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		<title>Qualities To Look For- Or Avoid- In a Potential Mate &#171;  Knights and Dames</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:22:52 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Christian Marriage]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>This was adopted from:  Biblical &#38; Practical Wisdom For Choosing A Marriage Partner By Darryl M. Erkel Marriage is, undoubtedly, a wonderful institution ordained by God (Genesis 2:18-25). One of the ways that Christians cantestify and model before the unbelieving &#8230;<p class="read-more"><a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/qualities-to-look-for-or-avoid-in-a-potential-mate-knights-and-dames/">Read more &#187;</a></p></p><p>Article Sources: <a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/qualities-to-look-for-or-avoid-in-a-potential-mate-knights-and-dames/">Qualities To Look For- Or Avoid- In a Potential Mate &laquo;  Knights and Dames</a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/176/files/2012/02/1329931373-20.jpg" style="float:left;clear:both;margin:0 15px 15px 0" title="Qualities To Look For  Or Avoid  In a Potential Mate &laquo;  Knights and Dames" alt="1329931373 20 Qualities To Look For  Or Avoid  In a Potential Mate &laquo;  Knights and Dames" />
<p>This was adopted from:  <strong>Biblical &amp; Practical Wisdom For Choosing A Marriage Partner </strong><strong>By Darryl M. Erkel</strong></p>
<p>Marriage is, undoubtedly, a wonderful institution ordained by God (Genesis 2:18-25). One of the ways that Christians cantestify and model before the unbelieving world the beauty of a healthy, Christ-centered marriage, is to make sure beforegetting married that we have made a wise choice in our future spouse, one who is truly going to honor and uphold the sanctity of their marriage vows.Unfortunately, many Christians who would give serious thought and reflection before purchasing a car or a home, would never apply the same amount of scrutiny before marrying their future spouse – one, who in the end, is going to have a far greater impact (whether positive or detrimental) upon their lives than would the purchase of any material object. Over the years, I have had numerous Christian friends deeply regret the choices that they have made in their wives or husbands. Some have ended in divorce while others have remained married in spite of constant strife and tension within the home. Most, if not all, have made the same mistake: They failed to fully examine the character and level of Christian commitment of the person they intended to marry. Wrapped up in the emotional splendor of courting someone they found attractive, they allowed their critical faculties to go to the wayside and, thus, were unable to discern the folly of their decision. A large percentage of these problem marriages were due to immature and untaught Christians naively choosing persons who were outright pagans or nominal Christians at best. While such marriages can sometimes be saved, many of them cannot because of pride, hardness of heart, adultery, and numerous other sins which pollute the marriage vow. Those rare marriages that remain intact – in spite of continual strife and turmoil among the partners – is usually a form of God’s judgment upon the believer for making unwise or unscriptural choices in a mate. It is hoped that the following points – while not exhaustive – will help those who are considering a marriage partner to make choices that are wise and glorifying to their Creator who graciously gave us the institution of marriage.</p>
<p><strong>#1. The Importance Of Making A Wise Choice At The Outset:</strong><strong>a</strong>. It helps to prevent future heartaches and marital problems. Do you want to be spared the tears, the heartaches, and the guilt which comes when we ignore the wisdom of God’s Word in choosing a mate? Make sure, then, that you choose a person who is truly regenerate, who has character, who is mature and responsible, and who possesses a common set of values. The prolific writer and Bishop of Liverpool, J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), has wisely stated the following regarding marriage: “In no relation is so much earthly happiness to be found, if it be entered upon discreetly, advisedly and in the fear of God. In none is so much misery seen to follow, if it be taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, wantonly and without thought.” Thomas Gataker, has likewise written, “It is not evil to marry, but good to be wary.”<strong>b</strong>. It helps to preserve your testimony as a Christian family before the eyes of the watching and unbelieving world. Part of the reason why so many unbelievers mock the virtues of a Christian marriage, is because they see little genuine difference between their marriages and those of so-called Christians. You’ll give the pagans an even greater opportunity to laugh when they see the level of tension and carnality that exists in your home because you foolishly married a heathen or nominal Christian.<strong>c</strong>. A healthy marriage relationship helps to encourage and strengthen your commitment to Christ. On the other hand, how encouraging is it to constantly drag with you everywhere a spiritually-dead corpse in the form of an unregenerate pagan?Making a prudent and Scripturally-wise choice in a marriage partner will do much to direct one’s life on a continual path of holiness – for as J.A. Motyer has said, “Marriage is not a concession to our sinfulness; marriage is a provision for ourholiness.”</p>
<p><strong>d</strong>. It helps to promote peace and stability within our busy and fast-paced lives. Life itself has enough problems, but why exacerbate those problems by marrying someone who is shady in their character or who has very little commitment to Christ?</p>
<p><strong>e</strong>. A good marriage helps to provide our children with a loving and stable environment. But how peaceful and stable is that environment going to be when married to one who possesses the opposite of your values and whose goals rise no higher than this present world?<strong>f</strong>. It helps to model what a Christian marriage should be for future generations, thus insuring the continuance of the marriage institution. With so many abandoning and ridiculing the blessing of marriage within our culture, there is an urgent need for Christians to make wise spousal decisions and practically model what a healthy, Christ-centered marriage should look like.</p>
<p><strong>#2. What Relational Concepts/Principles Must Be Foundational In A Mate?</strong><strong>a</strong>. There is absolutely no justification for knowingly marrying someone who is not a believer (1 Corinthians 7:39). To do so, exposes not only your disobedience to the revealed will of God, but brings into question your status as a child of God or, at the least, the quality and maturity of your Christian walk. Moreover, it is a fools game to engage in “missionary dating” (i.e., dating unbelievers in hopes of evangelizing them). It places the believer in incredibly tempting situations (Matthew 4:5-7), thus potentially discrediting his testimony if he should fall.<strong>b</strong>. While there is no precise and definite rule on this, it is the better of wisdom to court for a relatively long period of timebefore getting married (perhaps for two or three years). This allows for greater opportunities to see the true character and person that one is intending to marry. It’s easy to put on a mask and conceal the immoral skeletons hiding in one’s closet for a period of time, but it’s much harder when such props have to be maintained over many months. Longer courtship’s help to solidify and deepen the relationship, develop and improve communication skills, ferret out any differences in roles or childrearing philosophies, and insures that one is making a prudent and God-glorifying decision.<strong>c</strong>. It is probably not wise to court a newly converted believer. Not only is time needed in order to prove the genuineness of their conversion, but they need time and space in which to develop a deep relationship with Christ; one that is not distracted by another’s affection and time that is not robbed from Christian ministry in order to pursue courtship activities.<strong>d</strong>. It is not wise to court immature or irresponsible persons, regardless of how physically attractive they are or their Christian status. It may seem unnecessary and patently obvious to point this out, but it is amazing how many Christians will wreck havoc on their marriages because they ignored such obvious danger signs as immaturity and irresponsibility when they were courting.<strong>e</strong>. It is probably not the wisest to court those in the process of recovering from an emotional break-up. In the majority ofcases, they’re still emotionally attached to that person and are often quick to dump their new love interest if given the chance to return to their old flame. Besides, would you really want to pursue the possibility of marriage with someone on an emotional roller-coaster? Can you really be sure that their interest in you is not a temporary filler until someone else comes along?<strong>f</strong>. Seek to establish a similar marital philosophy and goals before getting married. Make sure that you’re both thinking alone the same lines since it will help to prevent or reduce any future confusion about leadership roles in the home, child-rearing, and the numerous issues that newly-married couples must face.<strong>g</strong>. Consider and value the opinions of mature Christians (perhaps the elders of your assembly) regarding the personal and spiritual qualities of your selection in a marriage partner. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel” (Proverbs 12:15; see also 13:10).<strong>h</strong>. Center your courtship on the things of God (e.g., Bible study, church-related activities, ministry) and not merely “fun” or social events. While there is a time and place for fun activities, these should not dominate the relationship nor should they cause us to abandon our ministry commitments unto the Lord.<strong>i</strong>. The discerning Christian man, as leader within the courting relationship, should not place himself in a setting orenvironment where the potential of fornication can be realized. It is much wiser to court in a small group of other couples or even having a chaperon present who can oversee the event and hold you both accountable.</p>
<p><strong>#3. What A Christian Woman Should Look For Or Avoid In A Mate:</strong><strong>a</strong>. Spiritual Maturity and Christ-likeness: Is he serious about his walk with God? How long has he savingly known the Lord? What do his closest friends think about the level of his Christian commitment? The truth is, the woman who is serious about her Christianity will desire – and only be content with – the man who is likewise devout and serious about his Christianity! The Christian woman who settles for anything less – particularly the woman who is “desperate” because she sees herself getting older – should justly expect much turmoil and frustration in her marriage as well as relatively little fruit in her spiritual walk. Although, admittedly, there are rare exceptions, this in no way justifies settling for a “nominal” Christian (which, in most cases, is nothing more than an unregenerate pagan cloaked in religious attire).<strong>b</strong>. Personal Responsibility: Is he responsible in maintaining a job, paying his bills, and in meeting other personal or social responsibilities? This will tell you much about his level of maturity.<strong>c</strong>. Ethical Behavior: Is he an ethical person? Is he known as a liar or cheat? Does he constantly stretch the truth? What do his closest friends think about his moral character?<strong>d</strong>. Watch out for the man who is rude or disrespectful to his parents (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3). This is an important indicator of how he will treat you once married. Be alert also to the man who has not spoken to his parents in years and has stopped all mutual communication. In some instances, this might be justified; but, in most, it’s an indication of hard heartedness.<strong>e</strong>. Watch out for the man who brags of his previous female conquests (sexually). Most likely, he’s intending for you to be his next victim.<strong>f</strong>. Avoid the overly macho types. They’re filled with pride and usually can’t see beyond themselves. The same also applies with the man who is always talking about himself. Such people are too self-centered to give themselves in sacrificial service to others.<strong>g</strong>. Watch out for the man who has serious difficulty in communicating with you. Since communication is an importantelement to a healthy marriage, why would you want someone whose expressions are limited to grunts and one-liners? While I grant that men are not as expressive as women, an emotionally-stable partner must be able to communicate, to some extent,his thoughts, feelings, and future goals.<strong>h</strong>. Watch out for the man who has worldly interests and is easily attracted to carnal pursuits (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17).Such a man is spiritually unstable and is destined to bring misery to anyone who is foolish enough to marry him.<strong>i</strong>. Avoid men who are effeminate or who struggle with their sexual orientation. It is much wiser to avoid the man altogether who has come out of the homosexual lifestyle, since homosexuality is an especially wicked sin to overcome and, most likely, there will be the constant drive or pull to return to that lifestyle. The potential of serious marital problems and heartaches is all the more increased when courting former homosexuals. I freely acknowledge, however, that some couples have been able to sustain a healthy, well-balanced marriage in spite of their previous lifestyles – and the New Testament clearly recognizes that homosexuals, by the sovereign power of Christ, can be delivered from such vile practices (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Even still, the woman who is considering marriage to a former homosexual ought to, at least, be aware of the unique and potentially harmful problems that await her.<strong>j</strong>. Avoid men who are wimpy and unable to make leadership decisions in their life. Such men are usually lacking in direction and the motivation needed to be true leaders in the home. Watch out also for the man who is excessively attached to his mother and her opinions.k. Along the same lines, watch out for the man who is looking for a mother-figure, not a wife. These type of men arenotorious for abdicating their leadership role within the marriage.</p>
<p><strong>#4. What A Christian Man Should Look For Or Avoid In A Mate</strong></p>
<p><strong>a</strong>. Spiritual Maturity and Christ-likeness: Is she truly serious about God? Did she just recently decide to be spiritually-minded since meeting you? Many people (both men and women) suddenly get “religious” when they discover that the person they’re attracted to is a church-going Christian.<strong>b</strong>. Is she responsible in her personal affairs? Does she meet her financial obligations if any? Is she a responsible employee? “House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord” (Proverbs 19:14).<strong>c</strong>. Watch out for the woman who excessively gossips, since such a woman will more than likely be a source of strife andtension with others because of her inability to keep matters private. Any man who hopes to one day serve in a pastoralfunction should also be wary of the woman who gossips, since she may be one of the means to discrediting his ministryamong church members who need to have confidence that their private matters won’t be spread to the church-at-large. “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip” (Proverbs 20:19).<strong>d</strong>. Avoid domineering women. This kind of woman will most assuredly fight with you over leadership issues in the home. “It is better to live in a corner of a roof, than in a house shared with a contentious woman” (Proverbs 21:9; see also 25:24). Godly men should seek for the kind of qualities mentioned in both Proverbs 31:10-31 and 1 Peter 3:1-6. Along the same lines, it is probably wiser to also avoid loud or boisterous women since they are particularly inclined to provoking conflict in the marriage.<strong>e</strong>. Watch out for the woman who excessively spends money, since it will probably be a point of contention in the marriage. More than that, it reveals a materialistic spirit and the foolish gentleman who chooses to marry her will probably incur much unnecessary debt throughout his life.<strong>f</strong>. Watch out for the woman who is discourteous and disrespectful to her parents (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3). This is an indicator of how she will probably treat you.<strong>g</strong>. Avoid the woman who dresses provocatively or who wears revealing clothes. It is a clear indicator that she lacksdiscretion, propriety, and modesty (1 Timothy 2:9-10); and has been overly influenced by worldly fashion standards. It also demonstrates that she is less than sensitive to the visual temptations that all men struggle with.<strong>h</strong>. Women who are continuously jealous or easily suspicious of your unfaithfulness (unless you deserve such suspicion)should be avoided. It indicates personal insecurity, immaturity, and lack of trust in the marriage bond.<strong>i</strong>. Avoid women who are idle or unproductive in their daily lives (Proverbs 31:10-27; Titus 2:3-5). This also applies to the woman who is continually dependent upon others to provide her purpose and meaning for her existence. In other words, lacking self-motivation, she constantly needs other people to stimulate and motivate her. If a woman proves to be lazy or idle before the marriage is consummated, it will most likely occur and continue after the wedding day. Generally speaking, they turn out to be poor homemakers and sacrifice very little for their families.</p>
<p><strong>Dame&#8217;s Emphasis:</strong></p>
<p>Rather than use this as a check-list to qualify or disqualify your mate, use it to work on your own qualities, prayerfully. Remember: Everyone is work in progress, so see each other through God&#8217;s eyes (with plenty of Grace and love as in 1st Corinthians 13). Remember, love covers a multitude of sin.</p>
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		<title>Maryland Senate committee approves gay marriage bill</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:42:21 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>ANNAPOLIS, Maryland &#124; Tue Feb 21, 2012 3:08pm EST ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (Reuters) &#8211; A Maryland Senate committee approved a gay marriage bill on Tuesday, sending the issue to the full Senate and moving Maryland closer to becoming the eighth state &#8230;<p class="read-more"><a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/maryland-senate-committee-approves-gay-marriage-bill/">Read more &#187;</a></p></p><p>Article Sources: <a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/maryland-senate-committee-approves-gay-marriage-bill/">Maryland Senate committee approves gay marriage bill</a></p>]]></description>
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<p> ANNAPOLIS, Maryland | Tue Feb 21, 2012 3:08pm EST </p>
<p>ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (Reuters) &#8211; A Maryland Senate committee approved a gay marriage bill on Tuesday, sending the issue to the full Senate and moving Maryland closer to becoming the eighth state to legalize same-sex nuptials.</p>
<p>The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee voted 7 to 4 in favor of the bill &#8211; supported by Gov. Martin O&#8217;Malley &#8211; and the full Senate was expected to vote later in the week. The bill was approved last week by the lower house.</p>
<p>&#8220;I believe the 25 votes that we had last year will hold,&#8221; said Senator Jamie Raskin, referring to last year&#8217;s gay marriage bill which passed the Senate but died in the House.</p>
<p>There may be even be a few more favorable Senate votes this year, said Raskin, a Democrat from Montgomery County.</p>
<p>&#8220;Public opinion is changing quickly,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>While still controversial, same-sex marriage has been gaining acceptance nationally in recent weeks, with Washington state signing it into law and the New Jersey legislature passing it through both houses, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie.</p>
<p>An appeals court has overturned California&#8217;s ban on gay marriage, enacted through a 2008 ballot initiative.</p>
<p>Washington opponents are attempting ballot initiatives to repeal or block the law, which otherwise would come into effect in June. Same-sex couples can marry in the District of Columbia and six other states: Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and New York.</p>
<p>Before the committee vote in Maryland, senators debated its religious liberty protections. Under those, a religious group or a nonprofit organization sponsored by a religious group is not required to provide services that violate their religious beliefs unless they receive federal funding, said Raskin, a bill supporter.</p>
<p>For example, the liberty provision would allow the Knights of Columbus to refuse to rent out their meeting hall for a same-sex wedding, and would not require a church counseling service to counsel same-sex couples.</p>
<p>Raskin said the bill provides &#8220;legitimate accommodation of religious liberty,&#8221; adding &#8220;I cannot foresee any situation in which these religious liberty protections are struck down.&#8221;</p>
<p>(Editing By Barbara Goldberg and Daniel Trotta)</p>
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		<title>Strawberry Fest history reveals island growth</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:22:17 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>The annual United Methodist Church Women&#8217;s Strawberry Festival has one of the more intriguing island histories. Few could have foreseen it growing into the magnitude event it has become during its inception about 20 years ago when a dozen members &#8230;<p class="read-more"><a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/strawberry-fest-history-reveals-island-growth/">Read more &#187;</a></p></p><p>Article Sources: <a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/strawberry-fest-history-reveals-island-growth/">Strawberry Fest history reveals island growth</a></p>]]></description>
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<p>The annual United Methodist Church Women&#8217;s Strawberry Festival has one of the more intriguing island histories.</p>
<p>Few could have foreseen it growing into the magnitude event it has become during its inception about 20 years ago when a dozen members of the United Methodist Women of the Boca Grande Methodist Church organized a simple rummage sale.</p>
<p>Ice cream was the first featured item of choice until dipping the hard, frozen confection became too difficult for the ladies to manage. But they came up with the masterstroke: strawberry shortcakes.</p>
<p>Thus, the Strawberry Festival was born.</p>
<p>&#8220;It was a simple event, fun and sociable, a perfect fund-raiser combining bargains and strawberry shortcakes,&#8221; said Blanche Johnson, program publicist.</p>
<p>As years went on, the Bargain Sale evolved with organizers discouraging used clothing and adding furniture.</p>
<p>The event grew year by year as the men started grilling hotdogs and continuing to provide the heavy lifting during set-up and cleanup.</p>
<p>In the early years, profits were modest around $1,000. The bake sale added to coffers so a $2,000 annual profit was not unusual. The Strawberry Festival raised more than $75,000 for charity in 2010, according to Strawberry Fest officials.</p>
<p>The event was held in the church&#8217;s Fellowship Hall until 2005, with folks spilling out on the tiny church lawn to eat berries and shortcakes under big, old mahogany trees.</p>
<p>During church building renovations, the event moved to the Crowninshield House where it will be held for the eighth consecutive year starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3 at Second and Railroad.</p>
<p>This became the perfect venue with its many bargain sale tables, the Bake Sale and Boutique Shoppe, featuring finer items for more-than-rummage-sale prices.</p>
<p>The kitchen is large enough to manage the mechanics of Strawberry Shortcake sales. The outdoor men&#8217;s grill and auction tent offers art, furniture, boat trips, fishing guides or a weekend at a private retreat for bid.</p>
<p>What was once simply a rummage sale became a major fund-raiser for many Methodist charities with an emphasis on helping children and women. The Methodist Women have sent children to camp, supported the Christian Children&#8217;s Fund in Africa and India, bought bicycles for children and supported children&#8217;s homes in Florida as well as specific missionaries in Cuba, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. They have not forgotten the working poor in their own backyard in neighboring Lee and Charlotte counties, including Catholic Charities in Arcadia, For the Love of Kids, the Homeless Coalition, and the Jim Russo Prison Mission program, which for years supplied Christmas gifts for children of men and women prisoners.</p>
<p>Boca Grande is on the list as well with support for the children&#8217;s acting program, Community Center children&#8217;s programs, the Boca Grande Child Care Center and the Children&#8217;s Room at the Fust Library.</p>
<p>&#8220;This once-simple funds-raiser remains based on fellowship,&#8221; said Blanche John, Strawberry Festival publicist. &#8220;Through the years, the emphasis has been on meeting new people and working together. While the Methodist Women sponsor, guide and organize this annual event, people from all over the island join them, all joining in labor and love and gaining in friendships and fellowship.&#8221;</p>
<p>Some slight adjustments have been made this year to the Strawberry Festival. The bake sale will feature favorite recipes and goodies of all flavors instead of exclusively strawberry recipes, said Johnson.</p>
<p>The &#8220;Dazzling Dig&#8221; for jewelry buried in sand is back for a second year, and dozens of valuable items will be offered to bidders at the popular silent auction.</p>
<p>The Boutique shop will offer new and cared-for merchandise. Other attractions include the UMC Ladies Bake Sale, which always sells out quickly.</p>
<p>Proceeds benefit the following charities, a reduction from 21 a year ago:</p>
<p>2012 Strawberry Festival charities</p>
<p>Boca Grande United Methodist Church Youth Programs</p>
<p>Boca Grande Child Care Center</p>
<p>Boca Grande Samaritan Fund</p>
<p>Friends of the Community Center children&#8217;s programs</p>
<p>NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES</p>
<p>Arcadia After School Program</p>
<p>For the Love of Kids in Port Charlotte</p>
<p>Grace Place Mission for Children and Families</p>
<p>Kids Needs of Greater Englewood</p>
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		<title>Contraception fight heads to the states &#8211; Virginia delays ultrasound bill &#8211; Essential benefits FAQ alarms consumer advocates &#8211; New drug shortage lawsuit</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:02:16 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>With help from Joanne Kenen, Jason Millman, Jen Haberkorn and Lester Feder STATES THE NEXT BATTLEGROUND IN CONTRACEPTION FIGHT &#8211; The contraception fight is expanding far beyond Washington, with several states trying to block the new Obama administration rule requiring &#8230;<p class="read-more"><a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/contraception-fight-heads-to-the-states-virginia-delays-ultrasound-bill-essential-benefits-faq-alarms-consumer-advocates-new-drug-shortage-lawsuit/">Read more &#187;</a></p></p><p>Article Sources: <a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/contraception-fight-heads-to-the-states-virginia-delays-ultrasound-bill-essential-benefits-faq-alarms-consumer-advocates-new-drug-shortage-lawsuit/">Contraception fight heads to the states &#8211; Virginia delays ultrasound bill &#8211; Essential benefits FAQ alarms consumer advocates &#8211; New drug shortage lawsuit</a></p>]]></description>
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<p>With help from Joanne Kenen, Jason Millman, Jen Haberkorn and Lester Feder</p>
<p><strong>STATES THE NEXT BATTLEGROUND IN CONTRACEPTION FIGHT &ndash;</strong> The contraception fight is expanding far beyond Washington, with several states trying to block the new Obama administration rule requiring most insurers to cover contraception. It combines a hot-button social issue with conservative states&rsquo; hatred of the health reform law, virtually guaranteeing the fight will carry on for months. History seems to be repeating itself &mdash; last year, legislatures in red states passed laws to block abortion coverage in the ACA&rsquo;s health insurance exchanges, even as those states resisted creating exchanges in the first place. So far, variants of legislation allowing employers to opt out of the contraception coverage requirement on religious grounds have been filed in at least three states. How will the administration respond? The POLITICO Pro story: politico.pro/ylwSjG.</p>
<p><strong>WHAT COMMITTEE PASSED ANTI-ABORTION BILLS? </strong>The Illinois state House committee that normally deals with farm and wildlife issues, that&rsquo;s what. The House Agricultural and Conservation Committee overwhelmingly passed two controversial measures Tuesday, before a packed room that included opponents wearing T-shirts that stated: &quot;Women are NOT livestock.&quot; One would impose new building codes on abortion facilities and another would require doctors to take an ultrasound of a fetus before performing an abortion, although the woman could choose not to view it, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports: bit.ly/xPiDuD.</p>
<p>Good Wednesday to you and welcome to PULSE. We hope that you didn&rsquo;t give up health care news on Fat Tuesday, especially reproductive rights news. Because PULSE has a full plate of it for you, but many other dishes, too, that have nothing to do with sex.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Thank you, Lord, for another day, help my brother along his way. Please bring PULSE to the neighborhood.&rdquo; (h/t to David Nather)</p>
<p><strong>TODAY IN POLITICO PRO:</strong></p>
<p><strong>&#8211; CMS EHB FAQ OMG?</strong> Two sentences buried in a guidance released on Friday have set off alarms with consumer advocates, who say they may have exposed a&nbsp;significant loophole in the health reform law&rsquo;s consumer protections. The Pro story: politico.pro/yd4dAM</p>
<p><strong>&#8211; DEMS SAY GOP IS BLOCKING THEM FROM TELEVISING A HEARING&mdash; </strong>First, House Democrats couldn&rsquo;t get a woman onto the all-male panel at a contraception hearing last week. Now, they&rsquo;ve invited her to testify at their own unofficial hearing &mdash; and they say the Republicans won&rsquo;t let them televise it. The POLITICO story politi.co/zVYN4G. &#8212; <strong>THOUGHT SGR WAS GOING AWAY? THINK AGAIN &ndash;</strong> Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) is still carrying the torch for using war savings to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate formula. More for Pros: politico.pro/xcrI2I.</p>
<p><strong>VIRIGINIA AGAIN DELAYS VOTE ON ITS CONTROVERSIAL ULTRASOUND BILL &ndash;</strong> And some legislators suggested on Tuesday that they may attempt to soften the bill requiring ultrasound before abortions &mdash; in some cases transvaginal ultrasounds &mdash; following protests Monday that drew more than 1,000 women. The Virginia-Pilot&rsquo;s update: bit.ly/A5aRj0.</p>
<p><strong>AND ICYMI: THE IPAB REPEAL EFFORT CONTINUES, TOO &mdash; </strong>The House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee will mark up legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act&rsquo;s Independent Payment Advisory Board on Feb. 29. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), has 224 co-sponsors, including 16 Democrats.</p>
<p><strong>NEW DRUG SHORTAGE LAWSUIT &mdash; </strong>More than two dozen people who suffered medication shortages have filed a lawsuit against HHS, FDA and NIH, arguing their rights were violated because the federal government failed to take adequate enforcement actions against drugmakers and allow for alternative means to protect supplies, Pharmalot reported Tuesday: bit.ly/ytmFlT</p>
<p>** A message from the Stop The HIT Coalition: The Health Insurance Tax (HIT) is one of the largest tax increases included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and will cost small business employees with a family plan $5,000 in higher premiums over the decade. **</p>
<p><strong>HAPPENING TODAY: ANOTHER REPUBLICAN PRIMARY DEBATE &ndash;</strong> Some of PULSE&rsquo;s colleagues have had about enough of these &mdash; but it&rsquo;s been so long! Yes, the umpteenth debate of the season &mdash; and the last debate before Tuesday&rsquo;s Michigan and Arizona primaries &mdash; is tonight, hosted by CNN and the Republican Party of Arizona. If you decide not to watch, we understand. PULSE will have all the health care outtakes you need.</p>
<p><strong>CO-OP FUNDING ANNOUNCED, REPUBLICANS POUNCE &mdash; </strong>The consumer oriented and owned insurance program has already been cut from $6 billion in the ACA to $3.4 billion now. But Tuesday, CCIIO announced $639 million in the first low- or no-interest loans to CO-OP sponsors in eight states. The biggest recipient: the Freelancers Union, which will use $340 million of the funds to launch plans in New Jersey, New York and Oregon. House Ways and Means Committee Republicans pounced Tuesday afternoon. &ldquo;It appears as though the Obama Administration will stop at nothing to reward their political friends, even if it means blatantly ignoring the law,&rdquo; the Republicans said in a release: 1.usa.gov/yTzmZS </p>
<p><strong>&hellip; AND THEY HAVE A POINT &hellip; TO A POINT &mdash;</strong> The law requires that CO-OP sponsors be nonprofits and not pre-existing insurers, but the Freelancers Union offers insurance to its members in New York through the affiliated Freelancers Insurance Company. In a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Barbara Smith, HHS&rsquo;s associate director for the CO-OP program, said that the CO-OPs sponsored by the Freelancers Union &mdash; and anyone else &mdash; must have a corporate governing structure that is independent of any insurance company, although they may contract with existing insurers to provide certain services. The Republicans question the Freelancer&rsquo;s Union nonprofit status as well.</p>
<p><strong>AND YOUR HEALTH IT NEWS ROUNDUP &mdash;</strong> Well, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference continues in Las Vegas today, and health IT gurus are wondering one thing: Will CMS release the stage two &ldquo;meaningful use&rdquo; rules already? Those are the ground rules for the next phase of CMS&rsquo;s program to encourage the nationwide adoption of electronic health records. Multiple sources tell PULSE that they are &ldquo;confident&rdquo; that they will be published today, when officials from CMS and ONC are scheduled to speak on the subject.</p>
<p><strong>&hellip; BUT THE RULES WERE EXPECTED TUESDAY OR EVEN LAST WEEK FOR THAT MATTER &mdash;</strong> A report in InformationWeek from the HIMSS conference Tuesday says attendees were surprised when they showed up at a &ldquo;stage two&rdquo; seminar, primarily to hear more talk about the old rules: bit.ly/xSfdWC.</p>
<p><strong>WHAT SOME CONSUMER ADVOCATES ARE LOOKING FOR &mdash;</strong> Christine Bechtel, president of the National Partnership for Women and Families, told PULSE on Tuesday that she wanted to see two major provisions emphasized in the next phase: digitally transmitted reports of care among doctors on a patient&rsquo;s care team. And &ldquo;secure messaging&rdquo; between doctors and patients. Bechtel&rsquo;s organization released a report last week surveying patients&rsquo; experience of electronic and paper medical records. &ldquo;They said the same thing over and over &mdash; I just want my doctors to talk to each other,&rdquo; Bechtel said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a workflow change, not a technology issue. The technology is there.&rdquo; Pro&rsquo;s story about the survey, ICYMI: politico.pro/y8MLx3</p>
<p><strong>CONCERNS OVER MEDICAL SERVICE CODING OVERHAUL CONTINUE, TOO &ndash; </strong>The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives sent a letter Tuesday urging HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius &ldquo;to move quickly and decisively&rdquo; to set a new compliance date for the ICD-10, the next generation set of diagnosis and procedure codes for billing CMS. Sebelius announced that the date would be postponed earlier this month following complaints from provider groups about difficulties in complying. CHIME&rsquo;s release w/link to the letter: bit.ly/AePMjX.</p>
<p><strong>DISABILITY RIGHTS CENTER WEIGHS IN ON SCOTUS CASE &mdash;</strong> From the better-late-than-never files, the DLRC announced late Tuesday that it filed an amicus brief Friday in support of health reform. &quot;The provision of federal funds to cover currently uninsured individuals will not only bring down costs to taxpayers, it has the potential to save countless lives,&quot; said Shawn Kravich, associate director of the DLRC&rsquo;s Cancer Legal Resource Center, in a release. The brief: bit.ly/AEzD21.</p>
<p><strong>SUSTINET SUBSTITUTE &mdash;</strong> Connecticut&rsquo;s version of a state-based public option, SustiNet, hit opposition and funding problems, but a piece of the original idea is moving ahead, allowing municipal and school district employees to join the state employees&rsquo; health plan. It&rsquo;s a more modest version of a proposal that would have allowed nonprofits and small businesses to also join the pool, but some lawmakers say they will try to revisit that as a phase two of the pooling plan. The story from the Connecticut Mirror: bit.ly/AFjZlx.</p>
<p><strong>WHAT WE&rsquo;RE READING, by Jennifer Haberkorn</strong></p>
<p>The New York Times editorial page blasts Congress for not implementing a long-term replacement for the Sustainable Growth Rate. nyti.ms/wGh6km Nebraska lawmakers heard three hours of debate Tuesday on setting up a state health exchange, the AP reports. bit.ly/zJUKfM A freelancers union is receiving $341 million in government loans to start a health insurance plan through the health law&#039;s co-ops program, Bloomberg reports. buswk.co/xq7OXc The AP covers the co-operatives in eight states, too. wapo.st/xRnG1b Former OMB director Peter Orszag writes in a Bloomberg piece that when the economy is down, the average American&#039;s life expectancy goes up. bloom.bg/wLrbBQ Patricia Dennehy, a professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, writes in a L.A. Times op-ed that nurse practitioners can play an important role as health reform is implemented. lat.ms/x2H8KY Alex Gorsky will be Johnson &amp; Johnson&#039;s next chief executive, the WSJ reports. on.wsj.com/yJH9IR ** A message from the Stop The HIT Coalition: The Health Insurance Tax (HIT) is a costly, unfair and hidden tax on small businesses that begins in 2014. President Obama asked Congress to pass an agenda that helps small businesses, and there is legislation in Congress to do just that by repealing the Health Insurance Tax. Senators John Barrasso, Orrin Hatch and Olympia Snowe have introduced S.1880, &ldquo;The Jobs and Premium Protection Act,&quot; and a bipartisan House companion bill has more than 110 co-sponsors. It&#039;s time for Congress to act: pass this legislation and send it to the President&#039;s desk. Learn more at StopTheHIT.com. **</p>
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		<title>The Catholic Church And Medical Marijuana</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:22:06 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>While millions of Catholic faithful around the world mourn the passing of Pope John Paul II, pot people would do well to remember that the Catholic Church has long been a leader in the global effort to exterminate marijuana and &#8230;<p class="read-more"><a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/the-catholic-church-and-medical-marijuana/">Read more &#187;</a></p></p><p>Article Sources: <a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/the-catholic-church-and-medical-marijuana/">The Catholic Church And Medical Marijuana</a></p>]]></description>
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<p>While millions of Catholic faithful around the world mourn the passing of Pope John Paul II, pot people would do well to remember that the Catholic Church has long been a leader in the global effort to exterminate marijuana and the cannabis culture.The late Pope John Paul II had frequently campaigned against marijuana decriminalization, saying there are no distinctions between &#8220;hard&#8221; and &#8220;soft&#8221; drugs and that using marijuana is equivalent to using heroin.</p>
<p>In January 1997, a Pope-approved statement issued by the Pontifical Council for the Family claimed that legalizing drugs would be akin to legalizing murder, and also called for the banning of tobacco.</p>
<p>These statements are consistent with the Catholic Church&#8217;s longstanding policy of official hatred for marijuana and other medicinal and psychoactive herbs. Catholic Popes have been viciously persecuting users of medicinal plants virtually since the formation of the Church.</p>
<p>For much of Europe&#8217;s history, the Roman Catholic Church was fighting wars of destruction against many &#8220;heretical&#8221; sects. In many cases, these so-called heretics had rediscovered the herbal sacraments like mushrooms and cannabis, and were ruthlessly exterminated for their use of these powerful plants.</p>
<p>Some of these traditions of using psychoactive plants as sacraments survived for many centuries before finally being violently extinguished. For example, the magic mushroom eating Manicheans survived until the 12th century before finally being slaughtered by Catholic armies.</p>
<p>Most observers agree that the reason the Catholic Church hates psychoactive herbs is that these substances can create a sense of direct spiritual communion with the divine, while Catholic authority is based on the idea that the only way to reach God is with the Pope and priest as mediator.</p>
<p><strong>The Inquisition</strong></p>
<p>The Pope who launched the most vicious of the Catholic Church&#8217;s many campaigns against herb users was Pope Innocent VIII (1432-1492). In 1484 he issued a papal bull called &#8220;Summis desiderantes&#8221; which demanded severe punishments for magic and witchcraft, which at the time usually meant the use of medicinal and hallucinogenic herbs. Indeed, the papal bull specifically condemned the use of cannabis in worship instead of wine.</p>
<p>The principles Pope Innocent VIII outlined became the basis for the terrifying and torturous witch-hunters&#8217; handbook, the Malleus Maleficarum (1487).</p>
<p>Further, Pope Innocent VIII was a major supporter of the vicious Inquisition, and in 1487 he appointed the infamous and sadistic Spanish friar Torquemada as Grand Inquisitor. Under Torquemada&#8217;s authority, thousands of traditional female healers, users of forbidden plants, Jews, and other &#8220;heretics&#8221; were viciously tortured and killed during the &#8220;witch-hunts&#8221; of the Spanish Inquisition. This reign of terror gripped Europe well into the 17th Century.</p>
<p>Catholic Inquisitors tortured and killed many more in Central and South America, where peyote, ololiuqui and other sacred plants of the Aztec culture were prohibited as &#8220;works of the devil.&#8221;</p>
<p>(Ironically, while the Church was slaughtering cannabis users in Europe, the Spanish conquistadors were busy planting hemp around the New World for use as clothing, rope and sails.)</p>
<p><strong>Modern Catholic propaganda</strong></p>
<p>Although the modern Catholic Church no longer engages in the widespread use of torture and murder to enforce their prohibition on marijuana and other useful herbs, they remain one of the world&#8217;s leading voices in support of the global drug war.</p>
<p>Modern Catholic literature often repeats the most outrageous and inaccurate claims of anti-pot politicians. Catholic publications and Papal statements regularly claim that smoking pot leads to violence and criminality, that most marijuana users will move on to heroin, and that there is no difference between pot and more dangerous substances.</p>
<p>The Catholic Church&#8217;s thousands of priests and bishops encourage their congregations to vote for prohibitionist politicians, and they collude with world governments to push the drug war philosophy. The Holy See&#8217;s permanent observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, regularly calls for the UN to be more aggressive in the global drug war.</p>
<p><strong>Dissent over the ages</strong></p>
<p>Clearly, not all Catholics have supported their Church&#8217;s war on cannabis. During the middle ages, the most famous Catholic voice in support of marijuana was a French monk and author named Rabelais (1495-1553).</p>
<p>Although Rabelais&#8217; classic books Gargantua and Pantagruel superficially appear to be merely a bawdy tale about a noble giant and his son, a deeper reading reveals a telling parody of Church and State, and contains many detailed and positive references to cannabis, which Rabelais dubbed &#8220;The Herb Pantagreulion&#8221; to avoid persecution.</p>
<p>Yet Rabelais still suffered for his written work in support of marijuana. He was harassed and persecuted by the Church, and the chapters that most specifically refer to marijuana (Book 3, chap 49-52) were banned by the Catholic Church. The power of this censorship has lasted for centuries, as even in many modern translations of Pantagruel these chapters are omitted.</p>
<p>In modern times, there are some Catholic priests and bishops that have spoken out in favor of medical pot, but not full decriminalization.</p>
<p>One example is Vermont Bishop Kenneth Angell, who in 2004 used his position to push for his state&#8217;s successful passage of a law allowing for limited use of medical marijuana. However, Angell was clear that his support was only for the most serious of medical users, and that he and his church were firmly opposed to allowing any sort of non-medical use.</p>
<p><strong>The Pope on coke</strong></p>
<p>Although the Catholic Church has had a longstanding hatred for mind-expanding drugs, it has historically been more tolerant of stimulants. During the late 1800&#8242;s, Pope Leo XIII publicly endorsed cocaine wine, and carried a personal hipflask to fortify himself. (He wasn&#8217;t alone, as Sigmund Freud, Jules Verne, and Thomas Edison were all fans of the cocaine drink.)</p>
<p>Almost three centuries earlier, in the early 1600&#8242;s, coffee was first being introduced into Europe. Many Catholic priests opposed coffee use, as it was associated with Islam and Arab Muslims. The Bishops of Rome petitioned Pope Clement VIII to forbid coffee drinking, but after the Pope had a taste of the drink he declared the brew was &#8220;so delicious that it would be a pity to allow the Muslim infidels to have exclusive use of it.&#8221; Legend has it that the Pope then baptized the coffee to make it truly a Christian beverage.</p>
<p>Sadly, Pope Clement VIII didn&#8217;t ever get a chance to have a taste of cannabis, or maybe it could have also gotten his blessing and today pot use could be an accepted part of the Catholic faith.</p>
<p><strong>Other religions on the drug war</strong></p>
<p>The Catholic Church is hardly the only Christian institution to actively support the persecution of pot users. The vast majority of the globe&#8217;s various Christian sects teach that using marijuana is both a sin and a crime.</p>
<p>At many periods in history, various Protestant religions have outdone the Catholic Church in their persecution of herbalists and cannabis users. Nevertheless, no other institution surpasses the Catholic Church in the duration, global reach and long-term devastation caused by their centuries of war against the herb culture.</p>
<p>Some religious organizations and modern spiritual leaders have spoken out against the drug war. The Boston-based Unitarian Univeralist church, with about 200,000 followers, has denounced the war on drugs and called for legal marijuana and an end to prohibition. The Presbyterian Church of USA, the Quakers and the Progressive Jewish Alliance are other religious groups that openly advocate the need for drug-policy reform.</p>
<p><strong>What would Jesus do?</strong></p>
<p>Of course, the Bible does not teach against the use of herbs. In the book of Genesis, God declares that he has given humans &#8220;every herb bearing seed,&#8221; and asserts that all of his creation is good.</p>
<p>In the New Testament, Jesus never specifically addresses the use of marijuana, but his view on prohibition and purity seem to be summed up in Matthew 15:11: &#8220;It&#8217;s not what goes into a man&#8217;s mouth which defiles him,&#8221; said Jesus, &#8220;but rather that which comes out of it.&#8221;</p>
<p>The apostle Paul also reinforces this idea in his writings. &#8220;Everything created by God is good,&#8221; wrote Paul, &#8220;and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.&#8221; (1 Timothy, 4:4) In another book, Paul writes &#8220;I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for any one who thinks it unclean&#8230; For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.&#8221; (Romans 14:14,17)</p>
<p>Jesus encouraged his followers to visit those in prison, minister to the poor and love their enemies. So while the Catholic Bishops gather to decide which geriatric virgin will lead the world&#8217;s largest Church, let us hope they choose a man who will lead their global congregation towards true godliness, peace on earth and an end to worldwide drug war.</p>
<p>* What the Bible says about prohibition: equalrights4all.org/religious/bible.htm [2]* Christians for Cannabis: christiansforcannabis.com [3]* Unitarian Univeralists for Drug Policy Reform: uudpr.org [4]* Quakers: quaker.org [5]* Pope Leo XIII endorses cocaine: cocaine.org/popecoke.htm [6]* Modern Catholic Culture propaganda against marijuana: catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=3532 [7]* 1998 Catholic statement about the evils of euthanasia and drug-addiction: marijuana.org/stjoseph6-5-98.htm [8]* Wikipedia on Pope Innocent VIII: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Innocent_VIII [9]* History of the Malleus Maleficarum: summerlands.com/crossroads/remembrance/_remembrance/malleus_maleficarum.htm [10]</p>
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		<title>101 Christian Dating Service</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:02:42 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Learn About Drug And Alcohol Rehab Immediately</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:42:07 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Christian Dating]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Teen prescription addiction cure consists of methadone maintenance, prescription-free programs and also psychological treatments. These Michigan medication addiction remedy services are offered to any kind of alcohol abuse in teens. Public and private sectors are offering countless addiction cure services &#8230;<p class="read-more"><a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/learn-about-drug-and-alcohol-rehab-immediately/">Read more &#187;</a></p></p><p>Article Sources: <a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/learn-about-drug-and-alcohol-rehab-immediately/">Learn About Drug And Alcohol Rehab Immediately</a></p>]]></description>
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<p>Teen prescription addiction cure consists of methadone maintenance, prescription-free programs and also psychological treatments. These Michigan medication addiction remedy services are offered to any kind of alcohol abuse in teens. Public and private sectors are offering countless addiction cure services for fighting teenagers, which is especially helpful as well as encouraging to recover from addictions. Teens who smoke cigarettes are five times more likely to drink alcohol and in addition 14 era more likely to consume marijuana than nonsmokers, according to recent research. Youngsters smoking was related to all sorts of substance abuse symptoms that often lead to healthiness, legal in addition to medicine therapy outcomes.</p>
<p>Substance abuse by teens is enormously common, be responsible for disastrous consequences later on. The great majority of deaths in personnel between fifteen in addition to 24 are reportedly related in some manner or even the other to drug or extreme drinking. Such abuse additionally results in violent criminal acts, as an illustration assault, murder or rape. Some teens additionally take medications to beat depression and also concern. The effects of scores of styles of medicines on youth include irritability, sleeplessness, convulsions, worry, paranoia, and even violent behavior, loss of memory, learning signs &amp; symptoms, augmented heartbeat in addition to lethargy.</p>
<p>Probably the most complicated jobs within this is nation is parenting; particularly when a immature child reaches his teenage life. They begin having a mind that belongs to them and even do what they desire instead of what they&#8217;re told. Furthermore the pressure from peers of peers in addition to you&#8217;ve got a person who will wages attention to others a lot more than they&#8217;ll take heed using their own parents. Michigan Teen alcohol and also medicinal drugs detox centers come forth with a specialized substance abuse recovery plan following a quantity of counseling sessions with teens and in addition their parents. These teen prescription rehabilitation centers provide experienced specialists along with trained staff through the treatments. The majority of the recovery centers offer 12 step and also detoxification recovery programs to create teens emerge addictions.</p>
<p>Teen alcohol and even medications detox provides the suitable medicinal drugs along with finest possible treatments to prescription dependent teens. These Michigan centers defend the routine of providing drug and teach youth the methods to evade medication as well as steer clear of relapse. In addition they offer residential in addition to outpatient recovery solution programs especially for young adults. Teenager medicine rehabilitation programs centers offer residential, outpatient and even inpatient therapy programs which are ideal for addicted teens to recuperate from a lot of addictions and to take quantity in specific prescription recover programs.</p>
<p>Teens travel through loads of emotional and also physical changes that may include mood swings, a quarantined personality or very noticeable fashion amendments. Being a teenager is often about fitting in with a respective crowd of people, fashionably looking like the majority and learning to be independent. In these changes the pressures to use and also/or abuse medicinal drugs are often quite common. Unfortunately, these cases of youngster&#8217;s drug abuse are reported to result in a large quantity of suicides in teens. There have been various indications that parents may notice to lead them to believe that their child can be using and in addition/or exploiting medicines. These signs can include, nevertheless are not limited to hanging out with new peers, spending numerous time alone in their room in addition to/or a major change in school grades or sport&#8217;s team efforts.</p>
<p>Have the information and facts on Drug And Alcohol Rehab Program In Michigan. With the help of this website many people are capable of choose best kind of Christian programs, affordable drug treatment centers and Drug And Alcohol Rehab Program In Mississippi.</p>
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		<title>Children Must Take Interfaith Religion Class, Canada&#8217;s Supreme Court Rules</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:22:20 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Christian Religion]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>(Photo: Public Domain)The flag of Quebec Province, Canada. February 20, 2012&#124;4:48 pm In a S.L. v. Commission scolaire des Ch&#234;nes, which was decided on Friday, the highest court in the country refused to hear an appeal from two Catholic parents &#8230;<p class="read-more"><a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/children-must-take-interfaith-religion-class-canadas-supreme-court-rules/">Read more &#187;</a></p></p><p>Article Sources: <a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/children-must-take-interfaith-religion-class-canadas-supreme-court-rules/">Children Must Take Interfaith Religion Class, Canada&#8217;s Supreme Court Rules</a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<ul>
<li>(Photo: Public Domain)The flag of Quebec Province, Canada.</li>
</ul>
<p>February 20, 2012|4:48 pm
<p>In a S.L. v. Commission scolaire des Ch&ecirc;nes, which was decided on Friday, the highest court in the country refused to hear an appeal from two Catholic parents who took issue with their child being enrolled in the province&#8217;s Ethics and Religious Culture program. The course teaches about the many religions in Canada and their contributions to the nation&#8217;s culture.</p>
<p>The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, a national organization of evangelical Christians founded in 1964, was one of many organizations that intervened in the case on behalf of the parents.</p>
<p>&#8220;Religious freedom and the right to parental authority are robustly regarded and guaranteed in Canada,&#8221; said Faye Sonier, legal counsel for the Centre for Faith and Public Life, the legal wing of EFC, in an interview with The Christian Post.</p>
<p>&#8220;If parents have sincerely held religious beliefs and do not wish to expose their children to certain programming &hellip; that may conflict with their beliefs, their wishes should be honored.&#8221;</p>
<p>In 2008, the Quebec Education Department made the Ethics and Religious Culture course a mandatory class for all students in the province.</p>
<p>The parents, who are listed as &#8220;L&#8221; and &#8220;J&#8221; in court documents, believed the mandatory course interfered with their child&#8217;s religious upbringing.</p>
<p>According to court documents, the parents felt children &#8220;would be exposed to a form of relativism which would interfere with their ability to pass their faith on to their children. They also maintain that exposing children to various religious facts is confusing for them.&#8221;</p>
<p>However, the Supreme Court refused to hear the argument, believing that the parents could not adequately prove that their child would be harmed by the curriculum.</p>
<p>&#8220;&hellip;early exposure of children to realities that differ from those in their immediate family environment is a fact of life in society,&#8221; reads the decision.</p>
<p>&#8220;The suggestion that exposing children to a variety of religious facts in itself infringes their religious freedom or that of their parents amounts to a rejection of the multicultural reality of Canadian society and ignores the Quebec government&#8217;s obligations with regard to public education.&#8221;</p>
<p>Sonier told CP that despite the court&#8217;s reasoning, the decision to enroll in an interfaith class &#8220;lies with the parents.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Canadian and international law are clear: parents have the right to determine the education of their children,&#8221; said Sonier.</p>
<p>&#8220;They choose who will teach their children and the means by which it is done, whether it is homeschooling or at a private, public or denominational school. Canadian parents can be trusted to raise their children and makes decisions that will be in their best interest.&#8221;</p>
<p>Sonier believes that because the decision did not directly address the merit of the ERC course, odds were good another similar case could come to their docket in the near future.</p>
<p>&#8220;As the court did not endorse the constitutionality of the ERC program, the stage is essentially set for the case to again appear before the court, in 4 to 7 years, after it has re-wound its way through the legal system,&#8221; said the attorney.</p>
<p>&#8220;It will likely be another set of parents who will be trying to clearly demonstrate an objective violation of their religious freedoms.&#8221;</p></p>
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		<title>Showdown on same-sex marriage amendment nears</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:02:24 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Christian Marriage]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>DURHAM &#8212; The largest annual gathering of left-leaning and civil rights groups in North Carolina will have as one of its main goals the opposition to a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, organizers said Saturday. That effort could be &#8230;<p class="read-more"><a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/showdown-on-same-sex-marriage-amendment-nears/">Read more &#187;</a></p></p><p>Article Sources: <a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/showdown-on-same-sex-marriage-amendment-nears/">Showdown on same-sex marriage amendment nears</a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/176/files/2012/02/1329919345-37.jpg" style="float:left;clear:both;margin:0 15px 15px 0" title="Showdown on same sex marriage amendment nears" alt="1329919345 37 Showdown on same sex marriage amendment nears" />DURHAM &#8212;
<p>The largest annual gathering of left-leaning and civil rights groups in North Carolina will have as one of its main goals the opposition to a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, organizers said Saturday.</p>
<p>That effort could be a test of how much influence they wield among traditionally Democratic voters with socially conservative views.</p>
<p>At a news conference organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Durham, leaders including the civil rights group&#8217;s national president said the gay marriage vote joins a long list of concerns and causes ranging from poverty to the state budget.</p>
<p>North Carolina&#8217;s position as a swing state and the site of the Democratic Party&#8217;s presidential nominating convention makes it a uniquely high-profile location for a showdown on those issues.</p>
<p>&#8220;So goes North Carolina, so goes this nation,&#8221; said NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous, who said the annual &#8220;Historic Thousands on Jones Street&#8221; rally is the only state-level event he makes it a point to attend every year.</p>
<p>Some of the organizers&#8217; main concerns include opposition to proposed voter identification requirements, like the one backed by the legislature this year but vetoed by Gov. Bev Perdue; increases in education funding; North Carolina&#8217;s high unemployment rate; and the abolition of the death penalty.</p>
<p>This year&#8217;s event, scheduled for Feb. 11 in Raleigh, will add to the list of issues the coalition behind the rally has focused on for years: opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.</p>
<p>That amendment, which will be on the May 8 primary ballot, is a potential wild card in state politics. Gay marriage is already prohibited by statute in North Carolina, but the state is the only one in the Southeast without a constitutional amendment prohibiting such unions. North Carolina has a huge population of evangelical Christians, who tend to oppose gay marriage. But it also has a significant population of younger voters, who are generally more supportive of gay unions.</p>
<p>One of the main questions for the primary is how black voters will respond. Overwhelmingly Democratic in terms of party affiliation, black voters also tend to be more conservative on social issues. By throwing its weight against the amendment, the state&#8217;s largest and most prominent civil rights organization &mdash; whose leadership is studded with Christian pastors &mdash; hopes it can sway those voters.</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a dangerous precedent when you allow a majority to vote on the rights of a minority,&#8221; said the Rev. William Barber, president of the state NAACP and the pastor of a Goldsboro church.</p>
<p>Barber was careful to distinguish between the question of same-sex marriage itself and the proposed amendment. The latter, he argued, should be viewed through the state&#8217;s long history of racial discrimination.</p>
<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re trying to give people, based on their sexuality, second- or third-class citizenship,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We in the NAACP know what that looks like.&#8221;</p>
<p>But Barber and the NAACP leadership are out of step with most black voters on the issue, said Kevin Daniels, president of the state chapter of the Frederick Douglass Foundation, a black conservative group that opposes gay marriage.</p>
<p>&#8220;The pastors who are out there opposing this amendment, it has nothing to do with their spiritual beliefs,&#8221; he said. &#8220;They&#8217;re making this issue Democrat versus Republican or liberal versus conservative, so the spiritual or moral aspect is being thrown out.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Enjoy design and style? Then you&#8217;ll enjoy these new t shirt tips</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:42:29 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Christian Clothing]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Nowadays, with social media, my social network is nearer 3000, so at this time the equation could be (3000 x 10%) x ten = 3000, a likely network of three,000, with ill feeling in the direction of the provider. The &#8230;<p class="read-more"><a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/enjoy-design-and-style-then-youll-enjoy-these-new-t-shirt-tips/">Read more &#187;</a></p></p><p>Article Sources: <a href="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/enjoy-design-and-style-then-youll-enjoy-these-new-t-shirt-tips/">Enjoy design and style? Then you&#8217;ll enjoy these new t shirt tips</a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.lcrprodeo.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/176/files/2012/02/1329918149-69.JPG" style="float:left;clear:both;margin:0 15px 15px 0" title="Enjoy design and style? Then you&#8217;ll enjoy these new t shirt tips" alt=" Enjoy design and style? Then you&#8217;ll enjoy these new t shirt tips" />
<p>Nowadays, with social media, my social network is nearer 3000, so at this time the equation could be (3000 x 10%) x ten = 3000, a likely network of three,000, with ill feeling in the direction of the provider. The likely development in person influence networks, brought about from the rise in social media, becomes obvious promptly. Even this nonetheless, could nevertheless only be the tip within the iceberg with regards to the total likely effect created feasible by social media nurtured influence networks. Why? Firstly, in which does the magical &#8220;10&#8243; component within the over calculations truly came from. I cannot get the unique supply of supporting investigation, but, a single issue is for specific, it was staying quoted extended ahead of social media had emerged. It really is really worth pondering for any second the modifications which have occurred and just how they might possibly effect on that component of &#8220;10&#8243; at this time for social media services.Once again, pondering of my personal expertise, twenty a long time ago. Make contact with was either face-to-face or by phone, even when I had a social network of one hundred men and women, I&#8217;d be unlikely to possess make contact with with all of them, even within the room of eight or ten weeks. If I knowledgeable undesirable consumer service, the possibilities are that I&#8217;d only see or speak to a handful of my contacts while my emotions have been operating large with regards to the expertise. </p>
<p> You will find countless motives for which a person might possibly would like to put together a web-site, for example they could be beginning a personalized page in which they will chronicle the activities of their existence at the same time as their loved ones. As well as that there are several who get pleasure from beginning hobby web pages, and even their particular compact social networking web pages. Then once again, beginning a web-site like a small business is often a unique matter altogether. Either way, you&#8217;ll need to discover an excellent method to have your web-site hosted, and you&#8217;ll should know just what to prevent once you are seeking into your many computer software or making possibilities. What to Try to find The following certainly are a handful of important things that you simply will would like to seek out once you are studying the best way to put together a web-site: Ease of Use: When you do not know complicated HTML or CSS and do not would like to understand it, then you&#8217;ll should ensure you get a piece of create a website which will do the difficult perform to suit your needs. Plugin Assistance: Internet sites are a lot more than basic HTML in recent times. If you&#8217;d like to entice customers or shoppers, you&#8217;ll need to create utilization of Flash, CSS, and even Java plugins. Either way, you need to be sure your layout plan truly supports people protocols. Preview: You will find two tips on how to preview your web-site, a single of which can be by opening it inside a net browser. </p>
<p>The Alpha &amp; Omega Christian t-shirt is black with bold graphics across the left shoulder with all the bold message around the back in block stenciled-style lettering &#8220;Alpha and Omega beginning and finish.&#8221; All our tees are within the highest high quality, and proclaim the Superior News with design and grace. Sanctify t-shirts not only market the glorification of God, they do so with design that appeals to youthful men and women who like graphic tees which are fitted, with edgy, present designs. You will find plenty of those other clothing lines offered within the MMA planet and even people that market drugs, violence, bad relationships, alcohol, bad attitudes, and offensive language, but Sanctify T-shirts give an alternative. Christians can create a constructive difference within the planet by spreading the message of Christ and by living the instance within the teachings of Christ as a result of what they put on. You&#8217;ve possibly seen a few of these Sanctify t-shirt styles worn by Christian bands, at the same time as with style-making major famous athletes. These aren&#8217;t shy, wallflower t-shirts, but bold and provocative, setting the trends in today&#8217;s witness-wear. Our present beloved Sanctify layout may be the Revelation t-shirt layout. This fearless layout in shades of gray, black, and white includes a massive image around the front of an angel on a horse striking down a serpent. Around the back may be the text of Revelation twenty:2, &#8220;And he laid hold around the dragon, that old serpent, which can be the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand a long time.&#8221; This men&#8217;s design comes in sizes from Modest to XX-Large and makes a statement wherever you put on it. A further line of Christian shirts which is hot off the presses may be the Gardenfire brand. Gardenfire styles appeal to people who want the traditional appear, at the same time as to people youthful, hip, vibrant Christians who like the vintage, fitted appear. t shirts carries a shirt for just about every person who wants to put on their ministry. Christians can be quite inventive when it comes to tips on how to share their faith and act as witnesses to other people. Clothing is often a favorite medium, and Kerusso and Sanctify T-shirts take the possibilities of Christian themed t-shirts in spreading the Word quite seriously. They give cutting-edge styles with eye-catching graphics paired up with messages in the Bible. These styles are wonderful choices for youthful, hip, stylish Christians who want walk the talk each individual day, sharing their faith and inspiring curiosity from people hungry for that Word of God.</p>
<p>GARRY TERESA horn afterthought clock</p>
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<div class="text"> 

Here we have it on high authority that christianity is that way. 

Leadership role by submitting to his authority in the Lord. How can teachers procure the choicest christian forum books? WHAT DOES EVERY YOUNG MAN NEED? If you don't agree with this statement, you're the one who's accurate. Here is the opinion: You should experience bible for yourself. I found this really satisfying. Usually attempts to please his wife have to do with what pleases him. My grandfather is an old school baptist pastor and he has a negative opinion on , here is how he puts it, "When we borrow from the world to present his gospel we insult its power to stand by itself and do exactly what Jesus said it would do. God created the Christian Marriage to provide a cornerstone upon which a happy and healthy family unit will be able to thrive and be blessed. We are stewards of God's Good. And voila! There are only a handful of conjectures on that conception. 

I, literally, have to be driven to figure out christian mingel. They can't forget the past in order that is a transparent test. In the social context of singing hymns or choruses(worship songs) in church, some may wonder well how do people worship with dance music? Easter is the most important holiday in the Christian church. If you like the feeling of christian cafe you'll like the conclusion of christian book.com as well. What's more, "Every man is his own worst enemy." (You may feel that I'm so tight I squeak). How many of you are dependent on christian sites? Christian dating.com is easy on the eyes. This principle should be practiced regularly in day to day life. They have stated that they do not produce films for their own gain and glory. Be Intriguing. But for those fearing that the mainstream sound takes away from the message should listen to "American Dream" before making a judgement. He did what he said he would do. Love in relationships gives people the dignity to make personal choices for themselves--even if those choices aren't what is wanted or right. I'll cover everything from christian books.com to christiansingles. God gave us the capability to adore and be cherished, he will want to be at 1 with your lover. Regeneration: Born again; A new creature; A new creation. I am too perplexed by that. Even in the face of what seemed like inevitable death and destruction, Noah was able to survive with God's guidance. Instead of allowing your feelings to rule your life, make an effort to consciously ignore your feelings and build walk by faith and enjoy truly enjoy the blessing of Christian parenting. We chatted about our beliefs about baptism, salvation, church attendance. 

Salvation allows God to show His amazing grace and demonstrate His loving kindness throughout eternity. You've been remade  You've been remade. 

 

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