Right Wing Clipped Again When Discussing Diversity

A study recently released, according to World Net Daily report, was sharply criticized by Muslim groups across UK universities.

"If ignorance and poverty are responsible for the growth of extremist views in the Islamic world, someone needs ask Muslim students, privileged enough and bright enough to attend some of the United Kingdom's best universities, why one-in-three of them endorses killing in the name of Islam.

The report of this finding, based on a poll of 600 Muslim and 800 non-Muslim students at 12 universities in the UK, and conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Center for Social Cohesion, will be released tomorrow as "Islam on Campus."

Among its findings of Muslim beliefs:
-40 percent support introduction of sharia into British law for Muslims
-One-third back the idea of a worldwide Islamic caliphate based on sharia law
-40 percent believe it is unacceptable for Muslim men and women to associate freely
-24 percent do not think men and women are equal
in the eyes of Allah
-25 percent have little or no respect for homosexuals.
-53 per cent believe killing in the name of religion is never justified (compared with 94 per cent of non-Muslims), while 32 per cent say it is.

Read more here.

One quote from this article to ponder:

"There is a wide cultural divide between Muslim and non-Muslim students. The solution is to stop talking about celebrating diversity and focus on integration and assimilation." says Anthony Glees, professor security and intelligence studies at Buckingham University.

Really, is assimilation or integration intelligent here?

Penalized for serving our Country?

Tenants destined for Iraq served fees instead of our gratitude. Read here.

TexasFred, a good blogger friend of ours, says that this is not part of the agreement that is available through the Texas Apartment Association (TAA), which is in favor of our troups. The apartment complex this couple are leaving doesn't follow the TAA contract which supports military persons who must break a lease to fulfill their obligation to serve the USA. What a sad state of affairs.

Let's support our troups, especially this couple and post and repost our concern. If ever government should actually be supported, and directed to act, this would be the time.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday.

Do you have a bird feeder?

Here's an interesting e-mail I got; you may have read this somewhere.
Very interesting parallel.

I bought a bird feeder.
I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed.
What a beauty of a bird feeder it is, as I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.

But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table . everywhere!

Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food. After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore.

So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleanedup their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be . . . quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

Now let's see. Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, and free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen. Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands.

Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor; your child's 2nd grade class isbehind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English.

Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to "press one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than "Old Glory" are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Just my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder.

Government Not Listening Again!

It's really sad how poorly this state legislature group listens*. They didn't even hear this hospital administrator when she elaborated at length about how she contacted immigration, and other official groups, but didn't get help from anyone in government to deport these money-sapping health risks back to their home country. Then, they have the audacity to ask her
"Well did you notify the authorities about this when these illegals 1st came to your hospital?" DUH!!!!

Let's give it to them--let the legislature, representatives, and congress know how angered you are at the money taken away from hard-working legal American citizens, to manage the few leeching on our ever-generous, but surely "melting" pot.

*Unable to find actual source of the group this administrator spoke to but the video shows names listed as "Rep", and this is in Florida, so assuming elected Florida legislature officials.

Let us Not Forget - Patriotic Truck

A friend of mine sent these to me, and I felt they were extremely appropriate for the season.

Here is the essence of the poem that came with this e-mail:

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
Had no army, yet kings feared Him..
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.

GOD BLESS
YOU ALL
Larry T. Hedges 1st Sgt U.S.
Marine Corps Retired

Hat Tip to Dawn

Garbage Out--Graciousness In

Right Truth has another great article about lessons learned in the trenches of everyday life. I love it that those who deal with people all day, every day, like a taxi driver, bring home the simple communication message.
Take a moment to cherish your loved ones, and then take a deep breath, say a little prayer, and turn to each of the rest of them and just smile.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it! Have a blessed, garbage-free day.

Hope your 4th Celebration was enjoyable!

Hope all of you had a good Independence Day!! People from all over the NW Pacific USA come to this Fireworks event on 4th of July. Our family has been there at least twice.

I just stayed home with our family and celebrated it quietly---well let me rephrase that--loudly and colorfully in our own neighborhood. :)

God Bless America.

Gagged & Chained: Conservative Christian America!

I'm appalled by the changes being forced in our constitutional rights, just a few hundred miles from my home.

Clearly, as Christians and conservative Americans, we have an obligation to share and encourage each other to be active.

Tonight on the radio, Chuck Colson, from "Breakpoint" discussed this very issue. He explained that for American Christians, our very freedom to worship is actually at stake. There are rulings that have happened in other states, and in Quebec as well, specifying that religious facilities cannot discriminate against homosexual/gender transvites who wish to have local meetings or civil unions within the church or Christian building, even though the very creed the church is founded on, specifically specifies a belief in one man-one woman traditional heterosexual marriage commitment as God-ordained.

In fact, not too long ago, one charity back east ended up closing, when they were told that they could not prevent homosexual "couples" from applying to adopt children from their adoption center. Rather than face contradicting the very beliefs that began their charity focus, they chose to close. In some situations tax exempt status was removed from the facilities who refused to allow all these right activists groups in their facility for purposes of meetings or leadership services, regardless of the prior stated belief system of the congregation or religious sector.

In essence, the very discussions that the ACLU and right activists for GLBT groups are having around lawyers and area court rooms are prelude to persecution of the church, says Colson. By virtue of insisting the Christians are NOT allowed to discriminate against these people when allowing them to participate in functions inside the walls of the church; or by allowing any of these persons to apply to places of leadership within the church body, or face having government remove tax exemption for that facility, is only a start.

As soon as conservative or Christian radio stations, charities, communities of believers are mandated to "accept" these alternative lifestyles or else face being "illegal" in functioning as a religious entity, we have lost our stand in the community, and essentially our say. Whose say is left? Liberal, non-Christian, non-conservative and non-traditional alternative lifestyle groups, who will then quickly take over radio stations, charities, and eventually own many of the churches in America.

Please join me in fighting the self-evident changes that are happening in spurts all over our nation, and even amongst allied nations.

The "free" world is being gagged and chained, and pretty soon tarring & feathering will be common place.

No Obama & Let's Drill for America

I like this bumper sticker.
It is on the top 10 list of bumper stickers from Shop.WND.com.

Another really good one is

You with me?

Obama now seeking religious strategist

Obama, apparently feeling that in all the shuffle of religious rantings he's done on the campaign trail, his outreach to "white evangelicals" is poor, has hired a "religious strategist" to sell him in these circles as well.

The article just above this one was about how upset the former President Clinton is at Obama concerning his claim that Bill said something "racist."

Now, tell me, if one of your own party--prior President, and influencial in widespread democratic circles-- isn't supporting you....what hope does hiring someone to smooth out your many religious robes going to do?

I can see clearly now

Remember the song "I can see clearly now."

Well, today has been one of those rare days, unfortunately with an abundance of heat to go with it, here in the soggy Northwest. Clear, lustrous sky and land.

Once again, while perusing "next" blogs, I came across a blog site, that made me want to sing that song even louder. Apparently, this person focuses on very clear crisp pictures of nature and wonders around the world. I must say that the pictures are so clear, I feel like I could reach out and stick my toe in the lake. Oh, and what I wouldn't do to make that a reality..... reached nearly 103 here today!!!

Next Blog Findings

I was using that tiny little button at the top of my blog site, "Next Blog" and on somebody's site (sorry lost the link) this adorable funny quote was found:

A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths. Steven Wright

Deceptive Decision08: Obama and the Scriptures at Polar Ends

Below is an exerpt from a comment on OneNewsNow website and I felt compelled to share it here.

"For my fellow Christians who are "on the fence" when it comes to the November election, consider the following:

• Obama has been a strong defender of the abortion industry, as demonstrated by his speaking appearance at a Planned Parenthood convention.
• He has been sympathetic to the cause of gay marriage. He recently appeared in the gay magazine Advocate.
• Obama has said that there are many ways to heaven -- which flies in the face of claims by Christ himself who said He is the only way to God. In a response to Dobson and other Evangelicals, Obama has stated that "folks haven't been reading their Bible." Yet Obama's belief in the "big tent" of salvation (with there being "many paths to God") runs completely contrary to scripture." (Commenter was listed as James L. Lambert)

I can think of many Scriptures that are in total opposition to Obama's leaps of "faith" mentioned above. These are only 3 of his commitments to our nation, and the transformation of America.

Please, fellow believers, THINK & PRAY before you finalize your Decision08 presidential candidate choice.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7: 13, 14 Source: BlueLetterBible.org

News Flash: The Church is Falling!

Remember the story from your childhood "The Sky is Falling?"

Well, now there is a new story out there, sadly much more destructive than the heavens raining down. We are literally seeing the church falling from the status of bride of Christ, to a warped version of a self-made moralistic crowd rejecting the Cornerstone of our faith. The vote to strike heterosexual marriage commitment from this denomination's governing principals for "ensuring commitment of its ordained officers to the duties of faith" is most certainly in opposition of the Scriptures.

Remember this Scripture?
I Peter 2:6-9
For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.” So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [italics mine]

Another Scripture, I Timothy 3:16, states "Every Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" [italics mine]

On the basis that God himself inspired the Word of God (known as the Bible), here is a Scripture that would directly contradict this "interpretation" being done by the advisory committee members for this church denomination:
I Corinthians 6:9, 10
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God."
To seal the truth of this passage the next verse (I Corinthians 6:11) states,
"Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." [bold, italics mine]

News Flash: We don't have a choice. God determines sin, evil, and unrighteousness; we were made in His image; we are not His mirror image, so we don't get to interpret His Word to "mean" what makes sense to us. May God forgive those practicing under the delusion that they are ordained by God to make those decisions.

Scriptures Source: NETBible.org

HomeCareLink - A consumer Health Resource site

I've started as new web site, focusing entirely on consumer health education, resources and expert advice. HomeCareLink

My first article is about headaches. Of course, design and implementation is still under construction. Check it out.

Prayers and Condolences to the Families in this Tragedy

Our prayers and condolences are extended to the families of this tragedy in Henderson, Kentucky. I can't begin to feel your pain, but am praying for comfort and support for each of you experiencing the loss and the shock.

It hits close to home, as my hubby works in a similar industry, as a supervisor, and in the past 12 months this company had an employee altercation, that although without physical injury involved a physical altercation between employee and employee relatives in the parking lot. It was my husband's job to control the situation, being the only supervisor on duty.

It is a reminder that there is evil everywhere, and people need to be thinking about how to protect their loved ones every day. You may not be a proponent of guns for protection, but I have to say that the arguments made by gun users in our country, offer some extremely valid points. Here's a friend of mine explaining his opinion on this matter:

It’s things like this that give the anti-gun cabal even more ammunition in their battle to rid this nation of guns, but their rationale is skewed, guns don’t kill people, people kill people, a gun, regardless of what type of gun, is an inanimate object and is incapable of thinking and acting on it’s own.

I have a rather simplistic solution to gun violence though, let’s try banning insane people from owning or obtaining guns and then let’s try something even more unique, take the gangs and bad guys off the streets and I can guarantee you that gun violence in the USA will drop by 99.99% almost immediately.
An armed nation is a nation of citizens, an unarmed nation is a
nation of subjects.

Which do YOU prefer to be?

SOURCE Hat Tip to TexasFred

Someone on the Internet is Wrong!

I love this cartoon.

Hat tip to a commenter on Washington Post, who responded to the article there (and added this cartoon link) about Dobson's obvious disgust with Obama's referencing him in a speech, with "...his own worldview, his own confused theology."

Public Enema #1

Public enema No. 1 - You just have to see it, to believe it.

Who'd want to go to a spa, any spa, after that?

I think some things don't belong in the world of "Art."

What? We are no longer a Christian nation? No!

Interesting that this one single statement is causing so much internet blogging bustle, as WorldNetDaily reports the ramifications of Obama's comments a couple times about America being the melting pot that we've known about for decades, referencing our religious affiliations. The thing he avoids mentioning at all, is the puritan roots that our country was founded on, and the understanding that in fact, it was the majority of those Protestant, often evangelical Christian conservatives, back in the 1700s who made our country the free and brave USA it is today. Even our national anthem was penned by a Episcopalian "religious" man, who also penned the words to other hymns used across America from the 1800s to current.

How can one separate our heritage from religion as if it is water/oil?

How can one not see the Creator in the works of history in the USA?

CDC contains possible bioterrorism with Duct Tape?

I came acros this as "breaking news" at WorldNetDaily and being a nurse, it caught my attention. My favorite part of the article, describing yet another unique use of Duct Tape, is one biologist's interpretation of the judgment of CDC:

"I do not believe the CDC would approve this arrangement in a laboratory other than their own," said Richard Ebright, a microbiologist and biosafety expert.

Bikers Conserving Time, Energy, and even Gas...

Biker balances Eggs going to market. Were they all intact when he got there?
Biker who drank too much milk...
Biker reflecting on his soon- to- be- accident (remind anyone of the 3 stooges or Disney comedies?)....
Is this a biker or a bush?
And the winner is....
Save gas--carry your car while you bike!!!






Couldn't resist posting these gems, after my past commuter biking article.

Commuter Biking - Relief from Gas Hikes

Here's an interesting article about commuter bikes, used around the world, and just now in the U.S., is beginning to take hold in people's minds as a possible form of commuting and relieving the pocket book with gas hikes daily.

"Though old hat in many European and Asian countries, commuter bikes, which run generally between $400 and $800, are foreign to many Americans. A cousin to the mountain bike in the sense that it puts riders in an upright position, as
opposed to the aerodynamic crouch of the racing or road bike, the commuter bike is more comfortable than either type of sport bike. Its tires tend to be large but smooth and perform better than rugged mountain bike tires on pavement; its
wide seat distributes pressure more evenly than the narrow seats on sport bikes; and its ergonomically designed handlebars are curved back slightly for comfort. Most commuter bikes come with lights and bells, a basket or rack on the back for
a briefcase or groceries, and mud flaps and an enclosed chain guard to protect clothes from grease or tears. Some even come with pedal-powered electrical generators that operate lights."

Source link above.

Have you heard how bad it is?

Here's an political opinion article which addresses right in the Wall Street Journal, what I mentioned in a prior post. We look at the political atmosphere in America as nearly apocalyptic. We call our current political climate in the impending presidential election "disastorous" and "too far gone." Longingly, we recall prior decades where the leaders of the political climate had the "power" to change the face of the America. But this article reminds us of the fallacies in our theory, and makes us think....did they really have any "power?"

It is not what isn't going right that is a concern; it is what we are doing with what we've learned from repeating history that is of concern.

Say it Like It Is

I believe this is old material, and not sure source, so forgive me.
Yet, it is appropriate follow up to the last few posts I've done, so I'm boldly posting it for your review. In case you weren't sure, I agree with these statements the Andy Rooney made to a likely surprised CBC station.

Surprised CBS let him get away with this even though he's right!

Right on, Andy Rooney !

Andy Rooney said on '60 Minutes' a few weeks back:

I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, which is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE ?

I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is anopinion.

I have the right 'NOT' to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English ! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!

My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.I think the police should have every right to shoot you if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word 'freeze' or 'stop' in English, see the above lines.

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.

We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.

I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor. I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say 'NO!'

I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

I am sick of 'Political Correctness.' I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa ; so how can they be 'African-Americans'? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe .

I am proud to be from America and nowhere elseAnd if you don't like my point of view, tough...I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.. Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having 'In God We Trust' on our money and having 'God' in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the 14% to BE QUIET!!!That about says it all.

Would God own a Blog?

Today, I came across an article within a God Blog that comes highly recommended in Christian circles. The author of SmartChristian.com wrote about his view of how to engage in politics and keep your Christian character and spirit intact. I thought some of my readers might find this interesting. I'm curious as to your thoughts on his interpretation of Christians blogging and being active in politics. Feel free to comment.

What I did tend to agree with is the following from this article:

"One of the dangers that many Christians seem to often fall into is that we begin to elevate the outcome of presidential elections to an apocalyptic status. In other words, if our presidential candidate or party does not win, we begin to see it as the end of the world. This is what I call the “Y2K complex.”

"When we allow ourselves to understand politics in apocalyptic terms, we at the same time express an unbelief in the sovereignty and Lordship of God over his creation and human history. Yes, elections have real consequences for people, but in the larger scheme of history, don’t worry, no matter who becomes our president, God is in control and will take care of things." (emphasis mine)

Where I tend to diverge is the concept in this article that talked
about as Christians not allowing ourselves to become so immersed in political activism that we give up our identity as followers of Christ. He goes on to say we risk losing the voice we have as believers to illuminate the Gospel.

My belief is that our "identity" as a Christian is inseparatable from our involvement in politics. Essentially our Christian identity is the character of our walk with God. Many of the distinctions that polarize political bents will either fall in sync with one's Christian character, or be contrary. Whatever your label while blogging or expressing political viewpoints, be it as a believer, an evangelical, a Christian, or a conservative it will be your stand in the issues that testifies to your walk as God's child. You are accountable to proclaim how politics affects your walk of faith. See Colossians 3:17 from the Word of God.

In other words, walk the talk, and talk the walk. I have some very good friends in my American Conservative Forum circles who have very clear, often concise and sometimes brusque opinions. They also are God fearing Americans with a heart for God and for America.

It is a matter of owning your own faith in God; recognize your ability to state your beliefs and how they fit in context with the politics you are supporting, and remain steeped, not in the politics themselves, but in recognizing that your opinions will allow another Americans to make a wiser choice in their political decisions. It could result in profound evangelical change but more likely it may simply cause pause, allowing others to view the political scene from a Biblical perspective.

That is what American Conservative Forum is about, it is how my husband's blog is presented, and I fervently pray that Right Turn - Your Turn also demonstrates the love of the Lord, while standing firm on the beliefs I hold in my walk with Christ and yes, even in Politics.

How do you see God and Politics? Or, God and blogging?

For more information on GodBlogs and blogging unto God, see http://www.godblogcon.com/.

Where's the restroom?

Today's society is being hit hard by a new reality which for conservative Christians are particularly impacted and on a regular basis.

No longer is the question "Where's the restroom?" just a phrase you try to be prepared to ask in whatever language necessary to get around on your vacation. It is a phrase fundamental to determining your own local facilities because of the actions of the GLBT groups (this refers to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender groups).

It is a phrase that frightens and sends red flags up, when considering the ramifications of recent laws and political activism. Read this to get some idea of what our young people face on college campuses, and even in your own elementary schools.

It hit home for me when I read just this one sentence from that article stating, "An article in the New York Times revealed how parents of children with gender confusion are now being encouraged to dress their children as members of the opposite sex. At the Park Day School in Oakland [Calif.], teachers . . . are urged to line up students by sneaker color rather than by gender.” What type of life is that? Instead of saying "I'm a girl", you say "I'm pink and purple sneaker?"

I was particularly shocked when I read about the Colorado ruling recently and learned about the affect on Christian ministries such as Focus on the Family. Additionally, reading more on Focus on the Family's web site, they have been faithfully addressing this since at least 1982. Dr. Dobson and his organization have been continually faced with conflict with media and GLBT groups, because of the persistent faith stand taken in evangelical circles, of which Focus on the Family is founded upon.

What should my response as a Christian be to homosexuality and transgender activism? How do I show love and acceptance of the people while not condoning their lifestyle alone? How do I portray my Christian belief that God's Word speaks directly to the sin of lifestyles separate from male and female genders, yet bring the person to the realization of God's unconditional love for them?

EXODUS International is a web site dedicated to providing the Word of God and hope for those in this environment find freedom & support when seeking God.

I heard Kay Warren on HomeWord today by radio broadcast. She was actually speaking about her experience when God called her to serve and minister among people afflicted with late stage HIV in America and abroad. What struck me most about her conversation with Dr. Burns, was her statement that she had to get over her own tendency to ask "How did you become infected?" and rather ask "What can I do to help [serve] you?" She found Biblically that this was the only way to respond and be effectual in her ministry because Jesus never asked the person afflicted "why are you like this?" He addressed the affliction and the person's faith, not the causes or choices the led them to Him.

I'm really fighting this same issue in my own walk with God when addressing the transgender movement and my response as a conservative Christian American. It flies in the face of all I've ever been taught as a child, a young girl, a women, a nurse (nonetheless, A&P is pretty clear), and now, as a mother facing rearing twin daughters.

So, gone are the days that the frail elderly lady can simply walk in a Womens Restroom and not worry about being met up with someone who has features or possibly actions consistent with public stereotypes of the male sex. Gone are the days when you can say to your child "No, dear, you belong in the "girls" restroom.

Now are the days when your child needs you to explain why "two mommies are kissing in the toilet stall." Now, around the corner is the ever growing worry that someone evil will take the opportunity that society is presenting, and use the freedom of "transgender" orientation or identification to commit crimes to innocent people.

This is where fear and red flags really rear their ugly heads. Yes, it can happen in Christian circles also, no doubt; under the "flag" of evangelical, evil can and will happen. Yet, as clarification, typically evil really wants to run away from places and systems that are likely to see through the "sheeps clothing" and "expose the "wolf" in them.

The Bible does address this situation:

"Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!" Galations 5:19, 20 Soure: NETBible

"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. "
Romans 1:22-28 Source: NETBible


Please pray with me that the Word of God will prevail and those who are hooded under the darkness of this sin, will be able to free themselves, and most of all understand the love of God transcends orientation of sex, race, creed or even evil. God does seek to save and to free the lost.

1 Corinthians 6:13 Source: New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
"Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."

"But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness."
I John 1:9 Source: NETBible

No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:37-39 Source: NETBible

National Anxiety Center

I came across a web site blog that appealed to me, since I'm prone to "worry" about everything - it is a besetting sin. Pray for me.

The National Anxiety Center shares interesting insight into current events in our United States which bring cause to pause about the decisions occurring in our country. While I haven't had time to puruse this site in its entirety, I enjoyed the subtitle which says "The good news is...the bad news is wrong!" Both subtle humor, and truth in action.

It is a simple statement, but strikingly familiar as you study the Bible and realize that indeed, the bad news is wrong. The Good News is onward and upward, able to reach around genders (or indecision thereof), races, religions or beliefs, across political parties, economical events, shifting policies, and corrupt governments. I'm so thankful that indeed Good News supercede's the national crises that we face day-by-day.

Romans 8:37-39
"No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Scripture used from NetBible. See my sidebar for web link.

Government Does it Again--Discrimination of Conservative, Evangelical, Religious Beliefs

Today Dr. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado commented, "Who would have believed that the Colorado state legislature and its governor would have made it fully legal for men to enter and use women's restrooms and locker-room facilities without notice or explanation?.” “The law makes it illegal to deny a person access to public accommodations, including restrooms and locker rooms, based on gender identity or the "perception" of gender identity.” It goes on to specify in great depth, that except in church buildings, no discrimination in any form-paper, audio, video, blog, pamphlet, letter, book, even advertisement, etc., can be formulated to actually state or infer discrimination against any sexual orientation, nor the accomodations of such.

One of the most frustrating parts of this law is it’s exclusion of the body of the church, meaning those buildings assigned as legal religious bodies. They are able to freely continue condemning this practice per their beliefs. Yet, any point outside the walls of the church can become privy to penalization for breaching this law. This means that in essence,by the very nature of making this law for “anti-discrimination” they have chosen to “discriminate” against evangelical Christians, who are by far the most likely of church groups to “condemn” this practice based on our religious faith and doctrine.

In essence we are entering a new era in the United States of America—it is no longer “The North” Vs. “The South” but rather the “Church” Vs. “All other facets seeking to undermine the Church.”

You can view a PDF file of this law here.

Contact Colorado State Legislatures here: http://www.leg.state.co.us/

Christians and conservatives should be appalled and humbled by the blatant changes coming into our country, literally day-by-day and hour-by-hour, not only undermining our Constitution, but the inherent Word of God. We need to understand that while the law is intended to be upheld, as per Romans 13, still the overruling focus of our values comes from the Biblical teachings of Jesus and the need to abstain from immoral, homosexual, adulterous, and other manners of evil.

My next free few minutes will be spent forming a letter appealing to those government officials to repeal this law. If anyone hears or sees an option for forming (or has already begun) a petition to this state government against this ruling, please let me know. I’d like to post it and encourage all I know to sign it.

Tradgic Court Ruling results in Foreign Prisoners Free inside USA Soil!

Please read Matthew Continetti's article, and begin praying for our country in earnest. This is like unleasing the Taliban on the shores of Washington, Oregon and California!

We are literally allowing prisoners of war, who have no affiliation let alone citizenship in America, but have sought to destroy our troops, have free reign to "beg" our own courts for "protection" (=freedom from) in the face of being detained as POWs in Gittmo.

I'm no political expert, but yet even I understand the serious implications we face as a result of this. This is one scary situation to a simple USA citizen.

May God forgive us and our leaders for the poor decisions which we've made and limit the damage we will suffer as a result. Woe to America.

More on this here. More Links below:

http://patricksperry.wordpress.com/
http://americanandproud.net/2008/06/12/the-supreme-court-screws-us-again/
http://arkansasgopwing.blogspot.com/

More Clean Christian Joking

OK so I couldn't resist...Just a few more ;) :

From: Linda Kessler (Linda-Kessler@uiowa.edu)PRAYERAn elderly gentleman passed his granddaughter's room one night and overheard her repeating the alphabet in an oddly reverent way.What on earth are you up to?" he asked."I'm saying my prayers," explained the little girl."But I can't think of exactly the right words tonight, so I'm just saying all the letters. God will put them together for me, because He knows what I'm thinking."
---------------------
One day, a little girl is sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly notices that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looks at her mother and inquisitively asks, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?" Her mother replied,"Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white." The little girl thought about this revelation for a while, and then said, "So, Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?" [My mom probably loves this one]
-----------------------
For weeks, a six-year old lad kept telling his first-grade teacher about the baby brother or sister that was expected at his house. One day the mother allowed the boy to feel the movements of the unborn child. The six-year old was obviously impressed, but made no comment. Furthermore, he stopped telling his teacher about the impending event. The teacher finally sat the boy on her lap and said,"Tommy, whatever has become of that baby brother or sister you were expecting at home?"Tommy burst into tears and confessed, "I think Mommy ate it!"

Taken proudly from Clean Christian Jokes - New Millenium.

Some Short Jokes - Just for Fun!

A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE:
"Doctor, I have an ear ache."2000 BC - "Here, eat this root."1000 BC - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."1850 AD - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."1940 AD - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."1985 AD - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."2000 AD - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"
-------------------
Locked Car Door
A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication. She got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys in the car.
She didn't know what to do, so she called home and told the baby sitter what had happened. The baby sitter told her that her the fever was getting worse. She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door."
The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been thrown down on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time or other had locked their keys in their car. Then she looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this."
So she bowed her head and asked God to send her some help. Within five minutes an old rusty car pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head. The woman thought, "This is what you sent to help me?" But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful.
The man got out of his car and asked her if he could help. She said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?"
He said, "Sure". He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was opened. She hugged the man and through her tears she said, "Thank You So Much! You are a very nice man."
The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out for about an hour."
The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud, "Oh, Thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!"
-----------------------
A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss the use of the car. His father took him to his study and said to him, "I'll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study your Bible a little and get your hair cut and we'll talk about it." After about a month the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss use of the car. They again went to the father's study where his father said, "Son, I've been real proud of you. You have brought your grades up, you've studied your Bible diligently, but you didn't get your hair cut!"
The young man waited a moment and replied, "You know Dad, I've been thinking about that. You know, Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair...." To which his father replied, "Yes, and they walked every where they went!"

Taken proudly from Clean Christian Jokes.

God's Racist Thoughts On America

Finally, able to complete my blog thoughts regarding Scriptural references to Ablur's well stated mandates in "You May Be a Racist"

Enjoy.

Interestingly, while researching Scriptures for this I came across a certain publishing company that refuses to allow any copyright of "their" translation (not paraphased) of the NIV Bible in any form. I read their policy/permissions, and was appalled at how blatantly they ignored the obvious fact that this Book in God's own Words:

Timothy 3:16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof,for correction, and for training in righteousness, 3:17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. (Italics added by blogger)

The good news is that I will have something new to blog about soon. :)

God is at the center of your life or you are choosing not to have life (eternal).

Matthew 6:33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Marriage is between one man and one woman with a commitment to endure for a life-time and God is the head of this marriage.
I Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as the weaker partnersand show them honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life. In this way nothing will hinder your prayers.

Choosing to be Pro-Life is a choice, and choosing to be Pro-Death is a sentence to end life.
Psalms 127:3 Yes, sons are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.

Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.
Matthew 22:19-21 22:19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” So they brought him a denarius. 22:20 Jesus said to them, “Whose imageis this, and whose inscription?” 22:21 They replied,“Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Obey the government in so far as it honors the king (or Uncle Sam), but do not forsake your own faith in God and his ultimate laws.
Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.
I King 2:3 Do the job the Lord your God has assigned you by following his instructionsand obeying his rules, commandments, regulations, and laws as written in the law of Moses. Then you will succeed in all you do and seek to accomplish,

Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.
Matthew 6:19-20 6:19 Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal 6:20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Everyone has the right to confess their sins, repent, and choose eternal life. This ensures eternal liberty and solidifies eternal peace of one’s soul.
I John 1:9 But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing.
Romans 10:9-10 10:9because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10:10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. Romans 10:13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

God supported the nations who stood up for His precepts and who fought those nations that chose to disobey them. That is what God expects of great nations like America.
Matthew 7:13-14 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 7:14 But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword.

The long term solution to America is placing our trust in the one, true God from where our roots began.
Joshua 24:15 If you have no desire to worship the Lord, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the Lord!” Proverbs 3:5-6 3:5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. 3:6 Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.

English is the language of America. God chose the Tower of Babel to confuse because the people were not focused on him. Focus on one language for one purpose and on the only God for worship.
Genesis 11:6-9 11:6 And the Lord said, “If as one people all sharing a common language they have begun to do this, then1 nothing they plan to do will be beyond them. 11:7 Come, let’s go down and confuse their language so they won’t be able to understand each other.” 11:8 So the Lord scattered them from there across the face of the entire earth, and they stopped building the city. 11:9 That is why its name was called Babel – because there the Lord confused the language of the entire world, and from there the Lord scattered them across the face of the entire earth.

There is rich heritage in our religious beginnings and schools should teach this part of American history.
Deuteronomy 4:9 Again, however, pay very careful attention, lest you forget the things you have seen and disregard them for the rest of your life; instead teach them to your children and grandchildren.

The American border should be secure. After all, God’s Word says that the way of eternal life if narrow and smaller than a needle-in-a haystack. Why should our nation’s borders be any different? Don’t we want to last for generations?
Matthew 7:13-14 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 7:14 But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Global Climate change has happened before and it will happen again because it isn’t Mother Nature who is in control, but our omnipotent, omnipresent, perfect Lord. Psalms 24:1, 2 24:1 The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. 24:2 For he set its foundation upon the seas, and established it upon the ocean currents.

God mandated to the first human couple to use His resources wisely. Let’s not make the same mistakes they did.
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the earth.”

God firmly instructed the Israelites to keep their business within their own clan, tribe or nation. Perhaps, a hint for America to best utilize our resources?
Joshua 1:14-15 1:14 Your wives, children and cattle may stay in the land that Moses assigned to you east of the Jordan River. But all you warriors must cross over armed for battle ahead of your brothers. You must help them 1:15 until the Lord gives your brothers a place like yours to settle and they conquer the land the Lord your God is ready to hand over to them. Then you may go back to your allotted land and occupy the land Moses the Lord’s servant assigned you east of the Jordan.

The First Amendment forbids government from making laws that infringe on religion. It does not remove religion from anything under the government.
Deuteronomy 29:10-15 29:10 You are standing today, all of you, before the Lord your God – the heads of your tribes, your elders, your officials, every Israelite man, 29:11 your infants, your wives, and the foreigners living in your encampment, those who chop wood and those who carry water – 29:12 so that you may enter by oath into the covenant the Lord your God is making with you today. 29:13 Today he will affirm that you are his people and that he is your God, just as he promised you and as he swore by oath to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29:14 It is not with you alone that I am making this covenant by oath, 29:15 but with whoever stands with us here today before the Lord our God as well as those not with us here today.

We reject the banning of prayer.
I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil. [Italics are from translation used-see below]

We need to take terrorist threats more seriously and take steps to eliminate those who are intent on carrying out such acts. God will honor our efforts to defend our families and to save our land, of which we proclaim “in God we trust.”
Joshua 1:13 Remember what Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you. The Lord your God is giving you a place to settle and is handing this land over to you.

In God We Trust. Laus Deo.
Psalms 2:8 Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your personal property.

Psalms 8
8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! You reveal your majesty in the heavens above! 8:2 From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy. 8:3 When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 8:4 Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind,that you should pay attention to them, 8:5 and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankindhonor and majesty;8:6 you appoint them to rule over your creation; you have placed everything under their authority, 8:7 including all the sheep and cattle, as well as the wild animals, 8:8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that moves through the currents of the seas. 8:9 O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! [Italic font for Psalms 8 done by blog author]

All Scriptures are taken from NETBible.org. Except as noted, all italics or font changes are part of this translation.

Happy Father's Day

Celebrating Father's Day isn't quite the same for everyone. I wanted to pay tribute to those families that are actually sacrificing on this simple father focused day. Since a majority of our military are more likely to be fathers, and that is how we can count on continuing to have civilian fathers rearing their children in the land of the free, it seems fitting.

FLAG DAY - GOD BLESS & PROTECT OUR NATION

Above is a photo of one of the United States of America flags that survived on 9-11.

To learn about Flag Day, go here.

To learn about our United States Flag, read here.

To learn about your commitment to our Flag, please review and comment here.

Weary and Worn

I have to divert from my promised blog until I get a tad more sleep. Yesterday my youngest girl fell on the monkey bars at school, and broke her arm. Today, my son had an allergic reaction and his eyelid got really swollen, and he started to have blurry vision. My husband saw the doctor for another medical probem yesterday, and tonight, my other daughter fell on her hand while racing around the yard, and ended up with a small swollen knuckle. I've been to 4 of our local HMO clinics in less than 24 hrs, and am so tired from travelling around from primary care to ortho to optometry, and back again, I can barely think. I'm responsible for driving a friend to the airport about 5a.m. my time tomorrow a.m.

You'll have to accept my raincheck for the promised blog. May God continue to bless your family, and keep them from harms way. I'm thankful my children are quite resilient, praise God.

Is God Racist?

I have been pondering the articulate comments from Ablur recently. God led my meditation time, and I considered how many of the statements that Ablur spoke about leading directly back to Scripture. While I'm unable to complete my research and post it tonight, I thought I'd begin to provide my readers with a look at the statements so well-expressed by Some Things Just Need to be Said, and let you prayerfully consider where God's thoughts are on these principles. I think you will find that He addresses in the Bible all of these topics, and in many cases provides specific instruction for us to follow.

Keep in mind--considering the temptation to jump to the conclusion that "God is a racist"--it was God who said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" as referenced here:

Luke 10:27 NIV
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

What's in a Birth Place?

Please read Right Truth's blog. Perhaps God is already bringing about the promises in Isaiah 55 (mentioned in my last blog) in relation to this difficult election campaign.
We will have to wait and see where this information on Obama's true birth place ends up being determined in legal circles, but wouldn't it be ironic and amazing if God chose the uncertainty of the world to honor him, this way? Now, there is a reason to yell Laus Deo! [Praise be to God]

I'm growing...s l o w l y...with success!

I had to share today that I was able to add our CWO (Christian Women Online) blog roll icon onto my Right Turn - Your Turn template for my blog. I did it with just the instructions they provided me and without any help from ablur (albeit help from him is fun and a true blessing). Some of you already know he is my hubby--his web site is Some Things Just Need to be Said. He helped me add the playlist on my side bar. Although I'm not entirely sure it is best to have it be ongoing automatic (it could annoy a few people), I am sure enjoying the music.

I'm excited to be learning little baby steps in the land of HTML design, since my blogspot template is in that format. Feel free to browse around on the websites I provide links to, as you may find some very ingenious, and indelible inspiration for your own web site or blog. Thanks for your patience as I try out new things.

I want to leave you with some inspiration from Scripture that I have pondered over the years. I find all of Isaiah 55 quite appropriate for the current political climate in America--here's some verses on which to meditate:

Isaiah 55: 10-13
10As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
13Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."

Source of quoting Scripture above: Christianity online

Laus Deo

One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington, D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument .

With all the uproar about removing the Ten Commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument are displayed two words: Laus Deo.

No one can see these words. Most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are perched atop the monument, 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise Be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of theUnited States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. "Praise Be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant .a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise Be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.

On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore;
on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians;
on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphiaquoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise Be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise Be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy "One Nation, Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whos e example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Chr ist our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo!
When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo ", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)
It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this.