A conservative military advocate wants to educate voters about potential GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul who was one of a handful of Republican members of Congress who voted last year to repeal the law that banned homosexuals from military service.

Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) officially announced the formation of a 2012 presidential exploratory committee during a recent event in Des Moines, Iowa. An exploratory committee allows Paul to raise and spend money toward a 2012 candidacy. Paul finished fifth in the 2008 caucuses and has visited Iowa seven times since. (Tea Party fave in spotlight for 'gay' stance )

(Billy's Thoughts>>> This man might be on the right when it comes to taxes and spending but when it comes to the social issues he might not be part of the right. )

Those associated with Rev. David Wilkerson say he wouldn't have them dwell too long on his tragic death, because his cause cause -- sharing the gospel of Christ -- transcends his life.

The well-known pastor and author was tragically killed in a car crash Wednesday. Wilkerson, founder of World Challenge ministries, collided with an oncoming 18-wheeler truck on an East Texas highway. (See earlier story)

The 79-year-old pastor of Times Square Church in New York City and author of The Cross and the Switchblade was pronounced dead on the scene where he was traveling east on U.S. 175. His wife, Gwen, was also in the car and was taken to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, Texas, where she reportedly remains in critical condition. The truck driver was also taken to the hospital.

Wilkerson also founded Teen Challenge, a biblically-based recovery program for drug addicts. Rev. Wayne Powell, South Carolina Teen Challenge director, says he is still trying to absorb the news. (Wilkerson's vision lives on )

(Billy's Thoughts>>> May God keep blessing the ministries that this follower of Christ took part in.)

An advocate for stronger U.S. immigration law enforcement says it's hypocritical for the Obama Justice Department to aggressively pursue states that want to halt illegal immigration, while dragging its feet to challenge states that aid and abet illegals.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert (R) has signed into law H.B. 116, which creates a guest worker program for the state's illegal aliens, despite the fact that immigration and work status fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

Utah's attorney general says it remains to be seen whether a lawsuit will be filed against the state after a Justice Department spokeswoman said the department only uses litigation against a state "as a last resort." He would not comment specifically on the Utah situation. (Obama's approach: No one is to enforce immigration laws )

(Billy's Thoughts>>> So Obama gets to pick which laws to follow I thought he was President not a leader like they have in Cuba.)

• Only 53 arrests so far amid vast crowds

London was a blanket of red, white and blue as a million well-wishers came together to catch a glimpse of Prince William and Kate Middleton's fairy-tale wedding.

Waving Union Jacks, the crowds roared with excitement as the newlyweds said their vows at Westminster Abbey before travelling in an open-top carriage to Buckingham Palace.

Thousands then waited at the palace gates to see the couple's first public kiss - and were treated to two. Thousands more were watching on giant screens across London in Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and at many more gardens, squares and street parties. (1 million throng London for royal wedding)

Incredibly, there were only 53 arrests and police were tonight celebrating a success.

 Three Tennessee families are accusing Sumner County public schools of illegally promoting Christianity through Bible giveaways and prayers over loudspeakers.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee has not filed a lawsuit on behalf of the families, but has sent a complaint requesting that the school board stop the religious activities. (ACLU says schools promoting Christianity )

(Billy's Thoughts>>> Why is it whenever faith is displayed in a good way in the government schools some on the left say you can't do that but everyday the values of Christian parents are attacked in those same schools. This might also be a good time to ask those Christian parents why they still have their children in those schools.)

Rev. David Wilkerson, founding pastor of Times Square Church in New York City and author of the well-known book The Cross and the Switchblade, was killed Wednesday in a head-on collision in Texas. He was 79. 

"It is with deepest of sadness that we have to inform you of the sudden passing of Reverend David Wilkerson, our founding pastor," Times Square Church Senior Pastor Carter Conlon said in a statement on the church website.

Conlon added that details of the family's wishes and a memorial service would be provided as information became available.

(Billy's Thoughts>>> I didn't always agree with David but he was a Godly man who made a difference for Jesus. He is the man who God used to put together  the Teen Challenge a ministry that reaches out to drug abusers. Please pray for his wife who was hurt badly in the car crash that killed David. Also lets rejoice that David is now with the Lord who he followed.)

It happened again recently. I had just arrived at the Denver airport, there to speak at the popular annual “Living Our Catholic Faith” conference. As I was waiting with the others for the train to take me to the terminal, a man, maybe in his mid-40s, came closer to me.

“Are you a Catholic priest?” he kindly asked.

“Sure am. Nice to meet you,” I said as I offered my hand.

He ignored it. “I was raised a Catholic,” he replied, almost always a hint of a cut to come, but I was not prepared for the razor sharpness of the stiletto, “and now, as a father of two boys, I can’t look at you or any other priest without thinking of a sexual abuser.”

How to respond? Yell at him? Cuss him out? Apologize? Deck him? Express understanding? I must admit, all such reactions came to mind as I staggered with shame and anger from the damage of the wound he had inflicted with those stinging words.

For one,” I continued, “we priests deserve the more intense scrutiny, because people trust us more as we dare claim to represent God, so, when one of us do it — even if only a tiny minority of us ever have — it is more disgusting.

“Two, I’m afraid there are many out there who have no love for the church and are itching to ruin us. This is the issue they love to endlessly scourge us with.

“And, three, I hate to say it, there’s a lot of money to be made in suing the Catholic Church, while it’s hardly worth suing any of the other groups I mentioned before.”

We both by then had our luggage and headed for the door. He then put his hand out, the hand he had not extended five minutes earlier when I had put mine out to him. We shook.

(Billy's Thoughts>>> The above is part of a column written by the archbishop of New York. This column originally ran at the website for the Archdiocese of New York on March 18.  I agree with those who think the Catholic Church at times didn't handle the abuse charges correctly. At the same time we must never forget there are good men  who are priests and helping to make this world a better place. I would encourage you to read the whole column Timothy Michael Dolan: Priests wrongly stereotyped.)

• I have posted a video and a radio commentary I did about this special day (Good Friday) on my other blog.
• 4 22 11 Good Friday is Good Why
• Good Friday 4-22-11

Easter and Christmas are two holidays that typically draw Christians to church. But one pastor believes that's the wrong place for believers to celebrate Resurrection Sunday.

Rev. Eric Foley is author of The Whole Life Offering and pastor of Doers of The Word Evangelical Church, which meets simultaneously in Colorado Springs and in Seoul, Korea. He says the Bible suggests the proper place to celebrate Easter is on the road.

He references Matthew 28:7, where the angel tells the "women who come to anoint Jesus' body [to] 'go quickly [and] tell his disciples he's risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him.'" From that, he decides that "if we want to be faithful Christians at Easter, then the way that we truly celebrate Easter isn't to dress in our fine clothes...gather together for a worship service, and then...go home and eat with our family members, but we ought to be able to go. It's almost as if it's best if there's a sign on the [locked] church door...that says, 'He is risen, and he's gone ahead of you out into your community, and that's where you will meet him.'

(Pastor: Spend Easter 'on the road')

 )

According to a new study, broadcast networks rave about Earth Day, but use Easter as an excuse to assault the Catholic Church.

The information collected by Media Research Center's Culture and Media Institute (CMI) says nearly two-thirds of last year's Easter stories on ABC, CBS, and NBC were negative -- 91 percent of which were about the pedophilia scandal in the Catholic Church.

"Whether they're talking about outrages...scandals or crises, the fact that they turned Easter into a political talking point really offends me," admits CMI vice president Dan Gainor.

Even though the mainstream media appears not to understand Easter, he says news networks are not oblivious to what they are doing -- and journalists are not stupid people, he adds. Meanwhile, the same study shows that 100 percent of last year's Earth Day stories were positive. (Media: No to Easter, yes to earth)

 

"The media has gone so far as to basically worship 'Mother Nature.' They don't do as many stories, but they're all positive because it fits in with their touchy-feely Earth view," Gainor suggests. "The Bible tells me to be a good steward of the earth -- that's perfectly fine. Just don't take it so far that you forget who's supposed to be in charge.

(Billy's Thoughts>>> Why is it us  who follow Christ have our  Lord and values attack all the time by the media. It is too bad and sad perhaps this is one of the reasons people are turning off  the three major networks and turning over to Fox News.)

A handful of people are traditionally nailed to crosses while hundreds more have their backs whipped until they bleed in Asia's major Catholic outpost, to remember the day when Christians believe Jesus Christ died 2,000 years ago.

In the small farming town of Cutud, a couple of hours' drive north of Manila, thousands of tourists gathered to watch what has over the years become the biggest and bloodiest Good Friday spectacle.

Fourteen people were nailed to crosses and hundreds were whipped as they walked through the town, their blood splattering onto the ground and walls of buildings.

The most senior of those nailed to a cross, Ruben Enaje, 50, said he was going through the ordeal this year for the 25th time as a way of giving thanks to God for allowing him to survive an accident unscathed. (Good Friday Crucifixions Begin In Philippines... )

(Billy's Thoughts>>> I guess these souls haven't accepted what Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished." We don't need to do anything but come to God on his terms, put our faith in Jesus.)