Community Impact – CINews
March 2009
When
they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou
at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It
is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. Acts 1:6-7
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Times or the
Seasons
March 20 was the first day of spring. Aside from allergies, it’s a great reminder of God’s
sovereignty. We’re all curious. We want to know. Information is power.
Jesus’ disciples were no exception and asked the same question in Matt
24:3 – “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of
thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
Jesus answered, “Take heed that no man deceive you. … But of
that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father
only.” We cannot know the day and
hour, but we can look for signs so that we will not be deceived. A U.N. panel will recommend that the world ditch the
dollar as its reserve currency in favor of a shared basket of currencies, a
member of the panel said on Mar 18. Moscow Times reported that Russian
leaders are coming to the G20 summit of world leaders in London on April
2nd prepared to call for moving to a new single common currency. The leaders
of Iran, Libya and Kazakhstan have also begun speaking about creating
single currencies within their regions - the Middle East, Africa and Central
Asia, respectively. The IMF, Asian Development Bank and other
international and regional financial institutions in recent years have been
studying how to move to a single currency as well. The "Euro" is
the model many are looking to, in part because 20% of the world's foreign
exchange reserves are already held in euros. These are curious developments
given that scholars of Bible prophecy have long noted that according to the
Scriptures, in the "last days" the world will see the emergence of
an entirely new international financial architecture, complete with a single
common global currency created and mandated by the leaders of Europe. http://www.worldviewtimes.com/article.php/articleid-4734/Brannon-Howse/Joel-Rosenberg
http://www.khouse.org/strategic_trends/
http://www.worldchallenge.org/coverletter/an_urgent_message
Of the People, By the People, and For the People Manny Aragon was the tip of the iceberg. Gov Richardson lost a federal cabinet position
due to uncertainty regarding an investigation of campaign finances. Judith
Wagner was not alone in her efforts to uncover corruption. Laurel Edenburn is another heroine of the
people. Inspection of Public Records Suit
Settled Against Governor Richardson, Mar 17, 2009 NM
Dept. of Health Pays Attorney Fees and Damages by Not Releasing Public
Records, Mar 17, 2009 HB
534 passed both House and Senate (but yet to be signed by the Governor) –
simplifies the procedure for requesting records by allowing requests to made
electronically. Legislative Summary The session officially ended on Mar 21. Heavy homosexual and pro-abortion agendas
were defeated this session. The
Governor may call a special session for another shot at homosexual marriage
so please sign up for alerts at www.tvacnm.com if you haven’t already. There is a 16 page list of bills passed by
both the House
and the Senate and a 1˝ page list of legislation acted upon by the
Governor. That means the Governor
has a lot more decisions to make – sign, veto, or do nothing (automatic
veto). The only bill we have been
tracking that made it to the Governor’s desk was to abolish the death
penalty. Seen by some as a pro-life
issue, the Bible describes it as an issue of justice (Gen 9:1-7). ·
Sanctity of Marriage –
SB 12 – homosexual marriage, failed (17-25) in the
Senate, Praise the Lord! [Watch for special session] –
SB 439 – homosexual partner health insurance – tabled in
Senate Judiciary –
HJR 2 & SB 162 – marriage defined as one man and one
woman – tabled in Public Affairs ·
Sanctity of Life –
HB 256 – Freedom of Choice Act (opposed) – tabled in
House Judiciary –
SB 77 – Embryonic Stem Cell Research (opposed) – passed
Senate (27-14), failed (30-38) in the House –
SB 121 – Parental Notification (support) – tabled in
Senate Public Affairs –
HB 196 – registration of fetal deaths – passed House
(56-2), Senate schedule –
HB 814 – assisted suicide (opposed) – tabled in House
Public Affairs ·
Education –
SB 638 – School Tolerance & Diversity Curriculum – 15
min/day for 13 years for homo indoctrination in K-12 §
Tabled in Senate Public Affairs (4-4) –
HJM 31 – study of bullying, defined to include “sexual
orientation or gender identity” §
Passed House 63-0, tabled in Senate Judiciary –
SB 433 – Origins Education (support), www.originseducation.org, tabled
in Senate Education –
SB 355 – Equal Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (support), www.educatenm.org, tabled in Senate
Judiciary –
SB 255 – Reduce size of schools (support), www.thinknewmexico.org §
Passed Senate (28-11), tabled in House Education –
HB 740 – college textbooks (support) – tabled in House Education ·
Justice –
HB 285, abolish death penalty (opposed) – Governor
signed (Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for
in the image of God made he man.
Gen 9:6) –
SB 649 – Erasing Criminal Records (opposed) – tabled in Senate
Judiciary ·
Election Law –
HB 52 – same day voter registration (opposed) – passed
House 40-27 – tabled in Senate Rules –
HB 274 – Reduce voting age to 17 (opposed) – tabled in
House Judiciary –
HB 591 – Voter ID (support) – tabled in House Elections –
SB 413 – Dissolution of the Electoral College Process
(opposed) – tabled in Senate Rules ·
Gambling –
SB 330 – ATM & slot bill (opposed) – passed Senate
(20-16) – tabled in House Public Affairs, www.nmcag.org |
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Dialog with an Atheist
– Part I of V
Conflict always provides an opportunity for dialog – if the opposing parties are willing. This legislative session was no exception, though most of the negative responses sent to CINews were just requests to unsubscribe. Thanks to those who sent positive responses of encouragement. There was a particularly fascinating dialog that developed with a willing opponent. It started with questions and ended with a verdict on religion in general – “religion is based on myth.” “WHY are you so intent on defeating homosexual marriage? What are you so afraid of? Don't they deserve the same rights as everyone else?” – John Excellent questions and I appreciate the opportunity to expound. There are many reasons, but I will attempt to focus on the most important.
* Liberty of Conscience. http://snyders.ws/alan/writing/itfadtxt.htm#Four Do conservatives have the same rights to express an opinion that something is "wrong?" Something so serious as to impact the very foundations of society? Apparently not. Hate crime legislation is designed to eliminate First Amendment rights. Public education administration suppresses speech against homosexual behavior while promoting it. A NM photographer was fined for refusing to photograph a homosexual union. The agenda is not "tolerance," but "acceptance" and "endorsement." Children are encouraged to have sex as early and often as possible, just do it "safe." Sex education excludes the concept of remaining abstinent until marriage. Churches will be threatened with losing their tax exempt status if homosexuality is condemned. * Homosexuality is an attack on the character of God. He created humans in His own image (Gen 1). He created marriage perfect, one man and one woman (Gen 2). He condemns homosexual behavior in His Word (Gen 19, Lev 18, Rom 1, Jude). So to say homosexuality is of God, is to say God's character includes homosexuality - an abomination. * Marriage between one man and one woman has been the
foundation for civilization for millennia.
* The homosexual agenda attempts to redefine marriage. The word sodomy came from the city Sodom. Until recently, sodomy was illegal in all states of the US. One by one, the sodomy law was repealed in every state supposedly because it could not be enforced in the privacy of one's own home. But it was just the first in a long series of steps to openly affirm homosexual behavior. Where legislation failed, homosexuals gained benefits for their partners from city and state executive decisions. The issue was taken to the courts where state constitutions were interpreted as allowing marriage between members of the same sex. Some states responded with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defining marriage as one man and one woman. The county clerk in Sandoval County NM took it upon herself to issue marriage licenses to homosexuals in NM until the State Supreme Court shut it down and recalled those licenses. * Once morality is removed from the definition of
marriage, there is nothing to constrain it.
Why am I "afraid" of homosexual marriage? Because I also live in this state and this nation and must live with the consequence of poor decisions. Post-modernism denies the existence of truth and relies on consequences to regulate decisions. This is one decision with such long range and serious consequences that we cannot afford to experiment and experience the consequences. There is no end to the perversion unless we hold to the values of God, His character, and His created design. CINews The aggressive push to redefine marriage has now moved to the literary arena, and the newest ally in the gay marriage movement is Merriam-Webster's Dictionary. As a national magazine explained: "One of the nation's most prominent dictionary companies has resolved the argument over whether the term 'marriage' should apply to same-sex duos or be reserved for the institution that has held families together for millennia by simply writing a new definition." The new definition now states that marriage includes "the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage." It is unfortunate that the dictionary still bearing the name of Founding Father Noah Webster is completely unlike his original, which relied on the Bible as the basis of his definitions. In fact, the definition for "marriage" in his original dictionary clearly states: Marriage. The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God Himself. Webster's original dictionary then gave a Biblical example to show the use of the word: Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled. Heb.13. (He also provided additional examples from Matt 22 and Rev 19.) – Wallbuilders, Mar 23, 2009, www.wallbuilders.com |
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Red Envelope Project President Obama’s position on abortion doesn’t match his claim
to Christianity. President Obama may be the most pro-abortion President in
history. For three consecutive years as a Senator in Illinois he voted
against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act (S.B. 1095, S.B. 1662, S.B.
1082), legislation designed to protect babies who survived an abortion
attempt. During the four years following, he repeatedly misrepresented his
vote, stating that he wouldn't have voted against the bill had it included
the "neutrality clause" which is found in the federal version of
the bill. Finally, when presented with irrefutable evidence that the bill
had indeed included the neutrality clause (states that the law would not
change the legal status or rights or anyone prior to being born alive), the
Obama campaign admitted the truth: he joined fellow democrats in voting
against it, killing it 6-4. And in case you have any doubt where Michelle
Obama stands? In a fundraising letter in February 2004, she urged voters, in
lieu of overturning the partial-birth abortion ban instituted by Bush, to
"nominate a candidate who will fight to protect women…letting doctors
decide treatment options, not federal judges. Who can we count on to keep the
Bush/Ashcroft team from appointing a Supreme Court Justice that will vote
against Roe v. Wade?" Mr. and Mrs. Obama's stance in favor of abortion is cause for
Christians to keep fighting tirelessly for the rights of the unborn. Mail a sealed, empty, red envelope on Mar 31st to: President Barack Obama, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania NW,
Washington DC 20500 On the outside back of the sealed envelope write: “This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable
to offer anything to the world. Responsibility
begins with conception.” See websites for more details www.redenvelopeproject.org, www.VisionAmericaAction.org,
www.citizenlink.org
If you don't read the newspaper you are
uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed. -- Mark Twain There’s a new paper on the street – The NM Breeze. Currently available by subscription and
select locations – Page One, Hastings, and SW Baskets. You can help promote this newspaper by
locating additional stores for distribution.
Some back issues are available online - http://www.newmexicobreeze.com. The Breeze is a weekly newspaper published to provide real
information to the citizens of New Mexico. Within the columns of The Breeze
one can find information about local and state politics and cover-ups,
sports, music, art, business, national and global events, New Mexico's
heritage and unique culture, constitutional and citizenship issues, schools,
youth, health, community transformation, puzzles, and cartoons. The Breeze is
a nonpartisan paper dedicated to providing factual information and a venue
for politicians to speak directly to readers about issues without censorship. The founders of The New Mexico Breeze realized through other
activities that real news was not reaching the majority of New Mexicans
through existing media channels. They watched in dismay as key investigative
reporters were demoted or let go by media owners for reporting the truth.
They desired to create a publication that: 1. better informed readers regarding politics and current events
with behind-the-scenes information, and 2. provided positive news about the state, leaving readers with
a sense of pride as New Mexicans. From the famed lawn of Thomas Jefferson's University of Virginia
can be seen the inscribed words, "You will know the truth, and the truth
will set you free." This quote, from John 8:32 in the Bible, is The New
Mexico Breeze's mission statement.
The founders believe that building a better community is not a
government task, nor is it something that happens by accident. The New Mexico Breeze is a Christian
business and as such follows Biblical principles in organization, corporate
meetings, decision making, finances, and employee practices. The founders'
hope is, however, that persons of all walks of life will find The Breeze to
be an informative, essential tool assisting them to stay informed and serve
as contributing citizens in their neighborhoods, communities, cities, state,
nation, and world. Reader input is encouraged. http://www.newmexicobreeze.com/subscriptions.html
CAPE Convention - 2009Apr 16-18 at Calvary of Albuquerque One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. - Psa 145:4 Highlights of the convention include:
Registration: http://www.cape-nm.org/registration/login.php (after April 4th, mail and online registration will close) Children’s Conference registration: https://www.childrensconferences.com/pages/parents/registration.php?ID=153 http://www.cape-nm.org/pages/capenm/convention/index.php
ID Course Offering at UNM Course No. 19711
Intelligent Design: Science or Religion? Lecturer: Joe Renick Three sessions, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Thursdays, April
16, 23, 30 CE South Building 1634
University Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM
87131 Course Description: In this course the various arguments advanced in the current
controversy over Intelligent Design (ID) will be presented. Two aspects of ID, cosmological and
biological design, will be presented and contrasted with materialistic views
of the natural world as represented by evolutionary and multiverse theories. A framework for an evaluation of ID and its claims will be
developed based on an examination of the historical and philosophical roots
of modern science. This development
will reveal that (1) modern science has its philosophical roots in rational
Christian theology, (2) the so-called “war” between science and religion is
mythology and (3) the centerpiece of this “war” - the conflict between
Galileo and the Roman Catholic Church - is a gross distortion of the facts
which are far more interesting than the simplistic one-dimensional portrayal
of Galileo as the humble truth-seeking scientist pitted against a dogmatic
and power-hungry Church. The current debate concerning ID’s role in public education will
be examined with respect to First Amendment rulings. It will be shown that once the various
mythologies are dispelled and full disclosure is made regarding First
Amendment law there is simply no legal, scientific or educational basis for
excluding the teaching of ID from public schools. However, that finding is dependent on an understanding of just
exactly what is meant by “teaching ID.”
That meaning is derived from scientific principle and the only
remaining basis for rejecting its teaching is ideological in nature. There is something here for everyone…scientist, teacher, parent,
student, judge, believer and agnostic.
Call 277-0077 to register with UNM Continuing Education NM Wings Prison Ministry Gets Funding for 2nd Year
Wings Ministry received grant funding from HELP-NM through the
Compassion Capital Fund! Wings was
only one of four organizations to receive the top Tier 2 funding award and received
$21,405. That funding will allow the
hiring of some part-time staff for hosting four Wings for L.I.F.E. meetings a
month in Albuquerque. The grant also
provides funding for a CPA. Wings was also recently notified that Southern Methodist
University (SMU) Senior Danielle Czajka has been selected to receive the
Maguire and Irby Family Public Service Internship for the summer of
2009. This internship allows Danielle
to work with Wings for 200 hours.
Danielle just finished up an internship with Ernst & Young in
Dallas, and is very excited about working with Wings. She will return to SMU this fall to complete
her Masters in Accounting. Danielle
said, “I’m really excited that SMU gave me an opportunity to work with
Wings. I think Wings is a great
organization and it will be fun to see the ministry through an accounting
perspective.” Both of these grants will greatly help Wings and we are so
excited and thankful!
Right to Own Animals Tired of animal rights activists dictating public policy? How is stewardship worked out in the
context of dominion (Gen 1:28)? While Albuquerque has been inundated with animal rights
policies, conservative communities east of the Sandia/Manzano mountains are
holding on to their right to own animals.
A SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR: Monday
April 13, 2009 at 9:00 am Location: County commission room. Agenda: Discussion of
proposed county animal control ordinance to which Planning and Zoning is
asked to attend. The East Mountain Animal Interest Alliance exists to promote responsible animal ownership and the right to own dogs, cats, horses, cattle, other domestic livestock and fowl. The alliance is specifically interested in Torrance County and surrounding counties that make up the East Mountain region. The EMAIA by definition should oppose legislation that limits animal ownership, criminalizes animal ownership, imposes fines and fees without valid rationale, is unenforceable, or gives way to selective enforcement without any hope of solving legitimate animal control concerns. HB
265, passed NM House and Senate and awaits the Governor’s signature. This bill prohibits the use of CO gas in
killing animals. Of course, unborn human
babies can be slaughtered in any fashion.
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Center for Traditional Family Values NM - http://www.traditionalvaluesnm.org
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