Subject: Chuck Colson - Breakpoint
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 21:37:52 -0700


Friends,

I do not think I have done this before as I try not to flood you with too
many emails!    I think this article by Charles Colson is important.

Charles Colson is asking for help.  Please read the article and respond as
the Lord directs.

Paul Cox
Aslan's Place

BreakPoint with Charles Colson - www.breakpoint.org
Commentary #040413 - 04/13/2004


Is Anybody Listening?
Citizen Action and the Federal Marriage Amendment

When I'm introduced to speak, I'm often called a prophet. It always makes
me cringe. I think it's a little self-promoting for me to think of myself
in those terms, and besides, biblical prophets got stoned or exiled or
rejected. Who wants the job? Nobody really likes a prophet because he tells
people things they don't want to hear. Today, I'm going to fill that role:
I'm going to tell you something you don't want to hear.

The fact is that we are going to have legalized gay "marriage" in the
United States. It's inevitable, I believe, unless Christians and others
speak up strongly.

I was on Capitol Hill a few days ago and met a group of senior
congressional staff. They cornered me to tell me that they are greatly
alarmed over the lack of public support for the Federal Marriage Amendment.
No senator was reporting any unusual number of calls or e-mails.

One conservative Midwest senator who is considered a sure vote said he
isn't sure he wanted to get involved in this issue because he hasn't heard
from his constituents. He's not alone. This is tragic. Where are the
Christians? Are we asleep?

Too many, I fear, have been suckered into a "what's-in-it-for-me?" approach
to faith. People go to church to hear a feel-good sermon, sing some happy
clappies, and visit with friends. We ignore completely the cultural
implications of our faith. And then we're shocked by the state of the
culture.

The political realities in Washington are very clear: This is the best
opportunity we'll ever have to get this amendment. The senators announced a
vote for June. And Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), the House Majority Leader, tells me
the vote will come in the House this summer.

All of the House members, I'll remind you, are up to face the voters in
November, and so are one-third of the senators. And in an election year a
vote against the Marriage Amendment could hurt politically. But if we fail
this year, and it goes over to next year, the vote will cause no pain.

Right now, in addition to tremendous arguments on our side, we have a
president on our side. Yet instead of pressing our advantage, we seem
indifferent. I don't understand where all the Christians have gone.

What will it take to awaken the Church? What's it going to take to get all
of you good people listening and reading today to get on the telephones to
call your congressmen, senators, state legislators, and other public
officials to say, "We want to protect marriage"? After all, it's one of
only three institutions established by God and recognized by all societies
for millennia.

I think we've fallen for the lie. But to take a position or speak for truth
is insensitive or intolerant. If we fall for that, God's judgment can't be
far behind.

Don't procrastinate. Call us here at BreakPoint (1-877-322-5527) for the
materials you'll need. We'll tell you how to contact your congressman and
senators and public officials. And don't forget to ask your state
legislators to introduce and pass a resolution favoring and urging the U.S.
Congress to pass the Marriage Amendment. It's an easy resolution to get
passed, and it would put tremendous pressure on Congress.

Jim Dobson and I and others can go to the White House to talk with the
president or to the Capitol to talk with congressmen and senators, but
we'll accomplish nothing unless the people in public office know that the
public is demanding action. Your voice counts. It's urgently needed. E-mail
and call your senators and congressman once a week until this passes, and
get your church and your friends to do the same.

Anybody out there listening?

Find your Congressman's website at:
United States House of Representatives, 108th Congress, 2nd Session: Homepage

Find your senators website at:
senate.gov

Contacting the White House

Maranatha!
Deborah
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