Encouragement: Honoring Mattie Stepanek

As many of you may know, Oprah's last show is this week. While I don't agree with many of her perspectives on faith etc., she has introduced the world to several inspiring people her time on the air. One of them being 13-year-old Mattie Stepanek. I featured him several years back because of his outspoken views on peace and living the best you can through whatever circumstances God gives you...

You see, Mattie was born with muscular dystrophy despite this devastating diagnosis, he used his time on this Earth wisely by spreading the message of hope to everyone he came in contact with. Despite his youth, he had wisdom beyond his years. He even went as far as publishing two books entitled Heart Songs and Journey through heart songs, which went on to be put to music with the help of country music star Billy Gilman.

You can find more about his books and CD on Amazon.com. One of his most famous sayings was:: "We are a mosaic of gifts and each of us has our own inner beauty no matter how we look,"

In the most recent interview with Mattie's, we find that his message lives on. In his final hours, he never gave up the positive attitude by "challenging his mom to inhale. Do not breathe to simply exist"

The "Uplift Someone" campaign on GMC TV

Happy Monday!

I am pleased to start this week on a good note, with the help of GMC TV's newest campaign. Ifyou are familiar with the ad, Nick Lachey shares the ability we all have to brighten someone's day by doing something unexpected and showing you care. It's a powerful message! To find out more about the initiative, you can click here: http://www.watchgmctv.com/news/press/gmc-launches-its-biggest-ever-pro-social-initiative-uplift-someone-advertising-agency-upf.

To take part in the project, consider doing something for someone or purchasing the "uplift" bracelet to remind yourself of the cause. They can be found here:

http://www.watchgmctv.com/uplift

Encouragement: Soul Surfer Review

Okay,

So it's been over three weeks since I have posted a blog on here ... With good reason, though-I celebrated my 31st birthday this month. I know I have a hard time believing it myself. But it's true. That being said, I have had a lot of visitors coming around to help me celebrate my special day. Some of them I've already discussed in previous posts.. You know who you are!

This past week was a college friend who traveled from Michigan to be with me. We had a great time, just hanging out and catching up. At times, we even went to the hair salon and took our own personal tour of Washington DC [from the car, mind you; because I have a wheelchair and my friend had a walker}


For my birthday, we ate at a Japanese restaurant and my parents surprised me with famous Georgetown cupcakes. All in all, it was in unforgettable birthday. Although it still amazes me how some friendships can last a lifetime while others change at the slightest glimpse of difficulty

Onto my real post topic, it's dawned on me that I promised you my readers a personal review of the movie Soul Surfer.For those of you who aren't familiar, the movie tells the harrowing story of professional surfer Bethany Hamilton. What's so special about Bethany? Well for starters, she survived a terrible shark attack: not only that, she lost an arm in the process and still surfs. Even more remarkable, she is a living testimony for the power of Jesus to work in every believer's life no matter what the circumstance.

The movie has an all-star cast with such big names as AnnaSophia Robb (Bethany), Helen Hunt (Mrs. Hamilton), Dennis Quaid (Mr. Hamilton), Lorraine Nicholson (Alana Blanchard, Bethany's childhood best friend), Carrie Underwood (Sarah Hill, Bethany's youth pastor and friend). The list goes on and on.

While it's true a majority of Soul Surfer focuses on Bethany's rise from the ashes, it also spends a great deal of time talking about perspective.One all my favorite scenes involves Carrie Underwood (Sarah Hill) talking about how Christians view the trials of life. To begin, she asked the youth group to identify some pictures. They were unable to because they had been magnified only to show part of the image . "Sometimes we are standing too close to it to see the entire picture," she says. The long-term ramifications being that God knows what's ahead and unfortunately we don't. She reminds them of the significance of Jeremiah 29:11



Another scene featuring Carrie Underwood can be viewed here. It takes place shortly after Bethany's return from the hospital. In this scene, a confused Bethany questions God's will for her life. http://www.soulsurferthemovie.com/page/the-cast.html and then click on Carrie Underwood

Like all of us when change arises, we have difficulty making adjustments. Bethany was no different. At one point, she was offered a prosthetic arm in exchange for a interview; but when she tried using it to support herself on her board, she found it virtually impossible. But still she persevered and shortly before Thanksgiving, Bethany found her way to the water again and also returned to competition: during which time, the judges offered her a 5 min. head start into the water-a advantage she refused

"I don't need easy, I just need possible," Bethany once told her dad while learning to surf with one arm.


After a disappointing finish, she almost gives surfing up. But then she decides to get away and attend her youth group's mission trip Thailand and help those impacted by the earthquake there. It is only then when she looks into the eyes of those whose lives are truly devastated, that she realizes how lucky she is and how giving back not only could impact her life, but the lives of those around her.

I could go on and on with the review. Instead, I will leave you with one final quote as it relates to her having only one arm...

"The list of things have to relearn is extensive, but the things you won't be able to do are so small"

New Morning in America

What a fabulous video narrated by Sarah Palin! It sums up the excitement, the enthusiasm, the real hope and positive changes that will come as a result of the political tsunami that occurred on election day, 2010. Those who were voted out were replaced by the choices of WE THE PEOPLE to stand for us and do the WILL OF THE PEOPLE instead of what we have seen (Marxism, Czar thuggery, bloated government, relentless spending that didn't create jobs etc.) over the past 18 horrible months of Obama, Pelosi and Reid.



Hat Tip:

Gateway Pundit

Can view video here too:

YouTube: Together - SarahPalinAK

The Battle Wages On..

Hey Guys,




As I'm sure all of you know, this weekend marked the ninth anniversary of the fall of the Twin Towers in New York City. For many of us, this tragedy is an outward symbol of the ongoing struggle in this world. Every day, the news is plagued by some type of death and destruction, political imbalance or neighborhood tragedy. At first glance, these subjects may have nothing in common; but they only could mean one thing. In the midst of all this chaos, it is obvious that people are searching... for answers, for purpose, and for God.




A closer look at Ephesians 6 not only acknowledges the physical tensions going on today, but focuses our attention on the spiritual battle going on in the human soul. According to the King James version, it reads as follows: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. "

These are scary words for anyone, including Christians. That is, until we remember the assurance of God in our lives. It comes in remembering the solid foundation of God's promises for all who believe in him as well as living in the assurance of His Presence in Our Lives (Psalms 99:1). Too often, we get caught up in the things of this world and forget God's Power; after all, he is in control and protects His Children. Like Psalms 55: 22 lovingly reminds us to, we should "cast our cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall".
At some point, we all feel under attack- beaten down by our circumstances, persecuted for our beliefs, or simply disliked because we are different. In all of this, we have a choice to make. We can either let our struggles define us as a person or we can rise above them in order to find the lesson. Who knows we might even find God in the midst of it all!

I certainly felt this way this week...

With Firm Reliance on Divine Providence

With Firm Reliance on Divine Providence..

Video of The Day

In the next 40 days, make a pledge to practice faith, hope and charity by doing three things..See the three things and Make the pledge at our new Facebook group "Glenn Beck's Challenge" here.




Glenn Beck Show- September 3, 2010

NewZeal.blogspot.com

With firm reliance on divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. That is the key. Tonight is all about Faith, Hope and Charity and the 40 day challenge. If you haven't group yet, check it out here. Tonight, Glenn talks with three incredible men who he believes will change this country: Miles McPherson, Pastor of "The Rock Church", Rabbi Daniel Lapin of The American Alliance of Christians and Jews and decorated Vietnam Vet Dave Roever.


Watch Glenn Beck.com

Agreeing On Restoring Honor, Faith, Hope, & Charity

Don Koenig of World and Church Trends and Bible Prophecy has a post up about Glenn Beck.

I can tell my readers that I had not heard the following particular statement by Glenn, but here is what Don has written regarding a quote he had obtained from Brannon Howse:

Want to hear the truth about Beck’s own beliefs from his own mouth? According to Brannon Howse Beck said this:

“Last week on his radio program Beck said “I Am That I Am is the most powerful phrase in any language as it is the name of god, never use it in vain; use it to create who you want to be. I AM blank.”

I agree. Beck certainly took that verse out of context. We could chalk it up to misapplication, but when it comes to knowledge about the Mormon religion, perhaps that might the culprit for the misinterpretation.

Nonetheless, I have written a comment in response to Don's post (which is excellent and I encourage you to read it in it's entirety) as to why I think that Bible-based Christian pastors, writers, and apologists should take advantage of Beck's national audience to get The Word of God out to the masses!


Excerpt from Don's post:

It is with mixed feelings that I am writing this post because most of what Glenn Beck says is as American as American pie. Nevertheless, most Christians leaders so love the sugar in the American pie that Beck is dishing out that they are also gobbling down the deadly crust that molds it. When Glenn Beck stays on politics he is pretty good but when he talks about God he is so far off the Christian reservation that he might as will be on planet Kolob (Where Father God of Mormons lives).


First let me once again comment on Mormonism in general. Don’t be confused just because they use the same terminology as Christians. They do not believe the doctrines of Christianity. They just put their own meaning on common Christian terms. For example, don’t confuse God the Father of Christianity with Father God of the Mormons. The Father God of Mormons was once a man just like us that progressed to become a God before us. Don’t confuse Jesus of Christianity with the Mormon Jesus who is the spirit brother of Lucifer and a God in the making like his brother. Don’t confuse the blood atonement of Jesus with the Mormon’s limited atonement that requires you to still work to achieve your godhood. Don’t confuse the Trinity of Christianity with the separate three gods of Mormonism.

Continue reading here:

World and Church Trends and Bible Prophecy
“I Am” beckoning by Glenn Beck - It is with mixed feelings that I am writing this post because most of what Glenn Beck says is as American as American pie. Nevertheless, most Christians le...

My comment there:

I can certainly understand your wariness about Beck because he is a Mormon. However, I disagree with Brannon Howse that Beck is turning evangelical Christians (the Bible-based ones, at least) towards Mormonism.

There were people of different faiths at the rally. There are people of different faiths watching his T.V. show and listening to the radio show. In particular, the huge audience that showed up at the rally were there for the purpose of agreeing with Beck on the need for us all to turn back to our Founding Principles - including faith, hope, and charity. These are three things that all can agree on.

I saw the same kind of caution being discussed in America when the Manhattan Declaration came about and people were being urged to sign on. Some Christians refused (e.g. John MacArthur - a Christian apologist and author whom I greatly admire) and others signed it (e.g. Albert Mohler). I have read a lot of the writings of both men and what they profess agrees with Biblical Christianity. However, they disagreed on the signing of that document. Is one correct and the other wrong to do so?

The Bible states that we are not to place a "stumbling block" in front of others - especially "baby" Christians - so that they veer off in the wrong direction away from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Perhaps it is the "baby" Christians that must be warned and cautioned not to equate Mormon belief with Biblical Christianity.

In the case of Beck, the fact that he has given such a HUGE PLATFORM to Christian leaders and pastors on his T.V. show is enough reason (IMHO) to cheer him on. It doesn't meant that people are going to embrace Mormonism. Most Bible-based Christians will not be swayed in that direction. Recall the Bible verse that says:

Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.

The "if [it were] possible" clause informs us that it WON'T be done! The elect aren't fooled because they are forever sealed in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What I am seeing (including my own pastor who will be on Glenn's show this Friday) is a unique show giving Christian leaders a platform with a huge audience to express what they believe and how it all relates to our founding here in America; and how our people need a re-awakening to WORK towards restoring our nation.

I have read comments from other Christians stating that perhaps Glenn might be converted from Mormonism to Biblical Christianity. We can all pray for that, of course. I will admit that it is VERY DIFFICULT to change their minds. Been there, done that at my front door and sitting in my own living room having conversations with young "elders." However, there is always hope.
Pastor Miles McPherson was highly criticized by some evangelical leaders for attending and speaking at a convention for "The Secret" (if I recall correctly, I think that is Oprah's new religion?) Anyway, he stood up there and preached the true gospel of Jesus Christ to the audience and told them something like - 'that's the secret.' Ha! Of course, not every Christian pastor and/or apologist is geared up for such a presentation. It just happens to be one of Pastor Miles' gifts.

I sincerely hope that this political divide forming doesn't break the wonderful message that the Restore Honor rally presented to America on 8/28. That would be a most unfortunate development! Rather, I continue to hope and pray that people will go back to their homes and churches and apply the message that we all can agree on -
America needs to restore honor in our nation and we need to utilize faith, hope and charity in order to do so.

Don, you certainly pointed out the VERY important differences between Mormon belief and genuine Biblical Christianity. I am not trying to downplay your concerns. I just think that it would be a missed opportunity NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE of the national audience that Glenn has created via his show. If you think I am wrong - so be it. We will just need to agree to disagree.

In closing, I want to express how much I have appreciated your excellent post here. Because the message of distinction between what Mormons believe vs. Bible-based Christian belief is immensely important, I plan to link to your post today at my blog.

Christine

P.S. There are some Christian bloggers who used to post at my blog, but now do not visit or comment because they obviously don't like that I write about Glenn Beck's show. Some have abandoned my blog because of this. So be it. My blog is involved in both proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and applying the Word of God to everyday life - including political issues. During the very first God-Blog Conference back in 2004, a professor at Biola U. told me that mixing all of these goals might make for an impossible task. Perhaps, but I keep going anyway. God bless.

Hat tip:

World and Church Trends and Bible Prophecy

A Willing Vessel Of Love For Reconciliation [Update 4]

UPDATE 4: Great news! The Restoring Honor event will be broadcast live on Facebook tomorrow! Go here for more information:

Glenn Beck.com - Watch Restoring Honor Live on Facebook

August 27, 2010 - 22:59 ET

8/28 Live! – Saturday, 10a-1p ET
Yes, 8/28 will be broadcast live on Facebook. We want as many people as possible to have the chance to view this event which is why it will be streamed FREE. Checkout our Facebook page on 8/28 to watch this event LIVE! Remember 10a ET. If you can’t be in Washington DC, join us on Facebook to watch it live!
Related: 8/28 Quick Links

Praying for safety and a great event for faith, hope, and charity to shine through despite all of the terrible vitriol that the left is spewing about Glenn Beck's 8/28/10 event - Restoring Honor rally in Washington D.C. this Saturday. I wish I could be there, but family obligations prevent me from attending. I will keep a close eye on the coverage of the event.

I find the criticisms of the rabid left against Glenn Beck, his guests, the distortions of his "reasons" for holding the event and the ugly rhetoric against him for having it at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s great speech there very disturbing, disheartening and quite sad.

Glenn interviewed Alveda King, Dr. Martin Luther King's niece on his show today. I cried throughout the program. How did our country become so messed up and mean spirited? To hear how she is being treated so horribly by the left is disgusting. She appears to be a wonderful, faithful Christian woman who is pro-life and runs an organization encouraging life for the unborn. Of course, she represents everything that the rabid left hates - including being a willing vessel of love for reconciliation between the races and all people.

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UPdate:

To watch today's show with guest Alveda King, go here:

Watch Glenn Beck: August 26, 2010 - Restoring Honor

Glenn Beck Show- August 26, 2010


Tonight: Glenn continues from D.C. as less than 40 hours remain until the Restoring Honor Rally. Tonight, Glenn will prepare you and lay out the real message behind the rally (despite what you might have heard in the media). Joining Glenn tonight for a good portion of the program is Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She has faced an enormous amount of criticism for agreeing to take part in and supporting the rally. We should keep her and all of those who have taken great risks to stand with Glenn in our prayers.

*******
Update 2:

A few weeks ago, I heard that Laura Ingraham may attend the rally on Saturday. I am currently reading her book, "The Obama Diaries" (it is EXCELLENT!) and on pages 324-325 she writes exactly why we need to keep up with the non-violent protests against the radical government agenda being hoisted upon us:

The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition - Saul Alinsky, Rules for Radicals

It is interesting that the very people who foment the anger in the country, the Democrats, are the ones wailing when the public reacts to their mischief. What did they think was going to happen when they refused to acknowledge the public outcry during the health-care debate?

It is hard to watch the persistent, radical agenda rolling out of this White House, whether it be health-care policy, immigration reform, cap-and-trade legislation, or the endless new taxes being proposed, without thinking that there is some plan underway. They are maliciously provoking a reaction, hoping for a violent response from the people, so they can use it to tarnish all dissent and finally silence criticism of their flawed policies. It is a textbook Saul Alinsky tactic.

Radical leftists thrive in conflict and chaos. In Rules for Radicals, Alinsky writes, "When those prominent in the status quo turn and label you an 'agitator,' they are completely correct, for that is, in one word, your function - to agitate to the point of conflict." In the midst of their premeditated conflicts, these leftists can do incredible damage. They will miss no opportunity to use the self-generated moments of strife to demonize their critics, restrain the people's freedom, and destroy their liberty. Should violence erupt or any social unrest break out as a result of their heinous policies, the liberals will proclaim themselves our protectors, and use the chaos as a justification to claim even greater control over our lives and our freedoms. For this reason, and so many others, violence must always be condemned and rejected, while every peaceful means of resistance should be utilized.

P.S. This blog post is currently listed here on the google blog search list, but I think that as posts on the Restoring Honor rally are added, the page number where it is listed may change.

I read some of the headlines and sentences from other blogs. The left-wing ones are doing EXACTLY what Laura Ingraham describes as the typical Saul Alinsky tactic (see quote and excerpt above in update 2) to cause the demonization of Beck and all who want to attend the event.

Knowing their tactics are a bogus attempt to cause strife and agitation takes the power away from their arguments and condemnation.

*******

Update 3:

I had to go three posts from the bottom of page 3 (at 9:15 a.m. PT) in order to find a blog post that wasn't disparaging the 8/28 Restoring Honor rally. What are these people so afraid of??

Will post the positive blog posts as I find them.

1. Mediaite: Glenn Beck Responds to Al Sharpton - What Part of Honor Are You Against?

2. MichNews: Black Conservatives Support Glenn Beck Event on MLK Anniversary

3. No Apologies

4. Facts Not Fairies: Glenn Beck 8/28 Rally - Its a Matter of Honor

5. Capitol Hill Blue (both positive and negative discussions).

6. Sirius XM News: Sirius XM Patriot to Broadcast Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor Rally Live

7. Booker Rising: Lloyd Marcus on Glenn Beck Rally



More later...

America's got talent auditions feature a range of disabilities

Hey Guys,

Summer is here and America's Got Talent is back on NBC. As always, the show features a variety of acts ranging from singing to acrobatics. People who audition come from all walks of life. This year, there have been a number of acts that have inspired audiences to look beyond their situation and see their talent. For example, there was one music group of Haitians hoped to pursue their passion while providing financial support in a effort to rebuild their city after the earthquake in Haiti.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jUSENXV420&feature=popular

In another case, a teenager with epilepsy uses his love for indoor kite flying. The momentum from his movement causes the kite to take flight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ua3EZs06s&feature=popular

My Absolute favorite were sisters Ali and Christina, who along with their two other siblings have cystic fibrosis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s7CtPGeEbo&NR=1

I hope you enjoy these clips as much as I did.

Thanks for reading,

Debbie

Sixth grader May Be Blind, but He Still Has His Vision

Hey Guys,

Happy Memorial Day. I hope everyone has enjoyed a three day weekend as much as I have. It was certainly jampacked with a lot of surprise visits from people in our family's past. It was nice seeing them and being able to catch up. As a matter of fact, I'm writing Monday's post early so that I don't have to worry about getting to the computer. Dad's got the day off, it looks like we are going to have a family barbecue. Hopefully, it doesn't rain.

Anyway, I came across an interesting new segment on Friday that I thought might interest you guys. It featured the amazing story of 12 year old Bjorn Brooks; Suffering from a degenerative disorder called retinitis pigmentosa, he is using his blindness to create awareness for the disease. Recently, Brooks has begun organizing a walk at his school to raise funds for the organization. The ultimate prize: a lunch with well-known musician, Genuine!

In terms of a cure, Bjorn sees one in the future.

"As long as you hope, something good will happen," he says.

Things weren't always this easy though. It wasn't until this year that he really took hold of his disability and turned it into something positive.

"A positive attitude makes a good person; so I just figure if I have it, I have it. Don't mope!"

Inspirational words, huh?

-- -- --

Citation for TV Program: News Segment Fox channel 5 WTTG DC, News at 5 pm, May 28, 2010.

Memorial Day Memories and Messages

Today is May 30, 2010. It has been fifteen years since my dad passed away (at the young age of 72) from mesothelioma - an inoperable form of lung cancer that is usually contracted as a result of unprotected exposure to asbestos. He was a wonderful dad. A tireless and determined provider for our family. As a brave World War II veteran, he was a member of The Greatest Generation.

You can read about my Memorial Day Memories from 2008 by clicking this link. Included in that post is the account of the salvation experience of my dad while visiting him back in January, 1995. The experience resulted in a miraculous event that you can read about in my post True Ministry.

The following is a partial list of some of the Memorial Day essays and tributes written and shared by several blog roll authors. More to share tomorrow.

Christine

*******


If You Enjoy Freedom, Thank the Military
posted by Phil at The Right Side of Life - 2 hours ago
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2RwRi2TjA0 A patriotic tribute (via US4Palin): It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us free...

The Meaning of Memorial Day
posted by evil@evilconservativeonline.com (Evil Conservative) at Evil Conservative Radio - 2 hours ago
What does Memorial Day mean to you? I always think of John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." At any rate, here's another great Memorial Day piece th...

Sarah Palin's Memorial Day Message
posted by evil@evilconservativeonline.com (Evil Conservative) at Evil Conservative Radio - 3 hours ago
Speaking of leadership, you know who I think has it in spades? Thanks, Mrs. Palin, for having the class our elected President is lacking. I think we could do a heck of a lot worse for a President that you....

Memorial day weekend, Lest we forget, Citizen Wells open thread, May 30, 2010

posted by citizenwells at Citizen WElls - 16 hours ago
Memorial day weekend, Lest we forget, Citizen Wells open thread I know more about ancestral participation in the American revolution than I do of the Civil War. However, I discovered the obituary of an anc...

Memorial Day 2010 - Ronald Reagan Speech at Arlington National Cemetery
posted by maggiesnotebook@cox.net (Maggie Thornton) at Maggie's Notebook - 1 day ago
Memorial Day is set aside to express our deepest gratitude to those, who for the love of our country, accepted death. The video below is narrated by Ronald Reagan. Read about Arlington National Cemetery...

Hat Tips to all links.

Manhattan Declaration & Sovereignty Now

Any Glenn Beck T.V. show fans out there? If you are serious about your Christian faith, you might want to pay attention to what he is reporting.

I know what some Christians reading here might be thinking..."psst...Christine...do you know that Glenn's a Mormon?"

Yes. I know.

Next, they might say, "well, then... how can you side with him or trust him?"

I might answer, "The same way that I trust...let's say...Charles Krauthammer. He is Jewish and doesn't even believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, yet I trust what he is saying about important political issues of our time."

When "The Manhattan Declaration" came into being, two prominent Christian pastors/authors (both of whom I admire) came out at odds with each other regarding the decision of whether or not to sign the declaration. John MacArthur was against signing it because he objected to the fact that those of differing faiths were also willing to sign it. He felt that it was a compromise against biblical truth.

However, Albert Mohler did sign it, and he has given a statement exactly why he decided to do so.

Even some of my Christian blogging friends have chosen not to sign it, while others have decided to sign the document. The question remains, is it a compromise for a Christ-following, born-again, Bible believing individual to sign The Manhattan Declaration?

Who should be the judge?

Answer: God is the ultimate judge of all that we do (and don't do) to advance the Kingdom while we are here on this earth.

For me, signing the declaration is a good thing and IMHO, I think that Jesus would approve. You, on the other hand, may disagree with me about that. So be it. It will just have to remain as one of those "agree to disagree" situations among fellow Christian believers.

When I watched Glenn Beck's show on Wednesday [watch full show here], I had tears in my eyes. It was such a wonderful presentation that revealed what we are truly up against as genuine believers in Jesus Christ vs. what the Obama Administration is attempting to "sell us" on.

The "Social Justice" movement that is now openly attaching itself to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency - which in the world of the ObaMARXIST Islamo-Fascist gangster government we now have here in America), can more realistically be described as the environmental, global warming scam, and cap and trade scheme. It is nothing more than what Arlen at Investigating Obama so aptly entitles it: Obama's Assault on the Church via the EPA.

Excerpt:

In the kind of move forseen last year by Brannon Howse, the Obama administration is attempting to gain a foothold of ministerial (pardon the pun) influence over American churches, this by means of the pagan god, Gaia and the religion of environmentalism. It is to be accomplished through the EPA, a tender thought from souls of the likes of Marxist tacticians, Joel Rogers, Van Jones, and that old fellow sojourner, Jim Wallis. Do we need to care for the earth? Yes, that is among Adam's charges. Do we need the Church to be directed by government, to fulfill the deceitful schemes of thieving profiteers seeking global, Marxofascist governance? I know you can answer that question, too.

Be sure to read the rest here and view the video.

Over on Facebook, Arlen asked:

Arlen Williams:

Now, Christians in all congregations must be informed of this new strategic attack and church leaders must be called out, on it. They must be asked, "Do you support our freedom of religion and the constitutional, equal justice which is the authorized political principle of this land, or do you favor knuckling under to the counterfeit 'social justice' of statist, neo-Marxist rebellion."

That, in a nutshell, describes why people of differing Christian churches are all signing the same declaration. We can all band together to oppose, as Arlen so brilliantly stated,

"the counterfeit 'social justice' of statist, neo-Marxist rebellion."

The comments on the Facebook page are so good that I must include them here for the benefit of all to read:

Darren W Huff:

This "fight" has been going on for centuries. God has set aside a People to be a light to the world; and it has been the pagans who have continually tried to extinguish it. Google "The Georgia Guide stones" if you want to see the rest of their agenda.

Yesterday at 4:36am

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Arlen Williams:

Thank you, Darren. In process.

Yesterday at 1:54pm

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Stephen Pidgeon:

This is so interesting. Satan himself couldn't devise a better plan to hit pastors right in the hypocrisy. For those pastors whose life revolves around "the building campaign" - the mark of the beast is just one move away.

The move to follow the funding is the equal-God commandment, requiring pastors to assert that Jehovah is the same god as allah. It's coming to a sold-out church near you.

Yesterday at 5:51pm

*******

Arlen Williams:

A whole lotta resetting, renewal, and restoration have gotta go on.

Yesterday at 6:23pm

*******

Here's a link to The Georgia Guide stones. I will leave it up to you to decide whether or not you want to "enter" the site if you so desire to learn more. I only needed to read the "ten messages" listed on the front page to know that it's clearly a pagan type of group!

Just the first message on the list of ten reveals their attempt to "play god":

1. Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.

So, with the coming election in November, 2010, and then the election in November, 2012, what are some guidelines that can lead Christians to make the right decisions about candidates for office? Arlen has created a list of "Sovereignty Now" questions that each of us should be asking the politicians who are requesting OUR VOTES:

SOVEREIGNTY NOW - Three Critical Questions for ALL Politicians & Candidates

All, tests which the Obamunists fail -- and so do many Republicans.

Please share this with leaders of the electoral action organization and Tea Party entity of your choice.

Please ask politicians and candidates, yourself.

In addition to asking a candidate whether he or she is pro-life, for restoring constitutional government, for cutting budgets and taxes, for protecting our borders, how he interprets the 1st and 2nd Amendments, etc., these questions must be asked our political candidates:

1. Are you a member of any organization supporting the ends of globalism, transnationalism, communitarianism, or U.N. Agenda 21 defined "sustainable development," or have you received money, or services, or other favors from any of these?

2. Do you pledge to uphold America's individual popular sovereignty, parental sovereignty, the sovereignty of the states, and our national sovereignty, against every internal and external threat, according to our Constitution and our Declaration of Independence?

3. Do you pledge to support and not undermine the sovereignty of other free and benign nations, for example, an unified Israel, in its present borders, with its capital Jerusalem?

Ask them all, now. Then, hold them accountable. - AW

I encourage all who read this to pass it on to others!

Hat Tip:

Investigating Obama

Manhattan Declaration.org

Watch Glenn Beck.com

Powerful Show on Beck Yesterday

Glenn Beck's T.V. show yesterday had to be one of the most powerful and defining moments in the history of television. I am not kidding! Glenn's guests for the evening were awesome - especially Dr. Alveda King - the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who is a pro-life activist.

When I read the above article about Dr. Alveda King, I could not help but wonder if she was badly torn in her decision to vote for the first African-American presidential nominee, or, because she knew that he is a staunch pro-abortion minded candidate she could not in good conscience pull the lever in the voting booth for a candidate that has a 98% approval rating with pro-abortion organizations? I wonder how she voted. I also wonder that if she did vote for Obama, if she deeply regrets it now (as do millions of other Americans who were duped by his lies during the campaign).

Dr. King states in this article:

"Abortion is founded upon, maintained by and promoted with lies," said Dr. King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "There are so many lies surrounding the case of this young girl, it`s hard to know where to begin. Obviously, there`s the falsehood of the boyfriend`s mother pretending to be the pregnant girl`s mother, the fraud of the boyfriend`s mother illegally signing a parental notification form, and the deception of the girl`s unknowing parents, who never knew their grandchild existed until it was too late. Most of all, there`s the lie that the child who was killed by abortion was not really a child."

"I pray for the young girl who was forced to abort her baby. I want her to know that there is healing, just as I have been healed from my own two abortions," added Dr. King. "I pray for the mother of the girl`s boyfriend who now sits in jail for her illegal actions. May she come to understand that her actions caused many people a lot of pain. And I also pray for the people who work in abortion clinics who are both victims and proponents of the lies of `choice.` They need to see that prenatal murder is an affront to justice everywhere. May the Lord have mercy on us all."

The most powerful sentence in that quote:

"They need to see that prenatal murder is an affront to justice everywhere."

Amen!!!

Back to the show.

The combination of Dr. Alveda King, Ted Nugent, and Princeton University Professor Robert George appeared to be a bit odd at first, but as the discussion progressed we saw what these four people (including Glenn) all had in common. The first obvious thing to notice was agreement in faith in God. The second? Agreement in true, real hope. And the third? LOVE. Love and charity go together because if you love your fellow man, you will WANT to be charitable to them.

I can't help but wonder what ObaMARXIST and his cohorts thought about Dr. King's appearance on Beck's show. Wouldn't you have loved to be a fly on the wall in Obama's "we hate Glenn Beck" war room?

CLICK HERE to view the entire show!!

You can also listen live online to Glenn's radio show [broadcast time is 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time]:

KFMB.COM

Hat tips to all links.

What Gives You Hope?

Okay,

So it's raining outside today and I'm not feeling my best. It's one of those days when you ask yourself why you got up in the first place. To stop this attitude before it continues, I decided to post this web address. It features "the things they give you hope" an idea that has made its way through the Internet.

So what gives you hope?

Here are a couple of mine:

1. Messages in music
2. Jesus
3. Understanding that my situation is temporary
4. Little surprise by friends
5. My nieces and family

http://cheesechalkandcp.blogspot.com/2010/04/things-that-give-me-hope.html

Easter Is Coming

Okay,
So Easter is coming in two days: not according to the date of this post but the date I'm actually writing this. (I'm late by a couple weeks, I know!) Anyway, if you're anything like me, sometimes you can get caught up in life and forget the meaning behind these holidays. That's happened to me this Easter. I don't know exactly what exactly it happened, but I seem to have gotten caught up in the days.. Planning ahead, taking things for granted! That's when I got a reality check through Facebook. My friends had their priorities straight. They weren't concerned about their weekend plans on their status, but instead took the time to remind me of the miraculous resurrection that occurred on Easter.

Which leads me to a moment of personal reflection: Why have I forgotten the Lord? I know I'm only human and I'm prone to make mistakes. But still, my life is not a game or rehearsal, it is in fact an opportunity. By sharing my struggle, I hope to keep my fellow readers from the same obstacle or at least show you that you are the alone.

That being said, my status on Facebook now reads:

Have I forgotten you O Lord? "Cast me not from your presence, oh Lord; take not your Holy Spirit from me. But restore unto me the joy of your salvation.." I can't remember exactly where these lyrics are from but that pretty much describes what I'm feeling right now. Please remember why we celebrate Easter everyone!

You may have noticed a few changes...

Okay,
So you may have noticed a few changes after the last week. First, I added a new feature, courtesy of Link Within, which points reader to other posts similar to the one they are reading on my blog. I encourage readers to use this feature if they are trying to look for something particular. It seems to be very helpful. Secondly, I have purchased a new computer making dictation a whole lot faster and more reliable. That's why, besides today, I have been on time on most of my posts for the week.

Now for the bad news... Since I got my new computer, I've had difficulty putting all my files back together. That being said, I still don't have my iTunes up and running completely. For that reason, I am postponing the Patrick Henry book review. But don't despair, I have a wonderful substitute. I actually came across this young man's story thanks to an old professor and friend.

His name is Nick Vujicic. He's a 23-year-old young man with timeless wisdom and an amazing story that has touched millions. Born with no arms and no legs, he travels the world as a motivational speaker telling people to never give up whatever their circumstances may be.

His story is much more powerful if you hear it from him.. please take a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo_24_qTNac

His personal website is:http://www.attitudeisaltitude.com/

PS. He also lived by the philosophy of a life without limits.

Makeover for 23-year-old young woman on the Tyra Banks show.

Okay,

So it looks like I'm going to be snowed in for another big snowstorm. Over the last the last couple of months, Virginia has said records amounts of snow. Not that I mind, but that's one of the positives to moving here and what do we get? I can't figure it out.. I guess this will allow me the time to catch up on some writing projects. That being said, I haven't forgotten about my promise to continue my series on Patrick Henry's I am Potential. That blog post was scheduled for Wednesday, but it's going to take me a few hours to figure out where I left off in the book and write an adequate post. So look for it later on this weekend..

Today, I want to highlight something very special on my blog. I just happened to be watching the Tyra Banks show and see clips from upcoming shows. In my area, the Tyra Banks show is shown during the three o'clock and four o'clock time slot . Well, I just happened to be watching the three o'clock episode oddly featuring women who are newly divorced and struggling to find themselves again- but that's besides the point. Anyway, they previewed clips from her next show which included random strangers who thought they had fashion sense trying to make over some of the people on the streets of New York. me tell you, the people with fashion sense were right to pick the people they did because their transformations were amazing..

Part of the show included Tyra telling this inspirational story of meeting one of her fans on the street. This fan, named Janelle,, who happens to be in a wheelchair with CP, was "walking" with her mother and just happened to see Tyra up ahead. Obviously, Janelle wanted to meet her. So her mother introduced the two of them. But you know what the first thing Janelle said was? It was: "Tyra, I want a makeover!"

So that's what Tyra did.

Turns out, Janelle avidly watches America's Next Top Model, so as part of the surprise, she had two of her favorite models Yvonne and Aminat to help out.

Janelle wanted to make over.. but why? She puts it best saying, "She wanted to prove that people in wheelchairs would like makeovers once in a while,"

In the end, Janelle came out wearing a pink sweater with some kind of Leopard print underneath and black tights. She was also accessorized with a pink headband.

I applaud Tyra so much for doing that for Janelle. Like her, I have never disabled models in media, which is something I would like to see more of.

-- --

Citation:

Citation for TV Program: the Tyra Show: CW channel 3 or 463 (WDCW or WDCWDT) February 5 at 4 PM

Learning the Lord's Statutes Through Affliction

The following devotional begins with "[It is] good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Feeling afflicted lately? Many Americans are feeling that way. Whether it is because of the fear of losing our freedoms and sovereignty here in the United States (because of a Marxist government imposing terrible policies and ignoring the will of the people), losing a job, losing a home, losing money in a 401K account, losing retirement savings, losing a business, suffering from the economy, losing a loved one...the list goes on and on...affliction is part of life for everyone at one time or another. The question is, how do you get through it?

There is an old saying, "Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it." Right now, many are feeling helpless at being able to control and make their own lives into what they want to make of it.

There is a lot of fear out there! Losing our freedoms has accelerated out of control. It may have started long before 40 years ago, but during that particular time of my life, I have seen the loss of our freedoms here in the United States increase at an alarming pace. Besides all of the economic woes, secular humanism, and socialism now clearly being seen as creeping into our Constitutional Republic, the fact is that we have all witnessed that the last 11 months of this new administration has accelerated the pace - exponentially. The fear of lost freedoms, the decline of the dollar, and the devastating worry of the future loss of U.S. sovereignty are most prevalent on the minds of Americans who are really paying attention to what is happening.

What do we do when faced with such hardships?

Answer: We turn to the Lord God, Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth. We pray and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ ever more fervently than when things were going well.

We heed the two main points of the following devotional:

[It is] good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

By strength shall no man prevail.

Ultimately, any suffering that we go through on this earth is nothing compared to what Christ suffered for our salvation.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.--We suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

God knows what each of us are going through. This is a crucial time to help each other out. Give to those in need. It is a time for the church of Christ (all Christians, not the buildings or denominations) to help the needy, the suffering.

Our church family is conducting a toy and clothing drive. The goal is to collect 6,000 toys for children and 100,000 articles of clothing for adults. Big goals! But it can be done if each person does their part...right? We don't need to rely on government to rescue those in need. This is a huge opportunity for the churches of our nation to come through and prove that, "By strength shall no man prevail." (Especially an evil man [men]).

We can slay the giant Goliath of fear, need, worry, pain, suffering, loss, hopelessness, grief, sadness, and unbelief by doing what the Gospel of Jesus Christ instructs us to do while here on this earth! Share the Gospel, love one another and give!

As C.H. Spurgeon states in the devotional below, it is Jesus Christ who takes our weaknesses and makes us strong:

I . . . glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in Persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then Am I strong.

Here are the devotionals in their entirety:


Daily Light on the Daily Path Devotional
Saturday December 5, 2009
http://bible.christiansunite.com/devotionals.shtml


Morning

[It is] good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy
statutes.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.--We suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

He knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

Thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.--Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, [so] the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

Ps 119:71 Heb 5:8 Ro 8:17,18 Job 23:10,11 De 8:2,5,6




Daily Light on the Daily Path Devotional
Saturday December 5, 2009
http://bible.christiansunite.com/devotionals.shtml


Evening

By strength shall no man prevail.

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.--And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang [it], and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone.

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. . . . Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.--Both riches and honour [come] of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand [is] power and might; and in thine hand [it is] to make great, and to give strength unto all.

I . . . glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

1Sa 2:9 17:45,49,50 Ps 33:16,18 1Ch 29:12 2Co 12:9,10

Hat Tip:

Christians Unite.com

Encouragement: Resiliency

Hey Guys,

It's Wednesday, time for an "Encouragement Post". As you may have noticed, I talk a lot about resiliency on this blog. Resiliency is the ability to pick yourself up when you're down, to keep going despite the severity of life's circumstances and always believe in yourself no matter what.

I came across this website which provides another Outlook on resiliency
http://resiliencyfirst.com/2009/10/05/believing-in-your-resilience-will-set-you-apart/

Personal Reflections:

Welcome Back Readers,

It's the beginning of another week and I continue to be amazed at how fast the time passes. There never seems to be enough time for everything ; something always remains unfinished everyday and I wonder if I will be able to finish tomorrow. But I guess that is something everyone struggles with. Priorities and how to manage one's time wisely so that at the end of the day, you will have no regrets.

Regrets. Everybody has them in one form or another . We wouldn't be human if we didn't. After all, no one is ever promised an easy life.. Despite the fact that this is how the Christian life is characterized, it's not true. In times of difficulty, the question of "Where is God?" is often asked. As hard as it is to believe, he's right there! Ready and willing to help you through any situation that arises if you will just allow him too. Notice that I said through and NOT around! The struggles of this life are meant to help build character and teach us lessons that we wouldn't have learned otherwise.

I 've been running this race as a Christian for a while now, and I still can't seem to wrap my mind around this lesson at times. At times, I find myself becoming bitter with my circumstance; this can block whatever blessings God may have for me that day. I often wonder if this is just a stage of life I'm going through or if it will fade with time and God's grace and mercy. I have been reading Joni Eareckson's new book, A Lifetime Of Wisdom: Embracing the Ways God Heals You and surprisingly she says anger is sometimes good when it points you to God. He would rather have someone who is open and honest with Him rather than a polite and etiquette- acceptable prayer. That's what makes it a relationship with God, instead of what people refer to as "religion".

This is a topic that has laid heavy on my heart for a while now. I apologize if it doesn't really make sense, I should have written about it earlier so that I could have gotten all my ideas down. But I tend to shy away from post of a personal nature because of the simple fact that potential employers could see my writing.

Stayed tuned for Wednesday as I highlight one of my favorite movies, "The Note" and how it relates to encouragement as well as this idea of second chances.

Thanks for reading,
Debbie