Joe Wright is Senior Pastor of Central Christian Church in Wichita, KS. Rev. Joe Wright gave this prayer at the Kansas House of Rep.

Pastor Wright had been invited to serve as the House's guest chaplain by Rep. Anthony Powell, a Wichita Republican who was also a member of Wright's church. Accordingly, Pastor Wright composed a prayer, read it at the opening of the legislature on January 23, and departed, unaware of the ruckus he had created until his church secretary called him on his car phone to ask him what he had done.

Reportedly, one Democrat walked out in protest, three others gave speeches critical of Wright's prayer, and another blasted Wright's "message of intolerance." House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer (also a Democrat) asserted that the prayer "reflects the extreme, radical views that continue to dominate the House Republican agenda since right-wing extremists seized control of the House Republican caucus last year." Rep. Jim Long, a Democrat from Kansas City, said that Wright "made everyone mad." But Rep. Powell, who had invited Wright in the first place, claimed that House Democrats were only trying to make political points with their criticism and affirmed that he supported the theme of the prayer.

Pastor Wright said afterwards: "I certainly did CONTINUED »

In 2003, the Union of the Muslims of Italy (UOMII), led by a radical convert to Islam named Adel Smith, brought a court action to have the crucifix removed from all public schools in that predominantly Catholic country. Calling the crucifix a “small body on two wooden sticks,” and “a miniature cadaver,” Smith and UOMII lobbied hard for their removal. Also on their agenda was the removal of an “offensive” 15th century Giovanni di Modena fresco in the...

http://newsrealblog.com/2009/11/08/muslims-score-a-major-victory/

Every year in the United States of America we celebrate “Veterans’ Day” on November 11th, which historically marked the armistice (originally Armistice Day) ending World War I. If you are interested in the history of this American holiday, you can easily find it using Google, or any web search engine.

We should all be very thankful for the service of our veterans. Our country and the freedoms we sometimes take for granted were won by, and constantly protected by, the veterans of our Armed Forces. My grandfather served in the US Army during World War I; my father in the Navy Seabees in the South Pacific, some of my uncles served in the Marines, the Navy, and the Air Force during the Korean War. I enlisted in the Army in the late 1960s myself.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, “a sure norm for teaching the faith,” as Pope John Paul II asserted, says this about military service in paragraph #2310, quoting “Gaudium et Spes”: “Those who are sworn to serve their country in the armed forces are servants of the security and freedom of nations. If they carry out their duty honorably, they truly contribute to the common good of the nation and the maintenance of peace.”

It is the obligation of all of us, individuals and governments alike, to work assiduously for peace. As my Grandmother often said to me, “war is hell.” She knew as she had a husband and son that fought in both world wars, had nephews and a grandson go off to faraway places. She prayed, worried, and suffered because of war. Nonetheless, she knew, like so many of us do, that without the sacrifices of themselves and their loved ones, there would be no enduring freedom.

There is always something to be learned from the natural order that can be applied to the spiritual and moral life. One of the most common underlying misconceptions and fallacious presuppositions is that there is no evil in the world, that no one will hurt you if you just don’t hurt them. Wrong! There is evil in the world, there has been since darkness entered into Eden, and there will be until Jesus comes again in glory.

There is good and there is evil; there is truth and there are lies; there is life and there is death. Being neutral is a myth. Sitting on a fence is an accident waiting to happen. In the end you will be “for me or against me,” as Jesus says.

We are at war and “our battle is not against flesh and blood,” as St. Paul asserts in his letter to the Ephesians. A good soldier is ready to shed his blood, sweat, and tears for the cause of freedom. Jesus tells us, “I’ve come to set the captives free.” The servant is no better, no different, than his Master. The bottom line of war is victory, and this war is for an eternal prize.

We honor our veterans this week, and rightly so. Let their sacrifices for our country inspire you to even higher things. You and I are called to fight the good fight and run the race to the finish line. Performing our mission as good Catholics and Christians affects countless other souls, some we know, some we don’t. So, as St. Paul cautions us, “Don’t shadow box. Fight so as to win.” Don’t imagine there is not a moral and spiritual war either. This fight results in victory or defeat, Heaven or hell, forever.

God bless you,

Fr. John Corapi

The Bardsdale United Methodist Women will host their annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Veterans's Day, Wednesday, November 11 at 12 noon in LeBard Hall.
Men and women who have served or are currently active in the armed forces will be saluted by a program of patriotic music.
The traditional Thanksgiving menu of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, salads and pumpkin pie will be served buffet-style for $12. 00 per person. Tickets may be purchased ahead of time by calling Marcia at 524-3674 or Mimi at 524-1823 or at the door. Proceeds from the luncheon will go towards mission projects of the United Methodist Women. The church is located at 1498 Bardsdale Avenue.

The Ventura Family YMCA is celebrating YMCA National Week of Prayer November 9th through November 13th. Each day’s events will begin at noon with a light lunch followed by a 10-15 minute message and prayer time. Everyone in the community is invited and encouraged to come and enjoy the messages and fellowship that will be shared by pastors from local churches in the community.

The week activities will kick off on Monday, with Pastor Rob Orth from ACTION Ministries to speak on the topic of hope during difficult times. Tuesday, Pastor Jim Duran from The River Community Church will have a special discussion about teens and how we can all help them survive in the world. Wednesday, Pastor Leonard Dewitt from Ventura Baptist Church will discuss seniors and Veterans, in observance of Veterans Day. Thursday, Pastor Chon Torres from Lighthouse Christian Fellowship will speak on family and the importance of unity. On Friday, Pastor Sam Gallucci from the Kingdom Center Harbor Community Church will wrap up the week with a discussion on community and working together.

This is the second year that the Ventura Family YMCA will be participating in the CONTINUED »

The war on conservative speech has moved from the White House to your neighborhood pews. Left-wing church leaders want the Federal Communications Commission to crack down on “hate speech” over cable TV and right-leaning talk-radio airwaves. President Obama’s speech-stifling bureaucrats seem all too happy to oblige.

Over the last week, an outfit called “So We Might See” has conducted a nationwide fast to...

http://frontpagemag.com/2009/11/04/leftist-church-leaders-vs-free-speech...

"God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission—-I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it—-if I but keep His Commandments.

Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am. I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends; He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me—-still He knows what He is about."

John Henry Cardinal Newman

Bring your family and come to the Annual Harvest Festival @ Faith Community Church, 461 Central Ave., Saturday, October 31 from 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. We will have a snack bar for you to purchase food and drinks. We will also have baked goods, game booths & prizes. Bring the family for an evening of fun!! Small children must be accompanied by an adult. Please no witches, ghosts, or devils. Admission is Free!!

VENTURA, CA - The Ventura Family YMCA is celebrating YMCA National Week of Prayer November 9th through November 13th. Each day’s events will begin at noon with a light lunch followed by a 10-15 minute message and prayer time. Everyone in the community is invited and encouraged to come and enjoy the messages and fellowship that will be shared by pastors from local churches in the community.

The week activities will kick off on Monday, with Pastor Rob Orth from ACTION Ministries to speak on the topic of hope during difficult times. Tuesday, Pastor Jim Duran from The River Community Church will have a special discussion about teens and how we can all help them survive in the world. Wednesday, Pastor Leonard Dewitt from Ventura Baptist Church will discuss seniors and Veterans, in observance of Veterans Day. Thursday, Pastor Chon Torres from Lighthouse Christian Fellowship will speak on family and the importance of unity. On Friday, Pastor Sam Gallucci from the Kingdom Center Harbor Community Church will wrap up the week with a discussion on community and working together.

This is the second year that the Ventura Family YMCA will be participating in the YMCA National Week of Prayer. In addition to the noon time meetings the YMCA is hosting a special Hip Hop Service on Wednesday, November 11th from 6-7:30 pm with dancers from the MTV hit show “Americas Best Dance Crew” along with other talented dancers performing. CONTINUED »

Yolo DA: Beating Victim Made Comments Supporting US Actions In Afghanistan

WOODLAND, Calif. -- Four Northern California men were indicted this month on charges of beating up four people after one of the victims talked about supporting the United States and the military's role in ousting Afghanistan's Taliban government.

Mohammed Qumar Ashraf, 29, of Sacramento; Khialluddin Niazi, 69, of West Sacramento; Sarajuddin Niazi, 31, of Union City; and Zafaruddin Niazi, 27, of Los Gatos, face multiple counts, including attempted murder.

The four suspects were... http://www.kcra.com/news/21398484/detail.html

CLEVELAND, OH - Infamous Hollywood screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, 64, known for such sordid films as Basic Instinct and Showgirls, has undergone a conversion and now will be writing a new film on Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Eszterhas has been one of Hollywood's most influential screenwriters, writing lucrative blockbuster films, such as...

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/aug/09082502.html

Holy Cross Church of Moorpark is scheduling its 25th Annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, November 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Sunday, November 8th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Boutique will be held at the Parish Activity Center(Cosgrove Center) located at 13955 Peach Hill Road (off Spring Road and Science Dr./Miller Parkway where the 23 Freeway and the 118 Freeway West connect). Look for their new signs.
There will be a* variety of unique holiday gifts and ornaments, arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, ceramics, baked goods and prizes. Admission is free.

“Under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions,” Or so President Barack Obama promised to the American people in his health care address before a Joint Session of Congress on September 9th. But then why did the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops...

http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/15/morning-bell-obamacare-forces-you-to...

The Bardsdale United Methodist Women would like to extend their heart-felt gratitude to the communities of Bardsdale, Fillmore and Piru who came out to their garage sale and fundraiser this past Saturday. The sale raised more money than expected due to the generosity of everyone involved.

All proceeds are being used to help defray the medical costs of Kent Fromer, Bardsdale’s pastor, in his fight against neural blasphoma. Since treatments will be continuing, anyone still wishing to make a contribution may write a check to the Bardsdale UMW (noting Pastor Kent) and mail it to the Bardsdale United Methodist Church, 1498 Bardsdale Ave., Fillmore CA 93015.

Again the UMW appreciates and thanks the communities for their generous and loving support.

The Bardsdale UMC, 1498 Bardsdale Avenue, is having a fund raiser on Saturday, October 3rd, from 8 am to 12 noon.

The entire proceeds of the courtyard sale will go to help our Pastor Kent Fromer with medical expenses. He was diagnosed with a neural blastoma cancer and has already completed six months of chemotherapy and is now having a stem cell transplant at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. We are asking for prayers for his continued treatment and recovery.

We need your help in several ways: first, please bring any donations for the sale to the church, or contact Marcia Heerema at 524-3674 for pick-up. Secondly if you would like to give a cash donation for Pastor Kent, please make a check payable to the Bardsdale United Methodist Women and the money will go to defray some of his medical expenses. Or if you just like to shop, please feel free to check out our treasures on October 3rd.

We thank you in advance for helping with the sale stuff, praying, contributing, or shopping on Saturday!

Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to join the Ventura County community in a 40 Days for Life Campaign. This campaign involves prayer, fasting and a peaceful vigil at the Planned Parenthood in Ventura. The campaign lasts 40 days, from Sept. 23rd through November 1st. You are asked to join fellow Christians from all over Ventura County in prayer and fasting during this period, for the helpless unborn. Please also sign up for a half-hour, an hour (or more) a week to pray outside the Planned Parenthood. You can find out more information at 40daysforlife. com/Venturacount y. You can sign up for a time slot at that web site, between 7am and 7pm, 7days a week or call Mary at 642-3475. or Leti Olvera @ 524-4030.
There will be a special KICK-OFF Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Ventura, on Tuesday, September 22, at 7:00PM. Everyone is welcome!
If you are a member of the Knights of Columbus, Guadalupanas, Legion of Mary, a high school or college support group or alumni group, a Mom's group, or a youth group, PLEASE bring the 40 Days for Life Campaign to your group's attention, and encourage your group to take one or two time slots as a group- it is a great way to build friendship and encourage those who might be uncertain about taking this step.
If you have friends or neighbors attending a Protestant or Evangelical church, please share this information with them.
Thank you, and God bless you for your help in making this 40 Days a great success!

President Obama is turning up the heat on Congress this week with an address to a joint session tonight. He’ll urge the lawmakers to move forward quickly on health care reform which, as currently proposed, threatens the unborn, the ill, and the elderly. It will be the first time that a President has addressed a joint session of Congress that wasn’t a State of the Union, or a traditional first address by a new President, since President George W. Bush spoke on the war on terrorism following the 9/11 attacks.

As we have since the White House’s health care reform efforts began, Americans United for Life Action is responding vigorously to provide the evidence about the anti-life components of the current health care reform proposals.

The AUL Action team is grateful for your support in this ongoing effort to protect life through the democratic legislative process. I invite you to check out our legal team’s “Back to the Hill” guide on our special health care reform Web site RealHealthCareRespectsLife.com to learn what to expect next as Congress considers the health care reform proposals.

There are a lot of myths spreading about health care -- even in the halls of Congress. Just the other day, Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued her “Daily Mythbuster” which ironically spreads the myth that the government will not pay for or subsidize abortion CONTINUED »

By Jan Markell
www.olivetreeviews.org

The infamous date of 9/11 is about to be hijacked. This effort to reshape the American psyche has nothing to do with healing the nation and everything to do with leading the nation along the path of the radical transformation of America. The president signed into law a measure in April that designated September 11 as a National Day of Service.

September 11 is hardly a sacred day. Those days belong to God. But it is one of the most memorable days in American history when 3,000 Americans died a horrible death just for being Americans. So what's wrong with the plans being made for this solemn day?

President Obama was counting on two Marxists who blame America for the 9/11 terrorist attacks to help turn September 11 from a day of solemn remembrance into an unseemly celebration of radical environmentalism and big government. One of them was Van Jones, a radical CONTINUED »