Month: October 2012
Praying For America~Being a Godly Role Model
Proverbs 20:7
The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.
“Impress upon children the truth that the exercise of the elective franchise is a social duty of as solemn a nature as man can be called to perform; that a man may not innocently trifle with his vote; that every elector is a trustee as well for others as himself and that every measure he supports has an important bearing on the interests of others as well as on his own.”
-Daniel Webster
Heavenly Father, our children are in desperate need of righteous role models. May you send men and women, boys and girls who have been called according to Your purpose to infiltrate their lives. May they grow in the knowledge of You all the days of their lives. As they hide Your words in their hearts, may America’s children begin to walk in the shadow of the Almighty. May the Godly examples being played out before their eyes affect them in such a way that they leave behind those things of the world and begin to diligently seek You with their whole being. We ask for Your supernatural protection over them, as they are 100% of our future. May Your love become contagious throughout our nation, and may we give You all glory, honor and praise in all that we do. Amen.
A “Must See” for Family Movie Night
For our elections unit study we watched a wonderful old black & white film staring Jimmy Stuart…a classic…..Mr. Smith goes to Washington. This is an excellent choice for homeschool families because it lends to good family discussions and offers a civics lesson as well. It exposes the corruption within our government, how the media plays a part in this corruption, and how the people can easily be fooled if the media is also corrupt and biased. It reveals the heart of a young senator who is idealistic and patriotic….one who stands up to the crooked politicians. If you watch this film you will learn how a bill is introduced, what it means to filibuster, and about the influence of lobbyists. My favorite quote from this film is, “Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say, I’m free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn’t and I can, and my children will.” I hope you will take the time to watch this very important movie….especially now during our election season.
Check out the filibuster scene:
Democrats Boo God
Never before in history has there been such a clear contrast between the platforms of the two major political parties. This was glaring as I watched both the Democratic and Republican conventions. I will never forget what I saw at the Democratic convention.
When the Democratic party platform came to the Convention floor for approval, it “overlooked” the name of God. Although God was mentioned in the previous platforms of the Dems this time it was omitted. I thought to myself, “Why even bother adding God to the platform?” This is the party of promiscuity…of unlimited abortions, of same-sex marriage. My dear husband once called it the sex party. He said that the core of the Democratic party is really about sex.
My ears perked up when a motion was made to put God back into the Platform. It needed two-thirds majority to pass. This was stunning and very telling. When they called for a voice vote, the Ayes and Nays sounded equal. The chairman was baffled as he evidently did not realize what the worldview of his party really was. He was obviously disturbed and called for a second vote. Again, the Ayes and Nays were the same. Obviously flustered, he called for a third vote, and this time the No vote seemed to be louder! Ignoring the voice vote he ruled that the motion received a two-thirds affirmative vote and God was put back into the platform….even though the folks who line up with the Democratic party, clearly do not want God mentioned at all.
I want to remind those who may consider yoking up with the Democrats of this very disturbing reality. The Republicans have their problems and many are not true conservatives, but if I have to align myself with one…I’ll chose the one who chooses God.
Yes, Jesus Loves Me
While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age.
After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down, he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak….
“When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials… The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me… the only thing that would comfort was this verse……..
” Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
we are weak but He is strong…..
Yes, Jesus loves me….
The Bible tells me so..”
An Armed Man is a Citizen-A Disarmed Man is a Subject
Check out this important speech by Allen West.
Never Discuss Politics or Religion
I know….I know we are not supposed to talk about politics or religion with people. If the truth be told that saying has some wisdom behind it. If we talk about the weather, what we ate for dinner, our new diet, what is on sale at the grocery store, what our pet is doing, how we plan to clean out the garage, our garden, or a new recipe we will have many more friends and avoid any conflicts or arguing. Life would be well sort of “happy” and less stressful. To live a life of the superficial…to live a life of talking twaddle has its advantages for sure. Besides, people will like you more, you will be popular and have many more friends. Who doesn’t enjoy having the acceptance and approval of friends? After all, we do not want to be lonely and feel unloved.
Sometimes I feel like the girl “Anne” in the film “Anne of Green Gables” She had so much to say…and only said half of what was really on her mind. Folks said her “Tongue was hinged in the middle” and that she could “Talk a hind leg off of a mule.” Small talk is okay. I am fine with this for a while…but then after a spell of talking twaddle, it seems like someone should introduce a conversation that matters. What is really important for folks to know. What is really important to say. What has true value….eternal value. Why don’t folks want to have deep discussions anymore?
I recently finished reading the Ray Bradbury book Fahrenheit 454. This science fiction futuristic story was fascinating to me because there were so many parallels between what Ray Bradbury wrote over 50 years ago…and what is happening right now. Do you know why there were no front porches in the futuristic towns in this book? Well, the folks in charge, did not like front porches because then folks would talk. They would have deep discussions at the end of their day, and make plans for the future. They would discuss feelings and opinions about books they had read but books were forbidden and burned in this futuristic town. Books gave folks ideas and made them talk about deep things like politics and religion. When folks talked they were harder to control. Those in charge wanted folks to be busy doing nothing and watching silly television programs and hooked up to earphone things all day long. They did not want any new ideas or thoughts introduced or discussed because that would ruin their plan. Everyone should be the same, think the same thoughts, and live out their lives in a state of apathy. Even if their town is dying, and their leaders are corrupt, folks should keep busy listening to their music, watching their stupid programs and never talk about anything really important….like politics or religion. Although the folks in charge here in our America want to control and regulate the internet …..at least for now….we can be happy to have at least one place to discuss politics and religion. ~Anne 😉
Prayer for America~Day 5~Work Ethic
Exodus 20:9-10
Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work…
The industrious George Washington Carver said, “I shall be glad to cooperate with you in doing all I can through Christ who strengthens me to better the condition of our people.” He understood God’s will for man to be productive citizens.
Father in Heaven, we come before you today, asking forgiveness for not obeying Your command to work diligently until the day of Your return. We are commanded to seek You first, and we have sought the pleasures of our flesh instead. We ask Your forgiveness for being lazy and self-serving. Starting today, may everything we do bring honor and glory only to You. May we bring You pleasure through the fruits of our labor. Lord, within our government, spark a legislative movement to bring accountability to these United States once again. From the strongest of our members to the weakest, may we come to experience You in a very real way. May we worship you in our jobs, setting a Godly example as a shining light for all to see. We pray for those enslaved by our welfare system; may they come to know what true freedom is, and that it can only be found in You. Ignite in us a deep desire to honor You in all that we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Praying for America~Day 4~Fear
Psalm 27:1, 3
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident. Under all circumstances, trusting in our Maker and through His wisdom and beneficence to the great body of our people, we will not despair nor despond.”
– Abraham Lincoln
Heavenly Father, we are plagued on every side by troubling circumstances. It seems that our enemies are shooting poisonous darts from every angle, and stealing our peace. Forgive us for allowing the Enemy to create unrest in our homes, in our schools, in our places of business. Forgive us for allowing the government to kick You out of places where we desperately need Your peace to reign. As ungodliness increases in our country, there seems to be little room for hope. As Christians, we know that the Scriptures say You are our Great Hope. Through the blood of the Lamb, we have assurance that You are in control, and that You have not given us a spirit of fear but of sound mind. Therefore, we will not fear but place our trust in You, until the time of Your Son’s returning. For in You we have our being, and through You nothing is impossible. Lord, have mercy upon us and grant us Your peace that surpasses all understanding, that we might be able to stand against the Enemy and boldly proclaim, “I will not fear any evil, for Thou art with me.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
www.jhm.org/Resources/UpcomingEvents
Praying for America~Day 3 ~Freedom
Psalm 119:45
And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love.
The Founding Fathers knew that America could only be a great nation if it was founded and sustained on Christian values:
“The Christian religion is the basis, or rather the source, of all genuine freedom in government. I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of Christianity have not a controlling influence.”
– Noah Webster, Founding Father, “Schoolmaster to America”
Lord, we often hear the call to “take America back.” As a nation, we need to once again embrace the wisdom You gave our Founding Fathers. May we implement the changes necessary to return to righteousness. We pray that our nation looks to You for guidance, the Chief Cornerstone. May we be the catalyst for change in our country, enabling us to once again place the Ten Commandments in our classrooms and courthouses and regain the necessary luxury of public prayer. We repent for our wrongdoings as a nation, so that we can return to our former glory as one nation under God. As we turn from our wicked ways, Your Word promises that you will begin to heal our land. In Jesus’ name, we ask for a great healing from top to bottom. May the revival to take back our land and our liberty spread like wildfire throughout our nation, and may it begin with me. May the freedom our country once knew reign supreme, that the God of Israel be glorified in all that we do. Amen.
Praying for America~Day 2 ~ Citizenship
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
“Those who pay no regard to religion and seriousness in the persons whom they send to the legislature of any state are guilty of the greatest absurdity and will soon pay dear for their folly.”
– John Witherspoon, Signer of the Declaration of Independence and President of Princeton University
Lord, over the past several decades we have departed from honoring our Creator. Instead, we have sought our own way which always leads to ultimate destruction. The Bible says to seek first the kingdom of God, and we have done everything else but put our faith in You. This departure from following Your commands has led to the election of government officials seeking the approval of man and not of God. As a nation, we have appointed unrighteous judges to set our standards. Father, we ask Your forgiveness for not following the steps outlined in Your Word to be godly stewards of this great country. We ask that You make us a people who genuinely reflect the character of Jesus Christ. As we practice good citizenship in voting the principles found in Your Word, may we fill every office in the nation with righteous people called according to Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
How Would Jesus Vote?
It’s a peculiar thing to think of Jesus voting but then again it feels almost unorthodox to think about him in human terms anyway. Despite this, we do know what He cares about. He cares about children, and marriage and families. He would definitely be turning over the tables at the planned parenthood center. No doubt about that. What about marriage: Does God support same-sex marriage as our President does?
I thought this article by Capt. James Kinny was good food for thought. I’m completely dumbfounded at the enthusiasm and support that our current president still receives. For my Christian friends who support President Obama, I cry out “what are you thinking?” How in the world can you align yourself with a platform like his? You would have to completely ignore your Christian worldview….if you have one, in order to support his leftist agenda. The division between the left and the right has never been more clear. For the believer, the most important issues are not the economy or foreign policy (although we care deeply about these issues) For the Christian its the same as it has always been. It’s about LIFE, FAMILY, MARRIAGE, RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
Do you remember the little bracelet with the letters “WWJD” so many of us wore a few years back? The bracelet was to remind us to try to think with the mind of Christ. Have you ever asked yourself, how would Jesus vote? Understanding the mind of Christ on these important issues should be helpful as we approach the November elections
