Good News Press

Sharing the good news of Gods Love through his Son to our local community and world!
To Contact Us: (925) 368-5052

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Spring Edition 2016

Plan of Salvation:

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe
in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.
Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved.

A Message From Good News Press

The Significance of Easter for Christians

The biggest celebration within Christianity
may be Christmas, but the most important
celebration is Easter. The entire basis for the
Christian faith is based on the events that occurred on the first Easter weekend. While
Christmas is about how Jesus came to earth
as a baby, Easter is about the reason he
came. Christians believe the whole reason he
came was to die and to rise again.
Most historians agree on these facts, which
are the foundational events of Christianity:

Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion

on the Friday during the Jewish Passover.

He was buried in a tomb owned by Joseph

of Arimathea.

hundreds of other people claimed to have

seen Jesus, spoken with him, eaten with him,
and listened to his teachings.
These disciples (and others) went to their
deathssome through torturemaintaining
that their claims of seeing a resurrected Jesus were true.
Those are the historical facts. The significance is found in the interpretation of those
facts. Christians maintain that the tomb was
empty and that there were post-crucifixion
sightings of Jesus because Jesus had physically risen from the dead. This, combined
with the apparent fulfillment of centuries-old
prophecies contained in the Jewish Scriptures, firmly established the belief that Jesus
was God in the flesh and that he had power
and authority over life and death.

Guards were posted to keep watch over

the tomb.

This belief in the resurrection of Jesus spread

rapidly throughout the Roman Empire and it
On the third day, the tomb was found to
continues to spread today. For nearly 2000
be empty. His body could not be found, nor
years, Christians have placed their faith in
could the Roman or Jewish authorities exthis resurrected Jesus, believing his promise
plain what had happened to it.
that he will someday return to take his fol Over the next forty days, his disciples plus lowers to be with him throughout eternity.

The Christian message is often referred to as the "Gospel," which

means "good news." Specifically, it
is the good news about Jesuswho
He is, what He has done, and what
He offers. Essentially, the message
is that Jesus was God in the flesh,
that He came into the world to reconcile humanity to Himself, and
that his salvation is freely offered to
each person who will respond in
faith. The Gospel message explains
that salvation is only possible
through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. Through his sacrifice, Jesus paid the price for our sinfulness (rebellion against God), thus
offering us forgiveness. Then
through his Resurrection He conquered death, removing it as the
penalty for our sin and replacing it
with the offer of eternal life that is
only available from Him to all those
that place their faith in Him.

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Good News Press - 2

About Good News Press
Sharing the good news of Gods Love through his Son to our local community and world!

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the Good News of Jesus
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and inspires believers, as well as
plant seeds into the hearts of
men and women that do not
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and events, and features inspiring Christian articles and insights.
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share the good news, and bring to

them the love of Jesus Christ. We do
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Why Was Jesus Called the

Lamb of God?

by Greg Hanson

John the Baptist was a bit eccentric. He

might have even been put in a padded
room today. John lived out in the middle of nowhere, his diet consisted of
locusts, and he wore animal skin clothing. Then to complete his image, he
traveled around shouting at people,
Repent, for the kingdom of God is
near.
At first glance, John the Baptist came
across as rather strange. Still, people
started to recognize that there was
something special about him. They discovered he had some interesting things
to say. It was as if he was some kind of a
propheta prophet from God.
One day as John was out preaching, Jesus happened to wander in his direction. John saw Him coming and told his
audience, Look! The Lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the world (John
1:29, New Living Translation)! What did
John mean, the Lamb of God? The
answer lies in the religious rituals of the
Old Testament.
In the Old Testament, there were a lot
of ritual sacrifices offered for a variety
of reasons. There were grain offerings
meant primarily for worship, there
were peace offerings asking for Gods
blessing, there were burnt offerings for
giving thanks to God, there were guilt
offerings for when you had destroyed
someones property or cheated someone (including God), and there were sin
offerings seeking forgiveness.
Depending on your circumstances and
which kind of sacrifice you were offering, you would need to sacrifice something different. You might sacrifice a
sheep, a goat, a dove, a pigeon, a cow,
or a ram. Your sacrifice might involve
some wheat, flour, oil, or unleavened
bread. The specific requirements for
each kind of sacrifice were defined by
the Mosaic Law.

This sacrificial system was a way of life

for the first-century Jews. They routinely brought their sacrifices to the Temple and they were offered there to God.
(The sacrificial system continued for
the Jews until the year AD 70 when the
Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. At that time, the Jewish community switched to offering prayer as a
sacrifice instead.)
While each family was responsible to
provide their own sacrifice, the High
Priest of Israel was responsible to
choose the Passover lamb. Every year
he was to select one perfect, spotless
lamb and then offer it as a sacrifice on
behalf of all Israel. That lamb would be
known as the lamb of God.
When John the Baptist pointed to Jesus
as, The Lamb of God who takes away
the sin of the world, the listeners
would have immediately known what
John meant. They would have been
quite familiar with the sacrificial system. To their ears, this declaration by
John was one of the most profound
statements ever uttered. It was powerful!
John the Baptist identified Jesus not just
as a lamb; He was the Lamb. He
was not going to cover up sin only for
one year (requiring another sacrifice
the following year); He would take away
the sin of the world for all of time. The
writer of the biblical book of Hebrews
reinforced this when he wrote, For
Gods will was for us to be made holy by
the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ,
once for all time (Hebrews 10:10,
NLT).
The Bible states that we have all sinned
and fallen far short of Gods standard
for our lives. Like a huge chasm, this
sinfulness separates us from God. But
the cross of Christ bridges that chasm.
It was on the cross that Jesus offered to
take all of our sinfulness upon Himself,
paying the penalty for our sinfulness
and offering us forgiveness in its place.
As the Lamb of God, Jesus became
the sacrifice for all of humanity.

Good News Press - 3

Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop
Charles Blake, Sr. Joins Pentecostal Charismatic
Churches of North America Executive Committee
MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 8, 2016 -Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop
Charles E. Blake, Sr. was elected to
serve as Co-Chairperson for the Executive Committee of the Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America
(PCCNA). Bishop Blake joins PCCNA
Chairperson Assemblies of God Assistant
General Superintendent Alton Garrison;
PCCNA President Jeff Farmer; Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada General Superintendent David Wells, Treasurer, and
Foursquare Church Chief Operating Officer Sterling Bracket serving as Secretary. The PCCNA Executive Board also
includes the following as Members-AtLarge: Church of God General Overseer
Bishop Mark Williams; Assemblies of God
USA General Superintendent George
Wood; United Holy Church of America
Bishop Elijah Williams; National Hispanic
Christian Leadership Conference President Samuel Rodriguez; International
Pentecostal Holiness Church General
Overseer Bishop Doug Beacham and
Grupo Unidad President Fermin Garcia.

good.

The heart of Bishop Blake is seen quite

clearly in the love that he has for the children in Africa who have become orphans
because of the HIV/AIDS pandemic
"The PCCNA Board of Administration
plaguing the continent. In response to the
was honored to elect Bishop Blake unani- HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa, Bishop Blake
mously to serve as their new cofounded, the Pan African Children's Fund
chairperson for a three year term effective (PACF). Save Africas Children, a proFebruary 2016," says Farmer. "Bishop
gram of PACF, has provided support to
Blake is a statesman and community
over 420 orphan care programs, 200,000
transformer. We're honored that he is
children in 24 nations throughout subcarving out time in his busy schedule to
Saharan Africa.
partner with us in our vision to demonstrate unity in the power of the Spirit."
Bishop Blake has also formerly served as
PCCNA represents over 40,000 Pentean Advisory Committee Member of the
costal / Charismatic Christian congregaPentecostal World Conference, and as
tions in Canada, the U.S.A and Mexico.
the founder and Co-chair of the Los Angeles Ecumenical Congress (LAEC), an
Bishop Blake is the pastor of West Ange- interdenominational coalition of religious
les Church of God in Christ, one of the
leaders and pastors.
largest churches in the Western United
States, with a membership of over
Second only to his call as a minister of
25,000. He is recognized as one of the
the Gospel, Bishop Blake says his most
great preachers of this generation with a treasured accomplishments are those of
message that ministers to the whole per- a devoted husband to Lady Mae Lawson and brings together people of various rence Blake, and a loving father and
racial and ethnic backgrounds. On April 6, grandfather to their three children and
2009, in Washington, D.C., President
eight grandchildren.
Barack Obama sought Presiding Bishop
Charles E. Blake, Sr. to serve on his 25- The Church of God in Christ is one of the
person White House Advisory Council on oldest Pentecostal denominations in the
Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partner- World and the 4th largest Protestant
ships.
group in the United States with churches
in over 70 countries worldwide and a
This one-year appointment is a testament membership of nearly 6.5 Million adherto his passion for the community and his ents.
desire to unite all people for the common

Good News Press - 4

Good News Press - 5

March/April Events

before Easter.

March 1-31, American Red Cross

Month.

March 27, Easter Sunday. Most joyous

festival of the Christian year,
marking the resurrection of Christ.
March 1-31, National Women's History Also a secular holiday celebrated
Month. To focus on their achievewith bunnies, colored eggs, candy,
ments and contributions.
Easter baskets and new clothes, especially ladies' hats.
March 1-31 Social Work Month. First
commissioned by President Ronald
28, White House Easter Egg Role.
Reagan to celebrate their work and
Held on the grounds since 1810.
contributions.
April 1, April Fools' Day. Since
March 3, International Ear Care Day. ancient Roman times, a day to send
To promote hearing care across the
someone on a false errand, comment
world, by the World Health Organiza- on their clothes or make various
tion (WHO).
jokes.
March 6-12, National Consumer Protection Week. A time for All Americans to learn more about business
wherever they shop.

April 1-30, National Occupational

Therapy Month. To recognize accomplishments of therapy practitioners.

April 1-30, National Stress AwareMarch 8, International Working Wom- ness Month. Focuses on stress, what
en's Day. First proclaimed at an
it is, what causes it, and what can
international conference of women at be done.
Helsinki, Finland in 1910.
April 3-9, National Window Safety
March 9, Registered Dietitian Nutri- Week. By the National Safety Countionists Day. They are advancing the cil, to increase awareness of their
nutritional status of Americans and importance in safety.
people around the world.
April 4-10, The Masters Tournament
March 10, World Kidney Day. To raise at Augusta National Golf Club, Auawareness of how the kidneys play a gusta, GA. It was first held in
crucial role in keeping us alive and 1934.
well.
April 10-16, National Volunteer
March 13-Nov. 6, Daylight Saving
Week, by the Points of Light InstiTime. Begins March 13 at 2:00 a.m.
tute in Atlanta, GA, celebrating
Move clocks ahead one hour. "Spring the work of U.S. volunteers.
forward, fall back."
April 11-17, Cherry Blossom Festival
March 15, George Washington's 1783
in Greater Philadelphia. By the Jaaddress to the Continental Congress pan American Society. It's a centuat Newburgh, NY, Anniversary. He
ries-old tradition.
asked officers to have patience for
clothing, food, and back pay.
April 18, Income Tax payday.
March 16, Freedom of Information
Day. The American Library Association celebrates the public's "right
to know."

April 18, The Boston Marathon in

Boston, MA, the 120th running. Includes 27,000 runners and 500,000
spectators.

March 20-June 20, Spring in the

Northern Hemisphere. Begins with the
vernal equinox at 12:30 am., EDT.
The sun rises at due east and sets
at due west everywhere in the world
except at the poles.

April 22, Passover Begins at Sundown. Passover is celebrated from

April 23 through April 30.

March 24-26, Holy Thursday, Good

Friday and Easter Even, the days

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Good News Press - 6

Review: Risen by Christian Spotlight on Entertainment
in this film. Near the beginning, there is an intense battle scene with characters
being stabbed with spears
and swords and being shot
The story is a bit bumpy at times
with arrows. Some impact is
and lacks in narrative structure as
seen, but it is not graphic.
the feature runs under 110
Some blood is shed, and one
minutes. Although the film contains character is executed by
some good dialog, a majority of
sword. The impact is not
scenes are weakly written, which
seen, but is heard, and we
causes the films intriguing story to see his bloodied body fall
suffer slightly. Kevin Reynolds does from a fair distance, after
not prove to show himself as a
the fact. A violent earthgreat director as he guides his audi- quake rattles the world
ence through this Biblical tale, but around many, and bloody
he does do a solid job of delivering men are seen hanging in agsome intense, edge of your seat
ony on crosses. A Roman
moments and well-executed action soldier breaks two of three
A high-ranking Roman soldier
sequences. Overall, Risen may
mens legs to speed up the
tries to prove the resurrection was
not be the best fictional re-telling of crucifixion process. The impact is
a hoax
the Crucifixion, but it is certainly a not seen but heard.
Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) is a harsh refreshing take on the greatest story ever told and does not overly
Jesus side is pierced, but again the
Roman Tribune whom many fear.
preach
to
its
audience,
either.
impact is only heard, not seen. Piles
Working under the notorious Ponof dead bodies are seen as soldiers
tius Pilate (Peter Firth), Clavius
As one may assume, Risen does
look for the body of Christ. Most
leads legions of Roman soldiers on a
contain quite a bit of violence.
are viewed from a distance, but a
daily basis, from the battlefield to
However, this is the only content to few corpses are seen up close. One
the city streets. Clavius is a very
be concerned about. The sexual
decomposing body, in particular, is
smart, skilled tribune who appears
content is minor, as we see a few
observed with a scarred face. Bodto have control over nearly every
shirtless men wrapped in only but
ies are seen being dumped into a
situation he faces. However, his
loincloths in a couple different
heap, and another wrapped body is
world is turned upside down as he
scenes (once in a Roman bath and
burned during a funeral. Another
encounters the crucifixion of Jesus
another during a crucifixion). Pilate brief crucifixion takes place. Clavius
Christ. Clavius is shaken by this exasks Clavius what he may desire,
describes the excruciating proceperience, and after the body of
including a massage or a girl. Clavi- dure of a crucifixion to a character,
Christ disappears, he is ordered
us shows no interest in either.
and one man is cut in the leg with a
by Pilate to find His body, whether
When Clavius asks a group of men sword. Jesus displays His scars to
He be dead or alive. But little does
if any of them know what Mary
His disciples, and a leper is driven
Clavius know that this manhunt will
Magdalene looks like, many raise
away and beaten by a frightened
turn into a spiritual journey that
their hands slightly, implying that
crowd. The man is covered from
will not only change his life, but the
they may have slept with her. It is
head to toe with scars and boils.
course of human history forever.
implied that she is a woman of the
street which is never addressed in Some wine is consumed, and there
Risen is a unique and clever ficis mention of some characters betional re-telling of the crucifixion of Scripture. There is no vulgar or
ing drunk.Believe on the Lord
Christ as told from the perspective profane language.
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
of a non-believing Roman soldier.
The violence is moderate to heavy, saved Acts 16:31 (KJV)
Joseph Fiennes is in fine form as
as there is a fairly high body count
Clavius and steals the show in the
MPAA Rating:
for Biblical
violence including some disturbing images.
Reviewed by: Curtis McParland
CONTRIBUTOR
Moral Rating:
Good
Moviemaking Quality:3 out of
5 stars
Primary Audience:
Adults Teens
Genre:
Faith-based Action Adventure
Mystery Drama
Length:
1 hr. 47 min.
Year of Release:
2016
USA Release:
February 19, 2016 (wide
2,915 theaters)

lead role. Some of the cinematography in Risen is beautifully shot

and is accompanied by an epic musical score.

Risen may not accomplish itself

as an extremely well-made feature,
but it does accomplish something
elsetelling the story of the Crucifixion through the eyes of an unbeliever. It was refreshing to see a
well-executed fictionalized retelling of the Easter story told with a
different twist. I would also like to
give credit to the writers for not being overly preachy with their message. The film focuses mainly on the
personal life of Clavius, but does not
refrain from the great importance of
the life of Christ. Clavius faith is of
great importance in the film, but
does not overpower the central plot.
The impact that Jesus makes on this
one mans life is beautiful, indeed,
especially since Clavius hardly knew
anything about Jesus beforehand. All
he had were the clues he was piecing
together. Clavius knew that there
was something different about Jesus.
He did not fully understand what it
was that made Him so different, until he made that first step of faith
and began to follow Christ in His
footsteps. More at
http://www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/

Good News Press - 7

'Risen' the Movie: Does it
Pass the Bible Test?

Jesus' appearance to Thomas

and the other disciples.

Mary Magdalene is referred to as

a prostitute three times (not biblical, see Mark 16:1, Luke 8:2).
-- "I think we got it right," stated
Joseph Fiennes, a few days after the Caiaphas wants Jesus' body burned.
release of the film
"Risen" (February 11, 2016).
On the positive side, Joseph Fiennes
Fiennes plays Clavius, a Roman sol- is believable as Clavius, Jesus (Cliff
dier turned investigator ordered by
Curtis) displays a subtle selfPontius Pilate to find Jesus' body confidence and the elderly cemetery
the fourth movie on this theme. The woman (Clair Agius) interrogated by
first was "The Inquiry" (1987), then Clavius - gives an emotionally
"Resurrection" (1998) followed ten "kind" performance.
years later by "The Final Inquiry"
with Dolph Lundgren (Drago from
Before seeing 'Risen' Christians
Rocky IV). Drago?
should read the Gospel accounts
surrounding Easter, its participants
"Unfortunately, 'Risen' doesn't hold and its aftermath - then put the film
up to scriptural and archaeological
to the Bible test. Risen' is entertainintegrity. Bible film endorsements
ing (its goal) but not necessarily
from well-known Christian leaders
biblical.
since 2006 (The Nativity Story) has
been problematic. Mary's pregnancy Rick Dack of Defending the Bible
questioned by her father (Did she
International wants to hear your
sleep with a Herodian soldier?) and opinions about this film
Lazarus' resurrection with a kiss to
(defendingthebible@usfamily.net).
the head (Son of God) is acceptable Is Dack being too harsh or is he accontent to some but it's not Bible,"
curate in his analysis?
stated Rick Dack of Defending the
Bible International
Dack encourages his readers to
(www.defendingthebible.com). The check out "The Gospel of John"
following examples from 'Risen' are (2003) and "The Jesus Film" (1979)
scripturally problematic.
on DVD. "These films are essential
educating your family about the
Barabbas dying in battle (hours in
life, death and resurrection of Jeafter being released by Pilate?).
sus," stated Dack
The crucifixion scenes (location, (www.defendingthebible.com). Has
your Pastor and Principal addressed
Jewish purity laws).
media Bible myths and offered a de Clavius' (Roman) compassion
fense of the scriptures? If not, your
towards the family of Jesus at Golchurch and school needs to invite
gotha is fiction.
Defending the Bible Int'l. This ministry's "Biographies of the Bible"
"It is finished" are the only
classes and presentations supply all
words of Jesus from the cross.
the answers you will ever need in
The tomb in 'Risen' is not first
defense of the scriptures. These
century (no corpse tunnel etc.).
classes also include 3D animations
Two inebriated soldiers guard
of Bible sites, Hollywood stories of
faith, archaeological biographies of
Jesus' tomb.
Bible characters and more. Check
The burial clothes of Jesus are
out www.defendingthebible.com for
strewn (not biblical - John 20:6, 7). class information on over thirty topics including Eden, Noah's Ark, Samson, David and Goliath, Daniel, the
Bartholomew, supposedly depicting joyfulness, embodies a men- Nativity, the Resurrection, Acts and
more!
tally ill quality.

(Christiannewswire release)

Good News Press - 8

Living with an Eternal Perspective: Are You in Love with the World?
What is your attitude toward this
world? There's a gospel song by Albert
Brumley that always challenges me to
examine my attitude toward the world.
The first verse goes as follows:

cent and vulgar performers like Madonna.

I hate a world where government
tries to convert gambling from a vice to
a virtue.
I hate a world in which professionThis world is not my home,
al athletes are paid over a million dolI'm just a passing through.
lars a year while hundreds of thouMy treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue.
sands sleep homeless in the streets
The angels beckon me
every night.
From heaven's open door,
I hate a world where people judge
And I can't feel at home
and condemn one another on the baIn this world anymore.
sis of skin color.
Do those words express your feeling
about this world? What words would
I hate a world that calls evil good
you use? Enthusiastic or uncomforta- by demanding that homosexuality be
ble? Enamored or alienated? Do you
recognized as a legitimate, alternative
feel at home or do you feel like a
lifestyle.
stranger?
I hate a world in which
mothers are forced to work
A Personal View
while their children grow up
Let me ask your indulgence for a moin impersonal day care cenment as I share my personal feeling
ters.
about this world. The word I would use
is "hate." Yes, I hate this world. I hate I hate a world in which
people die agonizing deaths
it with a passion so strong and so intense that I find it difficult to express in from diseases like cancer
and AIDS.
words.
Now, let me hasten to clarify my feel I hate a world where
ing by stating that I do not hate God's families are torn apart by
beautiful and marvelous creation.
alcohol abuse.
I have been privileged to marvel over
I hate a world where
the majesty of the Alps. I have been
awed by the rugged beauty of Alaska. I every night I see reports on the television news of child abuse, muggings,
never cease to be amazed by the crekidnappings, murders, terrorism, wars,
ative wonders of God in the great
and rumors of wars.
American Southwest. I have been
I hate a world that uses the name of
blessed to see the incredible beauty of
my God, Jesus, as a curse word.
Cape Town, South Africa. And I have
I hope you understand now what I
been overwhelmed time and time
again by the stark and almost mystical mean when I say, "I hate this world!"
bareness of the Judean wilderness in
Jesus' Viewpoint
Israel.
But how I personally feel about this
When I say that I "hate" this world, I'm
world is not important. The crucial
not speaking of God's creation. I'm
point for you to consider is the biblical
speaking, instead, of the evil world
view. Let's look at it, and as we do so,
system that we live in.
compare the biblical view with your
Let me give you some examples of
own.
what I'm talking about:
Let's begin with the viewpoint that Je I hate a world where thousands of sus told us we should have. It is recbabies are murdered every day in their orded in John 12:25 "He who loves
mother's wombs.
his life loses it; and he who hates his
I hate a world where young people life in this world shall keep it to life
in the prime of life have their lives de- eternal."
Those are strong words. They are the
stroyed by illicit drugs.
that cause us to wince and think,
I hate a world that coddles crimi- kind
"Surely He didn't mean what He said."
nals and makes a mockery of justice.
But the context indicates that Jesus
I hate a world that glorifies crime in meant exactly what He said. So, what
its movies and television programs.
about it? Do you hate your life in this
I hate a world that applauds inde- world or do you love it?

The Viewpoint of the Apostles

The apostle Paul gave a very strong
warning about getting comfortable with
the world. In Romans 12:2 he wrote:
"Do not be conformed to this world, but
be transformed by the renewing of
your mind." How do you measure up to
this exhortation?
Are you conformed to the world? Have
you adopted the world's way of dress?
What about the world's way of speech
or the world's love of money? Are your
goals the goals of the world power,
success, fame, and riches?
The brother of Jesus expressed the
matter in very pointed language. He
said, "Do you not know that friendship
with the world
is hostility toward God?
Therefore,
whoever wishes to be a
friend of the
world makes
himself an
enemy of
God" (James
4:4).
Are you a
friend of the
world? Are you comfortable with what
the world has to offer in music, movies,
television programs and best selling
books? Friendship with the world is
hostility toward God!
In fact, James puts it even stronger
than that, for at the beginning of the
passage I previously quoted (James
4:4), he says that those who are
friendly with the world are spiritual
adulterers.
The apostle John makes the same
point just as strongly in 1 John 2:1516:
Do not love the world, nor the things in
the world. If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. For
all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the
boastful pride of life, is not from the
Father, but is from the world.
There is no way to escape the sobering reality of these words. Do you love
the world? If so, the love of the Father
is not in you!
The Focus of Your Mind
Paul tells us how to guard against becoming comfortable with the world. In
Colossians 3:2 he says, "Set your

by Dr. David R. Reagan

mind on the things above, not on the

things that are on earth." In Philippians
4:8 he expresses the same admonition
in these words:
Finally, brethren, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is of good repute, if
there is any excellence and if anything
worthy of praise, let you mind dwell on
these things.
As these verses indicate, one of the
keys to living a triumphant life in Christ
to living a joyous and victorious life
in the midst of a world wallowing in
despair is to live with a conscious
eternal perspective.
I have personally found this to be so
important that I carry a reminder of it in
my shirt pocket at all times. It is a
small card that was sent to me in 1988
by the great prophetic preacher, Leonard Ravenhill. The card says, "Lord,
keep me eternity conscious."
What does that mean? In the words of
Peter, that means living as "aliens and
strangers" in this world (1 Peter 2:11).
Similarly, in the words of the writer of
Hebrews, it means living as "strangers
and exiles" on this earth (Hebrews 11:
13). Paul put it this way: "Do not set
your minds on earthly things, for our
citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians
3:19-20).
The great Christian writer, C.S. Lewis,
explained that to live with an eternal
perspective means "living as commandos operating behind the enemy lines,
preparing the way for the coming of
the Commander-in-Chief."
What is Your Attitude?
Are you focused on this world? Are
you attached to it, or do you have a
sense of the fact that you are only
passing through, heading for an eternal home?
This life is transitory. This life is only a
prelude to eternity. The song writer,
Tillit S. Teddlie put it all in perspective
when he wrote:
Earth holds no treasures
But perish with using,
However precious they be;
Yet there's a country
To which I am going:
Heaven holds all to me.
Why should I long
For the world with its sorrows,
When in that home o'er the sea,
Millions are singing
The wonderful story?
Heaven holds all to me.

Good News Press - 9

Good News Press - 10

Victory for Sacramento,
California Employee Who Stood
on Pro-Life Convictions

Poetry
by Kevin Tyner
Nothing is Free
Nothing in this world or the next is
free. Everything you have, want,
need and hope for has a price tag
associated with it and it is paid by
somebody, somewhere present,
past, or will be in the future with
their blood (their sacrifice), Sweat
(their hard work) and Tears (their
compassion).

NAPA, Calif.,-- Jan England became a Human Services Specialist with the County of Sacramento's Department of Public Assistance out of a sincere
desire to help others. Her job
was to guide people through
the complex web of public social services.

The only thing that is free is your

will to choose what you want to be,
become, or who you now are, but at
some point in time that decision or
choice is going to be paid for after
the deed has been done.

shop and what you want to buy, but

remember its your choice and your
decision to purchase. The product
you purchased and how its maintained, used and disposed of, that
responsibility falls on you. You could
consider whether you were in the
It is like when you walk into a store right store or who you brought
from, but whatever the circumyou have free will to come in, look
around, feel the merchandise, even stances did you chose to buy the
sometime taste or test it before you wrong product in the store you
purchase it. If you decide to buy it,
chose to shop.
that thing is now yours and you own
it and how long you want to keep it So, the question is what and who
are you buying into today? What is
is up to you. But you are now reit going to cost you to keep it and is
sponsible for its upkeep, use, and
it worth keeping, adding peace to
disposal.
your life according to Gods plan.
Now some things come with a war- I know a man who paid the price
ranty or guaranty and you are able
with his blood (his sacrifice with his
to redeem it if you have not abused life), Sweat (his hard work to estabthe product based on the standards lish Gods plan for your life) and
of how the product is supposed to
Tears (his compassion for all men);
be used and the time period that it his name is Jesus.
can be brought back to the store to
Youre brought with a price.
be replaced.
Gods word is his warranty or guarSome products are bought as is and anty.
up front before you buy you are told
there is no warranty or guaranty for He will redeem you and his store is
always open, but are you willing to
the product. When you chose to
buy its your entire responsibility for throw away that broken product
that youre holding on too, and go
its up keep, use and disposal and
back to the store to use the warranthere are no refunds and the prodty or claim your redemption for
uct cant be redeemed (read the
your product or even pay the price
small print). Now, that being the
case, You chose if youre going to
to get a new one.
hold on to something broken or
Its free to come to God through
throw it away and go back to the
Jesus, but its going to cost you
store and get a new product. You
something to stay with him.
add up the cost to and determine
was it worth what you paid for as
Nothing is Free.
you move forward to buy something
Jesus loves you and so do I, God
else that satisfies you.
Bless you.
You might you say Im never buying
anything from that store again, they Acknowledgements: to the God the
cheated me, there service was bad, Father, the Son and Holy Spirit and
they didnt satisfy my needs or I just Acts Full Gospel Ministry
dont like what they offer and you
may be right. Determine where you Kevin Tyner has been writing poet-

ry for many years and has contribut-

Soon after she was hired, Ms.

England realized the County
expected her to promote and
encourage abortion through
the county's benefits programs and to register clients
some as young as twelve
years oldfor benefits for the
sole purpose of terminating
pregnancy. These duties violated Ms. England's deeply
held beliefs regarding the
sanctity of human life.

denial, a process that included

a hearing before an administrative law judge. With the assistance of Life Legal Defense
Foundation, Ms. England won
her appeal.
As a next step, Life Legal assisted Ms. England in filing a
complaint with the California
Department of Fair Employment and Housing. After continuing negotiations, a settlement was reached in which
Ms. England received monetary relief.

Most importantly, the County

of Sacramento agreed to
change its policy on religious
discrimination to include a
proper interactive process for
accommodation, and retraining its staff regarding their
right to receive reasonable acWhen she informed her super- commodation.
visor of her conflict and need
for an accommodation with
"We are honored to have
regard to these duties, the
worked alongside Jan England
County stonewalled.
on this case," states Rebekah
Millard, Staff Counsel for Life
Federal and state law prohibit Legal Defense Foundation.
employment discrimination
"Jan is a pro-life hero who
based on religion, including
was willing to stand for her
"refusing to accommodate an
convictions despite very real
employee's sincerely held reli- personal cost. Because Jan
gious beliefs."
took a courageous stand, future employees of the County
Instead of providing an acof Sacramento do not have to
commodation, the County
be afraid of voicing their need
forced Ms. England to certify
for religious accommodation."
her compliance with one of the
duties to which she had speLife Legal Defense Foundation
cifically objected. Ms. England was established in 1989, and
again requested an accommo- is a nonprofit organization
dation.
composed of attorneys and

other concerned citizens com-

Two days later, the County

mitted to giving helpless and
fired her without reason or ex- innocent human beings of any
planation.
age, and their advocates, a
To add insult to injury, Ms.
England's application for unemployment was denied and
the County claimed she was
fired for misconduct. Ms. England was forced to appeal the

trained and committed voice

in the courtrooms of our nation. For more information
about the Life Legal Defense
Foundation, visit
www.lldf.org.

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