The legacy that inspired the movie, Amazing Grace, lives on!

The new major motion picture Amazing Grace is making quite a stir among moviegoers-churchgoers since its release on February 23rd. This inspirational movie does a masterful job depicting British statesman William Wilberforce’s two-decade-long crusade to end the slave trade in England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Now before you think slavery is a thing of the past, think again. Sadly, it is still a problem of worldwide epidemic proportions. But the good news is we have a new generation of stalwart crusaders of righteousness dedicated to turning this and other similar tides of evil. As author and speaker Kristin Wright describes in her recent Prison Fellowship article, the legacy of William Wilberforce lives on. In fact, as this writer has noticed, Wright herself could be regarded as one of those who possess the same sort of vigor and ideals that Wilberforce embodied, as she strives as an advocate for the persecuted Church around the world. You can learn more about Wright’s organization at www.standtoday.org.

To go to the official Amazing Grace movie website, click here.

McCain's pro-life credentials called into question

-- OneNewsNow.com

Top 50 List of Worst Christian Persecutors

Open Doors, an international ministry that serves the persecuted Church, has recently released its annual “World Watch List.” The list serves to draw attention to the world’s worst persecutors of Christians by ranking countries according to the intensity of persecution Christians face for actively pursuing their faith. To learn more about the list, click here.

the complete World Watch List rankings of all 50 countries

Evangelicals urged not to shun Romney over his Mormonism

-- OneNewsNow.com

Clear-thinking on global warming

As someone who holds a degree in Environmental Policy & Analysis with a minor in Economics, I believe I can speak authoritatively on the costs and benefits associated with global warming. Having said that, I think George Will offers a well-balanced, and levelheaded approach to how we should think about this highly controversial issue. Read the story here.

Greg Koukl debates Deepak Chopra (video)

Greg Koukl, an "up-and-rising star" within the Conservative Evangelical community, is making inroads encouraging Christians to not only be “light,” but “salt”(Matthew 5:13-16). As President and Founder of Stand to Reason, Koukl has devoted his ministry to helping Christian think more clearly about issues of moral, social, and religious significance. The scope of his ministry is specifically aimed at “equipping Christians in three vital areas: Knowledge, Wisdom, and Character.”

Recently, he debated the kingpin of New Age gurus, Deepak Chopra on PAX television. To watch this stimiluting debate, click here.

Liberals Protect Chickens Over Children

-- Citizenlink.org (2/8/07)

The House Judiciary Committee considered a bill Monday to increase penalties for transporting animals across state lines for fighting -- largely an effort to oppose chicken fights.

Reps. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., and Peter King, R-N.Y., saw it as an opportunity to make an important point. They attempted to amend the bill with the language of the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. It would make it a crime to circumvent state parental-notification laws by transporting a young girl across state lines for an abortion. That bill passed both chambers in the last Congress, but failed when Democratic leadership took the unusual step of refusing to appoint members to a conference committee to work out differences between the two versions.

The Democratic Judiciary Committee leadership ruled the pro-life amendment "non-germane" -- leading to a series of three procedural votes on whether to allow it. Each vote was down party lines, and, in the end, Democrats saw fit to give roosters more protection than parents, their daughters and preborn babies.

Court Rules No Same-Sex Benefits in Michigan

-- Citizenlink.org

My Sin of Racism

Hi. My name is Ed. I’m a white, Evangelical Christian, and I’m a racist.

OK, maybe I’m not a Racist in terms of the “big R” racist. But I nonetheless struggle at times with the sin of racism. In order to speak in more kindler, gentler terms (that is to say, allow me to minimize my sin), let’s just say that I have certain “racist tendencies.” In other words, at times, I prefer one race to another.

For me, these racist tendencies can clearly be seen in my affinity towards black people. I sometimes tell people, “I love black people.” And I do. That is where my racism lies. My preference towards black people, for instance, can be seen in my discrimination of friends. If given the choice between someone who is white, someone who is Asian, or someone who is black, and while holding all other variables constant, I would definitely prefer a new friend who is black. (Incidently, I would also have a propensity to choose an Asian over a white person.) This affinity is based strictly on the color of the other person's skin, and should therefore be accurately deemed racist.

To borrow the words of the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whether choosing friends, or choosing employees, or choosing church leaders, my discrimination between people must not be based on “the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” The Scriptures make this same point. While referring to a segment of humanity whom God has chosen to receive the gift of salvation, the Bible in Colossians 3:11 states: “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” As a Christian, I must therefore repent entirely of these racist tendencies (sin) and acquire the mind and heart of God in this matter.

Considering a mission trip? Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

In this short video, Michelle Malkin persuasively illustrates the vital role American humanitarian and relational efforts can make in transforming Iraq into a vibrant, self-sufficient democratic society. Accomplishing this goal will take a massive amount of human capital from non-military people. These efforts – which the military refer to as non-kinetic initiatives – would be critical in giving Iraqi citizenry no reason to join the insurgency. If you’re considering a mission trip to a third world country, why not consider going to this most vital area of the world. Not only can you share the gospel to those who have never heard, but you will also be contributing to our global efforts at liberating the world from the growing threat of Islamo-facism. To consider sending a team from your church, check out www.frontiers.org.