The LIGHTHOUSE Bed and Breakfast
JAN'S NEWSLETTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOVEMBER 11, 2003

Once again I am indebted to a good friend who passed along the following copy of an e-mail that was sent to ABC TV from a coach in Childress, Texas named Jim Neugent. ABC TV My name is Jim Neugent. I wrote to ABC (on-line) concerning a program called "THE PRACTICE." In last night's episode, one of the lawyer's mothers decided she is gay and wanted her son to go to court and help her get a marriage license so she could marry her 'partner.' ! I sent the following letter to ABC yesterday and really did not expect a reply, but I did get one. My original message was: ABC is obsessed (or should I say abscessed) with the subject of homosexuality. I will no longer watch any of your attempts to convince the world that homosexuality is OK. THE PRACTICE can be a fairly good show, but last night's program was so typical of your agenda. You picked the 'dufus' of the office to be the one who was against the idea of his mother being gay and made him look like a whiner because he had convictions. This type of mentality calls people like me a "gay basher." Read the first chapter of Romans (that's in the Bible) and see what the apostle Paul had to say about it.... He, God and Jesus were all 'gay bashers'. What if she'd fallen in love with her cocker spaniel? Is that an alternative lifestyle? (By the way, the Bible speaks against that, too.) --Jim Neugent Here is ABC's reply from the ABC on-line webmaster: How about getting your nose out of the Bible (which is ONLY a book of stories compiled by MANY different writers hundreds of years ago) and read the declaration of independence (what our nation is built on), where it says "All Men are Created equal," and try treating them that way for a change! Or better yet, try thinking for yourself and stop using an archaic book of stories as your lame crutch for your existence. You are in minority in this country and your boycott will not affect us or our freedom of statement. Jim Neugent's second response to ABC: Thanks for your reply. From your harsh reply, evidently I hit a nerve. I will share it with all with whom I come in contact. Hopefully,the Arkansas Democrat newspaper will include it in one of their columns and I will be praying for you. - -Jim Neugent Note: Wouldn't Satan just love it if people stopped using the Bible for a crutch? Please copy and resend this to everyone in your mailbox. -- Thanks, Jim Neugent.   We wonder if the person from ABC considered how many people would read this e-mail! This is one we should definitely pass on.

And here are some excerpts from a column by Cal Thomas that appeared in newspapers last month:

Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin, a much decorated soldier, was wounded by the political correctness movement last week over comments he made comparing the war against militant Islam to a battle against Satan.  Boykin, who is deputy undersecretary of defense, had fold evangelical Christian audiences that radical Islam threatens to destroy America "because we're a Christian nation."  He has also said, according to tapes of his remarks obtained by the Los Angeles Times and NBC News, that Muslims worship an "idol" and not "a real God."      After the predictable uproar in certain circles, Boykin issued the familiar "if I have offended anyone" boilerplate apology.  There should have been a debate about the substance of his remarks. . . .      Why don't members of the Islamic faith silence some of their own? . . .      This notion that religion is not at the heart of the hatred directed at America from outside and now inside the country qualifies as extreme denial.  Throughout the Muslim world, America is condemned not mainly because of its ideas but because Islamists believe we are infidels opposed to God. . . .      There are no calls in the Islamic world for any of these speakers--from prime ministers to imams--to tone down, retract or repent for their rhetoric.  There are only calls for Americans to remain silent about this growing threat.      The problem is illustrated by this story: There are two dogs; one is vicious and the other friendly.  The vicious dog regularly attacks the friendly dog.  The owner of the friendly dog decides to muzzle his dog, hoping this will demonstrate to the vicious dog that the friendly dog means him no harm.  The vicious dog sees his opportunity and kills the muzzled friendly dog. . . .

 

I encourage you: Speak up! Speak out!  And remember on this Veterans Day to thank God today for those who have been willing to serve and defend our country and to provide freedoms which it seems too many misuse.

 

JAN'S  NEWSLETTER ............................. November 3, 2003

The following column appeared in our local newspaper recently. I thought it was extremely provocative and planned to use excerpts for the newsletter. However, I could not find any sections that I wanted to delete. I am sending the entire column with my endorsement. Jo Ann is a member of our Sunday school class. She has given me permission to share her column with you.

Love and prayers,
Jan

Jerry's sister, Wanda, received the following in an e-mail from a friend two or three months ago and we thought this would be an appropriate time to share it with you.

Small-town Texas Funeral for a Soldier Serving in Iraq This is what Texas is all about. Caring about our own. Thought all of you might like to see these pictures and be sure to read the written part also. It is best to read it before you look at the pictures. This will make you proud to be a Texan (and an American)... What follows is a message from Vicki Pierce (a member of my church here in Highlands Ranch) about her nephew James' funeral (he was serving our country in Iraq): "I'm back, it was certainly a quick trip, but I have to also say it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. There is a lot to be said for growing up in a small town in Texas. The service itself was impressive with wonderful flowers and sprays, a portrait of James, his uniform and boots, his awards and ribbons. There was lots of military brass and an eloquent Baptist preacher. There were easily 1000 people at the service, filling the church sanctuary as well as the fellowship hall and spilling out into the parking lot. However, the most incredible thing was what happened following the service on the way to the cemetery. We went to our cars and drove to the cemetery escorted by at least 10 police cars with lights flashing and some other emergency vehicles, with Texas Rangers handling traffic. Everyone on the road who was not in the procession, pulled over, got out of their cars, and stood silently and respectfully, some put their hands over their hearts, some had small flags. Shop keepers came outside with their customers and did the same thing. Construction workers stopped their work, got off their equipment and put their hands over their hearts, too. There was no noise whatsoever except a few birds and the quiet hum of cars going slowly up the road. When we turned off the highway, suddenly there were teenage boys along both sides of the street about every 20 feet or so, all holding large American flags on long flag poles, and again with their hands on their hearts. We thought at first it was the Boy Scouts or 4F Club or something, but it continued .... for two and a half miles. Hundreds of young people, standing silently on the side of the road with flags. At one point we passed an elementary school, and all the children were outside, shoulder to shoulder holding flags ... kindergartners, handicapped, teachers, staff, everyone. Some held signs of love and support. Then came teenage girls and younger boys, all holding flags. Then adults. Then families. All standing silently on the side of the road. No one spoke, not even the very young children. The last few turns found people crowded together holding flags or with their hands on their hearts. Some were on horseback. The military presence...at least two generals, a fist full of colonels, and representatives from every branch of the service, plus the color guard which attended James, and some who served with him. It was very impressive and respectful, but the love and pride from this community who had lost one of their own was the most amazing thing I've ever been privileged to witness. I've attached some pictures, some are blurry (we were moving), but you can get a small idea of what this was like. Thanks so much for all the prayers and support." ~~~Notice the UPS man standing outside his truck with his hand over his heart.