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

• 2004 Legislative Session – adopt a legislator for prayer
• Pray for NM Dept of Health to release funding for abstinence education
• Pray for an amendment to HB277 to eliminate homosexual special rights
• Covenant Marriage Sunday, Feb 15
• 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

Feb 9, 5pm – Radio AM 1310, KKMS, Rep Earlene Roberts on HB277
You can contact Rep Roberts at 986-4763 if you miss the broadcast.

Feb 14 – St Valentine’s Day
Feb 15 – Covenant Marriage Sunday
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
Apr 26-27 - Justice for All @ UNM
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:
  Covenant Marriage Sunday, Feb 15
  Abstinence Funding Withheld
  Abstinence Education in Uganda
  Legislative Breakfast
  2004 NM Legislation Highlights
  The Passion of The Christ – Coming to a Theater Near You – Feb 25
  AOL Blocking Christian Content
  FOF Valentine’s Day Resources
  Tops in Blue Sing "Let Freedom Ring"
  Vision America – America Plan, Inform
  Friend of the Family
  –
• 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
  –
• Abstinence Funding Withheld. After the Richardson administration took over the state abstinence education programs, there has been uncertainty as to what the federal funding has been used for, if anything. For about five years, NM has received about $500,000 per year for abstinence education programs. There is strong resistance from "safe sex" groups that want to eliminate abstinence education. President Bush addressed abstinence education in his State of the Union Address in January.
  
  "To encourage right choices, we must be willing to confront the dangers young people face -- even when they're difficult to talk about. Each year, about 3 million teenagers contract sexually-transmitted diseases that can harm them, or kill them, or prevent them from ever becoming parents. In my budget, I propose a grassroots campaign to help inform families about these medical risks. We will double federal funding for abstinence programs, so schools can teach this fact of life: Abstinence for young people is the only certain way to avoid sexually-transmitted diseases. Decisions children now make can affect their health and character for the rest of their lives. All of us -- parents and schools and government -- must work together to counter the negative influence of the culture, and to send the right messages to our children."
  President Bush, 20 Jan 04
  
  Friday, February 6, 2004
  Abstinence Funds Got Lost in Shuffle
  State Lost Track of Over $500,000
  By Jackie Jadrnak, Journal Staff Writer
  Abstinence education for teens languished in New Mexico for the last year because the state Department of Health essentially lost track of more than a half-million dollars.
  "There's really no excuse for it," admitted Health Secretary Patricia Montoya, who said she does support sexual abstinence programs as part of family planning services.
  Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., this week asked the department for an accounting of the funds, which come from a federal grant.
  "There's enough evidence to suggest this kind of program has a positive effect on kids in reducing teen pregnancy," Wilson said in a telephone interview.
  New Mexico's teen pregnancy rate in 2002 was 62.4 per 1,000 girls 15-19, the third highest in the country. The national rate was 43.0, according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
  "If you accept the federal funds ... you should get them out to community programs to do the work," Wilson said.
  For the federal fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2003, the New Mexico Department of Health received $518,368 from a federal program for abstinence education, according to Beth Velasquez, department spokeswoman.
  Of that money, the state spent $3,822, basically on administrative costs within the department, she said.
  Together with money released from the federal government for its current fiscal year, the department has about $629,000 sitting in the bank for abstinence education, Montoya said.
  The department recently requested proposals from community programs and will try to get the money out "as quick as we can," she said.
  Montoya said the funding fell through the cracks when she transferred the abstinence education program from the behavioral health division to the public health division's family planning activities program.
  "It just kind of lapsed," she said, explaining there was some confusion during the move about how much money was available.
  Laurel Edenburn, a Peralta resident and president of the New Mexico Abstinence Education Coalition, said her group has been trying for months to find out what happened to the money. Four programs had been getting money from the state, but none was available after last June, she said.
  Most of the programs involved classroom presentations to encourage youths to abstain from sex before marriage, she said. In some, teens also were trained as peer mentors to encourage abstinence among their classmates, she added.
  A media campaign with billboards and broadcast ads also had been funded.
  Lack of funding also stopped an evaluation program intended to see how effective abstinence education was in the schools, Edenburn said. "In our minds, they have the dollars. They could have funded these programs," she said.
  
  Gov Richardson, 476-2200
  Patricia Montoya, NM Dept of Health, 827-2613
  –
• Abstinence Education in Uganda. The meeting of the NM Abstinence Education Coalition on Jan 30 included a guest speaker from Uganda.
  
  
  Kwame Rugunda is an electrical engineering student at UNM and told about the three-part program in Uganda to reduce the devastating consequences of unrestrained sex. Kwame called the program "ABC" – Abstinence before marriage, Being faithful after marriage, and Condom use for people unwilling to stay with one partner. He said the program has already dramatically reduced STDs in Uganda and can be effective in other areas hard hit with HIV/AIDS.
  -
• Legislative Breakfast. The Baptist Convention held a legislative breakfast on Fri, Jan 30. It was well attended by legislators, pastors, and lay people. There was prayer and encouragement for our legislators. Pastors were recognized during the event. Their presence indicated an advisory relationship for moral issues. Legislators were encouraged to fill out confidential prayer request cards so the Christian Life Committee can pray for them. Politics is as much a spiritual battle as a physical and mental one.
  
  
  Kevin and Toni Warner ministered to the group through their music. Kevin sang an especially creative song about the harried life of a legislator. Toni sang a very uplifting song – Jesus is the the Cornerstone. While waiting for the Governor, Kevin and Toni sung a cute song about some farm animals – what you get if you cross a rooster and a cow (egg nog), a dog (pooched eggs), and a gum tree (chick-lets).
  
  
  Claude Cone challenged the group on the love and truth of Jesus. He touched on our responsibilities for citizenship and Biblical principles for Government. We are a citizen of two kingdoms and we must vote and pray to be involved in both. I Tim 2 commands us to pray for all those in authority. Larry Haslam referenced three outstanding resolutions to support traditional marriage, guard religious freedom and values, and oppose legislation protecting sexual orientation. He encouraged legislators to seek wisdom from the Bible and the Holy Spirit (James 1:5).
  
  
  Rabbi Leonard Helman was recognized for his work with Legislative Chaplains. Rabbi Helman organizes the "Chaplain of the Day" program – another essential spiritual influence on our legislative process. "Separation of Church and State" does NOT mean remove God from public policy! Legislators struggle with "what is best" and must deal with complex moral issues.
  
  
  Gov Bill Richardson arrived at the last minute and spoke on strengthening DWI laws and supporting NM families. He said spiritual faith is important in public policy and helps us address the fundamental issues of society (poverty, health, and housing). Gov Richardson said the administration must be responsible for the money from the permanent fund (Amend 2, Nov 03). He asked for help in dealing with education reform. DWI laws are weak and we need to stop drunk drivers from using vehicles as "weapons." We need to know where money from gambling is going. He said people need help with compulsive gambling (see SB251 below) and asked for a moratorium on new gambling facilities.
  -
• 2004 NM Legislation Highlights
  – HB277 Special rights for homosexual behavior must be removed.
  – SB251 Help for the compulsive gambler.
  – Elimination of the Food Tax. Fred Nathan of Think NM said the Governor will likely not introduce the bill until the last week week, when it’s too late to pass both House and Senate.
  -
• The Passion of The Christ – Coming to a Theater Near You – Feb 25.
  www.thepassionofthechrist.com/cinemas/results.php?st-NM
  www.thepassionoutreach.com, www.the-passion.org
  An advance screening was held at the following churches in Abq where participants had an opportunity for a question-answer session with Mel Gibson. You can contact these churches for more information on promoting The Passion of The Christ.
  Calvary Temple, 899-0594
  Heights Christian, 881-9889
  Montgomery Church of Christ, 884-7926
  Montgomery Church of God, 883-9079
  Sandia Presbyterian,856-5040
  -
• AOL Blocking Christian Content. AOL started a program designed to block unwanted email but included a screen for Christian content. AOL members can receive regular email from Principles but this newsletter is now blocked. This type of screening is also occurring in China (Global Censorship, The Great Firewall of China By June Campbell). If possible, reconsider your choice of internet service if you subscribe to AOL. AOL members can access this newsletter only through a website link. AOL may eventually block Principles completely.
  
  "China currently blocks news, government,education and human rights Web sites without providing explanation, notice, or opportunity to appeal. Moreover, U.S. ISPs operating in China are required by authorities to comply with government control on Internet content, and to cooperate with authorities in enforcing Chinese law. Internet users attempting to access prohibited content receive either a gateway timeout or a "Page Cannot Be Displayed " message. The system blocks Google’s cache (the cache would allow you to view snapshots of pages that were originally blocked), AltaVista, BBC (Chinese), VOA (Voice of America), and human rights organizations that are critical of the Chinese government."
  -
• FOF Valentine’s Day Resources. 'Tis the season ... when roses, chocolates and starry eyes abound. Need ideas for romancing your loved one, or expressing appreciation and care for family and friends? Check out these great resources.
  -
• Tops in Blue Sing "Let Freedom Ring." Tops in Blue gave a resounding public performance last week at the Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque and included several songs honoring God. The Air Force is not afraid of Christian lyrics and "Let Freedom Ring" was especially powerful. Consider these words: "God built freedom into every fiber of creation and He meant for us to all be free and whole. But when my Lord brought freedom, through the blood of His redemption, His cross stamped pardon on my very soul. Let freedom ring down through the ages, from the hill of Calvary."
  -
• 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
  
  Inform the congregation about important policy and moral issues.
  Help create an awareness of pending legislation at the local, state, and national levels. Address current moral issues from the pulpit, including sanctity of life, protection of marriage, family values, protection of religious freedom, and the need to strengthen and enforce pornography laws.
  -
• Friends of the Family is a group of key supporters who invest monthly in family ministry. Their commitment is key to the ongoing effectiveness of Focus on the Family and enables us to extend the ministry to many who cannot afford the resources and services they need. They also enable our radio programs, our efforts to defend family values, and our outreaches to special groups like teens, unwed mothers, and non-Christians.
  -
  
  

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
Hands On Ministries and Education
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
Saints and Heroes
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.
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