Lost Lake Tribune Neillsville Cup 2010 Edition!
The President Speaks in Recession Torn City in Wisconsin
President Barack Obama attended a town hall meeting in Racine, Wisconsin Wednesday afternoon. The President is trying to assure the American people that the economic recovery is heading in the right direction even though many consumers don't seem to share that view.
After his speech, the president took off his coat and rolled up his sleeves for the question and answer portion of the program. He took a few questions about the military, but most were focused on the economy.
Seizing on a political opportunity, Obama used this visit away from Washington to lash out at Republicans, referring to them as being out of touch with the daily problems of Americans. His focus was to make clear that it is the Republicans on Capitol Hill holding up important UI benefits extensions and other vital legislation. Obama, however did not reference the 99ers in any way whatsoever.
The president jumped all over for recent comments by Republican lawmakers: Rep. Joe Barton's apology to BP for the $20 billion compensation fund facilitated by the White House after the Gulf oil spill, and House Minority Leader John Boehner's recent comment that the financial regulation bill Obama supports amounts to "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon."
"He can't be that out of touch with the struggles of American families," Obama said of Boehner. "If he is, then he has to come here to Racine and ask people what they think."
Despite recent improvement, Racine's 14.2 percent unemployment rate remains the second highest in Wisconsin.
"We need jobs here. We need to get people working. We need a lot of things," said Rita Salinas-Lonergan, Racine resident.
Police corralled some demonstrators at the event but the President did not see them.
http://www.examiner.com/x-45498-San-Diego-Unemployment-Examiner~y2010m6d30-Obama-speaks-to-Wisconsin-on-economy-Ui-benefits-and-Republican-obstruction
Export-Import Bank reaches deal in Bucyrus case
The U.S. Export-Import Bank has agreed to reverse a decision to deny $600 million in loan guarantees for mining equipment that would be manufactured in the U.S. for a coal mine in India, saving up to 1,000 jobs, Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) said Wednesday.
Kohl said the bank would support the loan guarantees provided that the Indian borrower, Reliance Power Ltd., moves ahead with renewable energy projects that also could use U.S. made equipment. "This would be more than acceptable to the bank," Kohl said in an interview Wednesday morning.
The order for $600 million in Bucyrus International Inc. mining machines was at risk of falling through after the bank - citing environmental concerns - last week denied loan guarantees for the project.
Bucyrus said it would lose the orders, and the jobs, to an overseas competitor.
The company has more than 1,400 employees in the area. A study by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce said the India contract would create and retain 326 jobs in the area and up to 1,000 jobs across 13 states.
Mayor Tom Barrett told the Journal Sentinel that he was ecstatic to hear the news that the Export-Import Bank had reconsidered its Bucyrus decision.
"This is all about getting things done," he said while waiting at Mitchell International Airport for President Barack Obama to arrive.
The mayor, a Democratic candidate for governor, was to travel with the president to Racine, where Obama is scheduled to talk about the economy at a town hall meeting at Racine Memorial Hall.
The Export-Import Bank offer calls for Reliance to build renewable energy plants, producing at least 250 megawatts of electricity, which are expected to produce no carbon emissions.
In the U.S., that amount of power would meet the electricity needs of roughly 85,000 homes.
It's still unknown whether Reliance will agree to the terms, but Kohl said the offer was encouraging.
"At this point it's very good news," he said, adding that the bank wanted to move forward with financing the Bucyrus mining equipment.
The Indian power plant, which Bucyrus mining machines would supply coal for, is expected to produce nearly 4,000 kilowatts of electricity and is scheduled to be in operation in 2012.
Gov. Jim Doyle was among the elected officials who had urged the bank to reverse its decision. "I really appreciate that our concerns were heard as we all continue to make job creation the top priority. The project supports U.S. exports, clean coal, lower carbon emissions and good jobs in Wisconsin," Doyle said.
Bucyrus CEO Tim Sullivan said he plans to meet with Export-Import Bank Chairman Fred Hochberg, and business and environmental leaders, to clarify the bank's position on mining. "We wouldn't have been able to get this back on the right track without the support of our business partners, elected officials and the Administration's support of U.S. manufacturer's exports," Sullivan said in a statement.
Mike Tate, chairman of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin, said Wednesday that Barrett was a key player in helping Bucyrus International win approval of its $600 million mining contract. "Tom Barrett saved more jobs today," Tate said. "The mayor weighed in strongly (with the administration). And it's good to have a leader on job creation."
William Weber, a Bucyrus International assembly electrician, got the good news Wednesday morning while waiting to enter Racine Memorial Hall to hear Obama.
"I figured the politicians were going to be able to make a deal to save American jobs," Weber said. "At least, that was my hope."
There was a huge turnout of Bucyrus workers at the event, both inside and outside, where several hundred first- and second-shift workers assembled on a street corner. They came to make sure their voices were heard - loud and clear.
"We're out here to support Bucyrus," said Mike Strand, a crane operator, who was among those outside the hall and waiting for the presidential motorcade to arrive.
Bob Folk, a structural fitter, said he was baffled when the bank initially denied loan guarantees for the project in India. He said Reliance Power Ltd. "wanted quality product made in the United States and made to last."
Information Gained from http://www.jsonline.com/business/97484379.html
Abby Vans and Farmer's Pantry present Neillsville Cup 2010!
On Saturday July 3rd, 2010 at 11 AM the Neillsville Cup will be hosted at Fugate Field III in Neillsville, WI. The Powercats will entertain the Sooners. The Powercats feature Ben Fugate and Rachel Fugate who alternate at goalkeeper and center and sometimes go "no goalie" to mix things up and score faster.
The Sooners are led by Pastor Mark Fugate, Aaron Fugate, and newcomer, Lindsae Dockum. Lindsae will play center while in the game while Aaron and Pastor Fugate will alternate at center and goalie as they see fit. The Neillsville Cup has been played between the Fugate family in many different game increments over the years. However this the first cup in which someone other than a Fugate will play.
The basic rules for the Neillsville Cup are the first team to score 5 goals wins. The goals are about 9 feet in apart so having a good goalie is very important. The Lost Lake Tribune will provide complete coverage of the cup. For more information on the sponsors please check these websites: http://www.farmerspantry.net/Default.aspx and http://www.abbyvans.com/
House Approves Financial Overhaul; Senate Vote Awaits
The House of Representatives passed a sweeping overhaul of the nation's financial system Wednesday setting the stage for a final vote in the Senate where votes for the far-reaching bill remained in flux.
The party-line vote, 237-192, came after Democrats backed down from a $19 billion tax of major banks and hedge funds in hopes of securing Senate Republican votes.
President Barack Obama says House passage of a massive overhaul of financial regulations is a victory for everyone who was hurt by what he is calling Wall Street "recklessness and irresponsibility" that caused the financial meltdown and millions of job losses.
"Never again, never again should Wall Street greed bring such suffering to our country," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., declared.
Republicans portrayed the bill as a vast overreach of government power that would do little to prevent future bailouts of failing financial institutions.
"This legislation is a clear attack on capital formation in America," said Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the second-ranking House Republican. "It purports to prevent the next financial crisis, but it does so by vastly expanding the power of the same regulators who failed to stop the last one."
The bill now heads to the Senate, which is not expected to take up the measure until after next week's July 4th recess. At least one crucial Republican senator remained uncommitted, however. The Senate delayed its vote to mid-July, which denies President Obama a victory before the July 4 Independence Day holiday.
Information Gained from http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/30/house-approves-financial-overhaul-senate-vote-awaits/?test=latestnews
A Brief Interruption -- Reflections on an Outing
By Kevin T. Bauder
This week the media have been carrying the report of an anti-gay pastor who has been “outed” as a closet homosexual. A conservative Lutheran, the minister had been vocal in his opposition to the ELCA’s decision to ordain openly homosexual ministers. He is now being held up to public shame as a person who experiences same-sex attractions.
According to the publishers of a homosexually-oriented magazine, this pastor has been attending a twelve-step program for men who are trying to live celibate lives while experiencing homosexual attractions. The publishers commissioned a reporter to lie his way into the group. The magazine then published several admissions that the pastor is supposed to have made while under what he imagined to be the confidentiality of the program.
The pastor is now being denounced as a hypocrite both by those who are pro-homosexuality and those who are anti-Christianity. His ministry is in jeopardy. Most people seem to think that he is getting exactly what he deserves.
As of this writing, no one has alleged that the pastor ever actually had a sexual relationship with another man. No one has documented an inconsistency between the man’s profession and his conduct. So far, the case is very different from that of Ted Haggard.
The purpose of this essay is not to determine the guilt or innocence of the pastor in question. Indeed, the essay will name neither the accused pastor nor the publication that has accused him. The episode does, however, contain certain lessons that Christians need to learn.
Those lessons begin with an acknowledgement that the problem of homosexuality cannot simply be ignored. A generation ago, this conduct was considered such a shameful perversion that it was barely mentioned in public. On the rare occasions that churches actually had to confront homosexuals, such persons were rapidly and summarily excluded. The notion of a ministry to and for homosexuals was unthinkable.
The situation is now exactly the opposite. Within the “official” culture of our civilization, homosexuality is no longer viewed as a perversion, a disease, or even an abnormality. It is simply thought of as another way of doing sex, and sexual liberty has become the most inalienable right. Any opposition to homosexuality is viewed as almost intolerable bigotry.
This change in perspective is going to affect churches for the foreseeable future. More of the people in our civilization will have at least experimented with homosexuality. More of the people in our churches will struggle with homosexuality. We are long overdue for a conversation about how we intend to minister to them.
As we conduct that conversation, one distinction needs to be made clearly. Same-sex attraction is a different matter from homosexuality. Being tempted with the sin and being a sinner are two different things.
The same is true of opposite-sex attractions, of course. Married people may find themselves being drawn to individuals other than their spouses. Such temptations are not in themselves necessarily lustful, nor are they necessarily sinful. The temptations become sin when they are harbored and acted upon.
It is possible for a person with opposite-sex attractions to live a life of chastity in mind and in body. By the same token, it is possible for a person with same-sex attractions to live a life of chastity. It is as wrong to call such a person a homosexual as it is to call a faithfully married man an adulterer.
Homosexuality is not simply a matter of desires but of obsessions and actions. Nor is homosexuality a matter of identity. Virtually everybody experiences sexual desires of some sort. Those desires, however, do not define us. Our identity consists in our relationship to God. If we are God’s children and we are in Christ, then our conduct (including the conduct in which we engage in our own inner world) needs to be brought into line with our identity.
Homosexuality is not who a person is, but what a person does. Someone who chooses not to engage in the conduct is not a homosexual. Someone who chooses to stop engaging in the conduct is no longer a homosexual. It was possible for Paul, discussing homosexuality among other sins, to say, “such were some of you” (1 Cor 6:11) Whatever their desires, these people were now washed, sanctified, and justified by Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit.
A word needs to be said about hypocrisy. One does not become a hypocrite by denouncing what one desires. We all have the experience of desiring what we know is wrong. Labeling a thing wrong when we desire it is not hypocritical. Indeed, it is an act of courage.
We do not even become hypocrites when we indulge in vices that we know and profess to be wrong. Unless someone claims to have achieved sinless perfection, we must all admit that we sometimes actually do what we know to be wrong. This admission is not a confession of hypocrisy, however, but of akrasia. When we sin we are weak, but we are not necessarily hypocrites.
Hypocrisy occurs when we knowingly label good to be evil or evil to be good. To be a hypocrite is to pretend to believe one thing when we actually believe another. Hypocrisy means attempting to excuse our conduct on the basis of a principle that we ourselves do not really hold.
So what about the pastor with whom this discussion began? Should such a person be barred from ministry? Should he be expelled from the church?
My response is that same-sex attractions by themselves are no disqualification from church membership. They are no disqualification from church office. They should be no disqualification from the friendship of God’s people. In fact, same-sex attractions by themselves should not even hinder Christians from entering the marriage covenant and bearing children.
Attractions are things to be managed. They can be rejected, or they can be dwelt upon and acted upon. They can be learned and unlearned. Those who reject them and seek to unlearn them are not to be judged as if they had acted upon them.
Helping Christians learn how to respond to wrong and even perverse inclinations is an important part of discipleship. Given the increasingly positive treatment of homosexuality in our civilization, this is an aspect of discipleship that churches no longer can afford to ignore. We cannot insulate our youth entirely from the influences of our culture. More of our young people are going to find that they experience same-sex attractions.
Also, more of the people we reach will have been touched by homosexual desires and practices. When they become Christians, they will have to deal with the attitudes and activities of their past. So will we. This, too, is an aspect of ministry that churches no longer can afford to ignore.
Information Gained from http://www.centralseminary.edu/resources/nick-of-time/222-reflections-on-an-outing
Canada Celebrates its 143rd Birthday
OTTAWA — Canada has matured and is an “example to the world,” as a sanctuary for people, Queen Elizabeth told a large crowd that coloured the Parliament Hill lawn red and white Thursday, Canada Day. “During my lifetime, I have been a witness of this country for half its history since Confederation,” she said. “I have watched with enormous admiration how Canada has grown and matured while remaining true to its history, its distinctive character and its values. “This nation has dedicated itself as a caring home for its own, a sanctuary for others and an example to the world.”
The Queen also paid tribute to the men and women serving abroad in Afghanistan and other Canadian Forces missions. “These commitment often in dangerous and hostile circumstances are undertaken with the support and respect of us all,” she said.
Her Majesty told the nation there are “many reasons for optimism . . . The recent success of the Vancouver Olympics was about more than just the thrill of a gold medal for Canada’s hockey team,” the Queen said, leading to cheers and applause.
“As well as renewing a sense of common purpose within this country, the Olympics showed to others something of the extraordinary warmth and enthusiasm of the people.”
Blue skies and a crowd estimated at more than 70,000 Canadians greeted the Queen and Prince Philip on Parliament Hill, as they continued their nine-day tour of the country.
With the Queen’s personal Canadian flag flying high atop the Peace Tower, the pair arrived on the Hill shortly after noon in a horse-drawn carriage, escorted by dozens of RCMP officers on horseback and dressed in their traditional red serge. They rode down historic Wellington Street in front of Parliament, which was lined with royal-watchers on each side. A continuous cheer rose from the spectators.
Riannon Greig flew to Canada with her family earlier this week from England to celebrate her 20th birthday by seeing the Queen in person. Greig caught only “a bit of her hat” but it was enough to make her day. “It’s quite emotional. I’ve never seen the Queen in person so I had to come to Canada to see her in the flesh, but it was worth it,” she said.
Jonathan Lomas was luckier: “I saw the whole of her when she was standing there. I saw the whole works. She’s a pretty remarkable lady for 84. My mom’s 89 and she’s no where near as fit as this lady,” he said.
Not surprisingly, the Queen joined in commemorating the country’s 143rd birthday wearing the unmistakable red and white: with a bright, rich red dress, white hat topped with a red flower, white gloves and a gold Maple Leaf pin.
The royal couple were officially greeted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, his wife Laureen, their children Benjamin and Rachel, and by Heritage Minister James Moore. As the Queen inspected the ceremonial guard, she received a 21-gun salute followed by a fly past by CF-18s over Parliament Hill, before taking her place in the royal box to take in music from talent from across the country.
“Your Majesty, welcome to this spectacular party, and on behalf of all Canadians, welcome back to your home away from home,” Mr. Harper said.
The Queen delivered one of four addresses she will give to Canadians during her time here.
President Barack Obama attended a town hall meeting in Racine, Wisconsin Wednesday afternoon. The President is trying to assure the American people that the economic recovery is heading in the right direction even though many consumers don't seem to share that view.
After his speech, the president took off his coat and rolled up his sleeves for the question and answer portion of the program. He took a few questions about the military, but most were focused on the economy.
Seizing on a political opportunity, Obama used this visit away from Washington to lash out at Republicans, referring to them as being out of touch with the daily problems of Americans. His focus was to make clear that it is the Republicans on Capitol Hill holding up important UI benefits extensions and other vital legislation. Obama, however did not reference the 99ers in any way whatsoever.
The president jumped all over for recent comments by Republican lawmakers: Rep. Joe Barton's apology to BP for the $20 billion compensation fund facilitated by the White House after the Gulf oil spill, and House Minority Leader John Boehner's recent comment that the financial regulation bill Obama supports amounts to "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon."
"He can't be that out of touch with the struggles of American families," Obama said of Boehner. "If he is, then he has to come here to Racine and ask people what they think."
Despite recent improvement, Racine's 14.2 percent unemployment rate remains the second highest in Wisconsin.
"We need jobs here. We need to get people working. We need a lot of things," said Rita Salinas-Lonergan, Racine resident.
Police corralled some demonstrators at the event but the President did not see them.
http://www.examiner.com/x-45498-San-Diego-Unemployment-Examiner~y2010m6d30-Obama-speaks-to-Wisconsin-on-economy-Ui-benefits-and-Republican-obstruction
Export-Import Bank reaches deal in Bucyrus case
The U.S. Export-Import Bank has agreed to reverse a decision to deny $600 million in loan guarantees for mining equipment that would be manufactured in the U.S. for a coal mine in India, saving up to 1,000 jobs, Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) said Wednesday.
Kohl said the bank would support the loan guarantees provided that the Indian borrower, Reliance Power Ltd., moves ahead with renewable energy projects that also could use U.S. made equipment. "This would be more than acceptable to the bank," Kohl said in an interview Wednesday morning.
The order for $600 million in Bucyrus International Inc. mining machines was at risk of falling through after the bank - citing environmental concerns - last week denied loan guarantees for the project.
Bucyrus said it would lose the orders, and the jobs, to an overseas competitor.
The company has more than 1,400 employees in the area. A study by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce said the India contract would create and retain 326 jobs in the area and up to 1,000 jobs across 13 states.
Mayor Tom Barrett told the Journal Sentinel that he was ecstatic to hear the news that the Export-Import Bank had reconsidered its Bucyrus decision.
"This is all about getting things done," he said while waiting at Mitchell International Airport for President Barack Obama to arrive.
The mayor, a Democratic candidate for governor, was to travel with the president to Racine, where Obama is scheduled to talk about the economy at a town hall meeting at Racine Memorial Hall.
The Export-Import Bank offer calls for Reliance to build renewable energy plants, producing at least 250 megawatts of electricity, which are expected to produce no carbon emissions.
In the U.S., that amount of power would meet the electricity needs of roughly 85,000 homes.
It's still unknown whether Reliance will agree to the terms, but Kohl said the offer was encouraging.
"At this point it's very good news," he said, adding that the bank wanted to move forward with financing the Bucyrus mining equipment.
The Indian power plant, which Bucyrus mining machines would supply coal for, is expected to produce nearly 4,000 kilowatts of electricity and is scheduled to be in operation in 2012.
Gov. Jim Doyle was among the elected officials who had urged the bank to reverse its decision. "I really appreciate that our concerns were heard as we all continue to make job creation the top priority. The project supports U.S. exports, clean coal, lower carbon emissions and good jobs in Wisconsin," Doyle said.
Bucyrus CEO Tim Sullivan said he plans to meet with Export-Import Bank Chairman Fred Hochberg, and business and environmental leaders, to clarify the bank's position on mining. "We wouldn't have been able to get this back on the right track without the support of our business partners, elected officials and the Administration's support of U.S. manufacturer's exports," Sullivan said in a statement.
Mike Tate, chairman of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin, said Wednesday that Barrett was a key player in helping Bucyrus International win approval of its $600 million mining contract. "Tom Barrett saved more jobs today," Tate said. "The mayor weighed in strongly (with the administration). And it's good to have a leader on job creation."
William Weber, a Bucyrus International assembly electrician, got the good news Wednesday morning while waiting to enter Racine Memorial Hall to hear Obama.
"I figured the politicians were going to be able to make a deal to save American jobs," Weber said. "At least, that was my hope."
There was a huge turnout of Bucyrus workers at the event, both inside and outside, where several hundred first- and second-shift workers assembled on a street corner. They came to make sure their voices were heard - loud and clear.
"We're out here to support Bucyrus," said Mike Strand, a crane operator, who was among those outside the hall and waiting for the presidential motorcade to arrive.
Bob Folk, a structural fitter, said he was baffled when the bank initially denied loan guarantees for the project in India. He said Reliance Power Ltd. "wanted quality product made in the United States and made to last."
Information Gained from http://www.jsonline.com/business/97484379.html
Abby Vans and Farmer's Pantry present Neillsville Cup 2010!
On Saturday July 3rd, 2010 at 11 AM the Neillsville Cup will be hosted at Fugate Field III in Neillsville, WI. The Powercats will entertain the Sooners. The Powercats feature Ben Fugate and Rachel Fugate who alternate at goalkeeper and center and sometimes go "no goalie" to mix things up and score faster.
The Sooners are led by Pastor Mark Fugate, Aaron Fugate, and newcomer, Lindsae Dockum. Lindsae will play center while in the game while Aaron and Pastor Fugate will alternate at center and goalie as they see fit. The Neillsville Cup has been played between the Fugate family in many different game increments over the years. However this the first cup in which someone other than a Fugate will play.
The basic rules for the Neillsville Cup are the first team to score 5 goals wins. The goals are about 9 feet in apart so having a good goalie is very important. The Lost Lake Tribune will provide complete coverage of the cup. For more information on the sponsors please check these websites: http://www.farmerspantry.net/Default.aspx and http://www.abbyvans.com/
House Approves Financial Overhaul; Senate Vote Awaits
The House of Representatives passed a sweeping overhaul of the nation's financial system Wednesday setting the stage for a final vote in the Senate where votes for the far-reaching bill remained in flux.
The party-line vote, 237-192, came after Democrats backed down from a $19 billion tax of major banks and hedge funds in hopes of securing Senate Republican votes.
President Barack Obama says House passage of a massive overhaul of financial regulations is a victory for everyone who was hurt by what he is calling Wall Street "recklessness and irresponsibility" that caused the financial meltdown and millions of job losses.
"Never again, never again should Wall Street greed bring such suffering to our country," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., declared.
Republicans portrayed the bill as a vast overreach of government power that would do little to prevent future bailouts of failing financial institutions.
"This legislation is a clear attack on capital formation in America," said Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the second-ranking House Republican. "It purports to prevent the next financial crisis, but it does so by vastly expanding the power of the same regulators who failed to stop the last one."
The bill now heads to the Senate, which is not expected to take up the measure until after next week's July 4th recess. At least one crucial Republican senator remained uncommitted, however. The Senate delayed its vote to mid-July, which denies President Obama a victory before the July 4 Independence Day holiday.
Information Gained from http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/30/house-approves-financial-overhaul-senate-vote-awaits/?test=latestnews
A Brief Interruption -- Reflections on an Outing
By Kevin T. Bauder
This week the media have been carrying the report of an anti-gay pastor who has been “outed” as a closet homosexual. A conservative Lutheran, the minister had been vocal in his opposition to the ELCA’s decision to ordain openly homosexual ministers. He is now being held up to public shame as a person who experiences same-sex attractions.
According to the publishers of a homosexually-oriented magazine, this pastor has been attending a twelve-step program for men who are trying to live celibate lives while experiencing homosexual attractions. The publishers commissioned a reporter to lie his way into the group. The magazine then published several admissions that the pastor is supposed to have made while under what he imagined to be the confidentiality of the program.
The pastor is now being denounced as a hypocrite both by those who are pro-homosexuality and those who are anti-Christianity. His ministry is in jeopardy. Most people seem to think that he is getting exactly what he deserves.
As of this writing, no one has alleged that the pastor ever actually had a sexual relationship with another man. No one has documented an inconsistency between the man’s profession and his conduct. So far, the case is very different from that of Ted Haggard.
The purpose of this essay is not to determine the guilt or innocence of the pastor in question. Indeed, the essay will name neither the accused pastor nor the publication that has accused him. The episode does, however, contain certain lessons that Christians need to learn.
Those lessons begin with an acknowledgement that the problem of homosexuality cannot simply be ignored. A generation ago, this conduct was considered such a shameful perversion that it was barely mentioned in public. On the rare occasions that churches actually had to confront homosexuals, such persons were rapidly and summarily excluded. The notion of a ministry to and for homosexuals was unthinkable.
The situation is now exactly the opposite. Within the “official” culture of our civilization, homosexuality is no longer viewed as a perversion, a disease, or even an abnormality. It is simply thought of as another way of doing sex, and sexual liberty has become the most inalienable right. Any opposition to homosexuality is viewed as almost intolerable bigotry.
This change in perspective is going to affect churches for the foreseeable future. More of the people in our civilization will have at least experimented with homosexuality. More of the people in our churches will struggle with homosexuality. We are long overdue for a conversation about how we intend to minister to them.
As we conduct that conversation, one distinction needs to be made clearly. Same-sex attraction is a different matter from homosexuality. Being tempted with the sin and being a sinner are two different things.
The same is true of opposite-sex attractions, of course. Married people may find themselves being drawn to individuals other than their spouses. Such temptations are not in themselves necessarily lustful, nor are they necessarily sinful. The temptations become sin when they are harbored and acted upon.
It is possible for a person with opposite-sex attractions to live a life of chastity in mind and in body. By the same token, it is possible for a person with same-sex attractions to live a life of chastity. It is as wrong to call such a person a homosexual as it is to call a faithfully married man an adulterer.
Homosexuality is not simply a matter of desires but of obsessions and actions. Nor is homosexuality a matter of identity. Virtually everybody experiences sexual desires of some sort. Those desires, however, do not define us. Our identity consists in our relationship to God. If we are God’s children and we are in Christ, then our conduct (including the conduct in which we engage in our own inner world) needs to be brought into line with our identity.
Homosexuality is not who a person is, but what a person does. Someone who chooses not to engage in the conduct is not a homosexual. Someone who chooses to stop engaging in the conduct is no longer a homosexual. It was possible for Paul, discussing homosexuality among other sins, to say, “such were some of you” (1 Cor 6:11) Whatever their desires, these people were now washed, sanctified, and justified by Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit.
A word needs to be said about hypocrisy. One does not become a hypocrite by denouncing what one desires. We all have the experience of desiring what we know is wrong. Labeling a thing wrong when we desire it is not hypocritical. Indeed, it is an act of courage.
We do not even become hypocrites when we indulge in vices that we know and profess to be wrong. Unless someone claims to have achieved sinless perfection, we must all admit that we sometimes actually do what we know to be wrong. This admission is not a confession of hypocrisy, however, but of akrasia. When we sin we are weak, but we are not necessarily hypocrites.
Hypocrisy occurs when we knowingly label good to be evil or evil to be good. To be a hypocrite is to pretend to believe one thing when we actually believe another. Hypocrisy means attempting to excuse our conduct on the basis of a principle that we ourselves do not really hold.
So what about the pastor with whom this discussion began? Should such a person be barred from ministry? Should he be expelled from the church?
My response is that same-sex attractions by themselves are no disqualification from church membership. They are no disqualification from church office. They should be no disqualification from the friendship of God’s people. In fact, same-sex attractions by themselves should not even hinder Christians from entering the marriage covenant and bearing children.
Attractions are things to be managed. They can be rejected, or they can be dwelt upon and acted upon. They can be learned and unlearned. Those who reject them and seek to unlearn them are not to be judged as if they had acted upon them.
Helping Christians learn how to respond to wrong and even perverse inclinations is an important part of discipleship. Given the increasingly positive treatment of homosexuality in our civilization, this is an aspect of discipleship that churches no longer can afford to ignore. We cannot insulate our youth entirely from the influences of our culture. More of our young people are going to find that they experience same-sex attractions.
Also, more of the people we reach will have been touched by homosexual desires and practices. When they become Christians, they will have to deal with the attitudes and activities of their past. So will we. This, too, is an aspect of ministry that churches no longer can afford to ignore.
Information Gained from http://www.centralseminary.edu/resources/nick-of-time/222-reflections-on-an-outing
Canada Celebrates its 143rd Birthday
OTTAWA — Canada has matured and is an “example to the world,” as a sanctuary for people, Queen Elizabeth told a large crowd that coloured the Parliament Hill lawn red and white Thursday, Canada Day. “During my lifetime, I have been a witness of this country for half its history since Confederation,” she said. “I have watched with enormous admiration how Canada has grown and matured while remaining true to its history, its distinctive character and its values. “This nation has dedicated itself as a caring home for its own, a sanctuary for others and an example to the world.”
The Queen also paid tribute to the men and women serving abroad in Afghanistan and other Canadian Forces missions. “These commitment often in dangerous and hostile circumstances are undertaken with the support and respect of us all,” she said.
Her Majesty told the nation there are “many reasons for optimism . . . The recent success of the Vancouver Olympics was about more than just the thrill of a gold medal for Canada’s hockey team,” the Queen said, leading to cheers and applause.
“As well as renewing a sense of common purpose within this country, the Olympics showed to others something of the extraordinary warmth and enthusiasm of the people.”
Blue skies and a crowd estimated at more than 70,000 Canadians greeted the Queen and Prince Philip on Parliament Hill, as they continued their nine-day tour of the country.
With the Queen’s personal Canadian flag flying high atop the Peace Tower, the pair arrived on the Hill shortly after noon in a horse-drawn carriage, escorted by dozens of RCMP officers on horseback and dressed in their traditional red serge. They rode down historic Wellington Street in front of Parliament, which was lined with royal-watchers on each side. A continuous cheer rose from the spectators.
Riannon Greig flew to Canada with her family earlier this week from England to celebrate her 20th birthday by seeing the Queen in person. Greig caught only “a bit of her hat” but it was enough to make her day. “It’s quite emotional. I’ve never seen the Queen in person so I had to come to Canada to see her in the flesh, but it was worth it,” she said.
Jonathan Lomas was luckier: “I saw the whole of her when she was standing there. I saw the whole works. She’s a pretty remarkable lady for 84. My mom’s 89 and she’s no where near as fit as this lady,” he said.
Not surprisingly, the Queen joined in commemorating the country’s 143rd birthday wearing the unmistakable red and white: with a bright, rich red dress, white hat topped with a red flower, white gloves and a gold Maple Leaf pin.
The royal couple were officially greeted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, his wife Laureen, their children Benjamin and Rachel, and by Heritage Minister James Moore. As the Queen inspected the ceremonial guard, she received a 21-gun salute followed by a fly past by CF-18s over Parliament Hill, before taking her place in the royal box to take in music from talent from across the country.
“Your Majesty, welcome to this spectacular party, and on behalf of all Canadians, welcome back to your home away from home,” Mr. Harper said.
The Queen delivered one of four addresses she will give to Canadians during her time here.
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