1Co 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is worthless, and your faith is also worthless. 1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has regenerated us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. - Thanks to Hobby Lobby for their poignant Christian messages.
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
ENCOUNTER -
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Luk 19:13
Community Calendar
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:
NM Legislative Session 2005
Letter to Archbishop Sheehan
Evidence for the Bodily Resurrected Christ (Believe It, or Not)
Iraqi Constitution Part III
de Tocqueville Revisited
Sticker Shock
Petitions
Readers Talk Back
My "Country" Tis of Thee
Friends of the Family including Tsunami Status
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NM Legislative Session 2005
Over 2,300 bills were introduced this session. Representatives and Senators boiled these down to 525 bills passed by both Houses. Thanks to Marvin Capehart and his involvement in the legislative session. Marvin led the House in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance ("one nation under God"). He said the light at the end of the tunnel "is the arousement of public sentiment, Christian conscience, and concern for the moral issues that are negative that have come out of the legislative body dealing with gambling, sexual orientation, and rights without any sense of responsibility. Praise the Lord that our pastors are finally realizing that they can speak out on the moral and Biblical issues that are raised in the political arena by the godless and pagan philosophies that have infiltrated our nation. There are leaders of our legislature who purposely move committee meetings to Sundays or other times to avoid an avalanche of godly people traveling to Santa Fe to express the Biblical principles on which our nation was founded."
Marvin reported significantly high Christian involvement this year in reaction to groups hostile toward traditional marriage. Thanks to the sponsors and supporters of pro-family legislation such as Sen Sharer (SB 597, SJR 18), Sen Cravens (SB 126), Sen Komadina (SJR 1), Sen Duran (SB 1050), Rep Larranaga (HB 111, HB 251) Rep Marquardt (HB 698), and Rep Vaughn (HB 445). Thanks to Kevin Jackson for his efforts in promoting the Def of Marriage bill. The Senate passed the Def of Marriage bill, SB 597, 25-12, but never made it out of the House Public Affairs Committee. The Domestic Partners, SB 576, never made it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB 576 would have elevated domestic partnership to the full status of marriage. We need a constitutional amendment for Def of Marriage because the courts will likely declare a Def of Marriage bill unconstitutional anyway.
There were several gambling bills - HB 684, addiction study (good), SB 837 by Sen. Altamirano (bad), SB 384 (bad), SB 895 (good). Christians should refuse to support gambling establishments for any reason. Dr. Guy Clark of the New Mexico Coalition Against Gambling was strongly opposed to the extension of gambling. We need help from other Christian groups. Thanks to Caren Blackstone and her group for all the work in opposition of the pre-K program. She revealed many serious consequences of allowing the State of NM to start a pre-K program (realized in other states with similar pre-K programs). Thanks to Dauneen Dolce and RTLNM for efforts to pass Unborn Victims of Violence and Parental Notification. Thanks to Tom Benavides and Manuel Rodriguez for efforts supporting pro-life bills and opposing same sex unions and tax funded benefits for domestic partners.
If you have reports of other Christian involvement in the legislature this year, please contact principles@integrity.com.
Another serious issue in the legislature is "representation." America is intentionally a Democratic-Republic. (See Federalist Papers #10 & #14.) Pure democracy eventually turns to chaos. Representatives and Senators say that calls, letters, and testimony are effective for influencing the outcome of a committee or floor vote. However, they are unwittingly basing morality on how many show up for a particular issue. If more homosexuals turn out for a committee hearing, they sway the committee to vote pro-homo. Representatives and Senators need to vote based on information and morality rather than have morality determined by vote. With the plethora of bills introduced, legislators do need accurate information from reliable, family-friendly sources. Beware of a general shift towards pure democracy that will destroy society by creating the illusion of morality by what is "legal." We must seriously look at the basis for right and wrong and how Christians can influence a godless culture with Biblical principles. Watch our Community Calendar for local discussion forums relating to social issues.
"In a democracy, people meet and exercise the government in person; in a republic, they assemble and administer it by their representatives and agents. A democracy consequently will be confined to a small spot. A republic may be extended over a large region." (Federalist #14 by Madison)
Bills signed or vetoed by Gov Richardson (updated Mar 28)
HB335 SIGNED - Health Coverage for Unmarried Dependents. Richardson and majority of House and Senate declare marriage is irrelevant to life in NM. Do you want your tax dollars supporting relationships destructive to society? Vote for a definition of marriage NM Constitutional Amendment in 2006.
SB313 SIGNED - HIV & AIDS Commission; SB314 SIGNED - HIV & AIDS Act. Watch for greater taxpayer funded distribution of and information on condoms. NM DOH already hostile toward abstinence for marriage education. Highest incidence of HIV & AIDS in homosexual, multiple partner, and drug user behavior.
SB410 VETOED - Teach Effects of Alcohol & Drugs in Schools. Similar to abstinence education, informed consent, and intelligent design, the liberal establishment is opposed to providing youth with information about consequences and alternatives. House and Senate can override the Governor's veto.
SB605 SIGNED - Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Act. The blood in the umbilical cord and placenta is unique because it contains large numbers of blood-forming cells. The blood-forming cells from cord blood are being studied under research protocols as a new method for treating patients with life-threatening diseases. Blood-forming cells to treat these patients can come from donated bone marrow or peripheral (circulating) blood or cord blood. Although some patients have a family member who can donate cells, nearly 75% of patients will not find a matching donor in their family. Cord blood donations can give more patients hope of finding a match. www.marrow.org/DONOR/cord_blood_donation_basic.html
HB180 SIGNED - Pharmacists allowed access to immunization registry.
HB259 SIGNED - Native American representatives from a pueblo, an Apache tribe, the Navajo Nation and an urban Native American population for assessment of mental illness and substance abuse programs in NM.
HB467 SIGNED - New sections of Chapter 12 NMSA 1978 are enacted to define "Emergency Powers Code" and "Emergency Licensing Act."
Bills of significance for Gov Richardson signature or veto
HB56 CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT JUDGEMENT CHANGES
HB97 FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT
HB139 NM HISTORY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL GRADUATION
HB149 EXPAND MUSEUM BOARD OF REGENTS MEMBERSHIP
HB165 SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
HB183 PROTECTION OF GENETIC PRIVACY
HB218 PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DIVISIONS
SB157 NATIVE AMERICAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMITTEE
HB268 CREATE NEW MEXICO GOVERNMENT EDUCATION FUND
HB275 PROHIBIT ALCOHOL ON SCHOOL PREMISES
HB282 INTERLOCKS FOR ALL DWI OFFENDERS
SB109 INTERLOCKS FOR JUVENILE DWI OFFENDERS
HB314 COUNSELING & THERAPY LICENSES & PRACTICE
HB337 PRE-KINDERGARTEN ACT Will reduce attendance at private
day care centers. Will prohibit religious teaching.
HB382 ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF CUSTODIAL INTERVIEWS
HB410 INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN TAXPAYERS
HB440 MEDICAL PERSONNEL TO DOCUMENT DOMESTIC ABUSE
(Planned Parenthood abortion clinics and under age girls)
HB477 MANDATE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS SCREENING
HB482 BITTERING AGENT IN ANTIFREEZE
SB497 BITTERING AGENT IN ANTIFREEZE
HB484 INCOME TAX CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL GUARD
HB510 CHARTER SCHOOL STANDARDS
HB555 CRIME VICTIM RESTITUTION AS PERMISSIBLE LIEN
HB613 ALLOW EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTIVE DISPENSING
HB684 GAMBLING ADDICTION STUDY INCLUDING SUICIDE
HB697 THERAPEUTIC INTERCHANGE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
HB713 DISTRIBUTION OF RAPE DRUGS
HB727 PAIN MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT CONDITIONS
HB745 HIGHER EDUCATION AS CABINET DEPARTMENT
SB677 HIGHER EDUCATION AS CABINET DEPARTMENT
HB828 AMBER ALERTS AS CELL PHONE TEXT MESSAGES
HB891 CREATE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY
HB901 ADDITIONAL JUDGESHIPS
HB977 OBSERVANCE OF AMERICAN INDIAN DAY
HB987 DECEASED NATIVE AMERICAN REMAINS DISPOSITION
HB1097, 1101, 1102, 1104, 1110 PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE
HJM23 CONTINUE TASK FORCE TO END HUNGER EFFORTS
HJM26 "CULTURAL & ETHNIC HERITAGE DAY"
HJM36 FIRST SATURDAY IN AUGUST AS "YOUTH DAY"
SJM49 "YOUTH DAY"
HJM92 CHILD ABUSE ISSUES STUDY (homosexual parents)
SB108 SET PRIMARY ELECTION DATE
SB138 CORE SCHOOL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK
SB432 DANGEROUS DOG ACT
SB435 CHILDREN'S CABINET ACT
SB582 DENIAL OF COLLEGE BENEFITS TO IMMIGRANTS
SB589 FAMILY, INFANT, TODDLER PROGRAM INSURANCE
SB678 THIRD-PARTY ELECTION REGISTRATION AGENTS
SB689 PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD PROGRAM
SB720 ELECTRONIC IDENTITY THEFT
SB789 PROGRAM UNITS FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
SB838 UNIFORM INTERSTATE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT
SB920 UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR MILITARY RELOCATION
SB973 EXPAND NM LOTTERY GAMES
SJM74 LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP STUDY COMMITTEE
SJM2 STUDY WAYS TO IMPROVE HEALTH OF YOUTH
SJM24 IMPROVE EDUCATION & STATE PARKS RELATIONSHIP
SJM25 "NEW MEXICO APPRENTICESHIP DAY"
SJM26 SHAKESPEARE GHOST TOWN AS STATE PARK
SJM28 "RONALD REAGAN DAY" AT THE LEGISLATURE
SJM29 EXAMINE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULA
SJM30 STUDY ESTABLISHING OFFICE OF WOMEN'S HEALTH (more abortion)
SJM34 "COLONIAS DAY"
SJM50 NEEDS OF GRANDCHILDREN RAISED BY GRANDPARENTS
SJM58 "LOVE & SUPPORT YOUR LEGISLATOR DAY"
SJM61 SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN ALL SCHOOLS
SJM94 STUDY REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES
SJR10 PROTECTION OF RIGHT TO OWN PROPERTY, CA
Repeals Art 2, Sec 22 of the NM Constitution
Sec. 22. [Alien landownership.] Until otherwise provided by law no alien, ineligible to citizenship under the laws of the United States, or corporation, copartnership or association, a majority of the stock or interest in which is owned or held by such aliens, shall acquire title, leasehold or other interest in or to real estate in New Mexico. (As amended September 20, 1921.) Why were aliens prohibited from buying land in NM at one time?
All bills can be viewed from http://legis.state.nm.us/BillFinder.asp.
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Letter to Archbishop Sheehan
March 23, 2005
Hello Archbishop Sheehan.
Today three kids including a 14 year old girl were handcuffed and arrested protesting against Terri Schiavo being starved to death. The 14 year old girl said "I am nervous, but this is what God would want me to do." I do not see the clergy, the bishops of our faith joining that child, taking her place in handcuffs, demanding life for Terri. When Terri is starved to death, the silence of Catholic clergy will be another example of the unwillingness of clergy to stand in deed for Christ.
The absence of Catholic clergy in Florida in the legislative chambers, court rooms and at Terri's bedside shouts volumes of the un-willingness of clergy to get down in the ditch to help and protect the most needy. You asked the question at a pro-life mass "What would Jesus say ...." What would/will he say bishop to the clergy of the faith who stand silent while his defenseless child is murdered?
Philip Howell (Albuquerque)
On Monday, Mar 28, Schiavo's 11th day without food or water, supporters of prolonging the woman's life carried their protests to the White House, while the husband's attorney said she looked "peaceful" and had a stuffed toy cat under her arm. Priests were on hand to give communion (no bread) and last rights. News reporting has been good and many times has the story in top priority. The public cannot ignore what American Judges are doing to Terri Schiavo. Who's next?
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Evidence for the Bodily Resurrected Christ
Does it really matter if Christ was bodily resurrected? Scripture tells us it does matter! 1Co 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is worthless, and your faith is also worthless. 1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has regenerated us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1Pe 3:15 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. Col 4:6 Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
So how do we answer those who claim Christianity is no different from other religions, the Bible is myth, and there is no absolute standard for morality? We have nothing to offer our culture if the resurrection is a hoax. For less than $3, you can sharpen your apologetics with The Case for Easter. A riveting journey to the truth about the most remarkable event in history: The resurrection of Jesus Christ and the proof behind it. From the award-winning, best-selling book, The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, this booklet is perfect for Easter or any time of the year. Did Jesus of Nazareth really rise from the dead? Of the many world religions, only one claims that its founder returned from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very cornerstone of Christianity. But a dead man coming back to life? In our sophisticated age, when myth has given way to science, who can take such a claim seriously? Some argue that Jesus never died on the cross. Conflicting accounts make the empty tomb seem suspect. And post-crucifixion sightings of Jesus have been explained in psychological terms. How credible is the evidence for-and against-the resurrection? Focusing his award-winning skills as a legal journalist on history's most compelling enigma, Lee Strobel retraces the startling findings that led him from atheism to belief. Drawing on expert testimony first shared in his blockbuster book The Case for Christ, Strobel examines:
- The Medical Evidence-Was Jesus' death a sham and his resurrection a hoax?
- The Evidence of the Missing Body-Was Jesus' body really absent from his tomb?
- The Evidence of Appearances-Was Jesus seen alive after his death on the cross?
Written in a hard-hitting journalistic style, The Case for Easter probes the core issues of the resurrection. Jesus Christ, risen from the dead: superstitious myth or life-changing reality? The evidence is in. The verdict is up to you.
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Iraqi Constitution Part III
We examine the Iraqi Constitution for several reasons:
(1) It closely parallels the US Constitution
(2) Americans helped author the Iraqi Constitution
(3) The success of Iraq depends on its fundamental principles
CHAPTER TWO - FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
Article 11.
(E) Decision Number 666 (1980) of the dissolved Revolutionary Command Council is annuled, and anyone whose citizenship was withdrawn on the basis of this decree shall be deemed an Iraqi. Interesting decision number for an action of the Revolutionary Command Council limiting fundamental rights.
Article 12.
All Iraqis are equal in their rights without regard to gender, sect, opinion, belief, nationality, religion, or origin, and they are equal before the law. Discrimination against an Iraqi citizen on the basis of his gender, nationality, religion, or origin is prohibited. Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the security of his person. No one may be deprived of his life or liberty, except in accordance with legal procedures. All are equal before the courts. [Life and liberty came from the US Declaration of Independence. Security conspicuously replaced pursuit of happiness which was originally defined as personal property. Security has a high priority for these war-torn people. Will it be security at the price of freedom? America is addressing these issues with the balance of protection from terrorism and personal freedom. The Govt provides security but only to a degree. Martial law provides maximum security but no freedom. John Adams said "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion.... Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Will the religion of Islam do as well as Christianity in bridling human passions? The foundational principle of property cannot be neglected for a free people. Art 16 addresses personal property as "sacrosanct, and its protection is the duty of every citizen."]
Article 13. [US Constit 1st Amend]
(A) Public and private freedoms shall be protected.
(B) The right of free expression shall be protected. [Will this extend to pornography and obscenity like it has in America?]
(C) The right of free peaceable assembly and the right to join associations freely, as well as the right to form and join unions and political parties freely, in accordance with the law, shall be guaranteed. [Dangerous wording since the law could prohibit these things.]
(D) Each Iraqi has the right of free movement in all parts of Iraq and the right to travel abroad and return freely.
(E) Each Iraqi has the right to demonstrate and strike peaceably in accordance with the law. [Dangerous wording since the law could prohibit demonstrations and strikes.]
(F) Each Iraqi has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religious belief and practice. Coercion in such matters shall be prohibited.
(G) Slavery, the slave trade, forced labor, and involuntary servitude with or without pay, shall be forbidden. [This is something America should have done from the beginning.]
(H) Each Iraqi has the right to privacy. [This is a new right created by the courts. This is what led to the legalization of abortion and sodomy. Will the Iraqis also allow it?]
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de Tocqueville Revisited - In the Footsteps of Alexis de Tocqueville
Who was the Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville? Consider his observations of America in the early 1830s: "Upon my arrival in the United States, the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention; and the longer I stayed there, the more did I perceive the great political consequences resulting from this state of things, to which I was unaccustomed. In France I had almost always seen the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom pursuing courses diametrically opposed to each other; but in America I found that they were intimately united, and that they reigned in common over the same country. The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other. Religion in America ... must nevertheless be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions of that country. They brought with them ... a form of Christianity, which I cannot better describe, than by styling it a democratic and republican religion. From the earliest settlement of the emigrants, politics and religion contracted an alliance which has never been dissolved. I do not know whether all the Americans have a sincere faith in their religion; for who can search the human heart? But I am certain that they hold it to be indespensable to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or to a party, but it belongs to the whole nation, and to every rank of society. Christianity, therefore, reigns without any obstacle, by universal consent."
How in the world does America look to foreign eyes today? Over the past year, preeminent French philosopher and writer Bernard-Henri Lévy has been travelling through America, visiting its prisons and mega-churches, its high-rises and military facilities, its brothels and malls. Starting in May of 2005, and for much of this year, The Atlantic Monthly will record his myriad observations, establishing a cultural map of America at the dawn of the twenty-first century. In early 2006, Random House will publish the entire series as a book featuring previously unpublished chapters. Will Lévy discover the same things about America as de Tocqueville? Will Lévy's biases cloud what he sees? Have the moral foundations of America changed?
Vern Hershberger (Tijeras) says "I don't believe that there's much similarity left between the 1830's and 2005 in either of the two countries. I learned that Bernard-Henri Lévy is a popular contemporary French writer/intellectual who helped to influence France back away from further Socialism. Apparently he's not the standard American-hating French socialist, which is encouraging. Therefore Levy's perspective on modern America might be interesting, although I'd be suprised if it wasn't obviously biased against Christian American's. Based on reviews of Levy's writings, he quotes/esteems humanist philosophers. Biographical sketches indicate that he's a secular Jew. Therefore, given Levy's biases and the NY Times' generally left bias, I'd guess that it won't truly be comparable to Alexis de Toqueville's work."
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Sticker Shock
Bumper sticker seen in Abq: "The earth doesn't belong to us, we belong to the earth." Compare to Gen 1:28: "Replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." Your worldview DOES make a difference.
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Petitions
Marriage Protection Amendment
Eliminate no-fault divorce
Stop National ID Database
Ten Commandments in Public Places
Prayer in Public Schools
Hoax - Dr James Dobson is not involved with any petition against the FCC for prohibiting Bible reading on the air.
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Readers Talk Back
It has been good to receive the Principles email on a regular basis. By the way - your work is commendable - Principles is an excellent resource! (I send out a bi-weekly email update, and I understand the diligence it takes to do it well.) - Dalton Jantzen
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My "Country" Tis of Thee
Not to be disappointed - #2 on the Country Charts this week - That's What I Love About Sunday by Craig Morgan. In the midst of bad news, it's nice to hear something good. You can tell a culture by its music.
Raymond's in his Sunday best
He's usually up to his chest
In oil and grease
There's the Martin's walking in
With that mean little freckled face kid
Who broke a window last week,
Sweet Miss. Betty likes to sing off key
in the pew behind me
That's what I love about Sunday
Sing along as the choir sways
Every verse of Amazing Grace
and then we shake the preacher's hand
Go home into your blue jeans
Have some chicken and some baked beans
Pick a backyard football team
Not do much of anything
That's what I love about Sunday
For the rest - see That's What I Love About Sunday
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RESOURCES
This section has been updated with a link to resource organizations. Anyone finding these organizations helpful, please consider mentioning the Principles Newsletter when contacting them. Thank you.
Principles Newsletters Archive
Roster of NM Govt Officials
Resource Organizations
Principles Community Impact News (CINews) is edited by:
Mark Burton,
Foothills Fellowship, 294-0016, Pager 971-2053
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