Hate crimes legislation pending

CrossTalk Amercia announces:

U.S. Representative Barney Frank announced that the House Judiciary Committee will be considering HR 1913, The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the week of April 20th. U.S. Representative John Conyers of Michigan introduced the bill into the House on April 2. As of Tuesday it already had 42 co-sponsors.

The problem with hate crimes legislation efforts such as HR 1913, is that they go beyond providing equal protection under the law, to adding additional penalties based upon assumed beliefs or thoughts. This can lead to discrimination against religious views

Many are concerned that this could lead to pastors being arrested if they preach a biblical view of homosexuality.

Those who cherish religious freedom to teach and preach the Word of God are urged to contact their congressmen at 202-225-3121.  With the current makeup of the House and Senate this legislation has a good probability of passing and being signed into law.

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“Don’t worry: are you kidding me?”

All worriers will benefit from this resource.   And if you aren’t a worrier, you probably know one–especially with all the heightened anxiety over the economy and other issues currently.

CCEF is reprinting an article by David Powlison on worry. You can read it in four parts:

• part 1
• part 2
• part 3
• part 4

JT gives the basic overview of the material.

1. You’ve got plenty of good reasons to worry!
2. You’ve got plenty of better reasons not to worry!
3. How do you get a grip when the barbarians are rioting in the streets of your mind?

You should read the whole thing instead of relying on my inadequate summary, but here’s a quick outline of the practical steps he recommends at the end:

1. Name the pressures.
2. Identify how you express anxiety. (Spot the signs.)
3. Ask yourself, “Why am I anxious?” (Uncover the inner logic of your worry.)
4. Meditate on Jesus’ promises of provision and reasons not to worry.
5. Go and talk to your Father.
6. Give–do and say something constructive and caring.

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Attention, multi-tasker (for just 5 seconds)

Multi-tasking?  We all say we can do it, right?  This guy explains why is not a good idea:

If we want to get technical, the reason you can’t multitask with highly difficult and complex tasks is because the single tasks themselves involve so many components that you are really doing something like multitasking within that task. Therefore, you have no room for multitasking with outside factors which are beyond the scope of the task.

Let me give an example using my favorite quarterback, Kurt Warner. When he is on the field and drops back to pass, he has to keep a hundred different things in view. He has to know where his receivers are (and should be), where the defenders are, what the defenders may be planning to do, how significant the threat of a sack is, and so forth. The task of completing a pass is so complex that it is, in a sense, a form of multitasking within itself. Keeping all factors in view involves one’s whole attention.

Therefore, there is no room for Warner to check his Blackberry or iPhone when he is out on the field. Further, there is not even room for him to look up in the stands and wave to his wife during the middle of a play. The task requires 100% concentration.

If you want to read more from a great productivity guy (who also works at Desiring God, btw),  and don’t have to answer the phone or wahtever, here’s the link.

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