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.

Pointing Fingers

The Democrats are pointing fingers at the Republicans. The Republicans blame it on the Democrats. McCain says it is Obama's fault, while Obama points right back to McCain. And everyone seems to be pointing the finger at Bush. All the while our country is falling apart, the stock market had the lowest drop in points ever yesterday according to one newsreport I watched this morning.

Some will say it does not matter whose fault it is, we just need to fix it. Normally I would agree, but this time I think the only way to "fix" our country is to get to the root cause of the problem. That means pointing the finger where it really needs to be pointed.

What is the root cause of all our nation's troubles? GREED! One word can sum it all up and one word points the finger at everyone of us. I think it is time to be very blunt and no longer sugar coat things. We are a self centered and selfish nation. We want what we want and we want it NOW! At all levels this is what happened. The top guys loosened regulations and guidelines that were setup to protect us so they could make some money. Those of us at the bottom, were greedy and wanted our "stuff" now even though it did not make logical sense for use to do so. Did not matter if we really could not afford it, the bank says we can! (And yes, I'm pointing the finger at myself here! I'm just as guilty!)

Now we are trying to pass a bail-out plan. The Democrats say there needs to be more regulation, the Republicans say the Deomocrats are turning us into a Socialist country. In the end, we are still doing the same thing. We are being selfish and greedy, pointing the fingers at others. Wanting to be bailed out of our mistakes with no harm to ourselves. Who really cares about anyone else.

Greed and selfishness is not a government problem. It is not a political problem (it crosses all lines and parties!), it is not a social problem, it is not even an economic problem. It is a SPIRITUAL problem. And the only way to solve a spiritual issue is to go to the Lord in repentence. We need to be dropping to our knees in prayer, repenting of our sins and asking the Lord for guidance and wisdom in how to move forward.

I read the stories in the Old Testament about the Israelites and I'm amazed at how fast they could turn away from God. I think "How stupid were they! I would never do that!". I'm wrong. I have done that, we all have. We have turned from God as a nation and chosen to do things our way. Now our nation is falling apart. We need to learn a lesson from the Israelites. When they finally opened their eyes to sin they would fall on their faces before a Holy God and repent. We need to do the same. Will you join me? Repent of our Greed and then ask the Lord to give guidance to our leaders and discernment in how to heal this nation.

Dear Lord,

We come to you and repent of our greed and selfishness. We repent of thinking that we could do things our own way. We acknowledge your Sovereignty in our lives and in our nation. Please open the eyes and hearts of our leaders (and ours as well!). Please give them wisdom and discernment in what is needed to heal this nation, but most of all to heal our lives, our hearts. That is the beginning of healing the nation, the healing of our hearts and lives. We thank you that you are a mericful and gracious Lord who loves us unconditionally. We come to you and ask that you have Your Way with our lives and with this nation.

In Jesus' precious Name,
Amen

Fireproof Movie

I've recently heard about this movie and wanted to know if anyone had seen it yet? It just came out in theaters last week. It looks like it could be really good. I've included a widget below that includes a link to the trailer. If you have seen the movie or heard anything about it I would love to hear your comments.

What is it all about? Part 2

So I come back to the same question. What is it really all about? First, what is it NOT about?

It is NOT about Religion!

It is NOT about Church!

It is NOT about Christianity!

What it is about is a relationship. A true and full relationship with God our Creator, through His Son, Jesus Christ who died for us and defeated death.

So simple, yet we make it so complicated. Why?

I think it is because we don't truly understand what it is to be in relationship with someone.

Even our closest and best relationship falls horribly short of what our Father desires for us.

Lord~

I pray that you open my heart to what a true relationship with you entails. Sweep away any preconceived notions of what this may or may not look like. Show me how to openly and honestly communicate with you. How to fully know you. Put within me that desire to pursue a full relationship with you regardless the cost. Teach me what being in communion with you really is in all its glory and wonder. I desire to know you fully. Fan that flame into an all-consuming fire.

In the name of your precious Son,

Amen

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting for our State and Nation

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

2 Chronicles 7:14

With the upcoming elections there is a prayer movement sweeping this nation. A friend of mine is part of the Governor's Prayer team. Beginning yesterday she started sending out prayers daily as part of the California 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting. I'm including the prayer sent today (Day2) below.

In addition she sent me a link to Pray the Vote 2008, which has a link to enroll if you are interested. They also have a link to the 40 Days to Pray the Vote which started today. You can sign up to be emailed the daily prayers.

Please consider joining us in the next 40 days to pray for our state(s) and our nation as the November elections draw closer.

* * * * * *

Prayer from Minister Joe Wright to Kansas Legislature in Topeka on January 23, 1996, it's even more relevant now.

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today to ask Your Forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance.

We know Your Word says, ''Woe to those who call evil good,'' but that's exactly what we have done.

We have lost our Spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that; we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism;

We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism;

We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle;

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;

We have neglected the needy and called it self preservation;

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare;

We have killed our unborn and called it choice;

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable;

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem;

We have abused power and called it political savvy;

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition;

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression;

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.

Guide and bless these men and women who have been put in office by the people of this state and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your Will.

(Added by the sender: Lord, as we confess our sins honestly before you, we cry to you for mercy and ask you to put righteous men and women after your own heart in seats of authority in our land. See attached Prayer for Leaders after God's own heart.)

I ask in in the name of your Son, The Living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Chasing

My husband and I are attending a 6 week bible study with a small group called "One Month to Live" that is being sponsored by a local church (yes, I did say my husband and I!)

The basic gist of the study is if you only had one month left to live, what would you regret about your life? What changes would you make in your life? Why don't we make those changes now?

This last week's topic was about Loving Completely and our discussion last night was very good and insightful. Part of the video we watched last night and then discussed included a short film which was made by the authors' son. I found this video to be very powerful. It refers to a parable Jesus told in the Bible which is very touching and powerful on its own.

Please enjoy and let God's unconditional love for you sink in.

Chasing by Ryan Shook

What is it all about?

Religion, Church, Christian

In the past year certain words have begun to make me cringe each time I hear them. I don't necessarily have an issue with the concepts as they are used in God's Word, however I've come to realize in today's culture these words have taken on a very different meaning.

For a long time now I've cringed when someone refers to me as being "religious". From my observations in society this word has come to be a dead and legalistic term. It is all about rules and regulations, guilt and oppression. This is not anything new though. Reading the New Testament it is clear this is how it was 2,000 years ago when Jesus walked among us. The group of people you see Him critcizing the harshest are the religious, rather than those traditionally thought of as sinners.

Then there is the word church. Jesus referred to the church as a body of Believers, His Bride. However, in our world the word church tends to bring up images of a building where people go once a week to socialize and be "religious". I know this is not the case in all churches, but to those who are not Christian, I can tell you that is how it often appears. And unfortunately, the impression is the same among some Christians themselves.

That brings me to the third word. When someone asks me what religion I am, I cringe to say Christian. As humans we are imperfect, prone to pride, arrogance and selfishness. We have taken the word Christian which should bring to mind someone who follows Christ and we've turned it into something cheap. We have drug it through the mud. Christianity over the years has done many good things for this world, but it has also done some of the most horrific things as well. When the world hears "Christian", do they envision a follower of Christ? Instead many times they see selfish, arrogant people pushing their agenda by hiding behind the "church" and "religion".

I don't mean for this to be a downer. I bring it up because I have begun recently to question what I believe and what I've always been taught. I don't doubt God or His Word, however I do question how we as imperfect people see these things. I question not only what I believe, but why I believe it.

As I question more and more and ask Him for wisdom and discernment, the one thing that comes more to life for me is what this is really all about. Not from our perspective, but from God's. What is the Church? What is Christianity really all about?

The answer He has revealed to me is one word - relationship. I've heard this before, but it is really coming to life for me now. This is what it all comes down to in the end. It is all about getting to know our Heavenly Fahter through His Son, our Savior. It is not about rules and regulations, it is not about church or programs. We can do all of that but if we don't pursue Him personally, daily we will never understand it. My biggest concern now is to get to know the Lord. I don't want to put Him in a box, but I also don't want to fall for whatever comes my way.

The Bible refers to our walk as being the narrow road. What I've found is this narrow road has two ditches on either side which we can fall into if we are not careful. And I've found myself in both ditches at different times during my walk. One on side is legalism, where we loose focus on the goal, our relationship with Christ and focus on all the rules for being righteous. What is right or wrong. The other side is liberalism where we decide all is good, God is in it all. On one side we focus solely on God's Holiness and Righteousness. On the other hand we focus solely on His Love and Grace. God is both Righteous and Merciful, however it is hard for use to reconcile these two sides into one mighty God.

A true relationship with God means keeping an open mind towards Him and any correction He may give us. Not an open mind accepting of everything the world throws at us. Instead an open mind that is willing to admit we may be (and probably are) wrong about Him. A heart that earnestly prays for wisdom and discernment from the Lord even if that means blowing up the boxes we have created and tried to put Him in.

I can only do this by pursuing a true relationship with Him. That is His desire for me. If I focus on that, the rest will come. As I get to know Him better He will fill me with His Light. His Light is the only thing that can drive away the darkness that is in me because in the end that darkness is the absence fo Light, the absence of Him!

Instead of trying to do what is "right" and becoming righteous in my power and then beating myeslf up when I fail (which will always be the case when we try to do things this way!), I am going to pursue a deeper relationship with Him. When I do that, I will begin to walk with Him and He will empower me to change. The focus needs to be on the relationship, that is all that matters in the end.