Download Parent's Guide

This Parent Resource Guide Will:
• Help you understand the consequences of the
transgender trend
• Consider the implications of transgender activism
and “gender inclusion” policies in schools
• Explain what your parental rights are and give you
the tools to protect your child’s constitutional
privacy and First Amendment rights
• Encourage parents and school officials to work
together to create a respectful school environment
• Help you communicate with your school officials
and advocate for common sense policies that will
respect the dignity of all students
• Give tips on creating community and support among like-minded parents

The post Parent’s Resource Guide: Responding to the Transgender Issue appeared first on FFV.

The Stembergers, all six of us, have been on a road trip the past couple of days to North Carolina to visit extended family for Thanksgiving. During our trip, my wife Olivia, who is the “chief domestic educator” in our family, has been reading parts of a book to us and then playing a fascinating interview with the author on the historic facts surrounding the first Thanksgiving celebration. The interview is a replay of a remarkable Family Life Today radio show between host Dennis Rainey and a Christian historian from Wheaton College, Dr. Robert Tracy McKenzie, author of the book, The First Thanksgiving.

After listening to this extraordinary interview, I will never think of Thanksgiving the same way again. In fact, it seems as if almost every stereotype I had about the first Thanksgiving was wrong!

In the place of all those now iconic, but inaccurate, grade-school images burned into my memory (like tall black hats with belt buckles, turkeys and pumpkins) is a newfound respect and admiration for this group of rugged and fiercely committed men and women. Half of those who came in 1620 gave their lives in the effort to establish a place where they could be free to believe, worship and act on their faith in the way they felt was demanded of them by Scripture.

In 1620, the Puritan separatists left Europe on the Mayflower housed in the cargo space called the “tween area”, which is in the middle of the ship (about a 4-5 feet high confined area, half the size of a basketball court).  They were there for a miserable 66 days, rarely, if ever going above to the top deck.The Mayflower carried 105 people, 51 men, 20 women, 21 boys and 10 girls, plus the crew. Think of the privacy, comfort and sanitation – or lack thereof!  During the two month voyage, two of the men died and one baby was born on the ship. God bless that mother!

They thought their navigation was taking them along the same latitude as balmy Spain and expected lush tropical conditions in the new world. When they finally hit land in November, it was much further north then they had planned. They were met with a freezing cold winter in Massachusetts. Because the water was so shallow, the ship could not dock close to land and was anchored about a mile offshore. Many of the men waded through the freezing, bitter cold water for that mile while carrying all of their supplies and equipment. This is one of the major reasons that roughly half of the people on the Mayflower died from sickness during that brutal first winter. Of the 18 married couples present, 15 of those couples had either the husband or the wife die.

After the bitter winter, they set up shelters and then in God’s remarkable providence, they “happened” to meet Squanto, an English-speaking American Indian. Just think… if they had landed in a different place, just a few miles further to the north or south they may never have met. Seriously? What are the odds? Squanto was invaluable; it can easily be argued that they may not have survived without him. He taught them how to fish, plant crops, and hunt in this new rugged environment and how to negotiate with the other Native Americans in the area.

After a good harvest in the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims famously shared a harvest feast with the Pokanoket Indians to give thanks to God for the bounty; this meal is now considered the origin for what we know as Thanksgiving. It was a meal heavy on meat, lots of deer, some foul, maybe duck or swan, and corn. There was no turkey, no pumpkins, no potatoes– and while it is possible there were cranberries, there was no sugar so nothing very sweet was served.

This story continues with amazing details which I would encourage you to explore below. I am in awe at how God’s hand guided the founding of our young country. The word miracle is not too strong a word to describe how these sturdy Christian men and women, who suffered greatly, survived unimaginable circumstances and went on to plant the seeds for our country to grow and become a great nation.

When they arrived, the 41 colonists signed our country’s first social/political governing document, the Mayflower Compact. It was a covenant before God with the theme of self-governance and described how the colonists would create order and laws.  Most scholars believe this document had a great influence on both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

In the Mayflower Compact they described the singular purpose for which they “voyaged to plant the first colonies in the northern parts of Virginia…”. While it is not found in most secular, faith-sanitized history books, the settlers made it clear why they were here “for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith.”

This was the purpose for our country’s founding and this is why we, as Christians, should  continue to engage the culture, government and politics. Now more than ever, we need responsible Christian voices influencing our government. I would argue that we will never maintain a civilized society, with either Republicans or Democrats in power, unless Christian principles (which are the seeds of liberty) are prominent in the process.

This is one of the main reasons the Florida Family Policy Council exists and why we continue to fight for the good in this world.

Please know this Thanksgiving how very grateful we are for your support.

Sincerely,

John Stemberger

P.S. Please take time to read and share the below resources on the first Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

Dennis Rainey Radio Interview with author Dr. McKenzie:

16 short 3-4 minute videos on the history of Thanksgiving 
http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving

Link to buy Dr. Dr. Robert Tracy McKenzie’s book: The First Thanksgiving.

The post “I will never think of Thanksgiving the same way again…” appeared first on FFV.

PS:  Please consider giving a gift to help with this effort and join me to do all you can to protect Florida’s children.  Thank you, in advance, for your prompt response.  DONATE HERE.

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At Christmas last year my extended family even had a contest with all my adult siblings to see who could best re-create the magical sauce just like Mom made when she was still alive and with us. And in a blind taste test by my own family members, Olivia won the contest for sauce “Most like Moms!” (original recipe at bottom)

It occurred to me as I was sharing this family tradition of Momma’s spaghetti sauce with our staff dinner guests that the recipe for this sauce was actually handed down by my mother from her mother, who learned how to make it as a little girl from my great grandmother in Italy. So for my children, this is at least a fourth generation tradition.

And as I began to think about this, suddenly what was just a really good spaghetti sauce, became the broader context of generations of people connected by families who pass on traditions, values, memories and simple but important truths about life itself.

What is truly sad on this Christmas is that an increasing percentage of our children, families and communities in Florida and across the country will have no life experiences with a family to relate any tradition, values or future generations to. Inner cities devastated by unwed moms with absent fathers; children whose lives were unexpectedly shattered through the tragedy of a divorce; the elderly who will in greater numbers pass on prematurely in loneliness with no one to care for them; and children who have never been to a wedding much less seen how a “marriage” operates in their little worlds, will have no vision of marriage or family to even consider for the future.

But this is why we fight. This is why we labor. This is why the Board and the staff of the Florida Family Policy Council will not rest until we have used every resource entrusted to us to see life protected, marriage defended and the family strengthened. Families are an amazing gift of common grace from God. This Christmas season, we who have any semblance of a family at all in this broken world, should be humbled and grateful for this great gift from our heavenly Father.

Marriage–and to some extent families– gives us a hint into the mystery of the nature and character of the triune God himself. Unity and diversity. Oneness and individuality. God the Father, sent his only begotten Son to the earth to be born into a humble family and raised until the time when he was to give the ultimate gift– himself. By taking the wrath of God upon himself, Christ takes upon himself the punishment for our sins. This is the great gift that Christmas gives us: The Gospel, the Good News, Emmanuel– God with us… And would that we never grow familiar with the amazing grace found in this truth.

May God grant us all the ability to see his grace everywhere we look — and to be continually amazed by it.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

John Stemberger
President,
Florida Family Policy Council

1 basket of Roma tomatoes- (about 25+) (Roma is important)
Gently bring the tomatoes to a boil in a pot of water until the skins start popping open (about 20 min)
When tomatoes are boiled peel off and remove the skins of the tomatoes and discard skins
While tomatoes are boiling sauté in olive oil, one diced onion and 3-4 garlic cloves diced
Add a half cup of red wine
Place tomatoes in the sautéed onions and garlic
Add one 12ounce can of tomato paste
Add a ¼ cup of water to the paste and sauce
Add one table spoon dry oregano or 2 tablespoons fresh
Add half table spoon dried basil or 4-6 fresh leaves
Add 2 table spoons of salt and half table spoon of pepper
Add 3 table spoons of honey (or 1 heaping table spoon of sugar)
Add 2-3 table spoons of grated Romano cheese
Take all these ingredients and puree them together in a blender
Place sauce in a large pot and simmer uncovered on low heat for about 3 hours
Add cooked meatballs or sausage about 2 hours into cooking
(Don’t overcook meat as it will also cook some in the sauce)
Cooking will burn off water and make the sauce thick. Stir and watch during cooking process.
Serve with pasta of your choice.

The post Spaghetti Sauce, Family Traditions, Christmas, and the Amazing Grace of God… appeared first on FFV.

That’s an excellent question!  I have personally talked with some people lately who have even been on the verge of despair when it comes to the condition of our culture.  Without seeing the whole picture, it can seem almost hopeless.

First, is the series of accomplishments in our own history, which you had a part in making and are highlighted in our Reclaiming Hope 10^thAnniversary brochure.  (Click here to view.)

So many of those battles would not have been won if we had given up when it looked hopeless.

Many times, all odds were against us, and all major institutions of society were against us.  With odds against us, we stood and fought for Godly principles; you believed in us and supported the mission; and together we won what I dare to call God-sized accomplishments.

Please stand with us, in hope, in prayer, and know your year-end tax deductible gifts of support today will continue to earn a positive return on investment in our culture in Florida and beyond.   DONATE TODAY

When you consider men or women who stood strong against all odds, who fought discouragement and reclaimed hope, a number of examples come to mind – all of which changed the very course of history.

What if William Wilberforce had lost hope?  What if Wilberforce gave up and never fought for the end of the slave trade?  What if he gave up in the 25^th year and never saw the victory he experienced in year 26?

What if George Washington had lost hope?  What if during the Battle at Trenton, General Washington had allowed the discouragement of losing nine previous battles over five years, with hundreds of men defecting every day, to cause him to give up?  Despite brutal freezing weather, and lack of morale, he led his troops to cross the Delaware River in the middle of the night to defeat the Hessian Army. This miraculous victory restored needed momentum to the Patriot cause, and helped steer the successful outcome of the American Revolution.

Finally, and most importantly what if Mary, the Mother of Jesus, had lost hope?  What if Mary allowed confusion, uncertainty and fear to control her?  She was a teenage girl who had never been with a man and she had to stand alone, on the promise of an angel, for what she knew in her heart to be true, when she could have faced the death penalty for what would have appeared to everyone else as the result of adultery or fornication.  Can you imagine the pressure that Mary would have experienced from our modern day culture to abort the very Son of God?   Because Mary had hope and faith in what she knew was true, and right, and beautiful within her womb, we now have a Savior!

History is rich with examples like this which should inspire and motivate us to not lose heart.

Not everyone is called to have the same journey and struggle as Wilberforce, Washington or Mary.  But as unique and important to history as these individuals were, so are you.

With your help, prayers, and financial support, together we will see even more accomplishments, to the Glory of God and for future generations. 

THE FUTURE AHEAD
Our three top priorities in the next three months:

1) Defund Planned Parenthood for good in Florida.  If you have been following our emails or Facebook, you know that we have been calling on Governor Rick Scott to do what several other Governors have already done, and defund Planned Parenthood (PP), and reroute the taxpayer funding from PP to other more qualified healthcare facilities which do not provide abortions.

2) Restrict or prevent SOGI ordinances and laws.  These so-called non-discrimination sexual orientation gender identity (SOGI) ordinances or laws are popping up around the country, including in Florida.  Most at risk are ordinances involving cross-dressing and transgendered teenagers.  Officials are attempting to evaluate policies allowing fully biological boys to use bathrooms, locker rooms and even showers with girls.   

3) The 2016 Legislative Session is gearing up with committee meetings and bill drafting deadlines.  Much is at stake.  Some issues we anticipate being engaged in are potential bills related to regulating abortion clinics, opposing special rights for homosexuals, and a pastors’ protection act, just to name a few.  It is our privilege to be “your voice for your values” in the Capitol, as well as to the media when the Session starts next month.

There is a lot going on, and we are diligently working on multiple issues all the time, while on watch for new threats as well.

That’s why your support today is so critical and so helpful.                   

Knowing that we have our financial needs met, allows us to fully engage in these three major battles (and the others on the horizon) and not have to concentrate so much of our staff’s valuable time and effort on fundraising.

Please remember, we can’t do this without you.

Would you please prayerfully consider the most generous gift you can at this time? 

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

John Stemberger
President and General Counsel

PS: With your gift today you will be joining us as we work to reclaim hope in Florida, and work to advance God’s timeless values and truths which will never be on the wrong side of history. Thank you for your support.

The post Is it hopeless? Here is how we reclaim hope… appeared first on FFV.

July 27, 2015 

FINAL DECISION BY BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TO ALLOW OPENLY HOMOSEXUAL ADULT LEADERS PLACES SPONSORING CHURCHES AT GREATER LEGAL RISK

Memorandum Released by Former General Counsel for the Boy Scouts of America Explains Liability for Churches

(Orlando, FL) The pending final and binding decision today by the top leadership of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to allow openly homosexual adults and youth within the program reverses over a hundred years of tradition and values and alters years of the youth protection policy within the organization.

Trail Life USA is a Christian scouting program for boys focused on adventure, character, and leadership. John Stemberger, President of the Florida Family Policy Council, also serves as Chairman of the Board for Trail Life USA, and he issued the following statement regarding this decision:

We are greatly saddened by the BSA’s resolution which is expected to pass the National Executive Board on Monday, July 27, 2015.

This change in membership policy places the churches and religious institutions that sponsor BSA troops at greater legal risk, especially in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Obergefell decision declaring same-sex marriage a “fundamental right” and homosexuality an “immutable” characteristic.

These Supreme Court holdings–coupled with BSA’s new membership policy changes–place the religious liberties of churches at even greater risk for legal attack and litigation.  Dissenting justices on the high court gave clear warnings that: “people of faith can take no comfort in the treatment they receive from the majority today.” (Justice Roberts); “has potentially ruinous consequences for religious liberty.” (Justice Thomas); and “will be used to vilify Americans who are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy.”  (Justice Alito).

Accordingly, public accommodation laws and non-discrimination laws are about to become major challenges as a result of the court’s rulings.  While the BSA may be well-meaning in its intent to create a local troop option for membership standards for churches, this decision will be unsustainable over time given the hostile nature of the courts and their “evolution” on issues related to gay rights and human sexuality.  Some courts have already declared the BSA to be a public accommodation, and such rulings are likely to increase. This could have a direct effect upon churches chartering troops in those jurisdictions if they were to face litigation over revoking the membership of the homosexual member who wears his uniform in the Gay Pride Parade, an adult who publicly marries his same-sex partner, or to the girl who believes she is actually a male.

Pastors and priests must also realize that the new local troop option only applies to adult members. Churches are still prohibited from denying any openly homosexual youth “membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference.”

Finally, the new resolution to be passed by the BSA clearly affirms that homosexual acts can be “moral, honorable, committed, and respectful.”  This opinion is wholly incompatible with historic Christian theology and ethics and will make it even more challenging for a church to integrate a BSA unit as part of a church’s ministry offerings.

Attorney Richard Mathews, who served as Legal Counsel for the Boy Scouts of America for 11 years and National General Counsel for the last three years, has authored a legal memorandum explaining the litigation risk that churches will undertake by continuing to charter BSA units or starting new ones.  Mathews currently serves as General Counsel to Trail Life USA.  That legal memo is available in PDF form HERE.

For More Information on Trail Life see TrailLifeUSA.com

For More Information or Media Interviews Contact:
Nandi Randolph at 407-251-1957
or Media@TrailLifeUSA.com

The post Final Decision By Boy Scouts Of America To Allow Openly Homosexual Adult Leaders Places Sponsoring Churches At Greater Legal Risk appeared first on FFV.

GOVERNOR SCOTT APPROVES BAD ADOPTION BILL LEAVING FAITH BASED FOSTER AND ADOPTION AGENCIES AT RISK OF LEGAL ATTACK

One of Florida’s leading advocates on the issue says, “We are profoundly disappointed…”

(Tallahassee, FL) Thursday, June 11, 2015, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law and approved a bill which removed Florida’s long standing law prohibiting homosexuals from adopting which also leaves Florida’s faith based adoption agency at risk of being legally attacked and shutting down.  Catholic Charities and other faith-based agencies have closed in Massachusetts, Illinois, California and Washington, DC for similar reasons like having polices preferring placements of children with married mothers and fathers.

John Stemberger, President & General Counsel of the Florida Family Policy Council released the following statement about the Governor’s decision:

“We are profoundly disappointed in Governor Scott’s signing and approving this bad bill.  First, the Governor’s office promised a face to face meeting with adoption and foster care leaders to fully brief him before making a decision, but that never happened.  Second, the decision is an unprincipled capitulation of the rule of law because it removes a law from the books before a court of the highest jurisdiction has spoken.  There is currently a split between the Second District Court of Appeals and Third District Court of Appeals on whether Florida’s longstanding ban on homosexual adoption was constitutional.  As an example, Congress does not immediately amend the U.S. Code just because the Ninth Circuit Court in California issues a lopsided liberal decision finding some statute unconstitutional; this is particularly true where there are conflicts between jurisdictions and the Supreme Court has not spoken.

His letter explaining the decision even recognizes the threat that has been created by his signing of this bill and calls for the Legislature to ‘take further action to make clear that we will support private faith- based operators in the child welfare system and ensure that their religious convictions continue to be protected.’  We certainly hope that since Governor Scott’s decision created the risk to these agencies, that he will use political capital and make conscience protection a top priority for passage in the 2016 Legislative Session.”

Just days ago, Stemberger released a 5 minute video statement explaining this issue and asking Floridians to lobby Governor Scott to veto the bill.  The statement explains the nuances of this issue and why faith-based child care agencies are now at risk because of the Governor’s decision.  It can be seen here.

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The post Faith Based Agencies at Risk After Governor Signs HB 7013 appeared first on FFV.