Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him. ~James 1:5
Friday, November 14, 2008
Fight FOCA - Freedom of Choice Act
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)
Monday, November 10, 2008
Confusion - How to pray for our nation?
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.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Encouraging Post-Election Posts
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
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.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
My Prayer for Obama as our next President
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~
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Must Read Post - Future of Abortion under Obama
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?"
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
In the News and On my Heart
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!
I'd love your comments and thoughts on any and all of these items.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A Reader's View on Obama's Speech
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.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Obama - separate "religious" beliefs from politics
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.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)
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!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Obama and Abortion
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."