Saturday, March 26, 2011

Schullers at odds over biblical truth


A recent move to ban homosexuality from the Crystal Cathedral sparked opposition by the church's founder who says he disapproves of a covenant requesting choir members to abstain from homosexual practices.

The Orange County Register reported that former Pastor Robert H. Schuller strongly opposed the covenant, stating that it went against the message of tolerance and acceptance that has permeated the Garden Grove mega-church for years. (Schullers at odds over biblical truth)


Robert SchullerThe California pastor noted that he has a "reputation...of being tolerant of all people and their views" and is "too well-educated to criticize a certain religion or group of people for what they believe in."

Peter LaBarbera, founder of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality (ATH), notes that Schuller is compromising the Word of God. "It's mystifying to hear Christian leaders like Robert Schuller now distancing them from the commonsense biblical truth," he reacts.

(Billy's Thoughts>>> This makes me question if this man is truly committed to the teachings of Jesus. It is one thing to reach out to those who are living in sin it is quite another thing for a church to allow people in sin to take part in church ministry. I think a Pastor should teach what the word of God says, don't you?)

Starbucks CEO rethinks health law


Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz says the health overhaul law's employer requirements will impose "too great" a pressure on small businesses.

Schultz supported the law as he watched his company's health insurance tab — $250 million as of last year — surmount its coffee bill. But he told The Seattle Times in an interview published Tuesdaythat he's now worried about what happens when it takes full effect in 2014:

(Billy's Thoughts>>> It is nice to see someone on the left admit an idea that came from their side is not good.)

Legitimizing sharia law in U.S.?


Muslim symbolA bestselling author and terrorism expert says a Florida judge has set a very bad precedent in ruling that a dispute between two Muslim parties can be settled under sharia law.

Circuit Judge Richard Nielson has come under attack from conservatives after he ruled in early March that a lawsuit filed against the Islamic Education Center of Tampa Bay by four ousted trustees can proceed under Islamic (or sharia) law. The issue involves whether an arbitration by an Islamic scholar was proper. Nielsen ruled that the mosque's ex-trustees were ousted improperly, which if upheld, could wrest control of $2.2-million from the Center's current leaders. ( Legitimizing sharia law in U.S.?)


(Billy's Thoughts>>> This is the United States of America should not a judge follow our laws when deciding a case. If a judge can't or won't follow our laws it just may be time for him to leave the bench.)

Perspective: Love has already won


As an Anglican pastor, I bear scars from the war with "universalism" inside the Episcopal Church. I also have endured the battering of Bishop John Spong and his effort to "rescue the gospel from fundamentalists." And when I saw Rob Bell's new book Love Wins, I found myself quoting former Yankee great Yogi Berra: "It's like déjà vu all over again."

I'm the kind of person who detests jumping through hoops, playing mental gymnastics and arguing about what the definition of "is" is. That's why I'm not going to challenge the book point by point as wonderful scholars like Dr. Al Mohler have done. Instead, I'll deal with the big picture in the larger, even global, context of this "new suit" placed on an old heresy.

Asking questions for the sake of asking questions, not in a desire to find true answers, is indeed troubling. Even then, I felt that Bell's questions were quite similar to those of the serpent in the Garden of Eden: "Did God really say that?" He was more anxious to share his own doubts than to arrive at the truth. I felt that Mr. Bell and his equally confusing mentor, Brian McLaren, are deeply entrenched in the school of Bishop Spong from the Episcopal Church -- but with one major exception: they call themselves evangelicals.

With Love Wins, what Rob Bell managed to do (once he came out of the closet of just-asking-questions-for-asking-questions' sake) is reveal to us that he is a universalist pure and simple. Just like the author of The Shack did before him, he (for the sake of misleading larger numbers) has dressed his brand of universalism in a new suit, bringing it up to date with fashionable clothes that could easily deceive emotionally bound, mindlessly challenged and unsuspecting young Christians.

In many ways, Rob Bell's book puts an end to the nonsense of the "I'm only raising questions" and "We all should be asking questions" gibberish. (Perspective: Love has already won)



By telling us that hell is empty, he finally came clean and revealed his modern-day modification of Bishop Spong's universalism. Sadly, this sleight of hand has and will mislead many young people, for whom I truly grieve.

(Billy's Thoughts>>>> The above is part of a column written by Michael Youssef. No matter if some person agrees that there is a real Hell or not it is there. You may not agree five plus five is ten but it is. Also Jesus taught more about hell than he did heaven. )

GOP struggles over first 'gay' official


The California Republican Party has elected its first openly homosexual board member. One incumbent is hopeful the action will not further enforce a "gay" agenda on citizens of The Golden State. (GOP struggles over first 'gay' official)

Greg GandrudGreg Gandrud, a longtime political activist and former Carpinteria city council member, was elected to the GOP Board of Directors, making history as the California Republican Party took a dramatic turn. The election of the 50-year-old Republican was kept quiet during the California Republican convention in Sacramento -- although incumbents have long stated that the party wishes to draw in new supporters.

Celeste Greig, president of the volunteer California Republican Assembly, says many Republicans did not know of Gandrud's sexual orientation until recently. But she adds that her conservative group will stand its ground, both fiscally and socially.

Celeste Greig (CRA)"I hope that he doesn't bring his personal lifestyle within the party," says Greig. "Of course everyone is welcome to be members, to be productive. If they try to bring up more of their issues and promote more of their lifestyle, I'm sure that's not going to go well at all with members of the California Republican Assembly and with me."

(Billy's Thoughts>>> If the GOP backs down on the core values which have made it the grand old party they will be in trouble. They can't become a party that supports gay rights and same sex marriage if they do those of us on the right just might leave it. After all why have two parties if their values are the same.)

Friday, March 4, 2011

President Reagan concern for his son Ron March 3, 2011 commentary


President Reagan once told his son Mike that he was concerned about his other son Ron. To find out why the President was concerned about Ron play my commentary.

Recall Election March 2, 2011 Commentary

Here in my city we had a recall election of our Mayor awhile back. To find out my thoughts on it listen to my commentary. (audio)