Yesterday I had a conversation that was puzzling to me. The person I spoke with claimed that they were anti abortion, but also pro choice. I still have not understood how the two can be compatible, but here is the reasoning: They claim that abortion is murder, but every woman has a choice because it is her body to do with as she wants.
Yes, abortion is murder. It is the taking of a life. I believe that, and it seems I agree on this point with the one with whom I conversed. However, I do not agree that every woman has the right to commit murder if she does not want the baby in her womb.
I guess I should clarify that the conversation I had was with a person who claims to believe in God and follow His commands as written in the scriptures. In this regard we should be on the same page when deciding what is sin and what is not.
To hear this persons' viewpoint shocked me. This person went on to say that God had given us all free will and so every woman should be able to decide for herself what she wants for her body. I also agree that God has given us free will. He allows us the choice to follow Him or not. We are free to sin, but as a Christian I believe that purposefully embracing sin is tantamount to shaking a fist in Gods' face (even if it is my own choice to embrace a sin!). I also believe that God has defined what is sin, not man. It is Gods' parameters we must live within. I cannot decide for myself what is right or wrong.
Here are my thoughts: Just because a woman has a choice of what to do with her body, does not give her the right to choose for another human being (even an unborn baby). Her baby's body is not hers. She cannot choose death for that person. There was a choice that the woman made before the egg was fertilized. A woman who practices sex without regard to consequences (except in the case of rape or incest) should not be surprised that her body is found to be of use for someone other than herself. Her lack of self control in one area of her life should not reverse itself when she wants to control the situation in light of a pregnancy.
The bottom line to me is this: As Christians we must place Gods' will above our own. He has asked us to choose life and has commanded us to not murder. We cannot be against abortion and still be pro choice. "If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. " I John 1:8
I am sorry if my stand seems judgemental. I stand firm in making the choice to believe the truth of Gods' word and I will follow it. I believe that God is wholly good and only gives boundaries for our benefit. You have a choice. I cannot force you to believe as I do. In the same light you may not force me to change my mind. Our disagreement will change our relationship, but it will not change my love for you.
Can a changed relationship still be loving and peaceful? I will find out in the days ahead.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Worship
Worship is the relationship between Gods' revelation of Himself to us and our response back to Him. As we are filled with the revelation of God we must act on that revelation giving God worship.
Sovereign God, I am looking for a fresh revelation of You. Open my eyes that I might see Your glory! Open my ears that I might hear a new word! Let me feel Your touch and flood me with Your presence! Cause me to fall face down in worship of You!
Sovereign God, I am looking for a fresh revelation of You. Open my eyes that I might see Your glory! Open my ears that I might hear a new word! Let me feel Your touch and flood me with Your presence! Cause me to fall face down in worship of You!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A New Day
Today begins a new effort in winning back the moral values and rich inheritance of our beloved country.
It is a time for prayer. We must pray for Obama and all the men and women who are in leadership over our country. It is not a time for in fighting. We fight against unseen forces and not the men who are swayed or directed by them. It is most important for us to keep our eyes on God and trust Him in all things.
It is a time for action and speaking out. Christians have long since been too quiet. We have believed the lie that being a Christian means we have no voice, because of the separation of church and state. We must learn about the issues and talk about them with knowledge and understanding in light of our view of the world.
It is a new day. After two days of cloudy weather we awoke to see the sun here in Central Florida. This new day begins the work of making Christs will known. To do this we must read His word, live it out and share with others in love.
This is a call for revival! Reveal Yourself Lord! Set our hearts on fire for You! Make us a people that will turn the world upside down!
It is a time for prayer. We must pray for Obama and all the men and women who are in leadership over our country. It is not a time for in fighting. We fight against unseen forces and not the men who are swayed or directed by them. It is most important for us to keep our eyes on God and trust Him in all things.
It is a time for action and speaking out. Christians have long since been too quiet. We have believed the lie that being a Christian means we have no voice, because of the separation of church and state. We must learn about the issues and talk about them with knowledge and understanding in light of our view of the world.
It is a new day. After two days of cloudy weather we awoke to see the sun here in Central Florida. This new day begins the work of making Christs will known. To do this we must read His word, live it out and share with others in love.
This is a call for revival! Reveal Yourself Lord! Set our hearts on fire for You! Make us a people that will turn the world upside down!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
We Lose
I wear black today. It is not in rejoicing of a black American president, which could have been an incredibly awesome milestone for our country, but for the unborn whose lives are now in a more perilous position, and for a people who have sold their rich American heritage for a government that will enslave us with more control over our individual lives.
I grieve for our countrymen who chose to trust a man as our leader who spoke fluently but hid so much. Our new president is a man who prefers to hide behind the press that only supports his views, his true relationships with questionable anti-American men, and failing to supply the documentation that would forever silence the questions of his citizenship. He carefully allowed only the things he wanted us to know about him to be revealed. When we have something to hide we can be sure we are wrong. There are many questions left unanswered about who this man really is and what he really stands for.
It is my belief that we have now entered a new era of slavery in our great nation. We enter slavery not because President-elect Obama is part black , but because of his desire to allow government to take over what we, as citizens, should and could do for ourselves. He would want government to do our thinking and choosing for us. Government will soon become a greater task master. Sadly we have chosen this direction and we will live with the consequences.
I return to my faith that even in this God reigns! He alone is sovereign! I trust Him.
I grieve for our countrymen who chose to trust a man as our leader who spoke fluently but hid so much. Our new president is a man who prefers to hide behind the press that only supports his views, his true relationships with questionable anti-American men, and failing to supply the documentation that would forever silence the questions of his citizenship. He carefully allowed only the things he wanted us to know about him to be revealed. When we have something to hide we can be sure we are wrong. There are many questions left unanswered about who this man really is and what he really stands for.
It is my belief that we have now entered a new era of slavery in our great nation. We enter slavery not because President-elect Obama is part black , but because of his desire to allow government to take over what we, as citizens, should and could do for ourselves. He would want government to do our thinking and choosing for us. Government will soon become a greater task master. Sadly we have chosen this direction and we will live with the consequences.
I return to my faith that even in this God reigns! He alone is sovereign! I trust Him.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Voting Watch
To watch or not to watch; that is the question.
All indications point to this election as being a nail biter. Do I really want to stay up into the wee hours of the morning like I did the first election of President Bush? I don't really want that. Neither do I think I can sit and watch the numbers as if I were at a sporting match rooting for my team to win. There is too much at stake! In the end, will waiting until tomorrows' headlines be the sanest and least stressful way to learn the outcome of this debate of what course our country will follow?
My intent is to ignore as much as possible the hype and commentary that will cover the news in red, white and blue. The problem is that my heart has been invested in the political races from the beginning and I may find myself pulled by the magnet of hope and intense desire for the best.
As I lay my head down to sleep tonight I pray that I will find rest and peace, sweet dreams and the truth of knowing that God is sovereign and He is in control and above all He is good, wholly good no matter what the outcome of man's vote.
All indications point to this election as being a nail biter. Do I really want to stay up into the wee hours of the morning like I did the first election of President Bush? I don't really want that. Neither do I think I can sit and watch the numbers as if I were at a sporting match rooting for my team to win. There is too much at stake! In the end, will waiting until tomorrows' headlines be the sanest and least stressful way to learn the outcome of this debate of what course our country will follow?
My intent is to ignore as much as possible the hype and commentary that will cover the news in red, white and blue. The problem is that my heart has been invested in the political races from the beginning and I may find myself pulled by the magnet of hope and intense desire for the best.
As I lay my head down to sleep tonight I pray that I will find rest and peace, sweet dreams and the truth of knowing that God is sovereign and He is in control and above all He is good, wholly good no matter what the outcome of man's vote.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Holiness
God is holy, wholly good.
Recently I heard someone say that we as Christians do not understand holiness, nor do we discern the holy from the unholy. I would hope this is not the case, but I do know too many Christians who fail to separate themselves from worldly pursuits and ungodly behaviors. They seem to be oblivious to what God meant when He said, "Be holy even as I am holy."
If we are to be holy as God is holy we must become wholly good. Not an easy task. In fact it is totally impossible without God leading and taking control.
I would fail miserably at any test of holiness. Along with Paul I can say that I often do what I do not want to do. I am thankful, however, that holiness is not left up to me and what I do on my own accord. Holiness is a product of surrendering to God. I am able to be holy only when I allow God's holiness to work through me. It can never be an offering I make from my own hands, heart or will.
Holiness is offered to me through the cross. Jesus made holiness available to me so that I could be holy even as He is holy. It is an awesome and humbling thought. I bow in worship and offer His holiness as my sacrifice of praise.
Recently I heard someone say that we as Christians do not understand holiness, nor do we discern the holy from the unholy. I would hope this is not the case, but I do know too many Christians who fail to separate themselves from worldly pursuits and ungodly behaviors. They seem to be oblivious to what God meant when He said, "Be holy even as I am holy."
If we are to be holy as God is holy we must become wholly good. Not an easy task. In fact it is totally impossible without God leading and taking control.
I would fail miserably at any test of holiness. Along with Paul I can say that I often do what I do not want to do. I am thankful, however, that holiness is not left up to me and what I do on my own accord. Holiness is a product of surrendering to God. I am able to be holy only when I allow God's holiness to work through me. It can never be an offering I make from my own hands, heart or will.
Holiness is offered to me through the cross. Jesus made holiness available to me so that I could be holy even as He is holy. It is an awesome and humbling thought. I bow in worship and offer His holiness as my sacrifice of praise.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Change
We have heard a lot about change lately. We are asked to vote for change and our family has been experiencing and bracing ourselves for change. Personally, I am going through a bible study that calls for change!
Everything changes. I spoke those words in my vows to my dear Patrick on our wedding day and every anniversary since. It seems that the words ring truer than ever.
It matters little who gets the vote, we will experience a difference in the political climate. No matter how hard we try to keep the family the same as it has always been, there will be change due to weddings, births, funerals, and moves. Whenever we make plans for our future we are expecting change. Most importantly, when I submit my will to God and take His words to heart, I change.
Change is a fact of life. We move through time and space experiencing change. I may not celebrate some changes, but I am always pleased with the difference God makes in my life when I not only read His word but do what it says. It is in those changes that I experience revival. I pray that a revival of Gods' word will sweep across our country and eventually effect change around the world!
Change, it's a good thing.
Everything changes. I spoke those words in my vows to my dear Patrick on our wedding day and every anniversary since. It seems that the words ring truer than ever.
It matters little who gets the vote, we will experience a difference in the political climate. No matter how hard we try to keep the family the same as it has always been, there will be change due to weddings, births, funerals, and moves. Whenever we make plans for our future we are expecting change. Most importantly, when I submit my will to God and take His words to heart, I change.
Change is a fact of life. We move through time and space experiencing change. I may not celebrate some changes, but I am always pleased with the difference God makes in my life when I not only read His word but do what it says. It is in those changes that I experience revival. I pray that a revival of Gods' word will sweep across our country and eventually effect change around the world!
Change, it's a good thing.
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