June 1998 Newsletter

WELCOME TO THE GENTLE REVOLUTION

In the light of the recent killings in our public schools (Edinboro, Pennsylvania; Pearl, Mississippi; West Paducah, Kentucky; Jonesboro, Arkansas), it has become increasingly obvious that our government schools have become the very gates of hell. Violence of every sort is overwhelming our schools in spite of the vehement protestations of the Department of Education to the contrary. This department has refused to face reality for years.

The question being asked by media pundits everywhere is: Why are our kids, who have been given most everything money can buy, killing their friends in public schools? Our schools have become the most dangerous place for a young person to be. The answer is simple. Violence was done to the hearts of our kids long before it manifested itself in the murderous teaching place of our schools today. God was violently expelled from our schools by a Supreme Court decision (Engle vs. Vitale, 1962). He was violently banished from the schoolyard in other Supreme Court decisions (Abbington vs. Schemp, 1963; Stone vs. Graham, 1977). He has been replaced with metal detectors, drugs, condoms, gangs, assault, rape, murder, and violence of unprecedented order.

We have violently robbed our children of a sense of purpose and destiny by removing the God who created them and replacing Him with an enemy who demands tolerance of everything but God Himself. Gen. 6:11-13 tells us that violence filled the earth because the people of God had forsaken Him. When God is removed, violence always fills the void.

We fathers have violently robbed our children of a godly example by abdicating our responsibility to live godly lives before them. Mothers have violently killed our children in abortion mills throughout the land. Government schools are doing violence to our children by attempting to replace the love of parents with government dependency.

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Gal. 6:7. We in America have done violence to the hearts of our kids, and we are reaping violence in our schools. We have attempted to remove every vestige of the knowledge of God from our schools, and we should not be surprised at the whirlwind of senseless brutality that has replaced Him.

We are today raising a nation of predators! We are raising kids without a conscience who kill at a whim. Then we look with awkward astonishment and wonder what the world is coming to. We have forgotten God purposely and are suffering the horrible consequences for our willful arrogance.

To restore peace to the classroom, we must corporately and publicly repent of our arrogance at removing God from the lives of our kids. This is the ultimate form of violence. We must acknowledge the fact that we are not smarter than He is and invite Him back. We must bring God back to school. He promises to return if we will humble ourselves and pray (2 Chron. 7:14).

What is it going to be America? Another godless killing dollar program sponsored by the Department of Education that will never touch the cancer of violence that is destroying our kids? Or, will we have the courage to call on the Great Physician Himself to perform the surgery that will completely remove the cancer forever?

RICO

by Kristene O'Dell
March was an intense month for us at ORN. I got home from Lynchburg on a Friday and received a call from ACLJ on Saturday. They needed me in Chicago on Monday to testify in the NOW vs. Scheidler, Operation Rescue case. This is the venue that was used to charge us with RICO. Congratulations, we are now "racketeers!"

Since my involvement with Operation Rescue, I have seen Planned Parenthood try to shut us down, F.A.C.E. cases brought against us, and abortionist Norman Thompkins win, in a court of law anyway, his attempt at ignoring the Lord's conviction. Who are we that now the enemies of the cross have to charge us with racketeering to continue in their vain attempt of living a guilt-free sinful life? Who are we that though we may be small in number, the abortion industry is desperately trying to silence our collective voice - a voice that must echo continually through their heads as the Lord bids them to repent. "...Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 1 Samuel 17:26. Be encouraged, gentle soldiers. Our Commander in Chief is advancing upon His white stallion and nothing can pry the reins from His hands. "...You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." 1 Samuel 17:45.

It was a restful blessing for me to spend a week with my fellow soldiers. Keith Tucci, Johnny Hunter, Eva Edl, Wendy Wright, and myself were all there to testify on Operation Rescue National's behalf. After the heart-wrenching event we had come from in Lynchburg, it was nice to be able to spend time together reminiscing about the things the Lord has allowed us to see. We sat in the witness room each day and shared testimony of what Jesus has done in us and through us over the years. We celebrated the victories and we reflected upon the defeats. I was certainly among people who had sold everything they had to follow wholeheartedly after the Lord. Call us what you will, but I was not in the company of drug pushers and extortionists. I looked into the eyes of my friends and saw the love of Jesus radiating out toward anyone who would accept it.

There were many things NOW had to prove to make RICO stick, and they were not successful in doing so. We were told to expect to lose at this level, but I feel confident that we will be vindicated before this is all over. Extortion has to do with financial or material gain. Our ultimate goal is the laying down of our lives so that others might live. It is frightening to think that if the pro-lifers can be considered a conspiracy, how long will it be before the entire Church of Jesus Christ is tried as the same? A conspiracy must consist of a group of people who are all under one head and have a common goal in mind. It would be an interesting case because the Lord's enemies would have to say that Jesus is a real "entity." Do they really want to argue that case? Do they truly want to admit that Jesus is who He says He is?

FROM RACKETEER TO MOUSEKETEER

Everything is coming together for Orlando! Our rallies will be held at The Good Shepherd Free Methodist Church. This is the very church where Flip came to know our Lord Jesus. It will be good for Flip to get back to his beginnings after his stay in the Lynchburg City Jail. He will be with us in Orlando for the entire event. I am sure the Lord has used this time to stir Flip's heart and fine tune the vision of our mission in Florida. We will be concentrating on the four area abortion mills. We will also be exposing the slaughter of the innocence of our children at Barnes & Noble. On Saturday, June 6, Disney World will hold its annual Gay Pride Day. We must stand face to face with our enemy as he continues to ensnare this nation with the lie of tolerating homosexuality. We will simply go and command that the gates be lifted high so that the King of Glory may enter in. Come join us as we stand for our Lord Jesus, knowing that He will do exceedingly and abundantly all that we ask or imagine.

A FINAL NOTE FROM THE LYNCHBURG JAIL

(Flip was released May 8th)

"And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God." 1 Samuel 23:16.

This morning I am sitting on my bed in a jail cell in Lynchburg, Virginia, wanting desperately to be at home with all of you. I just finished my Bible reading for the day and it was all about King Saul's relentless pursuit to kill King David. It sounds so much like the search and destroy mission Planned Parenthood (PP), National Organization of Women (NOW), National Abortion Federation (NAF), et al., have launched against us.

Saul pursued David wherever he went, for David was the only real threat to his kingdom. The odds against David seemed insurmountable. He felt helpless and hopeless and worth no more than a flea. But our Lord sent Jonathan to help David see that all his present sufferings and difficulties were working to only bring about God's perfect plan for David and the whole nation of Israel. Jonathan strengthened David by helping him to see things from God's perspective.

Today, though I don't have Jonathan with me, I have God's living Word speaking to my heart. God's providential hand is at work in all of the scheming and conniving of PP, NOW, NAF, et al. God is bringing us forth as gold just like He was bringing David to be King of Israel. Though nothing has been changed in my physical circumstances (I am still in jail in Lynchburg), everything is now different. I am on a mission for our King Jesus and He knows the way I should go.

The battle belongs to the Lord! He will win it. Our part is to bring His glorious Gospel to the gates and witness His mighty arm push back our enemies. If we perish, we perish, but the Name of God will be upon our lips as we allow theology to become biography at the gates. Looking forward to seeing you at the gates in Orlando, I remain

Your brother in Christ,
Flip Benham
Director of Operation Rescue National

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE GATES:

GOD IS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL (nationwide)

Through June 1998
For a "God is going Back to School" packet, please call (972)494-5316.

OPERATION PUSH BACK (National Rescue Event)

May 31 - June 7, 1998

Make your reservations under the name "Operation Rescue" at the Quality Inn Maingate. Call 1-800-337-8479. Rallies will be held nightly at 7pm at The Good Shepherd Free Methodist Church located at 1701 N. Thacker in Kissimmee. Contact our COM-Center at (407)897-0873.