Wading Into Controversy

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Lynn

We had a discussion in my Sunday School small group last week that had me laying awake wondering about what the future may hold for my kids as they raise my grandkids here in Canada.  A young mom in our group asked us to pray after she found out that Christian Home schoolers and possibly all Christian schools in the province may be forced to teach the very secular component of Alberta’s Education Sex Education curriculum that for years they have been allowed to “opt out on” for religious reasons.  This includes teaching about homosexuality etc.  http://thenewamerican.com/world-mainmenu-26/north-america-mainmenu-36/11049-alberta-law-would-ban-homeschool-parents-from-teaching-against-homosexuality

“The Minister of Education introduced the new Education Act, Bill 2, in the Alberta Legislature on Valentine’s Day. After meetings with home educators, the minister has not changed the items of greatest concern to us. The best impact you can have now is to remind your own MLA you have major concerns with this legislation.
Article 16, Diversity and Respect, contains very specific wording, making it possible to impose both curriculum and values upon all schools in Alberta, and giving special interest groups leverage to actively promote alternate lifestyles.
Diversity and respect
16 All courses or programs of study offered and instructional materials used in a school must reflect the diverse nature and heritage of society in Alberta, promote understanding and respect for others and honour and respect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Alberta Human Rights Act.
Article 1 (1) (x) defines your home as a school. (x) school means a structured learning environment through which an education program is offered to a student by (i) a board, (ii) a person responsible for the operation of a private school, (iii) a person providing an early childhood services program, (iv) a parent providing a home education program, or (v) the Minister;
The implications are very serious:
Your home schooling learning environment is not limited to  particular places and times, so this legislation could actually have authority over all family activities, day and night.
Your home would have no more autonomy than public schools to teach values and lifestyles contrary to some of those promoted by special interest groups. The Alberta Human Rights Act and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms have been used to severely limit the freedom of conscience of individual citizens in the past, and now this level of control could be imposed upon your home.
The minister may affirm that it is not their intention to control the conscience of parents and the moral or religious practises and teachings in their home, but once this legislation is in place, you could be charged by anyone who has an agenda.
Time is short. Speak to your MLA now, before this bill gets approved.  (forum board on WISDOM Home Schooling website.)

I remember when my daughter was in elementary school, our rural public school district was one of the last bastions in Canada for allowing the reciting of the “Lord’s Prayer” in the classroom.  Every morning, at the very start of the school day, all the children stood to sing “O Canada” and then they all said the Lord’s Prayer.  No one seemed to have a problem with the routine until one mother decided to complain saying it infringed on her “rights” as an atheist to have her child recite a prayer to a deity her family did not believe in.  She was very vocal, and she started her own personal letter-writing campaign to school administration, school district officials and to local newspapers.  The result was that she single-handedly managed to have the Lord’s Prayer banned from the schools.

Now, it’s not like we Christian parents didn’t do anything, because we did!  I started a letter-writing campaign too and there were many parents (even some non-Christian ones) who supported the reciting of the Lord’s Prayer, but it was obvious the media and the government officials sided with her and the rest, so they say, is history.

I don’t want to see something like that happen again.

Scripture is very clear that we will be persecuted for our faith: “Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. (1 John 3:13); If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. (John 15:18); No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.(John 15:20); All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.(Mark 13:13); Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:13); Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  (James 1:2-3); If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. (1 Peter 2:20); If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. (1 Peter 4:16); If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests on you. (1 Peter 4:14); Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.(Luke 6:22); In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13); Dear friends, do not be surprised if the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

It does not come as a surprise to me that Christian families are being attacked from every side.  We live in a fallen world and the enemy is threatened by the Gospel message.  He wants the world to live in darkness, to be oblivious of the spiritual battle raging in the heavenlies.  “For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.  For the weapons of our warfare are not physical (weapons of flesh and blood), but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds.  (2 Corinthians 10:3-4); For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  (Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV).

The question is what do we do about this?  I am not a homeschooling parent, so why get involved you might say?  I don’t home school but I see this legislation as the “slippery slope” towards mandating what can and cannot be taught in private Christian Schools as well as in the home.  Where will it stop?  Christians have a reputation of being “too nice” sometimes.  We tend to get bullied…and you all know how I feel about bullying!  Stand up to them!  That’s why I’m writing this posting today to inform and encourage my readers to get involved.  We can be “squeaky wheels” if we want to be and we can make a difference.  I’ve posted links to Canadian and Albertan Government Officials.  Please write them voicing your concern and opposition about teaching this sex education curriculum in Alberta schools and within Homeschooling homes.  Repost this blog, Facebook, tweet, etc.

Remember: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Alberta Education: Phone: 780-427-7219  (For toll-free access within Alberta, first dial 310-0000.)

You may leave an email comment on the form found at this link: http://alberta.ca/contact.cfm

or contact by Snail Mail:

Redford, Alison, Honourable Premier  Member of Executive Council

Executive Branch                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                307 Legislature Building 10800 – 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Phone: 780 427-2251 Fax: 780 427-1349

Lukaszuk, Thomas, Honourable Minister of Education Member of Executive Council

Executive Branch                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                423 Legislature Building 10800 – 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Phone: 780 427-5010 Fax: 780 427-5018

 

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Standing Up for What We Believe – Defending the Truth

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Lynn

I am looking forward to seeing the latest movie “Monumental” that I believe will be just as life-impacting as the recent Christian-themed movies like “Fireproof” and “Courageous“.  Granted the movie, “Monumental” may not get the same kind of response from Canadians because it is decidedly “proudly American” in content, I say it’s message will have as much an impact on Canadian families as American families because the principles it talks about in the movie and the Godly foundation is relevant for both nations. To those of you who have not heard of these movies, just click on the links for more information.

Recently, Kirk Cameron, who will star in the movie, “Monumental” was interviewed by Piers Morgan on his CNN talk show, and as is always the case when a Christian is interviewed by someone who does not share the same belief system as the actor, Kirk was asked to defend his beliefs not only to Piers but to Piers’ viewing audience.

It is about Kirk’s comments about homosexuality that has elicited the most response.  It won’t surprise my readers that the “world” has slammed Kirk for his comments saying that homosexuality is “unnatural” and “destructive”.  His words taken entirely out of context may I add.

In my opinion, Kirk responded to all of Piers’ questions with grace, poise, gentleness and he spoke truthfully.  Unfortunately the backlash for those comments may follow Kirk for a very long time to come.

As Christians, we are oftentimes called upon to defend our belief.  We get asked the tough questions and it takes courage to answer those questions truthfully, in keeping with scripture, when the world is so opposed to Christianity.

I applaud Kirk for taking a stand, saying exactly what he believes to be true, and I hope he will continue to speak the Truth to a lost world.

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Happy Birthday, Justin Bieber!

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Lynn

Well, like my friend Jack says, “Unless you’re dead or living in Edmonton…” you have to know of the clean-cut, all – Canadian boy named Justin Bieber.

According to Wikipedia, Bieber was born on March 1, 1994, in London Ontario and was raised in Stratford, Ontario.  Justin’s mother, Patricia Lynn “Pattie” Mallette was only 18 years old when she became pregnant and with the help of her parents, she raised Justin as a single mom.  During his childhood, Bieber was interested in hockey, soccer, and chess; he often kept his musical aspirations to himself, but as he grew up Bieber taught himself to play the piano, drums, guitar, and trumpet.  In early 2007, when he was twelve, Bieber sang for a local singing competition in Stratford and placed second.  As any proud mom would have done, Pattie Mallette posted a video of the performance on YouTube for their family and friends to see and she continued to upload videos of Bieber singing covers of various R&B songs, and Bieber’s popularity on the site grew.  Quite by accident one day Scooter Braun came across one of Justin’s videos on YouTube and from there Justin was introduced to Usher (Grammy Award winning superstar), and the rest so they say is history.  Literally overnight, Justin Bieber became an instant pop sensation.

Now, I’m a mom of a teenaged girl, and I am a youth leader so I try to make sure I’m at least aware of what’s going on in today’s “pop culture” since I know so well that pop culture definitely has influence over today’s youth.  If you don’t believe me, turn on any television program, listen to any radio station,…better yet…just ask your kids!  Everyday our kids are colliding head on with the world when it comes to pop culture.  To plug my friends, Mike and Daniel Blackaby’s book: When Worlds Collide – Stepping Up and Standing Out in an Anti-God Culture, they have written a great book on how youth may  “embrace” pop culture, while at the same time staying true to their Christian faith.

Having watched these two young men grow up in our church, (I heard them each preach their first sermon), to now seeing how God is using them both in ministry, I can testify to their Godly character!  Their book is a must-read for today’s youth, college and career, and parent.  Mike and Dan have stood true to their Christian heritage and to their beliefs while still running around in Star Wars and Harry Potter paraphernalia 🙂

But what has that got to do with Justin Bieber you ask?  Well, for one thing, Justin has declared that he is a Christian.  According to Rolling Stone magazine (online), Bieber says he is a Christian, that he has a relationship with Jesus, that he talks to Him and that “He’s the reason I’m here.”

That’s all well and good to declare that to the world, but I seem to recall a bunch of pop stars (past and present) who have claimed to be Christians; they  say – “God Bless” – at the end of each show (or even when they’re accepting Grammy awards), and then their actions later in their career (or even later on that evening) show them for what they really are…liars.

As Mike and Dan write in their book: “Surely nothing galls (or delights) the world more than Christians who act holy on Sunday but live the rest of the week the same way everyone else does.  It’s something to think about when we are tempted to “blend in so we can witness.”  Should we wonder when the world concludes: “If their faith is so important, why do they try so hard to act just like us?”

Recently I watched with great interest an interview on 100 Huntley Street with Justin’s Mom, Pattie, (the interview took place four years ago, when Justin’s star was on the rise) and if you are interested in hearing a bit of her testimony and story, I encourage you to click on the link to see it in it’s entirety.  It is obvious if you listen to the interview that Pattie tried to raise Justin in a Godly home.  As a single mom she definitely had her struggles, but here is a mom who seems to have laid a good spiritual foundation for Justin.

Justin turns eighteen today and like all youth who turn that “magical” number, here in Canada it means that you can now officially vote in elections and in most provinces in Canada you are officially legal to drink alcohol.  It’s that “coming of age” birthday that parents dread and teens look forward to.  I say that because, once again, parents, we bury our heads in the sand if we don’t think our teens…yes…our Christian teens…are not thinking about the “par-tay” that they will eventually have with their friends when their parents are not around.  We pray protection for them everyday, but we should be praying protection especially for them on their 18th birthday when they will most definitely be in a “colliding” mode with the world on that day.

I have seen several teen idols fall hard and fast from grace with their fans, and from God on their 18th birthday.  I pray that does not happen to Justin today.  So today, I am praying for Justin.  I pray he makes wise choices today, that God would draw near to him and that the enemy would not have a stronghold in the young man’s life.

Happy Birthday, Justin.  Make your fans and Canada proud!

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