A Dead Church - Cecil A. Thompson

Below I have reposted today's devotional from "Blessings from the Heart". It spoke to me, especially going into this new year.

* * * * * *

DAILY-E-VOTIONAL
BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART
Pastor Cecil A. Thompson
December 31, 2008

“A DEAD CHURCH!”
Revelation 3:1-3

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you."

In this passage God is speaking. He is speaking not merely to a first-century church, but also to the churches of our day. Keep in mind that the “church” is not the structure made with wood, brick, stone, or other building materials. A church is composed of the people of God who come together as a body, for worship, fellowship, service and edification.

I want to walk very carefully here, as I express the words that God is laying on my heart at this very moment. We often think of a dead church as being stuffy, stilted, formal, and boring. That is all too often the case, but it goes much deeper than that. A dead church may also be filled with noise, activity, and even spiritual sounding terminology. It is even possible for people to seek emotional feelings in place of tenderly seeking God and God alone.

So what determines if a church is alive or dead? Let's focus in a little closer. What determines if “you” are spiritually alive or dead? One of our typical responses is to focus on, "them." “They are dead! He or she is dead!” I, on the other hand, am practically perfect in every way!" Such an idea, filled with self-sufficient pride, should be a dead giveaway of our spiritual morbidity (death).

We are spiritually dead, or near death, when we no longer have a spiritual appetite. If there is not a hunger in our hearts for God's pure Word—we must check our pulse immediately! Unfortunately there are church members, or should I say, church attendees, who are more interested in the hymn selections, how long the service lasts, color of the carpet, etc., than they are about meeting with God. They fail to cherish a time to shut out the world and listen to His Word read and proclaimed, lift their hearts in prayer, and join with others of His family weekly, for a spiritual family reunion.

We individually are in need of spiritual “911” care if we do not have it daily—YES! I SAID DAILY—times of intimate prayer with God. Not just praying a shopping list of our requests, but sharing our deep feelings of praise and petition. A sign of spiritual life is being silent before Him in order to hear His soft, still voice speaking words of comfort and purpose to us. We need to take the time to lovingly read His Word and then spend time meditating about the words and visualizing what is being said. It is life giving to use scripture as a part of our prayer.

I hope you are beginning to see that death in our midst is not easily covered up with the stench of human programs, practice or pretense. God sees the real us and desires more than "Let's pretend." It is time for a complete spiritual examination. As the Lord dictated this letter to the church in Sardis, and said they were dead, what would He say about us? Do we need to be resuscitated? If so, He stands ready to raise us from our dead condition, and breathe His new life into us.

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

- - - Pastor Cecil

Check out our website at: www.daily-e-votional.com

Am I prepared?

I'm reading a fiction series of books right now set in Germany. The first book is set between 1937 - 1944, during WWII. As I read about these fictional characters, including Christians who risked their lives and those of their families to save Jewish families, God's chosen, I can't help but imagine what it must have been like for those running/hiding for their lives and those assisting them during that time. While these characters are fictional, I realize they represent real people and real events. Families that were torn apart and killed just because of their heritage. People and families who risked their lives to stand against the evil of that day to try to help those who were being hunted down like they were nothing more than animals.

I ask myself the question - what if it was me and my family? How would I feel? How would I react? Would my faith crumble or grow stronger? Would I choose to follow Jesus, obey Him and possibly give up my life in this world doing so? Which life would be most precious to me, which life would be the bigger reality for me? This physical life or my eternal life? When it came down to it, when push came to shove, would I say yes and follow my Lord or would I turn my back and deny Him?

As I ponder these things I realize there could be a possibility of myself or my children having to one day make decisions such as this. Am I preparing my heart, nurturing my relationship with the Father in such as way that if and when that time comes my reality, hope and desire will be eternal regardless of the cost in this brief physical life? What am I doing to prepare my children? I realize the first step is to nurture my relationship with the Lord. No matter what I try to teach these precious little ones that that Lord has given me, nothing will speak louder than my own life and how I've chosen to live it.

Dear Lord,
I fear that when I look into my heart what I see is not the faith and character that would be required of me in similar circumstances. I realize the only way to ever obtain this though is to walk with you, to be your true disciple. Shine your light on those dark places in my heart that would not conform right now to You and Your Ways. Fan the flame in my heart so that it consumes me. Where my motives are not pure, please transform me. I want to be a true disciple of You, but know that I can't do this in my own power. Please nurture within me the heart and spirit that you desire for me to have.
~Amen

Mary Did You Know?

This is one of my favorite Christmas Songs. Enjoy!

From the Mouth of Babes

For those of you who do not visit my Ang4him My Life site - I thought this was worth sharing here as well.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Jesus told us we needed to be as little children to know Him. I find it amazing how my children understand things so much better than I do at times. Today we were in the car and I was angry at someone for how they had been acting towards me. I know I need to let things go, but today I wanted to hang onto that anger. I wanted to wallow in it for a bit.

My four year old son asked me if we could sing. I told him Mommy did not feel like singing but he could if he wanted to. He started singing in his sweet voice a song I recently taught the kids that goes like this:

Be careful little eyes what you see,
Be careful little eyes what you see,
Cause the Father up above
Is looking down with love,
So be careful little eyes what you see.

He then started the following conversation:

A: Mommy, who is the Father up above?
Me: That is God.
A: Good Job Mommy! You are right. And who is his Holy Son?
Me: That would be Jesus.
A: You are right Mommy!! God our Father sent Jesus because He loves us! And they are always watching over us.

Then he began to sing again, and this is when I realized God was using my 4 year old to remind me of how much He loves me and has forgiven me and that He wants me to do the same -

Be careful little heart what you feel,
Be careful little heart what you feel
Cause the Father up above
Is looking down with love,
So be careful little heart what you feel.

The funny part is that I never taught him the heart verse,, he came up with that himself. We had sang verses about eyes, ears, mouths and even our mind - but never about our heart. That is what I needed right then though. I needed a reminder that what I let my heart dwell on, affects me spiritually. I need to stop wallowing in my anger and bitterness and start to let my heart feel God's love and forgiveness.

From the mouth of babes!

Progress

I'm on a C.S. Lewis kick now. I went to the library here in town yesterday and picked up a copy of The Complete C.S. Lewis which includes seven of his classic works. I've read the Narnia books before and have heard alot about some of his non-ficition works, but have not read any of them myself before. A part of me figured the writing style would be old school and I would find it dry or hard to understand.

Last night I started reading Mere Christianity. I must say, I wish I had picked this up sooner. This is wonderful. It is divided into four "books", of which I read the first last night. In it he talks about how we can know that there is something greater than us out there, that there is absolute morality, right and wrong.

Below is a quote I found interesting.

We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. . . There is nothing progressive about being pig headed and refusing to admit a mistake. And I think if you look at the present state of the world, it is pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistakes. We are on the wrong road. And if that is so, we must go back. Going back is the quickest way on.

For some reason I tend to think at times that the world has just started going downhill recently. However, C.S. Lewis wrote this in 1952. And as he mentions in this "book" there have been those who have been determined to deny God's existence every since the beginning. We may be getting a bit more creative about it and pushing it a bit more, but there really is nothing new under the sun. Until we are willing to admit there is absolute truth and morality and are willing to deal with those consequences; admit there is a real God who is all-powerful and all-knowing; then we are on the wrong road in need of a U-Turn.

Volition - Must See Short Film

I've not been posting lately due to quarter end at work and other stuff going on at home, but now I'm back. And for my first welcome back post I wanted to share this short film with you. It is about 15 minutes long and definitely worth watching. Please note, the film starts immediately so make sure to watch the whole thing.

The Doorpost Film Project - Volition

The was filmed over 3 days with a small budget to be entered in the Doorpost short film contest, but most importantly to make a point.

Here is the synopsis for the movie:

"Volition (n)- The act of making a choice. Sometimes the choice of inaction has consequences stronger than we could ever imagine. Throughout history, men have been faced with difficult choices in a world that makes it easy for them to conform. This film explores the hope that lies behind every decision made in the face of adversity; the hope that is buried in the heart of those that look beyond themselves and see something bigger worth fighting for."

If you are interested in more information check out the post Randy Alcorn did on his blog regarding this here.

Justice House of Prayer (JHOP) attacked in Castro District

I had recently been told there was recently a violent incident in San Francisco related in some way to Prop 8, but try as I might I could not find it on any news media, searching for San Francisco Prop 8 violence (the only information I had at the time). I have now been informed more about this incidence.

I am familiar with JHOP (Justice House of Prayer) in San Francisco and know they are a group of mostly young adults with a heart for God and sharing His love with others. They have been regularly meeting on a public sidewalk in the Castro district for months to worship and share God's love with others with no incident. However, their first meeting after the passing of Prop 8 turned violent.

I'm not going to repost it all here, but please take time to read the following post about the incident. Kingdoms in Conflict: Castro District Mob Assaults Christians. Here is another post which includes video of the testimony of one of the JHOP individuals who was there - Joel's Trumpet.

Apparently there was a little bit of news coverage but it was grossly in error and only interviewed individuals from one side of the story. My purpose for posting this though is not to necessarily point out the violence from the gay community in this particular incident. Unfortunately I have heard about violence on both sides of this debate and it saddens me on all counts.

Reading about this, watching the parts of the incident caught on tape and discussing this with others brought two thoughts to mind for me.

1. This is not the end of the violence against those who stand for God's Truth and this will not be the only issue that will draw that violence. God's Word is very clear what things will be like in the end. For those who stand for God's Truth and walk His path it will only get worse. We must start to prepare ourselves for that now.

2. Our response in all of this MUST be Love. God is calling us to persevere through what is to come in His Strength and our response is to show others (including and most importantly those attacking us) His LOVE. God has called us to be a reflection of the Light. That Light is Jesus Christ and His Love for all of humanity. That is the only thing that will soften hearts to the Lord, God's Love.

I pray that when/if I am ever in a similar situation that my reaction will be the same as those JHOP individuals who chose forgiveness and prayer instead of pressing charges which per our current law they had every right to do.

Poured into Vessels

I may have mentioned recently, but I'm on a Ted Dekker kick right now. God has given him an amazing talent to write books that are fast paced and keep your interest, but that also communicate a message. All of his stories are unique, but they all have the same underlying theme. The unconditional love of God and how we are to stand for God's Truth while showing this same love to others.

Here is an excerpt from the book I recently finished, Thunder of Heaven, which really spoke to me. The scene is in a mission in Venezula between a young woman and a priest.

She shook her head. "I don't feel very spiritual, Father."

"And if you felt very spiritual, my dear, I might worry for you. It's not your duty to feel predisposed to any clear message. Think of yourself as a vessel. A cup. Don't try to guess what the Master will pour into you before he pours. Only pray it is the Master who pours. Then be willing to accept whatever message he wishes to fill you with. It's his to fill, Sherry. You only receive."

I had never thought of it that way before. I tend to like to plan things out so this way of thinking requires a lot of giving up control (which I really don't have anyway!) and a lot of faith and trust on my part. This is something I'm going to think about and pray about in the coming days. I believe this is what God asks of us. The question is - am I willing? Are you?

7 Quick Takes - (Vol. 2)

You can visit Jennifer over at Conversion Diary to find other 7 Quick Take posters every Friday.

~ 1 ~

So, riddle me this? Why is it that I have so many little things that pop into my head all week long that would make an interesting Quick Take for you, my reader, but when I log on and go to start typing, they all fly right out the window. I guess I'm going to have to start journaling about these things throughout the week so I'll remember these on Thursday nights.

The same thing happens with longer posts too. I don't forget what I want to write about but I start thinking of how to write them out and have amazing ideas while I'm in the shower, doing my hair, driving to work, sitting in the bathroom at work (I know, TMI) and then it all goes right out of my head when I find a piece of paper and pen. I think I need to go dig up that little tape recorder I used to carry around and start using it.

I can just see it know - me making myself notes about some great Truth about God that has just hit me while I'm in the bathroom at work. People will think I'm even crazier than they think I am now!!

~ 2 ~

So, I'm a total nerd - specifically a homeschool nerd. This week I had a meeting with my daughter's supervising teacher through the charter school we are part of. We meet every 4 weeks and I have to provide a homework sample. This meeting I was to provide a Science sample. I have a Science book that is specific for 2nd graders in California. There are chapter reviews in the book but no tests. So I created a test for my daughter which included fill in the blank questions related to vocabulary, some multiple choice questions, a picture I drew by hand of a butterfly lifecycle for which she had to label the phases and instructions for a Venn Diagram.

My printer here at home it not hooked up to my laptop right now, so this entire test was done by me in pencil. I turned in my daughter's answers that had been graded by me and my test questions for her (she got 100% by the way!!!)

Our supervising teacher told me that she has a teacher's manual at home (her daugther is the same age as mine) and I could copy the tests out of there if I want in the future but I turned her down. She had a supervisor from the school observing her for this meeting. This observer looked up quickly and gave me a funny look. But our teacher (who is also part of my homeschool co-op and part of my church, so we know each other pretty well) just smiled at me - "You actually enjoy making up the tests, don't you?" she asked me.

So that is where the nerd part comes in because all I could do is smile and nod. I loved doing the test and my daughter loved that I had made it up for her!

~ 3 ~

There is no way I can get around mentioning this - gas prices! I paid $2.04 this week and my hubby just paid $2.01 today. I heard on the news that the average right now is $1.99 and they are expecting it to get down as low as $.175. It has not been that low since the spring of 2005.

It is so sad that I'm that excited about paying only just over $2/gallon. I remember just before I moved out here from Arizona the station down the road from us had gas for $0.98/gallon sometimes!

~ 4 ~

Have you heard about these Somalian pirates who have hijacked an oil tanker and are asking for millions of dollars to return it? Turns out they hijack boats quite often. I did not even realize there was a such thing as pirates anymore!

This article I found about them says they are even hiring caterers to prepare Western-style food for their hostages. What is really sad though is due to the poverty around where they operate they are being considered heros because they are the only "businesses" there.

~ 5 ~

Do you remember MacGyver, he could hotwire a car with a toothbrooth or break out of prison with just a piece of paper, a piece of yarn and some chewing gum. Well, this show has been off the television airwaves for quite a few years now, I don't even think I've seen any reruns for some years now. However, he has not been forgotten! He has been voted #1 on a recent tough guy poll - read more here.

~ 6 ~

In history we are learning about ancient civilizations such at Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Greece and Rome right now. One thing that keeps coming up is the gods they worshipped. Today while talking about temples in ancient Egypt my daughter very seriously stopped me and told me - "Mommy, the second commandment of the 10 is to not worship idols." That started a really good conversation between us about idols and how idols in our current world are not as easily identified. They are not necessarily images carved in stone or wood as they were back then.

Then tonight I was flipping through my journal from the past year and found an entry I had done from a teaching about a year ago. I found my notes to be very enlightening and a good reminder.

Idols = Objects of Affection

Idols are tied to desires, our affections. What things in our lives take our affections away from God, where do we go for comfort?

Important Points:
1. Choose to serve the Lord, it is not forced on us.
2. If we choose God we need to follow Him, our lives should show that we follow Him.
3. He wants ALL of us - if we follow Him it needs to be 100%
4. We can not sit on the fence - we must choose
5. God thinks we are beautiful and desires for us to love Him. He wants us to make the choice

~ 7 ~

Thought for the week:

Ephesians 1:4-6
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

God chose to redeem me (you) even before He created the world and He took pleasure in it - He did not chose to redeem me (you) out of duty - He did it because He love me (you) and found pleasure in it!

I (you) am NOT a burden to God!

Key to God's Heart - Prayer & Worship

I've been mulling this post over in my head for almost a week now. Trying to determine how best to approach the subject. In the past year I've been on a very serious pursuit to know the heart of the Lord. In the past it has all been about knowledge for me. Studying God's Word, disecting it, reading the interpretations of others. When it came to church I was totally into the Bible study part of fellowship - doing studies, having discussions. However, the prayer and worship part of fellowship was always lacking for me. I would pray in private a little each week and I would listen to Christian worship music, but I just did not "get" these two things and I honestly felt no desparate need to "get" them. I was often distracted during times of prayer and worship and could not wait to get into what I viewed as the "meat" of things.

However, I've realized now that I had things all wrong. I've recently heard a quote (not sure of it's source) that really hit home for me.

The Bible isn't a magic book . . . we don't open it and the Light shines up in our face. The Light is in us and shines down on the page and illuminates the written word.

No matter how much I study God's Word, if He is not giving me His Wisdom, I will not get it. That is why so many individuals can read the Bible, study it in depth and still not Believe. God needs to touch our hearts first, He needs to illuminate our hearts so we can understand His thoughts. I've come to realize to fully understand God's Word I first need the key. What is the key to understanding God's Word? I believe it is understanding God's heart. This is done through prayer and worship.

Let me explain. If want to get to know someone, want to develop a relationship with someone, how do you do this? By reading about them? Doing research on their past, their present, their thoughts for the future? That may help you to gain a surface understanding of the person. But to really get to know them, to understand their heart, their desires, their dreams - you need to spend time with them face to face. You need to talk to them, reveal your heart to them and allow them to reveal their heart to you. God is the same way. He desires a relationship with us, He wants to reveal His Heart to us and wants us to do the same with Him. This means we need to spend time with Him face to face and talk to Him. This can't be done just by reading His Word. Prayer and worship is the key that unlocks our heart to what God truly wants to show us - His Unconditional Love for us!

God tells us that His ways and thoughts are above ours, that the Wisdom of God is foolishness to those who do not believe. Worship and prayer opens our hearts to see past the wisdom of man to the True Wisdom of God. It speaks to us at a level that involves not only our mind, but also our heart and soul. It allows God to speak to our innermost being and change us from the inside out. It allows Him to truly dwell within us and guide us in our walk with Him. Most of all it allows us to learn to focus on Him and His Kingdom no matter what we are going through in this world. It helps us to see past the flimsy reality of this world to the true reality of God's Kingdom.

In the past year God has used my reality here in this imperfect world to teach me about His perfect love for me. I prayed to better understand His heart and He answered that prayer by teaching me about prayer and worship, the importance of it in my life and in my understanding of His Word.

I recently heard Eddie Boasso speak here at RHOP regarding the importance of Day and Night Prayer. If you are able to listen to this podcast I highly recommend it. I found this message to be very convicting and highly encouraging.

In the end, I'm still in a learning process, probably always will be. I'm definitely not anywhere near being an expert on prayer or worship. But I do recognize the importance of these things in my life. I desire more and my prayer is that God continues to teach me and draw me closer to Him. That He continues to fan the flame He has lit inside me to pursue Him in a deeper relationship. To more fully understand the Love that transcends all and resulted in the Lord giving up everything to become human and give His life for me. A love that will allow me to spend eternity as Jesus' Bride, eternity in heaven worshiping my Creator.

Nov 15 - Big day for protests against God and His Righteousness

Yesterday I had posted about the Great American God Out that is to be held in San Francisco today. I'm now beginning to think there is something about Nov 15th for those who are in darkness and trying to defy our God.

There are numerous pro-homosexual protests being held across the nation led by a group called Impact. This is to be a nationwide protest against Prop 8 which just passed here in California to make marriage between a man and a woman only.

Please join me in prayer regarding these protests. Pray for repentance and light of God's understanding and wisdom. Some are asking that if there is a protest going on near you that you go to the site AFTER the protest intercede for forgiveness and repentance of those who participated. Please remember:

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ~ Ephesians 6:12

I'm sitting here trying to put into words the heaviness and sadness I feel in my heart because of what I've been seeing in this nation the past few months. I don't even know how to express it. Please pray, I fear we are at a place where some hearts may be hardened to the point where they will not be able to see the Light of Truth. I'm beginning to agree with someone who recently told me that sides are being drawn up and there is no real "middle ground" anymore. People are either choosing to follow God our Creator or they are choosing to do things their way, the way of the Enemy. We all serve someone and that distinction is becoming more and more apparent. The chasm between the two camps is becoming wider and deeper and as this happens it will be become harder and harder for those in the dark to cross over to the Light.

This may sound a bit depressing, but please realize that part of me is very excited as well, because although I'm saddened for those who have chosen to not follow the Lord, I'm rejoicing for those who have. I see the Lord drawing those who follow Him into an even more intimate and powerful relationship with Him. I'm experiencing this first hand myself. I praise God for His wisdom and truth and pray that He reveal it more and more to those who choose Him. And for anyone who has not totally hardened their hearts to God, I pray that His Light will find those cracks and penetrate their hearts, minds and lives in an amazing way.

Fight FOCA - Freedom of Choice Act

During the elections I had posted about the ramifications if the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) was to be signed into law. Click here for that post.

You may have noticed a new link and a new ad on my sidebar called Fight FOCA. This is a site dedicated to educating people regarding the truth about FOCA. It also includes a petition for those opposing FOCA to sign and an open letter to President-elect Obama regarding his promise to Planned Parenthood to sign this into law if he was elected.

If you are Pro-Life and believe in standing for the rights of unborn children who are innocent and have no voice of their own - please visit this site and consider signing the petition. FOCA would make ALL abortions legal on a federal level. This would eliminate restrictions that have already been placed on a state level in some places (partial birth abortion bans, parental notification laws to name a few). It would also ensure our taxpayer dollars are used to fund abortions and would require faith-based healthcare organizations to perform abortions.

Want more information - read here for an analysis of FOCA prepared by Denise M. Burke, Vice President of Legal Affairs for AUL (Americans United for Life)

Another reason to be on our Knees - Great American God-Out

I had never heard of this before but I checked it out and it is true. Tomorrow in San Francisco they will celebrate the Great Amercian God-Out. Last year on Nov. 15th this event was first held in New York - this will be the first year it will be held in San Francisco.

The Great American God-out

In the very words of the website here is what this is about...

THE GREAT AMERICAN GOD-OUT! is a newly demarcated holiday wherein, like "The Great American Smokeout", individuals are encouraged to combine their supportive efforts to help prevent and cure disease. Even if just for one day--people will live as as if there is no god; people will live as if there only exists the goodness of self and others to sustain healthy living!

The purpose of the the Great American God-Out! (GAGO) is to encourage people to think about the possibility of morality existing independently of theology and to abide by humanistic principles–live as if there is no god–even if only for one day.

The purpose is also to lobby for genuine separation of church and
state and encourage people to acknowledge the proper role of religion in the
private sphere.

Please be in prayer tomorrow regarding this event. We as creations of a Holy and Righteous God, we as a nation can only spit in God's face so many times before He will bring judgment on us (I personally believe it has already started).

I know God's Word tells us what things will end up being like before the end happens and events such as this point to those times. However, that does not mean that we need to sit by and just let it happen. Be on your knees in prayer, repentance and intercession. I pray God uses events like this to open the eyes of His Bride, the church to take a stand for Him and shake off her lethargic attitude.

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the rest of the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

~Ephesians 4:17-19

7 Quick Takes - (Vol. 1)

Jennifer over at Conversion Diary is starting a weekly 7 Quick Takes Mr Linky post - I love the idea of sharing 7 random things that I've thought about this week but either are not worthy of a full post or I have just not been able to post about yet. So here is volume 1 of the Ang4him 7 Quick Takes!

~ 1 ~

November is National Adoption Month. Someone at work sent out an email this week about this - I had never even heard of it before. It is also known as Orphan Awareness Month and Celebrate Adoption Month. I think this is wonderful!!


To find out ways you can celebrate adoption visit the National Adoption Awareness Month website. Some other good sites to visit to learn more about adoption include:


http://www.hopespromise.com/

http://www.adoptionfellowship.org/

http://www.voiceoftheorphan.org/

~ 2 ~

Along the same lines - I heard about this yesterday and thought it was pretty amazing.

Embryo Adpoption Services of Cedar Park

This church has started a program to match up parents who are interested in adopting with parents who have extra embryos due to fertility treatments. I have mixed feelings regarding fertility treatments, so this warmed my heart to hear about it. From what I heard this is the first church to set up a ministry such as this and it is only the 4th organization to offer this type of service.

The have a page of requirements which I read over and I was encouraged to see that their program does not allow for embryo reduction. They sincerely believe that every embryo is a human life.

~ 3 ~

I know every year someone says something about this but I just have to ask - what is with the Christmas ads popping up the day after Halloween? And what is up with Christmas lights popping up on people's homes already? Seriously, I drove by a house this last Sunday that had their Christmas light and decorations out already and lit up!

~ 4 ~

This past couple couple weeks I've seen and experienced first hand how many indivduals who cry out the most about intolerance and hate are often the ones exhibiting more intolerance and hate than those they are protesting about. And many times they don't even see it! What is more - I realized if I'm honest, I've been in their shoes before.

~ 5 ~

Homeschooling is so fun and I have even learned a thing or two. Today we were doing our history lesson and I learned about how our ABCs where invented. In the beginning there were 22 letters. A was alpha and B was beta - so instead of saying they were learning their ABC's they would say they were learning their alpha beta which is where the word alphabet comes from. Amazing what you can learn when you go through 2nd grade again!

~ 6 ~

Today we also learned about the kings of the Jews. When we talked about Solomon and God coming to him in a dream and asking him what we wanted (wisdom being Solomon's choice) - my daughter told me what she would have asked for from God. She leaned over and whispered to me "I would have asked for a kitten and a baby sister." Wow - I think I need to push Shaun to go get tested to make sure the surgery he went through after Jesse was born worked!

~ 7 ~

So here it is - me introducing officially on this site a book that I'm reading now. It is prompted me to start my new blog - Thankful Heart. It is called Created to be His Helpmeet.

My aunt gave it to me to read and warned me that it had offended her in some parts. So I knew it would most definitely offend me - but I'm determined to be a wife that is honoring to my husband and my God - so I decided to read it.


I have a friend who decided to read it as well and we are planning to discuss it together. She told me to check out the comments left on Amazon - basically it seems people either love this book or hate it. They either think this books is a huge blessing to their marriage or they think it represses women.


So far I have nothing but good things to say about it. I can definitely see where some people may get offended by the book and believe it represses women though. If I had been given it to read even a year ago I probably would have said the same thing. No - I take that back - I KNOW I would have said the same thing!


Sometimes when I think my walk with God is a failure I just look back over the past year and I know that He's been here all along guiding me and helping me to grown. What an Amazing God we serve!

Confusion - How to pray for our nation?

Lately I've read so many emails, blog posts and articles about how we should react to Obama now becoming our president (and I've posted some of my own!). There are so many differing opinions among those who did not vote for him.

On one hand I know God's Word tells me to pray for him. I know I should pray for him, his family and his administration. Pray that he will turn an ear to God and rely on Him for direction, wisdom and discernment when making decisions on behalf of our nation. Pray that he is surrounded by godly men who also rely on the Lord's wisdom instead of the wisdom of men.

However, another part of me truly believes he is in office because God has given this nation over to their evil desires. He is in office because Jesus' Bride, the Church, has grown lethargic and has chosen compromise over God's Truth. I look at Obama's stand on issues such as religious beliefs in politics, marriage and abortion (in his own words) and I believe our nation has been blinded. As I recently overheard - "we have voted for death".

So, if Obama is in office because God has given us (this nation) over to our evil desires, if in a way he is judgment from the Lord on an unfaithful nation, should I still be praying for blessing on him and this nation?

I believe the answer is yes, God still wants us to pray for Obama and our nation. But we need to do much more than pray for favor and blessing though - we must pray for mercy and grace and nationwide repentance. We must go down on our knees in intercession for this nation and it's leaders (Obama included).

I'm praying that through all that is to come, God's Bride, the Church, will wake from her slumber and rise up to stand beside her Bridegroom in Truth. That we will clearly see God's Truth and have the strength and courage to boldly strive for that Truth. That we will unashamedly proclaim that Truth in love.

77 Days of Prayer for our New President - Day 5

I received this via email today and wanted to share:


77 Days of Prayer for our New President
Day Five: November 9, 2008
72 days, 16 hours and 59 minutes left until inauguration day.


For Appropriate Submission to Authority
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
—Romans 13:1

Loving Lord God, in Your grace and goodness, You have given us the gift of free will and have mingled it with Your sovereign will and authority. We thank You today for this powerful gift. We open our hearts to trust completely in You—to look to You in every part of our national life, accepting Your will as wise and good.

As we pray for our newly elected President, we ask for grace to see Your hand at work. May we willingly acknowledge that You are the one who establishes all authority, and that those who are lifted up to serve do so at Your good pleasure. We ask You to unite us in that understanding, Lord, that our nation may move forward in Your will. In Your holy name, amen.

Give Me Your Eyes

I keep hearing this song on the radio and it speaks to me. God has been speaking to me lately about seeing and praying for those who I would normally not give a thought to or who I would normally show anger or bitterness towards. You know, those people you come in contact with who have wronged you in some way and now if you are honest you don't see them as a person any longer. You just see them as someone to hold a grudge against. I know this song is more about those who we usually just don't "see" as we walk by them in daily life, but I think we can just as well apply it to those we do see, but through eyes of contempt.

In two particular situations this past week God has shown me the humanity of someone I would normally not see as a "real" person.

One was our president-elect. I did not vote for him and I have some major issues with his policy. This makes it very easy to forget that he is a person just like me. In the past it would have been easy to do to him what many do to President Bush now because he stands for so many things in direct opposition to what I hold dear. But I committed to pray for him and through that God has been showing me the humanity of Obama. I may not agree with him on certain things, but he is still a human being. He is a father and a husband - just like my own wonderful husband. God has shown me the importance of not losing sight of this.

The other(s) were the individuals which I wrote about yesterday. Normally I would see them only as hateful individuals who have attacked me. People to loathe and despise. But as I mentioned yesterday God started to revel to me that they are just lost individuals filled with hate and bitterness. Very much the way I was at one time.

It is so easy when someone hurts us or makes us angry or does not agree with us to dismiss their humanity. It is easy to see the humanity in those who agree with us, but to deomonize those who we do not see eye to eye with. God does not want us to do this. He sees us clearly through all our sin and still loves us. He wants us to see others the way He sees them - through his eyes of love. But we can only do this through His power and strength.

Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes lyrics



Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere,
Why have I never cared?



Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah


Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work
He's buying time
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?



Chorus



I've Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all along



Chorus (x2) 



Lyrics  Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes lyrics

Hatred & Bitterness

It is amazing the things God uses to transform us into His image, things He uses to bring Himself Glory.

Yesterday, one of my posts from a couple weeks back was stumbled upon by someone who took great offense to it. This person posted a comment on a forum linking to my post which resulted in increasing my blog traffic over the past two days from approx. 20 unique hits a day to over 150 a day. This also resulted in what has probably been the most comments on any single post for me. Unfortunately these posts not only disagreed with me - they were quite nasty and hateful about it.

One cool thing about the internet and blogs is all the tools you can use, including one that can tell you where visitors are coming from when they visit your blog. In this way I was able to find the post that was directing all this traffic to me and I read the comments that had been left in response to that posting (7 pages at that time).

My first reaction was to be angry (the comments on my blog were bad, but these were appalling and many involved my daughter) however as I read the Lord impressed something on my heart. I began to feel compassion on these individuals because as I read further I began to see the hatred and bitterness behind the comments. Now don't get me wrong, I don't want anyone to think I'm something I'm not - I was still filled with anger of my own because of the attacks on myself, my family and my beliefs - but I started to see past those feelings.

So last night I chose to shut down my computer and pray for these individuals. God tells us to pray for our enemies, so I chose obedience. I'm not saying it was easy or that I was all that happy about it, but I figured obedience whether I feel it or not was the first step. I prayed for them and asked the Lord to soften my heart as well. He did start to do this -but He did even more.

As I started to pray for them He started to reveal to me that it was not all that long ago that I was filled with hate and bitterness. I was filled with pride - considering that I was correct in all of my beliefs no matter what - so much so that I was not even willing to accept discipline and correction from the Lord. At this point I began to weep and repent for this past sin.

But the Lord was not done. As I began to admit to Him these things from my past, He began to show me that although I don't live a life necessarily filled with hatred and bitterness any longer - I do still have deep dark places in my heart that harbor these feelings. They are buried deep and don't show themselves all the time, but they are still there. And He showed me two people in particular where I have allowed these feelings rule my heart and mind. And in some cases my tongue. I've justified these because these people have hurt me, they have offended me, they have tread on my rights.

But in the Kingdom of God these things do not matter. If God held these things against us, He never would have offered His gift of Love to us. What these individuals have done to me is nothing compared to the offenses I have committed against my Lord. Yet He has forgiven me and asks me to forgive others as He has forgiven me. He has loved me regardless of what I've done and asks me to do the same to others.

This started out as individuals who disagreed with my stand for God's Truth attacking me, but ended with God using it to reveal to me some ugliness in my own life. As much as I hate to see that within myself, I have chosen to follow Jesus and that means He will continue to guide me and show me areas in my life that I need to address in order to become more like Him. Therefore, today I praise Him for His mercy and grace. I praise Him because He loves me just the way I am, yet He wants to transform me into something even better if I am willing. I praise Him because He has turned what others meant for evil into something wonderful and good that will bring Him glory.

Encouraging Post-Election Posts

I've been surfing the web a bit tonight to see what is out there after last night's election results. Here are some of the more noteworthy posts I've come across:

Laced With Grace: Winning and Losing
Great post about Winning and Losing as compared to the Kingdom of God

BlogMommas: Call to Prayer


Eternal Perspectives: It’s Over; but It’s not Over (one Day it will be)


Spiritually Unequal Marriage: Thankful Thursday - A Win for Marriage


The Preacher's Wife: It's What We Do With Disappointment

10 Ways to pray for Barack Obama

This article from Fire in My Bones was shared with me today and I thought it was great - I encourage you to read it regardless of who you cast your vote for yesterday. God's Word tells us to pray for our leaders - this is a good starting point.

10 Ways to Pray for Barack Obama

J. Lee Grady, editor of Charisma

Whether you are happy about this week’s election results or not, all Christians must unite in prayer for our new president. Please don’t forsake this responsibility.

It’s over. We’ve reached the end of the longest, angriest and most nerve-wracking presidential campaign in American history. Finally the “I approved this message” ads have ceased. The endless robot phone calls have stopped ringing. The debates, and the annoying post-debate comments from “experts,” are history—until the next election cycle.

More than half the nation is celebrating today while others are mourning. We are a
divided nation, split into unhappy fragments by abortion, gay marriage, global warming, a failed economy and an unpopular war. Those who voted for Barack Obama have claimed a historic victory; some on McCain’s side are already looking for scapegoats. Politics is politics.

But when I got up this morning, I turned all my attention to the fact that Jesus Christ is still on the throne. His government is what is most important. Regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, the Bible says “the nations are like a drop from a bucket” to God (Is. 40:15, NASB). That includes the United States. We may boast about being “the greatest nation on earth,” but He who sits in heaven has a different perspective. Let’s take a big sigh of relief now and remember that God is sovereign.

Click here to read more

My Prayer for Obama as our next President

I must say I was disappointed but not altogether surprised as I watched the election coverage tonight and saw that Obama will be our next president. I believe America is going to be in for a rude awakening and I believe Obama is a very smooth talker who many have unfortunately chosen to put their hope in.

However, that being said - I'm even more confident in the fact that my Lord is still in control. I may not understand it, but He knows what He is doing, He is never wrong and He IS in control! My hope is in Him and Him alone.

In the past couple weeks there have been a couple discussions I've been involved in or been privy to that I believe sum up how I'm feeling today. I'm going to share them with you now.

First, in my daughter’s homeschool co-op they are learning about Daniel. The elections came up because they have been praying about the elections and the US. One of the questions was “What if Obama does win?” One child had an amazing answer for someone her age (maybe even for someone our age!). She replied (my paraphrase, but you get the point) – “Well, God is always in control even when we don’t see it ourselves. In Daniel it says that God chose Nebuchadnezzar and used him to do His will even though Nebuchadnezzar did not know God. So if Obama wins maybe this is the same thing. We just have to trust God.” Amazing insight!!

This has also come up as a topic on the Christan email distribution group at work. One question that came up was if Obama does win, how will you react? Especially considering God’s Word tells us to pray for our leaders and to submit to them.

Here is the answer I sent in reply:

Even if Obama wins I will submit to his leadership and pray for him and all our leaders - however I do add one exception, I will not follow any "rules" under Obama (or any president or other leader) if they are in direct opposition to God's Word. I don't plan to be "in your face" about these things if it comes to that point, I will do it in God's Love, but I will only submit so far as it does not make me walk off the path God has put me on.

In a way I live this same way at home. I have a husband I love dearly however, he is not a Believer. God's Word tells me that I should submit to my husband, and so in many matters I do. I've learned to pray and "pick my battles" with him and then to "fight" those battles in a respectful and loving way. In this way I honor him and in doing so honor my Lord (and hopefully in the process show my husband the love of Jesus for him).

Regardless of who becomes president I will handle things the same way. I will pray for the leaders and honor them as long as honoring them will not quench the Light of God that He has asked me to shine on this world. I will probably mess up along the way as I tend to become very passionate about certain things, but the Lord is slowly teaching me in my own home how to stand for His Truth in a way that draws others to Him instead of repelling them.

So - with that being said I lift up our future president in prayer:

Dear Lord,

I put my trust in you 100% even when I don't understand what is happening around me. I lift up to you all our current leaders and all new leaders who have been elected this day, including our president-elect, Barrack Obama. I pray you give them wisdom and discernment in leading this country and pour your blessings upon them.

I pray that you will whisper to them in your quiet still voice and draw their hearts to you, that they will learn to rely on you in all their decisions. I pray Lord, no matter what is in store for this country, that it be within your Will and that many will come to know you more through the circumstances that arise.

I acknowledge your sovereignty Lord and ask that you lead us to walk with you, I pray for repentance and healing for this country and I'm willing to accept that through whatever means you choose to use. Please change my heart where it is not in alignment with your Will. Please give me the grace to look past my biases and see your hand at work around me.

I praise your holy name, Jesus

~Amen~

New Blog - Thankful Heart

I've started a new blog which I've added to my sidebar - below is my opening post, please consider joining me as I begin this new journey . . .

Thankful Heart

At the time that I'm starting this blog, I am part of an unequally yoked marriage. In the past I have used this as an excuse for playing the part of the "poor me" wife with a husband who does not understand me or love me the way that he should. I was wrong!

I had expectations for my poor husband that could not even have been lived up to by a man fully committed to following Christ, let alone one who does not have a relationship with Christ. I was focused on who my husband was not instead of focusing on all the wonderful things that he is. Even worse, I was putting myself up as a sort of martyr. It never crossed my mind that I might be failing him as much as I believed he was failing me.

This past year has been really rough on our marriage, but through all of this the Lord has started to show me what love is really all about. He has begun to instill deep within my heart true unconditional love. Along with that He has shown me some pretty ugly things about myself. I'm realizing that while I may have some very good reasons to be offended by my husband and his behavior at times, insisting on standing by these "rights" of mine will only lead to the destruction of my marriage.

For one, I'm not really any better and in some cases I'm worse. I've given my dear husband many reasons to be offended by me. And my hateful attitude towards him because of his behavior (regardless of how much I may be deserving to be upset) will not draw him closer to me or to the Lord.

My prayer in starting this blog is to begin to nuture a thankful heart within myself. I want to be a beautiful "young" bride for my husband who makes him feel respected, admired and loved unconditionally. I want to be lovely in his eyes again. I'm realizing by doing this not only will I win my husband's devotion and love, but I will be honoring the Lord as well.

It seems like everything I have been led to this year has pointed to one thing only, everything is about Love and Relationships -that is all that matters in the end. If we can figure this out, everything else will fall into place. So this blog is my journey to begin to live this out in my life and in my marriage.

CA Governor's Prayer Team - 40 Days to Pray the Vote - Day 40

The California Governor's Prayer Team has called many to pray and fast for 40 days regarding the upcoming elections. Today is Day 40 of this call, below is today's email.

* * * * * * *

40 Days to Pray the Vote

November 2, 20081 days, 13 hours and 8 minutes left until election day.

For a President Whose Heart is Tender Toward God; Who Will Listen to Him and Sow Seeds of Justice Throughout His or Her Tenure.

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases. All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.--Proverbs 21:1-3

Heavenly Father, You have laid out the oceans and rivers, the mountains and valleys; You set the planets on their paths and You know the name of every star in our vast universe.

Please, Lord, give to us a president whose heart is attuned to You—who hungers to serve You and do Your will above all else. Protect us, God from trusting in our own ways, and keep our hearts attuned to You so that we will be acceptable to You in all things and in all our ways. In the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sign Up Here, to participate in the Election Eve Online Prayer Rally!

Prayer for the National and Local Election

Father, in Jesus' name, I give thanks for the United States and its government. I hold up in prayer before You those people who are seeking a position of authority in political office. I pray that the Spirit of the Lord rests upon them.

I believe that skillful and godly wisdom has entered into the heart of everyone whom you have appointed to lead us and that knowledge is pleasant to them. Discretion watches over them; understanding keeps them and delivers them from the way of evil and from evil men.

Father, I ask that You surround everyone in authority with men and women who are attentive to godly counsel and do that which is right in Your sight. We pray that our leaders will be people of integrity who are obedient concerning us that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. I pray that only the upright shall be elected to govern over us...that only a person who is blameless and complete in Your sight, Father, shall obtain these positions of leadership. In the name of Jesus we pull down the wicked from this election and the treacherous shall be rooted out of it. I also pray that the media who proclaims any news about this election, will clearly speak and write truth that prevails, and their influence will be for good and not evil.

Your Word declares that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Ps. 33:12). I receive Your blessing, Father, for my country. You are our refuge and stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, depression and desperation). So I declare with my mouth that Your people shall dwell safely in this land, and we prosper abundantly. We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus!

It is written in Your Word that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, and you turn it whichever way You desire. I believe the hearts of our leaders are in Your hand and that their decisions are divinely directed by You, Lord.

I give thanks unto You that the good news of the gospel is proclaimed and published in our land. The Word of the Lord prevails and grows mightily in the hearts and lives of the people. I give thanks for this land and the leaders You will give to us, in Jesus' name.

Jesus is Lord over the United States of America!

Scripture References:

Deuteronomy 23:5 (NIV)

Deuteronomy 28:10, 11 (NIV)

Psalm 9:9 (NIV)

Proverbs 2:10 - 12, 21, 22 (NIV)

Proverbs 9:9 (NIV)

Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Acts 12:24 (NIV)

Romans 8:37 (NIV)

Revelation 3:18 (NIV)

Prayers.org

"Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality." Martin Luther King, Jr.

"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

~California Governor's Prayer Team

Must Read Post - Future of Abortion under Obama

I read this post today on Randy Alcorn's blog. Please take the time to read it and to watch the video - although, I will warn you it is extremely graphic (it warns you prior to showing these images as well.) It is long (the post and the video) but it is very worth the time and gives some really good information regarding Obama's stance on abortion.

Pre-Election Final

I only was able to watch about half and then had to stop watching until towards the end when the graphic images stopped because I was sobbing and was so sick to my stomach and sick in my heart.

My daughter had sat down next to me as I started watching the video, but when the warning came on I asked her to go get ready for bed before I watched that part of the video (she is only 7). She understands the basics of what abortion is but she is too young to be exposed to these types of images in my opinion. When she came back in she asked me why I would watch a video that would make me cry. I told her that sometitmes we need to watch something that will make us cry so our heart will become more involved. If we don't see what is really going on and involve our hearts in it, it is too easy to ignore the problem and not work to change it.

I am still sooo amazed that anyone can call abortion a choice and not see it as the taking of an innocent life. However, I also realize when I was a teenager, I would have given the standard pro-choice line if anyone had asked me about abortion (in fact I think I did just that a few times). At that age I had no idea nor had put any thought into what it really was. I don't understand how anyone could really think this through and watch a video such as this and still casually dimiss the killing of innocent, defenseless babies as a "Choice".

The actor in the video (popular Mexican actor and producer Eduardo Verastegui) makes a point at the end that really struck me. He says - "if a President is not willing to defend the most innocent of his own country, which are the baby's in their mother's wombs, then my question is, who is he willing to defend?"

In the News and On my Heart

Okay - so there have been quite a few different things that have come to my attention lately that I've wanted to post but not been able to keep up on - so I've decided to consolidate them into one post - these are things that are in the news and on my heart. I'm including a link and a short commentary from me on each one.

3 Arrested for Stealing Political Signs
So I've seen and heard about many poltical signs being stolen, mostly Yes on Prop 8 signs. I know many who have repeatedly had their signs vandalized and/or stolen (so far ours has been left untouched but we live at a dead end and don't get much traffic). Three individuals were caught this morning in the act and with 53 signs in their car. I find it very sad though that it was young adults - these are the youth that are our country's future.

Decriminalizing Prostitution in San Francisco
Now this one (Prop K on the SF ballot next week) seems to be too liberal for even San Francisco (imagine that!). It would not technically make prostitution legal in SF, but it would prevent law enforcement from pursuing prostitutes. Many are protesting this because they believe it will increase problems with human trafficking. Even opposed as it is - I'm concerned that it even made it onto the ballots.

Constitutional Sinners - The Growing Challenge to Freedom of Speech
I am a huge Ted Dekker fan. He is a wonderful fiction writer (one of the best I've ever read, and believe me - I go through books like you would not believe!) and he is able to portray such Truths about God's Word and His Character in his books. It is amazing. I recently read his newest book Sinner, which deals with the future US (2034) in which a National Tolerance Act has been passed that basically makes it hate speech to preach the Good News among other things. Basically saying Jesus is the Way is inflammatory speech. The above link is an article written regarding how themes in the book are showing up in the world today and how the US is on that path as well.

Letter from 2012 in Obama's America
I warn you - this is a long one. It may seem a bit extreme as well. I'm not sure that I agree that this much can happen in just 4 years, but I do believe that this is the path we are walking down as a nation, especially if Obama becomes our next president (or at least at a faster rate if he becomes president). I've said many times in the past weeks now that I believe as individuals and as a nation we must repent and turn back to the Lord. When you realize that everything referenced in this letter prior to Oct 22, 2008 is based on fact you have to stand up and at least pay attention and give it some thought!

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

(2 Chronicles 7:14)

I'd love your comments and thoughts on any and all of these items.

In the News - Kids & Porn

I did not want to post the entire post here again, but please take a moment if you do not read my other blog - to check out this post

In the News - Kids & Porn (The Pornification of a Generation)

Fireproof - my movie recommendation

This last week, my husband and I went to see the movie Fireproof. We had someone buy us the tickets and offer to watch the kids. He was not too interested in it, but when you have three small children at home you don't pass up a FREE date! I on the other hand was looking forward to seeing it.

He had said he was going to fall asleep during the movie - however he did not. In fact he even laughed at a couple parts. I admit the movie started out looking a bit "B"ish but you soon forget that. However, when you consider that the actors in the movie were all volunteers for the most part - you have to definitely give it props. Here is an article I came across about how the movie got started. It really is very encouraging. Fireproof has unexpected success

I must admit I was surprised - there was a couple parts where I was on the edge of my seat biting my nails (or squeezing my poor husband's knee!) And there were some parts where both of us were just cracking up! And then there were the parts where the tears just flowed down my face!

I highly recommend the movie to everyone, whether you are married or not. It was really good and had an awesome message. It shows that you can deal with some very real issues (pornography, infidelity, etc) in a movie without becoming graphic. But most of all it communicates a very important Truth about Love, marriage and a relationship with Christ. I for one walked away feeling a deeper love for Christ and a deeper love for my husband and our marriage.

Most of the movies that I've purchased have been children movies. I can probably count the non-kid movies I own on one hand. However, when this comes out on video I will definitely be adding it to my very small collection. And I think I might just have to go check out that "Love Dare" book now too.

Shaun even liked the movie - last night a couple had come down and was playing darts with us and asked what we had seen. Shaun told them that it was definitely a "God Movie" but he said it was actually pretty good. That is actually a pretty good recommendation from him!

I also recommend checking out the Fireproof My Marriage site.

A Reader's View on Obama's Speech

After my post Obama - separate "religious" beliefs from politics I received an email which I'm posting below with this person's permission.

* * * * * * * * *

I think Obama’s attitude shows he’s not a Bible believer. A person who lives for God doesn’t put God in a box and say I’m only going to let you into certain parts of my life. We invite God into ALL parts of our life with none of it off limits to him. After all, trying to live our life without God is when we mess things up. If we follow God, we’ll never, never go wrong. That is a belief in stark contrast to the beliefs of Obama. Obama has a very ‘twisted’ view of scripture as far as I’m concerned and I find his beliefs to be very offensive and arrogant.

My personal belief is that he could be a lot more dangerous than most people even realise as president. Hearing his speeches gives me the creeps. His sudden rise out of nowhere…….his smooth, mesmerising speeches…..his attitude toward God…..his arrogancy and his belief in how wonderful and wise he is……all these things make me concerned about him. Personally the more I hear of him, the more I’m reminded of things I’ve found out about Hitler over the years. That’s not a very comforting thing. I don’t think he has the right stuff to be a good president, but he has so many questionable ‘things of concern’ that I think he could be a very bad person in power. He has an enormous ego. God help us all if he becomes president.

If he gains the presidency, he will be coming into it in one of the most critical economic times worldwide we’ve had in our lifetime. Right now the US and the world is on the edge of a cliff economically and I’m convinced he would tip them over the edge for sure. And that isn’t even bringing our safety and security issues into it concerning terrorists, etc.

I’ve been studying prophecy since when I was pregnant with my youngest son (Angela's note: her youngest son is my age!). I’ve been praying about this for years, studying and just watching to just see what was happening in the world. I do, now, believe it’s possible that things may be entering into the time period of the last days. If we are then this will only be the beginning of our troubles. God is now and will in the future be our only help, contrary to what Obama thinks. Trying to leave God out of the US and it’s government, etc would be a major mistake for any president. Good things don’t happen to those who forget God, who denigrate him, ridicule him and attempt to lead his people away from him or destroy them spiritually or otherwise. His leadership as a president would, I’m afraid, put him at great risk. People can’t stand against God or his word and come out ahead or even be safe…….. I wouldn’t want God angry with me… there’s no place to hide from him. Obviously Obama has no fear of God if he makes fun of God’s word the way he did.

Anyway, I don’t trust Obama, and think he’s very dangerous and arrogant. All that said, I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t become president.

But then again, I believe we may be entering the end of days. If we are, this will mean the end of the world as we’ve known it. Things will never ever be the same again. We need to be sure we’re doing God’s will, and watch and pray.

Prop8 and Education

Opponents of Prop 8 will tell you that the Supporters of Prop 8 are lying about the effect on education if this is not passed.

Many sites (including mine) have pointed out what has happened in Massachusetts where parents are being told they not only can't opt-out their children from homosexual and same sex marriage discussions/indoctrination, but that they have no right to have a say in what their children are taught. Opponents will tell you that California will not be like that because we have a right to opt-out in this state, supposedly Massachusetts did not have this.

So - how do you know who is telling the truth? You don't have to look far because what the Opponents of Prop8 say will not happen here, has in fact already begun.

Class Surprises Lesbian Teacher on Her Wedding Day
A class of 1st graders went on a field trip to their lesbian teacher's wedding. Now from what I've read, in this case the children were required to get permission slips, however in order to justify the field trip as being academically related it was deemed as a "teachable event".

"It really is what we call a teachable moment," Jaroflow said, noting the historic significance of same-sex marriage and related civil rights issues. "I think I'm well within the parameters."

So much for those who say homosexual lifestyles are not discussed in the school, especially at such a young age (opponents of Prop8 claim this as well as many blog commenters who insist on calling those of us who support Prop8 liars!)

However, even more disturbing is the following story:

School Holds Surprise Gay Day for Kindergartners
A "Coming Out Day" was held today at this school in California (not far from Sacramento). Other events include celebrating Gay and Lesbian History Month and observing "Ally Week" which usually targts high school students.

Even more disturbing is the fact that the school did not see the need to inform any of the parents of these events. They have confirmed the events are taking place, but they are not listed on the public calendar! How are parents supposed to "opt-out" as we keep being told we have the right to do in California if we are not being informed of what our children are being taught! Click on the link above and read the full article yourself!

Regardless of how you feel about same-sex marriage, this country has a freedom of religion right. As parents we have a right (and a God-given duty) to teach our children morals.

Even if for some reason you don't believe that I have a right to teach my children morals - it can not be denied that the claims of the Prop8 opponents that this will not affect our children's education are lies. It is already affecting our children's education and being pushed down our throats. In the words of San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom - "The door's wide open. It's going to happen whether you like it or not!" - Well Gavin, not if I can help it!

Pray for our Nation - Jeremiah 19

I don't want my blog to become a doomsayer blog, but my highest priority in life it to follow the Lord. I want to fear Him more than I fear man. As I'm reading through Jeremiah I can't help but think it is timely for our nation, as I've mentioned before.

I will be posting other things on my blog (a review of Fireproof which I watched last night is forthcoming) - but expect that each morning as I read Jeremiah and the Lord points out verses to be applied to our nation at this time - I will be sharing.

Today I read Jeremiah 19 - the Lord brought the following verses to the forefront:

For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned sacrificies in it to gods that neither they nor their fathers nor kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. They have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as offerings to Baal - something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. (verses 4-5)

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says: "Listen! I am going to bring on this city and the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words." (verse 15)

I started thinking about this - we don't necessarily worship stone idols anymore and we don't take our children out in the valleys and throw them in the fire. At least not literally. But this nation, this world in many cases - is still doing these things, the gods have just changed their names and the sacrifices have changed faces.

What gods do we serve in this nation right now?

* Tolerance (political - correctness) - God's Word and Will should rule our lives, not the fear of offending someone because we speak the Truth. Truth is often offensive because it brings to light our sins, something we desparately want to keep in the dark. But some day we must account for these. I'd rather repent of them now than have to explain them to my Creater later as I stand before His Throne.

* Convenience - abortion, greed, we only think of ourselves and we want what we want now. If it may hurt others, we justify it in some way. It does not matter what spin we put on sin, Truth is Truth and sin can NOT be justified.

* Self - We may say we are looking out for others, but in the end we only care about one person, us! And deep down we don't even really like that person. We can not show love if we don't know and understand love. God is LOVE. Without Him we are hopeless. The only true and fulfilling way to live is for Him, not for ourselves!

I keep coming back to Jeremiah 2:11-13

"Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols. Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror," declares the Lord. My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."

Please join me in prayer (repentence & intercession) for this nation. Let us turn from our broken cisterns that we have dug and run to the cistern of the Lord, the spring of Living Water!

Pray for our Nation - Jeremiah 18

If you are a Christian who believes with all your heart that the Bible is the inspired Living Word of God, I implore you to join me in praying for this nation. Not just through the elections, although I believe this is a crucial time for our country. This is a turning point.

However, the elections on their own will not be enough to save this country. We need to have our hearts remade. Individually and as a nation. In the beginning of Jeremiah 18, the Lord tells Jeremiah to visit the potter. While there Jeremiah watches the potter reshaping a marred clay pot in his hands, he reshapes it as he sees as being best to him because he is the expert. The clay pot doesn't know what is best - only the potter does. This is us, our nation - we are that marred clay pot. We need to acknowledge this and ask the Potter to reshape us as He knows best because only He is the expert!

Jeremiah 18:7 - 10

If at any time I announce that a nation or or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.

Obama - separate "religious" beliefs from politics

So - it is probably obvious that I've become very passionate of late regarding our upcoming elections. As I've mentioned before, I've been spending a lot of time on my knees crying out to the Lord for his mercy on our nation. I won't claim to have everything figured out but I do know that EVERYTHING in my life, including politics and my votes, need to be based on the Word of God because His Word is the only real Wisdom and Truth.

This video was recently posted on a blog I visit regularly (which happens to be written by someone I work with) - Mike's Mind Emissions. I had commented on his post, but I just can't get this one out of my mind. So I'm posting here the video for my few readers to see and I've copied my comment below as well.

I'm curious - what is your take on these words of Obama? If you are a Christian - do you agree with Obama? Do you believe that as Christians we should separate our "religious" beliefs from our politics?



My comments on Mike's Blog:

First, I am soooo tired of liberals telling me that I can not base my poltics on my beliefs. They base their poltics on their beliefs. The only difference between my beliefs and theirs is that I trust in a higher power than myself to determine what is right and wrong. Because of this they label my beliefs as "religious" and therefore discount them.

Secondly, for any Christians out there who are thinking they should vote for Obama, if this video does not show that he is NOT a Bible believing Christian, I don't know what does. Nobody who truly believes our Creator is all-knowing and all-powerful, anyone who truly believes the Bible is the inspired Word of God would ever say what he has said here. He basically says God is not reasonable and therefore we can't base our poltics on God.

But I guess that is to be expected. The Bible clearly says God's Ways are not our ways and His Thoughts are not our thoughts. It says the Wisdom of God is foolishness to those who don't believe.

Unfortunately in many ways Obama is right, we are no longer a nation of Christians. As a nation we no longer believe that there are absolutes, that we have a Creator larger than us. As a nation we have chosen to follow our own path and I'm afraid that soon the Lord is going to give this nation over to their desires. I for one am praying for God's mercy.

Someone recently told me that they believe the Lord is going to give America the president they deserve this election. I pray that is not true.

I've really not gotten involved in politics very much in the past and I would never have been considered an intercessor, especially not for our nation. However, this election things have changed.

Thank you Mike for this posting this video.

Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)

This last weekend is the first time I had ever heard of the Freedom of Choice Act. I started doing some research on it an I must confess by the time I was done my blood was boiling and I was overwhelmingly heartbroken.

This is an act that is supported by Planned Parenthood and NARAL-ProChoice America and if passed would prohibit "federal or state governments from interfering with a woman’s fundamental right to choose to bear a child or end a pregnancy." Those are the exact words on Planned Parenthood's website and in the proposed Act itself (you can find a copy of the proposed Act here which was re-introduced to the Senate in April 2007. From the research I've done this came up in 1993 and 1989 as well)

I find the wording very interesting - to bear a child or end a pregnancy - they can't tell it like it is. To bear a child or kill a child! I'm sorry if that is a bit graphic for some, but sugar-coating things does not change the Truth.

Here are some things to keep in mind about the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA):

* Will allow for late term abortions (this "freedom of choice" is to be throughout the entire 9 months of pregnancy)

* Will affect partial birth abortion bans (Per Planned Parenthood FAQ - "Viability, the time at which a fetus is capable of sustained survival outside the womb, is determined on a case by case basis and cannot legally be established as occurring at a particular time for all women") Wonderful, a case by case basis. Forgive me for my pessimism when I question those who will be making those decisions.

* Will affect parental notification for minors (Per Planned Parenthood FAQ - "FOCA prohibits states from enacting laws intended to deny or interfere with a woman's fundamental right to choose an abortion. Minors have long been included within the protections of Roe. Parental consent or notification statutes have been used as a tool to deny access to abortion services for minors. When such laws deny or interfere with the ability of minors to access abortion services, they would violate FOCA.")

Ironic that Planned Parenthood and other Pro-Choice organizations believe a mother of an unborn child has the baby's best interests at heart when deciding on whether to get an abortion, but when they become a teen, all of a sudden we don't know what's best for our children (and potential grandchildren)!

* Obama told a Planned Parenthood audience “The first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act.” If you don't believe me check out the video at the bottom of the post here or search YouTube yourself.

Another quote from Obama (this one is on his website here) - "But we also know that Roe v. Wade is about more than a woman's right to choose; it's about equality. It's about whether our daughters are going to have the same opportunities as our sons."

Let me ask you this - how are we creating a nation of equality when we are killing thousands/millions of our own children and grandchildren?

When I hear the arguments that this is an issue of a womans right to choose - I am infuriated and just sickened. I seriously want to vomit! I don't understand how people can be so blinded and so illogical to not see this for what it is. It is NOT a choice, it is a LIFE!!!

Even my 7yr old daughter is smart enough to be able to see past the lies and justifications. These children are being killed and these women buying into these lies are being scarred for life. Nobody wins!

Jesus, I plead your Blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America.

Bound4Life

Obama and Abortion

About a year ago I learned about a group called Bound4Life. They are a grassroots movement to save millions of baby's lives in America. They plan to do this through prayer and what is called Silent Sieges. I made the promise at that time to not vote for any candidate who is not Pro-Life.

I am finding it disturbing and saddening to hear that there are others who call themselves pro-life (and Christian in some cases) who are believing the claims that Obama is not a threat to the ProLife movement, and in some cases believing that he is actually good for the cause.

Others will tell you that abortion is really not that big of an issue in the election as the President does not really affect things like abortion laws. This is very wrong. The president may not interpret the laws but he does sign them or veto them. More importantly he appoints judges who do interpret the laws.

Regardless of where you stand please read this post - Abortion Reduction by The Freedom of Choice Act?

I had many concerns before regarding what will happen to this country if Obama became president, for more reasons than just abortion. This just increases these concerns more.

I pray the Lord will open eyes and hearts between now and November 4th to the Truth about abortion and the truth about what is in store for this country and thousands of innocent lives if we don't open our eyes to the Truth of abortion and take a stand (and more importantly if we don't repent and ask for mercy).

“Jesus, I plead your Blood over my sins and the sins of my nation.
God, end abortion and send revival to America.”

I've explained to my daughter what abortion is (not in graphic details, of course) and recently she watched video from when Saddleback Church interviewed both candidates. One of the questions asked was when a child's rights begin. The video of Obama was approx. 5 minutes long. He never actually answered the question, he did a lot of dancing around it. McCain came right out and said "at conception".

After the videos both played I asked my daughter what she thought (I had not told her anything yet as to where either of them stood on the issue) - even a 7 yr old could watch these videos and easily determine that Obama is not Pro-Life.

If you ask her right now what she thinks of the presidential candidates she will tell you "Obama is for killing babies in their mommy's tummies, McCain is not."