A Bloggin MinuteTwin babies have been killed by their whanau or caregivers and it's sad to think that maybe they could have been spared if the ones entrusted with their care had 'found God' through a church that organised the 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH' protests. I say "could have found God" because the media and various Members of Parliament came out and callously slandered the Christ- loving church (Destiny church) for having the 'audacity' to speak out about the moral degeneration of our small country.
It will be God who will bring an end to the bashings and killings, not an act of Parliament nor more money thrown at Social Service agencies already struggling with the burden of a society gone wrong. The Destiny church (NZ) has a proven track record of bringing the hope of Christ to the lost and the outcast and should be honoured, and those who would dare to call what is 'good' evil, have their agendas exposed in the very media that supports them.
"What Can We Do For The Kahuis" this from this weeks Real Issues email from www.maxim.org.nz
The nation has been transfixed this week by the tragic deaths of Chris and Cru Kahui. They join a long list of children killed in this country, many by their own families. We are stunned by such evil, and we rush to find someone to blame: the family, the Plunket nurse, the social worker, the hospital, the fragmented state of government services. This family has fallen off the top of every cliff there is, and we want to know who was in charge of the fencing.
But as the politicians promise a cross-party working group and CYFS review their procedures, it is easy to lose track of a few things. The most important is that Chris and Cru were killed by a person, not a race, not a context, nor a system. There are many beneficiaries, many poor, many unemployed, many alcoholics and many people from dysfunctional families of all races, who do not and will not kill their children. It is the perpetrator of this crime who is truly responsible.
No law can force people to be good, but the government can weaken or strengthen those things which restrain, encourage and warn. It can set a context in which it is easy or hard to be good, in which it is easy or hard to abuse. Research has shown us many of the factors which set the context of abuse: family breakdown, the loss of biological connection, poverty, unemployment, teen pregnancy, educational failure, substance abuse and ill-health, to name a few. The government can examine what it is doing in those areas to strengthen families, remove rigid laws and promote good ones.
An individual's decision to obey the law is shaped by the family, community and culture to which they belong. The bonds of affection, shame and conscience which are forged by that culture restrain most of us. They snapped this time, for this family. When we ask who is responsible, and what we can do, it is helpful to remember that the government can only do so much to shape the environment in which a person lives. Bonds of affection and strength of character are built by neighbours and friends, by churches and sports clubs and schools, by families and community initiatives. If we want to make them stronger, perhaps we should begin there.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Friday, June 09, 2006
Confusion Era...
A Bloggin Minute
A new teaching manual available for use in some Australian schools has courted controversy, by advising teachers to scrap the words "mother" and "father", in favour of "carer" or "parent" when talking about families. The manual also advises the use of gender neutral toys, and books and activities which promote alternative family forms.
The manual, titled Learn to Include: Learning about diverse families in a primary school setting, is aimed at classes from Kindergarten to Year Three, and is funded by the crime prevention division of the New South Wales Attorney General's Department, in an attempt to increase children's sensitivity to a "diversity" of family forms.
The elimination of universally accepted concepts like "mother" and "father" in favour of the neutral "parent" or "carer" removes the essential element of relational connection which comes from being part of an intergenerational family, belonging to a mum and a dad. This approach ends up dismantling the normative framework in which children see family life.
In the first few years of school, children are formulating ideas about themselves, the world, and their place in it. Seeing oneself in relation to a mother and a father is a part of this. All children have a mother and a father, and the majority are still raised by their mum and dad. Attempting to hide this fact does a disservice to all children, regardless of their personal family background. In search of a spurious and artificial 'equality', the realities of life and the natural framework through which to view it can both be obscured.
....And just when you thought you'd heard it all, there's more...
Following the government's law change mandating the compulsory microchipping of dogs, from Lassie the farm dog to Fifi the poodle, other animals are on the agenda, as the government continues to implement its Wildlife Registration Strategy.
According to latest reports, cats will be microchipped by 2008, followed by rabbits, canaries, goldfish and 'other dangerous predators' by 2012.
"We are very concerned at the wanton and unregulated carnage going on in the environment, and we are determined to do something about it", said Ministry of Wildlife Affairs spokeswoman Bledin Hart.
"We will follow the same approach as dog microchipping" said the power-suited Ms. Hart brightly to Our Reporter, as she sat in her Wellington office,
"There is a very simple chain of logic here. The microchip will be designed to be read at a range of 2 inches. This means that, after the cat kills the baby kakapo, and if there's a DOC ranger around, and if the cat hasn't run away, and if we can catch it, then, well, provided we've got a machine, of course, then, we'll be able to see who the cat belongs to, and send the owner a very strongly worded letter indeed. A jolly good telling off, you might say." She laughs merrily, and pauses. "Unless the owner has been rather naughty, of course, and hasn't paid his registration fee".
Confederated Cat Owners spokesman A. Farmer, speaking at the Show in Gore, called the proposal "ridiculous", as "half of cat owners do not register their cats already. A $110 dollar fee is going to mean fewer registrations, all for a useless microchip that will not save one kakapo".
This does not phase Ms. Hart. "It's about interspecies partnership" she says, with an embracing gesture. "I'm sure it's going to be best for all the members of our ecological family in the long run".
These items were received in the latest "REAL ISSUES" email received from MAXIM INSTITUTE NEW ZEALAND.
If you'd like to receive them weekly sign up here: http://www.maxim.org.nz
A new teaching manual available for use in some Australian schools has courted controversy, by advising teachers to scrap the words "mother" and "father", in favour of "carer" or "parent" when talking about families. The manual also advises the use of gender neutral toys, and books and activities which promote alternative family forms.
The manual, titled Learn to Include: Learning about diverse families in a primary school setting, is aimed at classes from Kindergarten to Year Three, and is funded by the crime prevention division of the New South Wales Attorney General's Department, in an attempt to increase children's sensitivity to a "diversity" of family forms.
The elimination of universally accepted concepts like "mother" and "father" in favour of the neutral "parent" or "carer" removes the essential element of relational connection which comes from being part of an intergenerational family, belonging to a mum and a dad. This approach ends up dismantling the normative framework in which children see family life.
In the first few years of school, children are formulating ideas about themselves, the world, and their place in it. Seeing oneself in relation to a mother and a father is a part of this. All children have a mother and a father, and the majority are still raised by their mum and dad. Attempting to hide this fact does a disservice to all children, regardless of their personal family background. In search of a spurious and artificial 'equality', the realities of life and the natural framework through which to view it can both be obscured.
....And just when you thought you'd heard it all, there's more...
Following the government's law change mandating the compulsory microchipping of dogs, from Lassie the farm dog to Fifi the poodle, other animals are on the agenda, as the government continues to implement its Wildlife Registration Strategy.
According to latest reports, cats will be microchipped by 2008, followed by rabbits, canaries, goldfish and 'other dangerous predators' by 2012.
"We are very concerned at the wanton and unregulated carnage going on in the environment, and we are determined to do something about it", said Ministry of Wildlife Affairs spokeswoman Bledin Hart.
"We will follow the same approach as dog microchipping" said the power-suited Ms. Hart brightly to Our Reporter, as she sat in her Wellington office,
"There is a very simple chain of logic here. The microchip will be designed to be read at a range of 2 inches. This means that, after the cat kills the baby kakapo, and if there's a DOC ranger around, and if the cat hasn't run away, and if we can catch it, then, well, provided we've got a machine, of course, then, we'll be able to see who the cat belongs to, and send the owner a very strongly worded letter indeed. A jolly good telling off, you might say." She laughs merrily, and pauses. "Unless the owner has been rather naughty, of course, and hasn't paid his registration fee".
Confederated Cat Owners spokesman A. Farmer, speaking at the Show in Gore, called the proposal "ridiculous", as "half of cat owners do not register their cats already. A $110 dollar fee is going to mean fewer registrations, all for a useless microchip that will not save one kakapo".
This does not phase Ms. Hart. "It's about interspecies partnership" she says, with an embracing gesture. "I'm sure it's going to be best for all the members of our ecological family in the long run".
These items were received in the latest "REAL ISSUES" email received from MAXIM INSTITUTE NEW ZEALAND.
If you'd like to receive them weekly sign up here: http://www.maxim.org.nz
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
A Website Teens (& mums and dads) Can Trust
Here is a website you can fully trust for teens to sort out some everyday problems. Different from the sex education taught in NZ schools, these people can be trusted to deliver messages that will serve to save you from heaps of sorrow and there is definitely NO HIDDEN AGENDA, in other words, they won't teach you that homosexuality is normal for instance.
Go to: http://www.attitude.org.nz
Go to: http://www.attitude.org.nz
Friday, June 02, 2006
The Missing Ingredient IS Love
A Bloggin MinuteThursday, June 1, 2006
Where Is the Love in Sex Education?
Writers Opinion
By Dr. Ted Baehr, Publisher of MOVIEGUIDE®
HOLLYWOOD, CA (ANS) -- Every year, I have the opportunity to speak in different countries on how to make media-wise families. This year was Ukraine, which I visited a few weeks ago as part of the International Congress of the Family.
The problems in Ukraine are immense. Ukraine has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in Europe, a large white slavery prostitution trade, high alcoholism, and low wages. Its beautiful women are renowned around the world, but mainly as sex slaves and mail-order-brides in other countries.
In the midst of the conference on family issues, some of the government officials were proud that they had introduced American initiated sex education.
MOVIEGUIDE® has carried many articles exposing the fallacy of sex education. As Dr. Judith Reisman and other scientists have shown, sex education not only shows young people how to do it but also gets them excited about doing it. Thus, MOVIEGUIDE® supports abstinence, which has been proven to work, if taught properly.
But, it occurred to me, hearing about the abuses in the porn industry and the orphanages in Ukraine, that what we should propose is Love Education, which we all need. Love Education helps children learn that real satisfaction comes not from lust, which is self-centered, avaricious and often thoughtless, but from Love, which cares for the other person, supports the other person, builds memories that last, and gives long-lasting joy.
Where do we find Love Education? In the flesh, we find it in Jesus Christ, and, for more detailed information, we have the New Testament, which is the Word of God.
At its Ukraine conference, the International Congress of the Family discussed everything from sexually transmitted diseases to family planning, to the dignity of life, to the basics of sustaining a good marriage, to the importance of Christian faith.
One of their biggest concerns, however, was the influence of the western media. I was able to address those concerns and teach them the first steps toward media wisdom. Many people asked for permission to translate my MEDIA-WISE FAMILY book and its into Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Polish, etc.
In the battle for the culture, we often focus on the conflict between the various secular worldviews such as materialism and socialism. In its visit to Ukraine, however, the Congress showed that the most important worldview in winning the culture wars and redeeming the values of the media is the Christian faith and its foundation on strong biblical principles. This faith and these principles can teach everyone how to live a better life, not only in Ukraine but throughout the whole world.
What a difference it would make if sex education courses were replaced by Christian Love Education courses! And, what a difference it would make if the mass media promoted Christian Love Education rather than lustful sex education!
Divorce rates would go down, AIDS rates would go down, and abandoned children would find loving homes. Best of all, the joy of giving would melt the Scrooge-like hearts of the opulent societies of the West, including the lust-minded executives in the mass media of entertainment.
Of course, with God, all things are possible.
(c) baehr, 2006
NOTE from Dr. Ted Baehr: For more information from a Christian perspective, order the latest MOVIEGUIDE® magazine by calling 1-800-899-6684(MOVI) or visit our website at www.movieguide.org. MOVIEGUIDE® is dedicated to redeeming the values of Hollywood by informing parents about today's movies and entertainment and by showing media executives and artists that family-friendly and even Christian-friendly movies do best at the box office year in and year out. MOVIEGUIDE® now offers an online subscription to its magazine version, at www.movieguide.org. The magazine, which comes out 25 times a year, contains many informative articles and reviews that help parents train their children to be media-wise consumers. MOVIEGUIDE® also regularly broadcasts several international TV and radio programs hosted by Dr. Baehr. Also, if you want to train your family to be media-wise, call 1-800-89 9-6684 in North America to order the book, video or audio version of THE MEDIA-WISE! FAMILY, Dr. Ted Baehr's latest book. © baehr, 2001
Where Is the Love in Sex Education?
Writers Opinion
By Dr. Ted Baehr, Publisher of MOVIEGUIDE®
HOLLYWOOD, CA (ANS) -- Every year, I have the opportunity to speak in different countries on how to make media-wise families. This year was Ukraine, which I visited a few weeks ago as part of the International Congress of the Family.
The problems in Ukraine are immense. Ukraine has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in Europe, a large white slavery prostitution trade, high alcoholism, and low wages. Its beautiful women are renowned around the world, but mainly as sex slaves and mail-order-brides in other countries.
In the midst of the conference on family issues, some of the government officials were proud that they had introduced American initiated sex education.
MOVIEGUIDE® has carried many articles exposing the fallacy of sex education. As Dr. Judith Reisman and other scientists have shown, sex education not only shows young people how to do it but also gets them excited about doing it. Thus, MOVIEGUIDE® supports abstinence, which has been proven to work, if taught properly.
But, it occurred to me, hearing about the abuses in the porn industry and the orphanages in Ukraine, that what we should propose is Love Education, which we all need. Love Education helps children learn that real satisfaction comes not from lust, which is self-centered, avaricious and often thoughtless, but from Love, which cares for the other person, supports the other person, builds memories that last, and gives long-lasting joy.
Where do we find Love Education? In the flesh, we find it in Jesus Christ, and, for more detailed information, we have the New Testament, which is the Word of God.
At its Ukraine conference, the International Congress of the Family discussed everything from sexually transmitted diseases to family planning, to the dignity of life, to the basics of sustaining a good marriage, to the importance of Christian faith.
One of their biggest concerns, however, was the influence of the western media. I was able to address those concerns and teach them the first steps toward media wisdom. Many people asked for permission to translate my MEDIA-WISE FAMILY book and its into Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Polish, etc.
In the battle for the culture, we often focus on the conflict between the various secular worldviews such as materialism and socialism. In its visit to Ukraine, however, the Congress showed that the most important worldview in winning the culture wars and redeeming the values of the media is the Christian faith and its foundation on strong biblical principles. This faith and these principles can teach everyone how to live a better life, not only in Ukraine but throughout the whole world.
What a difference it would make if sex education courses were replaced by Christian Love Education courses! And, what a difference it would make if the mass media promoted Christian Love Education rather than lustful sex education!
Divorce rates would go down, AIDS rates would go down, and abandoned children would find loving homes. Best of all, the joy of giving would melt the Scrooge-like hearts of the opulent societies of the West, including the lust-minded executives in the mass media of entertainment.
Of course, with God, all things are possible.
(c) baehr, 2006
NOTE from Dr. Ted Baehr: For more information from a Christian perspective, order the latest MOVIEGUIDE® magazine by calling 1-800-899-6684(MOVI) or visit our website at www.movieguide.org. MOVIEGUIDE® is dedicated to redeeming the values of Hollywood by informing parents about today's movies and entertainment and by showing media executives and artists that family-friendly and even Christian-friendly movies do best at the box office year in and year out. MOVIEGUIDE® now offers an online subscription to its magazine version, at www.movieguide.org. The magazine, which comes out 25 times a year, contains many informative articles and reviews that help parents train their children to be media-wise consumers. MOVIEGUIDE® also regularly broadcasts several international TV and radio programs hosted by Dr. Baehr. Also, if you want to train your family to be media-wise, call 1-800-89 9-6684 in North America to order the book, video or audio version of THE MEDIA-WISE! FAMILY, Dr. Ted Baehr's latest book. © baehr, 2001
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Just a Tussey Mussey
A Bloggin Minute It is Mother's Day today and it used to be called Mothering Sunday, when the children were sent home from church with something special they'd made for their mums. It reminds me of my favourite bunch of flowers, the 'Tussey Mussey.' Preferably made up of 'found' flowers from the garden or roadside, the smaller the better, each flower is added to the bunch until a rounded bunch of perfumed colour is formed and tied at the stems with ribbons. Each one is as unique as the maker and giver of the exquisite Tussey Mussey. I hope I am presented with one :)
Friday, May 05, 2006
A Pub Was Never This Good
(I so wanted to go to this crusade!)
Thursday, May 4, 2006
They all came for God: New Zealanders come in droves to Harvest '06 with Greg Laurie
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND (ANS) -- More than 21,000 New Zealanders filled the Westpac Center Arena in Christchurch, April 28-30 to hear evangelist Greg Laurie. The event was New Zealand's first full-scale evangelistic event, making it one of the largest evangelistic outreaches in the country's history.
Over three nights, some 21,000 adults, teens, and children gathered at the arena to listen to popular music from Christian recording artists Audio Adrenaline, Steven Curtis Chapman, and The Katinas before settling in to listen intently to the message of God's forgiveness and love presented each evening by Southern California pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie.
Speaking conversationally on topics like, "Jesus and the Skeptic," "Everyday Jesus," and "Immortality," Laurie addressed spiritual issues head-on, explaining the need for a Savior and the ultimate price Jesus paid for humanity.
As Laurie described the forgiveness that is available and free to anyone who asks, over the course of the weekend more than 2,000 people made their way to the floor of the Westpac Centre to commit their lives to Christ.
The Press newspaper in Christchurch reported that Laurie gave a "straight-from-the-shoulder message which held the audience spellbound for 40 minutes."
The paper reported: "Some came for the music, some came to hear Greg Laurie, but they all came for God. Thousands of people last night packed the Westpac Centre for the first night of Harvest '06."
Harvest ’06 chairman Pastor Murray Robertson said: "Christchurch has not been visited by this caliber of preaching since Billy Graham was here in 1959. Greg Laurie connected with us as a common man, which is what the Kiwis so appreciate about him." Pastor Robertson himself came to faith in Christ at Mr. Graham's crusade in Christchurch.
Some 120 local churches worked together for two years to bring Harvest '06 with Greg Laurie to the area, and they left no stone unturned to spread word of the event throughout the South Island. Despite a population of nearly 350,000, for weeks Christchurch appeared to be blanketed in Harvest '06 bumper stickers, billboards, and bus ads, and the question everyone seemed to be asking was, "Who is Greg Laurie?"
That question came in handy during the weekend as 50 teens from Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, called the SWAT Team (Students with a Testimony) joined with local churches to provide answers about Harvest '06.
The students, who each paid their own way to New Zealand, talked with youth at coffee shops and local hangouts, inviting them to attend the event and sharing their own powerful stories of God’s transformation in their lives. During the weekend, the SWAT Team led 150 people -- primarily youth -- to faith in Christ.
Local media also jumped on the bandwagon as curiosity about the Harvest '06 event grew. In addition to coverage from The Press, hosts from a popular rock station interviewed Greg Laurie about the event, and nationally recognized radio talk show host Simon Barnett served as the emcee for the Sunday evening program.
"The Harvest Team and Greg Laurie have elevated the awareness in our city that we need the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have come as servants and have demonstrated that there is hope for our city. We've never seen anything like this," said David MacGregor, senior pastor, Vineyard Fellowship in Christchurch.
While the first night of Harvest '06 nearly filled the Westpac Center, the Saturday night Amplify youth program was overflowing, with some 8,000 in attendance before the doors were closed, leaving outside hundreds who did not arrive in time to stake out a seat.
The latest and loudest music from alternative band Audio Adrenaline, Grammy Award-winning musician Steven Curtis Chapman, and local band Satellite was a definite draw, but it was the message from Laurie that appeared to really capture the attention of the youth in attendance.
"The youth of Christchurch have shown a great hunger to hear the word of God," said John Collins, executive director of Harvest Ministries. Indeed, by the end of the evening, 863 youth came forward to declare a decision to follow Christ -- more than 10 percent of the crowd.
At the conclusion of the three-day Harvest '06 event, Collins added, "Every pastor I've spoken to locally believes Christchurch has been profoundly impacted by this weekend's events. The sense among Christians here is that God has begun a work that will continue on long after this weekend. It is our hope and prayer that many of the young people who were introduced to Jesus Christ these last three days will grow up to impact their generation for Christ."
Harvest Crusades, known for presenting traditional Christian beliefs in a culturally relevant way that appeals to all ages, employing of-the-moment methods like Internet technology and popular Christian music, has drawn more than 3.3 million people to stadiums and arenas in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand since 1990. Each Harvest event features a message from Greg Laurie, founder of the Harvest events and pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., one of the 15 largest churches in the U.S.
Archived web casts of Harvest '06 in Christchurch, New Zealand are available for viewing at www.harvest.org
Harvest with Greg Laurie will hold two additional crusade events in 2006, including its 17th annual Southern California Harvest in Anaheim, Aug. 11 – 13, and a first-time visit to San Jose, California, Oct. 13 – 15.
MEDIA NOTE: For more information about the 2006 Harvest with Greg Laurie events, contact Laura Swickard McGowan at (847) 328-8009 or cellular (847) 347-5206. E-mail: laura@lauramcgowan.com; website: www.lauramcgowan.com
Thursday, May 4, 2006
They all came for God: New Zealanders come in droves to Harvest '06 with Greg Laurie
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND (ANS) -- More than 21,000 New Zealanders filled the Westpac Center Arena in Christchurch, April 28-30 to hear evangelist Greg Laurie. The event was New Zealand's first full-scale evangelistic event, making it one of the largest evangelistic outreaches in the country's history.
Over three nights, some 21,000 adults, teens, and children gathered at the arena to listen to popular music from Christian recording artists Audio Adrenaline, Steven Curtis Chapman, and The Katinas before settling in to listen intently to the message of God's forgiveness and love presented each evening by Southern California pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie.
Speaking conversationally on topics like, "Jesus and the Skeptic," "Everyday Jesus," and "Immortality," Laurie addressed spiritual issues head-on, explaining the need for a Savior and the ultimate price Jesus paid for humanity.
As Laurie described the forgiveness that is available and free to anyone who asks, over the course of the weekend more than 2,000 people made their way to the floor of the Westpac Centre to commit their lives to Christ.
The Press newspaper in Christchurch reported that Laurie gave a "straight-from-the-shoulder message which held the audience spellbound for 40 minutes."
The paper reported: "Some came for the music, some came to hear Greg Laurie, but they all came for God. Thousands of people last night packed the Westpac Centre for the first night of Harvest '06."
Harvest ’06 chairman Pastor Murray Robertson said: "Christchurch has not been visited by this caliber of preaching since Billy Graham was here in 1959. Greg Laurie connected with us as a common man, which is what the Kiwis so appreciate about him." Pastor Robertson himself came to faith in Christ at Mr. Graham's crusade in Christchurch.
Some 120 local churches worked together for two years to bring Harvest '06 with Greg Laurie to the area, and they left no stone unturned to spread word of the event throughout the South Island. Despite a population of nearly 350,000, for weeks Christchurch appeared to be blanketed in Harvest '06 bumper stickers, billboards, and bus ads, and the question everyone seemed to be asking was, "Who is Greg Laurie?"
That question came in handy during the weekend as 50 teens from Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, called the SWAT Team (Students with a Testimony) joined with local churches to provide answers about Harvest '06.
The students, who each paid their own way to New Zealand, talked with youth at coffee shops and local hangouts, inviting them to attend the event and sharing their own powerful stories of God’s transformation in their lives. During the weekend, the SWAT Team led 150 people -- primarily youth -- to faith in Christ.
Local media also jumped on the bandwagon as curiosity about the Harvest '06 event grew. In addition to coverage from The Press, hosts from a popular rock station interviewed Greg Laurie about the event, and nationally recognized radio talk show host Simon Barnett served as the emcee for the Sunday evening program.
"The Harvest Team and Greg Laurie have elevated the awareness in our city that we need the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have come as servants and have demonstrated that there is hope for our city. We've never seen anything like this," said David MacGregor, senior pastor, Vineyard Fellowship in Christchurch.
While the first night of Harvest '06 nearly filled the Westpac Center, the Saturday night Amplify youth program was overflowing, with some 8,000 in attendance before the doors were closed, leaving outside hundreds who did not arrive in time to stake out a seat.
The latest and loudest music from alternative band Audio Adrenaline, Grammy Award-winning musician Steven Curtis Chapman, and local band Satellite was a definite draw, but it was the message from Laurie that appeared to really capture the attention of the youth in attendance.
"The youth of Christchurch have shown a great hunger to hear the word of God," said John Collins, executive director of Harvest Ministries. Indeed, by the end of the evening, 863 youth came forward to declare a decision to follow Christ -- more than 10 percent of the crowd.
At the conclusion of the three-day Harvest '06 event, Collins added, "Every pastor I've spoken to locally believes Christchurch has been profoundly impacted by this weekend's events. The sense among Christians here is that God has begun a work that will continue on long after this weekend. It is our hope and prayer that many of the young people who were introduced to Jesus Christ these last three days will grow up to impact their generation for Christ."
Harvest Crusades, known for presenting traditional Christian beliefs in a culturally relevant way that appeals to all ages, employing of-the-moment methods like Internet technology and popular Christian music, has drawn more than 3.3 million people to stadiums and arenas in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand since 1990. Each Harvest event features a message from Greg Laurie, founder of the Harvest events and pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., one of the 15 largest churches in the U.S.
Archived web casts of Harvest '06 in Christchurch, New Zealand are available for viewing at www.harvest.org
Harvest with Greg Laurie will hold two additional crusade events in 2006, including its 17th annual Southern California Harvest in Anaheim, Aug. 11 – 13, and a first-time visit to San Jose, California, Oct. 13 – 15.
MEDIA NOTE: For more information about the 2006 Harvest with Greg Laurie events, contact Laura Swickard McGowan at (847) 328-8009 or cellular (847) 347-5206. E-mail: laura@lauramcgowan.com; website: www.lauramcgowan.com
"Radar" O'Reilly
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Fighting for family, life after M*A*S*H
By Scott Harrup, an associate editor of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel
Special to ASSIST News Service
SPRINGFIELD, MO (ANS) -- Gary Burghoff almost never gives interviews anymore. The actor, best known for his role as Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly in both the movie and television series M*A*S*H, is 62 and long retired to private life.
But in a February interview with Canadian radio talk show host Drew Marshall on Oakville, Ontario’s JOY 1250, Burghoff speaks candidly about a decision he made not long after he left M*A*S*H.
“Family, to me, became the most important thing,” he says of his rationale for exiting the show that defined his career. “I was not available as a father because of my work. That doesn’t stop when the work stops. Whenever you go out as a family, you’re always torn from family to deal with public recognition.”
Burghoff turned down other offers that followed. Unfortunately, leaving M*A*S*H couldn’t save his marriage. In the late 1970s, Burghoff moved back to Connecticut, his boyhood home, and began life as a single parent of his 4-year-old daughter.
While dealing with the divorce, Burghoff lost his father. It was a dark time, but it forced him to ask some critical questions.
“My father had said when I was in New York early on struggling as an actor that if you don’t know the Bible you don’t have a foundation,” Burghoff says. “I had told him from an agnostic point of view that the Bible was a very good book, but it wasn’t the only book. But after M*A*S*H I realized he might have something. I had given my life over to the world instead of to God.”
For the next two years, Burghoff pursued an intense study of the Scriptures. It was life-changing.
“When you become that empty vessel that is ready to be filled,” he says, “the veil is lifted. You suddenly understand those words. That’s what happened. The Bible before was always an enigma to me. But now I could understand it. The Lord says, ‘Ask and you shall receive.’ And I was asking.”
Burghoff’s second marriage blessed him with two sons, but his growing faith created a distance between him and his wife.
“I’d married a wonderful woman,” he says, “but she was not walking the same Christian walk, so there was a great communication gap in the marriage.”
When they separated and she moved to California with their sons, Burghoff again put family before his own dreams. Although he had planned to return to his New England roots, he was determined to be a father to his sons.
“My choice was a very easy one,” he says. “I’m going to be a father to my kids first. Because that, like my walk with the Lord, is who I am. I’m a daddy.”
Burghoff moved across the country and lived down the street from his estranged wife for 12 years so they could raise their kids together.
“Fathers who don’t do that are sacrificing something wonderful,” he says. “A divorce is between two people, never between a parent and children. I know the Lord hates divorce, but He hates abandonment, I think, a lot more.”
Today, Burghoff enjoys traveling and promoting wildlife-related causes. His wildlife paintings reach a growing and appreciative audience. But spiritually, he keeps two points in focus -- Christian fellowship and the Word.
“Without the Word,” he says, “I’m rootless, I have no foundation. Whenever things seem bleak, I go back to that source. If art is a personal reflection of the beauty you see in life, I want to go to the source, so I go to wildlife. I do the same thing with spiritual beauty.”
Scott Harrup is an associate editor of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel, the weekly magazine of the Assemblies of God. Drew Marshall is a nationally recognized Christian broadcaster in Canada. Visit his Web site at www.drewmarshall.ca.
Fighting for family, life after M*A*S*H
By Scott Harrup, an associate editor of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel
Special to ASSIST News Service
SPRINGFIELD, MO (ANS) -- Gary Burghoff almost never gives interviews anymore. The actor, best known for his role as Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly in both the movie and television series M*A*S*H, is 62 and long retired to private life.
But in a February interview with Canadian radio talk show host Drew Marshall on Oakville, Ontario’s JOY 1250, Burghoff speaks candidly about a decision he made not long after he left M*A*S*H.
“Family, to me, became the most important thing,” he says of his rationale for exiting the show that defined his career. “I was not available as a father because of my work. That doesn’t stop when the work stops. Whenever you go out as a family, you’re always torn from family to deal with public recognition.”
Burghoff turned down other offers that followed. Unfortunately, leaving M*A*S*H couldn’t save his marriage. In the late 1970s, Burghoff moved back to Connecticut, his boyhood home, and began life as a single parent of his 4-year-old daughter.
While dealing with the divorce, Burghoff lost his father. It was a dark time, but it forced him to ask some critical questions.
“My father had said when I was in New York early on struggling as an actor that if you don’t know the Bible you don’t have a foundation,” Burghoff says. “I had told him from an agnostic point of view that the Bible was a very good book, but it wasn’t the only book. But after M*A*S*H I realized he might have something. I had given my life over to the world instead of to God.”
For the next two years, Burghoff pursued an intense study of the Scriptures. It was life-changing.
“When you become that empty vessel that is ready to be filled,” he says, “the veil is lifted. You suddenly understand those words. That’s what happened. The Bible before was always an enigma to me. But now I could understand it. The Lord says, ‘Ask and you shall receive.’ And I was asking.”
Burghoff’s second marriage blessed him with two sons, but his growing faith created a distance between him and his wife.
“I’d married a wonderful woman,” he says, “but she was not walking the same Christian walk, so there was a great communication gap in the marriage.”
When they separated and she moved to California with their sons, Burghoff again put family before his own dreams. Although he had planned to return to his New England roots, he was determined to be a father to his sons.
“My choice was a very easy one,” he says. “I’m going to be a father to my kids first. Because that, like my walk with the Lord, is who I am. I’m a daddy.”
Burghoff moved across the country and lived down the street from his estranged wife for 12 years so they could raise their kids together.
“Fathers who don’t do that are sacrificing something wonderful,” he says. “A divorce is between two people, never between a parent and children. I know the Lord hates divorce, but He hates abandonment, I think, a lot more.”
Today, Burghoff enjoys traveling and promoting wildlife-related causes. His wildlife paintings reach a growing and appreciative audience. But spiritually, he keeps two points in focus -- Christian fellowship and the Word.
“Without the Word,” he says, “I’m rootless, I have no foundation. Whenever things seem bleak, I go back to that source. If art is a personal reflection of the beauty you see in life, I want to go to the source, so I go to wildlife. I do the same thing with spiritual beauty.”
Scott Harrup is an associate editor of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel, the weekly magazine of the Assemblies of God. Drew Marshall is a nationally recognized Christian broadcaster in Canada. Visit his Web site at www.drewmarshall.ca.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
This is Anzac Day
This is the day Australian's and New Zealander's remember our brave soldiers who fought in wars together. There are many sad and terrible memories but also times of remembrance of friendships forged that bind us together even though there is today rivalry in the sporting arena. We are bound together and remember the heroes who have now gone and the heroes of today who continue to put their lives on the line for our freedom. I salute them and thank them for sacrificing their lives for us. From God's book the Bible His words ring true today as they did 2,000 years ago when He sacrificed His life to give us eternal life. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
We will not forget.
We will not forget.
Monday, April 17, 2006
When All Your Chocolate Goog-Googs Have Gone
aint you glad you've still got Jesus AND Radio Rhema or LifeFM, or some other Christian Radio to listen to 'til your Saviour comes for you? I was looking up @ the clouds and saying to my littlest sonshine Today, 'I'm ready for when Jesus comes and I know I will yell and scream and excitedly say, 'come on, here He is, let's go!!' He just said, 'yes mum and this Lego machine I have built will be used for His army."
Monday, March 20, 2006
So You Gained The Whole World
but you have now lost your soul. Was it worth it to be liberal? so 'new age'? so humanist? To do things that were morally wrong because you had the power to do so, you were allowed to, and maybe you needed to put more money in your bank..to cloth yourself..to put food in your tummy/fridge? or buy more drugs or alcohol? You are worth so much to Jesus Christ who gave His all for your life! Don't ruin your own life or those of others, you are so precious in His sight. If you want to learn more please check out this site: http://www.examineyourself.com
Monday, February 20, 2006
Media Stooping To Sewer Level
A Bloggin Minute
C4 and TV 3, aka Canwest, are in cahoots in screening a TV programme that portrays a 'statue of the virgin Mary' menstruating. Who are the crooked, perverted, boofheads behind this type of television? To what level below the surface of common decency would they grovel to, to make my kids even remotely interested enough to watch their TV stations?
I support 100% the Catholic church in calling for a boycott of C4, and TV3 and anything that those stations advertise, if they go ahead and screen this muck and any other muck they screen now and in the future. Where are the howls of protests from the Ministry of Womens Affairs about the 'Bloody Mary' programme?The women's groups and all those staunch feminist's out there? Just a strange silence, when it suits them, of course...
C4 and TV 3, aka Canwest, are in cahoots in screening a TV programme that portrays a 'statue of the virgin Mary' menstruating. Who are the crooked, perverted, boofheads behind this type of television? To what level below the surface of common decency would they grovel to, to make my kids even remotely interested enough to watch their TV stations?
I support 100% the Catholic church in calling for a boycott of C4, and TV3 and anything that those stations advertise, if they go ahead and screen this muck and any other muck they screen now and in the future. Where are the howls of protests from the Ministry of Womens Affairs about the 'Bloody Mary' programme?The women's groups and all those staunch feminist's out there? Just a strange silence, when it suits them, of course...
Friday, February 03, 2006
Deceiving and Being Deceived
We have now in New Zealand a Doctor, a GP, Neil Benson who wants to open a brothel..link here--->http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10366570
In the medical profession too there is this blindness to the evil pervasive in our land. And deception too, Mr Benson likens brothel -keeping to owning and selling alcohol in a pub!
Now teachers in our kindergartens are to be trained in self-defence by the Ministry of Education, this when the government is about to consider new laws to prevent parents smacking their children. Link here--->http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10366679
Instead of government timewasting on anti-smacking law/ birdflus and other sky pies, why don't they ban explicit sex and violence screened on our free-to-air television programmes, and also movies/dvd's/ videos and games coming into our country? And cease government-financed abortions/ killing babies in the womb, the unseen minorities, the victims of the "Just Me" diversity and a most horrible violation against humanity.
In the USA, TV programmes like 'Sex In The City' are only available on pay-to-view channels so why is this rubbish able to beamed into our living room where my kids could easily access it? The government law-makers, the media, brothel-keepers and dodgy doctors, et al, need to be warned about tempting people to sin.
In the medical profession too there is this blindness to the evil pervasive in our land. And deception too, Mr Benson likens brothel -keeping to owning and selling alcohol in a pub!
Now teachers in our kindergartens are to be trained in self-defence by the Ministry of Education, this when the government is about to consider new laws to prevent parents smacking their children. Link here--->http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10366679
Instead of government timewasting on anti-smacking law/ birdflus and other sky pies, why don't they ban explicit sex and violence screened on our free-to-air television programmes, and also movies/dvd's/ videos and games coming into our country? And cease government-financed abortions/ killing babies in the womb, the unseen minorities, the victims of the "Just Me" diversity and a most horrible violation against humanity.
In the USA, TV programmes like 'Sex In The City' are only available on pay-to-view channels so why is this rubbish able to beamed into our living room where my kids could easily access it? The government law-makers, the media, brothel-keepers and dodgy doctors, et al, need to be warned about tempting people to sin.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Armed Soldiers To Guard New Zealand Wombs?
The Green Party of New Zealand and a chorus of other environmentalists, noticably of late, the homosexual Labour Party Department of Conservation Member of Parliament, Chris Carter, are calling for the Government to send the New Zealand navy to the Southern Ocean and to exert pressure on the Japanese to put a halt to their whaling expedition.
When thousands of baby New Zealander's are slaughtered by abortion procedures annually in this country you'd think the activist's against whaling would get their priorities right in where their 'protection hearts' ought to be active.
So, can we expect the Armed Forces to be sent to surround the Abortion Clinics and hospitals to protect innocent babies from slaughter, or better still, the Government to stop illegal abortion-on-demand?
If our country is to have any credibility in the world, it must be seen to be doing it's utmost to protect all New Zealand people first, even our as yet, unborn.
When thousands of baby New Zealander's are slaughtered by abortion procedures annually in this country you'd think the activist's against whaling would get their priorities right in where their 'protection hearts' ought to be active.
So, can we expect the Armed Forces to be sent to surround the Abortion Clinics and hospitals to protect innocent babies from slaughter, or better still, the Government to stop illegal abortion-on-demand?
If our country is to have any credibility in the world, it must be seen to be doing it's utmost to protect all New Zealand people first, even our as yet, unborn.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Jesus Christ IS God's Gift For Us
How do we get our heads around a free gift, something like when a stranger stands on a street corner and hands you a $100 bill? You did nothing to earn it but you take it probably willingly, but most likely you'd be thinking maybe it's a fake or, someone will soon come out from behind a tree and say, "Smile, you're on Candid Camera"...
Well the fact that Jesus Christ died on a cross to take the full brunt of all of our sins is hard to comprehend, after all why would anyone do that for us? Well, no ordinary bloke would, however, Jesus IS God and He has His own way of doing things, totally different to the way we do things and I'm rapt about that because I can put my faith in Him who knows everything and who truly does have the Whole World In His Hands. The peace and the joy truly knowing that, is just one of the freedom gifts that comes with the Christian tag attached to me.
Christmas Day rolls around every year and it is a wonderful occasion for other's to hear about Jesus and His birth and short life on earth. However, what the world needs to know more about is that He is still here, as the Holy Spirit, living in the believer's who are spreading the Good News about the Saviour of The World.
HAVE A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND MAY YOU TOO COME TO KNOW THE ONE I KNOW
Well the fact that Jesus Christ died on a cross to take the full brunt of all of our sins is hard to comprehend, after all why would anyone do that for us? Well, no ordinary bloke would, however, Jesus IS God and He has His own way of doing things, totally different to the way we do things and I'm rapt about that because I can put my faith in Him who knows everything and who truly does have the Whole World In His Hands. The peace and the joy truly knowing that, is just one of the freedom gifts that comes with the Christian tag attached to me.
Christmas Day rolls around every year and it is a wonderful occasion for other's to hear about Jesus and His birth and short life on earth. However, what the world needs to know more about is that He is still here, as the Holy Spirit, living in the believer's who are spreading the Good News about the Saviour of The World.
HAVE A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND MAY YOU TOO COME TO KNOW THE ONE I KNOW
Sunday, December 18, 2005
The 3- Inch Bird
Young son recounted the doings of the family cat found to be stashing two of it's birds inside the house this morning...son finds the '3-inch bird' first with hundreds of feathers scattered everywhere and he is wondering if the birds have the bird flu. When I ask, why? he says because he is feeling itchy all over...and cos the birds are kinda, coughing. When gingerly, I ask, why are they coughing, he says they're like, chirping err, err real loud and that the 15-cm bird's head was in the cat's mouth but then it slipped out and then out of the cat's paws and went straight out the doors...I'm left thinking bird flu would be a better option for some birdies.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
A Millstone Round The Neck
The Lord Jesus Christ says if someone causes His people to sin they might as well commit suicide, choose to have a millstone placed round their neck and be cast into the deepest sea.
Another prostitute has been brutally murdered in New Zealand and it is obvious that a life isn't worth much to many people, the murder stats are certainly reflecting that.
It is just as well Jesus Christ came to earth to be our Saviour, we only have to accept Him in Faith, if we do we are assured of eternal life, if we choose not to then we continue on to eternal death and destruction, the millstone round our neck and cast in to hell. The ultimate sin, the sin of unbelief.
Another prostitute has been brutally murdered in New Zealand and it is obvious that a life isn't worth much to many people, the murder stats are certainly reflecting that.
It is just as well Jesus Christ came to earth to be our Saviour, we only have to accept Him in Faith, if we do we are assured of eternal life, if we choose not to then we continue on to eternal death and destruction, the millstone round our neck and cast in to hell. The ultimate sin, the sin of unbelief.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
A Bloggin Minute:The Children are Eating Dog Faeces, arn't they?
A Bloggin MinuteWell yes, one did, forced to, over a seven-week period by his mother and two of her friends.http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3490069a12855,00.html
This type of horrendous crime against children is becoming all too frequent in our small country with a population of only 4Million. It never used to be like this. Things have progressively declined morally since homosexuality was legalised in this country in 1984 and our liberal abortion laws enable thousands of baby New Zealander's to be murdered each year. Recently, the liberal Labour Government has also allowed Civil Unions, the closest they could get, at the moment, to homosexual and lesbian marriage, and they have legalised prostitution and pimping openly on our streets and brothel operating and keeping, in our neighbourhoods. We have drug runners using our soft-touch country now as a major trafficking route, yes it's open slather in what 'was' affectionately known as, Godzone!
I heard a talk-back radio host say,".. but we have the lowest unemployment in the world and the immigrant's coming here are saying this country is so great". Well, they would say that wouldn't they when the countries they are leaving are currently worse than our own, but will they be worse much longer? Or, will our country be worn-down completely? and then where will we go, to India perhaps? South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, how's about Thailand...
This type of horrendous crime against children is becoming all too frequent in our small country with a population of only 4Million. It never used to be like this. Things have progressively declined morally since homosexuality was legalised in this country in 1984 and our liberal abortion laws enable thousands of baby New Zealander's to be murdered each year. Recently, the liberal Labour Government has also allowed Civil Unions, the closest they could get, at the moment, to homosexual and lesbian marriage, and they have legalised prostitution and pimping openly on our streets and brothel operating and keeping, in our neighbourhoods. We have drug runners using our soft-touch country now as a major trafficking route, yes it's open slather in what 'was' affectionately known as, Godzone!
I heard a talk-back radio host say,".. but we have the lowest unemployment in the world and the immigrant's coming here are saying this country is so great". Well, they would say that wouldn't they when the countries they are leaving are currently worse than our own, but will they be worse much longer? Or, will our country be worn-down completely? and then where will we go, to India perhaps? South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, how's about Thailand...
A Bloggin Minute: Wearing Down
A Bloggin Minute: Wearing Down(New Zealand) Parliament loses opportunity to protect marriage
Yesterday, Parliament voted 73-47 to defeat the Marriage (Gender Clarification) Bill that would have defined in legislation that marriage is between one man and one woman. This Bill would have sent a clear message that the traditional definition of marriage is valued and protected in this country.
Parties treated the vote as a conscience issue, although there were some clear voting patterns. All Labour MPs, except one voted against the Bill; National MPs were split 36 in favour of the Bill and 12 opposed; New Zealand First were split, five in favour and two opposed; Jim Anderton, the Green and Maori MPs opposed the Bill; and all United Future MPs and both Act MPs voted in support of the legislation.
Many MPs were convinced by the argument that this legislation is unnecessary because marriage is already defined in our courts as a union between one man and one woman. Whilst technically true, this argument missed the real need for and importance of this Bill.
When similar legislation was passed in Australia last August, the Attorney General, Mr. Peter Ruddock stated it this way: "The bill is necessary because there is significant community concern about the possible erosion of the institution of marriage...The government has consistently reiterated the fundamental importance of the place of marriage in our society. It is a central and fundamental institution. It is vital to the stability of our society and provides the best environment for the raising of children."
This was an opportunity for our Parliament to show it's support for the place of marriage in New Zealand - an opportunity sadly lost.
(The above post was taken from an email from Maxim Institute, (http://www.maxim.org.nz) dated 8 December 2005. Real Issues #186. Sign up for them on the site.)
Yesterday, Parliament voted 73-47 to defeat the Marriage (Gender Clarification) Bill that would have defined in legislation that marriage is between one man and one woman. This Bill would have sent a clear message that the traditional definition of marriage is valued and protected in this country.
Parties treated the vote as a conscience issue, although there were some clear voting patterns. All Labour MPs, except one voted against the Bill; National MPs were split 36 in favour of the Bill and 12 opposed; New Zealand First were split, five in favour and two opposed; Jim Anderton, the Green and Maori MPs opposed the Bill; and all United Future MPs and both Act MPs voted in support of the legislation.
Many MPs were convinced by the argument that this legislation is unnecessary because marriage is already defined in our courts as a union between one man and one woman. Whilst technically true, this argument missed the real need for and importance of this Bill.
When similar legislation was passed in Australia last August, the Attorney General, Mr. Peter Ruddock stated it this way: "The bill is necessary because there is significant community concern about the possible erosion of the institution of marriage...The government has consistently reiterated the fundamental importance of the place of marriage in our society. It is a central and fundamental institution. It is vital to the stability of our society and provides the best environment for the raising of children."
This was an opportunity for our Parliament to show it's support for the place of marriage in New Zealand - an opportunity sadly lost.
(The above post was taken from an email from Maxim Institute, (http://www.maxim.org.nz) dated 8 December 2005. Real Issues #186. Sign up for them on the site.)
Saturday, December 03, 2005
A Bloggin Minute: Wearing Down
A Bloggin Minute: Wearing DownSupreme Court to Consider Parents Rights
from the November 29, 2005 eNews issue. www.khouse.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Supreme Court will hear a major case on the abortion issue this Wednesday. In 2003, Planned Parenthood took New Hampshire's new parental notification law to court, where it was overturned. The nation's highest court will now hear arguments to determine whether parents' rights over the medical care of their children has more importance than the rights of minor girls to get secret abortions.
New Hampshire's law is simple. It requires at least one parent to be notified, either in person or by certified mail, 48 hours before a minor daughter can legally obtain an abortion. It includes an exception to save the minor's life, as well as a judicial bypass if the girl can convince a judge that she is mature enough to make the decision on her own. A lower court struck down the law days before it was to take effect because it failed to include an exception for the "health" of the girl, and because the exception to save her life was deemed too narrow.
While health exceptions sound like good things, in reality they simply gut laws like this one. "Health" exceptions and "life" exceptions are completely different. If a girl is going to die because the growing embryo has remained inside her Fallopian tube, then an emergency procedure may be necessary before a parent can be notified. However, a child's "health" might include anything. According to the Supreme Court's definition in Doe v. Bolton (1973), "health" can include physical, psychological, emotional, familial, educational or financial "health". A health exception makes laws like these veritably useless.
The Supreme Court's decision in this case, Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, will be extremely significant, and will have an effect on other laws that restrict abortions. Right now, thirty-four states have laws that require a parent to either be notified or to give their consent before their minor daughter goes through an abortion. Another nine states have passed similar laws, but have had them struck down by local courts.
This case will also cause the Supreme Court to revisit other abortion-related cases, including Stenberg v. Carhart (2000), in which the Supreme Court struck down Nebraska's partial birth abortion ban (5-4) because the law was vaguely worded and did not include a health exception. The case of Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), another parental/spousal notification case, will also be reconsidered.
Laws that require teenagers to notify their parents or guardians before getting abortions are just good policy. Nobody would argue that minor girls should be allowed to get their tonsils removed without parental consent. Parents have the primary responsibility over the health and welfare of their children. They will be the ones dealing with any harmful physical and emotional effects an abortion might have on their scared, young daughters. They have a right to know their daughter is planning to have an abortion and to have time to discuss with her other options she might not have considered.
"Laws like this are extremely important for protecting vulnerable children against coercion, deception, and the damaging emotional and physical consequences of abortion," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the American Center of Law and Justice. "It makes no sense to permit children to undergo a medical procedure like abortion without their parents being notified. To permit children to get abortions without parental notification is not only legally flawed, but bad public policy. This is an important opportunity for the high court to step in and protect the health and well being of our children."
Related Links:
• Supreme Court Should Uphold Parental Notification Law for Children Seeking Abortions - ACLJ Press Release
• Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England - Duke Law
• Abortion Case Offers U.S. Chief Justice Chance to Reshape - Bloomberg
from the November 29, 2005 eNews issue. www.khouse.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Supreme Court will hear a major case on the abortion issue this Wednesday. In 2003, Planned Parenthood took New Hampshire's new parental notification law to court, where it was overturned. The nation's highest court will now hear arguments to determine whether parents' rights over the medical care of their children has more importance than the rights of minor girls to get secret abortions.
New Hampshire's law is simple. It requires at least one parent to be notified, either in person or by certified mail, 48 hours before a minor daughter can legally obtain an abortion. It includes an exception to save the minor's life, as well as a judicial bypass if the girl can convince a judge that she is mature enough to make the decision on her own. A lower court struck down the law days before it was to take effect because it failed to include an exception for the "health" of the girl, and because the exception to save her life was deemed too narrow.
While health exceptions sound like good things, in reality they simply gut laws like this one. "Health" exceptions and "life" exceptions are completely different. If a girl is going to die because the growing embryo has remained inside her Fallopian tube, then an emergency procedure may be necessary before a parent can be notified. However, a child's "health" might include anything. According to the Supreme Court's definition in Doe v. Bolton (1973), "health" can include physical, psychological, emotional, familial, educational or financial "health". A health exception makes laws like these veritably useless.
The Supreme Court's decision in this case, Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, will be extremely significant, and will have an effect on other laws that restrict abortions. Right now, thirty-four states have laws that require a parent to either be notified or to give their consent before their minor daughter goes through an abortion. Another nine states have passed similar laws, but have had them struck down by local courts.
This case will also cause the Supreme Court to revisit other abortion-related cases, including Stenberg v. Carhart (2000), in which the Supreme Court struck down Nebraska's partial birth abortion ban (5-4) because the law was vaguely worded and did not include a health exception. The case of Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), another parental/spousal notification case, will also be reconsidered.
Laws that require teenagers to notify their parents or guardians before getting abortions are just good policy. Nobody would argue that minor girls should be allowed to get their tonsils removed without parental consent. Parents have the primary responsibility over the health and welfare of their children. They will be the ones dealing with any harmful physical and emotional effects an abortion might have on their scared, young daughters. They have a right to know their daughter is planning to have an abortion and to have time to discuss with her other options she might not have considered.
"Laws like this are extremely important for protecting vulnerable children against coercion, deception, and the damaging emotional and physical consequences of abortion," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the American Center of Law and Justice. "It makes no sense to permit children to undergo a medical procedure like abortion without their parents being notified. To permit children to get abortions without parental notification is not only legally flawed, but bad public policy. This is an important opportunity for the high court to step in and protect the health and well being of our children."
Related Links:
• Supreme Court Should Uphold Parental Notification Law for Children Seeking Abortions - ACLJ Press Release
• Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England - Duke Law
• Abortion Case Offers U.S. Chief Justice Chance to Reshape - Bloomberg
Friday, December 02, 2005
A Bloggin Minute: Wearing Down
A Bloggin Minute: Wearing DownA Judicial Assault on Parenthood
Michael Medved
In an appalling travesty of justice, the Washington State Supreme Court has ordered a husband and wife to share custody of their ten-year-old daughter with a third parent: a lesbian lover the mother rejected four years ago!
The two women lived together when the baby was born, but the mother left homosexuality to marry the biological father of the girl. The court, however, anointed the one-time lesbian lover as a "de facto parent" with the same rights as the mother--despite the fact that she never adopted the girl legally when they lived together.
This decision not only trashes the rights of biological parents, but also slights the significance of legal adoption. It grants special status to a homosexual relationship--even when discarded--while clearly ignoring the best interests of a child.
How would a ten year old benefit from a court-created third parent to whom she bears no biological or adoptive relationship?
Michael Medved is the host of The Michael Medved Show.
Michael Medved is the author of Right Turns: Unconventional Lessons from a Controversial Life.
Michael Medved
In an appalling travesty of justice, the Washington State Supreme Court has ordered a husband and wife to share custody of their ten-year-old daughter with a third parent: a lesbian lover the mother rejected four years ago!
The two women lived together when the baby was born, but the mother left homosexuality to marry the biological father of the girl. The court, however, anointed the one-time lesbian lover as a "de facto parent" with the same rights as the mother--despite the fact that she never adopted the girl legally when they lived together.
This decision not only trashes the rights of biological parents, but also slights the significance of legal adoption. It grants special status to a homosexual relationship--even when discarded--while clearly ignoring the best interests of a child.
How would a ten year old benefit from a court-created third parent to whom she bears no biological or adoptive relationship?
Michael Medved is the host of The Michael Medved Show.
Michael Medved is the author of Right Turns: Unconventional Lessons from a Controversial Life.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Crave Te Kaikoura
A Bloggin MinuteThe blessings of having fisherman friends is especial when they bring you fish fresh from the ocean and last night we were given some cooked crayfish. I was hogging into one to break my fast this morning and in walks sonshine and tells me that what I am eating is s--t, I said no, it is just the gravy and he said it is s--t and I am beginning to lose my appetite, tis just as well the tail is long gone into my tummy so I place what is left of my koura's hardbelly into a plastic bag and tightly do it up and into the bin it went, I hope the weather isn't too hot between now and next rubbish day...back inside son is tucking in to the last x3 crays and discarding the bodies. They're back in the fridge where they'll be eaten, in private, later.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Wearing Down
I have noticed with the recent trend among the mostly liberal members of parliament here in New Zealand, a 'wearing down' of what we have considered good and upright people serving in important places in our social services departments. I include here our police force and anything else where Joe or Josephine Public has to go for help, for guidance, for an anchor, someone to look up to when you havn't got anyone to trust. Now, I have not always been a follower of Jesus Christ and so I have not always had Him as my built-in anchor, but I know that when the crap hits the fan we need the right people to look to, good solid upright citizens. Well, I mean no offence to anyone but the police have a current member who is upfront in a terrible heavy metal band that exudes violence from every pore and speaker, is this comfort for the needy?...and then there is Georgina, formerly George? Beyer, who the Labour Party lauds as the worlds first- transgendered -Member of Parliament, and now is the Chairperson of the Government's Social Services Committee. I don't doubt for a moment that she/ he is capable of doing that job as chair, however, as an anchor for so many of our people who are hitting the gutters big time, absolutely not. We need very straight people right now in every helping agency, kids can see right through the wishy-washy hairy-fairyness of these liberal's who delight in wearing down our right to righteous government.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
An Aging Potato Masher
I've been around long enough to see many sizes and varieties of spud/potato/murphy, whatever you want to call em, and I've found them all different upon cooking/tasting. Some are tasteless, some have eyes that wern't there when first placed in the pot and some, well some just deserve a darn good mashing! So over the years I have variously mashed with a stainless steel masher, some with holes in em and some had aWlook to them but now I use a plastic one and it's a wee beaut, well so I thought. But after all these years of presuming I had acquired a nack with the spudata's mashings my son tells me his friend's mum makes the most delicious mashed potatoes and she uses lots of butter, milk and finishes her mashing with a good fork whip-around! I was hurt, I was, I just said, quietly to sonshine, Well, I have mashed many a spud in my days and I used to use the fork, the dollops of butter and much cream as well as milk in them but, now I am an aging potato masher, doing the mashings well past my prime and so, if you want that type of mash then do it yourself....oh no mum, said he, they're still edible and that's good enough for me.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
..Oh And That's Lady Cadaver Over There..
On display in New York are some real bodies in various stages of decompose and I wonder, who would give permission to have people ogling them in that state? Would you? It is bad enough seeing mumified men, women and children in museums, hardly the final and private resting place an Egyptian had in mind surely...oh well if it will help people give up smoking when they see the totally yuck cancer-ridden cadaver in the exhibition then it will have served it's purpose.
I did look @ the picture of one exhibit in sporting pose and thought, well that will never be me cos I don't do sport.
I did look @ the picture of one exhibit in sporting pose and thought, well that will never be me cos I don't do sport.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Get Back Onto That Treadmill!
My worst fears came upon me @ the gym yesterday...a lady climbed aboard the treadmill beside me and proceeded to press those buttons and I saw out the corner of my eye that she was walkin mighty fast and then I realised she was trying to alter the speed, she was going 7.7 k's by this time and still walking-as-fast-as-her-legs-could-walk-her... next minute her arms were flailling all over the place and before I could turn my machine off to help her she had hit the tread and was plonked onto the carpet with her hands out-stretched onto the mill...I stopped her machine and asked her if she was okay and she replied, 'yes, I'm fine" and promptly got on again, just as as one is told to do when their horse has bucked them off, and away she went as if nothing had happened. I was more perplexed and have decided I will attend the gym @ 6:00am in future when older ladies are still tucked up in bed in their nighties :)
Thursday, October 06, 2005
hangon a bloggin minute mate ;)
Welcome to blogger-inn, take a seat, close your eyes and prepare for heaven. Some minute or another you will hear some soothing stuff, soothing to your (hopefully not itching) ears....
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