Health Care Timeline

Timeline: When health care reform will affect you

Sources: House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor committees; Kaiser Family Foundation

(CNN) — President Obama signed sweeping health care reform into law Tuesday. The Senate must now pass a package of changes that will reconcile the differences between Senate and House bills. If those changes are worked out, here is how health care reforms will affect you:

Within the first year
2011
2013
2014
2018

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President Obama June LGBT Month

Our country seems to do such a great job of being inclusive and recognizing everyone for their accomplishements and contributions to our rich and diverse cultural backgrounds.  Although we claim to be a nation founded on Biblical principles we continue to leave those founding principles in our distant past.

Yesterday, 44th president Barack Obama, proclaimed the month of June to be LGBT Pride Month.   LGBT is an acronym for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender.”  Should a sexual orientation that God considers to be a perversion of nature – even calling it blasphemous – be something we as a nation celebrate and take pride in?  Such proclamations only fuel those who support same-sex marriage and other initiatives that undermine God’s law.  Such a proclamation is the gateway to legislation that will destroy the sanctity of both marriage and the family.

Pro-family activist Peter LaBarbera says it is sad, but not surprising, that President Obama chose to issue a proclamation celebrating homosexuality. The president of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality said Obama is pandering to homosexual political activists.

“Homosexuality is nothing to be proud of — bottom line,” says LaBarbera. “The fact is people have left the lifestyle, people have overcome homosexuality [with God's help] — I think that’s something to be proud of….”

LaBarbera warns of the repercussions of the president’s pursuit of expanded rights for those who are confused about their sexual orientation.

“This proclamation talks about the entire radical homosexual agenda that Obama supports — including homosexualizing the U.S. military [and] federal so-called ‘rights’ based on homosexuality, which will impinge on the religious freedoms and freedom of conscience of other Americans.”

The Bible is very clear on the matter of homosexuality.  1 Timothy 5:20 says, “Them that sin rebuke before all that others may fear.” KJV  Additionally, Ephesians 5:11 states, that we are to take no part in unfruitful works, but we are to expose them.  Sadly, the Pew Forum recently reported that the Presbyterian Church is now moving to allow gay clergy, as have the United Methodists, United Church of Christ, Baptists, Lutherans and Episcopalians and Anglicans!

Homosexuals, which make up 1% of the populace, have choked the will out of Christians.  However, as believers, we must reach out to homosexuals, lovingly, with the message of the gospel.  We have work to do!

Don’t Forget to Remember

As I watch the inauguration of the 44th President of these United States, I sit in awe gazing at the sea of over two million people gathered on the mall for this historic occasion.  I can’t help but contrast it with the exodus of the  millions of people among the children of Israel.  It took a sovereign God to coordinate such an event as well as obedient people.  Just as millions of Americans waited today to hear something, anything from their new, God appointed leader, (Romans 13:1) the children of Israel hung onto every word that both Moses and Joshua gave to them.

God had previously parted the Red Sea for His people and ushered them safely out of Egypt.  (Exodus 14)  Later, He stopped the flow of the Jordan when it was at its highest point, during flood season.  It was a perfect opportunity for God not only show that He was with His people but, that He would move mightily on their behalf.  (Joshua 3)

Many of the people that flocked to Washington for a taste of history will take back souvenirs of all types to share with their children and their children’s children.  They will place these momentos in special places in their homes and take great care to preserve the memories.  Similarly, God told Joshua to instruct 12 men (one from each tribe) to pick up a stone from the bed of the Jordan.  The stones were placed at Gilgal.  Joshua 4:21-24 reads, “…In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, “What do these stones mean?” tell them, Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.  For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over…He did this so that all that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”  God wanted them to remember what He had done for them.  He wanted the memories to be preserved for all generations.

All too often we forget to document and commemorate the great and mighty ways God works in our lives.  As if Jesus’ cleansing blood wasn’t enough, God still moves on our behalf.   Unfortunately, we behave just like the Israelites.  Our memories grow dim and we return to our doubtful and disobedient ways as if we have no God.  Save your Obama pins, buttons, pictures and plaques.  Tell the stories to your children and grandchildren but, not before sharing how God has moved in your life.

Many African-Americans shed tears of joy and victory in celebration of a once seemingly unattainable goal today.   I can imagine the tears that were shed once the Israelites crossed over into the promised land, the joy they must have felt with every victory.  We must not forget to remember where our blessings come from.  I pray that God uses President Obama to turn the hearts of the people back to Him.  Moreover, I pray that we all continually cover President Obama with our prayers that he continually seeks the Lord.

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