Blind & Can't See For Looking...

 I was watching a video from a ministry that I admire. The ministry works to keep people informed about the dangers lurking in everyday life for the Christian. Usually, I agree with their take on news and events. However, they often make the same mistake that many Christian ministries - and Christians -do. They seem to be blind to the faults of some groups of people while seeing everything wrong with other groups.

In a recent video from the ministry, they once again harped on the problems of liberals and Democrats. I have never seen them - or most other ministries - point out the problems among conservatives and Republicans. 

Being politically aligned with a platform that publically stands with obvious Christian values, does not always translate to living a moral and Christian life. 

Yes, more conservative voters and pols are pro-life and anti-sin. However, a lot of those same people are often caught being violently nationalist, racist, and completely unsympathetic to the poor, elderly or migrant.

Many of the same people who talk about being pro-life have no problem watching someone starve or go homeless. Many of the people with a platform who vocalize about following Jesus and being all about family end up embarrassed by their caught-out actions.

In one "for instance", I have some elderly neighbors who thought the world of Tucker Carlson. When I asked about the language he used to describe or speak about some women, they claim he was "set up".

The same people who "follow" Jesus, supported and idolized a president who share little of the Christian family values we are supposed to. He stirred up violence and made fun of disabled people. Yet, some of my Christian brothers and sisters would go to war to defend him.

Why is that? Why don't we hold everyone accountable to the same level of decency? Why is it okay for "one of ours" to be foul-mouthed, shameless, and violent when we are pointing out the sins of the other guys?

The Enemy is smart. He blinds us to some things while shining a bright light on others.

We have to get it together.

I am trying to be a child of Christ. I am anti-sin (including my own). I am not just anti-LGBTQ etc. I am anti-rude, anti-racist, anti-liar, etc. 

Let's start holding our own as accountable as we tend to do with others.

Peace

--Free

The Weight of Life & the Promise of Glory

When I left Alaska to move here - a place with actual seasons - I thought my winter blues would be less severe. After all, living here I get to enjoy the beautiful fall colors for more than a few days before the cold sets in. Also, I don't have to deal with those long dark winter days. And the summers are actually warm - not just light-sweater warm or  it's-65-so-I'm-wearing-shorts weather. 

My neighborhood here is pretty and quiet and the people are Midwestern-friendly. Still, I find myself coping with moods that ebb and flow.  Sometimes I feel I might drown. Then I remember that Jesus loves me.

God has been good to me in my physical illnesses and in my emotional struggles. I know that I would not have been able to handle the life I have now in my days of being lost. 

There is a neighbor of mine who deals with depression. She's such a nice woman and I see her fighting her battles hard. Once she admitted to me that she often prays not to wake up in the morning. I can't fathom that. This woman is a Christian but her battles with aging and physical problems are slamming her from every side.

I have not had the courage to ask her if her faith doesn't help. Again, I can't imagine praying not to wake up in the morning. But I haven't lived her battles and I can't understand her struggles. I do hope that I never get to the point she's at right now.

Now that I think about it, I suppose seasonal blues are not as bad as continual and unrelenting mental and physical struggles. My physical illness also ebbs and flows. Usually, thankfully, I am not both physically weak and emotionally fragile at the same time.

I've heard the saying from mothers that the true pain of childbirth doesn't stop them from having more children. The joy must be stronger than the pain. I guess I can say that about life as a believer. The hope we have, the love of God, and the promises He's made are more powerful than what life throws at us. That's the only way I can explain it. 

At this point in my life, I can truly testify that God has never given me more than He helps me bear. I ask that anyone reading this pray for my neighbor. Pray for any of our brothers and sisters who are struggling under the weight of life. Pray that they continue to trust God.

Let us all remember that saying: We are saved, we are being saved and we will be saved. And that we are justified, are being sanctified, and will be glorified.

Source

Praise God.

Peace

--Free

I Am a Woman – No “Cis” Needed

 This gender-twisting situation is getting way out of hand. 

In a forum the other day - totally unrelated to gender, politics, etc. - someone used the term "cis woman". I had zero clue what that meant. With all the current revisionist language around gender, pronouns, sexuality, and so on, I was trying to figure out what kind of person could be a "cis woman". Turns out, that's me. I am a "cis woman". Actually, I refuse to accept that term for myself. I am a woman. Period.

When I looked up the term, I saw the general meaning and that made me mad. 

adjective: cisgender; adjective: cis-gender; adjective: cisgendered; adjective: cis-gendered

denoting or relating to a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex registered for them at birth; not transgender. (my emphasis)

"this newfound attention to the plight of black trans folks by primarily cisgender allies is timely and necessary" (my emphasis)

No. No. And, no. I won't be involuntarily pulled into the gender-twisting nonsense by further defining my gender. I am not confused or ambivalent about the fact that I am a woman - as God determined for me. He knew me "before I was in my mother's womb". I am not here to argue with the Creator of myself and the universe. 

By the way:

The prefix “cis-” comes from the Latin meaning “on this side,” as opposed to “trans-” which means “on the other side of” or “beyond.”

What bothers me so much is not just the gender-twisting situation (I don't know what else to call this man-made confusion) but how the LGBTQ community tries to pull everyone into their rebellion. If they are confused, I'm sorry. If they have a problem with God, I'm sorry. If they want to invent an entirely new lexicon for their community, fine. Don't force me to be part of the madness.

The LGBTQ crowd (I will just refer to them as the Community) wants others to accept them for whoever/however they want to identify. Well, I don't care if they accept me for how I identify. I am as God made me. Deal with that.

The Community tried to equate themselves with those persecuted for skin color and nationality. I didn't buy that and still don't. 

The Community tried (and in large part has succeeded) in hijacking the rainbow. I don't buy that. As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of getting a t-shirt printed with a rainbow and this printed on the front:

"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." (Genesis 9:13-16 )

And this on the back:

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. (Isaiah 30:15) Also see:  John 3:16

 Tolerance (or ignoring) is one thing, but forced acceptance is a step too far.

I will pray for the people who are caught up in or giving in to this silliness but I'm not going to stop standing up for my faith.

Peace

--Free

P.S.: I am already looking at designing a tote bag with the verses mentioned - and a rainbow.