Tomorrow is THE day!

Tonight (March 30th) at midnight is the cutoff date for guaranteed delivery from the Red Envelope Day site- http://www.RedEnvelopeDay.com/send.html

I think we're going to use the site to send ours. Are you sending? Have you sent one alrady? Where did you find your envelopes?

Sarah Palin, her faith

I mentioned in this post that when asked, Sarah Palin professed to be a Christian, attending a non denominational church. There has been a lot of buzz around the Christian community about her vice presidential nomination. Some of it I have been quite surprised with. The biggest one is assuming we know what the will of God is for someone else. I'm reminded that as humans how well we are at deciding what is best for someone else's family, when we do not know what all of the details are. How we can become the example of godliness when we see another family have something happen that we have not encountered- how we have that instant knowledge of how it would not happen in our own families because we wouldn't have done the things the other family did- such as the mother work outside of the home. I'm reminded that we are SUCH sinful, prideful people! YES! I'm talking about Christians!

I expect such reactions from the lost, for example the parts of the Democratic party that has now found a sudden case of "family values". The idea that Bristol being pregnant at 17 is a reason that Sarah should not be the VP nominee is ridiculous. There's NOTHING Sarah can do now at home that is going to make her any less pregnant! The presumption that Bristol becoming pregnant reflects on Sarah's absence in the home due to being Governor is ... you know, my mind is stirring so much over that I cannot even come up with a word for it right now. Can someone help me? HOW DARE YOU assume you know what was behind Bristol's pregnancy!!

I will never forget my high school math teacher explaining to us what "assume" really means- it makes an 'a.s.s. [out of] u. [and] m.e.' . Yes, that's strong and might not had been appropriate for a 14 year old to hear in school but boy did it stick with me. That's why I try my BEST not to assume I know what's behind a situation unless I am really there. I believe the reactions by Christian women asserting that had Sarah been home and not working as Governor of Alaska, Bristol would not had been pregnant, are not presenting a godly, gracious, merciful reflection of what Christ is really like. It's more so reflecting that attitude of the Pharisees in Jesus' time IMO!! "If you do this, and this, because this is to be this way ... you will be OK". YOU MIGHT NOT BE OK!!

Life is a journey, and Christian life is a battle in that journey to heaven. We are NEVER guaranteed that things will work out EVEN IF we do the best we can. All we ARE guaranteed is that God will give us the grace to get through the trials we are faced with. Bristol's pregnancy did NOT surprise God at all. You know who I bet it did surprise? Sarah and Todd. Better yet- Bristol! I'm seeing a lot of Christians ASSUME that Sarah was not doing an effective job in teaching abstinence to her children, because of this. The fact is, we can do everything "just right", and we still might not get the results we were striving for. Fact is, we can teach and teach and lead and lead our children, but when they become teenagers, their faith has to be their faith, and our convictions are no longer their convictions, it has to be their own.

If your teen does not get pregnant before she gets married, PTL for you. That did not surprise God. If your teen does get pregnant before they get married, bless you. I will not think any less of you as a mother and a Christian (like people are against Sarah), because due to your profession as a God loving, fearing Christan mother, I know you done the best you could and understand that once our children become teens, they are responsible for their own actions, and have to answer to God for their own sin; and you know what? THAT DID NOT SURPRISE GOD. Furthermore, no one knows whether the conception was a "one shot wonder" or not, so to assume that Sarah's kids are out running around without morals because their mother is "out of the home pursuing a career", is silly- borderline gossippy in my mind. So lets not act like we have those facts and give grace where grace is due. God gives US grace, why are Christians not showing her the same amount that is shown to them?

It is clear that Sarah has taught her child to accept the responsibility for her own sin, because she is making things right. She is having the baby, and she is getting married. Okay and for those who question whether or not Bristol and Levi's marriage will "make it" because they are so young- THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING!! How self righteous can we be?! There have been a number of young couples in my own church that have gotten married as teens, the girls being the younger teen (17 even!!) and the boys being a year or so older. These have to be the godliest examples of marriage I have ever seen- to the point I wish MY marriage had the start theirs did. Bristol is going to live the rest of her life with the knowledge she sinned, that one decision impacted everything she has probably been dreaming of in regards to falling in love, getting married, then having kids ... she does not need a nation of sinners condemning her mother for her own sins by way of not supporting her mom with their vote when she is obviously the best choice available.

Our duty, as citizens in this upcoming election, is to elect the best person for the positions they are running for. To look at who is most qualified, and to look at who shares the values we share. It is so utterly clear that Sarah Palin holds our values, yet we are ready to not vote for her ticket because we are going to judge her personal life? Let me share with you a story.

Young mother, assistant manager of a convenience store. She's qualified for a promotion. She's a hard worker, dedicated, independent, responsible, very good at what she does. There's no other person more qualified than her for the current promotion to store manager available. Yet the district manager discounts her, because the store available is five miles further to drive than the store she is currently working at. Not because she's not qualified, or that there was a person more qualified than her for the job, but because of where she lives, the district manager doesn't think driving an additional five miles would be acceptable considering current gas prices. HA!! We're talking about a company that makes money from gas sales!!

Is that a professional, acceptable decision? OF COURSE NOT!! It's shotty! and I fail to see where there's a difference between that and Christian women not supporting Sarah on the ticket.

I say, let Sarah determine whether it is God's will for her life for her to run as VP and possibly become our first female president (Lord willing IMO!). We CANNOT know what God's will is for her. We DO know that God's will for our country is to become more righteous, and NOT supporting the McCain - Palin ticket is definitely a step in the OPPOSITE direction. I voted for Mike Huckabee by principle, but we need to realize this presidential race is between Obama and McCain. There might be other people running, but now is the time to realize that if we have any hope for godliness to be restored to our nation, McCain is the hope we have. It might not be the same hope we would have if Mike Huckabee was running, but it's more hope than what we as bible believing Christians would have in Obama. I could write Mike Huckabee in this November, but even he has the wisdom to tell his supporters to vote for McCain this November and have our votes actually going towards a cause.

No one is perfect, not one of us. We have all sinned, and if we are born again, we are all forgiven. I believe it's high time for a lot of Christians in our country to practice what is preached, and show grace when grace is due. Quit being grace hoggers because you get it every day. I implore you to research the issues and make an educated decision on what God would have you vote for in this election for our country, instead of trying to decide what is best for Sarah Palin and her family. I'm going to leave their family decisions up to the head of that family, Todd Palin.

As a matter of fact, it might serve well to make note from this article:

"Then there’s the motherhood question. How could a full-time mother of five,
including a disabled infant, possibly serve as Vice President? Won’t she be forced to neglect her children? This shouldn’t be much of a problem for Palin. She’s received rave reviews for her performance in a far more difficult job, running the government of Alaska, while also being a hands-on mom. Besides, no elected office in the land is better suited for a full-time mother than the vice presidency. Unlike governors, vice presidents spend most of the day looking for something to do."

So if you can't get past the idea of her working, think of voting for her for VP as putting their family in a better situation than what they've been in for the past year and a half. ;o)

SO.

In speaking about Sarah Palin's faith, I want to ask my sisters (and brothers) this:

If you believed with your whole heart God was leading you to a job position- would you want a nation of sinners second guessing that?

I've made a big decision recently in which I believed 100% it is God's will for my family, and I cannot tell you how HURTFUL and potentially discouraging it is to see people second guess my decision. Do we really want to elevate ourselves to that level of spirituality to assume we know what God is telling someone else? Or do we want to vote in November what would be best for our nation, and vote for someone who would strive to leave this nation in a BETTER condition for our children when they grow up?

For anyone interested, this is a video of Governor Palin speaking at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church in Wasilla, Alaska. Yes, I am IFB and no I do not agree with a lot of AoG doctrine, but that does not mean I question her salvation- especially when her character in my opinion is a strong result of her salvation. She practices what the bible preaches, unlike the opposition. In my opinion if you do not vote for the McCain - Palin ticket, you are welcoming the Obama - Biden ticket into the White House.

Whose values mean more to you?

Obama and abortion (more)

Last posted about here.
More about Obama and the abortion / BAIPA issue.

From this article:

New audio reveals that while arguing against the Born Alive Infant Protection
Act (BAIPA) in the Illinois Senate in 2002, state lawmaker Obama suggested two
doctors tending to a baby who survived a botched abortion would be too much of a
burden to the child's mother.

"And that essentially adding an
additional doctor -- who then has to be called in an emergency situation to come
in and make these assessments -- is really designed simply to burden the
original decision of the woman and the physician to induce labor and perform an
abortion," he stated.

Seriously? (You can listen to the audio here) I would not think a baby surviving a late term abortion (different from partial birth) would be considered an emergency situation, but a possibly outcome therefore an additional doctor is the responsible thing to do, not an additional burden! When you decide you are going to have an abortion, you have to be responsible for what entails the abortion, and any possible alternate outcomes. I think it is sick that the debate of this all boils down to the mother's desire to have a dead baby, plain and simple.

The nurse that testified before congress, Jill Stanek, explained the atmosphere in Christ Hospital where she used to work. She said that they offered the option for parents who aborted their babies to have their footprints done for certificates; a chapel with a chaplain available for baptism, among many other things. All I can think is "WHAT?". I'll have to find a link if there is one for that interview as that was on the Sean Hannity radio show, however, you can read the transcript of his interviewing her about this on Hannity & Colmes right here.

Her interview with Bill O'Reilly in which she explains this late term abortion procedure, and more about Christ Hospital can be seen here. It's worth a look for the additional info shared. That interview was in '00. Yes, learning more about what we did not know about this subject can make us uncomfortable, and even emotional at times. I had a surge of emotions hearing in that clip that the hospital Jill Stanek worked in was actually associated with an Evangelical Lutheran Denomination, that was pro choice!

There was something said about Sisterlisa including images in her post about this subject, but it's important that people learn more about that which they do not know, so they may educate others. That is our hope for the Election in November, educating people on the truths about Obama. If someone did not do that with me in '00, I would have voted for Gore (Oy!!)

It kills me how willingly democrats (not 100%, but a great majority of what I have seen) are ready to excuse Obama's willingness to legislate infanticide. Just because Obama is not the one literally aborting the baby, or the one leaving it on the table, does not mean he has any LESS responsibility in each and every botched abortion resulting in the death of a baby born alive! Here's an example of the shouting matches that are ensuing because democrats are denying Obama's role and responsibility in this very important issue:

Is this what our country is coming to? NO accountability if the accusation is happening on your side of the fence? I think about this morning's headline about the possible plot to assassinate Obama on Thursday night. I can only imagine liberal bloggers will be saying it's a "vast right wing conspiracy"! C'mon people!! But even if the person was a supporter of the Republican party, there's NO WAY I would make excuses for these guys! I believe they would be swimming up a creek without a paddle for sure!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I found out something that was quite interesting. If you didn't see the Saddleback forum, this question was asked: "Can you give me a good example where you went against party loyalty, and maybe even went against your own best interest for the good of America?"-

Guess what? He lied again it appears! According to this article, Obama said "I'll give you an example that, in fact, I worked with John McCain on, and that was the issue of campaign ethics reform and finance reform. That wasn't probably in my interest or his.... But I think that we were able to get a bill passed that hasn't made Washington perfect, but at least has started moving things forward...."; but the reality is, Obama withdrew his support and cooperation with that bipartisan legislation ONE WEEK LATER. Wow, that's about the same turnaround time for him to "correct" anything that has been "misstated", isn't it?

That ordeal results in a letter from McCain stating:

Dear Senator Obama: I would like to apologize to you for assuming that your
private assurances to me regarding your desire to cooperate in our efforts to
negotiate bipartisan lobbying reform legislation were sincere. When you
approached me and insisted that despite your leadership's preference to use the
issue to gain a political advantage in the 2006 elections, you were personally
committed to achieving a result that would reflect credit on the entire Senate
and offer the country a better example of political leadership, I concluded your
professed concern for the institution and the public interest was genuine and
admirable. Thank you for disabusing me of such notions with your...decision to
withdraw from our bipartisan discussion. I'm embarrassed to admit that after all
these years in politics I failed to interpret your previous assurances as
typical rhetorical gloss routinely used in politics to make self-interested
partisan posturing appear more noble. Again, sorry for the confusion, but please
be assured I won't make the same mistake again.... Sincerely, John McCain.

When is this going to be covered in the media? This is a character issue- he's lied AGAIN! In a church, no less! This is NOT a "race" thing, it is a character thing!!