News

The Hard Stuff

Let me start of with a little disclaimer:  I love all people!  Really, I do…I honestly love everyone, regardless of who you are or what you’ve ever done.  I can sit here today and tell you that if I were in a room with a convicted murder, who confessed to the crime, and someone walked in and said one of you must die…I would take that person’s place.  I realize that might be a bit extreme, but I want to make sure that’s clear.  I love you!  I believe in second chances and saving grace!  I am not here to judge because I have enough to be judged on myself.  I know that when I stand before the God of the universe…there will be a few things we are going to have to talk about that I am ashamed of.  We are all human and we are all living in this world together.
 
Now, let’s get real y’all!  You know I’m here to be real.  It’s my conviction to be completely honest in all that I do.  I spent most of my life being a complete sugar-coater.  I never wanted to offend or disappoint anyone.  I am an oldest child…first born.  I desire to please others and keep the peace by nature.  However, since I’ve become a mother, God has convicted me about that.  I have been extremely convicted to always speak HIS truth…never my own…or the watered down version of the truth he speaks.  I’ve come to terms that speaking out for Christ will offend others at times, and may even cost me some friendships.  I mean this in the best possible way, but…so be it.  My God always comes first.  My life here is temporary…”like a vapor; here today and gone tomorrow”.  I was created to serve the Lord God Almighty.
 
So, let me go ahead and tell you, I am very disappointed by some decisions made by our government today concerning the biblical definition of marriage vs same-sex marriage.  By no means was this an easy decision for them…I think that is obvious based on the 5-4 vote.  Now before you go getting your feelings hurt, let me tell you…I have gay friends.  Yeah…really…I do.  And I love them!  Do I agree with what they have chosen?  No way!  Do they know that I don’t believe it is right, based on what God states in the bible?  Of course!  I pray fervently for them.  I want everyone to go to heaven!  Is that going to happen?  No.  God tells us this in the bible as well.  However, I love them!  This is the hard stuff, y’all.  No matter who you are and what your beliefs, this is not easy.  It isn’t meant to be easy.  (Thank you sin!)  I could sit here and reference one bible story and verse after another in an attempt to convict those who don’t agree with me…but I won’t.  I don’t feel led to do that.  I do feel led to tell you that you are loved.  Being a Christian is NEVER easy, but is it easier than living a sinful lifestyle?  Oh, yes!  Why?  Because I have Jesus to lean on, trust, rely on, and talk with.  I am promised so much!  In Jesus, my future is bright…no matter what happens!  I am loved…no matter what!  I’ve lived in sin and I’ve lived in Jesus.  I choose Jesus!
 
Honestly, I can’t be too disappointed in the sinful ways of this world.  However, I can be disappointed in Christians today (including me).  What are we doing?  Why are we not taking a harder stance for Christ?  What justice are we doing anyone by being ‘tolerant’ and ‘sugar-coating everything’?  You can not successfully spread the word of God without offending people.  You just can’t!  When we as humans are living in sin, we become offended when someone tells us we are wrong.  Do I get offended by people who tell me I’m crazy for believing so radically in Christ?  No…I know better.  I don’t care what people say in terms of my convictions and beliefs.  Am I offended when fellow “Christians” basically tell me that I can’t expect better of other Christians?  No…that just makes me feel sad.  When are we as Christians going to get our bottoms up off the back row and get serious?  When?  How dare we go to church every Sunday and sing to Christ about following him and standing up for him, and then walk out of those doors doing the same old thing day in and day out!  How dare we continue to play it safe and stay within our comfort zone.  God doesn’t command us to relax and take it easy once we form a relationship with him…he commands us to work!  I feel like we should expect more of each other and hold our brothers and sisters accountable.  We should be backing one another, encouraging one another, and working HARD for Christ!
 
I can’t help but wonder how God feels tonight.  I realize that he knew long ago that this day was coming for us, but I wonder if he still feels disappoint and disgust with us.  I know how I feel, and I can only imagine how he feels.
 
This isn’t easy for me to put out there and discuss, but it needs to be done.  Even if I stand alone, I will always stand for Christ!
 
God Bless!

A&F Controversy

Just admit it!  You knew I would share this article and open my mouth about it.  Apparently this bully hasn’t learned that world is jumping on the anti-bullying bandwagon, for the most part.  I hate to say it, but the world is going to chew this guy up and spit him out!  Aside from that…I feel sorry for him.  Yes, what he is saying is horribly wrong, and frankly I hope he isn’t married…poor woman.  Can imagine trying to be married to a man who thinks like that?!?  I can’t.  God definitely does not guide his life.  But yes, I feel sorry for him because what kind of a lifestyle must this mean for him.  If he thinks it is all about being “hot” and “cool”, or being “in the in crowd”….I can’t imagine his daily routines to keep himself ‘up to standards’.  I figure the guy must have pretty low self-esteem…his words scream insecurity.  This is a person, as well as a company, I will be praying for.

Personally, I have never cared for the company…their ads, clothing, employees, stores, etc.  I don’t like any of it!  Their stores smell way too strong, are too dimly lit, and their employees snotty.  Their clothes are cheaply made, yet cost a fortune.  Their ads…well…I believe they speak for themselves…inappropriate and raunchy.  I won’t go on because I’m not here to be ugly.

I just thought I’d share the news with my readers!

Social Media War Zone

Holy Moly!  If you haven’t logged into facebook today, consider yourself lucky….and just steer clear for a while.  When the hubs logged in this morning it looked like a full on war zone, one of the 21st century for sure.  If you have been on facebook today, you know exactly what I’m talking about.  For those who don’t, here’s the scoop of what’s going on.  Many people on facebook have changed their profile photos to a red square with a pink equal sign.  Others have changed their photo to a red square with a pink cross.  Some have opted not to partake at all, while others are bombing the newsfeed with quotes, photos, verses, etc.  Here is why:  that red square with a pink equal sign means that the person supports human rights.  Sounds innocent, I know, but in 21st century terms, human rights means gay marriage.  So there appears to be a war going on between gay marriage supporters and their opposition.  I’m sure this social media war is going on all over the internet, not just on facebook.  I can’t tell you that for sure, because I’m not a big tweeter, and haven’t done much internet surfing today.  But you can bet it has spread…quickly.  I have to tell you….I’m not interested in it.  Let me be honest with you here.  I do not believe in gay marriage.  I do not believe it is God’s design for us to be gay, lesbian, homosexual, bi-sexual, etc.  I believe he designed us in his own image, to be man and woman.  For men to be attracted to women and women to men, exclusively.  The end!  However, I believe God created us, giving us free will, meaning we get to make our own choices in life.  Ditto!  You choose to believe what you want, and I do the same.  Yes, I am a christian and strive daily to please God.  That does not give me the right to judge you.  Yes, I am saved, but no I am not perfect and never will be in this life.  I will only become perfect in God’s eyes once I have been judged and enter heaven to live eternally.  I believe every follower of Christ should stand up for what’s right in God’s eyes, and live to be an example.  That does not mean we allowed to judge or condemn anyone to hell/death.  Only God holds that power.  I will be judged just like everyone else, and being I’m not perfect, I feel like I have enough to worry about.  I have no desire to judge your life.  I have enough responsibility on my shoulders in keeping myself and my family in line, and trying to be a Godly example to my daughter.  Do I wish every person would turn from sin and follow Christ?  Of course!!  I love people, and I love God, but I realize that not everyone will choose God.  He knows this….he designed it this way. 
 
So, basically, enough is enough!  Get over it people!  The world will never be in agreement on things, so stop getting your feelings hurt and being vindictive.  Stop fighting and complaining!  If we could all get over ourselves and our own insecurities, we might just be able to make a little progress and make the world a better place.  There will always be someone there to judge you, there will always be someone there who puts you down or makes you feel insecure or wrong.  You make your own choices.  It’s fine to have your own beliefs and opinions, and it’s fine to voice them if you choose to.  I do.  And you can choose to listen to my beliefs, or you can choose to ignore me.  It is your choice, and mine likewise.  So what is the big deal?!  Why do we need to fight?!  Why have this stupid social media war over sexuality?!  Honestly, how ridiculous does that sound?!  Ask yourself that!  Take a step back, and ask yourself.  Shoving your beliefs down someone else’s throat is not the answer.  However, if someone is sharing how they feel/what they believe….they aren’t trying to shove it down your throat.  That’s your own inner issues.  Instead of lashing out and threatening to ‘unfriend’ people, be mature and deal with your issues.  Mature adults can talk about these issues without all this hoopla and bickering. 
 
I realize that some of you may read this and be offended by what I’m saying.  I’m sorry if you are, but it’s my little piece of the world and my beliefs.  I’m not pushing anything on anyone, or making any accusations.  I’m giving my thoughts.  If you don’t like it…sorry.  If you’re mad and offended at my blunt honesty….I hope you can work that out because that is not my goal in writing this.  I am just tired of the world we’ve created.  No one is entitled to anything, and no one is better than anyone else.  When I think something ugly about a person, or think of an ugly word when I slam my finger in a drawer, I am sinning.  My sin is just as big as the murder sitting in jail.  You might think that statement is a bit extreme, but it’s the truth.  Sin is sin in God’s eyes.  But it’s the spoiled attitudes that bring about the social media wars like the one we’ve witnessed today.
 

CT Elementary School Shooting

I’m sure most of you have heard about the shooting that occurred a few hours ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School in New Town, CT.  My husband texted me telling me about the tragedy so I immediately put on the news and sat down.  Hearing what had happened brought tears to my eyes.  I don’t know a single person in the state of CT, but I am heart-broken for them.  I am especially heart-broken for the families of the victims, and the shooter’s family.  This was a K-4 elementary school where many very young, innocent lives were lost.

The shooter was a 24 year old, young man who was originally from New Jersey.  This young man went and shot one of his mother, in their home, before going to this school.  His mother worked at this school.  At the school he took 26 or more lives, mostly innocent babies.  They believe the class he took most of the shooting out on was a Kindergarten class.  This has not been confirmed yet, though.  When I heard this, I sat down and cried.  My baby is 5 and in Kindergarten.  It hit home way too close.  I can’t imagine facing those demons these parents have been faced with.  My little girl said a wonderful prayer for those families.  It is a shame parents can’t even feel safe sending their children to school these days.  It makes me all the more thankful that God has called, and allowed, our family to homeschool.  I just don’t know how I could go on living my day to day if faced with something like that.  It would only be by the grace of God that I would be able to get out of bed each morning.  As the shooting began it was stated that the intercom came on over the school for lock-down and all the children could hear was screaming.  Some were placed in ting closets, huddled up so that if the shooter came by he would have no reason for entering the room if no children seemed to be present.  Some were immediately ushered out into the hall to get out of the building.  As they were lined up on the wall they were told to close and cover their eyes, as to protect their innocent eyes from seeing all the horror that was going on around them.  One child witnessed the death of a first grade teacher.  Those children will never be the same.  I can’t help but think of the horror the teachers felt; the urgency to protect their babies.  As a former teacher, I can tell you that teachers love their kids.  They feel as if they are their own, and seek to love and protect them.  They will do anything in their power to protect them.  Over the years many teachers have given their lives to protect their students.  It is very courageous, but something no teacher should ever have to do.

Being a 25 year old in today’s society, I can’t help but wonder what in this 24 year old man’s life was so terrible that he had to kill a parent, innocent children and teachers, and possibly even himself.  What in his life was so terrible?  I have no idea!  All I know is that he didn’t have Christ.  No matter how terrible a situation may be, Christ can pull you from it and change your life.  He must have felt empty and without options in life.  I’m not sure what that feels like, but I can imagine it must be a very dark place.  I feel sad for him.  I feel sad for his family, who lost a child as well, and in such a very sad way.

To add to today’s sadness, it turns out in China a very similar mass killing occurred.  A man entered an elementary school and stabbed and killed 33 children.

It puzzles me as to why our society feels our nation is better off without God.  Events such as these are only of Satan.  How could our nation go through so many terrible events, so many mass murders, and not seek God?!  You can seek out as many gun laws you want.  In fact, you can ban all weapons, but it isn’t the answer for our society.  God is the answer.  Just because something is banned or illegal, doesn’t mean it will stop evil.  People will always find a way to commit evil acts.  The only way is to lead our society in a different way, down a different path.  Lead them to God!

Please be in prayer for these families.  Please be in prayer for our nation.

Bringing Home the Browns

If you know me, you know I’m soft-hearted, and a people person.  I love people and kids, and families, and I love happy endings.  I always want the best for people and hurt for those hurting.  I came across this page earlier and felt compelled to share it with you.  I can not imagine what the Brown family has gone through, or what they are currently going through.  All I can do is pray for them.  This story really touched my heart, and as I read their story the tears began to flow.  I felt hurt for their sweet family.  Anyone can find a way to relate to this family, but I don’t think there are many of us who can relate to what they are going through.  Please be in prayer for them!

Prayers for Carson

Tonight I was sitting at the computer browsing through facebook, I ran across this page: Prayers for Carson Matthew.  I wasn’t sure what it was about, or who it was for, or where they lived, but I felt compelled to find out.  I clicked on the page and began reading about the precious little life of Carson Matthew.  Carson has not been born yet, but will be making his arrival soon.  As joyful as an occasion that it will be for his parents, family, and friends, little Carson has some serious heart issues.  He and his mommy have already been through a lot, and they have a long road ahead of them.  Even after Carson is born, he will have to go into surgery at just a few days old.  He will have many surgeries within the first few years of his precious little life.  His parents have been told that little Carson has a 60-70 percent chance of going home, but they are trusting God, knowing that is all according to HIS will.  Wow!  What a testimony it itself!  I want to encourage everyone to go and ‘like’ Carson’s page, so you can follow his mom’s updates and be in prayer for his little life, as well as strength and peace for his mommy and daddy.

As I sat reading the words his mom had posted on her updates about his health, surgeries, delivery, and everything else they are going through, I felt pain for her.  As moms (and even dads), we never expect our babies to have problems.  We never expect our babies to be that 1 in 1,000.  But it could be our baby.  That is the reality of this life.  As I continued to read, I couldn’t help but think…God, why this family?  Why not my baby?  Why did you bless me God?  I am so thankful that God has blessed me with a healthy child!  However, God quickly reminded me that he is blessing this family as well.  Yes, their little baby has complications, but he is, and will, bless them immensely.  Sometimes we can’t always see the blessing, but they are there…and often it is later on down the road that we truly discover them.  God has a plan for little Carson, regardless of what happens.  This is a family I will be praying for daily.  This is a family within my own community.  I don’t know the family personally, but I don’t need to.

I encourage you to go read about little Carson, and spend some time in prayer for him.  I also encourage you to go to this website and make a donation to help with all of Carson’s medical expenses.  I can only imagine the cost and financial strain.  And what a reminder to us all that we have something to always be thankful for…our health and our children’s health.

God Bless!

Presidential Debate

You know I just had to post about this, right?!  I mean, what good American citizen isn’t talking about it??

Let me start of with a little disclaimer…I consider myself a conservative, I side more with Republicans on issues than Democrats nine times out of ten.  I love America!  I love people!  I am not happy with the America we currently have, and feel disappointed by many people in America today.  However, I have high hopes that improvements can be made.  I am not a huge fan of our current President, but I do respect him.  I respect him because of his position as President, and for all the things he deals with due to being in that position.  I try very hard to never let my personal feelings affect my ability to make good decisions about important things.  Voting for President is one of those times where personal feelings are thrown out the window, and I believe that is important and something we should all do when picking our next President.  Although I am not a huge fan of Mr. President, or his policies, but I pray for him and his family a lot.  I believe in prayer!….for everyone!  (Esp. if we want a better America.)

Okay, so now that you kind of have a little info on me and where I stand personally on politics, I want to know…what did you think about last night’s debate?  I’ll point out a few things I noticed with no personal bias included, but I would love to hear your perspective as well.  I actually like politics…go figure!  I did not watch the entire debate, but the biggest thing I noticed was that Mr. President seemed to struggle.  This concerns me!  If you really listened to the questions and answers, you probably noticed that there were quite a few instances where he never actually answered the questions.  He said a lot, and included a lot of good things, but never really answered the question.  Now, if you think back to all of these events four years ago when he was first running for President, you might notice a common theme.  In many cases, he did not answer the questions he was asked.  Yes, four years ago, he was a rookie and I can understand the fact that you just can’t always have the answer for everything.  However, this happened way too much.  He sounded good and was likable, and said a lot of good things, but he never answered the questions he was being asked.  There were even a few interviews back then where he was asked why won’t you answer the question.  And he never really answered that question either, but simply became very defensive.  All of this concerns me because I would hope that after four years in the presidency, that rookie would now have become an expert.  It just did not appear that way last night.  He should have the answers by now, he should know the facts.  Am I wrong?  Now, did Gov. Romney do perfect and answer each question directly last night?  No, but he left far fewer questions unanswered than Pres. Obama.  Last night’s debate reminded me of college.  Gov. Romney seemed to be the rookie professor with a lot of knowledge, and Pres. Obama was the fifth year senior who still hadn’t learned to properly study and prepare for his exams.  A little harsh…maybe, but true according to what I witnessed.  The other big issue I noticed was that Mr. President seemed to show little respect for his opposition during the debate.  I don’t care if he hates Romney, a good person should always be respectful.  Now we have obviously seen much worse in the past during debates, but I was a little disappointed by this.  I also took notice to how well spoken Gov. Romney was.  For the most part he spoke clearly, and was direct, not stumbling over his words.  Mr. President seemed to stumble over his words quite a bit, the speed in which he spoke changed often, and his enunciation was poor.  Again, not reaching the level of expectation for someone who has held this position for four years now.  Some think all of this was tactic for Mr. President…to come out soft and relaxed, just taking it easy.  If so, was this a good choice?  I don’t know.  As of right now I don’t think so.  It made him look foolish in my opinion.  Romney came out strong, aggressive, and passionate.  Four years ago Mr. President was passionate, but last night I kind of got the impression that he just doesn’t really care anymore.  I did agree with Mr. President that Gov. Romney’s plans don’t have much detail right now.  I think we would all love to see more detail.  However, that’s part of this process, and hopefully soon we will see more of the details in his plans.  This is something Mr. President was easily able to point out from his own experience.  When he ran his plan had very few details, but even as they were added, they were hidden from us.  Many of his plans are still being hidden from us.  I know many people don’t like to hear that, but it is true.  I’m not going to get into all of the policy talk and propaganda because that is something I believe everyone needs to do their own homework on and form their own opinions.  I did enjoy last night’s debate, and I look forward to next week in hearing what the Vice President candidates have to say.

All of this is just my opinion and beliefs, and what I saw last night.  I do not expect anyone to agree.  But I would love to know how you interpreted last night’s debate!  Share your thoughts with us!