On Thursday the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) 1,400 voting members are set to decide whether to open their ranks to allow members who openly confess they are homosexual. If approved, the possibly exists the organization could turn into the country’s largest sexual abstinence program. The concept is not absurd as it sounds.
In January of 2012 I had the opportunity to have dinner with Mark Sanford, the former Governor of South Carolina. Besides our love for politics and more than a decade of success in the arena, Mark and I shared another common experience. In the summer of 2009 we were both embroiled in controversy and scandal when our extramarital affairs were exposed and made national headlines – his more so than mine. I knew all-to-well what it was like to endure the public scrutiny and pressure that came with this exposure. While Mark stayed in office after his affair was exposed, I resigned my Senate seat, hoping to salvage a marriage that was already on life-support. His marriage had also hit a barrier when his wife took their four boys and moved out of the Governor's residence shortly before she filed for divorce. Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford campaigns for his return to Congress. Related Mark Sanford: Welcome Back to WashingtonEx-S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford Overcomes Past Scandal, Wins in Special ElectionMark Sanford 'His Own Worst Enemy,' Says SC Political ScientistMegachurch Pastor, Women's Group Blast Political Ambitions of Ex-Gov. Mark SanfordSanford and Other Toxic Republicans Need to Step Aside for Electable RepublicansMark [...]
Franklin, Tenn. - The American Society of Composers, Artist and Publishers (ASCAP) recognized a star-studded lineup of top Christian music artists at their 35th annual Christian award show in downtown Franklin, Tennessee Monday night. Among those honored at the historic Franklin Theatre were guitarist extraordinaire Phil Keaggy, singer songwriter Matthew West and songwriter Ben Glover. ASCAP's Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan, who co-head the group's Nashville membership office, presented the most performed song awards to the writers and publishers on the stage of the newly renovated theater and in front of some of the industry's most notable performers and executives. The list of honored songs included "Carry Me to the Cross" by Kutless, "Trust in Jesus" and "I Need a Miracle" by Third Day, "The Hurt and the Healer" by MercyMe, "The Light in Me" by Brandon Heath, "Good To Be Alive" by Jason Gray, "Love Come to Life," and "Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave. Earning song of the year was "10,000 Reasons," a song that won two Grammy Awards this year and was written and recorded by Matt Redman, who drew inspiration from Psalm 103. Redman was traveling and unable to attend the ceremony, but accepting on his behalf [...]