Everyday brings new things and change and so we as humans cannot stay exactly the same as each day passes and we encounter and understand new things. The goal is to continue to learn, grow and change for the good. I have grown to realize how incredibly blessed I am. I always knew that I had much to be thankful for but while praying today realized something I had always known but never fully understood. God gave his son to die for me so that I might have life. I have been really passionate about life, more particularly pro-life. But today when talking to God I thanked him for sacrificing his only son's life so that I might live. And it hit me...Life is a gift, again, something I already knew but had not thought deeply about before...We were not given this life to be destructive with it and to go through it without purpose, without love and without hope. God is love. God gives us hope and each of us has a purpose. My purpose was made clear today. On top of my gift of life, God has given me the gift of love, the gift of mercy and the gift of truth. God wants me to be a witness for all of these things. I will spend the rest of my life, from this day forward helping others discover their gifts. Once you find your purpose, you will find that we all have one gift and one purpose in common and that is sharing the love of God with others. We may be called to do this in different ways, but ultimately we are all God's messengers of love, hope and truth. Each of us are important parts of his plan. Isn't that wonderful to know? We are ALL important to God! Like a play, there are no small parts in this, Life's Production. We all make up the very dynamics of our life story. We have to practice and perform each day the role we are given for our audience which is the world. Everyone you meet is dealing with some sort of life issue and we, as Christians, cannot get out of character even on our worst of days. We must strive to be loving, caring and patient at all times even during the most difficult of times when we we might be dealing with the most difficult of characters. God is the director and we are the cast. When you get the casting call from God are you going to turn down an opportunity of a lifetime? I pray that you don't. There is so much to gain from choosing God and absolutely everything to lose if we don't. Choose life.
Why do people who are open atheists/non-believers use scripture to try and point fingers at those who are believers and who follow Christ, but if we quote scripture to them then we are religious righteous radical freaks (amongst other accusations)? If you do not believe in what the Bible says then why quote it? We know what it says, we live by it. You often misquote or take it out of context anyway to support your theories and ideas in attempt to validate your excuses and your lifestyles. So please.......
Do not preach about giving if you do not give yourself.
Do not preach about love if you do not show God's love in your own life.
Do not judge less you be judged.
The point of quoting scripture is to grow spiritually and to help others to grow spiritually, if your intent is merely to throw words in people's faces then do not quote the Bible. That is not the purpose of its existence. Doing otherwise makes YOU a hypocrite and quite frankly makes you look ignorant.
To accurately quote the scripture:
Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness.
(Exodus 23:1)
A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
(Proverbs 12:17)
The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
(Proverbs 14:6)
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free
(Proverbs 19:5)
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
(Proverbs 14:25)
I encourage people to read the Bible because I long for everyone to find salvation and hope through Christ but if you have no intent of actually hearing God's word and living by it then please, do not speak it.
Do not preach about giving if you do not give yourself.
Do not preach about love if you do not show God's love in your own life.
Do not judge less you be judged.
The point of quoting scripture is to grow spiritually and to help others to grow spiritually, if your intent is merely to throw words in people's faces then do not quote the Bible. That is not the purpose of its existence. Doing otherwise makes YOU a hypocrite and quite frankly makes you look ignorant.
To accurately quote the scripture:
Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness.
(Exodus 23:1)
A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
(Proverbs 12:17)
The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
(Proverbs 14:6)
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free
(Proverbs 19:5)
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
(Proverbs 14:25)
I encourage people to read the Bible because I long for everyone to find salvation and hope through Christ but if you have no intent of actually hearing God's word and living by it then please, do not speak it.
Many ask me "why are you so passionate about the abortion issue?" My answer is this: because abortion is an epidemic that is sweeping across our nation. An epidemic that is killing innocent lives! People will protest against war, drugs, cruelty to animals and other world issues but when it comes to abortion so many of us turn our heads! WHY IS THAT?! We will defend the lives of animals more than the lives of our own species! To me that is ludicrous! This is not about politics, people....this is about human LIVES. We are killing babies for nothing more than the sake of "I can, so I will?" How arrogant, inhumane and ignorant! And to those who defend abortion, I have yet to hear a sound argument. All I hear are excuses. Excuses so that you can be reckless and not take responsibility for your choices and actions. Just because a panel of judges made it legal does NOT make it right. Just because you like an outfit does not mean it looks good on you. Abortion is ugly and is primarily used as a form of birth control so for those who argue "what about rape, incest, etc.?" how do you explain these numbers then?
According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research organization affiliated with Planned Parenthood, in 2002 there were approximately 1.29 million abortions performed in the U.S. This translates to over 3500 abortions performed daily and over 40 million occurring in America since Roe v Wade legalized abortion in 1973.
Less than 5% of them are because of rape. So the other MILLIONS of abortions are simply because people say: "Now is not a good time." How selfish, heartless and ignorant that is.
I have a family member who chose abortion because she was young, scared, ashamed and admits to being ignorant to her choice. She will tell you that she was old enough to know better but had no idea the consequences that would come with such a decision. Because she TRUSTED these people to be medical professionals, to give her all of the facts and information. None of them told her she would live for years in silent regret, anger, grief, guilt, and medical issues. I tell you this because this is another reason why I am so passionate about Pro-Life! I have indirectly been affected by the horrors of abortion. I have seen the hurt and damage it causes. I know what it's like to grieve for a baby you never had the chance to know and love. I know that I could have easily been part of those statistics.....
Visit: beyondtheblackvalley.org to hear real testimonies from women who believed the lies that abortion would be a "problem solver" and really has been a life long burden to carry and has ultimately caused more problems than it solved.
I want to make something very clear...I hate abortions not people who have them. I realize that we ALL make mistakes and by the grace of God can know forgiveness no matter what we have done in our past. (Acts 2:38) God loves us more than our past...I find hope in knowing that. My goal is not to hate, but to love. I aim to be a Love Warrior in the spiritual battle for LIFE! I want to spread truth, love and hope to all of those who have had or are considering an abortion. (abortionrecovery.org) You do have a choice and God wants you to choose life.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
(Deuteronomy 30:19)
Choose life and not death!
(2 Kings 18:32)
I hope and pray that you will choose life and encourage others to as well!
In my quest to help save the lives of unborn babies by spreading the TRUTH about abortions I have neglected a very important aspect of the cause. Providing HOPE and HEALING to those who are victims of abortions (either directly or indirectly) I hate abortions not the people who have them. Those who have made the choice to have an abortion have a long road of healing ahead of them and there are several places that offer help in the form of love, hope, counseling and other resources you may need. Here are a few great links that offer just that! If you or someone you know is seeking help please visit these links or share them with others! You are not alone. Let's rise up together and be 'Love Warriors' in the spiritual battle for LIFE!
www.abortionrecovery.org
www.beyondthedarkvalley.org
www.abortionrecovery.org
www.beyondthedarkvalley.org
I don't choose to speak out against abortion because I want attention or just want to hear myself talk, I speak because God has put a burden on my heart to help save the lives of innocent unborn babies who are dying everyday. There is a risk in speaking up. I can take the ridicule, the name-calling, the angry words, I can take all of that and not be swayed by it because I am guided by a much greater force. What IS scary is that people are dying for the sake of the cause. These people were killed trying to unveil the lies. I am at risk too. Anyone who speaks up about what they believe in is at risk. So I do not speak for glory, for praise or for any other reason other than God has put in my heart a passion to do so. I would risk my own life to save an innocent child. I do not fear the worst. I am not afraid to speak the truth. With the Lord on my side in whom shall I fear?
Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.
Deuteronomy 3:22
This is a horrific video that shows the reality of all stages of abortion. Please watch it all the way through. I dropped to the floor in tears while watching it. It is heartbreaking and at the same time stirs up anger. How can we let this happen? How can we turn our heads and even worse CONDONE this sort of inhumane cruelty? I hope this video changes the hearts and minds of those who have believed the lies. Speak up, you could save a baby's life.
Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.
Deuteronomy 3:22
This is a horrific video that shows the reality of all stages of abortion. Please watch it all the way through. I dropped to the floor in tears while watching it. It is heartbreaking and at the same time stirs up anger. How can we let this happen? How can we turn our heads and even worse CONDONE this sort of inhumane cruelty? I hope this video changes the hearts and minds of those who have believed the lies. Speak up, you could save a baby's life.
I feel like I get slammed every time I talk about the government doing something that promotes morality (b/c you "can't legislate morality") yet an issue like healthcare comes along and I'm told by those same types of people that passing this healthcare reform is the "moral" thing to do.
So some types of morality should not be legislated (traditional marriage, drug abuse, abortion) but others should? It sounds to me like Obama and those like him change the rules to benefit themselves.
What was not discussed in Obama's speech is this: Medicare can't pay for itself, politicians have borrowed on social security (a govt. program we have paid into, but will probably never see). It is in fact bankrupt. We are in more debt than any other industrialized nation,and have no concept of a balanced budget within the federal govt. To top it off, the Federal Reserve prints money when we run out. I admit that the healthcare issue is monumental in that it effects everybody and is therefor very difficult to solve. However, giving people fewer choices, creating a healthcare monopoly by allowing the govt. to control how much doctors are paid, etc. seems to be a step backwards. We will have much bigger problems if we ever get to the point of hyper inflation, as the money that we have printed (unbacked by gold or any other standard) filters through the system. To say that Obama's ideas on healthcare are moral is stretching it.
I do agree that the Bible compels us to care for others and their welfare. I disagree that Obama's plan is actually going to accomplish that goal. And where is the separation of church and state that people like to quote so often....let the churches help those who are in need. That is our duty as Christians not the government. If we see someone in need WE should directly help the individual through the love of Christ(whether it be donations, our time, prayers...), not delegate the need to a government agency which has no ability to pray for, personally see to, and mostly, share the love of Christ. The job was never intended for the government; it was intended for Christ-followers. The government has tried and tried over the years to do a job that they are not intended to do, and it hasn't worked. It's like asking a teacher to build a skyscraper. A teacher wasn't meant to do an architects job. I think the only way we are truly going to solve the healthcare issue (and many other issues too) is for ALL Christians to step up and do the job they are called to do by Christ himself. Call me crazy, but I think it just might work when we do it GOD'S way!
Besides, we need to approach healthcare holistically. Cheap prescriptions and a single-payer system, while good, can only do so much. It is ludicrous to suggest that we ignore abortion to get universal healthcare, or that we ignore universal healthcare to fight abortion. A woman can destroy her child during the entire nine months of her pregnancy, and she need not provide any reason more than "Now is not a good time." That is unacceptable. And I think it is arrogant of us as Americans to EXPECT universal healthcare when there are countries who can't afford or have no access to a simple doctor's visit. When did we start believing that life is a right? Life is a GIFT and we shouldn't expect anything but be grateful for EVERYthing. We have created this notion that just because we live in America we should have access to whatever we want. Doesn't work that way. You have to earn what you are given and those who are draining society of resources without giving a thing back are the reason those truly in need are not getting the help they seek.
There are good Christians doing their best on both sides of the issue, and they all deserve our prayers. But we, as the body of Christ, cannot compromise. Can you imagine if God said, "Alright, fine, no idolatry but adultery is fine I guess."
I agree with many of you that believe we need reform, but do not believe that Washington is the answer. God is, was and always will be the only answer we need. Until ALL of us as a nation seek Him there will be no resolve.
So some types of morality should not be legislated (traditional marriage, drug abuse, abortion) but others should? It sounds to me like Obama and those like him change the rules to benefit themselves.
What was not discussed in Obama's speech is this: Medicare can't pay for itself, politicians have borrowed on social security (a govt. program we have paid into, but will probably never see). It is in fact bankrupt. We are in more debt than any other industrialized nation,and have no concept of a balanced budget within the federal govt. To top it off, the Federal Reserve prints money when we run out. I admit that the healthcare issue is monumental in that it effects everybody and is therefor very difficult to solve. However, giving people fewer choices, creating a healthcare monopoly by allowing the govt. to control how much doctors are paid, etc. seems to be a step backwards. We will have much bigger problems if we ever get to the point of hyper inflation, as the money that we have printed (unbacked by gold or any other standard) filters through the system. To say that Obama's ideas on healthcare are moral is stretching it.
I do agree that the Bible compels us to care for others and their welfare. I disagree that Obama's plan is actually going to accomplish that goal. And where is the separation of church and state that people like to quote so often....let the churches help those who are in need. That is our duty as Christians not the government. If we see someone in need WE should directly help the individual through the love of Christ(whether it be donations, our time, prayers...), not delegate the need to a government agency which has no ability to pray for, personally see to, and mostly, share the love of Christ. The job was never intended for the government; it was intended for Christ-followers. The government has tried and tried over the years to do a job that they are not intended to do, and it hasn't worked. It's like asking a teacher to build a skyscraper. A teacher wasn't meant to do an architects job. I think the only way we are truly going to solve the healthcare issue (and many other issues too) is for ALL Christians to step up and do the job they are called to do by Christ himself. Call me crazy, but I think it just might work when we do it GOD'S way!
Besides, we need to approach healthcare holistically. Cheap prescriptions and a single-payer system, while good, can only do so much. It is ludicrous to suggest that we ignore abortion to get universal healthcare, or that we ignore universal healthcare to fight abortion. A woman can destroy her child during the entire nine months of her pregnancy, and she need not provide any reason more than "Now is not a good time." That is unacceptable. And I think it is arrogant of us as Americans to EXPECT universal healthcare when there are countries who can't afford or have no access to a simple doctor's visit. When did we start believing that life is a right? Life is a GIFT and we shouldn't expect anything but be grateful for EVERYthing. We have created this notion that just because we live in America we should have access to whatever we want. Doesn't work that way. You have to earn what you are given and those who are draining society of resources without giving a thing back are the reason those truly in need are not getting the help they seek.
There are good Christians doing their best on both sides of the issue, and they all deserve our prayers. But we, as the body of Christ, cannot compromise. Can you imagine if God said, "Alright, fine, no idolatry but adultery is fine I guess."
I agree with many of you that believe we need reform, but do not believe that Washington is the answer. God is, was and always will be the only answer we need. Until ALL of us as a nation seek Him there will be no resolve.
People who claim to be open-minded or "freethinkers" (the newer trendier term) will throw their opinions in your face but if you choose to simply disagree and to speak the truth with love they will defend themselves like a starving pit bull defends its last piece of kibble.... even if you are not provoking it! It's absurd to me how people will try to make you feel like what you believe in is the craziest, dumbest thing they have ever heard. They can believe whatever they want, but you can't think for yourself. Unless your opinions match, you are the stupid one. I swear I feel like I'm in highschool again but on a much grander scale. It's like our generation thinks it's "cool" to be controversial. It's trendy to be an Existentialist. You can't make up your mind on what you believe in so you're just going to say "I don't believe in anything"? That's a cop-out not to mention lame.
The saddest part is those who think that this life is all there is. If I truly believed that, then I would probably be acting like so many of them do...not caring whatsoever about decisions I made because if what they believe is true....what's the point? What a heartbreaking life without hope. But thankfully I have found the hope of knowing that there IS a God who loves each of us and has created a place for us so that we can live in his love forever! And that is the only reason I am passionate about life issues. Because what we do here on earth DOES matter. We could be leading others to the Lord or we could be the very reason they turn from Him all by our actions and words. That is the whole purpose of us being here to begin with....to seek out those who are lost and help them to be found. This life is NOT all there is. Think of Heaven as a huge party where you want to invite all of your friends. How you invite them is by telling them the Who, What, When & Where...
Who: Jesus wants YOU!
What: Join him in celebrating God's love
When: Starting now, today, and forever
Where: The ceremony is in your heart with a reception following in Heaven! :)
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The saddest part is those who think that this life is all there is. If I truly believed that, then I would probably be acting like so many of them do...not caring whatsoever about decisions I made because if what they believe is true....what's the point? What a heartbreaking life without hope. But thankfully I have found the hope of knowing that there IS a God who loves each of us and has created a place for us so that we can live in his love forever! And that is the only reason I am passionate about life issues. Because what we do here on earth DOES matter. We could be leading others to the Lord or we could be the very reason they turn from Him all by our actions and words. That is the whole purpose of us being here to begin with....to seek out those who are lost and help them to be found. This life is NOT all there is. Think of Heaven as a huge party where you want to invite all of your friends. How you invite them is by telling them the Who, What, When & Where...
Who: Jesus wants YOU!
What: Join him in celebrating God's love
When: Starting now, today, and forever
Where: The ceremony is in your heart with a reception following in Heaven! :)
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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