Christian activists to protest university's honoring of Margaret Sanger

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (W.) March 20, 2008 -- Activists are scheduled to gather tonight outside of the Dodd Auditorium on the campus of the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, to protest against the racism and bigotry of Margaret Sanger.

The school is featuring a lecture series that includes a focus Margaret Sanger's life. Sanger is the founder of Planned Parenthood.

The protests plan on praying outside the school and holding up signs featuring some of Sanger's quotes, including:

"We don't want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population."

"Eugenics is the most adequate and thorough avenue to the solution of racial, political and social problems."

"The mass of Negroes, particularly in the South, still breed carelessly and disastrously." -- From Sanger's "Negro Project"

Kaitlin Clare, the project director for the Christian Defense Coalition, said: "It is a shame and a disgrace that the University of Mary Washington, an institution that was once only for women, that is named for a great women in American history, and prides itself on teaching and empowering women today, would honor Margaret Sanger, an avowed racist and bigot. Ms. Sanger's racist views have created a legacy of pain and hurt for women and other minorities."

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, added: "Over the past few days, America has had to confront the ugliness of racism and bigotry. The overwhelming lesson learned is, that on every level racism must be condemned and repudiated. That is why it is so troubling for the University of Mary Washington to feature such an avowed racist and bigot as Margaret Sanger as part of their 'Great Lives Lecture Series.'

"The founder of Planned Parenthood was determined to reduce the number of African-Americans through her 'Negro Project.' She believed in eugenics which was the same philosophy that Adolf Hitler embraced in supporting the killing of six million Jews. We will be out praying and holding signs as a public witness against racism and injustice."

Christian bookstore raided

CAIRO, Egypt (W.) March 19, 2008 -- A Christian bookstore was raided by police in Cairo last week, according to Advocates for the Persecuted.
Jan Fletcher, executive director of Advocates For The Persecuted, is now urging Christians around the world to contact Egyptian consulates to express concern about a police raid.
Egyptian police arrested Shenouda Armia Bakhait midday Saturday, March 15, confiscating books, compact discs, and issues of a newspaper read by Christians in Egypt.
He was released Sunday night after posting bail.
David Joseph, president of Advocates For The Persecuted, said eight undercover policemen stormed into the Nile Christian Book Shop.
"They spent two hours searching everything in the bookstore," he said. "Mr. Shenouda was interrogated for more than five hours."
The Nile Christian Book Shop opened in 2006 in a location that first housed a bookstore in 1890.
"We posted a suggested letter we'd like to see sent to Egyptian consulates on our website at www.advocatesforthepersecuted.org," said Fletcher. "Sending this letter is an important step Americans and Canadians can take to present a clear message to Egypt's government that the sizable population of Christians in Egypt, estimated to comprise 8 to 10 percent of the population, should have the right to distribute and obtain Christian literature."

Calif. bill called anti-marriage

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (W.) March 17, 2008 -- A California bill that would give people living together many of the same rights married people have is being criticized by the Campaign for Children and Families (CCF).

The bill ensures that unwed parents remain unmarried, CCF said.
State Sen. Carole Migden (D-San Francisco) sponsored the bill that CCF said would allow cohabitating men and women to receive every marriage right and all marriage benefits that married husbands and wives receive under California law. Under SB 1066, more than 300 spousal rights – which CCF said are meant to bond together a husband and wife in the law – would go to unmarried couples. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 11. Last year, the same bill failed to pass the Legislature.

"SB 1066 rewards unwed parents for not getting married," said Campaign for Children and Families President Randy Thomasson. "This foolish bill promotes cohabitation just as government welfare programs subsidized illegitimacy. SB 1066 ensures that unwed parents remain uncommitted. Why get married if you can get the legal rights and benefits of marriage without saying 'I do?' And what about the kids, who research shows do much worse in unmarried environments? SB 1066 is bad public policy. It's blind to the evidence that marriage is 1000 percent more stable than shacking up."

Campaign for Children and Families is urging Californians to call their state senator, state assemblymember, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to urge SB 1066's defeat.

"If unmarried couples want stability and security, they should get married," said Thomasson, "and the legal rights of marriage will accompany their good decision. The evidence shows that marriage is much more healthy, secure, and long-lasting than is shacking up for men, women, and the children they often produce."

Fridays with ... Casting Crowns -- Part 4

'God, help us'
ATLANTA (W.) March 14, 2008 -- Casting Crowns bassist Chris Huffman admits that on the road, it's critical to find time with God.
You'd expect that from a member of Christian music's top band.
But he said it is tough to find time when the band is on the road.
"We all try to have some personal time with God every day. Whether it’s just a few, 15, 20 minutes praying to God, reading the Bible, then praying, just spending some time telling God who He is and praising Him for everything He does," Huffman said.
It has its challenges, however.
"A lot of times we get hectic, very busy on the road. When you try to keep to the schedule, it's really hard to make time. But that's what really matters most, making the time to do that."
The band also has time together to pray and do devotions.
"Even if we don’t have our individual times, we pretty consistently have a band Bible study before we go and play the concert that night," Huffman said. "A lot of guys, they listen to a real upbeat song to get them excited, ready to play. For us, we're on our knees, praying, saying, 'God, help us. We're gonna mess this up right away if you don't do something.' We know full well if we try to be rock stars it's going to go bad pretty quick. We've witnessed that many times, where we get a little ahead of ourselves. We hve many stories of serious mess ups on stage. It’s all just for good laugh now, just a reminder of Who’s in cotnrol."

Judge rules in favor of ministry

MILLERSVILLE, Tenn. (W.) March 11, 2008 -- The United States District Court for Middle Tennessee ruled that the city of Millersville, Tenn. violated the constitutional rights of Layman Lessons when it threatened application of a "pending zoning ordinance" as a means of blocking the ministry's use of a commercially zoned property, a Christian law firm said. "The court rejected the city's contention that, as long as it had a pending ordinance that addressed Layman Lessons' intended use of this property, it could indefinitely delay acting on the ministry's application," said Larry Crain, a senior attorney with the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and lead attorney for the plaintiff. "In essence, the court ruled that 'justice delayed is justice denied.'" When Layman Lessons, a Christian ministry, formed to aid the homeless and destitute, it faced problems after it applied for a use permit for a commercially zoned property in Millersville, a town 17 miles north of Nashville: The city planner issued a letter rejecting the application due to a then-pending ordinance that, if passed, would have limited all religious and nonprofit uses on any commercial lot in the city. That, in essence would have resulted in Layman Lessons' application being placed on indefinite hold. Judge Thomas A. Wiseman, Jr. concluded that through these maneuverings the city denied Layman Lessons its constitutional rights, violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). As a further hurdle to the ministry's use of the land, the city imposed a so-called "buffer strip" requirement on the property, ACLJ said. Such strips, which require an expensive privacy fence to be constructed around the property, had heretofore only been required when a commercial property abutted a residential property. The Layman Lessons' property was surrounded on all sides by commercially zoned properties. The city of Millersville had argued that it could not be held liable under RLUIPA for the actions of employees who were not part of the top echelon of policymakers. Judge Thomas A. Wiseman, Jr. rejected this argument ruling that the actions of the city planner and city manager constituted a violation of RLUIPA. The city will be responsible for a portion of Plaintiff's legal fees. "Judge Wiseman's ruling confirms that Tennessee is still a place where the rights of the 'Davids' cannot be casually usurped by the "Goliaths" of this world," said Crain.

Fridays with ... Casting Crowns -- Part 3

"Learn to be teachable"

ATLANTA (W.) March 7, 2008 -- Chris Huffman isn't usually the guy people think of when they think of Christian music's top band Casting Crowns.
That distinction goes to the front man, Mark Hall.
Huffman is the man behind the scenes, the bassist.
"Most bassists in bands, they're usually the quiet guy in the band," Huffman said (pictured to the far right). "That's definitely me. Unless you get me going on something, I don't say a whole lot."
But there's more to the silence than meets the ears.
"It's not that I don't want to talk," he said. Huffman recounted a typical occurrence that happens when the band prays or has devotions before a concert.
"Sometimes, the good things are said and there's nothing I can add to it," Huffman said. "A lot of times the words are taken out of my mouth and I can't really improve on it."
Huffman said recently he's had a chance to connect with other bassists. He taught a class full of bassists when his church hosted a worship band conference.
"I just leveled with the guys," Huffman said. "You may get down at playing bass because ... you don't hear many bass solos. It's more of a background instrument. But at the same time, it's a lead instrument in that it holds the music together. I try to at least encourage any bass player I meet to just keep pressing on and always learn to be teachable. That was one of the first things someone told me when I was first learning to play bass--learn to be teachable and you'll always learn something new."
He said even when he taught the class of bassist he learned something.
"They taught me a lot," Huffman said. "Even sometimes the teacher can end up being a student."

New Israel bomb shelters inaugurated

SHLOMI, Israel (W.) March 6, 2008 -- Nine Israeli communities now have 1,690 working bomb shelters thanks to a Chicago-based nonprofit organization.

The bomb shelters were officially dedicated this week, with a ceremony attended by Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak (pictured on left) and International Fellowship of Christians and Jews founder and President Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.
During the ceremony, Barak and Eckstein toured one of the newly rehabilitated shelters in the area and also presented the shelters' keys to each of the town's mayors.

The project began last year and cost $10 million. It involved upgrading shelters located in privately owned residential buildings, providing protection for thousands of people.

"Given the escalating threats of war and terrorism against Israel, the completion of these shelters could not have come at a better time," Eckstein said." I'm heartened to know that thanks to our donors who gave so generously to fund this critical project, residents of northern Israel will have safe places to take refuge in the event of attack."

Barak commended the fellowship for its work.

"Although we hope there won't be a need for the residents to use these shelters, their lives are now more secure," he said. "On behalf of the State of Israel, the Ministry of Defense and the citizens of Israel, I want to thank Rabbi Eckstein and IFCJ for the security they are bringing to Israel."

70 house church leaders, 3 minors detained in China

SHANGQIU CITY, China (W.) March 4, 2008 -- China Aid Association has reported the arrest of 70 Christians in China who were attending Bible training last month.

China Aid said 250 people were present at the Bible training when more than 20 police officers entered the home of Xue Weimin. Police arrested 80 of the people present but released 10 people. Those being detained are being charged with "making use of a cult to violate law enforcement." Of the 70 being detained 50 (39 women, 11 men) are being held in prison.

China Aid also reported that three minors were being detained in Xinyuan County, Xinjian Province.

UN closes sessions non-government organizations

NEW YORK (W.) March 3, 2008 -- The United Nations announced Monday that all negotiating sessions on the draft document to come out of the 2008 Commission on the Status of Women would be closed to NGO (non- government organization) representatives, Concerned Women for America said.
CWA said while closed sessions are not unusual as the negotiations "heat up" towards the end, closing sessions at the beginning of the drafting process "is unprecedented ."
Janice Crouse, CWA's director and senior fellow, said the "lack of openness is creating a storm of protest among the NGOs who are here at the UN from round the world for the expressed purpose of influencing the outcome of the resolutions that will be finalized at this session of the Commission on the Status of Women." Some think the UN is "railroading pet programs" through the sessions.
Crouse said the concern is that without NGO input "the agreements will represent the leftist UN positions without any counterbalance from the conservative NGOs. The leftist NGOs will agree with the U.N. positions; it is the conservatives that are being blocked."

Barna study says "unchurched" more complicated to define

Survey suggests definition of church changing

VENTURA, Calif. (W.) March 3, 2008 -- A new Barna Group study says the definition of church is changing in America.

Barna says with Americans pursuing a growing number of "church" options, some of the traditional measures of church health also are being redefined. Barna says popular measures such as the percentage of people who are "unchurched" - based on attendance at a conventional church service - are now out of date.

Why? Because there's an emergency of new forms of faith communities, such as house churches, marketplace ministries and cyberchurches, which Barna says must be figured into the mix. The study says as a result of these new forms of church, calculating the percentage of Americans who can be counted as "unchurched" is more complicated.

The fact that millions of people are now involved in multiple faith communities - for instance, attending a conventional church one week, a house church the next, and interacting with an online faith community in-between - has rendered the standard measures of "churched" and "unchurched" much less precise, Barna says.

According to Barna, one way of examining people's participation in faith communities is by exploring how they practice their corporate faith engagement. Unveiling a new measurement model, Barna identified the following five segments: Unattached, who don't attend a conventional church, which represents 23 percent of adult Americans; Intermittents, who are "under-churched," meaning they they've gone to church periodically in the past year but not necessarily during the past month. They represent about15 percent of adult Americans; Homebodies, those people who don't go to a conventional church but attend house church. They represent about 3 percent of adult Americans; Blenders, those who experiment between traditional churches and other forms of faith communities. They also represent about 3 percent of adult Americans; and Conventionals are those who go to traditional, congregational-style local church. They represent 56 percent of American adults.

The Barna study found an increase in ministry crossover in the U.S. According to the study, one out of five adults had been involved in two or more types of churches: a conventional church, a house church, a real-time ministry event online, etc.

Here's a glimpse at what Barna found:

Among adults who were churched (either conventionally or alternatively) 15 percent had experienced the presence of God or expressed their faith in God through a faith-oriented website within the past month. Half as many (7 percent) said they had such an experience through a real-time event on the Internet;

One out of every eight churched adults (13 percent) said they had experienced the presence of God or expressed their faith in God through a ministry that met in the marketplace during the past month;

Twice as many churched people (28 percent) said they had experienced the presence of God or expressed their faith in God through their involvement with a special ministry event (such as a worship concert or community service activity).

A majority of the public claimed to have experienced the presence of God or expressed their faith in God through some form of interaction with religious television or radio programs.

The study also found, that compared to regular churchgoers, the Unattached are:

more likely to feel stressed out

less likely to be concerned about the moral condition of the nation

much less likely to believe that they are making a positive difference in the world

less optimistic about the future

far less likely to believe that the Bible is totally accurate in its principles

substantially more likely to believe that Satan and the Holy Spirit are symbolic figures, but are not real

more likely to believe that Jesus Christ sinned while He was on earth

much more likely to believe that the holy literature of the major faiths all teach the same principles even though they use different stories

less likely to believe that a person can be under demonic influence

more likely to describe their sociopolitical views as "mostly liberal" than "mostly conservative."

However, six out of 10 adults in the Unattached category (59 percent) consider themselves to be Christian. Barna said even more surprising was the revelation that 17 percent of the Unattached label themselves born again Christians - defined as people who have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that they consider to be very important in their life, and who believe that they will experience Heaven after they die because they have confessed their sins and accepted Christ as their savior.

"The numbers consistently point out that those who live without a regular face-to-face faith connection tend to be relatively isolated from the mainstream of society, tend to be non-committal in institutional and personal relationships, and typically revel in their independence," said George Barna, who runs the Barna Group. "Attempting to get them involved in the life of a church is a real challenge. The best chance of getting them to a church is when someone they know and trust invites them, offers to accompany them, and there is reason to believe that the church event will address one of the issues or needs they are struggling with at that moment."

Fridays with ... Casting Crowns -- Part 2

Praising God in the Storm
ATLANTA (W.) Feb. 29, 2008 -- One of the perks of ministry is hearing stories about how God has used you.
Chris Huffman, bassist with Christian music's top band, Casting Crowns, said band members get a lot of feedback.
"We get e-mails all the time," Huffman said, "about either a moment someone had listening to one of our songs or somebody having a rough time and God used our song to lift them up."
Sometimes, the songs come out of that feedback.
Huffman tells the story of the Edwards family from Raleigh, N.C. One of their daughters, Erin, loved Casting Crowns and had put together a dance routine to Casting Crowns' "Here I Go Again." She danced in front of her church and she danced before her friends at school.
The family sent a videotape of Erin's dance to Casting Crowns and the band immediately connected with the Edwards. But soon after the dance, doctors discovered Erin had cancerous tumors in her lung.
"Some days it was good and other days it couldn’t be worse," Huffman said. "Through all that stuff the mom was obviously going through the emotions any family would go through. But at the same time, you could still sense her worship of God. The song 'Praise You in the Storm' came out of that testimony. Mark told her before she passed a way ... She never got to hear the song before she passed on. She’s obviously got nothing to worry about now."

The song includes the chorus:

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Huffman said that song has connected with people.
"We have a thing on our website where we ask people to send us e-mails of any sort of how God has used [us], especially relating to that song. We’re actually working at compiling a book of all the letters and things we've gotten to give to Erin’s mom. What we think is used for bad, God still uses for good."

MLK's niece to talk about abortion's impact on Civil Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. (W.) Feb. 28, 2008 -- Dr. Alveda King, pastoral associate of Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is expected to participate today in events celebrating Black History Month and examining the role abortion has played in the African American community.

"As Black History Month comes to a close and we move forward, we cannot forget the devastating impact abortion on demand has had and continues to have on African-Americans," said King. "Abortion has wiped out one out of four blacks in the United States. That's 15 million Americans who have been denied the most fundamental civil right, the right to life."

King will join other leaders for prayer vigils at abortion facilities, a press conference at the Family Research Council, and an afternoon Capitol Hill reception at the Cannon House Office Building.

Indy Coach Dungy inducted in Society of World Changers

MARION, Ind. (W.) Feb. 27, 2008 -- Tony Dungy, head coach of the 2007 Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, has been inducted into Wesleyan University's Society of World Changers and received an honorary degree from the school.

After his induction Wednesday, Dungy told students that his parents, who were both educators, instilled in him three important lessons: "They told me, 'Whatever path you take, do it with gusto and fire, representing the Lord; treat everyone you come across with respect; and, wherever you settle down, make your neighborhood a better place to live.'"

Dungy is only the fifth inductee into the Society of World Changers, which Indiana Wesleyan University launched to honor exemplary individuals who are impacting their professions with a vibrant religious faith.

In his first NFL head coaching stint, Dungy led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to four playoff appearances in six seasons and became the winningest head coach in Tampa Bay history. In 2002 he was named head coach of Indianapolis, where he began a streak of six consecutive double-digit victory seasons and playoff berths, including the Super Bowl XLI championship.

Dungy also is the author of "Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices and Priorities of a Winning Life," which has been on The New York Times best seller list since the book was released last July.

Dungy's appearance at IWU was arranged by All Pro Dad, a program sponsored by Family First, a Tampa, Florida-based not-for-profit organization, which Dungy helped launch while coaching Tampa Bay.

Dungy was given an honorary doctorate of humane letters during yesterday's ceremony. A life size bronze bust of Dungy was also unveiled and will join those of other World Changer inductees in the rotunda of the University's Jackson Library.

NYC seminary appoints first woman president in its 172-year history

NEW YORK (W.) Feb. 27 – For the first time in Union Theological Seminary's 172-year history, it will have a woman at the helm.

Serene Jones has been selected to become the 16th president Union Theological Seminary in New York. Jones starts on July 1. She replaces Joseph Hough Jr., who is retiring after 9 years as president of the non-denominational seminary.

Jones is a professor of Theology at Yale Divinity school. She serves as chair and faculty member of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Yale University. She's also held faculty appointments at Yale Law School and in the Department of African American Studies and Religious Studies.

"Dr. Jones's exceptional leadership style and distinguished scholarship make her the ideal person to lead this vibrant theological institution, which has been home to notable scholars Reinhold Niebuhr, Paul Tillich, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer," said David Callard, chairman of the seminary's board. "With Dr. Jones's vision and commitment, Union is positioned not only to continue its role as a leading institution of theological education but also to be a strong voice at a time when religion, with all its pluralistic manifestations, has become an increasingly powerful and divisive issue."

Jones expressed her hope and vision for the school as it moves into the next chapter of its life and mission.

"In the intellectual Christian world, Union Theological Seminary has long held a preeminent position shaping not only American religious life but its cultural and political values as well. At the present historical moment, in North America and globally, Union stands ready to assume this role with renewed vigor, intellectual acuity and abiding faith," Jones said.

Jones has published 37 articles and book chapters since 1991. She is the author of Feminist Theory and Theology: Cartographies of Grace (2000) and Calvin and the Rhetoric of Piety (1995). She co-edited Feminist and Womanist Essays in Reformed Dogmatics (2006), Constructive Theology: A Contemporary Engagement with Classical Themes (2005), Liberating Eschatology: Essays in Honor of Letty Russell (1999), and Setting the Table: Women in Theological Conversation (1995).

Jones earned her M.Div. from Yale Divinity School (1985) as well as her Ph.D. in theology from Yale University (1991). She holds a B.A. from the University of Oklahoma (1981) and is an ordained minister in both the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ.

Union Theological Seminary was founded in 1836. It describes itself as "an independent, ecumenical graduate school of theology with the mission to educate men and women for ministries in the Christian faith, service in contemporary society, and study of the great issues of our time."

Churches to hold 'Web Focus' day on April 27

WHEATON, Ill. (W.) Feb. 26, 2008 -- A worldwide 'Web evangelism focus day' has been scheduled to help Christian ministries maximize their use of the Internet.

April 27 has been designated Internet Evangelism Day. Churches can download free materials from the Internet Evangelism Day website, enabling them to create a short presentation within their activities on that day. A PowerPoint, video clips, drama scripts, music and handouts can be used to create a customized program lasting from one minute to 50 minutes. That information is available at www.internetevangelismday.com .

The emphasis of the day is that Web evangelism is for everyone, not just the "technically gifted," organizers said.

"There are many ways to share your faith online, without any technical background at all," said IE Day Coordinator Tony Whittaker.

Christian leaders are also enthusiastic: "I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day," said Dr. John Stott.

Churches can start planning their focus day now. More information: InternetEvangelismDay.com

Internet Evangelism Day is also a year-round resource about online outreach. It explains many ways that Christians can share the good news, including through church websites. Churches often find it difficult to create a site that will engage with outsiders in their area.

"How can our church website help us reach out into our community?"

A new online tool has been released by IE Day, which provides churches with a free 15-page evaluation report. Users assess their own website by answering 55 simple questions in the tool questionnaire. Their customized report is immediately displayed online, ready to print or save. Its recommendations are tailored with specific practical suggestions, based on the questions that were ticked. View the evaluation tool here: InternetEvangelismDay.com/design

A church site which has been prioritized for non- Christian visitors can be remarkably effective in reaching the community. "Week in, week out, more visitors turn up at our church on a Sunday because of the website, than anything else," writes one growing church in London UK.

The tool also provides the parable 'A Tale of Two Golf Clubs' (which is available to republish) to illustrate the principles of effective church websites: www.InternetEvangelismday.com/golf

"This checklist is an invaluable tool to identify critical areas for improvement. Every church should study this regularly and act on it," said Gary McClure, LifeWay Ministries.

Dozens of Chinese Christians detained; S. Korean minister missing

XILINHAOTE CITY, Inner Mongolia (W.) Feb. 25, 2008 -- The president of the Inner Mongolia Branch of the Chinese House church Alliance , Wang Dawei, was detained along with more than 40 co-workers last week, according to China Aid.
China Aid said the leaders were in their third day of Bible study when more than 100 police officers from the State Security Bureau and members of the Religious Affairs bureua disrupted the meeting and detained the ministers.
Police officials also confiscated the offering collection and more than 30 boxes of Bibles and other Christian literature, China Aid said. Security Bureua members then searched Dawei's personal residence.
The leader of the meeting, a South Korean minister, was also detained during the incident, his whereabouts remain unknown, China Aid said.
The intensity of persecution amongst members of the Chinese House Church Alliance continues to increase as the Beijing Olympics draw near, China Aid said.

Fridays with ... Casting Crowns

The Message

ATLANTA (W.) Feb. 22, 2008 -- "Casting Crowns" is the hottest Christian concert ticket in town these days, securing six Dove nominations and their latest album, "The Altar and the Door" going Gold in 10 days.
Chris Huffman admits, he was just glad to have some new songs to play when the album came out last summer. The Alter followed the successful debut album "Casting Crowns" and "Lifesong."
WordNews.org had an exclusive with bassist Huffman who gives some insight into what its like to be in the band everyone's talking about.
"We're excited to have some new songs to play," Huffman said. "When the traveling kind of wears you out, that the only time when we get a little tired of the songs."
Huffman continues: "but even then it's just the music part. Even in those times when we're tired the message is kind of slapping us in the face, reminding us who we're playing for."
It's the difference between being a musician and a Christian musician.
"Every musician has a desire to play in front of people or be able to share their talents with people around them," Huffman said. "But it’s definitely a good reminder to us, no matter how tired we can be, it reminds us to keep our heads straight and why we get to tour."

Check in next Friday for the next installment of Fridays with ... Casting Crowns.

Anti-abortion Ob/Gyns feel threatened for their beliefs

Anti-abortion obstetricians and gynecologists say they are being threatened for their beliefs.
The group cited a November 2007 opinion by American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology's (ACOG) Ethics Committee titled "The Limits of Conscientious Refusal in Reproductive Medicine."
The opinion warns Ob/Gyn doctors that their practice pattern can be considered "unethical" by ACOG standards if they do not either do abortions, or refer patients desiring an abortion to an abortion provider.
The opinion suggests anti-abortion doctors should locate their office in proximity to an abortion provider, for the convenience of such patients.
The American Board of Ob/Gyn published its revised standards for doctors seeking recertification in January 2008 which are tied to ACOG Ethics compliance.
Anti-abortion Ob/Gyns called the move "a raw power play to cripple, and ultimately eliminate from practice, those doctors who hold a conscience conviction on the sanctity of human life, and refuse to have a part in doing, or referring for, the elective, deliberate taking of an unborn human life."
The American Association of ProLife Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) said it objects strenuously to this attempt, by a professional medical organization (ACOG), using "ethics violations" and "denial of recertification" as a battering ram, to force pro-life doctors into pro-choice compliance."
APPLOG issued a position statement earlier this month, concluding: "... it seems that the (ACOG) Ethics Committee does not understand the strength and depth of a conscience conviction against the elective, deliberate taking of an unborn human life. This is not a negotiable issue for those who hold this conviction. The United States Supreme Court allowed elective abortion to be a legal right. The U.S. Supreme Court is not an infallible moral guide for a person's conscience, as evidenced by a previous similar egregious ruling."
The group pointed, as an example, to the 7-2 court majority that concluded that Africans are "beings of an inferior order" than the white race, and slaves are property devoid of all rights of legal redress for grievances.
"The U.S. Supreme court got it wrong in 1887, and they made the same mistake in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade: Unborn children are fully human, and are entitled to the same right to life as the rest of society," AAPLOG said.

Anti-abortion protests planned outside Democratic National Convention

DENVER (W.) Feb. 20, 2008 -- Plans are being made for peaceful anti-abortion protests outside the Democratic National Convention this August.

The planned protesters and their legal team are scheduled to meet with Denver's Attorney David Fine today.

Prior to that meeting, the Christian Defense Coalition and the Survivors, an anti-abortion group, will be holding a news conference in Denver. The convention is scheduled for Aug. 25-28.

At issue, the Christian Defense Coalition said, is the city's decision to remove 14 downtown city parks from the list of public venues in which groups may peacefully assemble. The coalition said the city has refused to accept applications from the pro-life groups seeking to conduct peaceful First Amendment activities at these parks.

The groups followed the normal park application process for the City of Denver by attempting to apply for permits on Nov. 1, the coalition said. They were told that their name would be put on list and they would be contacted when a permit process was put in place. After nearly 4 months of waiting, there is still no plan in place and no indication when one will be put in place, the coalition said.

If the groups cannot reach an agreement with the City of Denver at this meeting, they will file a federal lawsuit tomorrow.

"As advocates for the pre-born, it is the responsibility of the Survivors to defend our right to free speech," said Danielle Versluys, Survivors' director of special events. "Peaceful prayer and witness in the public square are essential to our fight for justice in America, and we cannot let our rights be trampled at the expense of the children scheduled to die from abortion."