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Thanksgiving
to God Amidst Trials and Hardship
We all know the
story, but it bears retelling as there are those who claim our
Christian Heritage is a myth.
Over 100 people boarded the Mayflower in Sep 1620. After more than two months at
sea, during which the passengers faced many hardships, the Mayflower
finally reached the shores of North America. Before the settlers went ashore, the Mayflower
Compact reflected their reliance on God and established Christian
Principles for their civil government. “Having undertaken, for the glory of God and
advancement of the Christian faith ….” Half survived their first harsh winter yet decided
to remain at Plymouth when the ship returned to England in Apr
1621.
God’s
providence through the blessings of Samoset and Squanto allowed the
Pilgrims to plant a successful crop and catch much fish and game over
the summer. Chief
Massasoit and Gov Carver signed a peace treaty that was faithfully kept
until Massasoit’s death in 1662.
Gov Bradford called for a three-day feast in the fall of 1621
that we remember as the first Thanksgiving. About 90 Indians joined the Pilgrims as they
celebrated, feasted, heard the Bible read publicly, and gave thanks to
God for His many blessings.
In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thur in Nov as “a
day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.” Thanksgiving has always been a
proclamation of thanks to God for His blessings. Thanksgiving
meals for the needy and homeless: Abq Family Services, Joy
Junction, Abq
Rescue Mission, Noon Day Ministries,
Calvary Food Pantry,
Neighborhood
Networks.
Does Worldview
Matter?
The Democratic
Party of NM State Central Committee adopted
a statement in 2009 (which is to be considered for the Democratic Party
of NM platform in 2010) that the Democratic Party of NM ,
"including its members and officers, should actively support and
advocate on behalf of Marriage Equality and Equal Rights for all regardless
of sexual orientation, ..."
Members of
Congress hijacked a bill authorizing funding for America's military to
advance the social agenda of advocates for homosexuality. A cornerstone
of this social agenda is to add "sexual orientation" and
"gender identity" to the classes of persons traditionally
protected in civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. Signed by
President Obama, the new funding law [National Defense Authorization
Bill] creates a special class of federal crime for violence committed
"because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin,
gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any
person." Of course, we can all agree that violent crime against
anyone is despicable and should be punished to the fullest extent of
the law. However, this so-called "hate crimes" law treats
victims of the same crime unequally, based solely on the government's
assessment of the wrongdoer's thoughts at the time of the crime.
Additionally, "hate crimes" laws have been used in other
countries to silence pastors who preach biblical truth about
homosexuality. This new law says that it is not to be used to infringe
any First Amendment rights, so, while this remains a serious concern,
we will have to wait and see how it is applied. AZ
Policy Council, Oct 30 As some news outlets have pointed out, it is
possible that pedophilia could even be construed as a “sexual
orientation,” and therefore be given special protection by our
federal government. Without
an absolute standard of morality, “every man did that which was right
in his own eyes. (Jud 21:25)”
HPV Vaccine
Update
During October
2009, the FDA approved the use of the bivalent HPV vaccine Cervarix in
females aged 10 to 25 years and the quadrivalent HPV vaccine Gardasil
in males aged 9 to 26 years. The ACIP recommended that Cervarix be
included on the list of HPV vaccines recommended for routine use in
girls and young women, and that Gardasil be permitted, but not
recommended routinely, for males aged 9 to 26 years. Finally, while the
Medical Institute supports the continued development and widespread use
of vaccines against HPV and other STIs, we promote risk avoidance as
the best strategy to prevent sexually transmitted infections and their
consequences. Sexual abstinence outside of a lifelong, faithful
relationship is the optimal approach for maintaining the highest level
of physical and emotional health.
Medical
Institute for Sexual Health, Oct 2009
Medically they
do not oppose the development and use of this tool to fight STDs
(although from previous statements they are not favorable to
mandatory vaccination [i.e., state mandated]). Their primary focus as an
organization is promoting risk avoidance (abstinence). Vaccination is a means of risk
reduction which is a less desirable strategy to fight STD infection,
and vaccination can never prevent the emotional consequences of sexual activity. They also understand, and
emphasize, that even though one may be vaccinated against the 4 most
common strains of the HPV virus and even Hepatitis B, this will not
protect the individual against the other 40-50 HPV viral strains nor
against chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, etc. The debate to raise risk avoidance to the top tier
still rages. NM AEC
Senate Health Care Bill Contains Abstinence Education
Reauthorization
Washington, DC
(Nov 18, 2009) - Abstinence education funding is partially restored within
the Senate Health Care Bill, a result of the Reid reconciliation of
versions offered by the Senate HELP and Finance committees.
NM Special
Session Ended Oct 23
The homosexual
marriage bill was not introduced during the 2009 Special Session but
will likely be on the docket in Jan 2010. Special Session bills
that passed both houses.
$2B CAP Tax in
Albuquerque
A revised
Climate Action Plan (CAP) was presented to the Abq City Council on Nov
16 (EC-09-596).
There are mixed reports of what actually occurred at the
meeting. Proponents of the
CAP Tax said it was “unanimously approved” and to thank City Council
for “adopting the report.”
Actually, the CAP was only “received” and “acknowledged” for further
deliberation by the City Council. The new mayor will likely have a different
perspective, so expect an effort to get the CAP Tax in the budget
before Dec 1. http://cabq.legistar.com/legislation.aspx
(search on EC-09-596)
Community
comments were supposed to have been incorporated and posted at www.cabq.gov/cap but the CAP was
instead presented to City Council with only a six hour notice by
email. The original CAP
included name calling of those who did not believe in the religion of
global warming – they were called “laggards.” A picture replaced this section on forcing social
change. The budget section
was unchanged - $2B for the residents of Abq – averaging $4K for every
man, woman, and child. The
impact section was unchanged – NM will experience “increased
precipitation” (MORE RAIN) if we do nothing!
Watch this BBC
Documentary for “the rest of the story” on “climate change: http://www.garagetv.be/video-galerij/blancostemrecht/The_Great_Global_Warming_Swindle_Documentary_Film.aspx
If you don’t
live in Albuquerque, your city may see a similar tax in the near
future. Check the list of
Mayors supporting the eradication of green house gasses. http://usmayors.org/climateprotection/cities.asp?state=NM
American
Heritage Research in Albuquerque
American
Heritage Research is dedicated to restoring the truth of America's
Founding Principles within our education curriculum. We are convinced that nations
are blessed only as they follow God's plan for freedom. The words from Leviticus,
carved into the Liberty Bell, speak our desire to "Proclaim
Liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof . . .
." www.americanheritageresearch.com
SW Ecumenical
Conference at Legacy Church
First of its kind – SW Ecumenical
Conference, Celebrate Life,
Family, & Marriage was held at Legacy Church on Oct 24. Co-sponsored by Project
Defending Life, Legacy Church, Catholic Coalition of NM, and Center
for NM Policy. Pro-life
and pro-family speakers – Joe & Ann Scheidler, Scott Lively, Anthony
Levatino, Terry Brennan, Bill Redmond, Steve Smothermon, Stephen
Imbarrato, Dave Standridge, Dauneen Dolce, Tim Hale, Stephanie Block,
Mike Naranjo, and Martha Beasley.
Scott Lively’s presentation was particularly interesting
regarding Biblical principles for restoring a neighborhood in
Springfield MA. http://www.defendthefamily.com/
Vision for NM – Traditional
Values Action Committee and Voices
for Family Values are seeking association with Focus on the
Family. Your help is
needed to reach a minimum budget and operational capability required
for association and establishing a Family Policy Council in
NM. A great model of what
NM can do is the AZ Policy Council. The Baptist Convention NM
recently passed a resolution
(#4) commending the work of TVAC and VFV and encouraging support in
2010. God could do
everything Himself. But,
for whatever reason, He chooses to work through people. He had Noah build a boat. He had Moses go before
Pharaoh. He had the
Babylonians capture Jerusalem and then used Daniel for His glory. He had Mary deliver a
Baby. He is raising up men
and women in NM who will stand for the truth of His Word. Please consider making an end-of-year
contribution to TVAC
or VFV.
NM Patriots
The Making of America Seminar was held
on Nov 7, sponsored by NM Patriots. Topics were: Developing America’s Success Formula
and The Perfect Plan for Liberty.
The NM Patriot Alliance is a coalition of concerned Americans
from many groups who are working together to save America. They firmly believe in the U.S.
Constitution, the Bill of Rights, limited federal government, and the
right of the people to question, challenge, and change our government
and its policies. www.nmpatriots.us
Christian Heritage Speech Competition
and Christian Heritage Week
Results of the 19th annual Christian
Heritage Speech Competition and the Christian Heritage Week
Proclamation are posted at http://chsc.nmsciencefoundation.org. There were four winners in each
of nine categories out of over 100 participants. Miss NM was the MC and nine
students gave their first place speech at the awards ceremony. Recorded speeches are available
upon request. If your church would like to participate
in the 20th Annual Christian Heritage Week in Nov 2010, please email principles@integrity.com.
Shepherd’s Guide Begins 7th
Year in Albuquerque
The Shepherd’s Guide strives to
connect Christians with local Christian businesses. Each directory
contains specific listings from your city and the surrounding area. So,
whether you’re trying to find a new church, a Christian school for the
kids, or a trustworthy mechanic, The Shepherd’s Guide has what you’re
looking for. www.shepherdsguide.com,
albuquerque@shepherdsguide.com,
363-6277
Isa 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the
wells of salvation.
Sh'av means draw from. We
say "draw from the well of salvation." Check us out at www.isaiah123.org!
Community Events
Sixth Annual
Walk-Through Nativity Display, Sun, Dec 6, 3-6p
In the Sandia Presbyterian Church Family Life Center
10704 Paseo del Norte Drive, NE (Eubank & Paseo del Norte)
Start your Christmas season by viewing an assortment of activities from
around the world.
Mary’s
Christmas Story, 7p, Dec
4, 11, & 18
Bible Alive Theater, 1616 Old Pecos Trail in Santa Fe NM
Myra Green, piano accompaniment by Randy Egan and Gail Salazar
From the New Testament Gospels of our Bible. The birth & life of
the Savior Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of his mother. See the humble heart of this
servant of God as she encounters the angel Gabriel, who reveals God’s
plan for the redemption of the world. Hear her heart as the tiny unborn
baby John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb at Mary’s visit to
Elizabeth. Journey with Mary to the stable in Bethlehem where our Lord
Jesus is born. Experience the excitement of the shepherds, the worship
of the magi, and the fear in a mother’s heart as they flee into Egypt to escape a wicked
king. Mary recalls the anguish of the cross and the joy of the
resurrection as she invites all to believe in Jesus the Christ!
Abq Luminaria
Tour, Dec 24
Take a magical ride with the City of Albuquerque and ABQ RIDE on the
Luminaria Tour. Enjoy this annual New Mexican tradition without worrying
about parking, driving through snow, annoying traffic delays, or
wasting gas. Instead, let ABQ RIDE tour you through a twinkling
wonderland in Old Town, the festively adorned Albuquerque Country Club,
and other hot spots decked out for the holiday. $7, tickets required. http://www.cabq.gov/transit/special-events/luminaria-tour
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Christmas Musical
Sandia Baptist
9429
Constitution NE
Dec 11 (7p),
12 (2p), 13 (5p)
Eastern Hills
Baptist
3100 Morris
NE
Dec 18 (7p),
19 (7p), 20 (7p)
Northdale
Baptist
123 Osuna NW
Dec 20 (11a
& 2p)
Faith Hill
Video
A
Baby Changes Everything
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