Disney has come under fire recently over the issue of homosexuality. They have provided insurance coverage for homosexual domestic partners, have had homosexual celebrations at theme parks, and have a large number of known "gays" on the payroll. But that is not the end of it. The following is quoted from American Family Association Journal, September 1996:

Hollywood Supports is a pro-homosexual group whose focus is to promote the homosexual agenda in the workplace. Michael Eisner, Chairman of the Walt Disney Company; Michael Ovitz, President of the Walt Disney Company; and Joe Roth, Chairman of Walt Disney Motion Pictures, all serve as members of the Hollywood Supports Board of Trustees. The Disney-endorsed group aims to tell companies how to form homosexual employee groups and implement insurance plans to pay for live-in homosexual partners. It also provides seminars such as "Sexual Orientation in the Workplace." The 90-minute seminars cover a variety of topics all sympathetic to the homosexual agenda. Among the information provided are statements claiming homosexuality is a genetic behavior, not a matter of choice.

The Southern Baptist Convention asked their members to boycott Disney because of this. The Texas Catholic newspaper which serves 46,000 homes in the Catholic Diocese of Dallas has also called for a boycott of Disney. So far, Disney has been contemptuous of criticism of their stance.

"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet" (Rom. 1:26-27). If this problem is genetic, then why does the Lord call it "vile affection," say it is "against nature" and refer to the practice as "error"?

Much Work  Too Few Workers

A recent trip to Utah, Idaho, and Montana reminded us once again of how scarce faithful churches are in those states and adjoining states as well. The church at Kaysville, Utah is growing. They now have 75-80 on Sundays and their building is crowded. Thought is being given to expanding. After twelve years there Joe Price has moved to Washington state. Lonnie Garrison has just moved to Kaysville to preach. The only other sound work in the state is at Ogden and they are few. We spent a Sunday with the church at Blackfoot, Idaho. They number about 35 but are in the process of appointing elders. Dan Thompson preaches there. There are only a few churches scattered over this whole state, none of them large. The situation in Montana is discouraging. There are only a few churches and only one with any size or strength. The once active up for sale. We could not find anyone in Helena, though a congregation is listed in the Guardian of Truth directory. We found the address but nobody there. We met on a Lord's day with a small group meeting in a home at Belgrade, Montana, about ten miles west of Bozeman. There are six adults and two children. If any reader has contacts in that area of Montana, please get in touch with: Jay and Rachel Pierson, 917B Colorado St., Belgrade, MT 59714. Phone (406) 388-0740.

Brethren are also scarce in North and South Dakota. It would help if a couple of good, dedicated families whose work could be done there as well as where they now live, could move to one of these places and help build the work. Churches would do well to send preachers for short or long term work. Time's 'a wasting.

Faith and the Faith

During a meeting a few months ago, I read again the book of sermons which Roy E. Cogdill delivered in San Antonio, Texas years ago. It is entitled Faith and the Faith. What a thrill it was to read these simple, yet profound sermons as they were actually delivered. The material was practical, instructive, put together in an interesting way, challenging and faith building. They were rich in scriptural content. Passages came alive as they were capably ex-pounded. Much of today's preaching is pretty anemic in comparison. Brother Cogdill was a master at taking a pas-sage, putting it in context and then coming straight at the audience with application. If you have not read Faith and the Faith why not call 1-800-428-0121 and order it. Why not order a copy for a young preacher you want to encourage. It will embolden him to "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).

Where Could I Go but to the Lord?

In a time when many are growing weary in well doing and some are falling by the wayside it is in order to consider the admonition of Barnabas when he came to Antioch. "When he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord" (Acts 11:23). The word "cleave" here means to abide with and is translated "continue with" in some translations. I have seen people in the greatest crises of life abandon the Lord. When a family is falling apart, or serious illness overtakes some, or death invades the family circle, or when emergencies exhaust resources, that is no time to turn away from the only source of true help. Why would one want to wander in the barren desert of despair and hopelessness bereft of the calm assurance "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" and the hopeful promise "the eyes of the Lord are over the righteousness and his ears are open to their prayers." Money, fame, overly inflated self-esteem can never substitute for cleaving to the Lord. Indeed, where could I go but to the Lord?

Who is in Charge?

In the year of presidential and congressional elections it might help us all to remember what the Psalmist said. "For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations" (Ps. 22:28). It might also help to remember that the One who rules in the kingdoms of men looks for preserving salt in nations. Jesus called for his people to be "the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:13). When there is not enough salt left to preserve a nation it will rot and the "Governor among the nations" will visit it with certain justice.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 22, p. 3-4
November 21, 1996