Does this trouble you?

[PastorP]

ARE YOU AS TROUBLED AS I AM?

Very seldom do I use this column to address issues that appear political, but today I feel I must tiptoe around the edges a bit. Please bear with me. I am an observer of our society, and I am troubled by what I see. At times I feel like we are back in the first century where immorality and license were rampant. Are you troubled by that?

Two things have happened recently that are troubling me. The first was the revelation that as taxpayers we give more than $350 million a year to Planned Parenthood. This troubles me because we are basically using taxpayer money to "kill babies." This is happening while many of the Pregnancy Resource Centers across the country go begging for the finances to save babies. Does that trouble you?

The second thing that disturbs me is what our president did on Wednesday by directing the Department of Justice to no longer defend the DOMA law (Defense of Marriage Act). In an interview Mr. Obama did with Pastor Rick Warren before he was elected president, he boldly stated that he believed marriage was sacred, and should be between one man and one woman. Recently he has been saying that his position on same-sex marriage is "evolving." Now he has, by his act, put in jeopardy 29 states that protect marriage in its constitution. Does that trouble you? If so, consider visiting CitizenLink Petitions to make your voice heard in support of marriage.

Here is what Dr. Al Mohler told me: "In the course of the past few days, the President has revoked the Bush-era conscience protections for medical personnel and betrayed marriage by ceasing the defense of DOMA. If anything, these moves represent a shift even further to the left."

On a personal note, next week I will be in Southern California to speak at a Mayor's Community Breakfast in the city of Arcadia (the birthplace of Focus on the Family). My subject will be "Celebrate Family." For the past two months, many in the gay community in Southern California have done everything in their power to keep me from coming. Several groups have received permits to demonstrate against my speaking. They have been brutal toward the mayor of the city and have disrupted city council meetings. Things have become so volatile that increased security is needed to accommodate my appearance. This troubles me. Does it you? I covet your prayers.

NOTE: On Tuesday, March 1, an Op Ed, submitted by Focus on the Family, will appear in the Pasadena Star News. You can download that piece for more information next Tuesday at http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/.

I write to you this day with a troubled heart. I know you are really busy, but like the frog in the kettle who began by taking a warm bath and soon became a meal, we can slumber through these situations and do nothing until nothing can be done.
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"Nehemiah said, 'Why should my face not look sad when the city … lies in ruins?'" (Neh. 2:3).

Be blessed and be a blessing. Again, I really do need your prayer support as I head to California next week. Please! —HBL
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