Onward Christian Scholars

Numquam Bella Piis, Numquam Certanima Desunt — “For the faithful, wars shall never cease.” Here's a link to an article in the New York Times about New Saint Andrews College. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/magazine/30Christian-t.html?_r=3&ref=magazine&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Dating, Courtship and Marriage

This month's Touchstone Magazine has a symposium on dating, courtship and marriage. I have enjoyed skimming the articles and plan to read them closely. The points of view range from parent's choosing their children's spouses to discussing the wisdom of "third party" Christian match-making services to seeing the issues in terms of civil liberty. Here are some of Jocelyn Mathewes comments about the distorted culture of romance and the tendency to extend adolescence...which she believes have created a toxic environment for seeking a mate. She adds: "The culture of romance created very unhealthy attitudes towards our relationships with one another, sexual and otherwise. Marriage as both an achievable and desirable goal is no longer a universally accepted norm. And lifelong marriage as the primary purpose of seeking out a partner is no longer the accepted norm. They have been replaced by the search for a soul mate, a very diferent goal, involving ideals like "sexual compatibility" and "lifestyle choices." Sex outside of marriage has become a part of the search, and because sex now takes a more casual role in relationships, it has helped turn "hanging out" into "hooking up." This extended adolescence encourages ongoing romantic torment and "experimentation" even into one's thirties. Many (some scarred by divorce, their parents' or their own) seem to live in terror of making any sort of commitment, for fear of getting it wrong. Some have had no examples in their lives of how such a commitment could go wonderfully right."

Family Matters

Dr. Allan Carlson, president of the Howard Center, a think tank for Family, Religion and Society says " The natural family is the fundamental social unit, inscribed in human nature, and centered on the voluntary union of a man and a woman in the lifelong covenant of marriage. The natural family is defined by marriage, procreation and, in some cultures, adoption. Free, secure and stable families that welcome children are necessary for healthy society. The society that abandons the natural family as the norm is destined for chaos and suffering. The loving family reaches out in love and service to their communities and those in need. All social and cultural institutions should respect and uphold the rights and responsibilities of the family." I think his organization has some of the best research available for "pro family" thinkers..... http://www.profam.org/Default.htm

Why pray?

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. --I Timothy 2:1-2 BCP For Peace Among Nations Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Married with Children...Could anything be crazier?

Here's an article on marriage and family by Kate Bluett. ....... from Salvo magazine..... http://www.salvomag.com/new/articles/salvo2/2bluett.php

Thank you Dr. Bollinger..

Columbia University President, Lee Bollinger gave a public dressing down of Ahmadinejad today! .....It is a critical premise of freedom of speech that we do not honor the dishonorable when we open our public forum to their voices; to hold otherwise would make vigorous debate impossible. .....Let’s, then, be clear at the beginning, Mr. President you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator. Here's a link to President Bollinger's remarks in full: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/07/09/lcbopeningremarks.html

Bella coming to Birmingham

United For Life Foundation is working in the Birmingham area to assist in bringing the movie BELLA -- a small independent film that tells the story of a girl in a crisis pregnancy -- to our media market. Bella has the potential to bring the message of hope and love to our hurting world thru the mainstream entertainment media, but we need to sell out the two theatres in Birmingham that will be showing the film the last weekend in October and first weekend in November in order for it to be picked up in neighborhood theatres around the country. Please encourage your friends and family to see this movie. United For Life Foundation will be hosting a Premier of the movie Thursday October 25th at the Alabama Theatre at 7PM as a fundraiser for its on-going crisis pregnancy commercials which have been very effective- for every $12 in media purchase one girl has called the option crisis pregnancy hotline! You can reserve your seat by registering on-line at the website Unitedforlifefoundation.org