A noteworthy prayer

A good friend forwarded the following to me via Email: Thought you might enjoy this interesting Prayer given in Kansas at the opening session of their Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some people. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask
Your forgiveness and to seek your direction and
Guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those
Who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we
Have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed
Our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it
The lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it
Welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it
Choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it
Justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our
Children and called it
Building self esteem..

We have abused power and called it
Politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions
And called it
Ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and
Pornography and called it
Freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values
Of our forefathers and called it
Enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts
Today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free
Amen!

The response was immediate. A number of
Legislators walked out during the prayer in
Protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian
Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than
5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls
Responding negatively. The church is now receiving
International requests for copies of this prayer
From India , Africa and Korea

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on
His radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and
Received a larger response to this program than any
Other he has ever aired.

Standing Strong

This subject is something that has been bothering me for awhile now. And I truly hope I don't offend anyone with my words, that is absolutely not my intention.

I am hearing this phrase "God is in control" more and more from Christians as election day nears. And I have to say that I think with many (not all) it is a coping mechanism to deal with the fact that Obama will most likely win the election.

We all know God is in control. He has been so since Creation, and even before that time.

He was in control during Hitler's time. True, we won the war, and thus were not ruled by that crazy maniac. But horrible, unspeakable crimes were committed against an unbelievable amount of people. ALL while God was in control...

He was also in control while Christians were hiding in the catacombs and being fed to lions, or burned at the stake.

My point is this: If you're a Christian, you already know this statement to be true. If it makes you feel better to voice it, fine. If it drives you to your knees in prayer for our Country, even better.

But don't give up the fight. And that is most definitely what we are in for if Obama gets into office. Even more so if there is a Democrat majority in the House and Senate (very possible).

No, I don't think we'll become like Germany mindlessly following a crazy dictator. But I do think that many of our freedoms will be threatened. And I plan to be ready for that fight.

As Dr.Laura says (and I paraphrase here): Some of the best, kindest people in the world stand by and let evil happen. They are so concerned that they will offend. So afraid that in doing the right thing, they will appear badly to others. (Believe me, she says it much, much more eloquently).

Don't misunderstand me here. I am glad God is in control. And I believe it. But that doesn't mean I'm going to ignore the danger I see coming. Or pretend it isn't there.

Or we as Christians may soon find that we need somewhere to hide.

I leave you with a well-known fight phrase: "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

I agree; He's the first one I'd pick to be on my team.

An article worth reading

I found this link over at Brandi's blog. I admit I've been concerned that the present financial crisis would be enough for Obama to slide into the White House in a few short weeks, but maybe the mostly liberal media will actually do some real reporting for a change... we can always hope.

VP update

This is one of those times that I am more than happy to be able to say I was wrong. It's official: Joe Biden is the democratic Vice President choice, not Hillary Clinton.

Meanwhile, McCain has surged past Obama by 5 points in the latest Reuter's pole. He also has lost support among Democratic voters by 10 points in the last month.

And last, but not least, he has lost points in double digits among the "youth" voters. Which may not be something to get too down about as half of them probably wouldn't have voted anyway.
No offense meant, I understand how busy they are on election day;)

Hopefully, McCain will make his VP announcement soon. Then the games will really begin.

My 2 cents worth

Just thought I'd throw out my own prediction that Obama is going to choose Hillary as his VP at the Democratic Convention later this month. I know they're hinting Evan Baye (who I didn't like when I resided in my home state of Indiana) but I think it's smoke and mirrors. Can you imagine what a splash it would make if he chose her? The media would talk of nothing else til the election. And truth be told, I think they would win.

With all my heart I hope I'm wrong; I would gladly eat my words on this one.

Am I worried? No, not really. There's so many more important things to think about;)

What in the world?

So last week while on vacation I decided I would take a little alone time in the hotel and see what the television had to offer. Being that we don't have broadcast TV in our home (for too many reasons to list; you know you don't want me to anyway:) I knew I wouldn't find much to my liking, but I needed some distraction from my drug-induced headache (legal drugs, that is; I had a horrid tooth infection).

So I happened upon one of those 20/20 type programs (I don't know if it was that show or not). Barbara Walters was interviewing a couple about their six-year-old daughter. They seemed like an intelligent pair, and were obviously upper-middle-class.

Their daughter had made a progressive decision, and her progressive parents had gone along with it.

She had decided at the tender age of 5 that she no longer wanted to be a boy.

Yes, you read that right. You see, she was born a boy... but always desired (in those long first years of her life) to be a girl.

They had her decked out in stylish girl clothing, little girl's make-up (which my 6-year-old would not be wearing) and even have her invite little girlfriends over for play-dates.

Remember, no body changes have been made (to put it delicately); can you imagine how unusual this must be for her school-mates (please tell me it is so).

Is anyone confused yet? I can't even keep it straight for this post.

And should you happen to feel I am making fun of this boy/girl, you're quite wrong. This little girl really doesn't know what she's doing (or atleast it's far-reaching effects). As far as her parents are concerned... I think I'll leave that one unsaid.

What amazed me was the way this news program portrayed this as a courageous and newsworthy story; please, please tell me there are more inspirational things going on in our country... or anywhere else!

It would seem I'm really not missing out on anything after all.

Update

I know I should (update, that is). But I have been putting my energy elsewhere lately.

Okay, not totally true. More like the frustration of the political landscape right now just makes me want to bury my head in the sand (and almost cast a vote for Hillary...almost).

I NEVER thought I would feel that desperate;)

No, I'm not a democrat ( my shocking revelation for the day), but I would do almost anything to aid the other alternative in NOT getting into office. Anything legal, of course;)

So our great state of Oregon has chosen Obama as their choice for the democratic candidate; I had nothing to do with that, so don't blame me in the future.

I am curious to see just how long Hillary holds out; she's a determined woman, you have to give her credit for that. And the white middle-class definitely seems to have a preference for her. It will be interesting to see how that affects things later on.

If My People

I have been contemplating the present run for the Presidency from many angles lately.

Just ten years ago, I wouldn't have believed that an issue, such as abortion, would be basically a non-issue in a future presidential race.

While I am not writing about the subject of Abortion specifically here, it is a good example of something that we have grown used to. It is no longer an issue that clearly separates the candidates.

But then, four years ago, I would have never dreamed we would even consider electing a candidate that often chooses not to show our countries flag respect.

The terrorist attacks that sent us reeling just a few short years ago, would now seem to be a distant memory to so many Americans. We want the "bad" war to go away, we want a new President who will "fix" everything; and we're willing to take him/her at their word that they'll do it, regardless of whether they have realistic plans of how to do that. Or the qualifications.

I believe we live in a country greatly blessed by God. But sometimes I have to wonder if we're pushing things to the extreme...at what point is enough enough?

I think now may be a very good time to consider the following verse:

" If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chron. 7:14

Hopefully Christians will not put off praying for our country (and this Presidential race) as a last resort when everything else fails. It's the best way to make our voice be heard.

Update

Nikki is gently chiding me to update this blog, so I shall do so. Just to make her happy;)

Today I posted an entry on my main blog that I usually would post here, but just felt compelled to put it there instead. It was one of those times where I couldn't separate the mild-mannered mom from the more out-spoken me, Lol.

However, I did want to mention that as far as the last entry concerning the so-called Polygamist Ranch, there has been an interesting twist. Authorities are saying that they have not identified the young girl who called (which set the whole ball rolling) because...she may not exist!

They have traced the phone card used to an African-American woman who they think may have possibly reported it as a hoax...can anyone tell me why someone would do that?

I really need to say that I am a great supporter of Law Enforcement, and think that they truly most likely (hopefully that's not double-talk) had the best interests of these people in mind.

And as I said before, polygamy is not legal, and thus there were laws being broken including underage marriages taking place.

Even they (the authorities) are admitting that this could be a long time in getting settled. I don't envy them the job of doing that.

Separation of Church and State

I think most Christians know the importance of Separation between Church and State. As much as some people would like it to say otherwise in our school history books, this is one of the main reasons our ancestors came to the New World: to have Freedom of Religion. To Worship as they chose to.

Unfortunately, many crimes are committed today in the name of Christianity.

There are so many different directions I could go with that thought, but in this post I am thinking of the case taking place right now in San Angelo, Texas.

I should say from the start that I have mixed feelings about this situation. While I thoroughly agree that the Leader of this sect, Warren Steed Jeffs, is exactly where he should be (in a jail cell), and am also against the practice of polygamy, I do feel some compassion for the women and children in this case.

As I read one reporters description on the day of the evacuation of the women and children from the polygamist ranch, I was slightly irritated... What did it matter that the women and young girls wore floor-length dresses and had hair that reached to their waist? How was this a sign of mistreatment?

Of course, that wasn't what they were saying; they were just emphasizing one more angle which (to that reporter) made these people seem odd.

If the young girls had displayed body piercings, tattoos, and dyed orange hair...they would have seemed perfectly normal.

Please don't misunderstand me, I am NEVER for the under-aged marrying (and forced relations) that is claimed here; I find that rather disgusting. And it SHOULD be punished if it is found to be true.

But I am afraid that perhaps those who have done no wrong are being lumped in with those who have.

And any time that the Government steps in and dictates what can and cannot be done, makes me just a little nervous.

I think these people are sincerely wrong in their beliefs; just as they would think I am in mine.

Do I think the Government should have stepped in? I really don't know. Only time will tell if the right thing was done.

So far, the accuser has not stepped forward, the one who basically set the ball rolling for this evacuation. Many of the members of this Sect feel persecuted and discriminated against. They just want their wives and children to come home.

And yet, crimes cannot be allowed purely because they fall within the realm of religious belief.

This is a case I plan to keep my eye on.

The pledge of Allegiance- Obama style

Georgia Mom wrote a post on the Pledge of Allegiance that is very well written and legitimately questians the sense of Patriotism portrayed by presidential hopeful Obama.

The latest just in...

So far, these are the comments I've heard concerning Hillary's visit to our neigboring town:

"She talked about really good stuff."

"She really cares about the environment and stuff."

Could it be that stuff is the new key word?

Now, granted, these are fairly young kids commenting (anyone below the age of 25 is now a kid to me; yes, I'm that old).

And isn't there something about the zeal of youth that makes you almost yearn to be in their shoes again?

I say almost because hopefully with our loss of our youth to maturity, we gain wisdom and understanding; and the ability to cut through the words meant to distract us from the real issues.

I applaud their desire to be involved with the politics of our great country; after all, it is their future and that of their children that is at stake here.

Imagine their surprise when many of them will find that these issues can take on a whole new light when they have children of their own.

Everyone has the right to believe what they want to, and vote the way they believe.

Let's just hope their vote is not gained by pretty packages that, when they are opened, are full of nothing but ideals without any substance.

Am I missing something?

About 2 weeks ago while listening to an afternoon radio talk show, my attention was caught by one of those cliff-hanger tease lines they throw you, so you'll be sure to stick around for the news:

An Oregon man claims he is 6 months pregnant!

Well, I admit they had my attention. With the scientific advances we've (or they've) made in the last 10 years....could it truly be that they had found a way?

Imagine my disappointment, after sticking around to hear it, that the he was really a she, that had decided to become a he.

And I am NOT making fun of people who decide to change genders...I have much more important things to do than to even approach that subject.

What irritates me is that they are treating this as if it was some scientific breakthrough...when any woman in the world could do the same thing.

Yes, even I could decide to become a man (admittedly hubby would be quite disappointed), have an operation (although not a thorough one; obviously, if there is somewhere for a baby to grow), and then declare to the world " I, a man, am going to have a baby!"

What is astounding about that??? Besides the fact that I would do that...although of course I wouldn't.

And truly it would have totally been lost to the graveyard of my memory except that they keep repeating it over and over and over...in between the reports of Hillary coming to town.

And then they say that Oprah had him on her show today???

Is there nothing newsworthy going on in this world? Or am I truly missing something?

Quess who's coming to Town

Uh oh...the Big H is coming to town. And within days of the Big B being here.

Okay...let's quit with the silly code names: I'm talking about Bill and Hillary!

Could it be that the lovely (it really is) state of Oregon is actually going to influence when it comes to it's Democratic Primary? Because that would be quite unusual, considering by this time things are usually set in stone on that matter (or as far as this young'un can remember).

Bill talked green (not money, environmental). That really stimulates some of these North westerners. Of which my dear hubby is one. Not an environmentalist, but a north westerner.

Of course, Obama didn't leave us out. He was here last week.

He said that special word of his alot: change.

He said what he would change, but not really much of how he would change it (that came from a Democrat, not me).

And if this post seems at all confusing or non-sensical, imagine how some of us Oregonians are going to feel after Hillary comes.

I don't think MY environment can handle any change, especially if it comes as a result of someone with Hillary's experience.

As if that wasn't enough- Part 1

Okay- I'm going to reveal a secret desire here. Are you ready?

I've always wanted to be a judge...sorry if that was a letdown.

And if your first thought when you hear the word judge is Simon C. (the C is because I can't remember his last name, and I don't watch TV myself) on American Idol, you seriously need to try reading a book for a change. Ouch...I may have just lost you.

And I don't want to be a judge so I can reign with fiery justice and send hardened criminals to locked cells and then throw away the keys. Well...not ONLY that.

The real reason is that I find the whole crime and punishment (I could call it the legal system, but it just doesn't sound as interesting) quite fascinating. Especially as you study it from the early years down through the present.

And I want to say here: Our American Justice system may have it's flaws, but I believe it's still the best in the world.

I have to admit that some far off countries justice systems have a certain appeal to me. They would never take a convicted child rapist and murderer and wonder whether he should get life or death (which of course means he will be breathing air for many years still because of appeals). They wouldn't stand outside with posters protesting (I know...freedom of speech) when his turn came to get a lethal injection that might give him momentary discomfort (versus extreme terror) when his time came. No... he would have a short walk to meet his maker. They might even skip the walk.

But then side-by-side with that case, you might find the case of the young boy who stole a small item. Of course, stealing is wrong. But to take that young boy and put his hand literally that stole under the wheel of a car, and to run over it as punishment; obviously that is a flawed system. Who could do such a thing, and then go about their daily business? I know the pictures from this true story are etched in my mind. Those pictures that were taken by those who punished him as a record of his punishment.

Are there innocent people in prison? I think there probably are. DNA evidence has proved it to be so. And DNA evidence will also help to prevent such cases as this in the future.

But I would never allow myself to rally behind or pity prison inhabitants as a whole for that reason. Most are there for exactly what they have been tried and convicted of. I have to admit part of what interests me in the whole crime/punishment department is the psychology of it all. That a person could do cruel, harmful things to another human being, a crime for which there is indisputable evidence, and then look you in the face and say they didn't do it. Where is their conscience in all of that?

And in all my reading of it, with the many explanations given by various professionals, I still cannot accept that there are some who have no conscience. I believe it, but I just can't quite accept it.

Would you believe I actually was going to write about a particular case, but got side-tracked?
So this will be Part 1...

Part 2 coming soon;)

The Conception of this blog- G Rated

Hubby and I were having one of our rarer talks; not to say that we rarely talk, but our usual talk surrounds our kids, church,our kids, extended family, our kids,ect. You get the general idea. This was one of those talks that we get to indulge in once-in-a-while: local news, politics (tis-the-season) and the criminal element (I know, not your normal pillow-talk, LoL).

Then we started discussing my blog. I mentioned how I really enjoy posting about our life in general, and our kids specifically. But... sometimes I just feel compelled to post about other subjects: politics, items in the news, our justice system. Things that not all my readers probably want to hear about. And things that some people may even think that a Christian wife and mom really has no business delving into.

This gave him cause to pause. He does that alot. Sometimes in the middle of what he's saying. And I think that he's actually done talking, because I never take a long pause mid-sentence.

See, I can't even be quiet while describing him pausing!

Now where were we? Oh, right.

So he looked at me and said these astouding words: "So why don't you start a blog about those things?"

Me:
Well...blogs do take time. And two blogs would take up twice the amount of time. (Math was one of my best subjects in school, can you tell?)

Hubby:
So divide your blog time up between the two. I mean...there's no great Blogmaster out there who dictates how often or how much you have to post on each one, is there? (That's it-no more sci-fi for him! Who ever heard of a great blogmaster?)

Me:
Well..no. But some people really don't think that a Christian mom and wife should have the time to research and write about such subjects. Or should even care about them.

Hubby:
Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But since I am your husband (really, he rarely uses those 6 words!) I think you should go for it. Not only that, I think it would be great for you to talk to other people about these interests. You give most of your time to your family..there's nothing wrong with having a diversion. It doesn't make you any less of a wife, mom, or Christian for that matter. Besides, it wouldn't take much of your time- you could write about this stuff at the drop of a hat.

Me:(slowly but surely coming to his way of thinking)
What about people who may wonder whether my house is pristine and whether I'm cooking 3 fresh-from.... (For some reason, he interuppted me at this point)

Hubby:
You worry about what people think too much (If I had a nickel for every time I've heard those words from him..or even a penny). Before we ever had children, or were married for that matter, I liked hearing about things that were interesting to you. I'm happy with what you do as a wife and mom...Shouldn't that be enough?

Enough said!

Do I need to mention that my Hubby earned some Major bonus points during this conversation? And we all know...well, I did say in my title this would be G-rated!

So MyKidsMom will be my mild-mannered blog where I talk about my family that I love and truly try to dedicate myself to.

And The Proverbial Straw will be my small diversion, a place to vent my amazement of the things going on in our country politically, justice-wise, and anything else that seems to be the straw that would break the camels back.

Does this mean I now have a secret identity like Superman? Hubby says No; but I just may be able to claim a case of split-personality, LoL.

One last thing: I greatly dislike what I call Bashing. Definition: Calling anyone you don't like (whether it be politically or otherwise) Idiots, other Vulgar Words (which I would blush to post), ect. While I realize they may well be just that (the I-word), it doesn't tend towards intelligent conversation. While the one who yells the loudest may very well be heard above all others, people don't tend to have a high opinion of that, and it closes minds and ears.

Let the Liberals yell and call names to show their ignorance; and let's make sure the shoe doesn't fit on the other foot.

Did I just say that? I believe I did. And there wasn't one I-word in it;)