Proof of Faith

Do you ever feel that you are constantly being asked to prove your faith?

Today an old friend sent me the following email:

*** start of email ****

Subject: Jesus

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.

Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.

Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.

Had no army, yet kings feared Him.

He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.

He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.

If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son..send this to all on your
Buddy list..if not just ignore..In the Bible, Jesus says..."If you deny me
Before man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven."

*** end of email ***

When I read this I had to pause. The close of this message implies that people that don't forward this message do not believe in Jesus the Christ. Or if we don't have time to forward this message we are denying Christ. Is this really how it works?

Is this how Jesus would want us to share the message of his love?

Do we really believe that Jesus the Christ condemns people for not forwarding email messages?

I too have often heard it said that Jesus said, "If you deny me Before man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven." But then what should we learn from reading that the apostle Peter was forgiven after denying Christ three denies during his public trial.

Do we constantly have to prove our faith to Jesus, to God or to other Christians?

Is this email not in its beginning speaking of Jesus' virtues and in its close treating him like an insecure lover who needs constant proof that he is loved?

I believe that Jesus' love is greater than that.

Jesus had no email yet he found a way to share his message of love, peace and healing. I guess he won't mind if I don't forward that email.

Fox and CBS Say YES to Sex but NO to Sexual Responsibility

a message from Planned Parenthood...

The New York Times has reported that FOX and CBS are refusing to air a condom commercial. The reason? FOX writes "Contraceptive advertising must stress health-related uses rather than the prevention of pregnancy." Meanwhile, CBS defends its decision simply by stating it "did not find it appropriate" for its network. What an outrage!

In 2005, 70 percent of all television shows and 77 percent of prime-time shows contained sexual content. FOX and CBS shows are no exception. From Temptation Island to Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to The O.C. — a show that broadcasts an average of 6.7 sex scenes an hour — FOX and CBS have taken sex all the way to the bank.

Preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are top public health priorities. Television networks that pride themselves on public service should take every opportunity to educate the public about safer sex. By rejecting Trojan’s ad, FOX and CBS have made the wrong move for public health.

FOX and CBS need to hear from you NOW! Tell them to stop the hypocrisy and air ads that promote public health.

Thanks so much for your support,

Emily Lockwood
Online Strategies Manager
Planned Parenthood Federation of America