Headliner Award for Inauguration Day

Today I was inspired by the idea of rewarding blogs that reward others --- AND -- since I am up in the middle of the night reading blogs, thankfully finding myself  WORDLESS for once, I had to share with you a blog that perfectly exemplified my thoughts about this historic inauguration day.   Since I feel nothing I say could be more poignant than this post, I am initiating a new award.  

This award is presented to a blog that interpreted today's news in a far-reaching, life-changing way... It has truly gone "Beyond the chatter to what really matters!"

My first award recipient is Deanna's Diary

As we welcome Barack Obama into the presidency, many of us who did NOT vote for him are moving in a new direction.   As life-loving Christians, a great woe is Obama's address to Planned Parenthood on the Freedom Of Choice Act. (See my earlier blog post on this for a video of his presentation.)   So, while there are monumental achievements recognized on the part our country's views on African-Americans shown today, there are also concerns that go beyond race to life and death.  Diana's post shows a great balance between these heavy issues.

If you know a blog that has posted something "Beyond the Chatter",  one that reflects life living as a Christian in a country that uses the words "Separation of church and state" as if they were actually in the Constitution, then pass this award to them on my behalf.  Good news travels fast and worthy views need encouragement.

Did you know that the words "separation of church and state" are NOT in any of of the founding documents of our country?  As now President Obama said, we are going to recreate America!  Let's do it upon the principles it was truly founded on, not the later atheistic principles that have been adopted by our courts, who have the privilege of passing laws we don't get to vote on. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

What do you want for your children as they grow into adulthood? When you envision them in the future how do you see them? As a Christian homeshooling family, the vision we have for our children's future affects everything we do, every book we read, what we choose to learn, every show we watch and every decision we make about how to spend our time.

A year ago, after I had spent time in prayer seeking what God wanted for my oldest son, I wrote this letter to him. He's 10 now and nearing the time when he may be ready to read it. Here is my faith prayer for my son. (I omitted the name so you could more easily envision your own child as you read it.)

My Dear Son,

As you develop into the person God created you to be, I pray you would open your heart to God's leading in every moment, that your will and your attitudes would be in submission to the LORD. As we learn together daily about the way God has directed life on our earth and every movement of every atom, may you know his plan for you is more than you can ever imagine it to be. It's bigger than the biggest idea you've ever had. Your talents have more potential than you will ever use, because we are so limited by our own lack of vision and true faith.

Now I see you serving God each day in your heart, but stumbling over small things as you get to know yourself. You were fearfully and wonderfully made, Son. There is no mistake in any part of your creation. As we spend each day together I hope to help you find out how to maximize your potential to do great things for God.

Through prayer, I hope you will quiet yourself to listen, and not always be talking.

Through solitude, I hope you will find a place to calm your soul and your
emotions.

Through scripture, you will fill yourself with the knowledge of what God has done and what he will do and with the passion God has placed inside you.  You will fill the world with joy and ignite a vision for what God can do in the lives of others.

Through serving others, you will be the hands and feet of Christ and know the greatest fulfillment, more than any gadget or toy can bring. I know you know that already, for I've seen you sacrifice something easily when you learn it will not please God or help you become closer to him.

When you face trials, you'll remember the struggles we shared daily and our talks about how just putting a foot forward and taking a step in faith will change every circumstance and help you bring your thoughts back into the obedience of Christ.

Prayer should be a continuous conversation with God. With your every thought, may you walk side-by-side with Him through His spirit. Spend your every moment in continuous conversation with God and you will always hear his voice. When you face the trials that will perfect your faith, face them on your knees with his Word in front of you. Don't let Satan's lies cloud who you really are. Believe in what God will do through you, even when you have tears blinding you.

God gave you to me for a short while. My job was to guide you and love you. To show you that an imperfect mom can love you a lot, but not nearly as much as the one who planned every atom of your being and every desire of your heart. Every day you grow and move closer to God as your guide and further from me.

What will you be like as an adult? I pray you will know who God created you to be so that your gifts will be a blessing to the world. Whatever you do, may you always know that loving people is important over all other things. Money is a blessing and a responsibility. If you strive for it, don't do it out of a lust for things, but out of a lust to give it away. God says we are to enjoy life, but the greatest joy is in seeing people connect with God and find their place with him. You will be able to show them that steadfast faith. Your faith will overcome the thorn you struggle with, because God is able to do all things and you'll believe that.

Love, Your Mom
*********************

You are welcome to adopt my prayer for my child for your own child. I encourage you to pray for wisdom to recognize the unique passions and gifts God has put into your child, for they are the key to seeing what he or she may become. As you come to better understand your child's unique personality and gifts, you can direct him or her in how to use them to bless the world and write them their own prayer letter. This letter is to my oldest. This would not be the same letter I'd write to my other children, who have their own unique passions and abilities. They each bring their own unique joy to my life and I love them all.

Obama - Your Tax Dollars at Work!

Every once in a while I get the Jimmy Buffet craze. My favorite song is "Fruitcakes." Jimmy Buffet and Obama have something in common, a cult-like following. Buffet appeals to people who just need more vacation time and sometimes, a little Buffet fix can restore them before they have to face the seriousness of the world.

Now, Obama, he's got a following too. In fact, if you listen to people polled in the streets on NPR, you'll hear things like, "I know he's going to be a terrible president, but I'm probably going to vote for him anyway." When God made man, he gave us many gifts. One of them was passion and vision. Barack Obama has a vision, but what is it? It seems to attract people like flies to sticky paper. (Doesn't that say it all?)

Back to Buffet, there's a bit of wisdom about the world gone wrong in the world of Fruitcakes. Jimmy Buffet talks about some things we really value in America, like freedom of choice.

"I don't want other people thinking for me!"

and on government....

"speakin' of fruitcakes, how 'bout the government? Your tax dollars at work."

This is a close race for President and until now, I was down on Obama and up on McCain, but now I'm downright terrified of Obama (and still up on McCain). There are no words to better explain the reason for this fear than Senator Obama's words as he addressed the Planned Parenthood organization, and I quote, "Well, the first thing I'd do as president would be to sign the Freedom of Choice act." If you've never heard of it, here's the view from the horse's mouth with a few facts added in.





I know there are many on-the-fence Americans when it comes to the topic of "Freedom of Choice". It's called abortion by those less "politically correct" and more truthful, but when it comes to "our tax dollars at work", I certainly don't want to be guilty of funding this American catastrophe. Even if you're a "waffler", not sure whether abortion should be considered in some circumstances, do you want government deciding whose abortions YOU FUND! Do you want them deciding whether you are informed when your little girl makes a decision before she's even old enough to vote for Obama?

If you read this before election day, please help bring to light the incredible "audacity" of this man so he has no "hope" of winning this election. Send the link to your family, friends and people who don't want these types of decisions made for YOU by the government.

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.