I am excited to announce the launch of the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival Web site. Please visit the site and find out more information on how you and your family can be part of this exciting event. We are looking forward to seeing what the Lord will do through this endeavor as individuals and families from around the country take part in creating distinctively Christian films that will first and foremost bring glory to God. Click here to visit the site.

An Introduction to the Site:

On behalf of the Vision Forum, I want to welcome you to a special experiment in Christian filmmaking — the first annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF) and the Jubilee Awards.

Henry Van Til correctly observed that “culture is religion externalized.” By this, he meant that the culture of a people reflects their true religious priorities. The music, paintings, and film of a nation (not to mention the thousands of daily cultural expressions — how we live, eat, work, and entertain ourselves) express our priorities, our values, and our true faith. The Bible teaches that all men have faith, in that they either worship the creature or they worship the creator, but no man is free from religious commitment. When a people worship sensuality or embrace dark visions of reality, it is always evidenced in the arts. There is no neutrality! On the other hand, when a nation fears and loves the God of Holy Scripture, their religious commitment is evidenced in the music they play, the way they dress, and their vision of family life.

The fact is that America is discontent with Hollywood’s negative monopoly stranglehold on film and culture. The humanistic religious worldview of Hollywood elites and their intense hatred for Christianity and the value system which it embodies has created a rift in American culture and profoundly damaged the American family. We intend to respond, not by cursing the darkness, but by lighting candles. Building a community of independent Christian filmmakers is one such candle.

The future of our culture will be waged in the hearts and souls of the people of this nation. The vision of the Jubilee Awards and the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival is to make one of the many steps needed to lead men to Christ, to train Christians to actually think like Christians, and to take back the culture for the Lord Jesus Christ in the area of film by encouraging, motivating, and rewarding those uncompromising, creative, and innovative filmmakers who are willing to take the narrow path.

This is a wonderful time to be a Christian engaged in the arts. The cultural antithesis between good and evil is ever widening. The enormous leadership vacuum within our culture has opened a world of opportunity for a new generation of maverick Christians to challenge the status quo presented by Hollywood. More than ever before in the recent history of our nation, we have access to the tools for waging a new form of cultural guerilla warfare against the elites who would redefine the biblical family out of existence and present a dark and nefarious vision of reality to the future. We need Christians to challenge the present culture of death, infidelity, perversion, and ethical malaise by boldly proclaiming the crown rights of Jesus Christ over every sphere of life and thought — including film. God has given us a tremendous window of opportunity. We must seize the day!

Who should attempt this journey of cultural dominion? Those creative, innovative students, writers, producers, and directors who can think outside the box, who will not compromise their values for a paycheck, who love the Lord Jesus with all their hearts, and who have a great passion for this remarkable medium.

Along the way, we want to have a lot of fun. We hope to see diverse and innovative films that fill us with joyous laughter for the glory of God, that make us rejoice in the goodness of Jehovah over His creation, that prepare us to be better warriors for Christ, that draw us closer to our Savior, and that give a Gospel message of hope to a dying generation.

Please join us this November in San Antonio — a beautiful city full of life, a rich historic past, and wonderful food — for a weekend of interaction with interesting and like-minded Christians from across the nation. Whether you are making a submission or just coming to enjoy the films, we believe that the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival will be a blessing you will not soon forget.

Click here to visit the site.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 31, 2004 | Permalink

Dear friends, please be in prayer for a precious baby girl born to our good friends, the Dr. Curtis Frazier family. Natalie Hope Frazier was born on March 23 at 5:01 p.m., just 26 weeks into the pregnancy. This precious baby girl is 1 lbs., 13 oz., 14 inches long, and has a beautiful, light, head of hair. She is in critical but stable condition. Please be in prayer for both the family and little Natalie Hope during this trying time.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 29, 2004 | Permalink

Tape of the Month: Through the month of March, Vision Forum Ministries is pleased to offer a very special tape: The True Story of David and Bathsheba: A Parable for Our Time. This tape is an important message in which we address the temptation, cover-up, condemnation, truth and consequences, and ultimate healing and redemption involving the crimes of David and Bathsheba. In this very down-to-earth, sanctified, personal message, I exegete 2 Samuel 11 - 12, and address a wide range of issues from modesty to wise lifestyle choices in an age of uncleanness. The tape is available as our gift to anyone who supports Vision Forum Ministries this month with a donation of any amount. Thank you for caring about us and helping us to minister to the Christian family. We believe this tape will be a source of blessing and encouragement to you. Go to the Vision Forum Ministries support page for more information.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 25, 2004 | Permalink

This weekend Scott Brown and I will be spending our time teaching and encouraging about 300 fathers and sons as part of our 2004 Father and Son Discipleship Retreat. Historically, this has been one of the most powerful and life-changing conferences sponsored by Vision Forum Ministries because it is a time to encourage the turning of the hearts of fathers to their children and children to their fathers. Many men will hear the message of biblical patriarchy for the very first time. Please pray that God will do a great work in the lives of the fathers and sons. To learn more about the conference, click here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 25, 2004 | Permalink

We are looking forward to a phenomenal adventure in Colorado this summer as we search for the skull of a more than 100 foot brachiosaur (“behemoth”), dig up a stegasaorus, and search for more giant dinosaurs. Our trip is almost at capacity, but we have ten spots left. For more information click here.

In the meantime, enjoy some more images from our two recent creation adventures where we swam with manatees, uncovered mammoth bones, found thousands of teeth and other ice age fossil artifacts:

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 25, 2004 | Permalink

“We know not of the future, and cannot plan for it much. But we can hold our spirits and our bodies so pure and high, we may cherish such thoughts and such ideals, and dream such dreams of lofty purpose, that we can determine and know what manner of men we will be whenever and wherever that hour strikes, that calls to noble action. . .no man becomes suddenly different from his habit and cherished thought.”

—-Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain at the dedication of the 20th Maine monument at Gettysburg.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 24, 2004 | Permalink

Last month was the ten year anniversary of one of the most historic events in the history of the modern home school movement. In February of 1994, home educators from all fifty states descended on Washington D.C., in person. Meanwhile, those who could not come by car or plane sent hundreds of thousands of phone calls to register their opposition to a bill which could have shut down home education. Thankfully, the only thing which got shut down was Congress itself. In God’s providence, I was the person who received the phone call from the office of Congressman Dick Armey alerting the Home School Legal Defense Association of a threat posed by bill H.R.6. At the time, I was given the honor of serving as Director of the National Center for Home Education and the leader of the Congressional Action Program (a home school based lobbying program).

Under the leadership and direction of HSLDA’s visionary founder and president Michael Farris, I launched a national e-mail alert and physically gathered a brigade of valiant home educators to descend upon the Capitol en masse. For eight days, HSLDA spearheaded a grassroots campaign of homeschool activists which maintained the single most effective barrage of calls in the history of Washington D.C. It would prove so effective that one Chief of Staff told me: “My office has received 600 calls today. We have decided to vote for your amendment. Please tell your people to stop calling. We don’t need any more convincing ... Don’t get me wrong, I believe in democracy, it’s just that we have had about as much democracy as we can handle for one day.” Dean Clancy, assistant to Congressman Armey would comment: “Do you realize what you have done? You have shut down Capitol Hill. Nothing is getting done up here because everyone is answering calls from home schoolers.” In the end, home educators were successful.

Ten years later, we must remember the lessons of H.R.6: First, no Christian group has more potential to influence and effect the political process than a well-informed and organized home school movement. Home educators have the time, the focus, the commitment, and the vision to make a difference. Second, the best way to oppose tyranny is oppose it by responding with uncompromising and devastating clarity. Third, forces who oppose the biblical family are always at work. Their influence is significant and we must be prepared to act at a moment’s notice when the future of our children is placed in jeopardy.

These lessons are all the more important as we face the four great crimes against God, the Constitution, and humanity that were perpetrated in 2003: 1) The court’s forbidding our elected officers from acknowledging God; 2) The redefinition of marriage to include grotesque perversion; 3) The incorporation of the laws of foreign nations into our legal decisions; and 4) The continued crimes against the unborn not only by liberals but by professing Christians who claim to be upholding the “rule of law” by facilitating the vivisection of babies.

Please take a moment and read the blow-by-blow report of the battle of H.R.6 written by yours truly for HSLDA’s Home School Court Report. It is the story of eight remarkable days in February of 1994. Click here to download the PDF with the article. I recommend that you read it to your family over dinner.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 24, 2004 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 24, 2004 | Permalink

Standing before 2000 wedding guests, this Saturday, Tracy Leininger and David Craven fulfilled a promise that each of them had made to God and to their parents when they were many years younger — they kissed each other.

But this was a special kiss — The kind of kiss you rarely hear about these days. It was a first kiss. And it was the kind of kiss that can only be given between a man and a woman who have never loved another, and whose body, mind and spirit was preserved and prepared only for each other. Yes, this was the first time either David or Tracy had romantically kissed anyone in their entire life.

Most importantly, it was a kiss that brought to completion one covenantal vow, and inaugurated another. Years ago, Tracy had made a pledge to her heavenly Father and His earthly representative, (Tracy’s Dad), she pledged that she would give her daddy her heart, would trust him, and wait for God to send an appropriate suitor. Along the way she would neither give her heart, nor her lips to any man, but the one true man God had chosen to be her mate for life before the beginning of time. David too had purposed to follow a similar narrow path. He would obey God through self-control, honor to parents and a commitment to keep himself pure, never kissing any girl but his one true love on the day that he would pledge to her his troth in marriage.

On March 20, 2004, David and Tracy fulfilled their covenant to the Lord and their parents and entered into another covenant with the Lord and each other.

Defying Stereotypes

In a thousand ways, the bride and groom defied stereotypes: Handsome, athletic, winsome — the couple does not match the typical cynical, wrong-headed pundits’ vision of a mousy, culturally irrelevant product of home education. David was a recognized national home school basketball star with offers to follow the path of many athletes into college. After a brief season at school playing ball on scholarship, he chose to return home, to serve others, to develop skills as a craftsman and entrepreneur. He even served for six months as an intern at the Vision Forum. Similarly, Tracy honored her father by remaining under his roof and protection, (with a brief season at college), and advanced his vision through the publication of many glorious and God-honoring children’s books. It is no exaggeration that Tracy — while remaining in submission to and honoring her father — has, through her accomplishments as an author, influenced tens of thousands of young ladies to love Christ more. In her own community, she has touched the lives of many young girls by teaching them etiquette, literature, history, and gourmet cooking skills. (The Vision Forum Beautiful Girlhood Collection is built around Tracy’s historical fiction books — click here to see them.)

A Lifetime of Covenantal Relationships

But to my way of thinking, there is something else which is so wonderful, so singular that it gives a rich deeper meaning to the covenantal nature of this marriage:

The marriage of David and Tracy was conceived in a lifetime of deep, rich, meaningful Christian relationships between families, and within the community of believers that live here in San Antonio. In fact, it is fair to say that the marriage of David and Tracy is “beautifully obvious” — i.e. it was not only meant to be (in the Divine sense), but the “rightness” of this union is obvious to the many hundreds of like-minded Christians who watched them grow up together.

For more than two decades their lives have paralleled, from the infancy of David and Tracy, both sets of parents have been friends with a similar vision before the Lord. The relationship of the parents set the stage for David and Tracy to grow up in the same Christian community with the same Christian friends, enjoying many of the same Christian experiences. A brief look at the (large) contingent of grooms and bridesmaids in the wedding party is also revealing. Many were home educators who made the very same commitments, had similar blessed relationships between the families, and who, like David and Tracy, never kissed another before stepping up to the marriage altar.

How Did All of This Come To Pass?

The short and truthful answer is — “by the mercy and grace of God.” David, Tracy, and their parents, are humble to the point of frustrating a writer/preacher like myself, who is passionate about communicating to a hurting world the simple fact that God’s ways work! They are quick to deflect all praise to the Lord, to list their many failings and shortcomings, and confess their own amazement over the goodness of God.

This being said, the longer answer to the question of “how did this all come to pass?” is that God blessed the vision of a handful of earnest parents — the founders of the San Antonio home schooling community (specifically, I refer to the FEAST organization) — who purposed to honor the Lord and support the Church of Jesus Christ by building a community of life and love where parents invested tremendous amounts of time in the discipleship of their children, and embraced the mission of returning to the “old paths,” the biblical paths of a life separated unto the Lord.

It took a lot of love, a lot of patience, and a lot of prayers to build a true sense of Christian community. Such a mission is not for the faint of heart. Neither can one simply move into a community and all-of-a-sudden receive the benefits of the labor and commitments of others. It takes much time, ferocious loyalty, quiet patience, and a lot of love. It takes a commitment to covenantal relationships within families, within churches, even between friends. Most of all it takes the mercy of God blessing the vision of parents who will give up a life of selfishness to embrace a life in which every day is committed to laboring in the vineyard of the souls of their children.

God blessed fathers like Jim Leininger who most nights for twenty five years prayed with and kissed his daughter before bed, who gave her vision and opportunity, all-the-while encouraging her to be virtuous, feminine and separated unto the Lord. God blessed mothers like Cecelia Leininger, who was not content to accept the “reality” the secular world would foist upon her family, and instead honored her husband by building a distinctively Christian culture for her household in which her children could thrive on the Lord Jesus. God blessed prayer-warrior mothers like Cathy Craven who instilled a passion for truth into her son, and He blessed the manly, quiet leadership of Mayor Jim Craven whose ever-present twinkle in his eye points to the deep gratitude for others and hunger for truth which are some of his defining qualities.

I am reminded of the story of two women at the check-out line of the grocery story. Observing the remarkable obedience and sweet spirit of the one woman’s children, the other woman turns and says:

“Boy, I would give my life for such children.”

To which the other replies:

“That is exactly what I did.”

Bottom line: It is one thing to dream great dreams for God; it is another to be willing to pay the price to see such dreams become realities.

Watching Purity

The sweetest moment of the wedding came after the vows, but before the kiss. As the officiating minister I had the best seat in the house to observe this precious moment. After the couple had said their vows, they lit a candle and returned to me where they kneeled at a prayer bench. It was a sacred moment of sheer purity and joy as the couple quietly whispered to each other for the first time as man and wife, and ever so-quietly prayed for each other. It is moments like these that refresh my soul and remind me why we are in the battle for the family. Purity is so precious it must be preserved and cultivated.

Closing Thoughts

In a world of covenant breaking parents and children, of churches that actually encourage such bad behavior, of president’s who commit adultery in the White House, and of tens of millions who annually experience the pattern of successive heartbreaks and infidelity due to the training fostered by the dating life style, the contrast between the secular vision for romance and the biblical approach taken by David and Tracy is staggering. It is my firm conviction that the track record this couple brings with them into marriage is so bright, so positive, and so victorious, that with God’s grace, their commitment to covenant will be ever present throughout their life.

I conclude with a simple thought: With this beautiful kiss our entire community grew stronger. Our children were given an example to encourage them, (Yes, obedience does pay off, patience in Christ is a noble virtue with rich rewards), our children were given a pattern to follow. Because of David and Tracy and the many other couples in our community who have never even kissed until their wedding day, our children are growing up with the glorious expectation that virtue and holiness are expected of Christians, that such behavior is normative, and that covenant breaking is simply not acceptable. In a world where negative peer pressure is often overwhelming for Christians, such marriage success stories help create positive peer pressure to obey the Lord.

Jim and Cecelia, Jim and Cathy — thank you for humbly and quietly helping to build a community in which biblical parenthood is welcomed with open arms. Thank all of you for walking alone. Thank you for the many knocks and criticisms you took over the years by those who simply could not understand. David and Tracy, by your example to my children, you have made it easier for me to be a father. From the bottom of my heart I thank you.

The angels in heaven rejoice, and so do we. One pure man has married one pure woman, and together they have vowed to keep covenant with each other and to perpetuate a multi-generational legacy of faithfulness. Today the world is a better place.

View David and Tracy’s Website

God-willing, I will post another article on the single greatest wedding reception I have ever witnessed in my life. It was great, not because it was big and wonderful, (which it certainly was), but because those present knew it was the closest we would probably experience on this earth to a picture of the marriage supper of the Lamb. The problem is that it was so epistemologically self-conscious, so spectacular and so glorious, that I am genuinely reluctant to even attempt to put into words what we experienced. I wonder if my readers will believe me. In the meantime, please take a moment and visit the wonderful website of David and Tracy at LeiningerCravenWedding.com

Also, for those of you who are wondering why this blog is titled “Part II,” I invite you to read my article from three years ago of a similar name. You can view it on my newsletter page.

Images from the Wedding of David and Tracy:

Jubilee and Liberty (opposite ends) join their friends in sharing the honor of serving as flower girls.

Jim Craven (father of the groom) with his daughter Becca (one of the bridesmaids). The Craven family are precious, Christ-loving believers who have been a special part of our life for more than a decade. Cathy, Jim’s wife, has been present in our home for the birth of Faith, Honor and Providence. She would sit in the foyer and pray throughout the birth, then bless us with her help once the baby had arrived. What true blue friends!

Noelle Goforth (mother of Baby William, bestest buddy to the bride and daughter of Richard “Little Bear” Wheeler) reads to the girls while they all take turns getting their hair “foofified” (that’s what I call it) for the wedding. It seems like just yesterday that Noelle and her husband Joshua (former graphic designer for Vision Forum) walked down the isle. read more about their wedding in my article Never Been Kissed: A Home School Love Story.

The bridesmaids and flower girls gather for a picture.

After the wedding, family and guests take shuttles to the wedding feast to be held at the home of the parents of the bride.

Joshua and Justice Phillips help their daddy to prepare for his role officiating in the wedding.

After the wedding, the parents and grandmother of the bride take a few moments to visit with their guest and discuss classical music with former NBA Basketball All-Star for the San Antonio Spurs, David Robinson.

One of the most beautiful girls at the wedding takes a moment from the rigors of being a flower girl to let her proud papa capture her on digital film.

Tracy was the picture of peace and happiness on her wedding day. having known her husband since they were both in diapers, the two entered marriage with a tremendous assurance of the character of the other.

Just minutes after I pronounced them “husband and wife” and they took their first kiss.

Beall and Providence visit with long-time Phillips family friend Ladonna Day (a bridesmaid). Ladonna is another San Antonio gal who followed the path of purity and has enjoyed not only the blessing of God on a beautiful marriage, but is enjoying being a new mother.

Another Parting Shot
The wedding included many notables from the state of Texas, including a justice from the Texas Supreme Court. A friend of mine who was sitting next to the Supreme Court Justice reported that the high ranking judge turned to him after my charge to the bride and groom and he said:

“I guess that preacher won’t be performing any homosexual weddings.”

Good Guess!

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 23, 2004 | Permalink

My friend Dennis wrote to me with this comment: “If you are having trouble with your teenage son doing things like staying out too late, not doing homework or bickering with his brothers and sisters, don’t despair. At least he’s not building a nuclear reactor in your “potting” shed.” Check out the link:
The radioactive boy scout

Congratulations
To our friends Matt and Jennie Chancey (from Ladies Against Feminism) on the birth today of their daughter Felicity Jane Chancey.

“The elder responded that if we preached that, people would be running for the door.”
Dear Vision Forum: I was so encouraged to hear the subject of your upcoming conference. I could write a book about what we have recently experienced in our conservative, reformed church. It has been so painful to my husband and I and our 5 children as well. We have been members for 13+ yrs... I believe that the intolerance of our decisions to not participate in children’s church and youth group is a symptom of the greater problem which lies in the weak teaching of the Word. If the elders aren’t willing to stand on the Word in regards to some of the most basic doctrines, why are they going to make a stand for these other issues? I asked once why it has never been preached from the pulpit that women should be keepers at home. The elder responded that if we preached that, people would be running for the door. He agreed that this was the ideal, but not necessarily possible for every situation. His wife, the pastor’s wife, and the youth minister’s wife all work outside of the home. I pray that there will be a 2nd Reformation, God will clean out the churches and His people will rise up again to fight for the Truth according to the Bible, not according to what people want to hear! I will be praying for your conference. If the Lord wills it, I may even be able to attend. Praising God for you, DW

Dear Friend:

This year we hope to have close to a thousand people attend our 2004 National Uniting Church and Family conference. A large percentage of those in attendance will be pastors and elders (many from a Reformed perspective like yourself) who share the vision for biblical church life—-(i.e. family-integrated worship and Body life). As a shepherd myself, while I am always saddened to hear about churches which profess sound orthodoxy, but build their orthopraxy on the thinking of evolutionary humanism (i.e. age-segregated, individualistic models), I am thankful to God that many local churches and church leaders are experiencing a revival on these matters and turning their eyes away from the government school/corporate business model of the local church, to “the old paths” found in Scripture.

Make sure to honor your leaders even in disagreement and to seek for a godly solution. If your conscience is deeply grieved, and you believe you have a biblical basis for leaving, graciously and with humility ask for their permission to transfer your membership to a local body more in line with your convictions. For more on this subject visit our website at www.visionforum.org.

Blessings, Doug Phillips

Providence Mather Phillips At Three Months

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 22, 2004 | Permalink

If you are not yet familiar with the remarkable ministry of Matt and Jennie Chancey, make sure to visit their website at beautifulwomanhood.org. In the meantime take a moment and read this insightful and encouraging letter Vision Forum received from Jennie this week.

“I want to tell you what an immense blessing Nancy Campbell’s book has been to me personally. I’ve already given away several copies, and my own copy is well-thumbed and underlined. Although I’ve been brought up all my life to embrace God’s design for the family (children as a blessing rather than a curse), I have to admit that I did not have a thorough knowledge of God’s own perspective on children! As I read the book, I had tears of joy in my eyes, because, for the first time, I saw the overwhelming evidence from Scripture that the Lord loves children and delights to give them to His saints. This is an easy thing to file away in our minds from a couple of verses (Psalm 127, for instance) and just forget as we go about our daily tasks as mothers. But when the anti-child pressures start to build up from the world, and, sadly, the Church, we find it harder and harder to retain that precious biblical perspective. Mrs. Campbell laid out the mind of God from Scripture so beautifully that it just overwhelmed and comforted me. I felt the incredible joy of the Lord in childbearing once again (as I carry number five) and felt so thankful for our heritage as saints of the Lord, redeemed by Christ to carry on the dominion mandate. What a blessing! I cannot thank you enough for publishing this fine book, and I will continue to recommend it and give it away (particularly to Christian newlyweds).”

Jennie Chancey, Ladies Against Feminism

Two Views on Children
Ultimately there are two views on how husbands and wives should perceive children and childbirth.

The first view holds that husband’s and wives should welcome every child God would place in the womb of the wife.

The second view holds that some or all children that God might send are not wanted and should be prevented.

Honest proponents of birth control should call a spade a spade and admit that this is the case. There are many reasons why they may not want the soul of a new girl or boy to enter this world through conception, but the fact remains that they do not want this soul coming into existence. These are the facts, and there is no getting around it.

The rationalizations and justifications for altering the natural use and creation design of the reproductive functions to prevent the possible conception of a child (accompanied by the miraculous creation of an eternal soul) are legion. Occasionally one will hear of an attempt to justify such a philosophy on an exegetical, biblical ground, but usually those who want to make the case for cutting off the godly seed resort to philosophical pontificating or some experiential based mode of reasoning—-anything but a presuppositional and exegetical argument. Othertimes they use the same arguments advanced by polygamists and marijuana smokers —-“if it ain’t specifically and explicitly forbidden, then it is positively allowed.” (See R.J. Rushdoony’s chapter from Institute on Biblical Law, why Scripture “implies” the wickedness of polygamy by principle and pattern, if not explicit command.)

The beauty of Be Fruitful and Multiply: What the Bible Says About Having Children is that it lets the Scriptures speak for themselves. The reader is confronted with hundreds of God-inspired verses on the subject of children, giving a panoramic perspective on the blessing of the womb. As Jennie Chancey points out: “Mrs. Campbell laid out the mind of God from Scripture so beautifully that it just overwhelmed and comforted me.”

For more information on Be Fruitful and Multiply, click here.

Working Wives and the Communist Vision
Years ago I read Trotsky’s famous book exhorting the new Soviet communist state to break with Christianity by sending women out of the home to experience “freedom” serving the state. Long before Gloria Steinam (and certainly long before Evangelicals began to tout the virtues of women serving as helpmeets to employers rather than husbands), Trotsky and leading Marxists explained that the new Soviet vision of life presupposed the elimination of the patriarchal household. Only the new world of the liberated working woman could match the needs of the State. The Soviet vision presupposed the all-encompassing influence of the state on every realm of life. As long as women are keepers at home, there could be no Soviet State. To build the new state, however, women (and men) would have to be retrained. Massive indoctrination was necessary. Women would be told that they were being given options, that they were being liberated, even that the economic stability of the family itself required them to leave the home—-anything to get them into the workforce. Within one generation they would not even remember the “old world” where women viewed their mission in terms of having children, keeping the home and serving their husbands.

This week I was reminded of Trotsky’s polemic when I read a brilliant essay from a former subject of this communist philosophy. Marzena Reich writes from Poland, where she spent years going against the cultural tide to bring up her own children in opposition to the socialist state and the women’s movement. Her article “Brave New Feminism—a Communist Experience is a must read. Check it out at http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/article_869.shtml.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 19, 2004 | Permalink

The following are snippets we received in the mail and by email from some of the dear families who joined us on our Ice Age Dig. Some were very precious, others funny, and we wanted to share them with you. (The images below do not necessarily correspond with the author of the paragraph.) For those of you who are interested in our other adventures, we are sponsoring a dinosaur dig at the beginning of May. There are about fifteen spaces left at this time. If you are interested in an adventure for your family, please signup for the May 3 - 7, Dragon’s Den Fossil dig. Click here for more information.

I am humbled to have been invited to such an excursion. My children and grand children valued my company so deeply that they not only encouraged me but also paid my fees as their way of saying thanks to grandma for keeping the two little ones. To see the light and vision given to my grandchildren was unspeakable precious. It was overwhelming to read my grandchildren?s essays on the trip and see their precious faith expressed and to witness the character being molded at such a young age. I was humbled by the purity I witnessed in the families that participated. The men were ?real men?, the boys and girls very happy, and the women above reproach. I didn?t realize how protected this environment was until we ended our canoe trip and began seeing others on the river that were not as appropriately dressed or nearly as refined in their taste for music. Meeting Vision Forum president, Doug Phillips and his family along with the DeRosa?s coupled with the experience of digging with the many families that came was nothing short of ?heaven on earth?? a priceless experience for me. Dwayne Crouse, Grandfather

On this Vision Forum Creation Expedition Ice Age Excursion, I had the privilege to find one of the big Megaladon shark teeth. I was in the 8:30 group for the canoe trip with my two brothers and two sisters and my parents. My Mom, one of my brothers, my sister and I were in one canoe and the rest of my family were in another. So we set off to go three hundred yards down the river. Slowly but surely we got there. My Mom does not know and never has paddled a canoe. After we arrived there I went in the water with my sister and we sifted some dirt. We found shark teeth, big dugong ribs, horse teeth, and all kinds of things from the Ice Age. Soon I went to Mr. Peter Jr. to get some dirt. I sifted that a long while and found different things. Then I saw something. It was not a rock, though it was big, but instead I saw a Megaladon shark tooth. Daniel Green Age 11

I liked meeting Liberty and Jubilee because I have the dolls that are named after them. I was surprised that Jubilee did not have blonde hair like my Jubilee doll. I like my dolls because they are pretty and have lots of pretty dresses. I brought Jubilee with me on the trip and she stayed in the tent. Rachel Horn age 7

The creation expedition was like nothing I have ever been on before...How many six year olds get to dig in a pitch black river with snakes and alligators around? And get to swim across a river and paddle down a river in a canoe. I would just like to say I had the time of my life on the creation expedition even better than when our family and I went to Hawaii, oh boy I better not let my Mom hear that one. Catherine Walsh, Age: 6

When we got into the canoes and started paddling, I thought my arms were going to melt away because they were so tired! We paddled a short ways before we stopped again. It started sprinkling rain, a little, but we dug for fossils anyway. By the time we got back into the canoe it was raining a little harder. I thought it was going to pour and our canoe would sink. We kept going and the counselor said we would be stopping. My dad and I paddled fast in order to beach our canoe, and unfortunately, we beached ourselves, (and it was a good beach, I have to admit), and I got a little too overjoyed and jumped out before we were completely stopped. My left foot tripped and I turned the canoe. I just had enough time to look back and see my dad falling right into the water. Our canoe filled with water and would?ve sank if there hadn?t been a counselor there to help us lift the canoe and dump the water, which landed right on me. Kevin Thompson, Age 10

I was surprised how much we could do in one weekend. We began on Thursday evening with Peter DeRosa talking to us about the Ice Age. He explained how the pieces of information known about that time period all fit together and tie in with the Bible. It was very interesting, especially how it proves our beliefs. I liked being in Mark DeRosa?s group because he was helpful, kind, and knowledgeable. Once, my brother was about to dump his sifter when my dad said, ?Hold on a minute! What?s that?? My brother asked Mark DeRosa if it was anything important. Mark said, ?Yes. Where did you find it?? When they showed him, Mark told the diggers in that area to be careful because he believed there were Mammoth bones there. A little bit later they discovered a large leg bone of a juvenile Mammoth. All the guides were hovering around it and everyone was excited to be part of such a good find. Michael Boone, 12 years old

A high light of the trip was when a guy in our group stopped his canoe because there was a rope hanging on a almost branchless tree. He climbed up the tree, and grabbed the rope, about twenty feet up the tree . He swung into the water. All in All I thought the food was great. Mr. Phillips is a great speaker. The paleontologists were really nice and it was the best vacation I have ever been on in my life! Katie Smith, Age 13

What was I thinking, piling my wife and five children into our van and heading 1200 miles south to Florida, for something my wife described as a Young Earth Creationist archeological dig? I honesty didn?t know what a young earth Creationist was, much less believed. I did know that I was seeking answers, having been frustrated all these years, never having a rebuttal for all those drivers in front of me, the ones displaying those ridiculous trunk ornaments with the word Darwin inscribed inside the Christian fish, sprouting legs. I believed God created the universe, but I could never explain how. This weekend challenged me, seeking answers to the many questions I had about how God created the universe and everything in it, but more importantly, it challenged me to become the husband, father, and spiritual leader He expects me to be. John Udinski

A couple of weeks ago, my dad, my brother and I got to go on the Ice Age Excursion offered by Vision Forum. We camped near the Peace River in Florida, one of the best places to find fossils of creatures from the time period following the Flood. Doug Phillips of Vision Forum and the DeRosa family from Creation Expeditions taught us about Creationism and showed us how to search for the fossils. It was a blessing for me to get to hear Mr. Phillips speak in person since I?ve heard so many of his tapes. I respect him. He is very enthusiastic. I?m glad Vision Forum offers this trip. If I had a chance, I would do this again. We had a great time. Tyler Boone Age 10

I went with my family on an Ice Age Excursion fossil dig on the Peace River with Vision Forum and Creation Expeditions. It was the most wonderful thing I have ever done with my family. I found some mammoth bone fragments, shark teeth, part of a dugong rib, and an alligator tooth. I hope to one-day work with Vision Forum and Creation Expeditions as a Christian paleontologist. But until then I plan on learning more about fossils and using what I learn to begin a revolution against evolution! Maggie Burke Age 10

My name is Micah Burke. I am eight years old. I am one of six children and we have always home schooled. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in science. I love to read about space, flight, fossils, and especially dinosaurs. Most of the books out there are written by evolutionists who don?t believe in creation. My family has to look carefully for books that have the truth in them. Last year my dad took me on the Dinosaur Dig with Vision Forum and Creation Expeditions. My family studied dinosaurs for a month before I went on the trip. I learned that dinosaurs were created on the sixth day, the same day as man. Which means that dinosaurs and people lived together. I read the description of a dinosaur in the Bible in Job 40 and 41. Micah Burke Age 8

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 18, 2004 | Permalink

As we have done for nearly a decade, the Christian Boys’ and Men’s Titanic Society will gather on the anniversary of the sinking of the Royal Mail Ship Titanic to remember those men who gave their lives for women and children. We will gather for a sumptuous meal, robust song, vigorous conversation and to hear words of Christian chivalry and remembrance on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., just yards away from the massive Women’s Titanic Memorial (which was constructed at the request of First lady, Mrs. William Howard Taft, and paid for by the donations of women across America).

This night is for men only — individual men, fathers and sons, but exclusively for men. Yes, we still believe that it is appropriate for men to gather and remind themselves of what it is to be a man, to be a protector and defender of womankind.

Our vision is not merely to remember the bold legacy of manhood past. It is certainly not to resurrect antiquated time-bound sentiments or traditions. Our goal is to proclaim the eternal, culturally transcendent vision for biblical manhood which once was a hallmark of Christendom, but is now forgotten by the Church itself.

These nights have always been glorious and inspiring. Please consider joining us this year in Washington D.C. on April 14.

America’s Greatest Balladeer to Perform at Titanic Event
A dear Christian man, Charlie Zahm is one of the most popular soloists at Celtic music festivals, Maritime and Early American music events anywhere east of the Mississippi. With a baritone voice some have described as “coming along once in a generation,” Charlie has become one of the most successful performers on the Celtic festival circuit, weaving moments of Scottish history for the listener and viewer, with passion for the performance and a chosen repertoire pleasing to all members of the family. A master of the guitar as well, Charlie brings an authentic love and respect for the music he sings — and with dashes of humor and a light in his eyes, he will draw you into the stories of his songs!

“Women and Children First”
To read my poem on the nobility of the Titanic fathers, click here. You can also visit our Titanic Society website.

Watch Clips from the Home School Titanic Play:

Click here to play the clip

Several Titanic dinners ago we rented an old 1912 theater in San Antonio, wrote a play called “Women and Children First,” and recruited our home educators to tell the story of biblical manhood aboard the Titanic. What a phenomenal event! We will never forget it. The theater was packed to capacity, and our home educators offered a memorable performance.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 17, 2004 | Permalink

Raising the Allosaur: The True Story of a Rare Dinosaur and the Home Schoolers Who Found It is an exciting 70-minute video that documents the discovery made in May 2002 of the world’s fourth and largest Allosaurus skull. We are pleased to announce that the film will air as a special feature on Faith Television on April 1 at 8:00 p.m. EST and again at 11:00 p.m. EST that same evening. Click here for more information.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 16, 2004 | Permalink

We hope you will consider joining us this November in warm San Antonio for a completely unique, family-friendly San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. It will be a special time to highlight the work of up-and-coming home school film makers, as well as others who are seeking to take every “frame” captive to the obedience of Christ. Our heart desire is to inspire others to dream big dreams for Christ in advancing a presuppositionally biblical view of culture through the medium of film. Towards that end we are offering a $10,000 first prize.

Last week I sent Vision Forum staffers Shannon and Peter out on the town to take some images of the sites of San Antonio in and around the Gonzalez Convention Center where our film festival will be held. These shots were taken to be used on the San Antonio Independent Film Festival website that is currently in development:

Our glorious Alamo! (Independently owned and operated free of state control!)

The peaceful River Walk of San Antonio.

Our outdoor ampitheater where we will be hosting a special concert and dramatic presentation as part of the San Antonio Independent Film Festival.

A view of the city from the Tower of the Americas.

Another view of our city riverways.

The Riverwalk at night.

One of the unique waterfalls along the Riverwalk.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 8, 2004 | Permalink

The 2004 Father and Daughter Retreat
St. Louis, Missouri — Last year, more than three hundred fathers and daughters gathered in San Antonio for a special retreat dedicated to the turning of the hearts of fathers to their daughters and daughters to their fathers. This year, the Vision Forum Ministries Father and Daughter Retreat will be held in St. Louis. More than half of the available seats have already been filled. Click here for more information on the event and registration.

The 2004 Father and Son Retreats
Our culture is at war with fatherhood. God loves us, teaches us, relates to us, and disciplines us as a father. We should not be surprised, therefore, that Satan has reserved his most fiery darts to alienate Christian fathers from their sons. With this in mind, Vision Forum Ministries launched its Father/Son Discipleship Retreats. Click here

The Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy
Virginia — Now in our sixth year, the Witherspoon School is a four-day boot camp in biblical principles of law and leadership. For six years, we have had the privilege of training home educators, lawyers, judges, pastors, legislators, and dads with a vision for discipleship and dominion. Space is limited to one hundred students. Click here

Christian Boys’ & Men’s Titanic Society Annual Dinner
Join us in Washington, D.C. this April 14 for a special “night to remember” of song and good company as we celebrate the heroism of manhood past and the doctrine of “women and children first,” so ably modeled by the men of the R.M.S. Titanic. Click here.

Uniting Church and Family National Conference
The church desperately needs the family. The family desperately needs the church. But with the infusion of humanistic philosophies of youth culture into the church, the family is left discouraged and crippled. A discouraged family only further contributes to the breakdown of the local church. Family and local church must be united with a unified vision of mutual support. The answer is found in returning to biblical methodologies and jurisdictions for both church and home. Join us for our second national conference to address these issues as we seek, by God’s grace, to advance a vision of victory for unity between local church and the family. Click here for more information.

2004 Faith and Freedom Tour
Join my family and home educating families from around the nation for a special one-week tour into the faith of our forefathers and the foundations of our freedom. This trip is always the highlight of the year. Click here for more information.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 5, 2004 | Permalink

Marlin Maddoux, the visionary founder of the USA Radio Network and host of the Point of View Show, went to his eternal rest today with his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. More than any other individual, Mr. Maddoux paved the way for the powerful influence of Christian talk-radio through his innovative use of sattelite technology. He succumbed to complications from recent heart by-pass surgery at the age of 70. Mr. Maddoux died peacefuly with his family members at his side.

An ordained minister, a journalist, and author, Mr. Maddoux daily broadcast to millions of American changed the face of the political discussion in America. Utterly fearless and principled in his thinking, Mr. Maddoux took on issues that mainstream journalists and talk show hosts will not ——from the evil of the United Nations, to rampant compromise within the Republican Party. The bottom line was the one could always count on Mr. Maddoux to bring a message of truth to the Evangelical community and the culture as a whole. He was a voice of sanity in a sea of shock-jocks and pompous personalities and a radio refuge for hundreds of thousands of radio-listening Christians.

M. Maddoux was enormously kind and supportive to the Phillips family. In the late eighties, Mr. Maddoux allowed me the privilege of serving as a “stringer” for a short priod of time sending in broadcast reports by phone from Capitol Hill for Point of View Radio. During the nineties, I would return to the show as a guest on maybe a half a dozen broadcasts, the most notable of which was a radio debate on third party politics between myself and Kerby Anderson, Mr. Maddoux’s faithful sidekick. My father, Howard Phillips, has been a guest on the show probably close to a hundred times since the broadcast was launched in 1972, and reached a national sattelite audience in 1985. He was enormously encouraging to my father’s third party candidacy for President of the United States, and brought Dad on the show to discuss issues as diverse as America’s policy towards China, to the consistant practice of both Republicans and Democratic president’s in appointing pro-abortion judges to the federal courts.

He was a hero to tens of thousands and a voice of sanity in a sea of compromise. His loyalty was not to political parties or cultural elites, but to Jesus Christ. Honestly, I am genuinely concerned about the void created by the death of Mr. Maddoux. It is obvious that such a man can not be replaced. We can only pray that others will learn from him and emulate his many strengths.
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Posted by Doug Phillips on March 4, 2004 | Permalink

Dear Vision Forum: I have been studying creation science for the past 15 years and have a lay ministry speaking to church groups on creation and Biblical authority. Have accumulated 175 videos and watched about 100 so far. Climbed on the treadmill today and walked over three miles watching “Raising the Allosaur”. (I think I picked it up at ICC in Pittsburg last summer) GOD BLESS YOU FOR THIS OUTSTANDING VIDEO!! I can’t wait to show it to my local creation group. I’m also going to try to coordinate a showing for all home schoolers in this area to inspire them. Is there a video in the works for the Edmontosaurus? SM

Dear SM: This film has been such a blessing to so many because it shows parents and children working together in a glorious, exciting, God-blessed adventure. It really touches us to get these type of comments. Thank You. As to the edmontasaurus—-yes, I believe there will be something, but it will be produced by another very Competent company, seperate from Vision Forum. We pray that God will bless the film as we believe such stories must be told.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 4, 2004 | Permalink

Dear Vision Forum: This is an answer to my daughter’s prayer! For months now she has had acting, writing, “movie making” for the glory of God on her heart. Last night she asked me to “please pray about it, too”, even though she knows my concerns. I really want to support her interest, she asks little and gives much, but “movies”...? I might have known God was at work for her (and all of us in this area). We’ll be watching for details regarding the film festival. Thank you, L.M.

There is so much potential for Christians willing to do God’s work, God’s way. Creativity is the need for the hour. Thanks for your note.

Dear Vision Forum: I am interested in entering your film contest. I was just wondering about the limits to which one might take the freedom of creativity in this setting. It seems you are a very family oriented ministry. What is the requirement on how “family oriented” these entries should be, as some stories, much like many stories in the Bible, might carry a solid moral and yet be somewhat “gritty.” thanks, JC

Great question. We will positing all of these details in the next two weeks. We hope you will contribute a work.

Dear Vision Forum, congratulations on your attempt to encourage Christian filmmakers. I am a Christian, homeschooling dad and professor of Film and Television [at a university—name ommitted] as well as a veteran sound editor. If there is anything I can do to help you with the festival let me know.

It is so encouraging for us to hear from. We want to co-labor with like minded brothers on this visionary endeavor. Bless You.

Dear Mr. Doug Philips, Greetings! I read the e-mail about Christians becoming involved in movie production and wanted to share an idea with you that the Lord has given me. Ever since my parents purchased the Henty books for me and my brothers, I have thought that making them into movies would be a great thing to do (especially in today’s “video” culture)! Although the books by themselves are awesome and I can hardly pull myself away from them, putting them into the medium of the television opens up a whole new audience of people who wouldn’t take the time to read a 200 page book, but would watch a two-hour movie! What advances could be made in this cultural war we’re having if the morals of G. A. Henty’s novels could be transposed onto the TV screen!

We really appreciate Mr. Henty too. I have often wondered about putting his distinctively manly perspective on film.

Dear Doug, I am a Producer of corporate videos, meetings and events with 20+ years experience, and am volunteering to help with your Film Festival endeavor. Please let me know if and where you need assistance. GM

Thank you Brother. yes, we welcome help as needs arise and will be in touch with you on this.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 4, 2004 | Permalink

I have a little boy who waits for his daddy at the end of the street.

For several years, we lived at the end of a long Texas country road. Every evening when I was away from home on business, my little boy would ask permission of his mother to take his black lab and his daddy’s blackthorn walking stick, to make the half-mile journey from the house to the picket fence which marked the beginning of the dirt driveway.

One day, I was delayed in my business. Some seemingly all-important grown-up concern distracted me. I forgot about the faithful little boy down the road who might be waiting for his daddy.

On my way home, the floodgates of heaven opened. For several minutes, the rain was so thick I could not see ten feet in front of me. All I could think of was finishing my journey and getting out of the rain. Finally, the downpour began to abate. It was only a drizzle by the time my car turned the last corner and approached the final street between me and a warm home and nice meal.

But in less than a fraction of a second, my business priorities, my concerns, and my grown-up thoughts would fade and vanish.

There was my little boy. He was holding a rickety umbrella in one hand, a walking stick in the other, and was wearing the biggest and most beautiful smile ever to grace the face of a little boy.

As I stopped the car and opened the door, he ran into my arms and held me long and hard. He was wet and shivering, but he never mentioned the rain, nor the hour-long wait, that I later discovered he had endured just to greet his father. He simply said: “Daddy, I missed you, I am so glad you are home.”

All afternoon he had been thinking of one thing: his daddy. He had lived for the time he could make the journey to the end of the road and for that one moment when he would run into my arms and tell me he loves me. Like the dog beside him, his devotion and faithfulness would not even be broken by a tardy father and a rainy day. His day and his world revolved around that one moment when he could say to himself: “I am with my Daddy again.”

One day we moved to a wonderful new home provided by the Lord for a special season in our lives. The little boy down the road is a little bit less little. We no longer have a long country road. Now we have a giant tree. It is often beside that tree that my little boy waits for me now, sometimes with his regiment of brothers and sisters, now old enough to venture beyond the castle walls of our home.

The tree is adorned with climbing ropes, with occasional buckets hanging off the limbs, and with the many markings of boys who thrill and delight to climb and conquer the kingdoms of trees. In the evening time, we sometimes have what we call “tree time.” This is a special thirty minutes when Daddy and sons climb into the tree and just talk. It’s a time for stories, for imagination, and for just being boys in trees.

But I have never forgotten the rainy day and the little boy and his dog. Often, perhaps a thousand times, my mind has wandered back to that scene. Like all events in our lives, it happens once, and must be savored and treasured.

I think it was this day that I grew to understand what it meant when Jesus said that true Christianity is having the faith of a child. The evidences of this faith are simple love, unfeigned loyalty, and the passion — the all-consuming passion — to be with the Father.

How thankful I am, that our Heavenly Father will never be distracted, lose perspective, or switch priorities away from His beloved sons. He will not leave us waiting, nor will He need rain and storms to refocus His attention on us.

Oh God, help us to be more like You, to have the simple faith of our children, and to understand that more than anything else, our children crave a relationship with us, even as You crave one with each of Your children.

EPILOGUE

Someday my little boy won’t be waiting at the end of the road. Someday he won’t ask me to climb “our” tree to hear Daddy stories. Someday the wonders of bugs and butterflies will be exchanged for the dreams of noble manhood. Someday we will discuss what it means to love a woman. On yet another more distant day, we will look at new life and discuss, not only as father and son, but as friends, the joys of raising children for the glory of God. Perhaps even someday, we will live to see our children’s children walk in the grace of the light of God.

All of this by God’s grace and mercy. But for now, my little boy still likes to climb trees, to snuggle in bed, to hug and kiss, and to wrestle on the ground with his five-foot-eight father, who, for just a few more years, appears to be an insurmountable giant. What a gift! What a gift!

You may not have a little boy down the street, but perhaps you have a little girl looking out the window, or a baby in the crib, or a young man on the phone. Whatever gifts of life God has given you, and in whatever stages of their lives you find them now, remember that this season is a gift from God which lasts for but a moment, and will then be gone forever. Have the faith of a child. The message of life is relationships. Don’t leave the little boy down the road waiting for long.

Posted by Doug Phillips on March 3, 2004 | Permalink