The Voice of the Christian Community, serving Yuba, Sutter, and Butte Counties
OP/ED
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PROGRESSIVE FRUIT By Jon Skillman Have you noticed progressives have become more openly closeminded? Recent congressional hearings have shown progressives to be lacking in consideration and compromise but loaded with anger and arrogance. They no longer debate, they demand and demonize those with opposing views with cries of “Racist!” “Fascist!” and any other “ist” they can come up with. Progressives pride themselves in tolerance and diversity yet are intolerant of divergent views. What’s with that? I think maybe the progressives are sensing a resistance to their radical move to the left and are concerned that they may be losing some of the fruits of their labor. What are the fruits of their labor, you may ask? Well, the plum of abortion…on demand…for any reason… and up to the moment of birth (and possibly beyond)…may be plucked by a more conservative court. But I fear the entire crop of legalized perversion, sexual orientation and gender identity, although rotten, has already been consumed. I fear a sickness has come upon our nation. But the progressives are busy planning new crops of marijuana and magic mushrooms. Bon appetite! Well now, progressives in congress are pushing for the passage of the “Equality Act.” The “Equality Act”… doesn’t that sound all warm and fuzzy, righteous and fair? I mean who can argue against equality? But this benign and noble sounding legislation does not bring about equality…it separates us
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further by elevating one group over others. In essence, The Equality Act plugs LGBTQ folks into the 1964 Civil Rights Act, essentially placing them above reproach, while at the same time, inhibiting the freedoms of others. If passed, this bill could force Christians, and other people of faith, to participate in activities that go against their religious beliefs. Christian doctors and medical personnel could be forced to perform and/or assist in gender transition procedures. Christian bakers, florists and wedding venue owners could be forced to participate in same sex marriages or face fines and/ or imprisonment. This bill would, in effect, make living a Christian life an act of discrimination. I’m not a constitutional scholar but the first amendment seems to overrule this act… “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free expression thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech.” This bill would do both. We are in dangerous times. Progressives are willing to use any means to silence decent and achieve total allegiance to their radical dogma. The “Equality Act” has passed the House but probably won’t get through the Senate or across the President’s desk…but it’s only one election away. Christians, it is time for planting… planting the fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22.
Finishing Well If you read the cover story, you can see that God uses us all. The only qualification is a willingness to be used. He will equip you for His purposes. I want to add my thoughts to that article and emphasize the point that God uses the older folks too. The cover story showed that those who seemed underqualified were used by God but so are those who think they have “passed their prime”. A huge number of readers of this publication fall into that category. Many in our churches and a large percentage of those in my home church are in that category as well. We have lived a good many years, perhaps previously active in the Lord’s service and perhaps not. Either way, there is still time for God to use you. Many of the heroes of the Bible thought themselves to be past their prime. Fortunately for all of us, when God called them, they obeyed. Think of Abraham who left his home at 75 and had a child at 100 (remember Sarah was 90!)! Or Moses, who God used to free the people of Israel at the age of 80. There are many more. The point is that there is no maximum age for doing great things for God when He calls you. Many seniors seem to “coast” in the later years, thinking that there is nothing
Seth Halpern - Editor left for them to do. Maybe they think it’s time to pass the torch to the next generation. Certainly, it is important to groom and teach the next generation to take over and lead their peers in the work of the Kingdom. But that doesn’t mean that all there is left is Bingo, Bunco, Potlucks and Trips! There are many needs and ministries open to and looking for the seasoned saints among us. The Gideons ministry is served by many even in their seventies and eighties. It is understandable that health issues and other physical problems brought on by age can slow a person down and add limitations. But I hope you will take the challenge to be used by God (if you are not already). You are needed AND God wants you to “finish well”!
The Ambassador accepts opinions and editorials (op-ed’s) as long as they are well-written and less than 450 words. Op-ed’s will be published purely at the discretion of the editor. If you would like to submit your op-ed, please email it (written in MS Word) to editor@ambassadornewspaper.com. The deadline for submission is the 15th of the month for the next issue.
