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."

Explaining Prop8 to your kids

In my previous post I had mentioned that I've been talking to my daughter (she's 7 yrs old) about the upcoming elections. I was surprised at how interested she is in what is going on and how eager she is to be part of it and pray for the upcoming elections.

I prayed before I spoke to her because I wanted to explain the issue to her adequately but at a level that she would be able to understand. This is the same way I had approached the issue of abortion with her when she asked me one day why I wore a red Life bracelet.

I simply explained to her that some people believed it was okay for a boy to like a boy and a girl to like a girl the same way that Mommy and Daddy like each other, and that those people have tried to make it legal in our state for a boy to marry a boy or a girl to marry a girl. I explained that we had voted a few years ago and the state had decided that was not right but there were some judges that did not agree and had made it legal. I then explained that the State had a constitution just like the US did and that Prop8 was being voted on to add wording to our constitution that would say that marriage is only recognized between a man and a woman.

When I explained how marriage right now is legal between a girl and a girl or a boy and a boy, I was suprised to see the look on her face. It was a look of confusion. She looked at me and said,

"But Mommy, I don't think God would like that. He made Eve for Adam, he wants weddings to be for a boy and a girl. That is how He made it!"

It warmed my heart that she recognized that the highest authority in all of this is the Lord.

We then went on to talk about how how babies are made (at a very high level) because she asked if two boys or two girls could make a baby. This also got us on the topic of having babies when you are not married.

In the end we talked about how we all sin and even those who sin in these ways are still people that God loves dearly. We compared it to when she does something wrong. Mommy & Daddy don't like what she has done but we still love her. It is the same way with grown ups and God. We all sin and God hates that, but He loves us still. So even though we need to stand up for what is right and what is God's Truth, we still need to love the people who are doing those things. We would want the same thing if it was us doing the wrong thing.

Part of this conversation started because my daughter had noticed the Yes on Prop8 signs that are popping up in the lawns of our neighbors. After our discussion, she told me that we needed to let everyone know about this issue and we needed to get a sign for our yard. And then she said she wanted to make signs and put them up all over the neighborhood and knock on people's doors and let them know about this.

I encourage everyone once again to talk to their children. You may be surprised how much they understand and how excited they are to be included. Especially if this proposition does not pass. Just look at Massachusetts and you'll see where this state will be headed if this Proposition does not pass. No matter what they are saying now, we will end up on the same path. Same-sex marriage being taught in schools at a very young age without the parents being allowed to object. Being told what morals we must teach our children. Read this article if you don't believe that is where we are headed - Proposition 8 - Who's Really Lying?

A good friend of mine just told me a few months ago about a friend of hers who called her in a near panic. Her young daughter (just about my daughter's age) had come home and told her Mom that she was a lesbian. When her mom asked her why she thought that she replied that it was because she liked girls better than boys and some people who had come to talk to them told her it meant she was a lesbian (this was at a diversity day event). Of course a girl at that age likes girls better than boys, at that age boys have cooties! If we don't talk to our children, others will (even if Prop8 passes they will still hear about homosexuality). I for one want my children's morals to be shaped by me in line with God's Word, not by what is considered to be P.C. in this world of ours right now.

Jeremiah - Warning to our Nation?

Therefore, say to them, "This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips. Cut off your hair and throw it away; take up a lament on the barren heights for the Lord has rejected and abandoned this generation that is under his wrath."

~Jeremiah 7:28-29

I've been reading the book of Jeremiah recently. I've only gotten through Chapter 10 so far, but as I read it I keep feeling a heavy burden on my heart to pray for our nation. I can't help but feel the Lord impressing upon my heart that this message given to Jeremiah thousands of year ago for Israel, has meaning for us today.

Now I don't for one minute believe that the U.S. has taken the place of Israel as God's chosen nation, nor do I believe that God has abandoned Israel. So if that thought has popped into your head with my above statements, please let it pop right back out immediately.

The Lord has been putting a burden on my heart though more and more as the elections come closer. I've never thought of myself as an intercessor in anyway, nor have I ever really prayed for the nation, our government or its leaders much. But now I find myself pleading with the Lord each and every day to spare us. To open our eyes to the repentence and turning from our sins that is needed in this nation.

As I read Jeremiah, I truely feel it is a message to our nation that we need to drop the arrogant ego that we have worn for so long. To realize that we are not "all that" and that we are not in control. Only God is in control. If we don't repent, fall on our faces in prayer to Him and turn from our sinful ways, this nation will fall. It will become only a memory in the pages of some dusty history book. I know this sounds harsh and maybe a bit doomsday-ish, but I'm sure that is what all the other powerful nations throughout history thought too just before they crumbled.

We have let so much sin continue un-checked in our lives in the name of tolerance and politcal correctness. I don't condone going around judging everyone else or hating others. God has instructed us to love one another. But each of us needs to truely examine our hearts. Ask God to reveal where we have let things into our lives which go against His Word in order to "get along" with others.

As a people we have chosen to believe that we are in control and we have chosen to follow our own paths instead of following the path that the Lord has for us. We are beligerant children, thinking we know what is best, following our own paths which only lead to destruction. Only God knows the True Way and lead us in what is best for us.

There are so many verses in the first 10 chapters of Jeremiah that jump out at me as I read and as I start to intercede for our nation. However, the one above is what I feel the Lord prompting me to share at this moment. I encourage you to read Jeremiah if you are able, ask the Lord to open your eyes to the areas in your life where you've compromised His Truth. But be ready, because if you ask He will show it to you. Take it from me, I can personally tell you it is not pretty.

Please intercede on behalf of this nation, please repent for yourself and this nation and ask the Lord for mercy and grace. I'm calling everyone to prayer, repentance and intercession in these next few weeks. Remember, no matter what happens, the Lord is in control!

When Children Pray

On Fridays, my daughter's homeschool co-op has a class for the 1st - 3rd graders called "Praying for the Nations". Each week they learn about a new country and pray for the people in that country. So far, they have learned about and prayed for Afghanistan, Iran & Israel.

Beginning this week, the children will be praying for the US and the upcoming elections. They will be doing this every week until the end of the elections at which time they will start praying for other nations again.

The mother who leads this class has asked each of us to speak to our children regarding the issues for the upcoming elections. Tonight I spoke with my daughter about the candidates a little bit. I did not tell her at first who I was planning to vote for, we just talked about some of the issues and where they stood on these issues. I also spoke to her a little bit about other things that I'll be voting on next month other than the Presidential candidates.

Tonight we focused quite a bit on abortion and Prop 8. I had to pray in advance about how to speak to my 7 year old about these two issues, but I was able to explain them at her level. We were able to talk about these two issues and God's view on both of these. This also led to us discussing sin and how God dislikes sin, but still loves us - even when we sin.

I highly encourage everyone to speak to your children about these things. It is amazing how much they actually grasp and some of my daughter's comments warmed my heart. Our nation is in desparate need of intercessors right now. Praying for our nation, our leaders and the elections has been a burden on my heart for awhile. What better way to teach my daughter about repentence, intercession and prayer than to have her pray with me for this.

Also, I truly believe that God has a special fondness for the prayers of children. They are able to come to Him with a trust and faith that we adults have trouble expressing. When children pray, God leans down from Heaven to hear their sweet voices.

Bride & Groom to be reinstated in CA

If you are not living in California (or maybe even if you are) you may not be aware, but this last summer a handful of judges decided to overrule the people of the state who had voted against allowing same-sex marriages. Same sex couples can now be legally wed in California now. As part of that, the marriage licences were changed to read Party A and Party B in order to not offend the new couples now being allowed to marry in the state. No concerns for those heterosexual couples who are offended by being referred to as Party A and Party B, as if marriage is nothing more than a business contract. In fact one couple, who crossed out the new designation's and wrote in Bride and Groom were told their license was not legal!

A friend of mine (who I've added to my blogroll) recently posted about this - you can read his take on it at Mike's Mind Emissions - California Couple:"You're not allowed to be 'Bride & Groom'"

I am happy to say that I just heard tonight on the news that beginning next month (Nov 17th) the designation's Bride & Groom will be returning to the marriage license form. I'm not exactly clear yet as to what the new form will look like, but according to one report I found - Bride & Groom to be Restored to Calif. forms - it sounds like the form will still say Party A and Party B, however there will now be an optional box you can check so your license says Bride & Groom instead. (I may be reading this wrong though). Not exactly ideal, but much better than the current form.