Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Surviving the Walk to SchooLA look at the dangers children face everyday just to get an education in the U.S.
UPDATE on 2rd Grader sent home from school for Drawing Picture of Jesus
TAUNTON, Mass. — A Massachusetts school district on Tuesday night denied a father's claims that his son was suspended for drawing a stick figure of Jesus on a cross.
The Taunton School District said in a written statement that the second-grade student was never suspended over the sketch and that a drawing circulated to reporters by the boy's father, Chester Johnson, is not the same one that was discovered by the teacher.
The district also denied that the boy and his classmates had been assigned to draw something that reminded them of
Johnson, who had said his son was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation after the drawing was discovered, did not return multiple phone messages from The Associated
"This incident occurred nearly two weeks ago, it was handled appropriately, and the school staff and family had been working together in a cooperative and positive manner," the district said in a statement posted on its Web site.
School officials did not specify any action they took, but said they followed "well-established protocol," including reviewing the child's records and consulting with school
Click to read Article from Fox News
As more information about this incident comes in we will be reporting about it. It seems that this is a really big mess that the school and the parents of the child are in. Both sides giving totally different stories. The school now even denying that the teacher ever gave the assignment to draw a picture about Christmas. With the school also saying the little boy told the teacher, that it was him on the cross and not Jesus. Now the school is saying the picture released of what the boy drew is NOT the picture he drew in school.
So we must ask ourselves, who we are to believe? The bible says "The Truth Shall Set You Free" and sooner or later the truth will come out. But the facts are, the little boy did draw a picture of Jesus, The School had some kind of meeting with the boy and the parents about what the boy had drawn, and the child is attending school and is not currently suspended.
As Christians we must pray for this child and everyone involved in hope that the issue can be resolved, and that if this child or any child should draw a picture of Jesus that they not be disciplined to this effect.
3rd Grader Told Not Allowed to Read Bible in school
Now the principal is apologizing, saying that the teacher made a mistake and that school policy absolutely does allow children to read the Bible or any other religious book during quiet reading time.
Michelle Jordat says her daughter, Mariah, cried when the teacher told her to put away the Bible. Jordat says her daughter's feelings were hurt and she was confused.
"This was injustice," Jordat says. "No other child has to go through this again."
Jordat accepted the principal's apology, but wants something in writing stating that reading the Bible is OK during personal reading time. She also says she will speak to a lawyer.
The Old Bridge Board of Education held a meeting Tuesday evening and addressed the issue for concerned parents.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
2nd Grader Sent Home from School For Drawing picture of Jesus
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
TAUNTON, Mass. — A Taunton man says his 8-year-old son was sent home from school and ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation after drawing a stick figure Jesus on a cross.
The man told the Taunton Daily Gazette his second-grader made the drawing after his teacher asked children to sketch something that reminded them of Christmas
The father, who asked that his name not be used, said the family had recently seen a Christmas display at a religious shrine.
Superintendent Julie Hackett said she could not discuss an individual student and the school followed proper protocol.
Toni Saunders, an educational consultant working with the family, said the teacher was alarmed because the boy drew Xs in the eyes of Jesus.
JMC Ministries Response
Written by: Miranda Caverley
The schools think it is ok to show children sex ed videos, and teach them how to have sex. Then we have books like the one about the 2 homosexual penguins raising a baby penguin that are in some schools across the country “required reading” for children. But to draw a stick figure picture of Jesus on the cross is “too violent”? When we have children being caught up in violence everyday in school like the post we made yesterday about youth violence in America. We have video games, and movies promoting violence, murder, rape, and every kind of debauchery you can imagine. But a stick figure of Jesus on the cross is so violent this 8 year old had to be punished. So severely that he was sent home from school and now is being put into psychiatric evaluation.
When I was in school I can remember children drawing pornographic pictures, pictures dripping with blood, and all kinds of horrible things. But they weren’t sent home from school. They were disciplined yes, and the picture was then thrown away. The child wasn’t sent home and made a spectacle of. This picture clearly had nothing to that effect. Yes it displayed Jesus on the Cross, but there was no blood and guts dripping. No graphic displays of what really happened to him. It was just a stick figure.
What it comes down to is this. If the child would have drawn a monster or something to that extent with blood dripping from his mouth. Then he possibly wouldn’t have been punished this severely, but the fact he drew something “religious” and it is against the law in the U.S to have such a thing in our schools, that is why the boy was sent home.
If this was my child I would be proud that when he was asked to draw something that reminded them of Christmas he thought of Jesus. Because, if it weren’t for Jesus there would be no Christmas.
Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Teen Violence is an every day reality and serious problem in America
Written by: Miranda Caverley
The reality of Teen Violence has finally hit the mainstream Media as you will see in this video by CNN. It is frightening how many young people are involved in violence, or even murder on a daily bases. The fact that the media hasn't been covering this for years just shows us that the world is unconcerned with the children of today. As you will hear in the video even the parents of these children who are dishing out this violence are telling their kids "you gotta stand up for yourself" The parents are contributing to the violence, and the children are only doing what they see and are taught. If we are going to prosecute the children for the violence, shouldn't the parents have some kind of punishment for teaching the children to behave this way?
Many of our articles we have posted on Eternal Flame News are about youth. The reason why we continue to post these kinds of stories is to get the word out. We have a generation of children that is in serious trouble America, and if we don't stand up and reach out to the children of today who are living this kind of lifestyle of violence, drugs, and sex we are going to lose them. They are our future and if we don't bring them up with morals and the values our country was founded on I feel we are heading for very dark times in our Nation.
Teen Raises Money for Children in need this Christmas
Noble, an 18-year-old Zane Trace graduate has been collecting money for Project Hope, to help sponsor local families who need some help this holiday season.
"It actually started in October, I was watching 'National Lampoon's
"A lot of the service organizations focus on kids up to age 12, so I wanted to do something for that other group of kids," he said.
Tyler raised $1,700, surpassing his goal of $1,500. He then went to Job and Family services to get the names of some local kids whose families might need some help this year. All the 18 kids Tyler is helping are between the ages of 13 and 18. He said kids in that age group often are left out this time of year.
JMC Ministries Response
Friday, December 11, 2009
Uganda Remembers Death Penalty for Refusing Homosexual Relations With King Mwanga
The Death Penalty in Uganda
MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- By official count 22 young men were executed under Uganda's law on homosexuality. The law in question required that all men and boys in Uganda be willing to submit to the homosexual seduction of it's ruler, King Mwanga. When Ugandans began to convert to Christianity in the 1800s, a group of Catholics, led by Charles Lwanga, refused to allow themselves to be sodomized by the King. Enraged, King Mwanga had them torturously bound, marched 37 miles and then roasted alive in a fire pit. The date of their execution was June 3rd, 1886, and is today a national holiday commemorating Uganda's rejection of homosexuality and commitment to Christian values.
It should be no surprise, therefore, that modern Ugandans are very unhappy that homosexual political activists from Europe and the United States are working aggressively to re-homosexualize their nation. Ugandan citizens report a growing number of foreign homosexual men coming to their country to turn desperately poor young men from the slums into their personal houseboys, and that some girls in public schools have been paid to recruit others into lesbianism. Foreign interests have exerted intense pressure on Uganda's government to compromise its laws regarding sexual morality, often using their control over foreign aid funding for leverage....
As a Christian attorney and international human rights advocate who has worked closely with Uganda's pro- family movement, I have a special interest in this issue. In my view, homosexuality (indeed all sex outside of marriage) should be actively discouraged by society -- but only as aggressively as necessary to prevent the mainstreaming of alternative sexual lifestyles, and with concern for the preservation of the liberties of those who desire to keep their personal lifestyles private. Marriage-based culture served humanity very favorably during the centuries when homosexuality was disapproved but tolerated as a sub-culture in America, England and elsewhere. It has obviously not fared well in the decades since the so- called sexual revolution kicked open Pandora's Box and unleashed both rampant heterosexual promiscuity and "Gay Pride" on the world.
In March of this year I had the privilege of addressing members of the Ugandan parliament in their national assembly hall when the anti-homosexuality law was just being considered...
By Dr. Scott Lively
To: National & International Desks
Contact: Dr. Scott Lively,
413-250-0984
Full editorial at
http://www.defendthefamily.com/pfrc/newsarchives.php?id=4480922
JMC RESPONSE
Written by:
Jeremy Caverley
Many people are quick to judge and have a reaction without righteous judgment.
Proverbs 8:13-15 (New International Version)
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have understanding and power.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers make laws that are just;
But at the same time some people decide to take out their own judgment like King Mwanga did. The debate between Christians who are against homosexuality isn’t something new to us. Each generation and culture has decided which path to take.
In today’s society we see a war going on between free love and marriage. And the deciding factor now is a court. God has been removed from the law of this Earth.
As history shows, the world will become more dark than ever before. Values will continue to morph until everything is not black or white anymore but a fine gray.
The Bible-God’s Holy Word and the law for Christians to follow-clearly states about sex and it’s true place in marriage between a man and a woman.
Matthew 19:4-6 (Amplified Bible)
4He replied, Have you never read that He Who made them from the beginning made them male and female,
5And said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be united firmly (joined inseparably) to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?(A)
6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder (separate).
Cross references:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (New Century Version)
9-10 Surely you know that the people who do wrong will not inherit God's kingdom. Do not be fooled. Those who sin sexually, worship idols, take part in adultery, those who are male prostitutes, or men who have sexual relations with other men, those who steal, are greedy, get drunk, lie about others, or rob—these people will not inherit God's kingdom.
So now after reflecting on God’s word you have to make a choice! Will you become like King Mwanga and demand that all must obey your lifestyle or be put to shame, ridicule, or even death?! Certainly not I pray!
As Christians we must learn to love the sinner but not the sin. From my own point of view I don’t believe that homosexuality is a complete lifestyle but a sex act that you partake in.
Yes if you decide, to those who want to stop living as a homosexual, to change only the Lord can truly heal you.
Mankind has failed in reaching people for the Lord in this respect!
Too many Christians are shunned away because of there sinful natures. So with this in mind I must now remind you that we that are the children of God and are high priests that can go directly to the Father in heaven. That ALL SIN is COMMON to MAN! That IRON does sharpen iron. We should learn to love one another and help reach those that are most in need of such a basic gift. The gift of love and forgiveness.
Proverbs 28:13 (New American Standard Bible)
13He who (A)conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But he who (B)confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
Cross references:
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (Contemporary English Version)
12Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall. 13You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.
Proverbs 27:17 (New International Version)
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.
Mark 3:28 (New Living Translation)
28 “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Church Taken to Court for feeding the homeless
Nov. 23 2009
A judge ordered a Phoenix church to stop feeding the homeless on its property, citing zoning violation.
Retired Arizona Supreme Court Justice Robert Corcoran ruled in early November that CrossRoads United Methodist Church in north Phoenix was functioning as a charity dining hall in a residential neighborhood.
CrossRoads, however, argues that it is not violating city ordinance because it is feeding the homeless as a ministry of the church and not as a dining hall. Once a week, the Methodist Church offers the homeless and the poor in the neighborhood a pancake breakfast before Saturday worship service.
Church officials decided to appeal the ruling last week.
“We must stand together with those of us who are suffering and for other ministries and churches on whom this decision will have a great impact,” said the Rev. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, senior pastor of CrossRoads, to the United Methodist News Service. “We just can’t stop caring for and feeding those who need us most.”
The church has a 50-year history of feeding the homeless and caring for the poor in the community.
But it was the very members of the community that raised concern about the church’s feeding ministry. Some residents complained about the homeless people wandering around the neighborhood, bringing trash to the area and cited fear of increased crime due to their presence.
“They broke into electric boxes and had their bikes and things chained up to fences, and set up camp right in our back yard,” said Talitha Cerino, who lives nearby, to the ABC News station in Phoenix.
“I don’t necessarily know that I would want to be walking down Central on a Saturday morning to see a parade of homeless individuals riding their bikes to get to their free meal in the morning,” Cerino said.
More than 100 people come each week for the pancake breakfast and service program.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Christians Start Bible Blitz on Social Networking Sites to reach the lost and inspire others.
MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christians, churches and youth groups of all denominations are working together to fill the USA with God's Word and the truth about God in US history. Participants are doing this in a nationwide outreach called Bible Blitz USA.
Every Monday, a Bible verse and a patriotic God quote are emailed to all signed up to share across America during the week. Free graphics are also included.
Popular ways to Bible Blitz USA are to spread the quotes on social websites like Facebook, Twitter and Christian Chirp, church bulletins, blogs, school papers, dinner conversations, articles, online comments to stories, church newsletters, home schools and videos. People also memorize the quotes each week.
"I feel good sharing about God and our Christian nation. I love the results", said one participant.
To sign up, go to www.PrayDailyAmerica.com/BibleBlitzUSA.html. Pray Daily America is a national ministry uniting the USA in Christ, based on loving God and loving one another.
"Bible Blitz USA is a fun and easy way for entire youth groups to help the USA, while learning about the Bible and US history. It is a powerful tool that God has made available to help every church member to get involved in sharing the Gospel," said one pastor.
to sign up, go to:
www.PrayDailyAmerica.com/BibleBlitzUSA.html