Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Miss California's uncompromised answer

I guess I don't keep up on the news as much as maybe I should - but I just heard about this today. Miss California (Carrie Prejean) in the Miss USA pageant was asked a very controversial question which some say may have cost her the Miss USA crown.

The question was "Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?" asked by Perez Hilton.

Miss California's answer was "Well I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. Um, we live in a land that you can choose same sex marriage or opposite marriage and, you know what, in my country and in, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there. But that's how I was raised and that's how I think that it should be between a man and a woman."

Perez Hilton later commented that she lost the crown not because of her opinion but because of how she answered the question (give me a break!). He says she could have answered it in a way that would have held true to her beliefs without alienating others. He has said that she did not answer the question asked.

What??? He asked her what she thought about other states following Vermont's example in regards to gay marriage and specifically asked her why or why not? That is exactly what she did. She answered why she believed what she believed. People are saying she is to answer as Miss USA, not as her personal beliefs. I don't know about you, but if Miss USA is someone that has to sugar coat their beliefs in the name of being politically correct then I have a major issue with Miss USA. I guess Miss USA should be renamed Miss Politically Correct.

One comment from Carrie in a subsequent interview was that it is not about being politically correct - it is about being biblically correct. Amen girl! I for one support her 100% and am very proud of her for standing up for God's Word and her beliefs, even though she had to have known it would cost her all that she had been working so hard to accomplish.

I believe this is a good example of our country right now. We are a nation who is so concerned with being politically correct and sugar-coating things so that nobody feels bad about sin in their lives that we have compromised our morals, we spit in the face of God's Truth. Then we wonder why our country is faltering.

I pray that more of us would have the convictions and courage of Carrie to stand for our beliefs and God's Truth. Unfortunately we are living in a time when God' Truth is often offensive to others, a time when we are being pressured to be "tolerant" of all sin. A time when the only thing that is not tolerated is God's Word. We must each make a choice - as we grow closer to the Lord and He reveals His Truth to us, will we stand by Him or will we be politically correct in order to gain man's approval?


Saturday, April 18, 2009

1 Corinthians - Wisdom & Foolishness

In the 1st chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul says he has been sent to preach the gospel which is not with "words of human wisdom". He then goes on to say the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are lost, but the power of God to those who are saved!

Wow - what a powerful message! In fact, I have been reading 1 Corinthians 1 over and over again the last few days. Just letting this all really sink in. It seems to speak so much to me right now, especially with all that is going on in our world right now.

I praise God that He put this knowledge in my heart as I know it is only by His grace and mercy that I'm able to recognize the gospel of Jesus as being the Power of God. It is only by His power that this message is made known to me, the knowledge of understanding Truth!

If you have a moment - I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 - these verses are amazing. They are so true and give such hope. True wisdom is of God - all else falls dreadfully short!

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
~ 1 Corinthians 1:25

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Drawn from Water - Please Read

A friend of mine recently shared this site with me. He knows someone personally who is involved with this group. I encourage you to read the testimony on this page and watch the video.

Drawn from Water is an organization that has set up an orphanage in Ethiopia for children from the Kara tribe. This is a tribe with a superstition regarding evil spirits. The word Mingi is used by this tribe to describe individuals that are believed to be cursed. Parents in this tribe are required to kill their own children by drowning them in the river if they are labeled as Mingi.

What things make a person Mingi? Many different things but one of the most common is a child whose top teeth come in before their bottom teeth. This tribe believes these children must be killed to rid the tribe of evil which will curse the entire tribe. Some of the children are labeled Mingi before they are even born. Can you imagine carrying a child in your womb who you already love, knowing that soon after the baby is born you will be required by your tribe to drown that precious baby?

This group has set up an orphanage to take in these children so they are not killed. The ages of the children rescued so far are between four months and five years. As I read the post from the YWAM missionary involved in getting this set up I was in tears. As I watched the video at the top of the page I kept seeing my own son's face, he is 4 1/2. I can't even imagine being told that I needed to kill him to keep evil from my tribe.

Please take time to visit this site and consider doing whatever you can to help rescue these precious children. If nothing else, please pass this website on to others so it gets exposure.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Resurrection Cookies

I made these with my daughter last year (she was 6 1/2 then) and this year I plan to make them with all three kids tomorrow night. It is a wonderful way to help the kids understand what Jesus did for us and to focus the day on the One we should be focused on instead of bunnies, chocolate, eggs and candy.

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Resurrection Cookie Recipe
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup granulated sugar
Zip-lock plastic bag
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Place pecans in zip-lock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah1:18 and John 3:1-3. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection day Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

HE HAS RISEN!

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Prop 8 Backpedaling?

A friend sent me one of the below articles which desparately saddened me. I've been sitting here debating what to say about it and I must say I'm at a loss for words.

All I know is one of my biggest struggles is learning to please God and not worry about pleasing men. I don't want to needlessly offend men, but I am determined to stand for God's Truth. I think there are many who struggle with this as well and I believe the Church overall (at least in America) is more worried about how it looks in the eyes of men rather than God's view of it.

Now an individual who is highly respected in the Church and is a shepard to many is backpedaling in regards to God's Word. Rick Warren who just weeks before the elections fully and publicly supported Prop 8 and said he recognized marriage to be between a man and a woman has now announced on Larry King Live that he now regrets backing Prop 8.

When such a public and well-respected Church leader backpedals regarding support for God's Truth, it convinces me even more that America and the Church is losing its focus. Our focus should be on Jesus and God's Truth, not the opinion of men.

Warren's backsliding
Rick Warren disavows support for Prop 8
CBN News

Unfortunately for him, many who oppose Prop 8 are also criticizing Rick for his latest statements on Monday. While I and many others see those statements as backpedaling and/or caving into pressure from others, they are seeing it as him lying about his true convictions.

As a sidenote, I will link to Saddleback Church's released statement after Monday's comments. Not sure that I believe this, but I guess I should probably give the benefit of the doubt.

Statement from Saddleback Church

Ok - so I guess I wasn't as such a loss for words!

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Bella - Movie Recommendation

I had the chance to see the movie Bella for the first time last night (I know, I'm a bit behind the game, but that's what happens with a full-time job and three small kids. Most movies I see anymore are animated!)

I highly recommend this movie. It was beautiful and very powerful.

The movie is about two individuals Jose & Nina. Jose is an ex-soccer player whose future drastically changed when he was involved in a tragic accident. He now works as the head chef at his brother's restaurant. Nina is a young single woman who also works at the restaraunt. At the beginning to the movie she finds out she is pregnant and gets fired in the same day. Jose befriends her for the day as she tries to deal with her situation. The movie follows them for the day and reveals the healing that takes place in both of their lives as a result of this newfound friendship.

If you have not yet seen this movie please do. It is a powerful message about life, compassion and healing.

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

A Tribute to C.S.

I don't know who to give credit to for this, nor do I know if it was really printed in the London Times - but regardless, it speaks truth. . .


An Obituary printed in the London Times........

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.