Back in January, I took some time to flip open my Bible, and write a full page in a notebook on what I read. I felt inspired to take a peak back at what I had written, for I couldn't remember, but I thought it might help me, and others, with whatever may be going on with them. So here is my entry from January 26, on Hebrews 2:1-4 (read it before going on!)
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This passage starts out "Therefore, we must attend all the more to what we have heard, so that we may not be carried away." How true this is today for us Christians! We live in a world where it is very easy to be carried away by sin. Our culture has forgotten God, and it tries to make us forget Him too. It tries to distract us from our faith and our God. We are told here though that we must pay attention to what we have heard that combats society's ways! We cannot simply get by, going to Mass once a week...or, worse yet, not at all. No...this is not a spectator's sport! Instead, we need to keep God on our minds, in our hearts, and on our tongues and hands and eyes and feet ALWAYS! In this age, yes, we must attend all the more to what we have heard.
What have we heard though...or do we let the world drown out the voice of our loving Father? In Church, do we pay full attention...or does our mind wander? Do we fret and worry and zone out? I know I have trouble. But do we zone out while watching a movie or playing a game? No...so it CAN be done, especially with God's help. What else do we hear? Do we read the Word of God? Do we pray and talk...not to, but WITH Him? Can we hear His loving voice, guiding us and leading us? As verse 4 says, we not only have what we have heard, but we have signs, wonders, acts of power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit! We need to latch onto these things and hold them dear at all times. We need to pray and read the Bible to HEAR God. And then, by His grace, we need to do what He tells us to do, and attend to His holy will...or else, "how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?"
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Who is Your Valentine?
Valentine's Day. Another holiday for the merchants to rake in the dough. Flowers, chocolates, perfumes, cards, candy, stuffed animals...go to a store, and you are almost certain to see some frantic guy, rushing around to buy these things up for his beloved before its too late. And it is a nice gesture, to buy gifts for your beloved to let them know how much you love them. It is a special day for our Western Culture to celebrate love.
So who is your valentine this year? For many, this is a no brainer question. Those of us, my self included, who are blessed with a significant other, whether as a spouse, a fiance(e), or simply a good friend you are dating, it seems obvious that our significant other is our one and only Valentine. However, this year, lets not forget someone else that should be our Valentine! There is someone that loves us each more than we can imagine, and He longs for each and every one of us with a desire stronger than anything any of us can experience. He loves us so much, He died on the cross for us. And He left us a lengthy love note, in the Sacred Scriptures. So this year, return the love and make Jesus your Valentine.
This picture inspired me to write this, and I encourage you to make this picture your icon on the internet this weekend. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace...whatever you use, go ahead and remember He who loves you most!
So who is your valentine this year? For many, this is a no brainer question. Those of us, my self included, who are blessed with a significant other, whether as a spouse, a fiance(e), or simply a good friend you are dating, it seems obvious that our significant other is our one and only Valentine. However, this year, lets not forget someone else that should be our Valentine! There is someone that loves us each more than we can imagine, and He longs for each and every one of us with a desire stronger than anything any of us can experience. He loves us so much, He died on the cross for us. And He left us a lengthy love note, in the Sacred Scriptures. So this year, return the love and make Jesus your Valentine.
This picture inspired me to write this, and I encourage you to make this picture your icon on the internet this weekend. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace...whatever you use, go ahead and remember He who loves you most!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Massachusets Senate Candidate Outrage
Tomorrow, a special election is being held for the late Senator Kennedy's seat in the Senate. It is a hotly contested race, and, with the health care bill going through the Senate in December with literally no votes to spare, this election is sure to have a tremendous impact on the future of our nation.
One of the candidates, Attorney General Martha Coakley, recently talked about healthcare workers and some of the more controversial aspects of healthcare, such as abortion. And what did she have to say to the Catholics of Massachusetts, and the entire nation? "You can have religious freedom but you probably shouldn’t work in the emergency room."
How hypocritical and outrageous! This is a direct assault on Catholic healthcare workers and is extremely discriminatory. Where is the outrage? Can you imagine if someone said "Well, if you are African American, you shouldn't work in the emergency room." or "Oh...you are Jewish...you shouldn't be in the emergency room." or even "You are a female. You don't belong in the emergency room." That person's political career would be OVER in a heartbeat, and rightly so. How, then, can she say there can be religious freedom, and then in the same sentence, discriminate against nearly a quarter of the entire population of the United States?
Fellow citizens in Massachusetts...especially those who are Catholic in Massachusetts: How can you vote for this bigotry? I don't care what your political affiliation is...do you really want this person representing you, when she doesn't even believe in basic American principles? Think about it before you cast your vote tomorrow.
sources: http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/watercooler/2010/jan/14/martha-coakley-devout-catholics-probably-shouldnt-/
One of the candidates, Attorney General Martha Coakley, recently talked about healthcare workers and some of the more controversial aspects of healthcare, such as abortion. And what did she have to say to the Catholics of Massachusetts, and the entire nation? "You can have religious freedom but you probably shouldn’t work in the emergency room."
How hypocritical and outrageous! This is a direct assault on Catholic healthcare workers and is extremely discriminatory. Where is the outrage? Can you imagine if someone said "Well, if you are African American, you shouldn't work in the emergency room." or "Oh...you are Jewish...you shouldn't be in the emergency room." or even "You are a female. You don't belong in the emergency room." That person's political career would be OVER in a heartbeat, and rightly so. How, then, can she say there can be religious freedom, and then in the same sentence, discriminate against nearly a quarter of the entire population of the United States?
Fellow citizens in Massachusetts...especially those who are Catholic in Massachusetts: How can you vote for this bigotry? I don't care what your political affiliation is...do you really want this person representing you, when she doesn't even believe in basic American principles? Think about it before you cast your vote tomorrow.
sources: http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/watercooler/2010/jan/14/martha-coakley-devout-catholics-probably-shouldnt-/
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Guest Blogger: "Republic"
Since I have not yet seemed to have made time to do a blog entry, I thought I could at least post the following, which my brother wrote. His words are in red:
A republic ceases being such when elected representatives ignore the will of the constituents who put them in Congress because they believed they would keep their interests in mind. Instead they vote according to party lines, according to pressure from lobbyists, and according to the offers that buy their vote. A republic ceases being such when the "representative" body crams legislation the majority of voters oppose, down their throat. A republic ceases being such when a state can opt out of a program, yet still pay taxes to support the very program they reject. A republic ceases being such when the rights of many are superseded by the rights of a few. A republic ceases being such when the ruling elite decide that they know more than those who put them in power and can therefor ignore the will of the people.
A republic is a government for the people and by the people. It is developed from the consent of the governed. All of these things are ceasing to exist in America.
What did you hope for in 2008? Because, it really doesn't matter what YOU hope for, because the people in office do not care about what YOU think, they already know what is best for YOU.
What change did you vote for in 2008? Because, the change we are getting is more corruption, more government, more control, and the gradual death of what America once was.
A quick study of history would show that the golden ages of the greatest empires, the greatest dynasties, and the greatest nations fall when corruption, greed, and abuse of power rear their ugly heads. The greatest also last about 200 years. Are we too destined to go into the history books as greatness that came to an end because our "leaders" mismanaged that which we so enjoyed? It is beginning to look that way.
Pray they don't complete their makeover of America before the 2010 Elections. Then again, I am probably just bitter and clinging to my religion and guns (which I should buy before that part of the Constitutional also comes under attack.)
Think about it.
A republic ceases being such when elected representatives ignore the will of the constituents who put them in Congress because they believed they would keep their interests in mind. Instead they vote according to party lines, according to pressure from lobbyists, and according to the offers that buy their vote. A republic ceases being such when the "representative" body crams legislation the majority of voters oppose, down their throat. A republic ceases being such when a state can opt out of a program, yet still pay taxes to support the very program they reject. A republic ceases being such when the rights of many are superseded by the rights of a few. A republic ceases being such when the ruling elite decide that they know more than those who put them in power and can therefor ignore the will of the people.
A republic is a government for the people and by the people. It is developed from the consent of the governed. All of these things are ceasing to exist in America.
What did you hope for in 2008? Because, it really doesn't matter what YOU hope for, because the people in office do not care about what YOU think, they already know what is best for YOU.
What change did you vote for in 2008? Because, the change we are getting is more corruption, more government, more control, and the gradual death of what America once was.
A quick study of history would show that the golden ages of the greatest empires, the greatest dynasties, and the greatest nations fall when corruption, greed, and abuse of power rear their ugly heads. The greatest also last about 200 years. Are we too destined to go into the history books as greatness that came to an end because our "leaders" mismanaged that which we so enjoyed? It is beginning to look that way.
Pray they don't complete their makeover of America before the 2010 Elections. Then again, I am probably just bitter and clinging to my religion and guns (which I should buy before that part of the Constitutional also comes under attack.)
Think about it.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
This blog is not dead
I really need to write on this blog more...I often have ideas to blog about, but never get around to it. That needs to change, because more than ever now, our culture is going backwards, all society spews at us are lies, and our very freedoms are being threatened on new, unknown fronts.
Part of living out God's will in your life is knowing the talents and gifts He has bestowed upon us, and then using them. People tell me I have a gift of writing, and I would tend to agree with them. So it is not a matter of convenience on my part...I will start blogging again. Just not this moment...I have a final exam to take in 30 minutes!
Coming up: Global Warming in Copenhagen, Nike continues to endorse our backwards society
Part of living out God's will in your life is knowing the talents and gifts He has bestowed upon us, and then using them. People tell me I have a gift of writing, and I would tend to agree with them. So it is not a matter of convenience on my part...I will start blogging again. Just not this moment...I have a final exam to take in 30 minutes!
Coming up: Global Warming in Copenhagen, Nike continues to endorse our backwards society
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Breakdown of Society
I wrote this in a pocket notebook late at night on Friday, but since I didn't have access to my computer, I am just now posting it. I also have added a couple things to what I wrote Friday at the end:
Friday 4/3/09: Today was a very tragic day. As I am sure you are aware, a gunman killed 13 and himself in Binghamton, NY. This hit close to home for me. I have been in Binghamton numerous times since it is only about a 40 minute drive from my home. I have numerous friends living in and going to school in Binghamton. When I found out about the shooting, I was waiting to talk to my professor about my resume...for an internship in Binghamton. So yes...it has been a tragedy that has struck a chord within me.
This afternoon, I was listening to the radio so I could hear the initial press conference. Its start was delayed over 30 minutes. While we all waited, the radio station took calls from people around the area. There were many speculations on how such a horror could happen and what to do to prevent future events. One caller, and the comments of the host that followed, really hit the nail on the head though.
Look at our society. This, according to a news source, is the FIFTH mass-murder in a MONTH. I admittedly was only aware of two others (the nursing home murders in North Carolina and the police killings in Oakland(?)) since I have scaled back the amount I read the news. But, regardless, this is becoming way too common of an event.
My peers and I have grown up in a different time...we are the product of the Columbine Era. I was in 4th grade when that atrocity occurred, and it has never left my mind. It, along with other school shootings since, affects me even still, dictating where I like to sit in a class room and making me nervous of lecture halls.
Why are these things happening? What is the cause? It is as if American society itself is breaking down. Well, perhaps it is. And, as I heard on the radio earlier, our attitude towards human life may very well be at the center of that. As a society, the only human life we care about is our own.
As I watched the news early in the afternoon, the analysts and talking heads could predict the situation with frightening accuracy. They suspected the killer had probably lost his job, or was upset with something to do with a person at the Civil Center or the Civil Center itself. Though not confirmed to my knowledge as I write this (again..this was Friday...), it is reported that the killer had worked for IBM and recently lost his job. The thing with these mass-murders is that the killers jump right to the extreme and start shooting. If there is no respect for human life, why not?
When a society loses respect for life, these are the kind of things that happen...what else should we expect? Life is the most precious gift a person has. I mean...come on...with out it, nothing else material matters! So if society doesn't respect that most basic of building blocks, what will they respect? Nothing, not even themselves. It is, in the truest senses, a break down of society.
Could I be going too far in saying our culture does not respect life? I don't think so!! Abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research, cloning, human-animal hybrids, contraception...all of these things that are becoming or already have been embraced by western culture. This is especially true of the Obama administration, which has nominated one radically pro-abortion candidate for his Cabinet after another. Not even three months in, and Obama has certainly lived up to his feared reputation as a strong support of the culture of death. And I really fear that unless something changes, things will only get worse.
What can we do? Before anything, we need to help those already hurt by the horrors. Pray fo the victims...pray for their families...and the killer's family and friends, a group that I think often gets overlooked, but likely needs the most prayers. Can you imagine being in their shoes? Pray pray pray for them, and I pray you never have to go through something that horrid. After that though, we as a society need to rethink our values and what is REALLY important. We need to stand up for Life! For some of us, that simply means leading by example. For others though, we are called to battle, especially on behalf of those who cannot fight for themselves: the unborn and comatose that are murdered for whatever reason, be it money, convenience, or simply being a burden.
Especially of Obama keeps up with his first months in office, this is a war that MUST be fought. Get on an action alert email list,which notifies you of petitions to sign and makes sending your representatives your thoughts as easy as a couple of clicks. Find a pro-life group and get involved. If you can't find one, start one. I am doing that here at college, and it really is not that hard. There are websites available to help with that. Be a witness to others. Speak up to those who are unsure of their position on these topics...educate them! It is amazing how a few small words can impact someone. And if you don't think you can, remember Mark 13:11 ("...do not worry beforehand about what you are to say. But say whatever will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the holy Spirit.") and take courage. And most of all, pray!
Additions made Sunday 4/5/09: At Mass this morning, our priest started his homily by telling us that he was in Binghamton Friday. When he heard of the shootings just a few blocks from where he was, he went to one of the hospitals, where he spent many years as a chaplain. He told us there was a victim there who had been shot in the leg, and who had no religion (coming from a communist country, that is no surprise.) However, when they told him that they were praying to Jesus for him, he cried. Later, he was sent to the place where the families and friends of the possible victims were gathered. He had a Buddhist woman come up to him and ask him to pray "the Mother of God" prayer...better known as the Hail Mary. He basically said that, even though he had never been in such a place with such shock and grief...that he could feel grace at work there. He then went onto say that, even though this is a tragedy and a manifestation of evil, it is not cause to despair. Next week, we celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of Christ...the triumph over sin and death!
Yes....we have a battle to fight...and it very badly needs to be fought, that is clear. And it will be a tough battle, but we can not give up and can not despair. Remember, this battle has already been won for us, when Jesus died on the cross and rose triumphantly three days later. And as we enter into Holy Week, what better of a thing to keep in mind than that!
Links of Interest:
Students for Life: creating a group: http://www.studentsforlife.org/index.php/resources/start-a-group/
National Right to Life: http://www.nrlc.org/
CatholicVote.com: http://www.catholicvote.com/
Susan B. Anthony List: http://www.sba-list.org/
National Committee for a Human Life Amendment: http://www.nchla.org/index.asp
Abort73: http://abort73.com/
Please let me know of other links I should add here by posting a comment! Please forward this along to your friends and family...it is a great first step is getting involved.
Friday 4/3/09: Today was a very tragic day. As I am sure you are aware, a gunman killed 13 and himself in Binghamton, NY. This hit close to home for me. I have been in Binghamton numerous times since it is only about a 40 minute drive from my home. I have numerous friends living in and going to school in Binghamton. When I found out about the shooting, I was waiting to talk to my professor about my resume...for an internship in Binghamton. So yes...it has been a tragedy that has struck a chord within me.
This afternoon, I was listening to the radio so I could hear the initial press conference. Its start was delayed over 30 minutes. While we all waited, the radio station took calls from people around the area. There were many speculations on how such a horror could happen and what to do to prevent future events. One caller, and the comments of the host that followed, really hit the nail on the head though.
Look at our society. This, according to a news source, is the FIFTH mass-murder in a MONTH. I admittedly was only aware of two others (the nursing home murders in North Carolina and the police killings in Oakland(?)) since I have scaled back the amount I read the news. But, regardless, this is becoming way too common of an event.
My peers and I have grown up in a different time...we are the product of the Columbine Era. I was in 4th grade when that atrocity occurred, and it has never left my mind. It, along with other school shootings since, affects me even still, dictating where I like to sit in a class room and making me nervous of lecture halls.
Why are these things happening? What is the cause? It is as if American society itself is breaking down. Well, perhaps it is. And, as I heard on the radio earlier, our attitude towards human life may very well be at the center of that. As a society, the only human life we care about is our own.
As I watched the news early in the afternoon, the analysts and talking heads could predict the situation with frightening accuracy. They suspected the killer had probably lost his job, or was upset with something to do with a person at the Civil Center or the Civil Center itself. Though not confirmed to my knowledge as I write this (again..this was Friday...), it is reported that the killer had worked for IBM and recently lost his job. The thing with these mass-murders is that the killers jump right to the extreme and start shooting. If there is no respect for human life, why not?
When a society loses respect for life, these are the kind of things that happen...what else should we expect? Life is the most precious gift a person has. I mean...come on...with out it, nothing else material matters! So if society doesn't respect that most basic of building blocks, what will they respect? Nothing, not even themselves. It is, in the truest senses, a break down of society.
Could I be going too far in saying our culture does not respect life? I don't think so!! Abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research, cloning, human-animal hybrids, contraception...all of these things that are becoming or already have been embraced by western culture. This is especially true of the Obama administration, which has nominated one radically pro-abortion candidate for his Cabinet after another. Not even three months in, and Obama has certainly lived up to his feared reputation as a strong support of the culture of death. And I really fear that unless something changes, things will only get worse.
What can we do? Before anything, we need to help those already hurt by the horrors. Pray fo the victims...pray for their families...and the killer's family and friends, a group that I think often gets overlooked, but likely needs the most prayers. Can you imagine being in their shoes? Pray pray pray for them, and I pray you never have to go through something that horrid. After that though, we as a society need to rethink our values and what is REALLY important. We need to stand up for Life! For some of us, that simply means leading by example. For others though, we are called to battle, especially on behalf of those who cannot fight for themselves: the unborn and comatose that are murdered for whatever reason, be it money, convenience, or simply being a burden.
Especially of Obama keeps up with his first months in office, this is a war that MUST be fought. Get on an action alert email list,which notifies you of petitions to sign and makes sending your representatives your thoughts as easy as a couple of clicks. Find a pro-life group and get involved. If you can't find one, start one. I am doing that here at college, and it really is not that hard. There are websites available to help with that. Be a witness to others. Speak up to those who are unsure of their position on these topics...educate them! It is amazing how a few small words can impact someone. And if you don't think you can, remember Mark 13:11 ("...do not worry beforehand about what you are to say. But say whatever will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the holy Spirit.") and take courage. And most of all, pray!
Additions made Sunday 4/5/09: At Mass this morning, our priest started his homily by telling us that he was in Binghamton Friday. When he heard of the shootings just a few blocks from where he was, he went to one of the hospitals, where he spent many years as a chaplain. He told us there was a victim there who had been shot in the leg, and who had no religion (coming from a communist country, that is no surprise.) However, when they told him that they were praying to Jesus for him, he cried. Later, he was sent to the place where the families and friends of the possible victims were gathered. He had a Buddhist woman come up to him and ask him to pray "the Mother of God" prayer...better known as the Hail Mary. He basically said that, even though he had never been in such a place with such shock and grief...that he could feel grace at work there. He then went onto say that, even though this is a tragedy and a manifestation of evil, it is not cause to despair. Next week, we celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of Christ...the triumph over sin and death!
Yes....we have a battle to fight...and it very badly needs to be fought, that is clear. And it will be a tough battle, but we can not give up and can not despair. Remember, this battle has already been won for us, when Jesus died on the cross and rose triumphantly three days later. And as we enter into Holy Week, what better of a thing to keep in mind than that!
Links of Interest:
Students for Life: creating a group: http://www.studentsforlife.org/index.php/resources/start-a-group/
National Right to Life: http://www.nrlc.org/
CatholicVote.com: http://www.catholicvote.com/
Susan B. Anthony List: http://www.sba-list.org/
National Committee for a Human Life Amendment: http://www.nchla.org/index.asp
Abort73: http://abort73.com/
Please let me know of other links I should add here by posting a comment! Please forward this along to your friends and family...it is a great first step is getting involved.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Time is short...
It has now been a little over a week since Election Day. Last week, after the election, I blogged about keeping hope in the growing darkness. Keep that blog in mind as I reflect on the events that have occurred since. The purpose of this entry is to help you realize what we are up against in the coming times. I am not really surprised that the events I am about to describe are taking place...but I am surprised that they are happening so fast and so soon. Take a look:
First off, we start in California. Proposition 8, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman, was passed in last week's vote. Gay rights activists have been in an uproar since. Over the weekend, an elderly lady went to one of the protests to show her support of Proposition 8. She carried a cross with her. When a local TV station tried to interview her, this is what happened. The end of the video in particular is disturbing.
One last comment on this story. The news anchor at the end says there was 'a lot of hate on both sides.' What is he talking about?? A little old lady carrying a cross is hate?? If that her actions are on the same level as the actions of her attackers, then America is perhaps in an even darker state that even I realized.
Next, we go to Michigan. Again, the 'tolerant, equality driven' gay agenda lashes out. Instead of me trying to describe the chaos that was created at a Church in Michigan, I will just let you read:
http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2008/11/10/13335/904
This is not an isolated event either. Churches nationwide have been vandalized for opposing gay marriage.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=315392
http://spiritdaily.com/whipsawtimes.htm (third paragraph)
No, of course it is not every protester and gay rights activist that is doing this. Of course they are not all full of hate. But, the fact of the matter is, these news stories aren't making headlines in the liberal media. That is just part of how this culture is primed for this kind of persecution. The extreme liberalism that was voted into office and into law last week has only empowered the extreme left and embolden them to act in such ways....and this is just one short week later.
This isn't limited to the gay marriage debate either. High profile Pro-life leaders and priests have begun to receive death threats for their stand against things such as the Freedom of Choice Act, which the US Conference of Catholic Bishops just yesterday said would "deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry.", and "would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars." Furthermore, they say the FOCA may have a "destructive effect on the freedom of conscience of doctors, nurses and health care workers whose personal convictions do not permit them to cooperate in the private killing of unborn children." They call the Freedom of Choice Act 'evil' and rightly so. Pray hard about this, as well as embryonic stem cell research, an area that is too often overlooked. Obama has indicated that he will overturn restrictions on embryonic stem cell research right away. The Vatican has called ESCR 'worthless' and the simple fact of the matter is a human life is destroyed in the process. Why do we need to have this when there are other stem cells that, unlike embryonic stem cells, actually have yielded results, but do not kill a human in the process? It is an evil practice that should be outlawed...yet our president elect is about to forge full steam ahead with it.
A couple days ago, the phrase 'time is short' jumped out at me and has kinda stuck with me since. The escalation of violence, intolerance and hatred against Christians and the most innocent forms of human life is disturbing and just goes to prove what I was saying last week. War is upon us. Only God knows what the future, both short term, and long term, may hold. But, time may in fact be short before these types of events become much more widespread and dangerous. So prepare yourself for the fight now. Prayer is our best weapon. Pray for this country. Pray for those who are persecuting the Church. Pray for Obama! That is immensely important! And pray that you will have the strength to do God's will. Take a moment and ask yourself, 'What will I give and sacrifice for God'? Will you risk being persecuted as our brothers and sisters already have been? Will you make a stand and fight for the unborn....for the preservation of the family and the sanctity of marriage, knowing full well that it may very well put you at risk as well? How far will you go for your God? We have death threats being made against priests...would you die for your God? After all...He did die for us.
First off, we start in California. Proposition 8, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman, was passed in last week's vote. Gay rights activists have been in an uproar since. Over the weekend, an elderly lady went to one of the protests to show her support of Proposition 8. She carried a cross with her. When a local TV station tried to interview her, this is what happened. The end of the video in particular is disturbing.
One last comment on this story. The news anchor at the end says there was 'a lot of hate on both sides.' What is he talking about?? A little old lady carrying a cross is hate?? If that her actions are on the same level as the actions of her attackers, then America is perhaps in an even darker state that even I realized.
Next, we go to Michigan. Again, the 'tolerant, equality driven' gay agenda lashes out. Instead of me trying to describe the chaos that was created at a Church in Michigan, I will just let you read:
http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2008/11/10/13335/904
This is not an isolated event either. Churches nationwide have been vandalized for opposing gay marriage.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=315392
http://spiritdaily.com/whipsawtimes.htm (third paragraph)
No, of course it is not every protester and gay rights activist that is doing this. Of course they are not all full of hate. But, the fact of the matter is, these news stories aren't making headlines in the liberal media. That is just part of how this culture is primed for this kind of persecution. The extreme liberalism that was voted into office and into law last week has only empowered the extreme left and embolden them to act in such ways....and this is just one short week later.
This isn't limited to the gay marriage debate either. High profile Pro-life leaders and priests have begun to receive death threats for their stand against things such as the Freedom of Choice Act, which the US Conference of Catholic Bishops just yesterday said would "deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry.", and "would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars." Furthermore, they say the FOCA may have a "destructive effect on the freedom of conscience of doctors, nurses and health care workers whose personal convictions do not permit them to cooperate in the private killing of unborn children." They call the Freedom of Choice Act 'evil' and rightly so. Pray hard about this, as well as embryonic stem cell research, an area that is too often overlooked. Obama has indicated that he will overturn restrictions on embryonic stem cell research right away. The Vatican has called ESCR 'worthless' and the simple fact of the matter is a human life is destroyed in the process. Why do we need to have this when there are other stem cells that, unlike embryonic stem cells, actually have yielded results, but do not kill a human in the process? It is an evil practice that should be outlawed...yet our president elect is about to forge full steam ahead with it.
A couple days ago, the phrase 'time is short' jumped out at me and has kinda stuck with me since. The escalation of violence, intolerance and hatred against Christians and the most innocent forms of human life is disturbing and just goes to prove what I was saying last week. War is upon us. Only God knows what the future, both short term, and long term, may hold. But, time may in fact be short before these types of events become much more widespread and dangerous. So prepare yourself for the fight now. Prayer is our best weapon. Pray for this country. Pray for those who are persecuting the Church. Pray for Obama! That is immensely important! And pray that you will have the strength to do God's will. Take a moment and ask yourself, 'What will I give and sacrifice for God'? Will you risk being persecuted as our brothers and sisters already have been? Will you make a stand and fight for the unborn....for the preservation of the family and the sanctity of marriage, knowing full well that it may very well put you at risk as well? How far will you go for your God? We have death threats being made against priests...would you die for your God? After all...He did die for us.
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