Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A watermelon's a watermelon, no matter how small...
Right??? This is a watermelon. We are very proud of our very first watermelon...no matter how small. ;)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Arguments for abortion...
A while back there was an anonymous comment on one of my posts. The poster gave an argument FOR abortion, one that I've heard countless times. I wasn't going to answer, because it's anonymous. But I keep hearing this argument thrown out. Probably because we're getting close to the election, and in CO it's especially relevant because of Amendment 48. I'm going to go ahead and give my thoughts on this. The argument, as stated on my blog, is as follows:
"If you believe that abortion is murder, do you not have a moral obligation to each child brought into this world to ensure they receive basic health care, that their parents can make a living wage,that they receive a decent education, and we fund the social services to ensure these children are not left to fend for their safety, health, and developmental needs."
The first thing I want to point out is...what does that have to do with ANYTHING??? That proves nothing, because it puts forth no proof that abortion ISN'T murder. So..what's the point? It seems to be just another way to dodge the real issue, which is that abortion is, in fact, murder.
But, to actually answer the question. No. I do not have a moral obligation to make sure each and every child who is not aborted is cared for. That's the same as saying that everyone who believes murder is wrong has a moral obligation to take care of every single person who is not murdered (i.e. everyone who is alive today). My moral obligation is to stand for those who are being slaughtered, because it IS murder. It IS wrong. And they cannot speak for themselves. My moral obligation is to warn a pregnant mother contemplating abortion that what she's about to do is murder her child. Some people actually don't know that because we like to use words like "fetus", "fetal tissue", "expulsion", etc. If I warn women that they are about to murder a child, it does not become my responsibility to raise every non-murdered child.
Now, according to Scripture it is my responsibility to care for the orphans and widows. (James 1:27) So let me go ahead and give some examples of what my family does do.
My grandparents just retired from 20 years of living in a children's home, caring for our society's throw away children (I hope no one would suggest that it would have been better for these beautiful children of God to be sucked from the womb and tossed in a trash bin instead of ending up in the children's home) They also adopted two babies from a Christian adoption agency- they became my aunt and uncle. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer of these babies to adopt now (even though there are many couples who would gladly adopt them). If the reason for fewer babies is due to more education, and lack of promiscuity, then I say "Praise God!". However, if it is due to more children being murdered before drawing breath, then shame on us.
My own family has taken care of approx. 35 foster children, as well as adopting one and giving her our name. We also mentor many children who don't have fathers. My dad started a boys and girls club in our area. He coaches jr. high boys and counsels families. My sister speaks to adoptive support groups about the joy of being chosen. We support a Christian child care agency and buy many gifts every year for underpriviledged children in our community. We also put an incredible amount of money in the mail quarterly (a.k.a. taxes) that takes care of poverty stricken children. Unfortunately, the amount of money mid-income families are forced to pay into taxes leaves us much less to give directly to children who need it, or to child care agencies that we believe in.
Personally, I love children (from conception on up), and have many plans that include loving and caring for them in the future. My #1 goal is to be a faithful wife and mother. I want to raise many children for God's Kingdom, and I pray that I'll be able to. But, if I don't get married, I plan to adopt young women who are "too old" to find adoptive homes. Everyone deserves life first, then a loving family.
All of these are things that my family does because we love children, and we have been called to care for them. However, I don't believe everyone is called to participate in all of these things. Even if we did none of this, abortion is murder. It is the most horrendous, despicable abuse that we could force upon children. And it's legal.
In the history of mankind, the issue of poverty has never been adequately solved. Maybe it never will be, but that doesn't change what abortion is. First of all, the argument assumes that every person contemplating abortion would only be able to provide a single parent, poverty stricken home. Actually, often times women/families who could easily provide a loving, secure home choose abortion. Pregnancy, even without difficult circumstances, can be hard and emotional. Who's to say that, if these women could get past this trying time and choose to let their children live, they wouldn't be able to provide a loving and stable home?
The argument also claims, whether or not the people that throw it out realize, that we have the right to choose who lives and who dies. Why do I, someone who was born into a family with a mother and father who can provide for me, have more of a right to live than a child born to a single mother who lives from pay check to pay check? Life- all life- is sacred. No one is more important than anyone else, and it's ridiculous to say that it's better to murder low income children with broken families than to fight to let them live.
Like I said, it is not my moral obligation to provide for every child that is not aborted, any more than it is my obligation to feed and clothe a child for the rest of his life if I saved him from drowning. Any more than it is my obligation to provide for a little girl if I threw myself in front of a car to keep her from being hit. Any more than it is my obligation to provide for an entire school of children if I prevented a homicidal gun man from entering the school house...need I go on?
Perhaps the best way to show love to children...to care for them, starts by speaking up for them when they're in the womb. It should be the safest place for them, yet in our "civilized" country, it is not safe at all. To do my very best to make sure children are given life and to NEVER stop letting people know that abortion is the shedding of innocent human blood- that is my moral obligation.
"If you believe that abortion is murder, do you not have a moral obligation to each child brought into this world to ensure they receive basic health care, that their parents can make a living wage,that they receive a decent education, and we fund the social services to ensure these children are not left to fend for their safety, health, and developmental needs."
The first thing I want to point out is...what does that have to do with ANYTHING??? That proves nothing, because it puts forth no proof that abortion ISN'T murder. So..what's the point? It seems to be just another way to dodge the real issue, which is that abortion is, in fact, murder.
But, to actually answer the question. No. I do not have a moral obligation to make sure each and every child who is not aborted is cared for. That's the same as saying that everyone who believes murder is wrong has a moral obligation to take care of every single person who is not murdered (i.e. everyone who is alive today). My moral obligation is to stand for those who are being slaughtered, because it IS murder. It IS wrong. And they cannot speak for themselves. My moral obligation is to warn a pregnant mother contemplating abortion that what she's about to do is murder her child. Some people actually don't know that because we like to use words like "fetus", "fetal tissue", "expulsion", etc. If I warn women that they are about to murder a child, it does not become my responsibility to raise every non-murdered child.
Now, according to Scripture it is my responsibility to care for the orphans and widows. (James 1:27) So let me go ahead and give some examples of what my family does do.
My grandparents just retired from 20 years of living in a children's home, caring for our society's throw away children (I hope no one would suggest that it would have been better for these beautiful children of God to be sucked from the womb and tossed in a trash bin instead of ending up in the children's home) They also adopted two babies from a Christian adoption agency- they became my aunt and uncle. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer of these babies to adopt now (even though there are many couples who would gladly adopt them). If the reason for fewer babies is due to more education, and lack of promiscuity, then I say "Praise God!". However, if it is due to more children being murdered before drawing breath, then shame on us.
My own family has taken care of approx. 35 foster children, as well as adopting one and giving her our name. We also mentor many children who don't have fathers. My dad started a boys and girls club in our area. He coaches jr. high boys and counsels families. My sister speaks to adoptive support groups about the joy of being chosen. We support a Christian child care agency and buy many gifts every year for underpriviledged children in our community. We also put an incredible amount of money in the mail quarterly (a.k.a. taxes) that takes care of poverty stricken children. Unfortunately, the amount of money mid-income families are forced to pay into taxes leaves us much less to give directly to children who need it, or to child care agencies that we believe in.
Personally, I love children (from conception on up), and have many plans that include loving and caring for them in the future. My #1 goal is to be a faithful wife and mother. I want to raise many children for God's Kingdom, and I pray that I'll be able to. But, if I don't get married, I plan to adopt young women who are "too old" to find adoptive homes. Everyone deserves life first, then a loving family.
All of these are things that my family does because we love children, and we have been called to care for them. However, I don't believe everyone is called to participate in all of these things. Even if we did none of this, abortion is murder. It is the most horrendous, despicable abuse that we could force upon children. And it's legal.
In the history of mankind, the issue of poverty has never been adequately solved. Maybe it never will be, but that doesn't change what abortion is. First of all, the argument assumes that every person contemplating abortion would only be able to provide a single parent, poverty stricken home. Actually, often times women/families who could easily provide a loving, secure home choose abortion. Pregnancy, even without difficult circumstances, can be hard and emotional. Who's to say that, if these women could get past this trying time and choose to let their children live, they wouldn't be able to provide a loving and stable home?
The argument also claims, whether or not the people that throw it out realize, that we have the right to choose who lives and who dies. Why do I, someone who was born into a family with a mother and father who can provide for me, have more of a right to live than a child born to a single mother who lives from pay check to pay check? Life- all life- is sacred. No one is more important than anyone else, and it's ridiculous to say that it's better to murder low income children with broken families than to fight to let them live.
Like I said, it is not my moral obligation to provide for every child that is not aborted, any more than it is my obligation to feed and clothe a child for the rest of his life if I saved him from drowning. Any more than it is my obligation to provide for a little girl if I threw myself in front of a car to keep her from being hit. Any more than it is my obligation to provide for an entire school of children if I prevented a homicidal gun man from entering the school house...need I go on?
Perhaps the best way to show love to children...to care for them, starts by speaking up for them when they're in the womb. It should be the safest place for them, yet in our "civilized" country, it is not safe at all. To do my very best to make sure children are given life and to NEVER stop letting people know that abortion is the shedding of innocent human blood- that is my moral obligation.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Young=Shallow?
This is an article that was in the Rocky Mountain Christian. I wrote it a while back, but I thought I'd post it here.
Browsing through the "teen section" of Christian catalogues and book stores has often surprised us. Usually what we find are shelves and shelves, pages and pages, of books and magazines talking about sex, drugs, alcohol, and plenty of other profane topics. Don't get us wrong, these books are encouraging teenagers to stay far from these things. But through years of looking in the "teen section", we have noticed that although these books are saying "stay away from these things", they are putting the focus where it should not be- on sin. Why is it that Christian writers in our day and time think they need to focus on sinful behaviors when they're writing books for teens? Our thought has always been that if you're writing to Christian teens, your audience is already aware- or should be- that sex outside of marriage, doing drugs, drinking beer, and cussing are sinful behaviors.
Browsing through the "teen section" of Christian catalogues and book stores has often surprised us. Usually what we find are shelves and shelves, pages and pages, of books and magazines talking about sex, drugs, alcohol, and plenty of other profane topics. Don't get us wrong, these books are encouraging teenagers to stay far from these things. But through years of looking in the "teen section", we have noticed that although these books are saying "stay away from these things", they are putting the focus where it should not be- on sin. Why is it that Christian writers in our day and time think they need to focus on sinful behaviors when they're writing books for teens? Our thought has always been that if you're writing to Christian teens, your audience is already aware- or should be- that sex outside of marriage, doing drugs, drinking beer, and cussing are sinful behaviors.
Some may argue that the Christian teens of today need to know about these things, and know the Christian way to handle them. We disagree. We strongly believe that you do not have to think about and focus on a sinful behavior to know that it's wrong. We recently saw an article in a magazine geared to Christian teens. This article was about- well, we won't even mention the name of the article- and how Christian teens should not do it. Needless to say, we threw the magazine in the trash and unsubscribed. Why? Because it seems that the writers of this magazine think it's necessary for teens to know every tiny detail of a sin in order to stay away from it. We find this absurd, because dwelling on sin is a sin in itself. The Bible tells us in
Philippians 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." Thus, we believe it is crucial to direct our thoughts away from sin, not read every detail of it.
"Yes," you might say, "but Christian teens often do cuss, sometimes they even have sex outside of marriage, and many of them do drugs and drink!" We would like to suggest that perhaps the reason for this is that everyone expects these things of them. After all, when they get to be "teens" they're definitely going to rebel. But that's ok because they must "find themselves", right? Wrong! Although we often hear these statements, we strongly disagree with them. As the words to an old song go, "I was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind, but now I see." If you're a Christian, you're already found! There is no need for Christian teens to "find themselves". If they ever forget who they are, they just need to open their Bible and look at Jesus' example. That's what we're striving for. Therefore, we believe books aimed at Christian teens should have a goal of encouraging teens to be more like Christ. We believe that if someone is truly seeking after Christ, they do not need the specifics of sinful behaviors explained to them. In fact, we believe they'll close a book that focuses on sin and find something better to read. Christian teens are striving to be in fellowship with God, and God cannot have anything to do with sin. We believe the authors of books in the "teen section" of Christian stores and catalogues should realize that the audience they are pursuing is seeking to live according to these words:
"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:12
"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:12
Monday, October 6, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
This is a picure of me with two very wonderful people- Judy and Joanna. Since Joanna and I (and Judy too, now that I think about it) first started talking through this blog (and Joanna's blog), I thought a post about them was appropriate. These girls are my second cousins, and I had the chance to spend some time with them while I was in IN. Joanna came and stayed with me for a few days...which was SOOOO fun!!! I love you, girls!!Friday, October 3, 2008
The Education Idol
I was thinking about modern day idols, and the one that keeps popping into my head is Education. Yes, I believe that we tend to worship education. There are a few main categories that I would like to mention:
1. We offer our children up on the Alter of Education. We, as Christians, are willing to hand our children over to the state for schooling. It is clear in Scripture that we are meant to raise our own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord- not let the world raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the state. Why are we willing to do this when the Bible tells us that we are to teach our children the laws of God at all times? Because Education has become our god. This society, and many Christians in it, believe whole-heartedly that schooling is the most important thing in life.
If a child misses worship for a game, recreation, etc., we are irritated. Yet, if the parent says that little Johnny has "so much homework to do" we turn a blind eye. After all, his homework is far more important than obeying God's command to worship. If a family misses Bible class for any other reason than sickness or school, they're considered wrong. When did homework become more important than Bible study and worship? If you place schooling above fellowshipping with brethren, worshipping God, and studying His Word, Education is your god!
2. We allow ourselves to be defined by our schooling. This covers so many areas. One of the first things someone will ask a child is "what grade are you in?" And a person's worth is dependent on how well they're doing in school. Do you get A's, B's....or F's???!! Are you "Special Ed." or "AP"? And then once someone is out of highschool he is defined by what school he's going to (or not) and what his major might be. When he's through with college, he is defined by his degree and what school he graduated from. But I believe that we are only to boast in Jesus Christ, and in no other thing. We are Christians first. Not Kindergarteners, or Seniors, or Phds, or Graduates of such and such. I'm Miranda Trujillo, and I belong to Christ.
Gal 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
3. We live a lifestyle contrary to God's Word in order to have a worldly Education. The Bible tells us how to live, but because of Education we are willing to throw God's way aside. He tells us it is not wise to be in debt (Prov. 22:7), but in the name of Education it's somehow OK and admirable to be in debt. He tells us that women are preserved through the bearing of children (1 Tim. 2:15), yet, because of Education, women put off bearing children until it's convenient for them. We are told to worship together on the first day of the week, and we are given an example of dedicating ourselves to the study of the Word. But, in order to do well in our schooling, we are willing to disobey. We are supposed to teach our children at all times about God's laws (Deut. 11:19), but we wait and try to shove it all in after school, or maybe just in Bible class (if little Johnny doesn't have homework, that is).
I am not down playing Godly education. But I don't believe that word ("education") is actually used in the Bible in the context of something we are to seek. The words that are used are "knowledge" and "wisdom".
Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
So we are not wise if we don't fear the Lord enough to put Him first. We have a good understanding if we obey His commandments, not when we save them for later so that we can pay off our college debt.
Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. So, if we put off the study of God's Word in the name of homework, do we really have understanding at all?
2 Pet 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
God is the one who has granted us all we need to know pertaining to life. When we stop putting Education before Him, we'll be truly successful. When we stop labeling ourselves as something other than Christians (as if anything could be better or more amazing than being washed clean with Christ's blood), we'll have a real identity. When we stop disobeying His commands because we would rather serve the god of Education, we will be blessed.
Please, define yourself as a Christian. Put God's will first, not the will of the "educated" people around you. Seek education- yes- but make sure it is based on a knowledge of God and a desire for wisdom.
1. We offer our children up on the Alter of Education. We, as Christians, are willing to hand our children over to the state for schooling. It is clear in Scripture that we are meant to raise our own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord- not let the world raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the state. Why are we willing to do this when the Bible tells us that we are to teach our children the laws of God at all times? Because Education has become our god. This society, and many Christians in it, believe whole-heartedly that schooling is the most important thing in life.
If a child misses worship for a game, recreation, etc., we are irritated. Yet, if the parent says that little Johnny has "so much homework to do" we turn a blind eye. After all, his homework is far more important than obeying God's command to worship. If a family misses Bible class for any other reason than sickness or school, they're considered wrong. When did homework become more important than Bible study and worship? If you place schooling above fellowshipping with brethren, worshipping God, and studying His Word, Education is your god!
2. We allow ourselves to be defined by our schooling. This covers so many areas. One of the first things someone will ask a child is "what grade are you in?" And a person's worth is dependent on how well they're doing in school. Do you get A's, B's....or F's???!! Are you "Special Ed." or "AP"? And then once someone is out of highschool he is defined by what school he's going to (or not) and what his major might be. When he's through with college, he is defined by his degree and what school he graduated from. But I believe that we are only to boast in Jesus Christ, and in no other thing. We are Christians first. Not Kindergarteners, or Seniors, or Phds, or Graduates of such and such. I'm Miranda Trujillo, and I belong to Christ.
Gal 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
3. We live a lifestyle contrary to God's Word in order to have a worldly Education. The Bible tells us how to live, but because of Education we are willing to throw God's way aside. He tells us it is not wise to be in debt (Prov. 22:7), but in the name of Education it's somehow OK and admirable to be in debt. He tells us that women are preserved through the bearing of children (1 Tim. 2:15), yet, because of Education, women put off bearing children until it's convenient for them. We are told to worship together on the first day of the week, and we are given an example of dedicating ourselves to the study of the Word. But, in order to do well in our schooling, we are willing to disobey. We are supposed to teach our children at all times about God's laws (Deut. 11:19), but we wait and try to shove it all in after school, or maybe just in Bible class (if little Johnny doesn't have homework, that is).
I am not down playing Godly education. But I don't believe that word ("education") is actually used in the Bible in the context of something we are to seek. The words that are used are "knowledge" and "wisdom".
Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
So we are not wise if we don't fear the Lord enough to put Him first. We have a good understanding if we obey His commandments, not when we save them for later so that we can pay off our college debt.
Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. So, if we put off the study of God's Word in the name of homework, do we really have understanding at all?
2 Pet 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
God is the one who has granted us all we need to know pertaining to life. When we stop putting Education before Him, we'll be truly successful. When we stop labeling ourselves as something other than Christians (as if anything could be better or more amazing than being washed clean with Christ's blood), we'll have a real identity. When we stop disobeying His commands because we would rather serve the god of Education, we will be blessed.
Please, define yourself as a Christian. Put God's will first, not the will of the "educated" people around you. Seek education- yes- but make sure it is based on a knowledge of God and a desire for wisdom.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Every time I kneel to pray, I open up my heart to the Lord.
Every time I close my eyes, I feel the sweet embrace of my Lord.
Every time I see a child, I see the gentleness of my Lord.
Every time I watch a storm, I know the awesome power of my Lord.
Every time I see a cross...
Amen!
Life is good, God is great. I rejoice in Him every day. He's given me so much- A father who knows and loves the role of leader and protector. A mother who is the role model of Biblical beauty. A sister- my best and closest friend. A brother who is fast becoming a mature man of God. A church family that is just that- a family. And onto the smaller things, like Indiana vacations, flower gardens, a great job, football games, rat kisses, long walks, and Human Bean!! : ) How can anyone actually COUNT their blessings?? They're without number.
I haven't been blogging too much lately. I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts together for long enough to write well about a particular topic. There are too many things to blog about. I'm working on several posts though. Soon to come:
The Education Idol
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