more about them below on fellow bloggers’ posts.

People, God does not take prayer lightly and we need to pay attention to not only how we pray, but who we pray with as well!

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See other posts on this very topic by fellow bloggers:

Common Ground Common Sin – Gay Christian Movement Watch
Babylonian prayers in the launching of the Obamian administration – Julio Severo
Rick Warren, A Not so New Type of Heretic – Independent Conservative

University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow inscribed “John 3:16″ on his eye black for last night’s BCS national championship game.

According to Google, it was the most searched item this morning after last night’s game in which the Florida Gators defeated Oklahoma – the search for John 3:16!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

I’ll admit that I’m not really that into college football.  But the only thing I knew about it was a Christian quarterback by the name of Tim Tebow was boldly proclaiming his faith in this game last night.

I’ll also admit that just a few years ago, I was quite thrilled to see Reggie Bush wearing his “619″ area code which represents a section of San Diego he lived in – my section!  It was cool seeing San Diego being flashed on the TV screen nationwide by such an outstanding running back when he played at USC.

But being a proud San Diegan can’t compare to the joy of being a child of God!  Tim Tebow did a fine job of representing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – and this would have been whether he won or lost.  Why?  Because it was his boldness in declaring his faith that made his actions very special.

My love of the “619″ eye black has now been replaced with the Bible verse eye black.  “619″ just doesn’t look the same as ” Phil 4:13.” That was another verse that Tim Tebow displayed during another game:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Of course when Tim Tebow enters the NFL, we won’t be able to see any promotional eye black under anyone’s eyes as it’s not allowed.  One has to wonder how much longer it will be allowed in college now that people are bringing “church” onto the football field!

“Separation of Church and State! Let’s sue the BCS and NCAA!”

Enjoy it for now!

As Christians, we know enough about the gospel to know that if a person doesn’t accept Christ as Savior from their sins, they will end up in hell. But do we truly care enough about people to warn them? Do we care enough about folks to share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ? Can we witness without having an attitude of “us” against “them” but “us” for the “rest of us?”

My first post of 2009 goes along with my most important list of “things I want to personally improve upon” and that is my sharing with the unsaved the gospel at every opportunity that God gives me. Doing this and why? Because of the desire to have others become true children of God and experience the peace and happiness of knowing Christ without ever having to pass through the gates of hell!

The video below is something I found from fellow blogger Conservative Minority‘s blog. Bev shared this about the professing atheist and comedian/magician, Penn Jillette and her post and this video really got to me.

Atheist/Comedian/Magician – Penn Jillette

Hear what happens to Penn when someone gave him a Gideon New Testament bible – and remember, this man is known for spewing hatred against Christians. Pay particular attention to the questions he asks about what we believe of heaven and hell.

Could God be at work with Penn? Could God be at with those of us who share His gospel? Are we doing so with the right motives? To “win an argument,” to show how “knowledgeable” we are or because we care?

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20

And who are the children of God?

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” John 1:12