Franklin Graham's Sermon at John Brown University - Even More Poignant After Events In Egypt

Franklin gives an excellent speech to all the young students calling for them to join him in using internet “Keywords” to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Franklin Graham's Address: January 18, 2011

-->  Video:  Franklin Graham’s Address   <--

Franklin Graham Says Tucson Memorial Service 'Scoffed' at Jesus

President Obama garnered praise from across the political spectrum for his moving speech last week at the memorial service for the Tucson shooting victims, including from his usual critics on the right. But don't count the Rev. Franklin Graham as a fan of the event.

In a speech on Tuesday at John Brown University, a private Christian college in Siloam Springs, Ark., the son of the revered evangelist Billy Graham voiced "dismay" at the way the Tucson memorial service was conducted, arguing that it was not as explicitly religious -- mainly "Christian" -- as those following the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 attacks.

Graham was particularly upset that the Tucson memorial featured a Native American who called upon "father sky and mother earth."
"There was no call for the name of God to put his loving arms around the people who were hurting, the people that were suffering," Graham said. "Why? Why did they take God out of it? Why did they leave him out?

"Because the world scoffs at the name of Jesus Christ," Graham said, his voice rising in anger. "They scoff when you say he's the son of God."

Graham went on to say that the scoffing and persecution against Christians is only going to get worse.

Initial reports of Graham's speech indicated that he may have been including Obama in his critique, though a review of the video shows that Graham says he "felt sorry" for the president "because I knew he was uncomfortable in that situation."

Graham was referring to the pep rally atmosphere and the prayers by the Native American, an associate professor of medicine at the University, Carlos Gonzales, who is a Pascua Yaqui Indian and fifth generation Arizonan. (Graham called him a native of "the Yuppie tribe or something, I didn't quite get it.")

Graham also stressed his empathy for the president in an op-ed in The Washington Times on Tuesday, saying he was "proud of Mr. Obama" in Tucson in contrast with how he viewed the rest of the event.

"The president read from the Scriptures, and a couple of others," Graham noted in his speech at John Brown University. But also said that no one mentioned God at the Tuscon event, and he said that is the way things seem to be going in America.

"And I believe the memorial service that we saw in Tucson is the template for what you are going to see in a secularized world."
The White House declined to comment on Graham's remarks about the service.

As USA Today's "Faith & Reason" blogger, Cathy Grossman, noted, Graham's critique seems "odd" given that Obama's speech -- which many agreed sounded more like a sermon -- cited the consolations of Psalm 46 plus the laments of Job.

Moreover, Department of Homeland Security head (and former Arizona governor) Janet Napolitano preceded Obama and read from Isaiah 40 and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder read from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

A strong majority of Americans also liked Obama's response to the Tucson shootings, with an ABC News-Washington Post poll this week showing 78 percent approval overall, and 71 percent approval from Republicans and conservatives.

The Tucson speech was actually fairly typical of Obama's Scripture-based rhetoric, and The Los Angeles Times explored how the president consulted his Christian spiritual advisers in composing it.
"Yet," as Grossman writes, "Graham believes the victims of the Tucson shooting, those who knew and loved them and all who wanted to show solidarity with them -- Catholic, Jewish, Protestant and beliefs unknown -- were scoffing at God as they wept and cheered the speakers."

Franklin Graham, who has become something of a shepherd to Sarah Palin (she accompanied him to Haiti last month), is becoming known for rhetoric that is far edgier than anything his father ever said, even in Billy Graham's haler days.

He has regularly disparaged Islam, calling it an "evil" religion, a blast that got him booted from official National Day of Prayer celebrations last year. And he once made fun of Hinduism's deities, saying that "No elephant with 100 arms can do anything for me. None of their 9,000 gods is going to lead me to salvation."

Franklin Graham took up some of those themes again on Tuesday at John Brown.
"Even in our government today, you can't pray to Jesus in many public meetings. You can pray to God or a god. You can mention Buddha or the name of Muhammad, but you can't pray to Jesus Christ," Graham told the students.
"We know that we are going to be persecuted for standing up for the name of Christ."

DAVID GIBSON  -  Religion Reporter

As Mike Huckabee said on this show last week (as well as several other experts on the Middle East and Islam), Americans need to be paying attention to what is going on in Egypt.  Those that are behind this uprising are not the average guys in the street and once they take over and attack Israel, it will not be over… but rather the beginning!!  Islam considers Israel the Little Satan. They consider America the Big Satan.  If we do no stop singing Cumbaya and ignoring the Muslim infiltration in this country immediately, by the time we wake up, it will be too late!!

Related:

Rumors of War:  Glenn Interviews Joel Rosenberg

Sharia Law Gains Foothold in US – Federal Judge Upholds Government Funding of Islam

Sleeper Cells in the USA

Role of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt

 

Video: 

McCain: 'We Cannot Afford a Tiananmen Square in Cairo'

But is it too late?  Clinton and Obama are said to be giving Mubarak millions and… 

weapons used by Egyptian Police found to be made in the USA

What is at stake in Egypt could change the world or….?!?

Storm Warning

Ronald Reagan Christmas Address (video) and More…

Video: Ronald Reagan’s Christmas Address as delivered to the nation December 23, 1981 -  29 years ago this week:

"Like the National Christmas Tree, our nation is a living,
growing thing - planted in rich American soil.
Only our devoted care can bring it to full flower..."

In a world of political correctness and Christmas culture wars, Reagan's national address is almost unbelievable! It is a breath of fresh Christmas air! What happened to the politicians like him who are not afraid to hold fast to the Christian faith despite what others think or say?  No wonder almost everyone loved him, even if they didn’t agree with his politics.  Ronald Reagan inspired people in a positive way!!

President Ronald Reagan’s Christmas Address 12/23/81

Video:  Ronald Reagan Christmas Address (12/23/81)

Camouflage and Christmas Lights

Video:  Camouflage and Christmas Lights

As America Celebrates Christmas, Rev. Franklin Graham Says Secular 'War' Rages Against Christians

By David A. Patten and Kathleen Walter

As Americans gather with their families to celebrate Christmas, the Rev. Franklin Graham decries the continuing cultural “war” against Christ and his believers.

The campaign against Christianity rages “not just in America, but in many countries around the world,” the noted evangelist and son of world-renowned preacher Billy Graham declares during an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV.

Also during his Christmas message to America via Newsmax, Graham reveals that his inspirational father fully intends to return to the pulpit. The last time the elder Graham preached was in July 2006, during a revival at Baltimore’s Camden Yards. But Franklin says his father’s joy during the Christmas season remains undiminished.

“My father loves Christmas because we’re celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and my father, his entire life has been about sharing this wonderful message of God’s love for the world,” he says

To Read rest of article and video Click Here: As America Celebrates Christmas, Rev. Franklin Graham Says Secular 'War' Rages Against Christians

From 1879, Christmas Wild Game Recipes

Merry Christmas, God Bless America and Support our Troops!!!

The War on Christmas

“Certain traditions, no matter what their origin, become part of the fabric of nations and societies… such is the case with Christmas in America!”

How to Build a Christmas Photo Collage Using Wondershare Photo Collage Studio

Christmas: An American Holiday to Love and Preserve…

Once upon a time not all that long ago – in fact, anyone over 50 will easily remember it – the word “Christmas” was everywhere during the month of December. Everywhere you looked – in stores, in town squares, in cities, in offices, and, of course, in private homes — there were Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, Christmas cards, Christmas gifts, Christmas parties, and Christmas vacations. Even Jews got into the act… Hanukkah Bushes, Christmas lights in blue and white and an embracement of all the festivities.  Just ask Ben Stein.

Christmas was arguably the most beloved of American holidays. Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving were important too; but Christmas was something more. It gave rise to a whole “Christmas season” during which people got into the “Christmas spirit.” The first words of a popular song, recorded by Johnny Mathis as a platinum hit, summed it up perfectly: “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas / Everywhere you go…”

Then something strange began to happen. The very thing that made the “season” special started to disappear from the public arena. Stores no longer held “Christmas sales.” Businesses, and soon after, individuals, ceased to hold “Christmas parties.” And on and on. “Christmas” became a dirty word, and was replaced by “holiday.” The War on Christmas had begun.

We’ve grown so accustomed to the change that we’ve lost sight of just how significant it is. “Christmas” is loaded with meaning and rich in spirit. It imparts rich feelings unlike anything else. “Holiday,” by contrast, is a bland word that can signify anything from Independence Day to Labor Day to “Sweetest Day.” At most, it means a day that you might get off from work if you’re lucky. And nothing else. Saying “holiday” and meaning Christmas is like saying “a long dead politician” and meaning Abraham Lincoln. Technically, it’s not wrong. But the whole significance is lost.

Of course, this didn’t happen by accident. Ask most people how it happened, and they’ll just shrug and say, “political correctness.” And in fact, “PC” is a cruel master, uncaring about what it destroys, and swift to punish those who violate it. So most choose to bow and submit.

But not here.  We are part of the The Battle for Christmas. We hope to reclaim the richness and beauty of Christmas. But it’s more. Christmas is a treasure and and part of our heritage that we all should be actively working to preserve our traditional American culture in any and all forms. Because that culture is worth keeping. It’s part of what holds us together and makes us American… including those of us who are not Christians.

So let’s fight back in the war on Christmas. And to all who feel the same we do… happy holidays and Merry Christmas!: Celebrating America’s Greatest Holiday  - Perhaps it is time for Christians to be offended and to pull their accounts!!  Stand-up!!

God Rest Ye Merry Merchants

Chase Bank told a businessman to remove the Christmas tree he donated to a local branch because it could offend people.

Antonio Morales, owner of Bellagio Day Spa in Southlake, had assembled and decorated a 9-foot-tall tree in the lobby of the Chase Bank branch at 1700 E. Southlake Boulevard as a favor to the branch manager, who is one of his clients.

The tree remained in the lobby from the Monday before Thanksgiving until Tuesday. Morales said his friend called him Wednesday to tell him the tree had to go. She later showed him an e-mail from JPMorgan Chase saying that the tree had to be removed because some people were offended by it.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY AT STAR-TELEGRAM.COM  - God Help Us!!

BILLBOARD BATTLE: CATHOLICS PUT UP PRO-CHRISTMAS BILLBOARD NEAR ATHEISTS‘ ’REASON’ MESSAGE

Recently, a group called American Atheists purchased a large, anti-Christmas billboard outside the heavily-traveled Lincoln Tunnel between New York and New Jersey. Now, a Catholic group has started a billboard war of sorts by purchasing a pro-Christmas message of its own on the other side of the tunnel.

“You Know It’s Real: This Season Celebrate Jesus,” a billboard for the Catholic League says on the New York side of the tunnel. That’s in response to the American Atheist billboard on the New Jersey side, which says “You Know It’s a Myth: This Season Celebrate Reason.”

“We decided to counterpunch after a donor came forward seeking to challenge the anti-Christmas statement by American Atheists,” Catholic League President Bill Donahue said in a statement on the group’s website. “Our approach is positive, and services the common good. Theirs is negative, and is designed to sow division. It’s what they do.”

“So after Christian motorists have had their sensibilities assaulted as they exit New Jersey, they will experience a sense of joy, and satisfaction, as they enter New York City,” he added. “It’s what we do.”

 

GOP SENATOR BOYCOTTS HOMETOWN ‘HOLIDAY’ PARADE

When Sen. Jim Inhofe’s (R-OK) hometown parade of lights took the word “Christmas” out of the title, Inhofe had had enough. Now he’s taking something else out of the parade: himself.

Inhofe annually appears in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s parade of lights by riding atop his horse, but said he will not do so again until the name is changed back to the “Christmas Parade of Lights.”

“Last year, the forces of political correctness removed the word ‘Christmas’ and replaced it with ‘Holiday’ instead,”  Inhofe told Tulsa World. “I am deeply saddened and disappointed by this change.”

Mirroring a decision he made last year, the senator said “I‘m not going to ride in a Christmas parade that doesn’t recognize Christmas.” He added, “I am hopeful that the good people of Tulsa and the city’s leadership will demand a correction to this shameful attempt to take Christ, the true reason for our celebration, out of the parade’s title. Until the parade is again named the Christmas Parade of Lights, I will not participate.”

Inhofe served as Tulsa’s mayor from 1978 to 1984. His decision to pull out last year went unannounced so as not to detract from the health care debate.

Inhofe‘s position is in contrast to Tulsa’s current mayor, Dewey Bartlett, who admitted he is in essence being held hostage by political correctness.

“If it was up to me, I’d call it a Christmas parade, but I also understand that we have a diverse community, and I’m sensitive to the importance of the many cultures and traditions that make up our city,” Bartlett said.  Go Here to See Video.

 

PHILLY‘S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE GETS ’HOLIDAY’ MAKEOVER

For the past three years, Philadelphia’s German Christmas Village has hosted festive booths and Christmas tree vendors in Dilworth Plaza located near city hall. But this year, the village’s arched entrance labeled “Christmas Village” will be replaced with “Holiday Village.”

According to local news reports, the request for the change came from Managing Director Richard Negrin. City spokesman Mark McDonald said Negrin made the request after the city received complaints from nearby workers and residents. “As a city of great diversity, one shouldn‘t be surprised that there’s a difference of views when it comes to symbols and words,” McDonald told the Philadelphia Daily News.

In addition, McDonald said the city is working on an official policy to address such events set up on city property in the future.

The German American Marketing Inc., the company which runs the Christmas Village every year, is reportedly happy to accommodate the city’s request, but noted that brochures and posters would keep the “Christmas” title. “People have to go to public buildings. They shouldn’t feel offended,” the company’s spokesman said. “It’s been very successful the last two years. People like the name. We built it like a German Christmas market. We did not think a lot about it.”

Philly Christmas Village

Video:  Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Though the Village is clearly focused on Christmas, the Daily News adds that ornaments and decorations sold at the event are “largely of the secular variety, like elves, Santas and colored balls,” interspersed by an occasional nativity scene.

GOD TO RELEASE MEMOIR IN 2011

God is preparing to speak to you in another, hopefully, best-seller. According to publisher Simon and Schuster, the Almighty is looking to follow up his all-time number one book The Bible with a memoir.

But you‘ll never guess who will be God’s (Holy) ghost writer. According to Entertainment Weekly, Jon Stewart’s former* “The Daily Show” head writer and executive producer David Javerbaum will be serving in that capacity.

“God is represented by a burning bush, the Greek letters a and ‡, and, in this case, the Levine Greenberg Literary Agency, the same agency that represents David Javerbaum,” the publisher said in a meant-to-be funny press release.

“We feel like we are the Chosen Publisher,” Simon & Schuster’s Executive Vice President and Publisher Jonathan Karp told Entertainment Weekly. “A lot of writers are creative, but this writer is really creative. And we think He can produce the manuscript quickly: More than seven days, but less than a year.”

The yet-to-be-titled tell-all memoir is due out in 2011.

A great book on Losing Our Religion  by aethiest  S. E. Cupp, who says she is he perfect person for this book because she has no dog in the hunt, takes on the all too often avoided question and discussion of religion in America…

Merry Christmas!

Christmas With the Obamas

Many watched Oprah’s Special on ABC, billed as Christmas in the White House.  Many were disappointed because it was really a combination attempt to present a false front by the Obama’s through their friend Oprah to placate the 80+ percent of Americans who are Christians and the others who love the Christmas traditions because they are part of the American experience.

Oprah begins her show with the President in the Oval Office where they look at one of the Christmas Trees that surprisingly, like the cookies at the White House Christmas Party, was filled with ACORNS… Hmmmm… a secret (or not so secret) message??

We met Beau the dog wearing a Christmas Bell collar; saw how the White House Gingerbread house is made; saw the decoupage ornaments and cranberries in the red room and discussed how many of the framed photos in the White House were swapped out for holiday photos from former administrations.  There were tree lighting and Menorah lighting ceremonies this year, but the spectacular White House Nativity Scene, that was almost not put up this year, was nowhere to be seen and the White House is sending out Holiday Cards… not Christmas Cards.

It was reported in the pro-Obama The New York Times that the President Obama and the First Family were planning a “non-religious Christmas,” according to Social Secretary Desiree Rogers. Ms. Rogers reportedly told a gathering of former social secretaries that the Obamas did not intend on putting the Nativity scene on display – a longtime East Room tradition. (Now does this in anyway make sense to anyone, if the Obama's were Christians, even on practicing Christians... or apathetic Agnostics??... Of course it doesn't!!).

The account was reported in the Fashion and Style section of The New York Times. The White House confirmed to the Times that there had been internal discussions about making Christmas more inclusive – but in the end – tradition won out – and the Nativity scene is once again in its traditional East Room spot. 

Later after many complaints and negative press, Michelle Obama said, “It has been a part of White House Christmas decorations in the past, it is on display in the East Room for all to enjoy and it will continue to be a part of White House Christmas decorations moving forward.”

There was a discussion between Oprah and Obama about the President spending his first 10-minutes in the Oval Office alone and mention of a prayer, but no other references to prayer or the reason for Christmas were made.  Odd for a president to sold himself to the American People as a Christian; just as it is odd for a Christian President not to attend or even find a church in DC for himself or his family.  Church and prayer sustain most presidents during the difficult times in the White House.

The most time spent on “Christ” mas discussion on Oprah Winfrey's Christmas special from the White House was where she sits down with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle in the Green Room and they the Obama’s quibble about bad Christmas gifts.

In this clip (below) of Oprah Winfrey's Christmas special from the White House where she sits down with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle and they quibble over bad Christmas Gifts.  President Obama just comes right out and says - in front of Michelle:

"Here's the general rule: I give nicer stuff than I get." Michelle responds, "No way! I gave you good gifts last year." Obama then says, Ahhhh, come on. Please!"  And finally Michelle ends with, “You do give good gifts… Keep it up~”

After ‘the gift exchange’ when Oprah asked about family Christmas traditions, new and old, the Obama’s mentioned that they would be heading to Hawaii to celebrate.

“Unlike almost all Americans—including atheists—the Obamas do not give their children Christmas gifts. We know this because Barack bragged about this last year to People magazine. So it should come as no big surprise that he and his wife would like to neuter Christmas in the White House. That’s their natural step—to ban the public display of Christian symbols. Have any doubts? Last April, Georgetown University was ordered to put a drape over the name of Jesus as a condition of the president speaking there.  Obama said that Santa brings the girls and all of them gifts, but there was no mention of any true Christmas celebrations or traditions in the Obama home of family. (Even when their yearly ‘Christmas’ trip to Hawaii was mentioned, the discussion revolved around a talent contest… not church, prayer or even traditional gift giving.)  Even Oprah, who has been pushing new age types of religion made an odd comment on the special.  “I thought that (referring to a pearl necklace Michelle was wearing) had to be something more special than just Christmas.  Hmmm for Christians there are no more important days that Christmas and Easter.

If the Obamas want to deprive their children of celebrating Christmas, that is their business. It is the business of the public to hold them accountable for the way they celebrate Christmas in the White House. We know one thing for sure: no other administration ever  entertained internal discussions on whether to display a nativity scene in the White  House.”

At the end of the program Oprah asked what wish the President would leave on the the White House’s  Wish Tree for the American People.  He replied, “I would wish for confidence by the American People that everything will be alright.” Mr. President, if that is true… you are living far outside of the reality bubble…

And as far as church goes perhaps it is not a priority if you don’t want the American people to know your real religion?!?

Obama taking off his shoes and getting ready to worship with other Muslim men; not something a non-Muslim and especially a non-Muslim US President would do…

----------------

Obama leaves the gifting to Santa

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) tells People magazine in the issue out Friday that he and his wife, Michelle, do not give Christmas or birthday presents to their two young daughters.

Obama tells the magazine’s Sandra Sobieraj Westfall in a seven-page cover story that he and his wife follow the unusual practice because they “want to teach some limits.”

In the interview earlier this summer, Obama noted that they do spend “hundreds” of dollars on birthday slumber parties.

Michelle Obama told People: “Malia says, ‘I know there is a Santa because there’s no way you’d buy me all that stuff.’ ”

Wink.

The cover says: “THE OBAMAS AT HOME – EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS! – From piano practice and pillow talk to who does the chores (not him!), Barack, Michelle and daughters Sasha [7] and Malia [10] offer a rare look into their Chicago home.”

Westfall writes: “The girls may be irreverent, but they are also well mannered, slipping off their shoes before climbing on the velvet sofa. ‘There are downstairs rules,’ Michelle says later, like

no shoes on the furniture. But in the girls’ third-floor playroom the couch doubles as a trampoline. ‘So there are different rules in different parts of the house,’ Michelle continues.

“In the kitchen, where it’s the girls’ job to set and clear the dinner table, sunlight streams through a solarium-style glass wall, showing off black granite countertops—and dust collecting on an unopened bottle of Kendall- Jackson chardonnay. Michelle’s 71-year-old mother, Marian Robinson, is unpacking the family’s takeout lunch from Subway."

Here are the seven “Obama House Rules” listed by the magazine:

1) “No whining, arguing or annoying teasing,” says Michelle Obama.

2) Make the bed. “Doesn’t have to look good—just throw the sheet over it,” says Mom.

3) Set your own alarm clock. “They get themselves up, get their own clothes,” says Sasha and Malia’s grandmother Marian Robinson. “They’re very easy to take care of; there’s not much left for me to do!”

4) Keep playroom toy closet clean.

5) Allowance from Dad for doing chores: $1 per week. “I’m out of town all the time,” says Barack, “so Malia will say, ‘Hey, you owe me 10 weeks!’ ”

6) No birthday or Christmas presents from Mom and Dad, who spend “hundreds” on birthday slumber parties and, as Barack puts it, “want to teach some limits.” Says Michelle: “Malia says, ‘I know there is a Santa because there’s no way you’d buy me all that stuff.’ ”

7) Lights out at 8:30. “They got an extra half hour when they were ready to read on their own,” says Michelle.

I would say that this system of Christmas keeps them from addressing the actual holiday and meaning behind it; keeps them out of church, and keeps the Obama’s out of explaining their Muslim leanings.  Santa is more of a children’s cult figure and really has nothing to do with the true meaning of “Christ”mas or the religious based traditions.  (It is kind of like Jews who put up a Hanukah Bush/Tree and have Santa bring presents, so their kids don’t feel left out.  This is just the Obama Muslim version).

The question for America is, “When are you going to be tired of being had and lied to??  And are you going to stand-up before there is nothing left to stand up for or after they have taken your freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the right to bear arms away from you… so that there is no way to fight back??

Merry Christmas and May God Bless and Keep America and her (His) People Safe!!

Related:

God Rest Ye Merry Merchants

Santa = Swastika? War On Christmas Begins in Massachusetts

Save Christmas - Kentucky Wins Christmas Tree Battle

Merry Christmas! : Celebrating America's Greatest Holiday

Man Arrested in Pleasanton for anti-Christian Mall Disturbance

Ho Ho No: Postal Service Drops Santa Letters

Political Correctness – The Revenge of Marxism

The New Atheists

New Age Agenda, Agenda 21, End of Times… Or All – Pick Your Ending

Muslim Demographics

The Dumbing Down of America Series

The Death of the Grown-Up: How America's Arrested Development Is Bringing Down Western Civilization

White Guilt

50,000 lights and 180 channels of LOR. This display located in Lindon, Utah