Friday, October 30, 2009

God In America pt.2

Those that say God has no place in America obviously don't know their history. Or they choose out right denial of  the history of the United States of America.God has been an important part of the United States since the very beginning.

I have a wonderful book entitled America's God and Country-Encyclopedia of Quotations by William J. Federer. It is a great book, and it is truly amazing how MUCH God is mentioned throughout our country's history.

" We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come."   Samual Adams at the signing of the Declaration of Independence 1776.

"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual....Continue steadfast, and with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no many ought to take from us."  Provincial Congress of Massachusetts 1774 in addressing inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay.

"We the people of the United States, in order to ...secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity...." The Constitution of the United States  September 17, 1787  ( of note is the fact that virtuallly every one of the 55 writers and signers of the U.S Constitution of 1787 were members of Christian denominations)

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are life...."  Declaration of Independence July 2, 1776.

" The Bible is endorsed by the ages. Our civilization is built upon its words. In no other book is there such a collection of inspired wisdom, reality, and hope. "   "The spirit of man is more important than mere physical strength, and the spiritual fiber of a nation than its wealth."   Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States

"The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God."  John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th president of the United States in his Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

" When everyone seemed panic stricken...I went into my room...and got down on my knees before Almighty God and prayed...Soon a sweet comfort crept into my soul that God Almighty had taken the whole business into His own hands."  Abraham Lincoln speaking to a general wounded at Gettysburg

"Here rests in honored glory and American soldier known only to God. " Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington Cemetary, Virginia

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protection..."  George Washington--beginning of his prayer for the United States of America. It appears on a plaque in St. Paul's in New York City as well as at Pohick Church in Fairfax County, Virginia, where Washington was a vestryman from 1762-1784.

"Every student shall consider the main end of his study to wit to know God in Jesus Christ and answerably to lead a Godly, sober life." Yale College founded in 1701

What has happened to our country?  As a people, how did we get so far away from God, from our roots? When exactly did it become offensive to mention the name of God in public? When did it become PC to separate The Almighty from His rightful place in the fabric of our country? God never was the one to leave us...it is we, that left Him.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

God In America

God has His hand print all over America and yet today many "elite" in our society would have us believe that our country was not founded on Judeo-Christian principles....and that separation of church and state means that people cannot speak of God except in church. That is not true. Not even close. They say that God should be taken out of or off of everything because it might offend. Who might it offend? A majority of citizens of this country still believe in God.

Over the past several years there has been a very real assault on Christianity in this country.  No, we are not being killed or tortured for our faith like brothers and sisters in many countries around the world, but some want us silenced.  Silenced in subtle and not so subtle ways. The biggest venues used against Christians seem to be criticism, hatred, argument, ridicule and elitism.  I pulled these quotes from the comment sections of several stories that I have read on the internet in various newspapers across the country. The articles which are being commented on are obviously religion based stories. The overwhelming anger and hatred is stunning.

Here are just a few quote examples that I've come across:

"God needs to be removed from our currency and religion needs to be removed from our politics. I never really thought too much about god being on our currency until about 6 years ago, when I realized a group of unstable people had hijacked the term Christianity. Religion and/or God should be a personal choice and experience. And because not everyone is a believer and the currency is for everyone, there is no reason god should be on money."

"...keep your religion out of the public schools. The only ones who want to hear about it are like minded individuals. These thinly veiled excuses to proselytize are expensive to the taxpayers and only serve to further alienate people from your dying mythology. If you want your kid brainwashed send him to one of the christian schools."

"The reality of morality, virtue and honor is much more than a pledge. <discussing God in the Pledge of Allegiance>  But that reality doesn't always square with the general society's reality....
Frankly, it's the same kind of judgment I make if someone continuously tries to convert me to any religion. F---you.  "If only people would read our constitution.

"We, here, in this country, believe in the separation of church and state. But try telling that to the less rationale, hallucinating bunch."



Or take a look at these article titles:



*Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays

Not Saying Merry Christmas is like Denying Christ and Denying Christianity







*Atheist Group Files Lawsuit Against Prayer at Presidential Inauguration




*Giving Up on God

These are just a few samples of the many things that can be found on the internet.  What do you see?

Tomorrow I will be writing about America's history, with quotes from our leaders about God.


Monday, October 26, 2009

God and America

In the news last week there was a story about a fireman who was let go because he put a small American flag on his locker.  Another story was an apartment complex administrator that told a couple that they couldn't fly the American flag. (their son is in the service)  Today I saw a story where a man at Home Depot was fired for wearing a pin that said "under God--indivisible" (part of our pledge).

What is the deal people? What is happening in our country? Seems like it is no longer politcally correct to mention God or America. We have to bend over backwards to not hurt anyones feelings. We have to be all inclusive, to the detriment of the majorities beliefs. After all we can't be offensive. Why no! That is not politically correct.

If being PC means I have to tramp on my own country or water down my religious beliefs....then forget it.  Being PC isn't important AT ALL.

I'm going to be starting a short series on our American history. I'm calling it God and America. Make sure to check it out this week.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Baby It's Cold Outside

Okay, so those of you that live in the extreme northern states and are used to cold and snow up to your ears might not find it cold in Ohio. Whatever.  I ventured out this afternoon to get the mail. Our mailbox is not near our house---it's a jog to the end of our driveway and across the road.  I was forced to be out in the wind that seriously cuts through one like a knife. Brrrrr...... enough of my whining.  I do actually like the cold weather---if I'm ready for it! The Ohio weather is warm, than cold, than windy, and calm. I don't have any idea from one day to the next what the weather will be!

When walking back from the mailbox I thought to myself that just the other day while I was walking in the afternoon is was 71 degrees. I had on long sleeves and I was hot. Just a few days later it's now in the low 40's during the same time of the afternoon. What's a girl to do? A thermal shirt? A sweatshirt or sweater? A t-shirt? A jacket or a coat? Who knows?! All I've got to say is, "baby, it's cold outside!"

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Tortured For Christ

I am reading the book Tortured For Christ by Richard Wurmbrand.  (the founder of Voice of the Martyrs)  Pastor Wurmbrand passed away in 2001 after many years of serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  His story is many times difficult to read....but I cannot put the book down. My heart will not let me..... for it  has become entwined in his words.

I ,myself, have been a Christian for 30 years. I grew up in church surrounded by family and friends who were also Christians. The Lord was real to me at a young age, and I accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior just before my 11th birthday.  Living in the Western world, I've never known persecution for my belief in Christ. I've never faced the possibility of death, or been submitted to torture for my strongly held beliefs.  Having been born and raised in the United States my faith has never been tested under the possibility of death.  Don't get me wrong, my faith has been tested.  I've been forced to walk through many dark valleys in my 41 years of life.  Valleys that I would have never wished for myself......but none of us can know what we will be called to endure in this life.  We live in an imperfect world and that world many times causes hurt and pain.  But never have I ever feared death because of my faith.

I say all that about myself to reference why this book is having such an impact on me.  Mr. Wurmbrand was a Romanian orphan. He grew up in a family that espoused atheism. He was taught that there was no God.  To him the love of God did not exist.  He states in his book, "I was an atheist, but atheism did not give peace to my heart."  An old man had been praying that God would send him a Jew. He wanted to tell a Jew about Christ...because his Jesus was from Jewish people.  God brought Richard Wurmbrand to this old man's  small village---he had no reason to be there aside from the fact that God steered him in that direction.  Mr. Wurmbrand met Jesus during his trip to that village and his life was never the same again. Not long after his wife was also converted.

When the Nazis came to Romania, Mr. Wurmbrand was already the leader in his local church.  He speaks of the terror that the Nazis brought to his land...but goes on to say that the one advantage of enduring the Nazis was this: "They taught us that physical beatings could be endured, and that the human spirit with God's help can survive horrible tortures."  The Nazi terror was great, but it was just a taste of what was to come under communism.

Since Pastor Wurmbrand had been brought up in atheism he had a passion to be able to witness to the Russians.  (Beginning  August 23, 1944 one million Russian troops entered Romania and soon thereafter the Communists came to power.)  Mr. Wurmbrand endured 14 years (1948-1964 in prison with a short reprieve of 2 years in the middle where he was let out)  in prison and was tortured during this time.....and yet, still did not have hatred in his heart for the soldiers that were so merciless to him. He understood that Christ loved them too. That Christ had shed His own blood for them too. That they needed Christ in their own lives.  He hated communism but loved the people. This love could ONLY come from Christ in him.....no human could have endured what he did and still love his persecutors....and not go mad.

One testimony especially touched my heart.  A member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party led the torture against a Christian man who had been sentenced to be beat to death. The officer said to the Christian, "You know, I am God. I have power of life and death over you. The one who is in heaven cannot decide to keep you in life. Everything depends upon me. If I wish, you live.  If  I wish you are killed. I AM GOD!!!" He mocked the man.

Looking death straight in the eye the Christian man replied, "You don't know what a deep thing you have said. Every caterpillar is in reality a butterfly, if it develops rightly. You have not been created to be a torturer, a man who kills. You have been created to become like God, with the life of the Godhead in your heart. Many who have been persecutors like you, have come to realize--like the apostle Paul---that it is shameful for a man to commit atrocities, that they can do much better things. So they have become partakers of the divine nature. Jesus said to the Jews of His time, ' Ye are gods.' Believe me, your real calling is to be Godlike--to have the character of God, not a torturer."

At that time the officer did not pay much attention to the wisdom of this man who was about to die.....but a seed had been planted in his heart and later this officer came to know this Christ personally.

It would be easy to read this blog, to say that this is indeed terrible but that it happened a long time ago.  To have this attitude would be truly sad....because there are brothers and sisters in Christ that are killed and tortured still yet today.  Men and women that are brave in the face of death, and uncompromising in their love for their Lord. They are falsely imprisoned for nothing more then refusing to stop talking of Jesus Christ. There are many communist led countries still in this world today....as well as Islamic countries that do not tolerate Christianity in any form. Much like the Christians of old, these saints face cruel punishment under the hand of godless dictators and their governments.

Please pray for the Underground Churches all over the world.  Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ that struggle with the knowledge that at anytime they can be kidnapped, killed, wrongfully imprisoned, have their family murdered, their churches burned to the ground, stripped of all their possessions, or enduring brainwashing and mental torture. Their Lord has not forgotten them....Let us not forget them either.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Being A Llama Mama

Okay...I've mentioned before that I have "a thing" for llamas.  I didn't know I had such a love of llamas until we moved to Ohio and had an entire pasture of the creatures directly across the road from us. Every day when I go to get our mail I chat with the llamas.  Don't shake your head at me (I know you are).  They understand me. They know I am smitten with them---and they use it to their advantage. They are very curious animals and come right up to the fence to stare at me.  I'm sure I am a sight to behold.  They cock their ears and turn them inward which to me, always makes them look like they are questioning what is going on.  I am totally in love with the teenage llama who resembles a life size cotton ball at this stage of her life.  I've named her Vanilla and the male that was born at the same time is dark brown and I of course named him Chocolate.  The fact that I have an obsession with icecream is totally beside the point.

The other night my 14 year old son and I were out taking a walk. As we passed by the llama field they all started to follow us in a single file line. I sort of felt like the Pied Piper of llama land.  As soon as they figured out that we were not the ones that were going to feed them they stopped and sniffed and decided they would just continue to munch on the grass.  About this time we heard what can only be described as a loud scream. Looking to the left we saw two males (in a separate pen) doing some sort of dominance dance. Lots of chest butting, screaming and neck wrestling going on. I had already done research on my favorite creatures and knew that young males do this kind of thing with each other. It's normal....but boy was it exciting to watch. Kind of like Wild Kingdom in our own front yard. I wish I would have had my camera.

Mama llama got loose the week before last. (She is Vanilla's mommy--and maybe Chocolate's, I'm not sure)  The girl is smart. She's escaped more then once and seems to have a thing for the grass (which at this point is mostly weeds) in our front yard. She prances around as if to say, "haha! I'm over here and you all are still stuck in there!"  Eventually, the owners capture their escapee. She had her fun though....sidestepping her captors on more then one occasion. Of course, I was loving watching the whole event unfolding in my front yard and driveway.  Who says the country life is boring? I've had more fun watching the llamas then watching cable TV.

We've been at our new house (officially) since July. I have not had the courage to go to my neighbors house yet, and introduce myself.  I'm afraid I might come across as the wacko neighbor. The lover of llama drama.  I want to ask them if I would be allowed to pet the llamas or if I should not do that for fear of having my hand bitten off. That would really ruin my view of them if the llamas caused me trauma. I did find out in my research that llamas rarely spit at humans.  Which is good to know. They usually just share that treat with each other. (Females spit a wad at their male persuers to let them know to get away they aren't interested! Sometimes it is a dominance type of thing with the males. Oh the joys of spit!)  So, I might get enough courage to go over to the neighbors house, introduce myself  and start pelting them with llama questions. I might possibly end up with the reputation as the neighborhood nutjob.  Oh well...... there are worse things in life.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Creepy Crawly

Okay! I've had it!  The Fall weather has arrived and all things creepy crawly have decided to try and make my home their winter getaway.

Well, they can just forget it! I was in the laundry room the other day and lo and behold, right above the dryer was a BIG spider. Just sitting (do spiders sit?) there on the wall. I knew I could not let that thing live....but I had to make it a good shot or else he'd drop down behind the dryer and I wouldn't be able to get to him and he'd escape.  Then he could possibly pounce on me when I was in the laundry room innocently trying to get the clothes in the basket....and give me a screaming heart attack.  It is my personal opinion that spiders have a bigger brain then most people realize. I also think they have a memory and will seek revenge if given the chance.  This is why my smack with the tennis shoe (that happened to be laying in the floor) had to be spot on.  That furry little guy was going down!!!

BLAM!!!  I got him....but of course his guts left a nasty smear on my yellow laundry room walls. It was a price I was willing to pay. A little soap and water and straddling of the dryer and I took care of it.

We also have these little brown bugs. I have no idea what they are. They don't look like much more then a speck....and I wouldn't know the difference if I hadn't seen one of the "specks" move as I was staring at it one day. Can't do much but squish them. So, I do.  Maybe I'll kill off enough of them that they will be unable to procreate. Hey, I'm willing to take that responsibility on my shoulders.

Finally, the gnat infestation. We've had this problem on and off since the summer. Evidently, a lot of people around here have the gnat problem.  They are harmless but they get on my nerves. We use the zapper on them daily. Some bite the dust....others survive the Zap Master. I put vinegar and dish detergent out for them. I've caught hundreds of those little buggers with that cocktail of death.  BUT STILL they continue to harrass us at ever turn. They must reproduce like rabbits.  I've put some bleach water down the drains trying to kill any of them that are down there.  If anyone out there has any snappy ideas about how to rid a house of gnats, PUH-LEEZE let me know.....before I pull all my hair out......because wouldn't you feel guilty if you knew the secret for gnat extinction and yet didn't tell me---and then I went BALD??!!!   Just think about it.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Caroline Costa

My husband and I have become huge fans of a sweet 13 year old, French girl (or she might be Moroccan) . She was a contestant in the French talent show "Incroyable Talent" in 2008. This girl has the most beautiful voice and incredible stage presence for a child her age.
She sang many of her songs in English though her native language is French. I can't understand a word of what she is saying when she is talking with the judges of the show....nor can I understand the judges.....but one can read the body language. (Plus I just love to listen to the French language--it sounds beautiful even if I can only pick out a few words I know.) The judges loved her too!

With the confidence and charisma of a true showman, her charm has the audience and the judges eating out of her hand...

Check her out on YouTube at: New York, New York

Christina Aguilara's, Hurt

My Heart Will Go On from Titanic (semi final)

I Will Always Love You

Merci Beaucoup,  Caroline!!!

Nobel Peace Prize--WHAT?!

Just a short blog today. I cannot believe that the president won the Nobel Prize. To me, this demeans the honor of getting this prize. What has Barak Obama done, or should I say, accomplished in this short amount of time to deserve this honor? NOT A THING...that's what! Do you know that the application for this prize would have had to be placed ONLY 12 DAYS into his presidency? What did he do in 12 days to even put him close to being considered for the Nobel Peace Prize? I'd like to know.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Are You Afraid Of The Dark?

I'm 41 years old young.....well past the being afraid of the dark stage.  Well.......okay. Maybe, most of the time.  At least that is what I'm telling you.

When I leave to do my walking at 5:30 am ,with my neighbor, it is pitch black outside unless there happens to be a full moon.  It makes me appreciate the light all the more. That is for sure.  Each morning when I'm getting my sweatpants pulled on and grabbing my jacket and trying to put my tennis shoes on, with out turning on the bedroom light....I will refrain from telling you how many times I've stubbed my toes, or tripped over junk on the floor. Because I am such a loving and kind wife and do not wish to disturb my husband's sleep I suffer in the dark. I will work on gaining his sympathies for my plight later.

I tip toe through the house, which during the day seems warm and inviting....but at night in the dark, the furniture takes on a sinister, dark look. I swear the dining room chair scoots out just to trip me up!  It doesn't help that we have a black cat that enjoys freely roaming around at night, which includes the early morning hours.  Cat's eyes glow in the dark. This can be a little unnerving to a woman who is already lacking in sleep and at 5:30 still has the "fuzzy brain" thing going on.  ("Did I just see green eyes staring at me from a perch on the living room sofa?"  I HOPE that was the cat......")

After manuevering my way through the obstacles of a dark house, I emerge through the garage door. I only have a few steps to the van. I'm to meet my friend for our daily walk. It is dark. It is quiet out here in the country. In the middle of nowhere. No street lights. It is black.  WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!   AGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!  Heart pounding. I about peed my pants.  I'm sure that the monsters that live in the dark have come for me. I turn around.  Ace, the collie has slipped his collar and is enjoying his new found freedom.  When I've regained my composure I berate Ace for scaring me senseless. He takes it all in stride and precedes to try and lick me to death. What a way to go.

I get in the van and make it to the neighbor's in one piece.  Barely....and covered in dog slobber.

My friend and I have discussed that if anything ever tried to get us while we were walking we would run. We'd run like the wind. Now I might no longer be a spring chicken, but if I think something in the dark wants to eat me I can move it.  This morning I heard a swish, swish, swish in the cornfield to my right....just a few feet away. ( JAWS theme music would be appropriate here) It was coming.......Oh, Lord! There is was!  Wait a minute. It's not very big at all. As a matter of fact it is teeny tiny. It's purr does not sound fierce.  Yep, just a farm cat wanting to give us some company.  We are safe......for now.

Monday, October 5, 2009

No Other god's Before ME

Someone I know posted this statement today--- "Every religion thinks that their's  is the only one that God listens too."  Well, this started a firestorm of comments, as you can imagine.  I added my comment under his entry as I just couldn't help myself.

I will agree that most religions of the world probably believe that they are each the one religion that God deems "the one" and agrees with them, listens to them, blesses them etc.etc. .......... BUT that is as far as my agreement goes. People can pretty much believe whatever they wish...it just doesn't make them right.

As a Christian I believe in the Holy Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Each unique, and yet one. I believe Jesus Christ is the one and ONLY Son of God, who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life while on Earth, died on the cross to redeem anyone that accepts His gift of salvation, and three days later  He rose again. I believe in salvation by grace alone and not through works.  Christ now sits at His Fathers side in Heaven and  He will one day come again.

I have noticed more and more as a society that people (in general) want to all come together, to unify under the things that those of different religions can agree on. They want to all gather under the umbrella of God's love.  Their philosophy is God is love, he wants us all to just get along. Put aside all the differences in our religions and let's just say we all believe in a "higher power" that wants peace and  love for everyone. Live however you want, because god forgives, he loves, he doesn't expect much from any of us.  It's all good.

Here is my take on it. As a Christian I believe in the Judeo-Christian God of the Bible.  The great ,I AM.  Does He love people? Yes! He has shown His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  God is long suffering and He forgives us of our sin if we only come to Him.

The thing about this whole "unity of religion" thing is this......the more people try to come together on the parts of their religion that is the same, the more watered down the truth becomes.....and I fear that will dilute the true message, until no one knows what the truth actually is anymore.

My God is a loving God. He shows His love to people every day. The very breath we take, the beauty of nature, the ability to think and reason. All gifts from God. His ultimate gift was eternal life through the substitutionary death (and resurrection) of His Son.

BUT God is more than just a God of love. He is HOLY and JUST.  He will NOT be mocked.  If  He watered Himself down so much to please everyone, to make everyone comfortable, than He wouldn't BE GOD.  GOD ALONE. GOD ABOVE ALL OTHERS.   He doesn't need to change or alter himself to make us feel better about ourselves.

The self centered gods of the new age where god is within each of us, or the wiccan mother earth, allah of Islam, or the multiple gods of Hindu. These are not the one true God.  The gods of science and "higher level thinking" are not the Almighty.  The gods of communist government that say "there is no such thing", don't know the Great Alpha and Omega. (the Beginning and the End)

I make no apologies as a follower of Christ/God. (I use God and Christ interchangeably because of the Trinity) Christianity is an inclusive religion in that ANYONE can come to the Father, through belief in Christ . Race, status, gender or age do not matter.  Christ came that ALL might  have eternal life.  BUT Christianity is exclusive because we believe in ONE God. He does not change with the times, He is not wishy washy or a feel good god. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

I know that there will probably be a lot of people who agree with me, many who don't, and many more whom I might downright anger. I apologize if my blog bothers anyone....but I will not apologize for my GOD.