Call me a threat to national security...

http://gantdaily.com/2010/12/14/child-nutrition-law-supports-healthier-school-menus/

At the risk of aiding in the national security threat of obese children (as referenced by Mrs. Michelle Obama after her husband signed the new school lunch bill), let me tell you about "healthy" school lunches. Every day I serve 150+ middle school kids. They can choose from usually about 10 meal options. There are deli meals, grill meals, pizza, and "ala carte" options. To qualify for free, reduced, or school lunch prices the meal needs several components. Typically I serve a steamed vegetable with the main meal choices. With grill meals the kids get fries. With deli meals they get chips. The student then must pick up a juice or milk and we make the "assumption" that he or she also visits the salad bar.

You should see the looks I get when I put steamed broccoli on the tray next to macaroni and cheese. Sometimes I get loud protests of "I don't want the green beans!" My garbage disposal in the dish room eats more steamed vegetables daily than the entire student body combined. I don't blame them. I don't eat the steamed broccoli either.

As much as we post "Eat your green veggies!" signs all over the lunch room, I see an average of maybe 10 trays (out of approx 150) each day that have any evidence of having been anywhere near the salad bar. And the evidence is usually a half-eaten pile of baby carrots drenched in an ocean of Ranch dressing. Of course, the number jumps substantially when we put pudding on the salad bar. Then nearly every tray has obviously been there.

We are required to have daily vegetarian options. This includes pre-packaged salads, veggie wraps, etc. We throw them into the compost pile. All of them.

From the "higher up" folks we hear constantly, "Let's sell more school lunches!" and "Let's get those lunch counts up!" Let me tell you right now that my most faithful customers are those who come every single day for their pizza or cheeseburger or spicy chicken sandwich. Pizza comes with nothing other than a milk or juice and the potential of salad bar. Cheeseburgers and spicy chickens come with fries and salad bar. The kids who DO choose a main meal option (i.e. the meals that come with steamed veggies) are always happy to pay an extra dollar to add fries to their meal. My garbage disposal doesn't even know what a french fry looks like.

My second most faithful customers are those children who don't even buy school lunch. They just keep us in business by buying snacks: muffins, fruit roll ups, chips, popcorn, fruit by the foot, gushers, cookies, brownies, etc. They never ask to purchase the salad bar. Even when there's pudding.

So how exactly are we supposed to make our lunches more healthy than they already are? Serve MORE vegetables to the garbage disposal and compost pile? Take away the fatty Ranch dressing from the salad bar? Then kids won't even eat the carrots. And if you get rid of the pudding, few kids will even bother to check the salad bar in anticipation of pudding days.

I know exactly what will happen if we try to make school lunches more healthy. Our faithful customers will leave us for sack lunches filled with powdered donuts, fruit gushers, and sodas.

Good job, Mrs. Obama.

Embracing the Role of Helper

When you think of a strong, powerful, worthy woman- what do you think of? In the beginning God created man. But God saw that man was lacking something... someone. God then created woman from man, and thus began a beautiful love story that has continued through generations until now. God knew that Adam needed Eve.

Gen 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

Even from the very start we see two distinct roles given to man and woman. Man was created to lead. Woman was created to help. They complete one another. Things have not changed. Things have not changed because God knew then and knows now that His creations have true joy and purpose when they fulfill the roles that they were created to fulfill. He, our Creator, knows full well that we- through our roles- complete one another.

So I ask you again: when you think of a strong, powerful, worthy woman- what do you think of? I fear that today we see women imitating men and think that they have truly attained worth and strength. We see women pushing men into the role of coward and we think somehow that this makes those of our gender more powerful.

The truth is, women cannot fill the role of leader. Women are helpers. It's just a matter of helping well or helping badly. Men cannot fill the role of helper. They lead well or they lead badly- but they always lead. So what we have in our society is an excess of worthless leaders and failure helpers.

Are you helping the men in your life lead well? You cannot strip them of their role, because it was placed within them by God. If you are not helping them lead, you are failing at your role of helper and becoming a weak woman rather than a strong one. Women who spend their lives seeking to be what they are not- men- are weak in their purpose. We wonder where all the real men are as we trample them in our goal of becoming what they should be.

The role of helper is most clearly seen in the marriage relationship when a woman becomes a help-meet to her husband. But I believe that if God created women to be helpers, we have that responsibility in all stages of life. The role of help-meet to a husband is a specific and special role- different from that of helper to anyone else. But that does not mean that outside of marriage women are not to excel at helping those around them. When we choose to serve ourselves as unmarried women, perhaps attaining male-like character qualities, we miss out on what God has in store for us as women. He knows the innermost desires of our hearts and He has set before us a path where we can truly attain honor and glory through our service, and through our help to the men in our lives. I would like to state very clearly that even women who remain unmarried their entire lives should never be made to feel that they must fill a more masculine role to have worth. A lifestyle of godly femininity is something all women should seek.

It really doesn't matter what you or I think, or how we see women. What matters is how God sees us. Are we pleasing Him? Do we understand the role He has set before us and are we striving to do His will? Or are we giving into the lies of the world and forgetting why we were created? God said that He was creating a help-meet suitable for man. And we, women, were designed to be that help-meet. What can I do today to encourage the men in my church? How can I make sure my brother knows I support Him as he becomes a leader? Does my dad understand how much I appreciate his protection and leadership? How can I help them become even better men? Do I envy their role, or do I rejoice in the fact that God has placed good men in my life? If there are men in my life who are not leading well, do I try to steal their role or do I seek to encourage them to be better? Do I spend my life trying to be a man through my endeavors, or do I cherish the role God created me for?

Let us love and support and honor the men we have been blessed with. Let us spur them on in their role of leadership. Let us seek to raise up more Godly men. Let us do all of this instead of trying, and failing, to become men ourselves. Let's stop asking, "Where are all of the real men?" while we forsake our role of becoming real women. I hope we will embrace the job God gave us to do and pursue true womanhood. This is how we become strong, powerful, and worthy in His eyes.

Lessons from the Gray-haired Row

There is a very clear image in my mind of a man named Dean. On hands and knees, this old man worked his way up and down the narrow side aisles of the church building- scrubbing the base boards. There is another clear image in my mind of Dean, this time praying to his God with truth and reverence. Long, beautiful prayers. They were beautiful, but mostly because of the honesty coming straight from his heart. I can hear him sing hymns such as "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Up From the Grave He Arose" in his gruff bass, making melody in his heart to the Lord. I can remember sitting at his feet, so to speak, learning from his stories and jokes and the years of wisdom in his day to day conversations. He knew His God. He knew God's Word. How? Because he read it. He studied it. And he lived it.



Dean was one of a kind, but he is also one of many. One of many Godly men and women from past generations who knew their God and His Word. And as I think of them, there are no words to describe how extremely thankful I am. These are people who started congregations and strengthened the congregations they were in. They raised their children to know how to get to Heaven, and how to serve the church in the mean time. They taught Bible classes and cooked for potlucks.They scrubbed base boards and mowed church yards. They showed hospitality to their friends and neighbors, and to one another. They sat in business meetings,working out how to best use what God had blessed them with. They stood for what was Biblical and spoke against what was not- ensuring that we, the future generations, would have solid congregations to serve and worship with.



Maybe the best way to sum up my feelings toward these people is to quote from the Bible that they loved so much:



Philippians 1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.



And now as I look at my own generation, I see the result of their hard work and love. I see many strong congregations and I see people with a passion for serving their God. But I see something else that concerns me. I see an attitude of "Look how far WE'VE come! Look how educated WE are and look at what WE'RE discovering." Friends, there is nothing new under the sun. And we would do well to remember the people who set the foundation for where we are today in the Church.



I fear that we look at past generations and laugh. We laugh at their hymns and the words they use. We laugh at their methods of teaching and their understanding of the Scriptures. We laugh at them if they were "uneducated" and if they lacked a title. We laugh at their "rules" and the way they lived their lives and raised their children.



While we laugh, we're "coming up with" "new" ideas. We're so smart. We're so much more evolved than those old folks. Our "movements" are THE WAY to grow the church. Our state of the art preaching and teaching are such an improvement. Our contemporary singing and worship is so much more edifying! Our degrees and innovative educational endeavors are far superior. Right?



I would like to strongly disagree. As I said before, there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9). Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever (Heb 13:8). Really, we're the same. We're all people and we all sin. We all need God and we can all be redeemed through His Son, Jesus Christ. We can be in Heaven with God at the end of this life if we do what He has told us to in His Word. And that hasn't changed. The knowledge we have about salvation- our brethren in past generations had that too. And it hasn't changed. There is nothing new-and-improved about it and it has not evolved. It was perfect from the start. And since this is the case, maybe we need to be looking to the gray haired in our congregations for leadership, ideas, wisdom and advice. After all, they are the ones with the years of study and service. They have been living it far longer than we have, and I'd be willing to bet (if I did that...) that they know a little (a lot) more than we do about life and godliness.



I'm writing this because of what I sometimes see in myself, and what I have recently seen as a problem in my generation. When something strikes me as interesting and convicting, it's easy to get caught up in excitement and think,"Wow! Look what I discovered!" Perhaps a better approach would be to ask someone who knows much more about Christianity than I do to study it with me and to give me sound advice and encouragement in my own study. They, the older generations, have earned this respect. And little do we know what we're missing out on if we over look them in our quest to reach the world for Christ.



There may be a lot more to the polyester, gray haired row in our buildings than we think. And, you know what? Hymns are no less holy than"praise" songs. Your degree and title mean very little if you can't take instruction from the wise. Your "movement" has been tried before- I bet the "old folks" have some pointers. Your teaching methods, if they teach the truth, are nice- but not any more so than the methods that have been successfully teaching the Word for years before you were born.



I would rather sit at the feet of Dean than the most innovatively-educated, modern-speaking, praise-song-singing, up-to-date, movement-following man from my generation. Let's learn from these older people while we can. Let's sit at their feet and humbly realize that we do not know it all.

Swing Life Away

What does it mean to live the simple life? I think it means having a child-like excitement about the everyday things.

I was recently introduced to the song Swing Life Away by Rise Against. The words that really jumped out at me are as follows:



We live on front porches and swing life away.
We get by just fine here on minimum wage.

Maybe nothing too profound. Except that no one seems to get it.

"We live on front porches and swing life away." I have this amazing memory from my childhood. This memory is of sitting on my friend Nancy's porch swing, drinking lemonade, and enjoying conversation with this sweet older lady. I have plenty of other memories of spending time swinging on her porch swing, enjoying the breeze on sunny days. Simple. But why does that memory stay when so many other childhood memories are gone? It was special to me as a child, and still is.

So living the simple life may mean having a child-like excitement about the things in life. But the problem is, I think even kids today are missing that. Working at a children's party facility opened my eyes to a whole world of materialism that I never would have imagined. To say it's wrong to have a fun birthday party jumping on inflatables with friends is not my goal, nor do I believe that. (I've had my fair share of parties there, and I enjoy the environment ; ) ) But coordinating the parties for two year olds with 30+ gift bearing friends is an experience. As the mom carries out a load of battery run gadgets, video games, and bicycles she often calls out, "Thanks! We'll be back next year!" I always wonder what will be left to give that child on his third birthday. A cell phone? What about his 10th birthday? A car?

It also makes me wonder if the two year old has any concept of the fact that a fun day can consist of sitting in a sand box with a cardboard box and a stick for hours on end. Or sitting on a porch swing drinking lemonade with an older lady.

A few months ago my friend Ray, an older gentleman in my church, was telling me about his birthdays as a child. He described walking down the stairs on the big day, his excitement growing with each step. The source of this excitement? When he got downstairs into the kitchen, his mom would give him a kiss, smile and say, "Happy Birthday. I love you!". And maybe, if it was a good year, there would be a cake in the oven.

I compare this to the chaotic party room filled with jealous, crying two year olds and the birthday boy, covered in a pile of expensive toys, who can barely open another gift because of the overwhelming environment. I compare a kiss on the cheek and a happy birthday wish from a loving mom to a party that eventually adds up to several hundred dollars EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. And it makes me wonder what is wrong with us. We've forgotten the joy of simplicity. Not only have we forgotten it, we have robbed our children of it.

"We get by just fine here on minimum wage." Contentment is not often the forte of the American people seeking the "American Dream", and beyond. But nothing is as satisfying as being content in "whatsoever state you are in". (Phil. 4:11) Maybe kids require a more extravagant birthday party every year because their parents require a more extravagant lifestyle every year. Maybe kids are discontent with their toys because parents are discontent with THEIR toys (a new car here, a new house there). Kids have been taught that happiness can be bought. And they've been taught that by example. In case you didn't know, happiness can't be bought. And that's why materialism never ends. We think, "Oh if I could just have or do THAT , I'd be happy." And once we have or have done THAT there is always another THAT to have or do. And so true happiness always barely escapes us because we throw out the contentment that happiness requires. Children have been blessed with a natural appreciation for the simple things. Let's learn from that instead of training them out of it.

My hope for my friends and family is that you would all love living simply and find happiness in the everyday things. I hope the kids in my life know what to do when they're handed a cardboard box. I hope they have experienced a world made out of rocks. I hope they know that a Weeping Willow tree can provide days of happiness and entertainment and that a sandbox is where the real fun happens. I hope they realize that a kiss and "Happy Birthday. I love you!" from mom is worth excitement in every step to get to it. And I hope they know that to swing life, or the afternoon, away on a porch swing with a glass of lemonade is happiness.

"... Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands..." 1 Thess 4:11

Love me or hate me. Take it or leave it. My thoughts on Twilight.

Twilight. As the next movie gets closer, I see the excitement rising from many of my girl friends. And shockingly, from some of my guy friends too. The guys I don't really understand, but I understand the following this series has from young women. I get the teeny-bopper girl appeal. Edward (in some sick way) is what girls want. He is a mysterious man who comes out of nowhere to love and rescue his girl.

I read all four books and I saw the first movie three times. That's when I started to realize that my Twilight obsession needed to end. Actually, that's not true. I realized my Twilight obsession needed to end a little ways into the first book. But Twilight, for me, was addicting. And it was the kind of book that I HAD to know the ending to. I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed it. Yet even as I enjoyed it I read it with a nagging feeling that maybe I shouldn't be enjoying it. I gave up the Twilight series- movies, books, Team Jacob fan club membership- all of it.

What do I have against Twilight? This could be a book.

I am no feminist, but I hate that the "heroine" is portrayed as weak and clumsy and that she finds her worth in a man (if you can call him a "man"). I hate that the book is so poorly written but somehow draws its readers in. I hate that Bella is so annoying. I hate that Edward sparkles. I hate that Jacob falls in love with a baby. I hate that Bella constantly has guys chasing her down. I hate the hundreds of millions of times that Bella refers to Edward as "god-like", "angelic", and "beautiful". I hate that it's somehow OK for Edward to switch moods and become angry for no reason. I hate that Jacob never seems to be able to find a shirt (we wouldn't want him to rip another one!). I hate that Bella is suicidal when Edward leaves her. I hate that Edward would like nothing better than to eat Bella because she is somehow extra tasty. I hate that Bella would be alright with being eaten. I hate that Bella uses guys to her own advantage and ditches them as she wishes. I hate that the human men in her life were not enough for her. And I HATE the "spida monkey" quote.

As you go to watch Eclipse, let me just give you a little food for thought. There are only two things I PASSIONATELY hate about the Twilight series.

The first is that for some reason the Christian community has adopted this series as pure and even as a Christian series.

Why? Because they wait until after they're married to have sex. But please tell me that we don't have that skewed of a view of purity. Purity is a lifestyle, before and after marriage. Purity does not equal not having sex before you're married.

Edward and Bella do not live a lifestyle of purity. They want to 1. have sex and 2. eat each other (perhaps another portrayal of sex, in the guise of sucking blood). The only thing that keeps them from this is Edward's morals, because Bella doesn't mind not waiting. They may have waited, but certainly not from a lack of dwelling on it.

In the 80s as homosexuality started creeping into our media and entertainment, Christians were concerned and made a stand. Now as occult, blood sucking, people/animal attraction themes enter our media and entertainment, Christians find a way to make it Christian! What will be next? And will we even notice?

Twilight is about lust. It is about lusting after what is forbidden- the forbidden fruit that has always haunted us and caused us to sin.

The second thing that I passionately hate about Twilight is that many say it has a prolife message. This, quite bluntly, makes me ill. Bella becomes pregnant with Edward's child- half human, half vampire. The baby is attacking/eating her from within but she "chooses life". PEOPLE, what is WRONG with us?! There are a lot of things I could say. But let us STOP comparing a monster vampire eating its mother from the womb and born in a blood bath to the prolife message. This does not help the prolife cause. This is not a prolife story. And to be honest, I'm offended when I hear that Twilight has a prolife theme.

All of that said, I actually don't have a problem with people going to see Eclipse. We all make movie choices daily. My personal choice is to stay away from Twilight because from past experience I know how involved I get in it. One thing I ask of the Christian community- please do not make the assumption or claim that Twilight is a good or Christian series because its pro abstinence and prolife. I would like to think that the Christian young women of today have purer thoughts and hearts than the so-called pure Bella Swan. I would like to think that the Christian young men of today are stronger leaders with more pure intentions toward their Christian sisters than the so called pure Edward Cullen. And I would like to think that the prolife movement has much more to stand on than the life of a monster baby eating its mom.

Oh, and I prefer UNsparkly men who actually wear shirts.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Education is Considered Anti Choice

http://bluewavenews.com/2010/05/24/norfolk-principal-gave-students-fetus-dolls/

Handing out "fetus dolls" in school is a reason to be put on administrative leave? Because that sounds EDUCATIONAL to me. "The card accompanying the doll described the first 12 weeks of fetal development." Is that not science? It sounds to me like maybe the school was actually doing its job- educating children on the science of fetal development.

“Some people think my life began at birth; but my life’s journey began long before I was born …” This is called truth. It's sad when a place of "education" is required to hide the truth from its students. It just goes to show that the pro choice movement is built on LIES. Lies that have infiltrated the public education system. What are children to believe? That *poof* on the day they were born they were just there? By all means do not explain to them that they developed in the womb before that, because that would be "anti choice".

Anti choice, in my eyes, would be hiding the truth of fetal development from children. If they don't have the facts, how do we expect them to make informed choices? Lying is easier, because then they will make the uninformed choice that the "pro choice" movement wants.

People are so blind that they think an unborn child is "disturbing to see". Let's show kids pictures of the blobs they "evolved from" but make sure they do not see thel creation they were in their mother's womb. Help them understand that they were once apes, but leave out the months before birth.

"Teaching students science based and medically approved sex education is out of bounds, but giving 8-10 year old children fetuses and promoting anti-choice propaganda is somehow acceptable to many on the right."

No, teaching children how to use condoms and have sex is out of bounds. Teaching them very basic science about the development of human beings is the JOB of educators.

Kudos to Ms. Holas for educating kids. Shame on the administration for promoting ignorance.

What I Learned From Rudy

What is God's best? And are you enjoying it?

I once heard that the goal in life should be to know God and to enjoy Him forever. I can't think of a greater goal. I would add that the goal should be to glorify Him and fulfill His purpose.

In a society of "follow your dreams" and "let your heart lead you", I wonder if we have become so blind to our true purpose that we try to fit God into our own dreams and goals, rather than fitting our dreams and goals into God's plan.

I watched the movie "Rudy" with my dad last night. I love the movie and think it's a cool story. But I have never seen it the way I saw it this time. Consider the fact that my view on this is only from the movie, and I don't know how closely the movie follows real life. Rudy is the picture of "follow your dreams" and "let your heart lead you". As a boy he dreamed of playing football for his favorite college team- Notre Dame. Rudy's dream was not unlike most young boys' dreams, whether they dream of being astronauts or football players or the President of the United States. What was different about Rudy? He did everything in his power to live his dream, and accomplished it. Sort of.

You see, Rudy wasn't that great at football. In fact, he was kind of bad at it. Not to mention the fact that he didn't have the grades to go to Notre Dame, let alone as a football player. But his life wasn't all that bad. He had a family and a job and a girl (who had every hope and intention of being his wife). But for Rudy, that was not enough. Rudy wanted to play football for Notre Dame, as he had wished from boyhood. So he quit his job, left his family and ditched his would-be bride. He spent years trying to get good enough grades to attend Notre Dame. He was homeless, broke and relatively alone. Eventually Rudy did get into Notre Dame, and to everyone's disbelief (quite literally) he made the football team. But he never got to play. Until the last game when the crowd cheered him onto the field.. for about 10 seconds. Everyone told Rudy he couldn't do it. His parents advised against it, his girlfriend begged him not to go, and everyone along the way doubted him.

So he did it! Right? Sure, if his dream was to spend years of his life studying and trying to get good enough grades just so he could be on the football team. If his dream was to leave behind his family and friends back home to pursue a nearly impossible goal. If his dream was to give up the girl he "loved" (eventually to his brother) to play 10 seconds of a football game. If his dream was to tell the world that nothing mattered more than playing Notre Dame Football.

Personally, I don't think Rudy was created to be a football player. It's cool that he followed his heart and fulfilled a childhood dream. But what did he give up along the way? Did he really receive God's best for his life?

I think we get Rudy syndrome sometimes. We don't realize how good we have it. Instead, we run off chasing after dreams that have little to do with God's purpose for us. I believe God has a plan for each person, if we will only seek it. I don't believe God hides His plans from us- in fact, He makes them clear to us if we really want to see them.

I was reminded of this verse the other day: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands.. 1 Thess. 4:11

I've seen it many times but it really hit me this time. What is my ambition? If you know me at all, you know that I don't believe Christians should only be concerned for their own quiet lives. No, I believe Christians should be in every sphere of society- even in the most powerful positions- influencing this world for the better. But what is the ultimate goal of influencing society? To live and to help others live quiet lives, attending to our own business and working with our hands. One brother at Pleasant Valley always prays that we may lead quiet lives glorifying God. There is really something to that. Does living a quiet life mean hiding ourselves away from the world? No. I believe it means living in accordance to God's purpose. Live quietly rather than seeking fame, fortune, education and prestige for the sake of personal fulfillment.

When we seek power, prestige, education and influence for the sake of fulfilling a personal dream, that is when we lose God's best for our lives. Why do you do what you do? Why do you have the ambitions that you have? If you're good at law, please pursue a career as a lawyer for the purpose of glorifying God. If your calling is medicine, become a doctor to glorify God. If you are a mother, focus on your children in order to glorify God. If you are good at football, by all means use that realm of influence to God's glory. But if you're not good at football, do not pursue it just to follow your heart or to pursue a childhood dream.

I do not know Sarah Palin's heart. But as I was thinking on this topic I couldn't stop her from coming to mind. She is a woman that has gained prestige. She obviously has a natural gift of leadership and is using it in the political sphere. But it makes me wonder what her childhood dream was. Did Sarah want to be a mom? Governor of Alaska? President of the United States? And can she really have it all? What was and is God's plan for Sarah?

I think I'll end by saying that God gives us dreams, goals and aspirations for a reason. I do not believe it's wrong to dream of what we could be. I don't think it's wrong to pursue dreams. But I do know that God knew each of us before we were born, and He has a plan for each one.

Jer. 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord.

God did not leave us to wonder what to do with our lives. He gave us His Word, the Bible, for a reason. Yes, we will have dreams as children. But do they line up with Scripture? He gave us godly people to turn to for advice. Who are you listening to? He gave us prayer so that we could seek His will. Do we use that avenue?

Don't give up God's best for your life. Don't pursue childish hopes and dreams when they take you away from reality. Don't follow your heart when it leads you away from a life filled with knowing God, fulfilling His purpose, glorifying Him and enjoying Him forever.

Sunny Potluck Sunday

Skunks Vs Babies

-Initiative 160, sponsored by Footloose Montana, would prohibit recreational and commercial trapping of wild mammals and birds on public lands in Montana. State signature tally: 4,669.-

- Constitutional Initiative 102, sponsored by the Montana ProLife Coalition, would amend the state constitution to define “person” to include every human being from the beginning of a human being’s biological development, effectively outlawing abortion. State signature tally: 5,073.-

I just read a message from Cal Zastrow and Pershonhood USA and this really made me think. Here we have two initiatives. One would define babies as persons. One would stop the trapping of mammals and birds on public property.

I'm very interested in the results. Have we gone far enough away from common sense and justice that skunks and rabbits will have more rights on public land than babies in their mothers' wombs? Will Montana declare through the votes and signatures of its people that mammals have more importance to them than their innocent unborn children?

40 states have followed the example of Colorado by starting Personhood movements. This is Colorado's second time placing a Personhood Amendment on the ballot. Some say last time was a failure. I can't disagree more. Colorado was the first to legalize abortion, and now is leading the country in ending it. I see God's hand in that, and I know He is with the effort. If we truly believe that abortion is never the right choice, then we have nothing to lose by backing the effort to end it.

So, Montana, will you sign and vote to save the skunks and squirrels and rabbits? Or will you sign and vote to save the babies?

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/05/06/how-the-pill-liberated-my-mother-and-me/?icid=mainwelcomedl8link3http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/05/06/how-the-pill-liberated-my-mother-and-me/

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Thanks for helping me NOT have kids! Thanks for showing me that I can be "liberated" by the lack of children. Thanks for helping me understand that the choice to kill off my children is even better than being a mom. Oh, and thanks for making sure I know that I'm a "mistake"...or "a planned accident".

This would be a really disgusting joke. The scary thing is, she's not even kidding.

Sometimes my brother puts things into perspective better than I can hope to. "That's like... You tried to kill me with a gun because you didn't want more kids, so now I'm pro-gun!"

We celebrate the lack of children. We celebrate the ability to prevent them. And we celebrate the fact that we can kill them before they are safely born.

This Sunday let's celebrate children, and pray for more of them. Let's celebrate the ability to be fruitful and bear many children. And for those who can't, let's thank God for the gift of adoption. Let's celebrate the fact that God knew these blessings before He formed them in the womb.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Thanks for helping me love children and greatly desire the role of mother. Thanks for showing me that God gives His people great joy through the blessing of children. Thanks for helping me understand that killing a child is never the right choice and that nothing can compare to the love a mother has for her child. And thank you for always letting me know that you love and appreciate me and that you see me as a gift from God, and that I am not a mistake- or even a planned accident.

Happy Mother's Day. Celebrate motherhood, celebrate children, celebrate life.

Tax Day TEA Party 2010

An Assignment For YOU

One Christian's Response to the passivism vs. activism debate:

More than anything in this post I am milling my own thoughts around because of recent events that have come to pass- very hurtful events. This post has been in the making for a while, and has been in several different forms. So please bear with me as I share my thoughts on this issue, which really should not be an issue at all.

Lately I have become more and more politically active. Do not ask me how that happened. Sometimes you pick up what is laid before you, look back, and wonder how it came to be. As I have become more involved in politics, I have become increasingly aware of the fact that from the beginning of man there has been a debate about whether or not Christians should concern themselves with politics. The main premise of the passivist side (to whatever degree the passivism may be) seems to be that our focus needs to be on telling other about Jesus instead of getting caught up in the things of this world (i.e. politics). While I have no desire to prove to anyone that I am in fact evangelistic, or to make a list of things I do out of love for my church (because that would seem silly and prideful), I do wish to make a response to those who may think the ministry of political action is somehow less holy than another ministry.

First let me state that never would I think that since I'm politically active, my ministry is more important than someone else's. However, I do believe that in a changing world we are going to see many of God's people rise up to take on this ministry as the need for it is becoming incredibly evident. So I believe it's time for all Christians to begin encouraging the brethren who take up this fight rather than treating them as if they are less holy.

I believe evangelism is accomplished in all areas of life. Yes, even in politics. I believe that the political arena is a very dark place in our world today. I have no fear of that dark place because I know that God is with me and will never forsake me. I also have my buff-intimidating-if-needed-big-little brother, my strong protector-dad, and the prayers and guidance of my mom, sister and loving church family. These people love me and encourage me in my daily work as I try to encourage them in theirs- whatever it may be.

My heart aches terribly when I am told by a few (and only a few) that I should not be involved in politics. If I am to "only preach Jesus" then why does my mom tell me with such heart ache, pain, and tears about her years in a private Christian college where many, many of her friends had abortions- even in their freshman year? I can't tell you how much this saddens me. Why? Because these young women already knew Jesus! But did they understand abortion? Was there a law protecting their babies? No and no. These young women were saved already, but did that help their unborn children?

I hope that if you know me at all you know that I love the unborn and that I have a passion to rescue them from being led to the slaughter. You have probably heard from me before that in a political society it is going to take politics to end abortion. And let me be very, very clear. I have to go the whole way with this. If I believe that abortion is the murder of the most innocent and vulnerable (and I do), then I will do what needs to be done to stop it from happening. I do not want to get to Heaven and see the millions of babies who didn't have a chance at life if I cannot honestly say to them, "I fought for you. I gave 100%." It is not enough for me to tell them that I prayed and went on with my life.

Do you see how my faith and my politics go hand in hand? And friends, we do live in this world. We can't get away from that fact as much as we might try to do so. So we can either try to get away from it without succeeding, or we can do what we can to make this world a better place for future generations. Do you want your children and their children to have the opportunity to seek and save the lost without becoming martyrs? Do something about that today. And if you won't, stop putting down the people who will.

For anyone who would tell me to stay out of politics, let me ask: What would you say to Daniel? How about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? And Paul? And what would you say to the Israelites as they made their way out of Egypt? Would you tell them to stop? How about asking a homeschool mother and father in the late 1970s if they should be involved in politics.

As a young woman I have no desire to pursue a career. I believe the highest calling I someday might have would be that of a wife and mother. If and when God is to bring a husband into my life, I will be ready to be a full time wife and hopefully mother as well. But in the meantime I believe God has given me time to grow, work and save money, learn, and become involved in my church and community in ways that I may not be able to later. Given my intense desire to help the unborn, I have found myself in surprisingly interesting situations lately. My life has taken many very exciting turns, and God has opened unbelievable doors for me. I am so thankful and excited. All the glory only to God. I intend to take advantage of all of these opportunities and I know so many brethren are completely supportive of me in these endeavors. Thank you so much. Thank you to those of you who have discussed this very topic with me and encouraged me- you know who you are. I am hurt by a few and I hope that those who would condemn my ministry (politics is actually one of many) would realize that evangelism comes in many forms. Cooking for potluck, cooking for neighbors, anonymously donating to causes, driving widows around, caring for children, teaching, cleaning the church building, personal Bible studies with others, becoming a Godly politician, and thousands more (I'm sure you can add to the list with your unique talents, blessings and abilities). Please, let's encourage one another, not treat some ministries as if they are less worthy.

If you managed to get this far, which I doubt, please please please do not respond by quoting a scripture that you believe proves politics and evangelism are mutually exclusive. And do not respond by asking me how many people I've converted today. I do have an assignment for you though. Two simple things:

1. Think of a Godly politician or candidate you know (this could be difficult). Send them a hand written note of thanks and encouragement. The ministry they have chosen is a difficult one, and one that is so vitally needed.

2. Think of a brother or sister who you have privately thought that their ministry might be a little less important than yours. Maybe a widow who cooked a special meal or the shy and quiet member who shows up to every assembly. Send that person a note letting them know that you have noticed their ministry, and that you're thankful for them.

Please do this and know that you will uplift me on a day when I need it. In the process, you will encourage two people who also need it. May God bless you in whatever ministry He has set before you.

"I've seen Schoolhouse Rock..."

Apparently, it is difficult to find text books that teach Evolution.

By DYLAN LOVAN, Associated Press Writer Dylan Lovan, Associated Press Writer – Sat Mar 6

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_rel_home_school_evolution#mwpphu-container

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Home-school mom Susan Mule wishes she hadn't taken a friend's advice and tried a textbook from a popular Christian publisher for her 10-year-old's biology lessons.

Mule's precocious daughter Elizabeth excels at science and has been studying tarantulas since she was 5. But she watched Elizabeth's excitement turn to confusion when they reached the evolution section of the book from Apologia Educational Ministries, which disputed Charles Darwin's theory.

"I thought she was going to have a coronary," Mule said of her daughter, who is now 16 and taking college courses in Houston. "She's like, 'This is not true!'"

Christian-based materials dominate a growing home-school education market that encompasses more than 1.5 million students in the U.S. And for most home-school parents, a Bible-based version of the Earth's creation is exactly what they want. Federal statistics from 2007 show 83 percent of home-schooling parents want to give their children "religious or moral instruction."

"The majority of home-schoolers self-identify as evangelical Christians," said Ian Slatter, a spokesman for the Home School Legal Defense Association. "Most home-schoolers will definitely have a sort of creationist component to their home-school program."

Those who don't, however, often feel isolated and frustrated from trying to find a textbook that fits their beliefs.

Two of the best-selling biology textbooks stack the deck against evolution, said some science educators who reviewed sections of the books at the request of The Associated Press.

"I feel fairly strongly about this. These books are promulgating lies to kids," said Jerry Coyne, an ecology and evolution professor at the University of Chicago.

The textbook publishers defend their books as well-rounded lessons on evolution and its shortcomings. One of the books doesn't attempt to mask disdain for Darwin and evolutionary science.

"Those who do not believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God will find many points in this book puzzling," says the introduction to "Biology: Third Edition" from Bob Jones University Press. "This book was not written for them."

The textbook delivers a religious ultimatum to young readers and parents, warning in its "History of Life" chapter that a "Christian worldview ... is the only correct view of reality; anyone who rejects it will not only fail to reach heaven but also fail to see the world as it truly is."

When the AP asked about that passage, university spokesman Brian Scoles said the sentence made it into the book because of an editing error and will be removed from future editions.

The size of the business of home-school texts isn't clear because the textbook industry is fragmented and privately held publishers don't give out sales numbers. Slatter said home-school material sales reach about $1 billion annually in the U.S.

Publishers are well aware of the market, said Jay Wile, a former chemistry professor in Indianapolis who helped launch the Apologia curriculum in the early 1990s.

"If I'm planning to write a curriculum, and I want to write it in a way that will appeal to home-schoolers, I'm going to at least find out what my demographic is," Wile said.

In Kentucky, Lexington home-schooler Mia Perry remembers feeling disheartened while flipping through a home-school curriculum catalog and finding so many religious-themed textbooks.

"We're not religious home-schoolers, and there's somewhat of a feeling of being outnumbered," said Perry, who has home-schooled three of her four children after removing her oldest child from a public school because of a health condition.

Perry said she cobbled together her own curriculum after some mainstream publishers told her they would not sell directly to home-schooling parents.

Wendy Womack, another Lexington home-school mother, said the only scientifically credible curriculum she's found is from the Maryland-based Calvert School, which has been selling study-at-home materials for more than 100 years.

Apologia and Bob Jones University Press say their science books sell well. Apologia's "Exploring Creation" biology textbook retails for $65, while Bob Jones' "Biology" Third Edition lists at $52.

Coyne and Virginia Tech biology professor Duncan Porter reviewed excerpts from the Apologia and Bob Jones biology textbooks, which are equivalent to ninth- and 10th-grade biology lessons. Porter said he would give the books an F.

"If this is the way kids are home-schooled then they're being shortchanged, both rationally and in terms of biology," Coyne said. He argued that the books may steer students away from careers in biology or the study of the history of the earth.

Wile countered that Coyne "feels compelled to lie in order to prop up a failing hypothesis (evolution). We definitely do not lie to the students. We tell them the facts that people like Dr. Coyne would prefer to cover up."

Adam Brown's parents say their 16-year-old son's belief in the Bible's creation story isn't deterring him from pursuing a career in marine biology. His parents, Ken and Polly Brown, taught him at their Cedar Grove, Ind., home using the Apologia curriculum and other science texts.

Polly Brown said her son would gladly take college courses that include evolution, and he'll be able to provide the expected answers even though he disagrees.

"He probably knows it better than the kids who have been taught evolution all through public school," Polly Brown said. "But that is in order for him to understand both sides of that argument because he will face it throughout his higher education."


OK, my turn. I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry. Did someone seriously see the need to write this? Are people REALLY concerned that it's hard to find an evolution based science text book?

Please, someone help these people. Let's send them some text books.

Or maybe someone should suggest that if they want an evolution based science text book, they should stop looking through the Christian Homeschool Curriculum catalogs. Just..maybe.

Yes, if you're willing to take your kids out of the public schools because of religious convictions, you're probably going to want them to learn what you believe. Oh the horror. And because of this, the big homeschool text book companies are going to focus on your beliefs.

Several random thoughts that came to mind when I read this, that may or may not directly relate:

1. I once saw a young teen girl pick up an article that said, "Can the Text Books be Trusted?" Her response, "Well DUH. They're text books. Of course we trust them!" Head smacking smiley?

2. Thanks, mom, for not teaching me that I'm an ape.

3. If someone learns that they were created by an All-powerful God, wouldn't that ENCOURAGE them to go into the field of Science? The more you see of His creation, the more amazed you are by how Awesome He is.

4. Look at the first sentence. Why would that woman, who would obviously rather her children learn they came from blobs, even consider trying out a Christian curriculum?

5. If it's so hard to find secular curriculum, maybe they could make their lives a whole. lot. easier. and enroll their kids in the public school down the street (there are typically schools on every corner). Just a thought.

Just Saying...

Growing up as a "PK" (Preacher's Kid) I have much experience dealing with Church conflict. Especially considering that in my family there are no secrets. I mean that if something was happening in the Church, be it good or bad, we- even as children- knew about it. We watched my parents pray, discuss the situation, and seek counsel with others. They didn't go behind closed doors to discuss the problems in our congregation. In more recent years we have taken it upon ourselves to pray and seek solutions as well.

It is impossible to be part of a Church without conflict. What is the Church? The Church is a body of PEOPLE, united by baptism and forgiveness through the blood of Christ. But we are just that- people. You cannot be in any group of people for very long without problems. Take a look at the most basic unit of people, the family, and try to tell me there are not problems in groups of people. Also, take a look through the book of Acts, which shows us the very beginning of the Church. My dad likes to talk about the "GPS for the book of Acts". GPS stands for Global Positioning System (which I desperately need, as I find myself lost in the town I grew up in), right? Yes, but in the book of Acts GPS stands for "Growth. Problems. Solutions." Even at the very start of Christ's Church there were problems. God did not, however, leave his Church without solutions to these problems. Thank Him for His Word, the Bible.

I am writing this because lately I have been discouraged by how people see fit to treat the Church. People lie to and about the Church. They slander the Church. They make lame excuses for missing the assembly, thus discouraging their brothers and sisters who DO make it a priority to be there. They Church hop for unworthy reasons. They nitpick and cause dissension. They spread rumors for years after leaving a congregation, just to make themselves feel good.

Do I see this more because I'm in the middle of it as the preacher's kid? I honestly don't know. I have never been anything BUT the preacher's kid. What I do know is that this needs to stop.

Why does it need to stop? Because Jesus Christ gave his LIFE for HIS Church. He is the Head and the Church is the Body. He is the Bridegroom and the Church is the Bride. You cannot be in full fellowship with Christ while stepping all over His Bride. You can't have the Head without the Body. It just doesn't work that way.

This is a plea for several things, and it is not so much written to those who are NOT part of the Church, but to those that ARE part of the Church.

1. Attend the assemblies of the Saints. Yes, Sunday worship is commanded- two times Sunday and once on Wednesday may not be. But why miss out on encouraging your brothers and sisters? I will never understand the reasoning behind doing just enough to get by. And let me take it a step further. Are there Vacation Bible schools, prayer meetings, work days, encouragement meetings, business meetings, or teen events you are missing for one reason or another? Change your schedule to work around them. A church event is a CHURCH event. I don't care if it's for 2 year olds, 12 year olds, 17 year olds, or 80 year olds, I am SURE there is a way you can help out. You are part of the Church, no matter how old you are, and it should be your priority to be there.

Yes, I know there are valid reasons for missing the assemblies. But let me say that I believe there are VERY, very.. VERY few valid reasons. We live in a fast paced society and the Church has started to excuse absences for just about any reason. Think about your reasons. Really, are they worth not being with your brethren? Are they worth forsaking the assembly? I believe your brothers and sisters know if you really want to be there. And let's be honest, GOD knows your heart and if you really want to be there.

I could tell you stories of old women being CARRIED into every meeting of the Church because they were too weak to walk. But why? If you don't want to be there, you won't be.

2. Do not speak evil of or complain about the Church. There are times to speak out against something that has been done which is wrong. There is a time and a place to bring up concerns. But please do not speak evil of Christ's bride. Most men would not appreciate if you spoke evil of THEIR wives.

It amazes me how people can come up with reasons why someone caused them to leave the church, or a congregation. Probably because I'm in the preacher's family, I have had that finger pointed at me more than I would like to say. There are scriptural ways to approach a brother or sister if you have been offended. But could it be that these people KNOW that it is not any individual's fault, but would rather not be honest about their reasons for leaving? Which leads me to my next request.

3. Do not lie to the Church. You can lie by what you say, by what you do not say, and by what you do. Honesty always works. Leaving the congregation for one reason or another? Be honest. Couldn't make it to worship last Sunday because of a valid reason? Be honest. Skipped the assembly for a sorry reason? Be honest. Looking for a new church home? Be honest. Did a brother or sister hurt your feelings? Be honest. In all things JUST BE HONEST. I'm not sure how to state this any more plainly, except to say that it's wrong to lie to the Church. That about sums it up- from "little white lies" to huge lies, from deceit to misleading behavior- it's all wrong.

4. Make yourself accountable to a congregation. I know that it's fun to fellowship with brethren you don't always get to see, hear guest speakers at other congregations, and attend youth rallies. But it's important to be under the leadership of a congregation in order to be held accountable. This is not so much about not treating the Church badly. It's about keeping yourself safe from falling through the cracks. If you are constantly flitting around from congregation to congregation, how do the brethren at home know when to expect you and when not to? If every single special speaker or youth event in the area takes you away from your congregation, are the members at home supposed to call and check up on you? Your congregation NEEDS you to be with them.

5. Don't always look for the greener pastures. Church hopping is common. I'm not against looking at different options and finding the best fit. But find it, and work with it. Don't leave because of any little problem. Don't look at what such and such congregation is doing and wish you were there. Focus on where you are and make it the best it can be. Use your talents and abilities to encourage the congregation you are in. Again, I realize that there are good reasons to leave a particular congregation. But when you make a commitment to a congregation, any little problem should not be a reason to leave. Any exciting possibility at another congregation should not draw you away.

All in all, LOVE Christ's body, His Bride- the Church. When we can look at a group of imperfect people and love them anyway, we have become like Christ. When we can deal with problems within that group of people without tearing each other apart or giving up on one another, we have attained true discipline. When we can speak only good and great things about Christ's Church, He is pleased. When we learn to simply BE THERE, we encourage the Church. When we're honest no matter what, we can truly trust one another.

Remember, you cannot have the Head without the Body. Nor can you have the Bridegroom without the Bride. Love and respect the Church.

Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.

A Choice

"I had a great career and a child just didn't fit into the picture, so I chose abortion."
"I was too young to be a mother, so I had my child taken out of my womb. Look at me now!"
"My fetus was going to have Down's Syndrome, so the only kind choice was abortion."

Have you ever seen a Super Bowl ad with a woman proclaiming her choice to abort? I haven't. In fact, I've never seen any kind of public proclamation like the ones above. Maybe THAT'S why the pro "choice", pro woman people are in an uproar about Mr. Tim Tebow's upcoming Super Bowl ad. Mrs. Tebow can stand next to her son, peace in her heart and a smile on her face, and let the world know that she made a choice. A good one. It would take a lot of looking to find a woman willing to appear on TV on Super Bowl Sunday and show the beauty of her choice to abort. Because her choice would not be beautiful. Even harder would be finding a woman who could stand with her champion child next to her, thanking her for her choice to abort. Because her child would be dead.

So as I saw the uproar begin, I wondered why people who preach about the right to choose would try to silence this woman. She had the freedom to make a CHOICE. Isn't that exactly their goal? Maybe not. I think the pro choice folks are quickly showing the rest of us what they truly are- pro death.

As far as the pro woman people- I'm beginning to highly doubt that they care much about women at all. Here they are doing everything in their power to make sure respectable, lovely, fully dressed Mrs. Tebow cannot tell people of the intelligent choice she made. My question: Have you people SEEN a Super Bowl ad lately? Naked women hang all over men trying to sell beer. Lingerie models saunter down the runway, letting us all know that they really have no secrets. I would think that feminists and pro woman individuals would see the Tebows' ad as a great improvement. Here is an intelligent woman with character. She has a story to tell because she had the freedom to choose, and her choice resulted in Tim Tebow. Yes, quite an improvement over "you need to be seductive, naked, surrounded by drunk men, with a beer in hand to be attractive and worthy." It's interesting to me that feminists would prefer the current Super Bowl ads, considering that the women on those ads are behaving in a manner that would cause them to have to make that choice in the first place.

On the other hand, Mr. Tim Tebow is a young man who has publicly stated that he is a virgin. Instead of trying to shut him up, maybe those who care about women should be thanking him. After all, his choice of abstinence has prevented him from having anything to do with a young woman making that life or death choice. Maybe we need more men like him, with influence, who are willing to make a stand against promiscuity- which demeans men and women alike. So if you really care about women, stop attacking him and start thanking him. We need celebrities who let young women know "You're worth waiting for, and so am I." I can't think of anything that shows more respect to women.

Establishing Personhood in Colorado

I am passionate about the personhood of the unborn. I am also a firm believer in the fact that our government's job (in fact, one of it's ONLY jobs) is to protect the citizens of this country. As it is in our country right now, the government is failing. Let me be very clear: Our government is MISERABLY failing in the task of protecting its citizens because it can't even protect the most innocent and vulnerable Americans. Let me be very clear again: Our government is not even ATTEMPTING to protect the most innocent and vulnerable Americans.

The fact that I believe the government is meant to protect the people and the fact that I'm passionate about the personhood of the unborn is what draws me to Personhood USA. I know that some Christians and Prolife groups believe in separating politics from abortion. They believe that education and love of people will accomplish the goal of ending abortion. I am thankful for those people and groups and I believe in the work they're doing. But I am very convinced that in a political society politics MUST be involved in ending abortion. Defining the unborn as persons in our laws will be a huge step toward ending abortion all together. Personhood USA is stepping up to involve citizens in the Personhood effort all over the country. Colorado was the very first state to step up to the plate with the 2008 Personhood Initiative (This is very appropriate, considering that Colorado was the first state to legalize abortion.), Amendment 48. Not being successful in voting it in, the Colorado citizens have again stepped up to try try again.

I am not an outgoing person. In fact, I'm just the opposite when it comes to most social situations. If I don't know the crowd I'm in, I tend to like to blend in. Last year I signed up to collect signatures for the Personhood Colorado campaign. The goal is to get an amendment on the ballot, once again, that would define a "person" in the Colorado Constitution as a human being from the beginning of their biological development (i.e. from conception). Being a petition circulator is something that sounded incredibly attractive to me. But I didn't think about it before jumping in. I just went with it. Then I realized that being a petition circulator meant some effort was going to be put out on my part. People weren't just going to run up and ask me if they could sign my petition section. Oh how easy life would be if that was the case. But life isn't easy, is it?

Actually, it didn't start out that hard, to be honest. I knew of a few people who would absolutely sign the petition. When I approached them their enthusiasm encouraged me. So then I had... less than a page of signatures.

From there it got a little more difficult, but not much. I collected signatures at two Tea Party rallies. Nearly ever person I approached wanted to sign it. Some had already signed it. Only a hand full of people said they didn't want to sign it, but they weren't argumentative. One of my greatest encouragements was meeting a young man who was so excited about the petition that he wanted to collect signatures too. I gave him an extra petition section I had, and he started collecting signatures right then and there! His enthusiasm encouraged me. And because he was in the same boat as me, we were able to correspond occasionally about collecting.

With a lack of rallies in the last few months, I felt slightly out of the signature collecting loop. Many events to collect were in the Denver area and it's not easy for me to get down there that often. I knew about the opportunity to collect signatures at Safeway. But I wasn't sure that route was the best one for me. Why? Well, it would take me MAJORLY out of my comfort zone. I'd be "one of those" annoying people that stands outside of a store and chases you down as you try to leave. And it would require me to approach random people. Not people at Tea Party rallies who for the most part are supportive of my cause. People that might.. DISAGREE.

As the deadline to turn in signatures got closer, I realized I needed to do something. My petition section was still lacking. Safeway. That's all there was to do. So I went. What an experience. What a COOL experience. Yes, I was completely taken out of my comfort zone and I had to approach whoever came out the doors. Yes, many people saw me as "one of those" annoying people. They rushed off as I tried to talk to them. Some people didn't want to sign it. One woman became very angry and began arguing at me. AT me because I didn't say much back to her. But in one hour I collected a whole page of signatures. Could have done better. But I could have done worse too, by not going.

Today I read an article by Mr. Bryan Kemper, founder of Stand True. The following is taken from his article:

"When will we as the human race stop discriminating against our fellow human persons; when will be come together and stand for the protection of all life? When will we see relief efforts for the almost 4,000 human children who are facing a horrible death every day in this country, and the over 100,000 around the world?"


I wrote all of this to say that as we live our lives, children are dying. As we are living our busy and comfortable lives it's easy to forget that children in our very own country, state, and city are being murdered. Why? Because we don't see it. We don't hear about it. The media doesn't let us know. It's easy to become oblivious or to just not care. I want to ask you to help in the effort of establishing the unborn as people. We are coming down to the last few days of collecting signatures. My petition will be notarized and turned in at the end of this week. If you happen to see this and are a registered voter in the state of Colorado, I'd be happy to have you sign my petition. If you're not close enough, I'm sure I can find someone in your area who is collecting signatures. Every signature will count. It's going to be close.

Please pray for the efforts of Personhood Colorado in the final days of collecting signatures.

If you are not in Colorado, don't feel left out. The Personhood effort is all over the country. Go to www.personhoodusa.com to get involved.

"Be the saviour of those who are given up to death, and do not keep back help from those who are slipping to destruction." Proverbs 24:11