Conviction

I read an incredible story on the Bound4Life blog about a courageous young woman who bucked the pinheads in her school to do a speech on abortion. You should check it out. And here is the speech that she gave:



Oh that God would raise up millions of young people like her. This is what it means to be salt and light.

Get Over It

In an article I saw today it would appear that the gay mafia (who look simply FABULOUS in their Italian suits and coordinated accessories) are offended with President-elect Obama's choice to have evangelical pastor Rick Warren deliver the inaugural invocation.

"Gay rights advocates are criticizing President-elect Barack Obama's choice of a popular evangelical minister to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, saying it shows disrespect for a constituency that strongly supported his campaign.

Pastor Rick Warren, a best-selling author and leader of a Southern California megachurch, is one of a new breed of evangelicals who stress the need for action on social issues such as reducing poverty and protecting the environment, alongside traditional theological themes. But the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights organization, said Warren's opposition to gay marriage is a sign of intolerance.

'We feel a deep level of disrespect when one of the architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination,' the group said in a letter to Obama, asking him to reconsider."

Oh waaaaah! Get over yourselves! I feel a deep level of disrespect by the way the homosexual "lobby" is forcing itself on my life. I am confronted by homosexual perversion almost everywhere I go. Want respect? Act respectable.

And here's a little tip, y'all: just as many evangelicals helped to get Mr. Obama elected. You didn't get it done by yourselves. He's not your little lap dog who has to bark when you say so. You are not the only people in America, and your agenda isn't the most important one. In fact, your agenda isn't important at all. Hate to break it to you.

Or is it wrong for President-elect Obama to invite someone who represents a constituency of roughly 18 million American adults to the table as well? Most likely, that number is low because it is based on Barna's fairly strict definition of evangelicalism.

I am personally shocked but quite pleased with Mr. Obama's choice. I'm sure that your heretics will eventually get their say too. So if this post or Mr. Obama's decision offends you, here is a hammer. Build a bridge and get over it.

Gideons Getting the Cold Shoulder In Many Hotels

It would seem that many hotels are giving the Gideons a taste of the religious discrimination displayed by Target Corporation against the Salvation Army.

According to an article that I read today HERE on the Presidential Prayer Team website:

(A) growing number of hotels are opting not to allow the placement of Gideon Bibles, according to an article in Newsweek magazine.

"In the rooms of Manhattan's trendy Soho Grand Hotel guests can enjoy an eclectic selection of underground music, iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs and even the living company of a complimentary goldfish. But, alas, the word of God is nowhere to be found," the article begins.

Such hotels say society is evolving and a younger, hipper generation has no interest in the Bible. They also say they would have to cater to a variety of belief systems and could not single out Christianity.

Does anyone else smell horse manure? Or is it bull? Maybe it is chicken.... Come on, people, can you not come up with a better excuse than that?

I hope that if these "younger, hipper" guests have no interest in the Bible they have the good sense not to read it. And from what I have been reading, the clientèle isn't getting any younger.

And it isn't like these Bibles are costing the hotels anything. The Gideons put them there for free. Perhaps if the representatives of the other belief systems feel left out they might be willing to pony up some free literature like the Gideons do. The Mormons do it in the Marriott Hotels. And it isn't like there are all that many other belief systems out there with holy writings. You can double up the Jews and Christians - you wouldn't even need an extra book. That only leaves the Muslims, the Hindus and the Buddhists.

The hotels can't claim that there isn't enough room either. I have never been in a hotel room that didn't have an overabundance of drawers.

Sad to say it, but this is probably the best way to handle this situation: The next time that you are staying in a hotel, check to see if there is a Gideon Bible. If there isn't, call the front desk and ask to speak to the manager. Tell them you cannot find the Gideon Bible in your room. If they say that they don't allow that, then tell them that you will need to check out immediately and will expect a full refund because they are not respecting your needs as a guest. Conversely, if there is a Gideon Bible present, make sure to contact the manager and let him know just how much you appreciate them allowing the Gideons to place a Bible there. Make a really big deal out of it. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I have heard dozens of stories about lives that were saved by Gideon Bibles in hotel rooms. It is short-sighted at best to prevent their placement. Why is it that everyone is threatened by a Bible? If you don't pick it up, it certainly has no chance of changing you. If you read it and don't believe it, it is merely words. And it isn't like lost folks would be giving anything up by believing the Bible anyway, because the basic message of the Bible is, "Hey, buddy, you're holding on to a sack of dog crap. Put that down so you can have a real treasure beyond your wildest dreams." Too often people prefer their bag of dog crap.

'Target' Acquired - Fire For Effect

My good friend WB posted on the OES blog on Friday. In the midst of some general updates about what is going on with his company he linked to a really great article by Kevin McCullough about how Target is starting to regret not allowing the Salvation Army to do its annual kettle drive in front of their stores. Kevin wrote:

To the Salvation Army's credit – even though they are now being denied space on public sidewalks – they have been careful to publicly state that they wish only the best for their future relationships with stores like Target which have eliminated this important revenue stream for them.

But I don't have to be as gracious, nor will I. Target needs to hear "en masse" that Americans miss our ringing bells. We miss the thought of true charity as expressed at Christmas time. Having spoken with Target Corporation in their worldwide headquarters, they informed me that senior management is extremely concerned about the impact of this controversial decision and will welcome and read all correspondence on the matter. Please send your thoughts to guest.relations@target.com.

Good show, Kevin. I heartily agree! WB also included a link that can be clicked so that you too can send disparaging email to Target's corporate office.

Click here to email Target.

I really like this. It is nice and convenient. When you make it this simple there really isn't any reason to not drop them a line. So I did. Here's what I wrote:

To whomever it may concern:

I want to take this opportunity to tell you that I will never set foot in a Target store again. Your decision to bar the Salvation Army from collecting funds from in front of your stores is a total affront to me.

The Salvation Army is one of the most efficient charities in the nation. Very little of the money that they collect is lost to bureaucracy. They run homeless shelters and food banks. They feed and clothe people after natural disasters. They are a Christian organization, but they are one of the most low key ministries around.

It is a complete farce to say that you are just trying to be fair to the other charities that may want to solicit funds. You're going to be fair by keeping them all away? What a load of rubbish! The simple fact of the matter is that this is double speak to say that you want to be politically correct and not support the Salvation Army because of their Christian belief and stance on several social issues.

This, of course, is your company's right. We live in a free country and you can ban or allow anyone you choose from soliciting funds from your customers. However, it is also my right to choose to spend my dollars wherever I see fit. I will make it a point to shop at Wal-Mart and Big Lots this year (and I have never shopped at Big Lots before in my life) because they have welcomed the Salvation Army with open arms. I will also exercise my freedom of speech and tell all of my friends why they shouldn't patronize your bigoted, fascist organization.

In fact, I have already gone further than that by telling the world through my web log about my displeasure with your decision. I am sick and tired of corporations and organizations that are trying to impose their secular world view on me and my family. If you want a secular society move to France. I'll help you pack. Though you are not a French-owned company you should feel right at home.

I hope that they try to come back with some sort of politically correct, hand-wringing, "it isn't our fault" response! I can hardly wait! I'm loaded for bear, and there aren't any bears in my part of the state. Guess it is time for some Target practice!