TREY GOWDY CRUSHES THE OBAMA NARRATIVE ON SAVING BENGHAZI HEROES IN 38 SECONDS

BY JUSTIN GREEN

The House Benghazi Committee’s report is out, and while some in the media are downplaying its findings, what Trey Gowdy announced Tuesday will definitely raise eyebrows.

One particular item of note is whether swift action by the Obama administration could have saved Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods, former Navy SEALs working with the CIA in Benghazi.

Back in 2013, Obama Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said nothing could have gotten to Benghazi in time because:

The reason is because armed UAVs, AC-130 gunships, or fixed-wing fighters with the associated tanking, armaments, targeting and support capabilities were not in the vicinity of Libya and because of the distance, would have taken at least 9 to 12 hours if not more to deploy. This was, pure and simple, a problem of distance and time.

But Gowdy told the country in a televised press conference on Tuesday:

TREY GOWDY
“The mortar attacks could have taken place at 7:15 a.m. or 9:15 a.m. or even at lunch time on the twelfth. Because at the time those two Americans were killed, not a single wheel of a single U.S. military asset had even turned toward Libya.”

The much-awaited report also detailed a reason why they had so much trouble getting forces who could help.

NBC News reports:

In a newly revealed two-hour secure video conference on the night of the attacks led by White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and attended by Clinton and others, State Department officials raised concerns about the diplomatic sensitivities of the attire to be worn by assets launched.

In an interview with the Committee, Patrick Kennedy, the under secretary or Management at State, described the department’s sensitivity as wanting to “make sure that the steps we were taking would enhance the security of our personnel, not potentially diminish the security of our personnel.”

According to one commander, the report states, as forces prepared to deploy, “during the course of three hours, he and his Marines changed in and out of their uniforms four times.”

Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods perished, Gowdy noted, seven hours after the attack began.


ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT TERROR ATTACK: ISIS SUICIDE BOMBERS KILLED 41, WOUND 239

by Christian Post
Relatives of one of the victims of yesterday's blast at Istanbul Ataturk Airport mourn in front of a morgue in Istanbul, Turkey, June 29, 2016
Turkish investigators pored over video footage and witness statements on Wednesday after three suspected Islamic State suicide bombers opened fire and blew themselves up in Istanbul's main airport, killing 41 people and wounding 239.

The attack on Europe's third-busiest airport was the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings this year in Turkey, part of the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State and struggling to contain spillover from neighbouring Syria's war.

President Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against terrorism, which he said had "no regard for faith or values".

Five Saudis and two Iraqis were among the dead, a Turkish official said. Citizens from China, Jordan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Iran and Ukraine were also among the 13 foreigners killed.

One attacker opened fire in the departures hall with an automatic rifle, sending passengers diving for cover and trying to flee, before all three blew themselves up in or around the arrivals hall a floor below, witnesses and officials said.

Video footage showed one of the attackers inside the terminal building being shot, apparently by a police officer, before falling to the ground as people scattered. The attacker then blew himself up around 20 seconds later.

"It's a jigsaw puzzle ... The authorities are going through CCTV footage, witness statements," a Turkish official said.

The Dogan news agency said autopsies on the three bombers, whose torsos were ripped apart, had been completed and that they may have been foreign nationals, without citing its sources.

Broken ceiling panels littered the kerb outside the arrivals section of the international terminal. Plates of glass had shattered, exposing the inside of the building, and electric cables dangled from the ceiling. Cleanup crews swept up debris and armed police patrolled as flights resumed.

"This attack, targeting innocent people is a vile, planned terrorist act," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told reporters at the scene in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"There is initial evidence that each of the three suicide bombers blew themselves up after opening fire," he said. The attackers had come to the airport by taxi and preliminary findings pointed to Islamic State responsibility.

Two U.S. counterterrorism officials familiar with the early stages of investigations said Islamic State was at the top of the list of suspects even though there was no evidence yet.

No group had claimed responsibility more than 12 hours after the attack, which began around 9:50 p.m. (1850 GMT) on Tuesday.

Istanbul's position bridging Europe and Asia has made Ataturk airport, Turkey's largest, a major transit hub for passengers across the world. The Istanbul governor's office said 109 of the 239 people hospitalised had since been discharged.

"There were little babies crying, people shouting, broken glass and blood all over the floor. It was very crowded, there was chaos. It was traumatic," said Diana Eltner, 29, a Swiss psychologist who was travelling from Zurich to Vietnam but had been diverted to Istanbul after she missed a connection.

Delayed travellers were sleeping on floors at the airport, a Reuters witness said, as some passengers and airport staff cried and hugged each other. Police in kevlar vests with automatic weapons prowled the kerbside as a handful of travellers and Turkish Airlines crew trickled in.

The national carrier said it had cancelled 340 flights although its departures resumed after 8:00 am (0500 GMT).

Paul Roos, 77, a South African tourist on his way home, said he saw one of the attackers "randomly shooting" in the departures hall from about 50 metres (55 yards) away.

"He was wearing all black. His face was not masked ... We ducked behind a counter but I stood up and watched him. Two explosions went off shortly after one another. By that time he had stopped shooting," Roos told Reuters.

"He turned around and started coming towards us. He was holding his gun inside his jacket. He looked around anxiously to see if anyone was going to stop him and then went down the escalator ... We heard some more gunfire and then another explosion, and then it was over."

Aim to Maxamize Fear

The attack bore similarities to a suicide bombing by Islamic State militants at Brussels airport in March that killed 16 people. A coordinated attack also targeted a rush-hour metro train, killing a further 16 people in the Belgian capital.

Islamic State militants also claimed gun and bomb attacks that killed 129 people in Paris last November

"In Istanbul they used a combination of the methods employed in Paris and Brussels. They planned a murder that would maximize fear and loss of life," said Suleyman Ozeren, a terrorism expert at the Ankara-based Global Policy and Strategy Institute.

Turkey needs to work harder on "preventative intelligence" to stop militants being radicalised in the first place, he said.

The two U.S. officials said the Istanbul bombing was more typical of Islamic State than of Kurdish militant groups which have also carried out recent attacks in Turkey, but usually strike at official government targets.

Yildirim said it was significant that the attack took place when Turkey was having successes in fighting terrorist groups and mending ties with some of its international partners.

Turkey announced the restoration of diplomatic ties with Israel on Monday after a six-year rupture and has been trying to restore relations with Russia, a major backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

One of the U.S. officials said there had been a "marked increase" in encrypted Islamic State propaganda and communications on the dark web, which some American officials interpret as an effort to direct or inspire more attacks outside its home turf to offset its recent losses on the ground.

Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the probe, which they said is being led by Turkish officials with what they called intelligence support from the United States and other NATO allies.

(Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Can Sezer, Humeyra Pamuk in Istanbul, Ercan Gurses in Ankara, John Walcott in Washington, Pavel Polityuk in Kiev, Bozorgmehr Sharafedin and Sami Aboudi in Dubai, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Writing by Nick Tattersall; editing by Philippa Fletcher, Janet McBride)


WHEN A WIFE ASKED FOR HELP ON A PLANE, TIME TEBOW'S RESPONSE LEFT ME SPEECHLESS


What someone does for a living doesn’t always accurately reflect who they actually are. Take Tim Tebow for instance. He was a professional athlete and took a lot of criticism because of his public displays of faith, but it’s things like what he did this past weekend that really show his true character.

But as much as Tebow might get hate from people, there are even more who love him. And for good reason. Tebow is a man who makes the right decision even when the public isn’t looking.

When I heard what Tim Tebow did this time, I couldn’t help but appreciate the man even more.

Tim was on a plane bound for Phoenix over the weekend when an elderly gentleman had a heart attack and passed out. People tried to assist in any way they could, including praying, while Tim made his way to the front to see if he could be of any assistance.


Needless to say, people were pretty surprised to see Tebow on the plane. The cool thing is that he naturally took charge of the situation with a genuine desire to help. The whole thing was witnessed by a man named, Richard Gotti, and he shared his whole experience on his Facebook page:

“I have to share this story! I was traveling on Delta Airlines Flight Number 1772 from Atlanta, Georgia to Phoenix, Arizona when there was a medical emergency on board. An older gentleman began having what appeared to be heart problems, and he went unconscious. I watched strangers from all over the world and every ethnicity come to the help of this man for over an hour! Whether it was chest compressions, starting an IV, helping breathe life into this man, or praying everyone helped! I listened to shock after shock from the AED machine and still no pulse. No one gave up. I observed people praying and lifting this man up to the Lord in a way that I’ve never seen before. The crew of Delta Airlines were amazing. They acted in a fast and professional manner! Then all of a sudden, I observed a guy walking down the aisle. That guy was Tim Tebow. He met with the family as they cried on his shoulder! I watched Tim pray with the entire section of the plane for this man. He made a stand for God in a difficult situation. The plane landed in Phoenix and that was the first time they got a pulse back! Please share this with your friends! Pray for this man and his family, and also thank God that we still have people of faith who in times of difficulty look to the Lord!”

Tim left his First Class seat and moved to the back of the plane to be of assistance to the man’s wife and pray for the situation. And he didn’t stop there. Once the plane landed, Tim transported the wife to the hospital to be by her husband’s side.



Dire situations like that one test your resolve. It brings to mind the scripture passage in Ephesians 6:13-14:

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…”

You do everything you can do in the physical, but when that’s been exhausted, you have to fall back on His word and His promises. STAND FIRM!

This story of Tim’s courage hits home for me personally because in February 2015, my father was running on a trail he knew well in Waco, TX, when the unthinkable happened. He had just finished a short two mile run when he started to complain of feeling sick and dizzy, and went to take a seat before collapsing. Thankfully, he happened to be running with some Baylor students, which was rare since he always runs alone. The students immediately started CPR on him and called an ambulance while praying the entire time. If they hadn’t been there with my father, he would have died right there on the trail. Today he is truly a walking, talking, breathing miracle.

It’s courage in the midst of trouble that really shows us who we are. And trusting God that He sends the right people at the right time can make all of the difference. So when praying people like Tebow and students from Baylor show up to help, you know that God is in control of the situation.



Tim values life because doctors actually suggested that his mother should abort him! His parents were missionaries in the Philippines and when his mother became sick, she was given very strong drugs before they knew she was pregnant. His parents valued life and knew God would protect little Tim! Because of this connection to the Philippines, Tim has set up a hospital there for people who can’t afford to pay for a hospital visit themselves.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…” Ephesians 6:13-14

Thank you Tim Tebow for allowing the Lord to use you in many ways. We are praying for you and support you!


If you’re a fan of Tim Tebow and love the example that he sets for others, share this story with others!

WHEN A WIFE ASKED FOR HELP ON A PLANE, TIME TEBOW'S RESPONSE LEFT ME SPEECHLESS


What someone does for a living doesn’t always accurately reflect who they actually are. Take Tim Tebow for instance. He was a professional athlete and took a lot of criticism because of his public displays of faith, but it’s things like what he did this past weekend that really show his true character.

But as much as Tebow might get hate from people, there are even more who love him. And for good reason. Tebow is a man who makes the right decision even when the public isn’t looking.

When I heard what Tim Tebow did this time, I couldn’t help but appreciate the man even more.

Tim was on a plane bound for Phoenix over the weekend when an elderly gentleman had a heart attack and passed out. People tried to assist in any way they could, including praying, while Tim made his way to the front to see if he could be of any assistance.


Needless to say, people were pretty surprised to see Tebow on the plane. The cool thing is that he naturally took charge of the situation with a genuine desire to help. The whole thing was witnessed by a man named, Richard Gotti, and he shared his whole experience on his Facebook page:

“I have to share this story! I was traveling on Delta Airlines Flight Number 1772 from Atlanta, Georgia to Phoenix, Arizona when there was a medical emergency on board. An older gentleman began having what appeared to be heart problems, and he went unconscious. I watched strangers from all over the world and every ethnicity come to the help of this man for over an hour! Whether it was chest compressions, starting an IV, helping breathe life into this man, or praying everyone helped! I listened to shock after shock from the AED machine and still no pulse. No one gave up. I observed people praying and lifting this man up to the Lord in a way that I’ve never seen before. The crew of Delta Airlines were amazing. They acted in a fast and professional manner! Then all of a sudden, I observed a guy walking down the aisle. That guy was Tim Tebow. He met with the family as they cried on his shoulder! I watched Tim pray with the entire section of the plane for this man. He made a stand for God in a difficult situation. The plane landed in Phoenix and that was the first time they got a pulse back! Please share this with your friends! Pray for this man and his family, and also thank God that we still have people of faith who in times of difficulty look to the Lord!”

Tim left his First Class seat and moved to the back of the plane to be of assistance to the man’s wife and pray for the situation. And he didn’t stop there. Once the plane landed, Tim transported the wife to the hospital to be by her husband’s side.



Dire situations like that one test your resolve. It brings to mind the scripture passage in Ephesians 6:13-14:

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…”

You do everything you can do in the physical, but when that’s been exhausted, you have to fall back on His word and His promises. STAND FIRM!

This story of Tim’s courage hits home for me personally because in February 2015, my father was running on a trail he knew well in Waco, TX, when the unthinkable happened. He had just finished a short two mile run when he started to complain of feeling sick and dizzy, and went to take a seat before collapsing. Thankfully, he happened to be running with some Baylor students, which was rare since he always runs alone. The students immediately started CPR on him and called an ambulance while praying the entire time. If they hadn’t been there with my father, he would have died right there on the trail. Today he is truly a walking, talking, breathing miracle.

It’s courage in the midst of trouble that really shows us who we are. And trusting God that He sends the right people at the right time can make all of the difference. So when praying people like Tebow and students from Baylor show up to help, you know that God is in control of the situation.



Tim values life because doctors actually suggested that his mother should abort him! His parents were missionaries in the Philippines and when his mother became sick, she was given very strong drugs before they knew she was pregnant. His parents valued life and knew God would protect little Tim! Because of this connection to the Philippines, Tim has set up a hospital there for people who can’t afford to pay for a hospital visit themselves.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…” Ephesians 6:13-14

Thank you Tim Tebow for allowing the Lord to use you in many ways. We are praying for you and support you!

If you’re a fan of Tim Tebow and love the example that he sets for others, share this story with others!

BUDDHIST MONK DIED WAS DEAD FOR 3 DAYS, SHOCKED TO SEE BUDDHA IN HELL. NOW, HE BELIEVES IN JESUS AFTER...

by IM SO BLESSED DALILY

This is an account of a Buddhist monk named Athet Pyan Shinthaw Paulu who was dead for 3 days and visited hell that changed his life forever.

He was very disturbed to see Gautama Buddha in hell that he protested, “Gautama had good ethics and good moral character, why is he suffering in this lake of fire?”

The king of hell answered him, “It doesn’t matter how good he was. He is in this place because he did not believe in the Eternal God.”

“Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now you do know Him and have seen Him” (John 14:6-7).


EVANGELICAL LEADERS SHOWING OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR TRUMP

After Dr. James Dobson, founder of the Colorado-based Focus on the Family ministry, asserted that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recently became a born-again Christian, the billionaire's campaign manager, Paul Manafort, refused to address the claim on Sunday.
Speaking to Chuck Todd, host of NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Manafort declined discussing Dobson's claim but said he had never seen so much support from the evangelical community for one candidate in his 40 years of working in politics.
"I'm not gonna speak to Donald Trump and his embrace of religion. You have to talk to him about that," said Manafort, who was hired by Trump in late March to be the real estate mogul's convention manager.
Manafort is a Washington operative well-known for his ability to polish the images of African tyrants and a Ukrainian kleptocrat according to The Telegraph. His extraordinary past roster of clients, include Ferdinand Marcos, the dictator of the Philippines, Unita rebels in Angola and Siad Barre, the military ruler of Somalia until his downfall in 1991.

"I will say however that the evangelical leaders that have been a part of the Christian movement in the United States, came together last week and showed overwhelming support for Mr. Trump and frankly in my 40 years of politics I've never seen such a broad base of support within that community for one candidate," Manafort continued.
Pressed further by Todd to confirm or deny Dobson's assertion, however, Manafort held his position.
"What I can speak to is that Christians across this country and the leadership of the evangelical movement are broadly united for Mr. Trump and his campaign," he said.
After a meeting with more than 1,000 evangelical Christian leaders in New York City last Tuesday, a number of leaders who attended said at a press conference that Trump put forth the case that he is a better choice than presumptive Democratic presidential nominee for protecting religious freedom in America. No mention was made however of Trump's recent born-again experience.
Dobson explained in an interview with Michael Anthony of Godfactor.com that he learned of Trump's born-again experience at a smaller meeting with the billionaire at Trump Tower last Tuesday morning.

"I was in a smaller group this morning at Trump Tower … I got the chance to interact with him. He's a lot nicer guy than you realize … I think he is listening. There are a lot of people ministering to him personally … He did accept the relationship with Christ, I know the person who led him to Christ and that's fairly recent," Dobson said.
"I don't know when it was but it has not been long. I believe he really made a commitment. He's a baby Christian, we all need to be praying for him especially if there is a possibility of him being our next chief executive officer and I think that he is open," Dobson continued.
"He doesn't know our language. You know, we had 40 Christians together with him. He used the word hell four or five times. He doesn't know our language, he really doesn't. And he refers a lot to religion and not much to faith and belief," Dobson added. "You got to cut him some slack, he didn't grow up like we did. I think there's hope for him and I think there is hope for us. I have great concerns about the next election."
Throughout his campaign, Trump has claimed that he is a Christian and a Presbyterian. The notion that he only recently decided to become a Christ-follower is a new take on Trump's faith.
Evangelical leader Ralph Reed also said Trump "talked about personal faith, importance of faith" last Tuesday according to CNN.
"But he made it abundantly clear, 'I don't know the Bible as well as you do, I'm not a theologian, but I'm a Christian,'" Reed said. "He talked about his children and how he raised his children, moral values, don't smoke, don't drink, don't do drugs."
Reed further noted: "It's not really our job to judge other peoples' spiritual journey. Just because they're not in the same place we are, we accept him for who he is now."

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/trump-campaign-manager-paul-manafort-accepted-jesus-james-dobson-165726/#gw5lCZBPvDJ0bTO7.99

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/trump-campaign-manager-paul-manafort-accepted-jesus-james-dobson-165726/#hyQKCMTiVrk1et2k.99
BY LEONARDO BLAIR
Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia, U.S., June 10, 2016.
After Dr. James Dobson, founder of the Colorado-based Focus on the Family ministry, asserted that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recently became a born-again Christian, the billionaire's campaign manager, Paul Manafort, refused to address the claim on Sunday.

Speaking to Chuck Todd, host of NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Manafort declined discussing Dobson's claim but said he had never seen so much support from the evangelical community for one candidate in his 40 years of working in politics.

"I'm not gonna speak to Donald Trump and his embrace of religion. You have to talk to him about that," said Manafort, who was hired by Trump in late March to be the real estate mogul's convention manager.

Manafort is a Washington operative well-known for his ability to polish the images of African tyrants and a Ukrainian kleptocrat according to The Telegraph. His extraordinary past roster of clients, include Ferdinand Marcos, the dictator of the Philippines, Unita rebels in Angola and Siad Barre, the military ruler of Somalia until his downfall in 1991.

"I will say however that the evangelical leaders that have been a part of the Christian movement in the United States, came together last week and showed overwhelming support for Mr. Trump and frankly in my 40 years of politics I've never seen such a broad base of support within that community for one candidate," Manafort continued.

Pressed further by Todd to confirm or deny Dobson's assertion, however, Manafort held his position.

"What I can speak to is that Christians across this country and the leadership of the evangelical movement are broadly united for Mr. Trump and his campaign," he said.

After a meeting with more than 1,000 evangelical Christian leaders in New York City last Tuesday, a number of leaders who attended said at a press conference that Trump put forth the case that he is a better choice than presumptive Democratic presidential nominee for protecting religious freedom in America. No mention was made however of Trump's recent born-again experience.

Dobson explained in an interview with Michael Anthony of Godfactor.com that he learned of Trump's born-again experience at a smaller meeting with the billionaire at Trump Tower last Tuesday morning.

"I was in a smaller group this morning at Trump Tower … I got the chance to interact with him. He's a lot nicer guy than you realize … I think he is listening. There are a lot of people ministering to him personally … He did accept the relationship with Christ, I know the person who led him to Christ and that's fairly recent," Dobson said.

"I don't know when it was but it has not been long. I believe he really made a commitment. He's a baby Christian, we all need to be praying for him especially if there is a possibility of him being our next chief executive officer and I think that he is open," Dobson continued.

"He doesn't know our language. You know, we had 40 Christians together with him. He used the word hell four or five times. He doesn't know our language, he really doesn't. And he refers a lot to religion and not much to faith and belief," Dobson added. "You got to cut him some slack, he didn't grow up like we did. I think there's hope for him and I think there is hope for us. I have great concerns about the next election."

Throughout his campaign, Trump has claimed that he is a Christian and a Presbyterian. The notion that he only recently decided to become a Christ-follower is a new take on Trump's faith.

Evangelical leader Ralph Reed also said Trump "talked about personal faith, importance of faith" last Tuesday according to CNN.

"But he made it abundantly clear, 'I don't know the Bible as well as you do, I'm not a theologian, but I'm a Christian,'" Reed said. "He talked about his children and how he raised his children, moral values, don't smoke, don't drink, don't do drugs."

Reed further noted: "It's not really our job to judge other peoples' spiritual journey. Just because they're not in the same place we are, we accept him for who he is now."



KENNETH & GLORIA ACCEPT TRUMP'S INVITATION TO JOIN FAITH & CULTURE ADVISORY BOARD

by Kenneth Copeland
Kenneth & Gloria Copeland
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland have accepted an invitation to be a part of The Faith & Culture National Advisory Board that presidential candidate Donald Trump is forming.

By accepting this invitation, the Copelands have the opportunity to be valuable contributors to conversations surrounding important issues relating to faith and culture that could shape the future of our nation.

With a solid Christian worldview from almost 50 years of teaching the Word of God, the Copelands will speak intelligently into the issues at hand and present strong Biblical perspectives. In addition, this is an occasion for them to share their faith with Mr. Trump and influential members of the board.

This presents a wonderful opportunity to further the Christian faith in our political process, and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland are honored to be included.

Advising a presidential candidate, or even a sitting president, is not a political endorsement; therefore, the Copelands’ participation on this board should not be considered an endorsement of Mr. Trump for president.

Please join Kenneth, Gloria and the entire Kenneth Copeland Ministries staff in praying according to 1 Timothy 2: 1-4I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
And remember…Jesus is Lord!


PENTECOSTAL PASTOR: MY CITY TOLD ME THE NAME OFJESUS PAVES THE WAY FOR HATE SPEECH

by JESSILYN JUSTICE
A pastor says he was prohibited from advertising the name of Jesus. (Courtesy/Lawson Perdue)
A local transit advertising agency refused to renew a pastor's contract because he advertised the name of Jesus.

"I asked the city person, 'Why are you not allowing me to advertise the name of Jesus?'" Charis Christian Center's Lawson Perdue says. "She said, 'Because if you use name of Jesus in ads, then we must allow hate messaging.'

"I said, 'Ma'am, the name of Jesus is in no way representing hate messaging,'" Perdue recalls.

Now, the Colorado Springs pastor says he is prepared to fight the discrimination all the way to the Supreme Court with the help of Alliance Defending Freedom.

The pastor's case for religious freedom is so strong even a prominent atheist sides with the pastor.

"I don't like that at all. I think that's wrong. To me, this is a violation of their First Amendment rights. We would caution the city of Colorado Springs to prepare for a lawsuit. I don't think this is one they're going to win," Military Religious Freedom Foundation's Mikey Weinstein told the Colorado Springs Independent.

"This is plainly censorship, plainly not freedom of speech or freedom of religion," Perdue says. "(My case) is so basic, it's so basic. What the city is quoting ... well, they are showing favoritism. I paid for ads, I bought space, and the name of Jesus not a hate message. I don't know what's wrong with them."

The city drama began last Tuesday. Perdue says Mountain Metro Transit, which runs the bus bench advertising Perdue purchased, received one complaint in the three years he has proclaimed the name of Jesus.

They refused to renew his contract. Perdue went to the mayor and Colorado Springs City Council.

In a statement, Mountain Metro Transit said its advertising policy is being reviewed in relation to the First Amendment, according to The Gazette. Spokeswoman Vicki McCann said Mountain Metro is working with the city attorney's office to determine if the advertising policy will be changed.

"I told a city council member when I talked to them, 'Listen I can produce 50,000 signatures in Colorado Springs (in favor of the bus bench ads with the name of Jesus),'" Perdue says. "I said, 'We are not going to stand for that. It's just not right.'"

Perdue says there are four levels of an attack concerning the ads.
The issue is not that they are not allowing us to advertise, but they are not allowing us to advertise the name of Jesus!

This is an attack:
1) On the First Amendment rights of all citizens of the United States of America.
2) On the freedoms that we enjoy as citizens of the U.S.
3) On all who call on the name of Jesus, including, but not limited to, Catholics, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, and Charismatics.
4) On our personal and corporate faith as Christians (believers in Jesus).

Right now, Perdue says an ADF attorney has taken his case, but he has not filed an official lawsuit. The pastor refuses to back down, though, and will continue to preach the name of Jesus.
 


200,000 TIBETANS, INCLUDING 62 BUDDHIST MONKS, COME TO JESUS

by Sunday Adelaja

Something wonderful in the Christian sense is happening in Tibet, a region in China considered as the highest in the world and the home of Mount Everest, earth’s highest mountain rising more than 29,009 feet above sea level.

Tibetans are mostly Buddhist, but there are also some Muslims and Christians, according to sources.

Last year, one Tibetan Buddhist priest embraced Jesus Christ and became a Christian pastor after seeing the love of Christ shown by a group of Christian workers who helped out and provided relief goods to the people of the region when a major earthquake struck the area, according to Joe Handley, president of Asian Access, a Christian organisation seeking to spread God’s Word in South Asia.

Now, the seed of Christian love has grown. In an update, Handley reports that 62 other Buddhist monks have decided to follow the footsteps of the former Buddhist lama and are now following Christ as well.

And that’s not all. “Just within the last year alone, [church leaders] are estimating that more than 200,000 people have come to Christ as a result of the labours of the Christian community there,” Handley says.

What is causing this avalanche of Christian conversions?

Handley says this is all due to the work of Christian workers who provided hope and healing to the people of Tibet in the aftermath of last year’s devastating quake. “They haven’t seen Buddhists, Hindus, or other religious groups helping in the midst of the rubble. Rather, week after week, it is the followers of Jesus who have proved the test of time, sacrificed their own lives to serve and been the hands and feet of Jesus,” he says.

Asian Access is playing a key role in this spiritual movement by training church leaders with the aim of establishing long-term spiritual growth in the region.

“Asian Access just has the privilege of coming alongside key pastors like the ones that have invested in this Tibetan priest’s life,” Handley says. “We invest deeply, building their capacity so they can reach their communities.”

“God does amazing things when you invest in people and see them grow deeper in Him, grow stronger as leaders, learn how to reproduce other leaders, and then it spreads through church planting efforts in ways that are simply remarkable,” he adds.

Asian Access is now seeking the prayer and financial support of Christians worldwide so that the organisation could nurture the spiritual movement in South Asia.



WHY I AGREED TO SERVE ON DONALD TRUMP'S EVANGELICAL COUNCIL

By JAMES ROBISON
In this video screengrab, Donald Trump speaks with evangelical leaders during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, June 21, 2016.
GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the creation of an executive council of evangelical leaders to advise him on topics of concern to the faith community and all those who understand the foundation essential for freedom. After much prayer, I accepted an invitation to be part of that group. Understandably some people I love and respect have questioned why I made this decision. Please permit me to address their concerns.

James Robison
First, I want to underscore that I am not endorsing Mr. Trump or any political candidate. I have made it very clear for my entire 55-year ministry: I do not endorse candidates. I endorse and share with everyone the principles of faith and freedom. Any candidate, including many who ran this year, heard me begin my conversation with them with the words, “I do not endorse candidates or political parties. I share biblical truth and principles essential to the freedom our founders and the Constitution provided to the American people.” They knew my counsel always came without an endorsement. I will gladly counsel Hillary Clinton or any other national candidate willing to hear me.

Second, when I have met with Mr. Trump, it wasn’t a meaningless photo opp. There were no pictures and it wasn’t wasted time. I encouraged him, while assuring him of our love for him and his family, and concern for America’s future. But I also spoke bluntly and forcefully about where I’m convinced he needs to make essential changes in his approach and rhetoric while gaining the wisdom that comes from above to become the effective leader necessary to correct our nation’s dangerous course.

Third, I am compelled to do so by many examples in the Bible. Whether it was Joseph counseling Pharaoh, Daniel counseling Nebuchadnezzar, Nathan calling King David to account, Samuel speaking prophetically to King Saul, the Apostle Paul in chains before King Agrippa, or countless other biblical instances. God calls his followers as ambassadors for Christ to engage, at times personally and directly, with secular leaders — including the godly, the wicked and others who may or may not find their way to the heart of their Creator.

Will Trump take to heart and benefit from the counsel that I and other Christian leaders offer him? Or at the end of the day will he be satisfied attempting to use us to try and score points with evangelical voters? Only God knows. But for my part, I am going to faithfully proclaim biblical truth, knowing it is my duty to speak truth in love to him and others at every opportunity.

In April I met privately with Mr. Trump because Dr. Ben Carson had encouraged him to do so. At that time and this week in two meetings on Tuesday in New York City with evangelical leaders, I heard and witnessed what may be a miraculous start in the opportunity to impact someone with the truth of God delivered in love and patience. With as much sensitivity as possible, I have sought to deliver the counsel of Joseph, Daniel, the Old Testament prophets and the lessons of the New Testament with Mr. Trump, which is also the desire of others on the council.

In New York Tuesday, I met first with Mr. Trump and a small group of leaders he refers to as an advisory council. Then we went to meet with nearly 1,000 evangelical leaders. We heard Mr. Trump respond to important issues, including the need to protect religious freedom. I sat there while black, white and Latino pastors shared with him their concerns, including the pressing need for Trump to build bridges and not just walls. I totally agree.

I am personally convinced Mr. Trump has opened the door to hear from God and His Word through Christians and church leaders who love him, his family, and this country and want the best for every American. He says boldly, “I want to make America great again,” to which I responded personally and forcefully to him, “Only God and ‘We the people’ can make America great again!” In no way did he push back, and with all my heart I pray we can have a leader that will point us to that reality.

At the close of that larger gathering, I shared with those attending and prayed. I told these church leaders that I believe Donald Trump is attracted to the compassionate, courageous Jesus he has seen in some Christians. I’m praying he will see Jesus high and lifted up in His body, the church, and that the church will become the shining city set on a hill Jesus referenced — one that “cannot be hidden” — because we have joined together in oneness with the Father and supernatural unity with one another.

Now, don’t mistake unity for sameness. Faithful Christians will continue to differ on many things, including on how we should respond to our political choices this November. But my prayer is that this diversity and these differences will not degenerate into discord and broken relationships. Our next president is for a few short years. Our King and church family is forever.

May we truly become the body of Christ, connected to one another, fulfilling our distinctive roles, submitted totally to the head, Jesus Christ. And in the mean time, I will go on sharing Jesus, His wisdom and the enduring principles of freedom to anyone who will hear me.


DECORATED AIR FORCE VETERAN ASSAULTED AND DRAGGED OUT OF RETIREMENT CEREMONY OVER THE WORD "GOD"


Oscar Rodriguez, Jr. is a decorated Air Force veteran

Oscar Rodriguez, Jr. enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserve in 1980. During his career he initially trained as an Avionics Technician and was later promoted to Section Chief. He served as Section Chief for the majority of his career before retiring as Senior Master Sergeant in 2013. Rodriguez received many accolades and decorations during his time of service.

During his 33 years of service, Rodriguez sacrificed greatly for our nation – including losing his business as a result of being called to active duty from the Reserve. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) spoke of Mr. Rodriguez’s story from the Senate floor as an example of how our veterans pay a high price to serve our nation.

For many years, Rodriguez regularly performed a patriotic flag-folding speech at retirement ceremonies, and civic and patriotic events.

In 2013, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) sent Rodriguez a hand-written note thanking him for his service, and expressing how moved he was when he observed Oscar delivering his flag-folding speech at the California State Fair.

Rodriguez Assaulted and Dragged Out of Retirement Ceremony

Master Sergeant (MSgt) Charles “Chuck” Roberson is a USAF veteran who retired on April 3, 2016 at Travis Air Force Base. A month before his retirement, Roberson saw Rodriguez perform the flag-folding speech at a friend’s retirement ceremony. Moved by the speech, Roberson personally asked Rodriguez to give the same speech at his own retirement ceremony. Rodriguez readily agreed. Read a script of the speech.

When Roberson’s unit commander discovered that Rodriguez would be delivering the flag-folding speech, which mentions “God,” during the ceremony, he attempted to prevent Rodriguez from attending. After learning that he lacked authority to prevent Rodriguez from attending, the commander then told Roberson that Rodriguez could not give the speech. Rodriguez asked Roberson what he should do, and Roberson responded that it was his personal desire that Rodriguez give the flag-folding speech as planned. Watch Roberson tell his story.

Roberson and Rodriguez tried to clear the speech through higher authorities at Travis Air Force Base, even offering to place notices on the door informing guests that the word “God” would be mentioned. They never received a response from the authorities. As an Air Force veteran himself, Rodriguez stood firm on his commitment to Roberson.



But when Rodriguez stood up to perform the flag-folding speech on the day of the ceremony as requested by Roberson, uniformed Airmen approached him and warned, “You’re really going to do this?”

And when Rodriguez began speaking, multiple Airmen physically assaulted him, dragging him out of the ceremony. Travis Air Force Base officials then threw Rodriguez off the base.


 Rodriguez says he is shocked and humiliated by what happened at the retirement ceremony.

“To even imagine that I would be removed while the American flag is being unfurled and open—the flag which represents freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press…it’s horrifying.”

Rodriguez filed a complaint with his Congressman, Jeff Denham (R-CA), who launched an inquiry into the incident.

As Rodriguez recalls the experience, he says it was “one of the most humiliating experiences” of his life.

“I have given more than three decades of service to the military and made many sacrifices for my country,” said Rodriguez. “To have the Air Force assault me and drag me out of a retirement ceremony simply because my speech included the word ‘God’ is something I never expected from our military.”

First Liberty Legal Action

Because Rodriguez is a private citizen, he has every right to mention the word “God” under the First Amendment of the Constitution.

“The Air Force had no right to assault a citizen, much less a 33-year military veteran, because they didn’t want him to mention ‘God,’” says Mike Berry, Director of Military Affairs for First Liberty Institute. “Mr. Rodriguez has a constitutional right to free speech and religious expression, even on a military base.”

“The military broke the law and abused its power,” said Berry. “We expect the Air Force to hold those responsible accountable, and allow Mr. Rodriguez to continue honoring the flag and other veterans who have sacrificed for our country.”

On June 20, 2016, First Liberty sent a demand letter to military leaders, asking the United States Air Force to admit their wrongdoing, apologize to Rodriguez, and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Read the demand letter.

Two days later, the Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James ordered the Air Force Inspector General to review the Air Force’s actions against Mr. Rodriguez.

Multiple media outlets also reported that the Air Force acknowledged that religious scripts may be used in flag folding ceremonies.

“Air Force personnel may use a flag folding ceremony script that is religious for retirement ceremonies,” the Air Force said in a statement. “Since retirement ceremonies are personal in nature, the script preference for a flag folding ceremony is at the discretion of the individual being honored and represents the member’s views, not those of the Air Force. The Air Force places the highest value of the rights of its personnel in matters of religion and facilitates the free exercise of religion by its members.”

In response, Mike Berry, Director of Military Affairs for First Liberty Institute, says, “We view the Pentagon’s action today as a positive first step towards not only acknowledging that religious scripts may be used at retirement ceremonies, but also ensuring these kinds of situations are not repeated.”

In the demand letter, First Liberty attorneys asked the Air Force to send a written apology to Mr. Rodriguez and to hold all responsible parties accountable for the assault on Mr. Rodriguez by June 27.


WHAT DOES THE UK'S "LEAVE " VOTE MEAN FOR THE US?

by BOB ESCHLIMAN

Americans woke up Friday to an utterly different world.

The British voted Thursday night to leave the European Union, which will now have to be completed—as gracefully as possible—within the next two years. British Prime Minister David Cameron, as a result, tendered his resignation, to happen sometime in the next three months—and the financial markets are in chaos.

But what does this mean for Americans?

Once the results were firmly established, shortly after midnight EDT, American political leaders began weighing in on the matter. The White House issued a statement that said President Obama had been briefed and that he would be speaking with Cameron "soon."

"The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision," Obama said later Friday morning. "The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom's membership in NATO remains a vital cornerstone of U.S. foreign, security, and economic policy.

"Our relationship with the European Union is as well. It has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth, and foster the spread of democratic values and ideals across the continent and beyond.

"The United Kingdom and the European Union will remain indispensable partners of the United States even as they begin negotiating their ongoing relationship to ensure continued stability, security, and prosperity for Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the world."

The president had previously said the U.K. would "move to the back of the queue" (back of the line) for transatlantic trade deals, if it voted to leave the E.U. Those comments were blasted by pro-Leave leaders, as well as by Republicans in Congress, who had taken a decidedly different view on the referendum.

"I respect the decision made by the people of the United Kingdom," Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said. "The U.K. is an indispensable ally of the United States, and that special relationship is unaffected by this vote."

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had urged Britons to remain in the E.U., but hadn't taken as strident a view of it as Obama. While refusing to threaten the U.K. if its voters chose to Leave, Clinton did say she preferred to see a "strong United Kingdom in a strong European Union."

The Democratic presidential nominee-in-waiting has yet to respond to the vote. Her Republican counterpart, however, has been far less silent.

"The people of the United Kingdom have exercised the sacred right of all free peoples," he said early Friday morning while visiting one of his newly renovated golf properties in Scotland. "They have declared their independence from the European Union and have voted to reassert control over their own politics, borders and economy.

"A Trump Administration pledges to strengthen our ties with a free and independent Britain, deepening our bonds in commerce, culture and mutual defense. The whole world is more peaceful and stable when our two countries—and our two peoples—are united together, as they will be under a Trump Administration.

"Come November, the American people will have the chance to re-declare their independence. Americans will have a chance to vote for trade, immigration and foreign policies that put our citizens first. They will have the chance to reject today's rule by the global elite, and to embrace real change that delivers a government of, by and for the people. I hope America is watching, it will soon be time to believe in America again."

It's going to be a rough start financially for the U.S. on Friday, though. Stock market futures expect to see a 650-point loss in the Dow Jones Industrial Average when the markets open this morning. Some analysts are concerned it could trigger another American recession, as well.

A 650-point drop would be the sixth-worst dive in Dow's history. The five other worst days came during the 2008 "Great Recession" and the 2001 "Dot Com Bubble" burst. For their part, British banks have attempted to provide some stability to their own markets, but the impact will be felt globally.

This is due to the influence of derivatives and hedge funds, many of which were likely expecting a Remain vote on Thursday. In actuality, U.S. trade with the U.K. is only about 3 percent of GDP, so a British recession shouldn't have a huge impact on Americans, but moves by large numbers of hedge funds to capitalize on the new volatility could actually lead to a new American recession, as well.

The E.U. is now on life support. Following the results Thursday night, France, Italy, and the Netherlands have all called for their own exit referenda. Geert Wilders, a Dutch Member of the European Parliament who is currently running for Prime Minister in his home country, said he will force a vote if he wins the upcoming general election.

"We want be in charge of our own country, our own money, our own borders, and our own immigration policy," he said. "As quickly as possible the Dutch need to get the opportunity to have their say about Dutch membership of the European Union.

"It is time for a new start, relying on our own strength and sovereignty ... If I become prime minister, there will be a referendum in the Netherlands on leaving the European Union as well. Let the Dutch people decide."

The U.K. could be in trouble—not just financially—as well. Scotland, which voted overwhelmingly Remain on Thursday night, is already demanding its own referendum on independence. Scottish voters narrowly rejected a similar referendum in 2014, but retained the right to a new vote if a "significant and material change" in circumstances occurred.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Leave result is "democratically unacceptable" to Scotland.

"I intend to take all possible steps and explore all possible options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted—in other words to secure our continuing place in the EU, and in the single market in particular," she said from her official residence, Bute House, early Friday morning. "I think an independence referendum is now highly likely but I also think it is important that we take time to consider all steps and have the discussions, not least to assess the response of the European Union to the vote that Scotland expressed yesterday."

While other political leaders in Scotland said another independence referendum would not be in the Scotland's best interests, many concluded it may still happen.


CALIFORNIA BILL TARGETS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

California State Sen. Ricardo Lara, left, huddles before a press conference with other members of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus.
Concerns are being expressed over a California bill that some believe could ban Christian universities from living out their faith in regard to homosexuality and transgenderism, and potentially other issues as well.

S.B. 1146 was introduced in February by Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, to close what Lara called a “loophole” in current federal and state law, including the religious exemption allowed under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance,” Title IX reads in part.

Although the law has been most known as being applied to discrimination against women and in situations related to girls who desire to participate in sports programs, the Department of Education recently told various schools that it interprets Title IX to also apply to transgender students. Faith-based schools are allowed to request an exemption if the “application of the law would conflict with specific tenets of the religion.”

Christian identifying schools have increasingly requested the exemption because of the Obama administration’s view of the meaning of Title IX, and last month, the U.S. Department of Education released a list of colleges and universities that have requested exemptions. Six of those schools are in California.

California law also contains a provision in its non-discrimination law that exempts “an educational institution that is controlled by a religious organization if the application would not be consistent with the religious tenets of that organization.”

Now, Sen. Lara wants to close what he views as a “loophole” in federal and state law by requiring all faith-based schools that request an exemption to provide prospective students and staff notification on the school’s policies on homosexuality and transgenderism.

“Each postsecondary educational institution in this state that claims an exemption pursuant to Section 901(a)(3) of the federal Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 … shall disclose to current and prospective students, faculty members, and employees the basis for claiming the exemption,” his proposed bill reads in part.

The only exemption would be in relation to programs that “prepare students to become ministers of the religion … to enter upon some other vocation of the religion … or to teach theological subjects pertaining to the religion.”

“California has established strong protections for the LGBTQ community and private universities should not be able to use faith as an excuse to discriminate and avoid complying with state laws. No university should have a license to discriminate,” Lara said in a statement.

But the bill has also drawn concerns from those who believe that the bill’s intention is to force faith-based schools to violate their convictions on homosexuality and transgenderism, and that only schools that train pastors will be left with any protections.

“The effect of the amendment would be to redefine religious liberty so as to make a clear distinction between institutions that integrate religious faith and public vocation and those that focus only on parochial training,” explained Samuel James of the Southern Baptist Convention in a recent post on the matter.

“Conceivably, supporters of the bill are fine with the idea of students receiving a religious education that teaches that marriage is the union of a man and a woman, and that sexual expressions outside this category are morally problematic—as long as this education is clearly not intended to go beyond the walls of a church service or a seminary lecture hall,” he stated. “Pastors and polemicists, yes. Business managers and brain surgeons, not so much.”

James opined that the concept could carry over into other sins as well.

“[T]his isn’t just about sexual orientation and gender identity. It’s about the right to take seriously a narrative of human nature that disagrees with the progressive consensus,” he said. “Forget same-sex marriage. Why should the California legislature suffer any school that forbids premarital and extramarital sex to exist? Why should any school be allowed to tell an adulterous husband that he is morally disqualified from ministry? Why should any institution of higher learning be allowed to lecture on the permanence and indissolubility of marriage to a student who has fallen in love with someone else?”

“Thus, Christian education itself unravels,” James stated. “Conservatives have warned for some time now of a serious attempt by sexual revolutionaries to make religious belief synonymous with religious worship; ergo, the private ritual of religion is what’s protected by ‘free exercise,’ not the living out of such beliefs in the public square.”


A CAVE TURNED INTO A CHURCH TO WORSHIP JESUS IN EGYPT, 70,000+ GATHER EVERY WEEK TO WORSHIP


A cave church in Egypt is one of the largest churches in the country, a place where more than 70,000 Christians gather every week to worship and praise the name of Jesus.

Being in the Arabic world, surrounded by all Islam dominated countries, it is very hard to maintain the custom and continue their coptic culture. Yet, their uncompromising faith to gather and praise the ‘Name that’s Above Every Other Name’ “Jesus” in the Cave Church.

A special arabic song ‘Emmanuel” is sung by almost 70,000 in the cave church gives goosebumps to people to hear it. Watch the video here.


Churches in Egypt have seen their communities decline in recent years as Egypt has faced political turmoil, a slumping economy and a growing militant insurgency. The exodus of christians has intensified fears for the future for Christianity in the Middle East (Arab World), as some now worry for the fate of Egypt’s Christians, one of the world’s oldest Christian communities.


“Mostly they’re travelling to US to find better opportunities because of uncertainties in Egypt,” said Rev. Markos Ayoub, a priest who leads the Sunday liturgy at St. Mark in English. “It’s not easy to be a Coptic Christian in the Middle East these days considering the militant insurgency in Egypt.


'GOD'S COUNTRY' SIGNS WILL NOT COME DOWN IN TEXAN TOWN

by Julie Brown
Two "This is God's Country" signs in Hondo, Texas, became a lightning rod of debate between city officials and Freedom From Religion Foundation representatives, who say the signs violate the First Amendment. Freedom From Religion Foundation
Since 1932, two memorable signs that proclaimed "This Is God's Country - Please Don't Drive Through It Like Hell" greeted people traveling through Hondo, Texas. When Freedom From Religion Foundationrepresentatives asked city officials to remove the signs, Mayor Jim Danner said Monday, "There's no way in hell we're going to take those signs down."

FFRF Co-President Anne Laurie Gaylor referenced the establishment clause of the First Amendment in a letter sent to the city last week. She wrote the city-owned signs on public property "convey government preference for religion over non-religion" and send "the message that nonbelievers are not welcome in the city," reports the San Antonio Express-News.

"The message assumes a common god, yet imagine the public outrage had the city posted a sign that said, "This is Vishnu's Country," Gaylor told Danner in the letter. "It is equally inflammatory and inappropriate to post a sign dedicating a city to the god of the bible."

She said these signs in Hondo also could be misconstrued, and that city officials need to find an alternative way to promote safe driving. "Some people may want to flee 'God's Country' faster than hell," Gaylor adds. "Hondo officials could actually be encouraging drivers to speed with such signs."

Hondo City Attorney Frank Garza said his view is that the signs encourage driver safety, as opposed to endorsing a religion.

A formal response from the city is being drafted, according to the San Antonio Express-News, however Danner is voicing he will oppose removing the recently restored placards beside U.S. Route 90.

Danner said he predicts Hondo residents will totally support keeping the community signs when they find out the letter was received.

Local Lions Club members are credited with erecting the first iconic, "God's Country" sign 84 years ago. Danner said the only other complaints regarding the signs was in reference to their absence when the highway was widened between 2009 and 2012.

"We got tons of letters saying, 'Where's the signs?'" Danner told the Express-News. He said the community is very proud of the slogan, "God's Country."

The restored signs were unveiled with new landscaping in 2012, with the improvements funded jointly by the city, the local garden club and the economic development corporation.

City Manager Kim Davis said, "They're alleging that the signs make anyone who is not a Christian feel unwelcome. The mere fact that we often have people come to town to take a picture with the signs would say otherwise."

Wisconsin-based FFRF is a national organization dedicated to the separation of state and church. Its representatives indicate 1,000 of its 24,000 members are located in Texas. Foundation members also required a similar sign "Jesus Welcomes You to Hawkins" be taken down in the East Texas town of Hawkins.

In Hawkins, the debate has become whether he city has any jurisdiction over the land beside U.S. 80 on which the sign sits. Hawkins' lawyer, Alvin Flynn, said the jurisdiction issue is being addressed in state district court in Wood County in a lawsuit involving the city, the Jesus Christ Open Altar Church, which has claimed a stake in the parcel, and two prior owners of the site.

Foundation attorney Sam Grover said other U.S. community welcome signs elsewhere don't implicate the establishment clause. "We respect the right of every person in Hondo to practice whatever religion or non-religion they choose. The only problem here is that it's the government endorsing religion, rather than private entities."