Super Bowl XLIV is in the history books, with the New Orleans Saints vanquishing the Indianapolis Colts, 31 to 17.

As with every Super Bowl the commercials are nearly as entertaining as the game itself as marketing professionals seek to outdo one another by offering what they hope is a memorable clip for their product. Indeed, with more than 90 million US viewers tuned in, paying 2.5 million for a thirty-second spot is not as terrible as it sounds.

Today, a lot of people who came out against sponsor Focus on the Family (FOTF) and the Tebow ad have egg on their faces. I am showing a lot of restraint as I write this, but the hype from Planned Parenthood and their ilk proves that some people love to jump to conclusions.

In case you missed the ad, I have included it here for your review. Controversial? Hardly. Inspiring, cute, and fun? Yes, absolutely.

My thoughts? Some people have an ax to grind. Pam and Tim Tebow are certainly not named among them.

A public interest law firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan is representing four Christian leaders who filed a federal lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., challenging the constitutionality of the recently-enacted federal Hate Crimes Act. Under the act anyone who preaches against behaviors involving sexual orientation or gender identity could be charged with a crime. Federal law now protects people who practice these behaviors, identifying them as a protected class of people.

Four Christians

The Thomas More Law Center (TMLC) filed a lawsuit on behalf of Pastor Levon Yuille, Pastor Rene Ouellette, Pastor James Combs, and Gary Glenn, who is the president of the American Family Association of Michigan (AFA-Michigan). The suit was filed on Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

TMLC President and Chief Counsel Richard Thompson remarked, “There is no legitimate law enforcement need for this federal law. Of the 1.38 million violent crimes reported in the U.S. by the FBI in 2008, only 243 were considered as motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation. Moreover, Eric Holder himself testified at a Senate hearing that the states are doing a fine job in this area.”

Political Payoffs

In his statement on behalf of the pastors, Thompson noted that Holder was offering “…political payoffs to homosexual advocacy groups for support of Barack Obama in the last presidential election.”

He went on to say that the purpose of the law is to criminalize the Bible and threaten prosecution in order to muzzle Christians. Thompson concluded by stressing that Christians hate sin, but love the sinner and that the greatest threats of violence to homosexuals comes from other homosexuals, not Christians.

Commerce Clause

According to the lawsuit, the federal hate crimes law provision violates the plaintiffs’ rights to freedom of speech, expressive association, and free exercise of religion as protected by the First Amendment, and it violates the equal protection guarantee of the Fifth Amendment. The lawsuit also alleges that Congress lacked authority to enact the legislation under the Tenth Amendment and the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution.

By filing suit, the Christian leaders are seeking judicial protection by way of declaratory and injunctive relief so that they can freely engage in their speech and associated religious activities without being investigated or prosecuted by the government or becoming part of official records because of their Christian beliefs.

TMLC Advocacy

The Thomas More Law Center describes its work as defending and promoting “America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.”

I have yet to see it because previews are not being shown, but the Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad inspires. It inspires controversy, that is.

Not that controversy is a bad thing even when it is misplaced or wrong headed. Sometimes that special added attention can help people focus with laser-like precision on the topic at hand, allowing what is being said to penetrate their hearts.

The Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad is amazing for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it is being brought to the airwaves by Focus on the Family, a well known Christian family values organization. Focus, as many of us like to call it, is headed by James Dobson, a licensed psychologist. Dobson’s radio show and related media ministry works to build up families on biblical grounds though I won’t argue the fact that some psychology is brought in. Focus is a non-profit organization and they are strongly pro-life.

Secondly, the way that the ad came about is amazing. Focus would never had considered purchasing such an ad which costs $2 million to air the 30-second spot. But, anonymous donors have funded the entire cost of producing and running the commercial, which means no ministry funds were tapped.

Thirdly, Tim Tebow is a remarkable young man. You likely know him as the Heisman award-winning quarterback who recently finished up his college years with the Florida Gators and will be playing in the NFL next fall. But he is also a Christian, something he proudly and actively shares with all. Take a look at the black outs (smudges) under his eyes when he is playing and you will see a bible chapter and verse featured. Talk about being bold!

Fourthly, Tim’s mother, Pam, is quite a woman. When she was pregnant with him, her doctor advised to abort her child because of possible complications with the birth. She was told that she might die in delivery, but chose life instead. Of course, that decision has certain wrongly named pro-choice people rankled who fear that Tebow’s message might convince people not to abort. Oddly, if you call yourself pro-choice, then what is wrong with choosing life?

Partnership Praised

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, said the chance to partner with the Tebows and lift up a meaningful message about family and life comes at the right moment in the culture, because “families need to be inspired.”

“Tim and Pam share our respect for life and our passion for helping families thrive,” Daly said. “They live what we see every day – that the desire for family closeness is written on the hearts of every generation. Focus on the Family is about nurturing that desire and strengthening families by empowering them with the tools they need to live lives rooted in morals and values.”

If you are planning to watch the New Orleans Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts in South Florida this Sunday, keep your eyes peeled for the ad. It will be run once, I am not sure when, but let’s pray that it has the intended effect of touching lives for Jesus Christ.

Source: Focus on the Family

Are You Listening?

A number of Christian music artists have also been doing their part to help Haiti, coming together recently to record a song, Are You Listening? The song, written by Kirk Franklin as a tribute to Haiti eight years ago, but only recorded just this past week is a moving plea for help. “Artists United For Haiti” is itself packed with stars with BeBe and CeCe Winans lending their voices along with Shirley Caesar, Natalie Grant, Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, Jeremy Camp, Stephen Hurd, and so many others joining in.

The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) played the song over and over again on Friday evening just before the Hope For Haiti Now event started. “Are You Listening?” is available for download through Verity Records for just $1.29 with the proceeds going toward assisting organizations at work in Haiti including the Red Cross. You can also find the single through iTunes with major retailers such as Wal-Mart carrying the song after January 30.

Kirk Franklin Shares

Speaking about the song Kirk Franklin shared, “This initiative is so important because while we are asking America to give we know that many are giving sacrificially. The people of Haiti are very spiritual people with an unwavering faith and belief in God and still count The Lord as the main source and provider. We will continue to pray and stand with them. We hope this song will bring much needed support and awareness in an effort to raise funds in the near and long-term future.”

Click on the logo for more information or head over to Verity Records to purchase your copy.

Now for some controversy: Pat Robertson made a comment about Haiti immediately following the quake, saying that the nation carries a curse because of some deal that they made with the devil two centuries ago to get out from underneath French rule.

Two thoughts about Robertson and then I will move on:

Robertson seems to always say something to stir the pot including his calls for our nation’s military to assassinate Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez. Usually he recants or clarifies his position which suggests to me that Pat often speaks before he thinks. “…so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2”

If God is angry with Haiti, what about the US? Today marks the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and to date 50 million babies have been aborted. Does God play favorites? I think not! Besides, does God chastise us while He offers us His comfort? Not a chance!

Relief continues to find its way across Haiti with quite a few organizations and governments present. Search teams are still sifting through the rubble at Hotel Montana in search of hundreds believed buried underneath including six members of a team students and faculty from Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL. Eight students have escaped, but hope has grown dim regarding the fate of the missing.

Samaritan’s Purse (SP) has a medical relief team on the ground in Port-au-Prince and a disaster relief team operating northeast of the city. On Monday, SP will be sending out 235 foot long relief barge stocked with 200 tons of equipment including bulldozers, backhoes, fuel trucks and other heavy machinery to aid in disaster relief efforts.

That barge will be loaded first light on Monday before departing that evening from Atlantic Caribbean Line’s port in Ft. Pierce, FL. It is expected to arrive in Haiti next Friday and will be used to transport medical and other supplies over and across rubble strewn streets.

SP says that you can donate by visiting www.samaritanspurse.org or calling (800) 528-1980. You can also give by texting “SP” to 85944 on your cell phone to donate $10. Keep in mind that the money SP derives from a text donation will not get to them until after you pay your cell phone bill. If you want to make an immediate impact then visit their website or call in your donation.

Source: Samaritan’s Purse

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done. (Proverbs 19:17)

Duane Zook, Global Chairman of Global Aid Network, prays for a young earthquake victim, whose mother and father could not be found.

The recent cataclysmic earthquake in Haiti has galvanized much of the world into action, an amazing response that includes a number of supernatural components including seeing the hearts of several world leaders moved (Proverbs 21:1). Though hundreds of thousands were killed, millions were spared with remarkable testimonies of survival being shared for many days afterward.

Did you know that when you help someone who is poor that you are directly making a loan to God? Not that God needs anything from us, but He has set things up in this world to work through the hands of women and men to take our ordinary talents and multiply them into extraordinary blessings to those who have nothing.

But God rewards us for our kindness to the poor whether they be someone who has been dug out of the rubble in Port-au-Prince; an orphaned child in a desolate, war-torn land; or an elderly neighbor who is desperately trying to hold onto her home. When you help the poor, you are ministering to God.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. (Matthew 25:35, 36)

Clearly, God gives us many chances to help people who are impoverished physically, spiritually, or both. Even if the world was somehow a place where everyone’s temporal needs were taken care of, the spiritual need would remain.

But our world is far from being that comfortable place as wars, famine, disease, corrupt governments, and a host of other reasons conspire to keep people down. Yes, you will even have a group of people who simply will not work, but I am not talking about them. Untold millions are poor, needing to be ministered to, but the workers are few though the harvest is great.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

You may not be called to go on a mission trip, but you certainly can be missional minded. That kind of thinking has you praying and taking action as the Lord leads, seeking for ways to make a difference in the lives of the poor, giving to God with the side benefit that you will be rewarded for your efforts.

Photo Credit: Global Aid Network (Campus Crusade for Christ)

An immense disaster requires a correspondingly large-scale response. That is the approach being taken by World Vision, the Christian relief and development organization, who is doing something a bit out of the ordinary in a bid to yield extraordinary results.

World Vision is asking corporations for cash so that it can purchase needed supplies in South Florida and nearby Dominican Republic for shipment to Haiti. These donations will fund the second wave of supplies for Haiti, following what World Vision already has in place and has begun to distribute.

Speaking about what World Vision has established, Amanda Pennington, communications officer for World Vision’s Global Pre-Positioning Resource Network said, “When emergencies like this earthquake happen, it is critical that people gain access to basic supplies as quickly as possible. We keep supplies like these ready at all times in warehouses around the world, so that we can move immediately when emergencies like this happen anywhere.”

Emergency Kits Needed

World Vision’s appeal is simple, yet direct: they are requesting cash donations from corporations and/or the formation of co-branded fundraising campaigns with employees, customers, and other partners. According to this non-government organization, funds raised will be used to “stock emergency kits, which will include items such as personal hygiene products, kitchen sets, and water purification tablets. Emergency kits are designed to serve families of five and cost $100 each.”

Corporations can join World Vision’s Haiti Relief Response by calling (800) 642-1616.

Haiti’s main airport is located in Port-au-Prince, seat of government for the country and the area hardest hit by Tuesday’s 7.3 temblor with more than 3 million people affected. That airport is currently closed except for military flights which means that private flights from World Vision warehouses in Denver, CO and Panama City, FL are currently grounded.

Rapidly Deteriorating Conditions

Conditions on the ground have deteriorated rapidly with Steve Matthews, a veteran aid worker and communications team member for World Vision reporting via SMS, “Much worse than expected. Bodies in the streets. Mass destruction, injured children. Some really bad. People receiving med treatment in the streets. Chaos. People digging out bodies all over PaP. Prayer and a lot of cash needed.”

World Vision describes its efforts in Haiti as being a marathon, yielding immediate aid for Haitians while remaining committed to serving for the long term, building on the work they began there three decades ago. Their goal is to raise $25 million from corporate partners, while anticipating that more money may be necessary.

The initial reports of the damage and suffering in Haiti only offer a hint of what is unfolding there, with the full magnitude of the destruction and needs of the people not yet seen.

Source: World Vision

A Samaritan's Purse volunteer at work helping flood victims in Georgia (USA) last year. Similar relief work is now underway to help Haitians.

Samaritan’s Purse, a “non-profit organization that provides immediate, no-red-tape response to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations,” has its first team on the ground in the quake struck Caribbean nation of Haiti.

According to Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian organization quickly gathered a team of highly trained disaster relief specialists to draft an immediate response to the crisis while outlining further action.

Immediate response from Samaritan’s Purse includes:

• Chartered DC-3 loaded with disaster relief supplies
• Medical staff
• Water engineer
• 4,800 blankets
• 160 rolls of plastic
• 2,200 solar-powered flashlights
• 2 water filtration units that can provide
• 10,000 gallons of clean drinking water a day
• 1,152 jerry cans for clean water
• 1,440 hygiene kits

Samaritan’s Purse says that a second relief flight with additional staff and supplies is scheduled to fly to Haiti today. Visit their website if you would like to make a financial contribution.

Providentially Positioned Container

Global Aid Network (GAN), which describes itself as the relief and development arm of Campus Crusades for Christ, has an interesting story to tell. The organization had recently sent a container to Haiti with food and shoes onboard. That container will allow the organization to distribute one million pre-positioned meals to earthquake victims.

GAN has prepared an additional eight containers for shipment, supplies that will be sent once a port has been identified. The main port in Port-au-Prince was damaged by the earthquake, making it difficult for ships to dock and drop off supplies at this time.

Campus Crusade for Christ’s national director for Haiti, Esperandieu Pierre, will be working with 75 churches and pastors in the country to distribute food and supplies to Haitians.

“My people are hurting and we want to do whatever we can to help them in this time of great need,” said Pierre, who was out of the country when the earthquake hit, and scheduled to fly in on Thursday morning.

You can help GAN’s relief efforts in Haiti by visiting their website and making a donation.

Compassion at Work

Compassion International, the Christian child development organization, has 64,000 sponsored children in Haiti who are served through 230 child development centers located throughout the country.

Compassion says that teams in Haiti are working to bring relief, led by Doug Bassett, director of Central American countries for Compassion. Bassett will coordinate Compassion’s supply of clean water, food, medical care, supplies and adequate housing to aid those who have been affected by the quake.

Compassion is asking for donations for their relief effort and has identified several ways in which you can give:

• Visit its website to give any amount or can choose one of two standard donation amounts: $35 to help one family receive emergency supplies of food and clean water for about one week or $1,500 to help rebuild a home in Haiti.
• Text “disaster” to 90999 to give $10

Updated information will be added to Word Journey in the days ahead. Feel free to include your information in the comments or contact me via email: matt AT thearticlewriter.com. God bless you!

Sources: News information supplied by each organization through DeMoss Newspond.

Devastating Quake Jolts Hispaniola

Just like you, I woke up this morning to some terrible news coming from the impoverished Caribbean nation Haiti. Last night, an earthquake rocked the capital city Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area, collapsing thousands of buildings and killing untold numbers of Haitians.

Many Thousands Dead

Early reports suggest that thousands may have lost their lives with many injured. Over the next few days we will get a clearer picture of the carnage, what will likely prove to be the worst temblor to hit the country in more than two centuries.

As expected, many relief organizations are enroute or gathering funds and needed supplies to help out.

I am posting as much relief information as I can find to Word Journey and will update this article as those details become known — feel free to add what you know to the comment section too. In the meantime the following are some of the ways in which you can help in addition to praying for divine intervention. Please click the links for a website connection:

American Red Cross — Designate “Haiti earthquake relief” on your checks and send your donation to the American Red Cross (ARC), P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local ARC chapter. You can also give online. As of this writing ARC has already released $200,000 in aid for Haiti.

Samaritan’s Purse — Relief is already being sent to Haiti with Samaritan’s Purse sending in a disaster response team to provide medical help, shelter, clean water, and hygiene supplies. A charter plane based in Miami is being loaded with supplies right now and will arrive in Haiti today.  Canadians can donate through Samaritan’s Purse Canada.

The Salvation Army — The Haiti Earthquake Disaster Response is kicking in with The Salvation Army asking for financial contributions at this time. Also consider donation airline miles (United Airlines Charity Miles Program), which can come in handy to help relief workers get to Haiti once the airport has been reopened.

Doctors Without Borders — Also called Médecins Sans Frontières, Doctors Without Borders is appealing for your help as several of the country’s key medical facilities have been severely damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. Early reports indicate that the largest hospital in Port-au-Prince has been heavily damaged, with far more wounded people to care for than anyone can imagine.

Several organizations have ongoing programs in place to help children including Compassion International and World Vision. If you sponsor a child in Haiti, any additional help that you can provide would be welcome. Communication is down across much of Haiti too which means getting in touch with Haitian contacts will be a challenge right now.

“Father, we ask that you take our limited resources and multiply them to help those in need, comforting the hearts of those who have been devastated, showing your mercy to the Haitian people.”

Update #1 — Thank you one and all for your response to the quake in Haiti. So many of you are trying to find out the best way to help financially and that is good. Let us keep praying to — God is moving the hands of world leaders to responds, including President Obama. Time is of the essence, with the first 72 hours after the quake offering the most promise of recovery.

Photo Credit: Lauri Koski

No website or blog can possibly succeed without the support and visits of people like you. I try to respond to every comment made on this site, but one area where I need to make an improvement is by recognizing the top droppers from Entrecard.

As you can see, there is a widget on the side panel for an ad featuring some other blog. These ads change on a daily basis and many of these advertisers also stop here regularly to drop their own cards.

For Entrecard users, you know what I am talking about. For others, I am speaking Greek. No matter, if you are interested in learning how Entrecard can benefit you and your community as well as connect you with like-minded folks, then I urge you to join.

I appreciate visits from each of my readers, but today I want to recognize my top droppers for the month of December 2009:

Please click on these links to visit their sites and, if you are an Entrecard user, feel free to drop your card and/or advertise with them today.

Yes, a relevant comment on these blogs would certainly make for a nice gesture too!