Why the Orthodox Union Supports Religious Exemptions to the Contraception Mandate It’s not because they oppose contraception

In June 2012, the Orthodox Union brought a dozen Orthodox lay and rabbinical leaders to the White House to meet with President Obama. We knew our time with the president would be limited, so we planned carefully which issues we would raise for discussion. Of course, we spoke to the president about the security of Israel. We spoke to him about the critical role Jewish day schools play in our community and the need to provide appropriate government support for them. Any good staffer briefing President Obama for the meeting would have predicted we would broach exactly those issues.

But then we took the conversation down a less predictable path: we raised our concern over the Administration’s effort, under the Affordable Care Act, to mandate employers to provide widespread access to contraceptives and other women’s health services through their employer-sponsored health insurance plans. We stressed to President Obama that Orthodox Judaism does not share the Catholic Church’s view of the absolute impermissibility of contraception. But we also stressed that we do share a deep concern for religious liberty and oppose government policies, even in the service of commendable ends, which would force religious Americans to violate the tenets of their faith, especially when the government can achieve its goals in other ways.
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Does God care who wins the Super Bowl?

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Nebraska senator says churches should pay property taxes

LINCOLN, Neb. – Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers used Bible verses Friday to argue for his bill that would require churches to start paying property taxes in Nebraska.
Chambers noted that the governor and candidates for governor have said “everything should be on the table” with regard to tax reform, and so he put his sure-to-be-controversial proposal squarely on the table. The Revenue Committee held a public hearing on the bill Friday, which attracted just two people: One a secularist who supported the bill; the other a spokesman for the Catholic Church who opposed it.
Chambers argued that if churches, cathedrals and temples paid property taxes, the state could reduce funding to local governments and schools. He said there are nearly 3,000 churches in the state which have “a tremendous amount of property” and quoted Jesus, who said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.”
His bill was supported by Justin Evertson of the 1-year-old group called Secular Coalition for Nebraska, which represents about 300,000 Nebraskans who identify themselves as non-religious. He called property tax exemptions for religious organizations a clear violation of the separation of church and state.

“We think it’s time to have this debate, to have this discussion,” he said, acknowledging that while the bill is unlikely to pass, “maybe you pick off pieces that deserve to be taxed.”

The bill was opposed by Jim Cunningham, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference. He asked the committee to indefinitely postpone, or kill, the bill, saying it would end a sound, century-old policy that recognizes how religious groups serve the common good.
( Billy’s thoughts – If more government would cut taxes instead of trying another way to tax Americans churches along with others could do more to help others. Also Jesus was talking to believers about giving to others what is due them including having the right attitude towards government. There are things government can and should do on the other hand there are other things only God can do.Read the rest of the above story here. )

How to have wisdom

Wise people..
Matthew 2:1-12

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose[b] and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

A. What do wise people do…
1. Verse 2 they worship God.Worship knowledge who God is and what he has done. Here in the Bible the wise men knowledge the Lordship of Christ. Wise folks don’t play games with God. They submit to Jesus. Years ago I wrote a letter to a man living on death row who was about to be put to death by the state of Nebraska. I tried to share Christ with him but as far as I know he did not come to Christ before he was put to death. He wrote me and told me to save my stamps and that he would not embrace Jesus. That is sad but at least he did not play games with God.
Too often today people act like or get the idea they are right with God because they were born in America, or attend church.
The polls in America say the majority of Americans are Christians. I believe too often the term Christian is not about a relationship with God but is a culture thing. By the way that is a reason I prefer to be called a follower of Jesus instead of a Christian.
If the majority of Americans are followers of Jesus explain these things to me.
The high divorce rate even among those who claim to know God.
The wide Acceptance of same sex marriage.
Churches going against the Bible and blessing sin.
Worship is not just something you do at church it is being submitted to the Lordship of Christ and his word.
2. Wise men and women seek out God….
Matthew 6:33 reads
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
How do wise men seek God.
Prayer. You won’t call on anything you don’t believe in. Prayer is calling on and out to God. Too often prayer is the last thing we do and God is the last one we turn to when we have problems instead prayer should be the first thing we do and God should be first one we call out to. Wise people go to God first.
I recall one of the first times I was a leader on a junior high retreat I told the kids to be quiet in our cabin because it was bed time and I know this will shock you the junior high kids didn’t listen so after trying a few other things I led the kids in prayer and told them the rules. That worked and everyone went to sleep.
Study the the word: They embrace 2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.
President George Washington said.
2 Timothy 2:15 reads…
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,[a] a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

3. Wise people obey God’s Spirit: If Jesus Christ is truly the Lord of your life how can you say no Lord when he tells you to do something. Now there is a difference from having a struggle in obeying the Lord and saying outright you are not going to do what he tells you to do.
Obeying God means any sin will displease you.If it be sin in your life, or the lives of others, or the life of a nation. If you love God you will hate what he doesn’t approve of like sin and the devil.
By the way the key is not if you sin or do wrong but how you deal with your sin.
There is no sinless perfection but we should deal with sin in our lives.
1 John 1:9
English Standard Version (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
There was a guy in Nebraska named Bob Williams who years ago committed some horrible murders but while he was in prison he embraced Christ. He was
so changed by faith in Christ that the guards who led him to the electric chair
cried. Before Bob was put to death he said in an interview on TV that sorrow without repentance is not worth a heal of beans.
People say don’t judge but guess what it is proper and right to judge sin. Our right to judge sin comes right from the bible.
The more closer you walk with the savior you will become more aware of what offends him.

4. Wise people follow God: Wise folks don’t look for signs or follow them they follow the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Luke 14:25-33
English Standard Version (ESV)
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Salvation is 100% free you can’t earn it but there is a cost to discipleship.
The above verses aren’t saying we should hate those in our family. It is saying Jesus should come first.

5. Wise folks give gifts to God: God first gave us the best gift of all Jesus Christ.
What can you give God..
A. Your time: do you spend time praying, going to church.

B.Your actions: Coach Tom Osborne wrote in his book More Than Winning that his number one goal in life was to honor God.That should be the top goal we all have. Matthew 5:16 says to let your light shine before others.

C. Your words: I love it when ball players give thanks to the Lord after their team wins a ball game. However anymore I like to watch how players conduct themselves after a loss. There was a player for our local college team who years ago give thanks to Jesus after a loss. He said something like God was faithful.

D. Above all you can give God your life. God doesn’t want or need money or nice gifts what he wants is us. If you have never called on Jesus to save you and forgive your sins you need to do that. You will not be able to buy your way into heaven it is only by way of Jesus one can get into heaven.

Are you a wise person? The only way to have true wisdom is to follow Jesus
and the teachings from the Bible. Not all smart people have wisdom. Wisdom is not about having a college degree but about following Jesus.

Billy David Dickson All Rights Reserved, 2014
This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Billy or read more commentary on current issues at https://billydteacher.wordpress.com/.

Broncos, Seahawks prioritize their faith, their football

Watch the video here.

Today’s ( Thursday ) Posts

Will GOP blow it by forgetting healthcare and taking on Immigration
Conservatives wary of Obama’s planned ‘year of action’
Pro-lifers urge Ohio officials to press case against abortionist
Pentagon chaplains say troops can share faith … within limits

Will GOP blow it by forgetting healthcare and taking on Immigration

audio

Conservatives wary of Obama’s planned ‘year of action’

In the wake of President Obama’s 2014 State of the Union address last night, many conservatives – including an organization of black conservatives – believe the president continues to make empty promises.

Do you have a problem with President Obama’s plan to use executive orders to ignore Congress and enact his political agenda? (Poll Closed)
Absolutely 96.29% (1,973 votes)
In his address to a joint session of Congress, Barack Obama called climate change a “fact,” defended his healthcare program, and challenged business owners to pay minimum wage workers at least $10 an hour. The president went on to say that if he can’t get Congress to cooperate on issues like climate change, he will sign executive orders and go it alone without the support of Congress.
Jim DeMint, president of The Heritage Foundation, describes President Obama’s proposed tactic of bypassing Congress as similar to that of a “playground bully who when he can’t have everything he wants, he decides to take his ball and go home. This is not the way our government is supposed to work,” he adds.
Read the rest of this story right here.

Pro-lifers urge Ohio officials to press case against abortionist

An Ohio late-term abortionist is fighting the state to keep an abortion clinic open in Sharonville.

Haskell
The Ohio Department of Health has ordered Martin Haskell’s abortuary in Sharonville closed by February 4 because he can’t meet the requirement of having hospital admitting procedures.

Operation Rescue’s Cheryl Sullenger tells OneNewsNow that Haskell has gone to court to keep the doors open, and his attorneys have said he will continue to operate.
( More )

Pentagon chaplains say troops can share faith … within limits

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