Liberty Council June 26 The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today in favor of religious liberty in Trinity Lutheran Church v. Pauley and voted 7-2 that excluding the Trinity Lutheran Church from public grant program violates the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. This ruling reverses the Eighth Circuit Court’s previous decision. Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion and stated that, although the state's policy “is nothing so dramatic as the denial of political office,” “the exclusion of Trinity Lutheran from a public benefit for which it is otherwise qualified, solely because it is a church, is odious to our Constitution all the same, and cannot stand.” Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, who replaced Justice Antonin Scalia, took the bench on April 19 in time to participate in the oral arguments for this major case involving the free exercise of religion. Gorsuch and Thomas joined the entire opinion except footnote 3, which states: Read More

Monday, May 29, 2017 We urge our readers to CLICK HERE and view the recording of David Barton speaking just a few hours ago at Colleyville Covenant Church, Colleyville, TX Memorial Day History David Barton Sunday May 28, 2017 These – War is a significant part of Biblical history and God’s interaction on earth. He has gifted certain individuals to be fighters. We should honor those who have served our country in war just as we honor those who serve in other significant ways. The appropriateness of giving honor and remembering It is appropriate, and Biblically correct, to establish holidays to honor those who came before us. Deuteronomy 32:7 – Remember the days of old. Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer. This marked the first major religious liberty case since Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch was confirmed to the Court. Family Research Council’s (FRC) Director of the Center for Religious Liberty, Travis Weber, Esq., attended the oral arguments at the Court. The case will be decided later this year, likely in June. On the oral arguments, Weber commented: “After hearing the oral arguments, I am hopeful, with the recent addition of Justice Gorsuch, the Court will rule on the side of religious liberty, as clearly protected by the Constitution. Justice Gorsuch’s presence will provide a welcome originalist voice in not just the Trinity Lutheran case but also plenty of pivotal cases in the decades to come. The Court's decision in Trinity Lutheran will significantly affect the outcome in other religious liberty cases in this sitting of the Court, and Justice Gorsuch’s impact will certainly be felt in all these cases. Read More

Read the Sermon Trump Heard Before Becoming President... President Trump attended a private religious service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, across the street from the White House, as part of a modern Inauguration Day ritual. The service was led by the Rev. Robert Jeffress, a Southern Baptist who campaigned hard for Trump during the closing months of the election. Here is an exclusive transcript of Jeffress’ sermon, which drew on the story of Nehemiah, a historical figure described in the Old Testament for rebuilding Jerusalem. President-elect and Mrs. Trump, Vice-President-elect and Mrs. Pence, families and friends, it’s an honor to be with you on this historic day. President-elect Trump, I remember that it was exactly one year ago this weekend that I was with you on your Citation jet flying around Iowa before the first caucus or primary vote was cast. After our Wendy’s cheeseburgers, I said that I believed that you would be the next President of the United States. And if that happened, it would be because God had placed you there. Read More

 Special Guests:  VCA Leaders Don Blake and Greene Hollowell On WAZT-TV  and Online HERE Anytime A Special Valley We know the Valley is special in so many different ways.  It’s in the beauty of the landscape; the productivity of the land; the faith and industry of the people; and the salt-and-light influence of our churches, pastors, and teachers.    It’s also in the great group of Valley legislators who fight for us and our most deeply held values of Life, Faith, Family, and Freedom at the General Assembly in Richmond.      And then there’s the Shenandoah Christian Alliance now anchoring the north end of the Valley in Front Royal around a group of pastors and other civic-minded Christian patriots. Friends across the Mountain But what about the other side of the mountain  Do they have the same love of God & Country that we do here  Are they also concerned about the moral meltdown that we see in so much of our culture and at the top levels of our government  If so, who are they, and what are some of the ways that we can partner together to help advance Kingdom values throughout the Commonwealth Read More

 Petition information follows Bryan Fischer's article   Trump's Directive: Biblical, Constitutional, and Legal The cacophony from the political and religious left over Donald Trump’s temporary travel ban has been not only clanging but irrational and unhinged. Most of them seem on the verge of some kind of mental or emotional breakdown.  Trump’s travel restrictions halt the refugee program for a time until better vetting procedures can be implemented and halt immigration for a time from countries which are noted hotbeds of Islamic unrest.  To the degree that there is anything rational about the frenzied opposition to Trump’s directive, it is the accusation that it is un-Christian, unconstitutional, and illegal. Such opposition is wrong on all three counts.  Read More

Travis Witt | Virginia First Foundation This Op/Ed was sent to the Richmond Times-Dispatch and was rejected. I guess they are not interested in posting opinion pieces about these topics.  The cancellation announcement of Bill Federer’s presentation two days before he was to speak about Islam at Grove Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond on December 2 was surprising. The event was sponsored by Virginia Christian Alliance (VCA) and Hope for Israel. Grove Avenue advertised the event on Sundays and through other media venues. VCA’s email notification said Federer’s lecture would be rescheduled at another location. Obviously, the speaker did not renege. Grove Avenue would be used when a different date was determined. Federer lives in Virginia Beach and his travel expenses and accommodations would not create a financial burden for the hosts. VCA and Hope for Israel were hosting one of the foremost American and world historians. The expected numbers of those attending were strong. Leading up to the final days before the event, something happened to the leadership of Grove Avenue Baptist Church stopping the lecture – intimidation. Read More

.Stephen McDowell | Providence Foundation Jesus began His ministry proclaiming “the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). Three decades prior to this, the King of the Kingdom came to earth in human form. At Christmas we celebrate the incarnation – the coming of the eternal, omnipotent King. Paul defines the Kingdom of God as “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Jesus instructed us to seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, and as we do, many other things (like peace, prosperity, and joy) will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). When God’s Kingdom comes – when we submit to His government and apply His righteous standard to our lives – we will lead a peaceful and blessed life. Life without the King is restless and miserable. This peace resides chiefly within our hearts and minds, and is available even under the worst conditions. Christ, who is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), gives us peace. When the angel announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds he proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Jesus tells us, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you” (John 14:27), and “Peace to you” (John 20:29, 21, 26).   Read More

Stephen McDowell | Providence Foundation Christ’s incarnation is the most amazing event in history. God came into the world as a man, Jesus Christ, to redeem mankind and restore all things. The Bible – God’s Word – tells us about the God who made the universe and everything in it, including our planet earth, and then visited it to provide a way for man to get to heaven, to be a part of His family, and to show man how he may share in God’s kingdom and assist in bringing it to earth. One point of evidence of Christ’s divinity, as well as the divine origin of the Bible, is fulfilled prophecy. In Luke 24:24-27, Jesus claimed Himself to be the subject of prophecy all through the Old Testament. He said Scripture must be fulfilled (Matt. 13:14; Luke 21:22, John 13:18). He claimed His own words were inspired (Mark 13:31, John 6:63). In John 10:35 He said Scripture cannot be broken. His own claims to Divine origin and the claims of the Bible stand or fall together. If He cannot be proved a liar or a lunatic, the Bible is God’s Word. The Old Testament contains over 300 references to the Messiah that were fulfilled in Jesus and recorded in the New Testament. Some of these include: Read More

For those who voted for Clinton all is not lost! Trump is affirming a key Democratic issue- homosexuality. Apparently homosexual activity, marriage, military service, indoctrination of children and other gender confusions are safe under Trump’s administration. The key Democratic issue of abortion could be in danger if Roe vs. Wade is reversed. However Trump says women could still get abortions by traveling to States that would continue to allow them. Also we wonder about Trump’s friendship with Planned Parenthood, the Nation’s largest abortion business. Will he still continue the taxpayers’ annual love offering of over $500 million to them Will he try to stop the sale of baby parts for a profit Read More