PRAYER – I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and
for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight
of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto
the knowledge of the truth. I Tim 2:1-4

• MLK Day - Love for people groups different from ourselves -
  there is only one human race.
• Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb
  is his reward. Ps 127:3
• Sanctity of Human Life Week and JFA exhibit at UNM
• 2004 Legislative Session – adopt a legislator for prayer
• Supreme Court review of "one nation, under God"
• Presidential Prayer Team - www.presidentialprayerteam.org
  Presidential Prayer Kids - www.presidentialprayerkids.org
• Prayer Warrior for America - www.visionamerica.org/-support/prayer.htm

ENCOUNTER – And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Luk 19:13

Jan 15 - Jan 25 - ICR NM Loop Tour
Speaker: Mike Riddle, former Olympic athlete and Microsoft communications expert
Contact Kerri Lambert at (619) 448-0900, x6020

Jan 19 – Martin Luther King Day, MLK Day of Service, On the Net, Christian Quotes
Jan 20 – Monthly CSF Meeting @ Faith Bible Church, 9600 Central SE Abq
Jan 20 – Legislative Session Begins (adopt a legislator for prayer)
Jan 20-24 – Symposium on Archaeology and the Bible
Jan 25 – Sanctity of Human Life Sunday; Focus on the Family Resources; Sermon Outline
Feb 3 – Democratic Presidential Primary Election

Feb 7 – National Day of Prayer NM Coordination Meeting, 526-7129
Feb 14 – St Valentine’s Day
Feb 15 – Covenant Marriage Sunday
Feb 23-24 - Justice for All @ UNM
Mar 12-13 – NM Speech & Debate Assoc, 5^th Annual Speech Tournament, 831-5196
Apr 2-3 - NM Speech & Debate Assoc, 8^th Annual Debate Tournament, 831-5196
May 14-16 - Worldview Weekend Family Reunion
Jun 1 – NM Primary Elections

Ongoing

UNDERSTANDING - And of the children of Issachar, which were men
that had understanding of the time, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads
of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
I Chron 12:32

• Contents:
  Martin Luther King Day
  Democratic Presidential Primary Election, Tue, Feb 3
  Christian Heritage Speech Competition
  Covenant Marriage Sunday
  Illegal Immigration – WWJD?
  Stop Banning Books
  How to Study for a Test
  Office Decorations
  Vision America – America Plan, Educate the Congregation
  Internet Filtering
  Greeting Card Recycling
  –
• Martin Luther King. Breaking down the barriers that separate the races is a huge — some might say impossible — goal. But with God's help, this is a possible dream.
  By Roberta Rand
  
  In 2003, Focus on the Family launched an unprecedented effort to reach out to the African-American community. Though FOF's message and resources are directed to families of all races and ethnicities, Focus on the Family's African-American initiative recognizes the unique challenges — and opportunities — presented in building a bridge to this constituency.
  
  "We first need to zero in on what the races have in common rather than just what divides them. Christ's redemptive message is for all people."
  — Rev. Ralph Kelly
  
  According to the Rev. Ralph Kelly, manager of ethnic ministries at Focus on the Family, racial reconciliation is long overdue within the Christian community. "But to do that," Kelly says, "we first need to zero in on what the races have in common rather than just what divides them. Christ's redemptive message is for all people. "Preserving the God-ordained institution of the family is as big a concern for African-Americans as it is for Anglo-Americans. Why not start the process of reconciliation there? We have so much more in common with each other than we realize."
  www.family.org/focusoverfifty/articles/a0019719.html
  –
• Democratic Presidential Primary Election, Tue, Feb 3. It’s too late to register, but all democrats are encouraged to vote for a presidential candidate on Feb 3. All other candidates will be chosen at the primary in June. For more information such as polling places, see http://abqjournal.com/elex/132067elex01-11-04.htm. Who are the candidates and where do they stand on the issues? See www.issues2000.org, www.vote-smart.org/election_president.php, and www.politics1.com/p2004.htm.
  
  If you’re not registered to vote, it’s a simple process. Get a post card from your political party or the county clerk. You can be a voter registration point of contact at your church and have voter registration cards available each Sunday. You can register online at www.election.com. Do you have any teenagers that just turned 18? Have you moved in the last couple years and would like to vote in your new precinct? Get informed and VOTE!!! Use the privilege or lose the privilege.
  -
• Christian Heritage Speech Competition. The 13^th Annual Christian Heritage Speech Competition was held on Nov 1^st, 2003, at Hope Christian in Albuquerque. The 14^th Annual Christian Heritage Speech Competition will be held on Sat, Nov 6^th, 2004, at Sandia Prep in Albuquerque. The Speech Competition is open to all students in grades 6-12 from public, private, and home schools. Please mark Sat, Nov 6^th, 2004, on your calendar, look for topic information this Spring, and encourage local teachers to offer extra credit for participation. The following is an article by Mark Ortega, a judge at the 2003 Christian Heritage Speech Competition.
  
  On Saturday Nov 1^st, 2003, the 13th Annual Christian Speech Contest took place at Hope Christian School in Albuquerque. It was the first time I helped with this contest. I was a judge in the 11th grade category. The youths were divided into grades 6 - 12. I had no idea what it would be like to help with the contest. After hearing the old Politically Correct Liberal crowd at U.N.M. and through the media, I was starting to think God fearing youths had gone the way of the dodo bird. But like all Liberal myths, it was a smoke screen to distort reality. Not only was I pleasantly surprised, but my faith was encouraged beyond my wildest expectations.
  
  Each grade was divided into different groups and had different questions to answer with their speeches. At the end of the day, awards were given to the 4th through 1st place finishers. Each grade first place winner gave his/her winning speech. People’s choice winners were awarded for midschool and high school categories.
  
  The first winner was 6th grader Ed Allen. Sixth graders gave 3-5 minute speeches on "How the Great Awakening Influenced Our Founding Fathers" sponsored by Construction Seminars. Despite what Liberals have been teaching us for years, Christianity did influence the founders of our country. Yes we have always had our weaknesses and mistakes, but as Mr. Allen made so eloquently clear, God always has had a profound impact on American society. I was amazed that Ed could be so articulate and be so unafraid of being in front of such a large audience since I was so shy and insecure at his age.
  
  Next was 7th grader Joanna R. Gardner. Ms. Gardner's topic was, " Integrity - How Does it Influence Our Lives?" sponsored by Criterium Knipprath Engineers. I found that topic refreshing in a world and country where integrity is sadly missing. I have dealt with people who could care less how immoral our leaders are as long as they are making money or the country seems to be. Morality takes a back seat to some people when it comes to money.
  
  The 8th grade winner was Amberle Durano. Her topic was, "How Does John 3:12 Make a Connection Between Creation, Flood and Salvation?" sponsored by Creation Science Fellowship of NM. She made a better presentation than some college teachers I’ve had. Her method was her charming personality, simple visual aids, and a winning smile. It was easy to see how she not only won her age category, but the midschool category as a whole.
  
  I found the 9th grade topic fascinating - "Should Teens Remain Sexually Pure For Marriage" sponsored by Best Choice Educational Service and Heather Allen & Assoc. As a long time pro-life advocate it was like a breathe of fresh air to know that despite what pro-abortion fanatics like Planned Parenthood say, many teens are choosing to remain sexually pure for marriage. It was refreshing to see that P.P. has not victimized these bright kids. (I have discussed sexual issues with some youth who were victimized by P.P. propaganda and it is very disturbing to say the least.) Julianna Thornberg won her age category. Her speech was so inspiring and faith uplifting I almost got out of my seat and shouted amen like I was in church. To see how God uses enthusiastic youths like her was amazing when you consider how most Liberals think giving contraceptive pills is the answer. Julianna has more wisdom than many adults I have met (even some political leaders on this issue!).
  
  The 10th grade category was, "How Did Slavery Affect U.S. History? How Does God view Slavery?" sponsored by USA Printing. Another Durano girl won this grade - Christina. Talent and charm must run in the family. Just like her younger sister, Christina used her bright personality and visual aids to her advantage. I have heard some people say the Bible promotes slavery. (Even a family member told me this!) I still can't find where in the Bible they get that idea. But as most anti-God Liberal propaganda, it was all a puff of smoke. Christina helped me better understand why God fearing youth have more wisdom than angry, bitter God haters.
  
  The 11th grade category that I judged finally came up. I had seen and met many of these youths when I was judging their bracket. Their category was, "God is sovereign in all of history. Using an event or person from ancient history (Creation to 1500 A.D.), explain how God revealed His glory and advanced His Kingdom" sponsored by Rio Grande Enrichment Studies. I was very happy to hear these youth speak. They spoke with such conviction it was inspiring. I saw the future of the Christian church in their faces and the future looks bright. The 11th grade winner was Christina Davidson. Her topic was the Early Christian Martyrs. I found her speech very fascinating because I have studied her topic extensively. I subscribe to The Voice Of The Martyrs, have read many books on this topic, and am convinced persecution is coming to our own country. In fact, I believe it is already here and will get worse. It was inspiring to see how God used this young woman who is truly a gift of God to inspire her parents and those around her. I know she sure blessed me. To say all the kids I had the privilege to judge were winners would be an understatement. Every one of them were winners in my book. They all had the courage to speak up for their faith and share their convictions.
  
  The 12th grade winner had a tough category. It was, "When The Bible Says That The Pastor/Teacher Equips The Saints For The Work Of The Ministry, What Does It mean Practically? How does a Bible College Fit Into These Two Paradigms?" sponsored by Albuquerque Bible College. A bright young man named Kendall Garrison won this category. He is a young man who feels called to the ministry. After hearing his speech, I know that he truly is a leader of people. With so many youth simply following whatever the trend is or whatever their friends are doing, he was encouraging. My prayer is that Kendall will learn to keep his eyes and trust on God. I truly feel he is called of God to be a leader of Christians. It was refreshing to see God use this bright young man to inspire us all now and in the future.
  
  Ninth Grader Julianna Thornberg won the high school category. But like I said before, they all were winners in my opinion. After being at the contest all day I can not put into words how blessed I was. Not only was it refreshing to meet and work with fellow Jesus loving adults, but to see God using these youths was truly inspiring. Their wisdom goes beyond all their years. The conviction they shared in their faith in Jesus Christ made it easy to see why God uses young people to inspire some of us adults. God truly used these youths to teach all of us adults involved in the Speech Competition to show us many things. For me personally, I saw how God uses whoever he pleases to touch or teach us. I learned so much by listening to their speeches.
  
  My heart felt prayer, is that God will touch every one of these young persons in a special way. God gave me such a burden for young people, because my youth was filled with so much hate, anger, violence, substance abuse, and heart break. To see that God is still in control of our youth was so wonderful and faith strengthening. They truly blessed me beyond words. My hope is twofold. Not only would your children get involved, but that so would you. We need more adult help for next year. Not only will you get encouraged in your faith beyond measure, but so will our youth. My prayer is that these youth will become the future leaders in the Church and in our country.
  
  Mark Ortega
  –
• Covenant Marriage Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004
  At a time when some are rejecting it as old-fashioned and others are trying to redefine it, FRC recognizes marriage as God's design for one man and one woman, in life-long relationship, to provide the basic building block for society. Covenant Marriage Sunday provides the Christian community an opportunity to exemplify this much needed message by corporately observing this sacred institution as a covenant relationship. Find out more. Reply to this email for info on signing a Community Marriage Policy.
  Focus on the Family Sanctity of Marriage Sermon Outline
  Sample Community Marriage Policies
  Resource: FRC's marriage protection website at www.protectmarriage.org
  Insight: Why Marriage Should be Privileged in Public Policy
  –
• Illegal Immigration – WWJD? We’d like to hear your opinion. Tell us your solution for illegal immigration and if you think the President’s Plan for amnesty will be effective. NM is heavily impacted by illegal immigration due to its close proximity to Mexico. A search for "illegal immigration" and "New Mexico" yielded 5,610 results. For background information on immigration policy, see:
  Study shows NM residents pay disproportionate costs of illegal immigration http://www.closeup.org/immigrat.htm
  http://www.missouri.edu/~socbrent/immigr.htm
  http://www.ailf.org/ipc/ipc_index.asp
  http://www.rand.org/education/crip.html
  http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1054094/posts
  -
• Stop Banning Books. I typically report on events in NM but since it’s so close, here’s a news flash from the Grand Canyon. Just when you thought "tolerance" and "free speech" were the liberal mantra of the day, the National Park Service has decided that an alternate view of origins is unacceptable. A new book offering a non-evolutionist view of how the Grand Canyon was formed—featuring essays from four Answers in Genesis staff members (including AiG President Ken Ham) and nineteen other contributors—is the object of an intense book-banning effort by leading evolutionists. They have demanded that Grand Canyon National Park remove Grand Canyon: A Different View from bookstores within the Park. You know the end is near when their only defense is controlling knowledge. For more information and what you can do, see www.theoldhomeschoolhouse.com/bookban.htm.
  -
• How to Study for a Test. Basketball, volleyball, debate team, Spanish club. What do these activities have in common? They’re all extracurricular — you know, fun after-school events. To participate in them, you have to keep up in your classes — your school requires certain eligibility to participate in athletics and your parents probably expect a good academic performance before allowing you to be involved in other activities. Check out these ways to fit that necessary studying into your hectic schedule. www.briomag.com/briomagazine/reallife/a0005044.html
  –
• Office decorations. There have been reports of prohibitions on Christmas office decorations. We’d like to hear your story and how it was resolved. Here is one story many of us can relate to. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. (1 Pet 3:15)
  

• Vision America – America Plan. visionamerica.org/-about/americaplan.htm
  "7 step" program that spells A.M.E.R.I.C.A.
  
  - Articulate the Biblical basis for Christian citizenship
  - Motivate the congregation to begin taking their civic responsibilities seriously
  - Educate the congregation on the 'Why' and 'How' of civic involvement
  - Register to vote All eligible adults in the church
  - Inform the congregation about important policy and moral issues
  - Coordinate, as appropriate, with other like-minded churches in the community
  - Activate the Congregation
  
  Educate the congregation on the 'Why' and 'How' of civic involvement.
  Congregations must be informed of their American religious heritage, understand the original intent of the U. S. Constitution, and know how to become involved in the citizenship process.
  –
• Internet Filtering. Ask your schools and libraries if they have filtered internet where children have access to computers. If they don’t, consider this link that offers filtering for any online service: http://thelink.integrity.com/valueadd.php.
  –
• Greeting Card Recycling. Consider recycling your holiday cards by saving the card fronts that do not have writing on the back. Send these cards to St. Jude's Ranch for Children in Nevada where they will be made into recycled cards and sold to the public. St. Jude's Ranch for Children is a nationally recognized community which focuses on the individual needs of abused, abandoned and neglected children of all races and faiths. You can read more about this program, the Born Again Card Recycling Program, at their website http://stjudesranch.org/content/recycled_card_info.asp.
  
  The address to send cards is:
  St. Jude's Ranch for Children
  100 St. Jude's St.
  Boulder City, NV 89005-1618
  (702) 294-7111
  –
  

LOCAL
Albuquerque Bible College
Ask Jesus Now
CareNet Pregnancy Center of Albuquerque
Christian Assoc of Parent Educators
Creation Science Fellowship NM
Educate NM
Free Indeed Ministries
Greater Southwest Council BSA
Habitat for Humanity
Hope Christian Schools
Joy Junction
KFLQ
KNKT
KYNM TV 61
Parenting Teenagers
Principles
Rio Grande Enrichment Studies
Shepherd's Guide
Tijeras Foundation
Trinity Southwest University

NATIONAL
America Bless God
American Christian History Institute
American Family Association
Center for Reclaiming America
Center for the American Founding
Christian Coalition
Christian Heritage Mini-Course
Christian History Institute
Crown Financial Ministries
Early Church Fathers
Faith Facts
Family Research Council
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family Pastors Weekly Briefing
Foundation for Biblical Government
Founding Fathers
Frontline Fellowship
Pilgrim Institute
Principle Approach International
Providence Foundation
Renew America
Summit Ministries
Vision America
Wallbuilders

Community Impact News is authored by:
Mark Burton, Foothills Fellowship, 294-0016
Pager 971-2053
Many thanks to contributing authors and businesses.
Please forward events/articles/links to principles@integrity.com.
If anyone you know would like to receive this newsletter directly
or would like to receive a paper copy, please have them send an
email to principles@integrity.com.