Will I Be Voting In The 2012 Presidential Race?

I was in a quandary of whether to not vote in the 2012 Presidential race, because I don't trust Romney on the life and marriage issues, etc.

It was with prayerful consideration that I decided that I would wait to see who he picked for VP. If the person was pro-life and pro-marriage, then I would be voting for him more than I would be voting for Romney.

Many leaders in the Bible were unbelievers and even the priests of God were disobedient sinners as in Samuel's time. People who call themselves Christians are often not truly Christians.

If someone like Obama claims to be a Christian, does that mean we vote for him? May it never be!  Mitt Romney is also not a Christian.  So, there is no current major candidate who is a Christian or holds 100% to my worldview / values.

We are to pray for leaders and respect their position.

Romans 13 says that all authority is from God. In general they are there to punish evil behavior.

Of course, when there is a true Christian candidate who is competent - meeting the requirements of authority and also supporting my worldview - I would prefer them over someone who is not a Christian.

It is your right not to vote if you should so decide, but as a Christian I would rather see some lives saved than someone who voted in a way that babies could be killed even after birth (Obama...see http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/unearthed-audio-obama-calls-newborn-baby-a-fetus-outside-of-the-womb).

Do not forget that voting for Paul Ryan means that he could be the tie breaker in the U.S. Senate on a pro-life or pro-marriage issue.

So, even though I am not a Roman Catholic, I will vote more for Ryan than Romney to possibly save lives. Pray about it and please don't judge people who have struggled with the issue and not ignored the Bible or conscience. I respect your right not to vote if you should so decide, and I also respect your right to vote for an alternative candidate even though they will likely not be able to win.

Go with your conscience as the Bible would instruct....like as in eating meat.

Are You a RADICAL Christian? (Paul Washer Video Clip)

I recently came across this video clip of the end of a message that Paul Washer gave to youth, and it is very impassioned and worth watching and sharing with every Christian you know.

How radical of a Christian are you? What are you willing to sacrifice or do for the Lord? How much do you love God? What in your life do people see that reflects your heart and beliefs?

 
Radical Christian - Paul Washer from ibh1 on GodTube.

Fantastic Cover of Peter Furler's Song "Reach" by Teenager Patrick Rose

I really love Peter Furler's singing, so when this cover version of "Reach" came to my attention I wasn't sure that I would like it. 

I found that this teenager really did a fantastic job though!
He even added small touches of his own which did not take away from the overall original tune.

While I still love Peter's voice and version best, I give Patrick Rose an A+ for doing a great cover version!

My sharing this song does not in any way mean that I'm giving any overall endorsement to this guy or his church denomination affiliation, etc.

Never Give Up Praying For the Lost

Never give up praying and hoping for people to repent and trust in Christ.
Below the video that I'm sharing today I'm also posting a link that is really encouraging about praying for the lost as well.

In the following video John MacArthur shares the story of his coach Jim Brownfield with whom he came into contact with over many many years. If you haven't heard this story, then please be patient with the video quality and sound.  It is well worth the patience!


Click here to read an excellent John MacArthur article about praying with passion for the lost.

Have You Ever Had One of Those Days?

I've been feeling extra dizzy again lately. I lost sleep with the stupid monitor beeping at me. I started out the morning having someone at the monitoring place treating me like I was a dunce. I had to go outside in the rain trying to get the event to send, but it wasn't working. The man wasn't hearing me part of the time, so there I was out in back practically yelling in the phone (still in my pjs...which can pass for regular clothing). Our metal roof keeps the monitor from automatically sending from the house...that and bad signals from where we live. Finally he let me send manually over the phone. I listened to a John MacArthur message (The Sovereign Servant Pt. 1) at home with my Mom using my computer as the other one still wasn't finished downloading after probably a half hour. Turns out our pastor had a bad day too from what family told me. The podium fell on his toe and hurt it (maybe broke it), and the piano wasn't working. How is your day going?

My Dental & Medical Adventures

Most of us get stuck with those dentist appointments once or twice a year for cleaning, check-ups, and x-rays.  Right?  Well, I had one of those this week...and I survived!  The hygienist mentioned a tooth they were keeping an eye on.  I told her that if there was an eye in my mouth it was getting scratched. (She had been using a pick in my mouth.)
When the dentist came in and mentioned keeping an eye on different teeth, I commented on all the eyes in my mouth.  I said, "Keep your eye out of my mouth!"  He said, "Point taken."
Then he began to tell me ways they could improve my smile.  I said I shouldn't smile.  Then I said, "How about your smile?"
I think the hygienist laughed at that.  The dentist has a sort of smile on his face.

As the dentist left he said, "Have a nice Fall."  I said, "I don't want to fall!  I've been trying not to!"
(I had previously explained the fact that I had been having dizziness recently.)  He mentioned about having to be careful around the wordsmith.  I'm sure I probably gave them their amusement for the day...I hope.
If I had been even sharper I could have mentioned how he enjoyed picking on my teeth.

Today I went to the hospital for some tests.  One was an MRI.  Many of you know what that's like.  Claustrophobia when you first go in and then the war begins.  Clunk clunk, buzz, buzz, bang bang!  After the second test which they ended up doing shortly after that, we came out to see my doctor coming down the hall.  He asked if I was done with the tests and let me know he'd be looking at the results.

I came home after that to hear ... thump thump, bang, bang, buzz, buzz, saw, saw!  I can't get away from the MRI noises! Actually, some workers were putting up the drywall in our new room.
Meanwhile I'm a little dizzier from skipping my medicine last night.  Thankfully I'm still improved over the worst of the dizziness that I had.  I can walk around without hanging onto a wall or a walker at least!

Making Progress

Room Progression

In the midst of all that's going on in our family, we have a room being added that is a sunroom / laundry room combination.  It will be a big help to have laundry on the main level. 
It's progressing pretty quickly, and the first stages you see here were all done in about the first 10 or 11 days I think.  It's looking pretty well finished on the outside now!  A lot is now hooked up and insulated.  It still needs drywall and paint and flooring though!

Medically, I've got a few appointments this week. My dizziness has been easing up.  I'm still taking medicine and trying some exercises.

My Personal Short Story

A dark haired woman walks back and forth down a hall.  The temperature is warm and music is playing.  Her perception is off with tight muscles in her head and feelings as though her head is a buoy bobbing about in the water.  Suddenly she stops and grabs the wall in a doorway. Her head is feeling a sinking feeling and she slides quickly down into a crouch.  She makes an exclamation and family members come with pillows to put under her feet and head so that she may lie down with her legs raised up.
After awhile, she is able to sit up and lean against a closed door.  Phone calls are made.  No, she doesn't want to go to the E.R.  She's done that before.

The following day this same lady goes in for a same day appointment to satisfy her family.  A number of medical tests are ordered.  She goes out to eat for a family member's birthday meal, and her head feels like it's closing in on her with the sounds and dizziness.  Still, she manages to make it through and makes another stop on the way home.  Perhaps this woman is foolish, but she is also tired of staying at home often in bed.  This woman is me.  Likely you already figured that out!
Yes, but sometimes lately I feel a little improved laying down or reclining.  Hey, well I managed to sneak a tract amongst magazines at the doctor's and put "180" Movie business cards stacked at a table near the door of the restaurant!  Also, I hope that I made my family member's birthday a little happier!

Whatever is going on with my feeling dizzy most all of the time, I know that God won't give me more than I can bear.  Sometimes I wonder how far that will go!  Yes, now and then I panic...especially at night.  Fibromyalgia and the recent often dehabilitating dizziness can be discouraging, but even through this time I hope that I have ministered to some of my online friends while pushing myself to not give up. 

so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1 Peter 1:7 NASB

Talented 9 Year Old Girl Sings How Great Thou Art

We had quite a bit of rain recently...even some flooding. I sometimes think of the hymn How Great Thou Art when I hear thunder and see lightning outside. I searched for a video of the song and stumbled upon this interesting rendition by a talented 9 year old girl named Anna Faith. You can tell by her accent that she's from the south...and not southern California! I hope you will enjoy watching this video! She reminds me a little of Rhema Marvanne with her singing style and voice range.

See You On Monday - Chick-Fil-A & Why It's Okay To Support Chick-Fil-A

The following video is one I've shared on FB, and it's hilarious. Following the video I give my thoughts on the Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day and respond to some critical things I've heard about it.
See You On Monday - Chick-Fil-A Song from theremix on GodTube.
This past week there was a lot of news about Chick-Fil-A and the Appreciation Day that Mike Huckabee instigated. There were mixed reports on having a day of support...whether it was an us vs. them thing or whether it would hinder or help the Gospel for Christians.

Love and support for fellow Christians and freedom for Christian beliefs is not a hindrance to the Gospel. The Gospel is an offense already to those who are perishing.

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB

Why is it that we want to soft peddle what we believe and not stand up for any Biblical Truth for fear it might offend someone?  It isn't like any of us who went were yelling at people or calling names or showing hate, but people have been brainwashed into believing that Christians are bigots.  The fault does not lie in us going to support Christians who are being discriminated against without just cause.  Some people don't have to have any evidence to get angry.  Yes, we can expect to be persecuted in this life, and we do need to love even our enemies...as well as people that just annoy us.  Still, I find it important to remember verses like the following:

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Romans 12:9-13 NASB

Actually, loving our brothers is a good testimony to the world.  On Twitter I experienced someone's anger even though I said it was to show love for fellow Christians.  Still, they knew I was saying things in a positive light.  The anger is because they have been led to believe that sin is acceptable.  They have been deceived into thinking that race and behavior are the same type of issue.  Take that to it's logical conclusion and any behavior could be approved of and sanctioned.

As someone else pointed out, John the Baptist pointed out Herod's having his brother's wife.  I myself have read lately how Jeremiah pointed out the sin of the people.  The reason to point out all kinds of sin (lying, stealing, hate, lust, worshiping idols, wanting what belongs to someone else, etc.) is in hopes that God might grant them repentance and belief/trust in the Savior Jesus (God the Son who lived the perfect life) Who died for sin and rose from the dead.

Primarily though, my thought to eat at Chick-Fil-A on that day was to show love and support to a Christian who was under attack.  I believe that is in keeping with being a good testimony.  It is not going to keep anybody from the Gospel.  Many people who reach out with the Gospel participated, so people should not judge people as hateful or a hindrance to the Gospel.  True love tells the truth even though it may offend.