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?

How was your weekend? 8/24

We had a nice weekend. Saturday for some reason I slept VERY late. J let me sleep until 11:45! I would not have chosen to sleep that late but Friday I mowed our entire yard in an attempt to suprise J. I guess that took more out of me than I thought, really. I've been praying for motivation in my life, in all areas, and the Lord is answering that prayer! When I woke up J was getting ready to fix "breakfast" (at noon, lol) so we all ate together which is rare except for the weekends. After that the kids played alone while J and I watched the Olympics some. Around 3-4 we went outside so the kids could swim a while. J played with them in the pool a while, while I watched and surfed the net.

Saturday evening Jackson and I went to my parents for a little while. The kids needed a break from each other, and I needed a break from Hannah's whining. I was wanting to invite them over for lunch Sunday and since I don't have a phone right now that seemed like a perfect opportunity to kill a few birds at one time. Jackson's neighborhood friend over there knocked on the door wanting him to come outside, so I told Jackson he needed to stay in the yard if he went outside. There's a history of Jackson not doing as he was told, bending to the peer pressure of the other children in the neighborhood. There's the one that knocked on the door from 3 doors up, he's a year older, and then there's twins from one door up across the street.

A few weeks ago Jackson stayed over there a few days. When we picked him up we found out that the twins were coming over demanding that Jackson get them something to drink (mom keeps fully stocked with soft drinks), or icee pops (again ... she's a grandma). When Jackson would give them some, they'd take off up the road and not include him in playing because he wasn't allowed to go as far up the road as they were choosing to go. I expect more out of the older boy, but mom said the older one wasn't doing much better because he would go play with the twins too. He said one of the twins even hit him one time, but not wanting to be a tattletale, he didn't tell mom. (It wouldn't do good, I would go to their parents, mom wouldn't, so ...)

Saturday Jackson was excited because he found a small frog outside and he had it in a little carrier at mom and dad's 'cause he wanted to show them his frog, so the fact that the older boy come down for a visit was a bonus. About 15 minutes later I started looking around the yard out the windows to see what they were doing and I did not see them. I was about to be upset thinking Jackson yet again went up the road to D's house when I told him when he needed to stay in the yard. (We do let him go up there when we'll be there long enough, don't get me wrong, there are times he's allowed to venture up the road 3 houses ;)

When I walked outside, I saw him standing behind our car in the driveway. Alone. When he looked up, his eyes were red. I believe he had been crying some. Yet again, D come down to play, but the twins come outside and he dropped Jackson like a hot potato. D told Jackson to come up the road with him, and Jackson said no, he couldn't. D chose to leave. So we stood outside and talked about what a true friend would do, and how it was important it was that Jackson learned that fact that he could not treat others like D and the twins had treated him. That these kids are not really his friends- they are kids in the neighborhood he plays with occassionally, but they are NOT his friends. Friends don't do that to friends.

He was SO okay and confident about him doing the right thing!! Usually he is upset when he gets left out, but this time, he wasn't. Well, he was, but he had an understanding there, that wasn't there before. I was so proud of him. Because of that, dad and I took him to our favorite ice cream parlor and we had ice cream. He ate an entire banana split (6 scoops of ice cream, 3 toppings, whipped cream and a cherry!). He not only ate it, he took a straw and sucked up all the melted stuff in the bottom, LOL! But he does that every time he gets one too ;o)

When we got home around 10, J reminded me I told Hannah I would roll her hair for church Sunday. OY! I had forgot! I tossed her in the shower and asked J if he would help. He slid out of the lounge chair he was sitting in to the floor, and somehow he pulled something BAD in his back. That was Saturday night, he toughed it out Sunday morning but was hurting too bad to go back Sunday night, and he is working at home today. Please pray that the pain subsides! He's hurting a great deal. I have to giggle though cause a friend asked how he hurt his back and my best answer was "rolling Hannah's hair" :p

Church was good, as always. I have friends moving to Washington State, yesterday morning was their last service. It was the youngest daughter of this family, a long time buddy of Jackson's (she's his age), that walked up beside me at the beginning of the baby's graveside service and held my hand the entire time. The older middle school aged daughter was one of my teen workers in the nursery; their mom, my friend, worked in late stay at the school when I was working FT and she took care of Hannah in the afternoons. We all know this is the Lord's will, their moving, but it's always hard to say bye, ya know? Their oldest two, boys, are having a rough time with the move, especially the oldest- which is in his senior year (I believe, pretty sure). Please pray for this family that they find a good church there ASAP and get plugged into some fellowship there!

Mom and dad come over for lunch Sunday. That was nice. I've been longing for us to start doing "Sunday lunches" instead of going out to eat so much. After lunch we all went outside and spent time together while the kids swam in the pool.

The kids and I went back to church last night as usual, but J had to stay home because of his back. I handed Jackson a dollar for the offering, and he gave it back to me. I thought that was weird, then he grabbed my purse and pulled out his money holder and took out a quarter! He chose to put his own money in the offering, instead of mine! Granted, this is the first time his money holder was in my purse, but the fact he made that decision so quickly, he made me so proud.

Since the kids have started school, all three days last week, they have a heightened sensitivity of how they are different from the kids they are around. Hannah said Thursday and Friday that she prayed four times during school, each day. I think she's praying more now than she did in Christian school ;o) No but really, her prayer life is becoming her own now, PTL! She's not praying because it was what was being done, she is praying because she is choosing to pray! Friday a kid come up to Jackson on the playground and asked if his name was Jackson. He was really puzzled because he did not "know" the kid, until the kid told him his name. It was one of his kindegarten buddies that did not return to the Christian school! His dad last I remember was getting a job in another city and they were having to move, but apparently they're back in the area. This is so exciting because Jackson really liked this kid, they playted soccer in little league the year of K. They wer ein K4 and K5 together.

God is just so good to us. Oh and Hannah invited her teacher to church for "Friend Day" we're having Sept 28th. Her teacher sounds receptiveto the invitation so I'll keep ya updated ;o)

Sibling behavior, prayer requests

Oy, kids! We have a real pattern of behavior emerging with ours that I am overwhemed at the moment in knowing how to really break it. Naturally, brothers and sisters are going to argue and fight. Jackson has started hitting Hannah without even thinking about it. Now I'm not talking about beating her down or anything, and I'm not saying she's innocent in not hitting him, but at the same time, it is not acceptable behavior.

Two things bother me:
One, that he feels he can hit her and there not be consquences. He has been grounded, he has been spanked, he has had priviledges taken away, yet, it still happens. We need an additional approach to this. A lot of this comes from his temper. He has a great one, but I know he can keep it in check because he has had a number of instances this summer where he was the abused one, and he turned the other cheek. Why can't he understand that treating his sister in a like manner is wrong?

Two, Hannah has taken on the victim role. Is that the right term? She has come to think, even though she has seen him get in trouble, she would rather him still play with her and hit her, than to see him suffer the consequences of hitting her. He will slap her, I'll hear it from the other room, yet, she doesn't want him sent away and says it's ok although she is clearly not ok with a whelp on her leg, arm, back, wherever his hand managed to land at the time.

THIS, especially, concerns me. How do you teach a little girl to stand up for herself and to understand that even if it is your brother, abuse is NOT ok? Her heart is a thousand miles wide, she would do anything for anyone and give you the shirt off of her back. But I have got to figure out a way for her to understand that it is not ok for him to hit her. NOW, if we were on the playground and someone hurt her, though not adamant about it, she does expect the offender to suffer consequences, and understands that it is wrong, and why. But with Jackson- it's the opposite.

They are very close, yet they have no trouble parting from each other either. Overall, I'd say they have a very healthy relationship, except for the pattern of abuse. It concerns me in a way because Hannah is the only person he will treat like this, and because they are so close, it concerns me because when he grows up, I don't want him to grow up thinking it is ok to abuse the ones you love or are closest to, be it physically or verbally .. (or even passive aggressively.).

We need some prayer in this, will you pray for us?

I also have a decision I have been praying about, and it is not one that needs to be made for the immediate future, but I need some peace either way. Yes, no, or wait. Waiting is perfectly fine, I am just such a compulsive "wanna be in the know" type personality, especially when it is my life (lol) that I just need some peace on it. When the time is right, I will share what the decision is.

I also have a health issue going on. It is repeating, and I know how to treat it, but, I'd appreciate anyprayer I can get that it will heal quickly. Even though I know what it is and how to treat it, doesn't make it less painful. Not to mention I seem to be getting more headaches lately - I'm prone to migraines.

My aunt fell and broke her knee last week, if you think about her please say a prayer that she'll heal and recover quickly. Sh's an active 72 year old, I hate to think this will be what slows her down, so I'm praying for total recovery physically and emotionally. kwim?

I think that's my laundry list right now ;o)