nc /sd July 2009 — Good News, etc. — 7
fami
ly
“The whole family was filled with joy, because they had come to believe in God.” – Acts 16:34
Look for miracles in your marriage
Study: Internet may cut into family time
A
bout 18 years ago, we moved to San
Increased Internet usage, especially activity on socialnetworking sites, has likely
Diego County to pastor a church.
bred decreased family unity, according to a new poll.
In our book, 10 Best Decisions a RED HOT
The report from The Annenberg Center for the Digital Future at the University of
Couple Can Make, we tell of a season of our
life when we really needed a miracle. Like
MONOGAMY
Southern California reported that 28 percent of Americans said they spent less time
with their families last year than in the year prior. More startlingly, the percentage of
many, we assumed we could sell the home
people making that admission has nearly tripled over the past two years.
we remodeled and buy a home in Southern
BILL & PAM FARREL
Much of the recent decline in family togetherness, the poll indicates, may come from
California. During the first three months we
increased Internet use, particularly the rise in popularity of social networking sites like
were in San Diego, however, the average
Facebook and Twitter.
house rose $40,000 in value, and we were great miracles and great growth as a couple.
Michael Gilbert, senior fellow at The Annenberg Center, called the trend “unhealthy.”
priced right out of the market. That’s exactly what happened with the
“The notion of a family sitting around having dinner together,” he noted, “seems to be
I (Bill) did not want to build a house. I had house. I’ll never forget the Friday morning I
a tradition that’s eroding in America.”
worked as an architectural draftsman for was standing on my newly poured founda
Experts say families have to be intentional about making time to get together or risk
years before becoming a pastor, so I knew it tion. The framers were to arrive the next
being less cohesive. – E.P. News
was lots of very hard work! I concluded that day and my job was to get everything ready
I was never going to do this! Somehow, God for them. I had never done this before. I
DOMA stance . . .
must have interpreted that as, “Wow, Bill had committed to this because someone
would love to build a home!” The people with experience was willing to walk me
Continued from page 2 factor,” Berry said. “In the guidance that
of the church were incredibly gracious. A through. Now that man was not available,
proclaiming, “Gay activists not impressed OPM will be issuing and working with the
plumber told me, “If you want to build a and I was standing on my cement, asking
with Obama’s move.” A story on The New Department of Justice to issue to federal
house, I’ll donate my time to put in the God for wisdom and any help He could
York Times’ website said there was an agencies, we will be making that clear.”
plumbing.” Then came the offer from an send my way.
“Outcry on Federal Same-Sex Benefits” The Defense of Marriage Act has two
electrician, a roofer, a heating and air pro, My new neighbor happened to have a day
from homosexuals. The Times’ story said main parts — one pertaining to the federal
and cabinet maker. off from work that day. He also happened
homosexual activists weren’t buying government and the other referencing the
I could see God’s fingerprints! I made to have experience preparing job sites for
Obama’s explanation that the Defense of states.
a deal with God. I told Him, “I know a a framing company. He volunteered about
Marriage Act precluded health benefits The section that protects states says
man who is a construction supervisor. four hours to show me how to mark the
from being offered. that “no state ... shall be required to give
He’s only working four days a week right studs so the workers could stay busy.
“I think it’s insulting,” David Mixner, a effect to any public act, record, or judicial
now. If he approaches me, tells me I should Another day, I was digging footings for
prominent homosexual leader, was quoted proceeding of any other state ... respecting
build, and offers to walk me through the the front and back patios. When I started
as saying in The Times. a relationship between persons of the same
whole process, I will build. But he has to digging, I said to God, “I sure could use
John Berry, director of the administration’s sex that is treated as a marriage.”
approach me!” a small jackhammer.” Within an hour a
Office of Personnel Management and o
The next Sunday, this friend walked up to plumber friend of mine came by and told
the topranking homosexual person Michael Foust is an assistant editor of Baptist
me and said, “Hey, Bill, I think you should me, “As I was leaving this morning, I got
in the administration, said during a Press. Used with permission.
build a home. I’m only working four days this nudging from the Lord that maybe
conference call with reporters that Obama
a week right now, and I’m willing to walk you needed a jackhammer, so I put it in
is committed to passing bills important to
you through the whole process.” my truck.
the homosexuality community, such as the
ESCONDIDO BIBLE COLLEGE
My mouth fell open so fast, I think I Later, I met a young man who had just
repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
A Ministry of Escondido Christian Center
bruised my chin on the floor. Based on been discharged from the Marines. He
policy. He also said the Senate and House
2009 Summer Intensive Course
this interaction, I found property, drew up wanted to stay in San Marcos and be a part
have the votes to pass a hate crimes bill to
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
plans for our home, and acquired a permit. of our church because he had recently asked
include sexual orientation.
MINISTRY SEMINAR
The week I received the permit, my friend Christ into his life. We had a travel trailer
“It’s taken us quite a while and a lot of
was honored with the job of his dreams. It on our property, so he lived in the trailer in
blood, sweat and tears of this community
required six days a week and long hours. As trade, work for rent. Not only did he prove
and many members of Congress and this
a result, he wasn’t able to walk us through to be a huge help in getting work done,
president himself to ensure we have the votes
the process of building our home. but I was able to train him in the basics of
to secure the passage of hate crimes,” he said.
I needed a miracle! Christianity while we worked. We didn’t
“We are all going to have to do the same to
Great obstacles are the opportunity for have time to stop and do any lessons, so
achieve the next three: passage of ENDA ,
we did them as we worked. Some of my
repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and repeal of
greatest memories of building the house
the Defense of Marriage Act. The timeline
Kacer’s Korner . . .
include writing those discipleship lessons
needs to be driven by when we can secure
on the wood under the carpet and under
those votes that guarantee the passage. The
Taught By:
Continued from page 2
the paint. That house gave our family a
president has made clear he will sign these
John Guerrieri, School Counselor
tear down the authority and clear teaching chance to see God do many miracles.
bills when they are presented to him.”
MA Counseling, MA Theology
of the Bible on the one hand, then use it Today, many people need miracles for all
“Clearly, gender identity — just as
Director – Heart to Heart Ministry
and
in a twisted manner as an authoritative kinds of reasons, be sure, God is that same
sexual orientation — is a nonworkrelated
Marybeth Woodward, Pastoral Counselor
source to bolster acceptance of sin (Matt. miracleworking God. Commit as a couple
Bachelor of Theology, MDiv
4:111; Gen. 3:1) is arrogant, hypocritical and a family that together you will trust
and destructive. Scripture warns against God and not let the stress split your love
such people — whether clergy or laity
Harar
Faculty – Escondido Bible College,
Facilitator – Life Skills San Diego
— instead, look for the miracle.
This seminar provides church leaders a Biblical perspective
— and we’re not to be lead astray by them o
Ethiopian Restaurant
for serving couples and families in crisis. Topics include: un-
(2 Peter 3:1418). Pam Farrel and Bill are international speakers,
equally yoked couples; divorce, remarriage, blended fami-
o and co-authors of over 25 books including best-
Catering
lies; anger and abuse; conflict resolution; communication;
Frank Kacer is executive director of the selling Men are like Waffles, Women are like
Available!
Biblical priorities; family devotions; prayer; and more.
Christian Citizenship Council of San Diego. He Spaghetti. For more information, visit www.
Call (619)
Schedule:
295-3735
can be reached at
frankkacer@hotmail.com. farrelcommunications.
Fridays, 7-9 p.m. & Saturdays, 9 a.m.–5p.m.
Weekend 1: July 10, 11
All-You- Pastoral Family Ministry; Family Issues
Can-Eat
Weekend 2: July 17, 18
Dr. Laura L. McGrady - Christian Counseling
Buffet
Communication & Love Languages; Anger
Fri. 6-10
& Abuse; Boundaries; Identity in Christ
Licensed Psychologist-PSY 21001
Weekend 3: July 24, 25
Caring and confidential treatment for: 2432 El Cajon Blvd.
Out of Control Kids/Teens; Generational
• Eating Disorders • Anxiety
San Diego - 1/2 block east of Texas St.
Curses/Spiritual Warfare; Forgiveness
• Relationship Issues • Depression
Open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Seminar Prices: Single Weekend, $60;
Serving San Diego for 11 years Entire Seminar, $150 (not for credit);
Bible College Credit, $180
(Homework assignments
(760) 688-0101
required for college credit)
FREE APPETIZER To Enroll Call: (760) 745 - 9826
Located in Carlsbad to serve North San Diego County
with this coupon - expires 7-30-09
www.EscondidoBibleCollege.edu
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20