With All Due Respect...

I've avoided politics for years on my blog. Mostly because it's just too contentious. I don't like the strife and the bottom line is that those who want to argue, aren't going to change their minds and I'm not going to change mine. So, it's kind of pointless. However, this election is different. It has destroyed relationships more than Obama's ever has. It has split churches even. That is who I want to address.

With All Due Respect Church, You Are Wrong

While I think that the issues that arise with every election are important to discuss as a church, I think that declaring loyalty or favoritism to a specific candidate is wrong. I experienced the discomfort of actual fist pumping in my church with the gloating announcement that Trump is our president now. This election has been painful for me. I've had people call me horrific vile names for being skeptical of Trump. My own family has essentially questioned my loyalty to this country, for voting third party.

So to "whoop! whoop!" about a man who has been so divisive and disrespectful is kind of opposite what I think a church should encourage. I stumbled across this video and it will be my final say on the matter. I've also included some verses I think the church should seriously consider as I believe they are prophesy coming to pass right now.

Ephesians 5:6-13
"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light."

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Amplified Bible (AMP)
"Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], who opposes and exalts himself [so proudly and so insolently] above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he [actually enters and] takes his seat in the temple of God, publicly proclaiming that he himself is God."

For my fellow Christians who are in the same uncomfortable position as I am, worried about our church, it's ability to witness and the state of faith in our country, take the following words to heart and find comfort:

"Stay the course, Christian Constitutionalists, remembering a profound truth: We don't live the lives we do, in order to achieve a particular outcome. We abide by our principles, because they are the highest order in our lives, second only to our spiritual devotion.

Those virtues properly guide and direct our every move, and are part and parcel of that very devotion. Indeed, they emanate from the very fountainhead of that devotion...our Heavenly Father.
We can no more act independently of these values, especially in matters of great import...than the rushing river can climb out from its banks. It must continue on its path...its destiny is set.

Stay your course. Let the fool say you're wrong. Let the weak and ignorant decry the very laws that govern your own morality and eternal destiny. Yours is a higher calling. Though you stand alone, your integrity will sustain you. Stand strong. You have known the Truth...and HE has set you free!"
- Duane Langenberg

Faith In Basic Humanity Is Gone

I haven't written in a while. Not because there is a lack of what to talk about, but because so much is happening in our world. It at times feels like everything is falling apart. My husband and I look at each other just perplexed at how far off track our country has gone, and wonder why our President seems so oblivious to it all. He flits off for another round of golf, or takes date nights on the tax payer's dime. All told, since he took office he has been on vacation 26% of the time he has occupied the White House. This does not count the holidays and weekends that are family "non-working" days. Now we are at war, YES I SAID WAR. I don't buy the new vocabulary "kinetic military action", much like I didn't take the bs change of vocabulary from acts of terrorism to "man made disasters". Where is our leader? Out golfing. Why are we helping people we fought in Iraq? Why are we supplying guns and ammo to a group that is too stupid to conserve their ammo and shoot in the air all the time??

I don't understand our country anymore. Sex is now just an empty thing thanks to the porn industry and ever increasingly sexualized media. It is no longer a beautiful event between two loving partners that brings forth life. No! If you find yourself pregnant, it is considered a burden. Punishment. A baby is now the same as having an STD.

“Look, I got two daughters — 9 years old and 6 years old,” he said. “I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby. I don’t want them punished with an STD at age 16, so it doesn’t make sense to not give them information.” - Obama

The family unit is devalued at every angle. Women are told that you cannot find fulfillment unless you work outside the home. Abandon your children (if you were too stupid to kill them first), and heck, let your husband have an affair because studies now show that infidelity is "healthy"? WHAT?? Yes, THIS (click on highlighted wording for more info) insanity is touted by a psychologist as good for women.

I am uncertain of the world my boys will be adults in. It terrifies me, how far from faith and love our country has run from. It seemed, for a time that there was so much possible. Civil rights were really making gains. People were more accepting of others. More forgiving. People stood up for others and protected each other. Now, people stand around and will watch a pregnant girl and her boyfriend get beat up by a group of thuggish girls. No one says a word.

Security guards stand slack jawed as a girl is beaten to a pulp by yet another group of "girls" and I use the term girls loosely because women and girls should NEVER act this way!

I just don't have any faith in humanity anymore. I see union bosses calling for violence in the streets to get their way. I hear politicians advocating the violence. Our own President telling the youth of Egypt to rise up, then sits back and watches the violence spread. "NOTHING comes from violence, NOTHING ever could" to quote Sting.

Could it be, that it is too late now. Too late to turn back the tides of division and destruction? I am afraid it may be. What can anyone do to protect the ones they love? I think, if enough of us live as true as we can and love our children deeply and do our best to earnestly teach them to love, and respect all life. Instruct the young to strive for the very best in themselves and each other. Mercy, and charity have been forgotten and need to be rediscovered. This society is rotten to the core and will collapse. Just you wait. Life cannot be sustained in any kind of quality, when charity, mercy, respect and love for life are abandoned. We sacrifice children at the alter of vanity and selfish desire. Do we dare to believe that we will continue our barbaric ways without retribution? Look back on all the empires that fell at what seemed to be the height of their success. They were fraught with debauchery, murder and greed. We are no better than the Romans killing, binging and having sex with anyone and anything.

What will you do to keep the bloody tide from reaching YOUR door? Will you gather your courage and speak out? Will you become more diligent in teaching your family the values our country has abandoned? I hope so. I hope more will do so. Because as long as no one even tries to slow this train down, our end will come much sooner than anyone expects.

Faith Can Falter... but the Father Never Does

As made aware in a previous posting, I have had a big struggle with my faith. A lot seemed to happen in quick succession and it's so hard to bounce back from so many hits. I'm surprised it took me so long to finally say "uncle". I'm ashamed that I did, but then, we are all human and can only take so much. I am still limping along, but I'm not as upset as I had been. I could blame some of it on post partum depression, but that would be a total cop out. When things get tough, you are suppose to shoulder into it, not crumble into a whimpering mass and give up. So, I am trying to dust myself off and put on a brave face. Cooking and baking are good stress relievers, and playing with the kiddos and enjoying my new baby are good for the soul. I still feel a little abandoned by God, but I'm working through it. I am thankful for friends who care and have given words of encouragement. I guess, these are growing pains, and I am maybe growing into a new phase. I just need more faith and trust, both are hard to come by with my history. Thankfully, there is an abundance of mercy, whether I deserve it or not, I have it, and am grateful.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

The following is a video with a song I feel like I can relate to (the video is beautifully heartbreaking as well). It is actually from the father's point of view, but the words are so familiar. This is how I felt with Connor's diagnosis and the beginning of my struggles with my faith that have never abated. Just hoping there can be understanding there.

The Struggle With Faith Against Insurmountable Odds

I am at a difficult place. I am questioning my worth as a spiritual being and the responsibilities as a wife, mother, citizen. Our family finds itself choking on debt. We have assets that the economy our esteemed leader has thrown us into, has rendered either worthless, or unattainable for a reasonable price. Our needs pile higher than our income and I find myself struggling with my faith that God will see us through and deliver us on the other side, to a place of comfort. Harder still, the difficult task of trying to keep my husband's eyes towards heaven, as opposed to being dragged down by frustration, and despair.

How can I continue to tell him, "God will see us through. It will be okay." When in my heart, I feel doubt, like the cold fingers of winter, creeping around my heart to crush it. Out of the depths of sorrow and the most harsh circumstances, I have seen miracles arise and wonder, "When will our time come?" "Have I not been faithful enough?"

Such doubts swirl in my mind, like the dust motes rising and falling in the sunshine on a silent afternoon. I feel like I cannot cry, because it would scare my kids and further hurt my husband's pride. I am bound by new life, from working more and harder to assist with our financial need. None of our creditors are feeling generous and in fact, seem bent on extracting more than the previously agreed upon terms had outlined. This financial atmosphere has robbed many of charity, generosity and humanity and I feel so alone, yet surrounded by so many with even more need than I. So, then I feel guilty. I am not in as dire a situation as some, how dare I beg anyone, God or man for assistance and compassion? Yet, here I am. Wishing some mysterious benefactor would hear my plea and cut our debt in half, freeing us to move into a healthier home before the new baby comes, and for my boys to grow in. For the lines of worry and hurt to melt from my husbands face. For the racing of my heart and fear in my mind to pass and feel at peace through this pregnancy. How I wish, just one pregnancy could be without so much inner turmoil. She may never wish to emerge, for fear of what this world may do to her, sensing her mother's anguish from the womb.

Where is my miracle?