Virginia Governor Announces Day of Mourning and Prayer

The governor asked the entire country to hold prayer services in their states at noon for the victims of Monday's Virginia Tech shootings.

Friday, the eighth anniversary of the Columbine High School tragedy, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine declared a statewide day of mourning for the victims and families of the Virginia Tech shootings. At noon a interfaith prayer service was held on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. “I ask that everyone in Virginia pause at noon on Friday to offer prayers of support for the victims, their families, and for all those affected by this tragedy,” Kaine said. The governor also asked the entire country to hold services in their states at noon and to memorialize the victims by ringing bells simultaneously at noon. On April 17 President George W. Bush encouraged the Virginia Tech community by telling them that many are praying for them. “All across America, houses of worship from every faith have opened their doors and have lifted you up in prayer,” the president said. “People who have never met you are praying for you; they're praying for your friends who have fallen and who are injured. There's a power in these prayers, real power. In times like this, we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God. As the Scriptures tell us, 'Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.'”

Evangelical Appointed to U.S. Commission On Int'l Religious Freedom

Don Argue, a former president of the National Association of Evangelicals, will serve the Commission for two years.

Don Argue, president of Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash., and a former president of the National Association of Evangelicals, has been appointed to serve on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the commission is an independent, bipartisan government agency that monitors international religious freedom and gives policy recommendations to the president, Secretary of State and Congress. “Dr. Argue is a leading expert in religious freedom. His dedication to the right of worship and opposition to intolerance and persecution are inspiring,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., announced Argue's appointment Tuesday. “He will bring a valuable perspective to the Commission's work.” Considered an authority on international religious freedom and human rights, Argue previously was appointed by President Clinton and Secretary of State Madeline Albright to the President’s Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom. President Clinton also invited Argue to serve as part of the first official delegation of U.S. religious leaders to visit China and challenge its leaders about religious freedom and religious persecution. “Don will bring a critically needed voice to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,” Sen. Clinton said. “His expertise is surpassed only by his dedication to achieving the goal of religious freedom for people around the world. I’m proud to recommend such a respected and valued leader and proud to call him a friend. He will be an invaluable member of the Commission.” Argue will serve a two-year term.

U.S. Supreme Court Outlaws Partial Birth Abortion

On Wednesday the Supreme Court upheld a federal ban on partial birth abortion, a highly controversial late-term abortion procedure.

The Supreme Court upheld in April a federal ban on partial birth abortion, the highly controversial late-term abortion procedure that involves partially removing the fetus and crushing its skull. The court’s majority opinion stated: “The law need not give abortion doctors unfettered choice in the course of their medical practice,” The Associated Press reported. The 5-4 ruling by America’s more conservative bench preserved the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law in 2003. “This is the first legal crack in the crumbling Roe v. Wade foundation,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “If partial birth abortions are unconstitutional, then all abortion should be as well,” he added, describing “suction abortions” as even “more gruesome” than partial birth abortion.

Charisma News –

After a shooting rampage on the Virginia Tech campus Monday, Christian ministries already have plans for prayer events and crisis counseling.

Christians Are Reaching Out to Victims of the Recent Shooting

Christians are reaching out to the victims of the recent shooting at Virginia Tech. The gunman, identified by police as a 23-year-old Virginia Tech senior from South Korea, killed 33 including himself during a shooting spree at the school Monday. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVF) campus staff and students met for prayer Monday night at Virginia and were planning a campuswide prayer event on Wednesday at noon. “Our thoughts and our prayers are with the students of Virginia Tech and their families,” IVF President Alec Hill said Monday. “Events such as today’s tragic shooting bring students to an abrupt confrontation with their own mortality. InterVarsity staff are trained to help students face life’s issues and find their hope in the promises of Jesus Christ. Our staff members, Wes Barts, Lindsey Jones and Robert Howe, ask for your prayers as they and their students deal with the impact of this tragedy.” In a statement released the day of the shooting, Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said his organization has offered the community of Blacksburg, Va., where the school is located, the resources of its Rapid Response Team, which sends chaplains trained in crisis counseling. “Sadly, we have once again been reminded of the evil that people can perpetrate on others; and while many theories will surface in the coming days and weeks about how such a terrible act occurs, I believe what we’ve seen here is ultimately a reflection of the condition of the human heart,” Graham said. “My prayer in this time of tragedy is that it will pull us together as a nation and focus our attention on those families who have suffered great loss and turn our eyes to the Prince of all peace, Jesus Christ.”

Humans Are Built to Serve God, Scientist Says

A neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania, said humans may be wired to believe in a higher power.

Dr. Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania, said humans may be wired to believe in a higher power. Newberg and his research team studied Franciscan nuns, Tibetan Buddhists and Pentecostal Christians speaking in tongues and found that similar parts of the brain are always activated when participants think about religious activities, CNN reported. “When we think of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices, we see a tremendous similarity across practices and across tradition,” said Newberg, who once studied the brain from a neurological and psychiatric perspective. Because the same areas of the brain are affected during prayer and meditation, he says humans are built to believe in God. Some Christians have said Newberg’s research confirms what was already believed and that it would only make sense that God would create humans with a way to communicate with Him. Newberg's work to track the relationship between the human brain and spirituality is part of a new field that is being called neurotheology.

Rick Warren Publicly Debates Renowned Atheist

Earlier this month 'Newsweek' magazine moderated a four-hour debate between Rick Warren and Sam Harris, a prominent atheist and doctoral student in neuroscience.

Newsweek magazine moderated a four-hour debate at Saddleback Church in early April between Rick Warren and Sam Harris, a prominent atheist and doctoral student in neuroscience whose latest book, The End of Faith, argues for a world based on reason. “Every specific science … has surpassed and superseded what the Bible tells us is true about our world,” Harris said in his opening remarks. When Newsweek asked him which secular source provides an acceptable moral code, Harris rejected all sacred texts and pointed to the “ethical impulses” of human empathy and compassion found in an atheistic experience. But Warren, mentioning the Inquisition, Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot, countered: “Far more people have been killed through atheists than through all the religious wars put together.” Harris criticized “faith-based altruism” for being “contaminated with religious ideas that have nothing to do with the relief of human suffering.” Warren struck a pseudo-conciliatory note with Harris to end the debate: “You’re more spiritual than you think,” the pastor said. “You [just] don’t want a God who tells you what to do.” In May Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, from the popular evangelism show The Way of the Master, will debate two atheists about the existence of God. The debate will be moderated by Martin Bashire, streamed live on ABC's Web site and aired on Nightline.

Washington Lawmakers Call for Prayer

The Congressional Prayer Caucus is asking Americans to commit to five minutes of prayer for the nation so that someone is praying 24-7.

Last week lawmakers renewed a 2005 call asking Americans to pray for God to heal the country. “Prayer is good for the soul,” said Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., Gannet News Service reported. “It forces us to lean on the One who is greater than us.” Walberg and other members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus are asking Americans to visit their Web site prayercaucus.org to sign up for a five minute slot so that someone is praying for America 24-7. “[We want to] build a spiritual prayer wall around America until God heals our land,” said caucus leader J. Randy Forbes, a Republican congressman from Virginia. In 2005 Forbes began a prayer meeting in the 219th room of Capitol Hill. The congressional prayer meeting eventually grew into the Congressional Prayer Caucus Inc., a nonprofit organization formed to call individuals as well as local “219 Groups” across the country to pray without ceasing. Many lawmakers believe prayer can help change the U.S. “I’m driven to prayer many, many times every day,” Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., told Gannet. “Sometimes on my knees, sometimes just walking to meetings. I believe prayer can change things.”

Vibes

Cracking the Communication Code
By Emerson Eggerichs,
Integrity Publishers, hardcover, 304 pages, $22.99.

In his latest book, Cracking the Communication Code: The Secret to Speaking Your Mate’s Language, Emerson Eggerichs enthusiastically explains how husbands and wives can learn to live in harmony and even become positively energized by each other. The author, who has a master’s in communication, a master of divinity and a Ph.D. in child and family ecology, uses the principles from his book Love and Respect to provide a successful communication approach for any couple. Eggerichs’ overview of the principles in this follow-up release serves as a refresher for those who have read the previous title, but also gets new readers up to speed. Eggerichs explains the God-designed differences between men and women. He also describes the responsibilities each gender has to show unconditional love or respect for the other. With the lessons gleaned from Eggerichs’ book, couples will find themselves one—or even two—steps closer to cracking the communication code.
Kristi Shores

BOOKS

Delivering the Captives
By Alice Smith, Bethany House, softcover, 192 pages, $14.99.

Strategically getting to the root of a problem is the main theme in Delivering the Captives: Understanding the Strongman and How to Defeat Him by Alice Smith. “Whatever God hasn’t planted must be uprooted,” Smith says, “which will require our renouncing evil connections that would otherwise limit our liberty in Christ.” By recognizing where in our lives we have opened a door to evil influences, we can take responsibility for the ungodly things in our lives. When we see that we have allowed a stronghold to be built, we then have the authority to tear it down. The message in this book bypasses the symptoms of evil and gets right to the root—the strongman. Through personal stories of her ministry experience, Smith illustrates and teaches us how to unravel the power of the strongman and defeat him for good! Delivering the Captives is stocked with prayers and spiritual tools that will effectively set you on a path of freedom and victory.
JEVON BOLDEN

Breaking the Bonds of Evil
By Rebecca Greenwood, Chosen, softcover, 208 pages, $12.99.

In Breaking the Bonds of Evil: How to Set People Free From Demonic Oppression, Rebecca Greenwood offers an essential weapon for the arsenal of any believer looking to live out the full gospel of Jesus Christ. The author takes the reader step by step through defining and teaching what it means to be delivered to how to bring deliverance or freedom to those who are held captive by evil forces. She declares that through the cross we have authority to live a life free from the influence and control of our enemy, Satan. Greenwood also answers many questions that seem to go unresolved such as “Can Christians have demons?” Breaking the Bonds of Evil is an atlas of sorts, mapping the way to freedom for so many who lost their way and became entangled in Satan’s grasp.
JEVON BOLDEN

Defiant Joy!
By Carol McLeod, Vision Imprints Publishing, softcover, 208 pages, $13.99.

Carol McLeod thinks many Christians are like whiny, spoiled brats, acting as if the world revolves around them. Instead they could be experiencing joy—a joy that doesn’t come cheap, but gets you through the worst of times. McLeod, a pastor’s wife, mother of five, and a speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, challenges Christian women in her book, Defiant Joy!, to rise to the challenge: “Joy is not a spin-off of obedience to God, but joy is obedience to God.” The price to pay is daily quiet time, reading the Bible, and being on guard against emotional diversions such as bitterness and worry. McLeod writes that instead of letting emotions rule, women desperate for God’s joy can just choose to have it.
MARSHA GALLARDO

Redefine
By Thomas Nelson Inc., softcover,
416 pages, $16.99.

BibleZines are Bibles formatted as magazines with articles interspersed with Scripture. Redefine is the BibleZine for baby boomers, those born between 1940 and 1960. This New Century Version of the New Testament flows around articles by Chuck Swindoll, Max Lucado and others, and covers topics such as relating to adult children, missions trips, health and other issues relevant for this age group. BibleZines might not become Bibles used for everyday study, especially after the articles have been read. But the articles are likely to bring the
Scriptures to life in a whole new way, enhancing readers’ lives and relationships with the Lord.
LEIGH DEVORE

MUSIC

Return
By The Anointed Pace Sisters, Tyscot Records.

The Anointed Pace Sisters have spent decades creating soul-stirring gospel music. Return is no exception. The eight sisters jump-start the CD with the get-your-praise-on “High Praise.” And cuts such as “Reign Forever,” “Strategically Ordered,” “Contentment,” “The Words U Said,” “Hold On” and “Rescue” create a sense of joy or surrender as the group shuffles between Pentecostal praise and radical worship. Known for their testimonial-style singing, the sisters deliver strong messages of victory and assurance with cuts that include “It’s Already Done,” “God’s World” and “He’s Here,” featuring LaShun Pace. The project concludes with a message of hope and everlasting life with “Return.” Listeners who enjoy gospel music that stirs the soul and reaches the heart won’t be disappointed with this CD.

FAITH LOWE

Holy!
By Terry MacAlmon,

Terry MacAlmon Ministries.

On his latest CD, Holy!, Terry MacAlmon is accompanied by the Prague Symphony Orchestra as he leads listeners through an hour of instrumental praise comprised of two classically arranged suites. Each suite starts gently, interweaving MacAlmon’s soothing piano artistry with solo performances by David Cleveland (acoustic guitar), Kevin Burns (flugelhorn), Lucie Svehlova (violin), Roger Martin (flute) and Roger Weismeyer (oboe). As each suite builds, MacAlmon’s performance becomes more complex, though avoiding the keyboard “gymnastics” that often transform musical exaltation into unnecessary showmanship. Many of the songs are original compositions by MacAlmon. Yet, the musical sense of awe and praise they convey easily transcends their unfamiliarity. This and the printed lyrics on the CD’s inlay, provide further insight into MacAlmon’s anointing to magnify God’s glory and holiness. The bonus track “Love Theme (A Wedding Song)” gently provides the perfect ending to this stirring collection of worship songs.
RANDY WRIGHT

Portable Sounds
By TobyMac, Forefront Records.

In a musical age known for its over-produced, ultra studio-generated sound, TobyMac’s third studio release, Portable Sounds, stands apart as a perfect combination of pure musicality and fresh, new melodies. TobyMac continues with the unique blend of rock and hip-hop that has landed him a spot as one of Christian music’s most successful artists, while adding more soul singing than on previous albums. Collaborations with artists such as Kirk Franklin, Joanna Valencia, and American Idol finalist Mandisa, help add strength of vocals, allowing TobyMac to showcase his creativity and signature style. Starting off with the already popular “Made to Love,” TobyMac showcases what is to come on Portable Sounds, with the ever-present live instrumentals and gritty, grass-roots sound that is his own. Other highlights include the funk infused “Boomin,” the reggae-esque “No Ordinary Love” and the CD-closing “Lose My Soul,” which brings personal honesty from TobyMac in a prayer-like anthem.
ELISABETH BURNS

TELEVISION

Planet Earth
Discovery Channel.

Descend 1,300 feet in the Cave of Swallows in Mexico. See the courtship ritual of Pink River dolphins. Watch more than 100 sailfish hunt together.

Discovery Channel’s new series Planet Earth offers numerous breath-taking images of places and animals rarely seen. The 11, hour-long episodes took more than five years and 2,000 hours to create. Filmmakers used highly sophisticated technology and occasionally had to wait many hours to capture the rare images.

The first episode, “Pole to Pole,” takes viewers to both extremes. Travel to the frigid plains of the North Pole and visit the emperor penguins.

While the female penguins leave to hunt for food, the males stay behind to incubate their eggs. The group lives in a massive rotating huddle to protect one another from the harsh winter.

Then travel to the Kalahari Desert in Africa as elephants, buffalo, baboons and other animals travel hundreds of miles through sand storms and glaring heat to reach the Okavango Swamp for water. Dive underwater and watch a young elephant swim.

In nature there is always danger and some animals die. But the scenes are not overly gruesome and should not be disturbing to most ages.
Viewers will be even more keenly aware of God’s amazing plan and realize that everything works together. God is a meticulous creator and the earth showcases His creativity.
LEIGH DEVORE

SUSPENSE

No Legal Grounds
By James Scott Bell, Zondervan,
softcover, 352 pages, $13.99.

Sam Trask is a successful attorney who is finally living for Christ, has a great marriage and has balance in his life. But someone threatens to divulge secrets from his checkered past that could ruin everything. Sam and his family are in danger, but it seems the law can’t help. He has a choice: do nothing or take the law into his own hands.

MYSTERY

Deception
By Randy Alcorn, Multnomah, hardcover, 432 pages, $19.99.

While working a case of a murdered professor, homicide detective Ollie Chandler concludes that the perpetrator might have been another homicide detective. In the process of this investigation, a detective is murdered. Ollie is determined to dig through the mess of lies and secrets to find the truth.

HISTORICAL

Bittersweet
By Cathy Marie Hake, Bethany House, softcover, 384 pages, $13.99.

Just as Galen O’Sullivan begins to think of Laney McCain as more than just his best friend’s little sister, he is forced into a shotgun wedding—with another woman. Even though Galen is innocent, he is bound to his word and his new wife. Laney and Galen must let go of their love and trust God no matter the outcome.

New On DVD

The Nativity Story
New Line
Home Entertainment
$28.98

The Nativity Story showcases the cultural difficulties Joseph and Mary faced as they prepared to become parents to God’s only Son. This young couple was challenged to remain faithful to each other and to God. This film is rated PG for some violent content. Download resources at nativityresources.com.

Moe and the Big Exit
Big Idea Inc.
$14.99

Moe and the Big Exit is based on the story of Moses. Cowboy Moe (Larry the Cucumber) lives a fine life in Dodgeball City, but his kinfolk have to work hard. The mayor refuses Moe’s request to set his family free, so this cowboy does what has to be done. This DVD includes commentary, a discussion guide and additional fun features.

Flicka
Fox Home
Entertainment
$29.98

Katy McLaughlin wants to prove that she can train the wild stallion Flicka. Based on the classic novel My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara, this film displays breath-taking scenery and beautiful horses. Flicka is rated PG for mild language. The somewhat tense father-daughter relationship could serve as a catalyst for dialogue.

Buzz

SPOTLIGHT

Grace Awakening

When preparing for her latest release, Waking Up, singer-songwriter Bethany Dillon found inspiration in the simplest of places. During a brief break, the 19-year-old writer of hit singles such as “Beautiful” and “All I Need” woke up one morning “overwhelmed in a good way by the reality of Jesus in my life,” she says. “I’ve grown up in the church and I feel like I’m constantly reciting and believing these things. But that morning was one of the first times it really hit me, like a kick in the stomach, that I have something I didn’t earn.” Dillon says she wrote a song about her grace awakening as a way of saying thanks. “I didn’t intend it to be on the record. I was just freaking out over Jesus.”
DeWayne Hamby

Prayer Point

Millions of people worldwide struggle with addiction, and this month Just Pray No (www.justprayno.org) is hosting its 17th annual weekend of prayer for the addicted April 14-15 to intercede for them. They are praying that:

The Holy Spirit will convict those bound by addiction

The addicted will seek God with all of their hearts and trust Christ as their Savior

Addicts will be set free from substance abuse and hunger and thirst for the Word of God.

Counter Culture

Thousands of students are expected to participate in the third annual
Day of Truth, a national student-led event to be held April 19 that
seeks to counter the promotion of the “homosexual agenda.” Sponsored by the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), the event was launched in 2005 after school officials disciplined San Diego student Chase Harper for wearing a T-shirt condemning homosexuality during the school’s observance of the gay-affirming Day of Silence. Last year’s Day of Truth drew nearly 3,000 students, and ADF expects more participation this year. Harper’s case awaits action by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Paul Steven Ghiringhelli

FAITH & POLITICS

Under Fire

A charismatic chaplain is the latest Christian embroiled in legal battles with the U.S. Navy, which is contesting allegations of discrimination in its chaplain corps. Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt was forced out of the service in January after being court-martialed last fall for praying in front of the White House in uniform. His ouster became official on March 1 after an appeals court reviewed the case. Klingenschmitt has long advocated that chaplains be allowed to pray in Jesus’ name. Formerly endorsed by the Evangelical Episcopal Church, Klingenschmitt is now affiliated with the Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches. The Dallas-based organization has eight chaplains among 66 involved in a series of lawsuits stretching back to 1999. The Rutherford Institute is representing Klingenschmitt, saying the military violated his First Amendment rights.
Ken Walker

Together Again

Mario and Mechelle Murillo remarried after 14 years apart

He calls it the greatest miracle in the 38-year history of his ministry—a story of “love lost and reborn.” California-based evangelist Mario Murillo has renewed his wedding vows with his former wife, Mechelle, after a 1992 divorce and 14 years spent apart. “This entire experience has been heaven on earth,” he told Charisma in January, one year after his remarriage. “We are still walking in a sort of dream state.”

Murillo says he brought “the stress of success” home and took it out on his wife. She eventually “ran for her life,” he says, taking their 4-year-old son and eventually marrying a man Murillo calls a “false prophet.”

Meanwhile, after gaining primary custody of their son, Murillo also remarried. But his new wife eventually left him to marry another man. After the divorce, Murillo says the Holy Spirit gave him a burden to pray every day for Mechelle. “I saw how deeply I failed Mechelle,” he says. “I only prayed for a chance to say that I was sorry and to encourage her to be with her son.”

When the man Mechelle married abruptly died of a stroke, Murillo says, “the scales fell off Mechelle’s eyes.” Months later, he and Mechelle went on a date. The couple moved slowly, submitted to premarital counseling, and once remarried kept news of it low-key in order to protect their “tender love,” Murillo says.

Murillo says he and his wife are “stunned by the sovereign power of God.” Today he urges Christians to “call for a red alert” when their marriages are under attack. “You take drastic action to shut everything down to get to the root of what is threatening your marriage,” he says. “No amount of money, time or reputation spent on rescuing your marriage can compare to the horrors of divorce.”
Paul Steven Ghiringhelli

FeedBack

My Turn

I thank God for pastor Dwight McKissic’s courage and resolve regarding the matter of glossolalia or speaking in tongues (News, February). I am aware of the Southern Baptist Convention’s creed. To have 100-plus pastors attend a meeting and submit a resolution on “partnership and free expression” is a milestone.

I am 74 years old, and for a long while had been praying and desperately seeking all that God had for His people. I was praying to become like Jesus when He, ignoring my unbelief, baptized me in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. This is what He has for His people who want dunamis as well as exousia (power). My experience occurred nearly four decades ago.

My heart’s cry for Baptist believers to be filled with the Spirit was heard when I came face to face with Jesus and He called me into ministry. I married a Baptist pastor who believed that tongues was of the devil.

God sent Bishop Paul Morton to empower His people, and now He has sent pastor McKissic. His plan will be accomplished in the earth. This is not cultish, which is what I was taught, but empowerment for service to the King of kings.

Whether in private or public, speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit, which encompasses joy, freedom and spiritual power over the devil and his works, but we must maintain our connection with Jesus Christ. Speaking in tongues enables a believer to follow Jesus’ mandate with success.
Annie C. Scales
Ocala, Florida

Hope for the Gangstas

Thank you for your February issue, which contained the cover story about reaching gangs (“No More Urban Slavery” by Valerie G. Lowe). That issue was one of the most spiritually relevant issues the magazine has ever done.

It was filled from cover to cover with articles that helped us understand what God is doing today. We have to take back the streets and free the slaves in Jesus name!
Adrienne Miller, founder
Share His Light Ministries
Cary, North Carolina

The Christian Coalition Crisis

Although Ted Haggard’s moral failure was sad, I think it is less of a tragedy for the American church than the resignation of Joel Hunter as president of the Christian Coalition. His appointment gave hope that the organization would at least focus on the hugely important biblical issues of social justice and creation care.

The Bible makes it clear that morality involves obeying the Lord’s will in every area of life, not just personal sexuality. Hunter recognized this and was willing to lead the Christian Coalition into full obedience to the Lord. However, the organization would not accept this. Who will hold them accountable for this larger moral failure?
Elizabeth Moberly
Durham, England

Does God Like Hip-Hop?

Now Christians are fighting over whether we should use hip-hop music to reach people for Christ (News, February). We will never see God’s glorious kingdom come as long as we argue over secondary issues. What music we listen to, what we eat, how we dress and how we worship are really unimportant. Jesus told us that what is most important is what comes out of our hearts (see Matt. 15:16-20).
Bob McClain
Oxford, Alabama

The church has become so much like the world that we will do anything to get members. The Bible says we should not be conformed to this world.

We are always looking for alternatives to holiness, and when we can’t find any, we take what is unholy and make it holy. God is not pleased.
Gloria Boles
Savannah, Georgia

I strongly disagree with G. Craige Lewis’ vocal opposition to hip-hop music. Hip-hop ministers are able to speak the gospel with relevant lyrics and reach many who would otherwise not hear the message of Christ.

I am thankful for artists who are using their music to reach this generation for Christ. It is sad that Lewis’ influence is causing some pastors to stop inviting hip-hop ministers to their churches.
Lacy Welch
Largo, Florida

No More Gay Gospel

The so-called gay-affirming gospel is indeed toxic (Fire in My Bones, February). Our hearts have been broken because our own son, who was a pastor with a fabulous wife and wonderful children, has gone deep into this lifestyle and is very militant in proclaiming it.

So much of the church today refuses to confront sin as sin. Too many are watering down the Word of God.
name withheld

I agree with you that homosexuality is a sin. I think Jay Bakker was faced with a very tough challenge when asked by Larry King if he endorses the homosexual lifestyle. I know Bakker wants to reach homosexuals for Christ. But he went too far when he began preaching that the gay lifestyle is acceptable. We need to love homosexuals as Christ would, but without condoning the lifestyle.
Bryan Scott
Atlanta, Georgia

Thanks to J. Lee Grady for opposing Jay Bakker’s recent decision to endorse homosexuality. It’s about time someone confronted the lack of spiritual discipline in the church today.

We must confront sin in love. I would rather be confronted by brothers and sisters in the Lord than become a reproach to the name of Jesus.
Lori McDonald
via e-mail

Does the American church want the Lord to return to find it in the current state? If we don’t sharpen one another and judge righteously, we allow the Lord to bring discipline on us. Anyone ready for another Katrina, economic depression, school shooting or terrorist attack? God used Israel’s enemies and natural disasters to correct them.
George Siemer
Tampa, Florida

Jay Bakker’s mother, Tammy Faye Messner, once came to Florida, to participate in a gay pride festival. Christians are adding to the confusion on the issue of homosexuality. We promote and accept it rather than preach the transformation and renewal that Jesus Christ gives.
Jeff Poresky
St. Petersburg, Florida

I gave my life to Jesus Christ and was forever changed inside and out because of the anointed preaching of Jim Bakker in 1976. So I was grieved to learn that his son, Jay, has started preaching another gospel in contradiction to what the Bible teaches about homosexuality. I now have another special name to add to my daily prayer list.
Patricia Neuner
Knoxville, Tennessee

I lived as a lesbian for 25 years, but I was set free by the blood of Jesus. I have found that Christians are starting to believe the lie that homosexuals cannot change. It saddens me to see this in the church.

I shared my testimony on a campus in Kentucky, and homosexuals protested it. But it was interesting that not one word was spoken against me because I could relate to homosexuals and how the church has dealt with this issue.

While I was in the gay lifestyle I was asked to leave churches. It seems nobody has the patience to wait while God sanctifies a person.

Have we become stumblingblocks to these people? The sad thing is a lot of pastors know about the elephant in the room but are not willing to talk about it.
name withheld

A Tribute to Wilberforce

I was glad to read (“The Day Slavery Died” by Clive Price, February), and even more excited that Walden Media has produced a new film about William Wilberforce. I homeschool my children, and we had just finished studying about Wilberforce when I read your article.

He was an astounding, godly man. What amazed me most was his incredible perseverance and boldness. He fought against slavery for 18 years before he saw any concessions, and 44 years passed before slavery was abolished. But in spite of painful defeats, he prevailed!

I couldn’t help but make comparisons to our modern culture. If there was a fiery, bold man or woman of God in Congress or on the Supreme Court who would fight abortion as Wilberforce fought slavery, they eventually would prevail as he did. Surprisingly, many arguments that were used to defend slavery in the 1700s are used today to defend abortion.
Betty Mills
Golden, Colorado

Correction: Our January feature on T.L. Osborn, “He Dared to Touch the World,” incorrectly stated that Gordon Lindsay was a Kentucky native. He was born in Zion City, Illinois. Charisma regrets the error.