We need a little Christmas

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope that all your family was close and that you laughed and talked. I hope that you took time to thank God for all your blessings.

We had a wonderful day with our children. We were sad that mom and dad couldn't come up, but we sat around the table and talked and laughed and well.....just felt close and content.

Unfortunately, I received several phone calls that were filled with sadness and tears. At first, most of them were from older friends, then as Thursday ran into Friday, the calls from younger families began.

Many of you are nervous about the future and how you will survive if there is a full depression. Many of you are worried about your adult children and how they will survive. Some of you are just disappointed that life has turned out different than you thought it would. And all of those thoughts give you an uneasy feeling when you try to laugh or try to relate to your family and friends. You feel like one person on the outside and a different melancholy one on the inside.

Would you like a solution? I have good news!

Anytime there is a shakeup in society - history will tell you that while some people are suffering others are succeeding. That includes all people in every segment of our society - or other societies.

What does that mean for you? It means that while some may lose everything, you can find a way to survive and....(this is the best part) you can be happy - no matter what happens to you!

I PROMISE - YOU CAN DO THIS !

How? Make a list.

What? Yep. Let's make a list. I promise if you do this first, everything you do after will be easier. Make a list of things you must have in order to be happy.

1. Pray for wisdom. Putting God first on your "I can survive" list will help you to feel confident with making out the rest of your list. Pray for God to lead you, guide you and keep you filled with his love.

2. Make a list of the things you CAN'T live without. I'm sure the first thing on your list of priorities will be your family. Even if they are part of the problem or they cause you stress, feel good about putting them on your list. In the next few weeks I'll help you find answers for your relationship problems. For now, just put them on the list.

3. In filling out the rest of your list, make sure the things you list are priority order. And even more important, make sure that you really can't live without those things. For example, you may list your beautiful home as something you desperately need. But is it? Let's say that you lost it and you were forced to move into a rented house or apartment. The stress of trying to make a $2,000 house payment is gone. You don't own your home so you aren't responsible for all the problems it has. All you have to do now is make that rent payment and love your family. As long as the people you love are around you and your home is still full of love - just minus the marble counter top and the three car garage......do you really have to have it? Can you exist without it and still feel loved?

Perhaps you feel you need that second car. For some of us that work 20-30 miles from home, a car is vital - but you might be able to survive with only one. When Ron and I were first married we only had one car. Anytime I needed to take the twins to the doctor, I would get up with Ron and take him to work. I ran my errands through the day and then picked him up at the end of the day. Sure it was tiring and sure it was hard to be stuck at home without a second car - but we survived.

4. Be very careful with this list. Don't let anything sneak on it that shouldn't be there. If you do, you will cause problems with your next few assignments.

Once your list is created, post it where you can see it. Walk by and read the list as often as you can. Think about how wonderful it is that you currently have the things on your list. Let it sink in how blessed you are. Check back tomorrow and we will take the next step to finding joy through these trying times.

"But Debbie, what if I lost what I really feel like I need?" Stay tuned....we are getting there.

If you are looking at your list with pain because something you need is already missing...like a child or a spouse or perhaps your job.....take heart. You can still do this. Send me an e-mail and I'll help you personally. Generally though, I can assure you that many people have suffered just like you and they have found a way to survive. And...they have survived with grace and a measure of joy. YOU can too! It may not seem like it. When your heart is heavy and you feel scared and alone - you may feel that having that loved one back or having a list with all your "needs" met is the only way to feel safe and have joy.

Paul and Silas had the right to sit in a wet damp jail and cry. No loved ones, no glory, those chains were causing pain and worst of all God seemed to have turned his back on their situation. They had the right to be angry, to be depressed and to cry. But, what happened? They Sang.

Acts 16:24-26 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.

Paul and Silas knew the value of making their lists. They had nothing and absolutely no reason to sing....but they did. And that shows "real" faith. Real faith doesn't fly out the door when troubles come. Real faith hangs on and finds a way to cope.

They knew that this world couldn't hurt them. If they died in that awful prison, they would simply go to heaven. Hum....that's not bad. And if they lived, they knew they were saved and that God loved them. Hum....also not bad. They knew that there were other people around them suffering as well. They understood that their captors could only hurt the physical man. Their captors could not touch their mind or their faith. If they could keep their mind centered on God and the fact that they were truly "Children of the King" - circumstances had no hold on them.

So....what does that mean for you and the fact that "we need a little Christmas". It's all a mind game. Either you are going to sit around and sulk because you don't have something you want or you are going to "sing". You may not have a tree this year....but if you can sing around a candle and hug someone you love - you are blessed. You may not have a gift to give anyone, but if you can be a greeter at the door of your church, you can spread the gift of Christmas to everyone you know. Christ is the reason for the season and we need him this year more than ever. We need his love and his spirit and that wonderful feeling of hope.

Life is not about what we have.....Life is about how we respond to the circumstances around us. The best life is one that is lived from the inside out - not the outside in.

"Sure Debbie, you can say that because you have your needs met. You aren't experiencing the pain I'm feeling."

Maybe not, but just like you I want to "KNOW" that I can survive. So...I am going to act as if I have nothing and see how it goes. And for the next month, you can read about our struggles right here. I'm going to prove my theory by living it!

I've let my family know that we are going to have a "Depression Style Christmas" this year. It will be fun and full of love and excitement. But...we will not go out and "buy" our fun. We will let it spring from within us.

I invite you to join me! We can do this together! No sad faces here....just a fellowship of people who have found true joy! And the wonderful thing is that when it's over, I will know that I have what it takes to survive. You and I will know that we have what it takes to survive whatever the future holds. Maybe it will be a little different because I'm not being pushed to it, but I'm sure I'll learn that I can adjust and I can sing - no matter how difficult the circumstances.

Want to hear the end of the story of Paul and Silas? Not only did God set them free, but he allowed them to preach to the jailer and the other prisoners. After they were saved and the jailer was baptized - the jailer took Paul and Silas to his house for supper and a nice warm bed. Wow!

Attitude is everything. How we perceive our circumstances and how we relate to others around us will determine how we live through this. So....make your list and begin by singing and thanking God for the things you do have.

God loves you,

Debbie

MR. Obama is NOT "my" president! - Scriptural

All I have to say is "computer issues" and everyone knows what this week has been like......

Anyway, I will admit that I am not thrilled about writing this series. I'm tired of the political "mess" and desperately want to return to the subject I love - families. However, I have a clear picture of why this is so important. Listen to this mother's plea.

"Thank you for writing on this subject. On election day I took my 14 year old son with me. I explained how our faith disagreed with Mr. Obama and how important it was to vote against him. It was a good day. The following Sunday my pastor not only preached that since Mr. Obama won he must be God's choice, but he also asked us to get behind him and support him.

When I'm challenged at church I try to pray and get in line with my pastor. I want to believe that he knows something I don't and therefore I should trust him. I also didn't want to seem like a bad sport or to be the kind of person that pitches a fit if I don't get my way. I didn't feel good about accepting this but I decided to try. At dinner I told our family that we should do what the pastor said. My son just glared at me and said, "Mom. If we do that how can I ever believe you again. That's a total flip-flop. I guess the next thing I'll find out is that you think drinking is okay." He stormed out of the room. I didn't know what to do until I read your blog.

You are right! Parents have to look at this from their child's view. If we flip-flop on this type of decision why would our children trust us on other decisions? My family read your blogs together and we too have decided to "respectfully" decline our support for Mr. Obama. I can still be friends with those who disagree, but for my own self-respect, I have to take a stand. I felt so good voting my faith on Nov. 3rd. I didn't want to lose my self-respect by going back on a decision that I know I researched. Thank you."

I have worried about the effects of posting these three teaching blogs. I don't want my political stand to cause a problem for readers who disagree with me. But after receiving this e-mail, I am more convinced than ever that parents must be careful in how they explain this to their children. And pastors....remember, your job is based on respect and trust as well.

It is possible to take a stand without alienating friends and co-workers. I don't have anything in common with Bill Maher (extremely liberal. Feels Christians have a gene that makes them mentally disturbed). However, it was refreshing to watch Mike Huckabee have him as a guest on his show. He smiled and was most gracious in his interview. And when it came time to take a stand.....Mike Huckabee did it with kindness, compassion and grace.

That show caused me to think long and hard about exactly how I feel about Mr. Obama. And you know what - I've found out that when I dig really deep, I don't hate the person. He's probably a decent father and may be a nice man. It's the things he stands for that I hate. It's the destruction and the pain that his policies will cause that I hate. Would it be possible for me to be in the same room with him and not go crazy? Of course. Unfortunately I'm a pretty honest gal and if he asked many questions I'm afraid we would get into a newsworthy debate. I also wouldn't accept the invitation because I just don't enjoy those types of confrontations.

What I can't do is accept all that I know about him and still respect him as president. Guess what? The Bible supports "Holy Anger". There are many scriptures in the Bible supporting not only God's anger but a Christian's duty to anger.

Dr. Ken Crocker has written a wonderful article entitled, "The Positive Side of Anger". He encourages us to do as Paul asked in Ephesians 4:26 - "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." But, Dr. Crocker goes on to point out...

"Ephesians 4:25 tells a group of Christians to stop lying, put off falsehood (euphemisms excusing wrong behavior?) and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all member of one body.

Are there times when our truthful words need to be spoken in anger? Or if the word anger scares and offends you let me use the word passion. Nothing moves people like passion and nothing moves them less than a sickly, timid, and halfhearted person. The weakest man, moved by passion is more powerful than the strongest man who has none.

It's true that anger or passion is dangerous but so is fire, water and electricity. And when the church has lost it's anger about sinful acts, and it's passion to do something about them, we have become completely and hopelessly impotent. Historians have tried to understand what Adolph Hitler did to turn the German nation into a deluded, inhuman bunch of maniacs that almost destroyed the world. Hitler himself told part of his secret in his book Mien Kampf. He said, 'Only a storm of burning passion in the speaker can ignite a storm of burning passion in the audience.'"

If you would like a copy of Dr. Crocker's entire article, just e-mail me.

As Christians we must be very careful that we are not so watered down, so wimpy and so forgiving that we we are incapable of standing against evil. We must be careful to ask the question - "Why are our churches having such an insignificant effect on society? Have we lost our passion and our way?" So...again....I will respect the office but not the man elected to it. I will not go out of my way to be mean or unkind to him or his supporters - I simply don't believe he will be good for this country.

Before reading this post, I hope you will check out the other two in this series.

http://family-tracks.blogspot.com/2008/11/mr-obama-is-not-my-president.html

http://family-tracks.blogspot.com/2008/11/mr-obama-is-not-my-presdient.html

If you are a devout follower of your pastor's teachings, you are probably asking yourself - "Why should I listen to what this woman is saying? How can she know more about the scriptures than my pastor?"

That's a valid question. And, it's important that you are questioning my authority. I don't want to take the place of your pastor, but I do want to encourage you to test your faith, test the facts and be sure that you have all the information you need in order to make a proper decision. God will hold you accountable for your beliefs and your decisions. Make sure you have all the facts.

I'm not going to pretend that I am some great scholar of the Bible. I'm not. I have a hard time memorizing scripture and often find it hard to quote scripture during a conversation. My strength however, is found in the ability to see concepts and to understand the little cogs and hidden links that make everything work.

Scholars like to quote and cross reference hundreds of scriptures when debating an issue. While I think that's important there is another piece of information that must be considered or scriptures can become confused. What I see that's missing in so many discussions about the scriptures is an understanding of the "nature" of God. If we don't understand the "being" of God, we can twist the scriptures to mean anything we want. Without a grasp of the "intent" or "purpose" for the "spirit of God in humans" - we can make it seem like the scriptures want us to kill and destroy for the sake of human desires alone.

What is the "nature" or "being" of God?

This question alone would take a book of blogs to answer, but for our purpose lets make it as simple as possible.

God is the creator. He created us for "HIS" purpose. Creation always demands a set of rules or else it must be labeled as "Chaos". Therefore, there are rules that go along with the success factor of humans on earth. Break the rules and God's creation doesn't work the same as the creator intended. It's like putting sugar in a gas tank. It may be cheaper and easier to use sugar. It may even just make you feel better to use sugar. But....the engine won't run on sugar. So, no matter how you "feel" about it, you won't be successful in getting your car to run on sugar.

Life is much the same. It really doesn't matter how we "feel" about sin or something we want to do - if it prevents us from having a truly wonderful life, then the consequences will determine our fate - not our feelings. Too many Hollywood stars and liberal thinkers, assume that if they decide something is good that magically the "sin" and "consequences" disappear. It simply doesn't happen that way. TRUTH is absolute and when it's broken, consequences can be devastating.

God not only created me and you, he created a world (matter) and a population to fill that world. The matter of this world has rules for it's success. And....God created an order so that multiple human creations can survive on a planet and live together in peace. Yes, he wants everyone to follow the Savior Jesus - but even if they don't, if they follow the rules for a successful planet - they can live in harmony.

My denomination issued a statement declaring Mr. Obama "ordained by God" because of Romans 13:1 Here is a wonderful place to apply the "nature of God". I believe - (by reading chapters before and after) that God was talking about his approval of the necessity of government - not a blanket approval for everyone elected to office. Romans 13:1 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

Here's the question then. Is God talking about the individuals who sit in those offices or is he talking in spiritual terms? Perhaps he's talking about his own authority and the fact that no one in any office is truly of God unless the individual has submitted himself to God first. Ahhh....now that changes the whole meaning doesn't it?

Let's see if I can put it in human terms. Suppose I start a new company that is known for excellence. Because there are many knock offs I issue a statement. I tell you that I believe in free trade and in the entrepreneurial spirit. I tell you that I am all for "authority and that I believe we need inventors that continue to try to make life better. But....for those of you that are looking for my brand and my excellence I say this. "If you are living in an area where my competitors exist, you should submit to their product. But since I am the best - I'll put my stamp on the companies that have gone through my rigorous training. When you see that stamp, you will know that it is of God. "

The true meaning of Romans 13 is that government is an ordinance of God - that God has ordained or appointed it, that there should be authority and rulers. Government is necessary - but a corrupt government is not ordained by God. It can't be! Going back to the "nature of God" - the Bible is filled with God's anger against corruption and sin. God doesn't change his mind and would not spend 234 scriptures telling us of his anger for sin and corruption and then in one scripture hint that he's okay with it. We must interpret this passage in the light of other Bible teaching and the examples it sets before us. The Bible does not teach the doctrine of passive obedience or non-resistance.

When God sent Jesus, it was to counteract the evil one Satan. Satan is another supernatural being that we should understand. Again, not wanting to write a book, let's simply label him with his strongest mission. Satan wants to destroy. He hates God and if God creates, Satan is like the bully at the beach that stomps on another child's sandcastle. If something is deteriorating, you can be sure Satan is at the source. Either he is whispering into the ear of the CEO or he is working through individuals at the plant. Satan likes to take a situation that's working and tear it down or manipulate it in such a way as to make it weak. Then he sends in others for the final attack that results in death.

Satan is sneaky and that's why so many people can't recognize him. He likes to generate his attacks in such a way that it makes the Christian or Christian principles seem like the villain. Satan is a coward that likes to manipulate others to do his dirty work.

God is the creator who likes to liberate his creations. He designed "free will" from the very beginning so the love from his creations would be "true" and not some kind of misplaced bargaining chip. If we walk away from God, he is sad - but he doesn't zap us. When we walk away from him, he simply "watches and patiently waits" for us to see Him for who he is and return to his love.

God has a perfect plan. He knows exactly how this world should be and he knows how to make it work at it's ultimate perfection best! But.....he has turned the power to make decisions over to me and to you. Ahhh.....there's the most important point of all. Never forget it.

God gave the responsibility for this world and for your life to.....you.

Does that mean He is not in control? No, of course not! God is in TOTAL control - but he does NOT and will not over-ride free will. So what does that mean?

Let's bring it down to earthly terms. God is owner of the world (like you may own your home). He bought it with his blood and he owns it. However, because he loves you and you don't have a home of your own, he agrees to let you "rent" his home.

God is always around and likes coming over for supper or just to chat on the front porch. Sometimes, when you are chatting, you express needs or ask for help. He smiles and pulls out his checkbook or touches your pain and makes it go away. Other times he just listens.

When you signed your rent agreement with God, He gave you total control of the house. You can paint, move furniture and redecorate. You can sell the couch on e-bay and replace it with one from Sears. You can host a prayer group or drug dealers. You can get married and raise a family or you can become a madam and support prostitution. All decisions for this house (your life) are left up to you. He can't force you to do anything.

No matter what you do, God will not take back the house. God loves you and is always hoping that you will love him enough that you will trust him to help you "clean" up your house so you can be as successful as he intended you to be.

There are a few things you can't change. Because God is Holy, he's not going to come to dinner when evil is present. He may sit on your front porch and talk to you about cleaning up your life, but he won't come in until you are willing to push the dirt outside. At that point he will get in there and help you chase out all the junk. You may always deal with the consequences (broken homes, divorce, broken bodies, etc.) but he will sit at the supper table and help you figure out a plan that will work. After sin's destruction, your poor house may not respond the "perfect" way it was intended, but God will help you figure out plan B.

When people try to tell you that they are Christians and yet they openly are evil in their choices and daily lives - don't believe it. God does not inhabit evil homes. He will knock on the door and try to change the "renter's" mind, but he won't actually come in until you ask Him to "change my life".

If you read the Bible from cover to cover, you will find hundreds of verses explaining that God will not inhabit an evil place. The best example is Sodom and Gomorrah. Not only did God remove the one family that was trying to live right, but he leveled the city!

God is not uninvolved in our lives. He doesn't sit up in Heaven and stare at the stars while we struggle. He's very involved. He watches us like a mother watching her child at a school function or watching her child interact in class. He's watching over us and taking care of us - if we give him permission.

Here's the rule. If we stay close to Him, he will talk to us and guide us and help us to make great decisions. Our lives will reflect those decisions and we will find contentment and joy. If we force him out to the porch or restrict him from coming into our yard, He will fold his arms and simply watch - waiting for the moment when we might invite Him in. His love is always there. He wants all of us to invite Him in.

Because God is a creator and we are created in his image - we are creators. We are "expected" to create life here on earth. We are "expected" to create order and not just run around being selfish. Creating cities and governments and encouraging order and peace is all something that God wants us to do.

At times God nudges something wonderful our way. Let's look at Abraham Lincoln for example. First God gave him the aptitude for understanding law. Abraham had the aptitude, but he had to tune into God's leading. Abraham had to listen to God's nudges rather than being lazy and refusing to walk 10 miles to borrow a book. Instead of whittling on his front porch, Abraham had to feed his God given desire to learn. Instead of going to bed early he decided to sit by pale firelight and try to read. He worked hard splitting rails for minuscule pay and then spent it on more books.

After years of preparation and making good decisions, he's ready. God decided to present the possibility of being president. Abraham didn't have to accept. Once he did, Abraham had to work hard to make it a reality. God presented Abraham Lincoln with a crossroad. He could walk away from the injustice and pain he saw, or he could get involved and try to help. Abraham wasn't happy about being in the spotlight nor did he particularly like being president. It was a heavy weight for him. But...when presented with a Godly calling - a nudge - he accepted not only the job, but the weight as well.

What would have happened if Abraham refused the call? Would God have zapped him and forced him to accept the call? What would have happened to this country if all those who voted for Abraham had refused to look at the facts? Did you know that Lincoln was not even on the ballot in southern states? Did you know that he only won in 2 counties in the south. He came to presidency because the north realized the threat and evil of slavery and voted their faith. He won because he felt the nudge of God and responded. He won because the people of the north felt the nudge and responded. Would his running mate have taken this country in a different direction?

Where was God in all this? God was nudging and "working through people that listened". Ahh... now we can see the true "nature" of God. God works through people. If those people refuse to listen.....God chooses not to stop the outcome.

The most awful statement in the world is that "if it's of God, it will be a success". NO NO NO!

Was Hitler of God? He was a success. Is Playboy of God? It's a success. Is Abortion of God? As an organization, it's been successful.

God's biggest rule - the one He holds to no matter what is this...GOD MUST WORK THROUGH PEOPLE. If people are listening, great things happen. If people are not listening - look out!

Have you looked at my website? The Enter page has a saying. "Life is what you make it - and what you make it - is up to you."

That is the most spiritual and scriptural thing I can say to you. God is watching you and what you are doing with the life he gave you. As the old saying goes...."God's gift to you is your life, your gift to God is what you do with that life."

It is not our Christian duty to say, "You must give me what I want in the election and if you don't I'm going to be mad and pitch a fit." That's not what this is about. Elections are about finding a person who is so in love with our country that he/she is willing to do what is "best" for all of us - not just serve the elect few.

I don't believe any "true" Christian wants Christianity to take over this country at the expense of hurting others. I don't think we want Christianity to be a dictatorship. What we do want is for this country to be it's best. And whether or not you label them as Christian values - we know that people are better when government is fair and logical and serves everyone no matter how insignificant.

Our government is the best in the world because it began with laws that pointed to the Ten Commandments. Our government is the best in the world because it provided religious freedom for all people. Distortion of our constitution and our religious beginnings is what has changed this country and brought on the problems we now have.

Ron and I watched a DVD presentation of the events that led to WWII. Did you know that the first thing Hitler did when he took office was to have his army go into every church and place of worship and smash the Ten Commandments? They were outlawed and could not be shown in any public place. ---but that's another series of blogs and you are probably ready for another cup of coffee.

DON'T BE DISCOURAGED!
God always has a plan B.

Mr. Obama will chip away at our freedoms and will make laws that will challenge our ability to worship as Christians. We are headed for some tough times.

BUT.....My God is bigger than Mr. Obama. And if I fast and pray....if I read the scriptures....if I find the courage to stand for what's right....if I teach my children how to be strong....if I talk to others about the value of Christian beliefs in our government....and if next time, I vote my faith...There is HOPE.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14

God loves you,

Debbie

IT'S HERE !!!

Discipline Exposed is finally on the market and sitting in boxes at my house!

If you go back to my website, http://www.debbiejansen.com/ you can click on the "resource" tab and it will pull up a picture of the book and a list of the chapter titles.

You can purchase the book at "my store" and I will autograph it and send it within 24 hours. It will make a nice gift for that new mother or for the parents of a troubled teen.

I am praying that every copy will inspire parents and help them design a home of hope and peace. As I say on the very first page....

"An unruly child is NOT an inevitable consequence to reproduction. It is possible to live in harmony with your child."

This book will be a great resource for Sunday Schools, mops groups, small classes as well as extra reading for teachers and college courses. As always, I am available for speaking engagements and will work with any group that wants to use this book. If you read the book, I would appreciate your comments and views.

God loves you,

Debbie

Mr. Obama is NOt "my" president - Psychological

Before you read this article, I hope you will read the first one in this series.

http://family-tracks.blogspot.com/2008/11/mr-obama-is-not-my-president.html

In my first article, Mr. Obama is NOT "my" president, I explained the historical reasons for my belief that I had the right to a personal protest.

Now let's explore the psychological reasons you and I both have the right to deny him as "our"president. What do I mean by that statement?

As far as I'm concerned Mr. Obama is doing the job of president. He is filling a role. While I respect the role of president and I agree that we need a person in that position - Mr. Obama does not have my respect and I do not consider him "my" president. I adamantly do NOT believe that God had anything to do with placing him there and I do NOT believe that he is God's pick. That's ludicrous. I may have to acknowledge the position but I do not have to acknowledge the man.

If thousands across this nation have the right to take my Lord and Savior's name in vain, then I most certainly have the right to continue my protest by refusing the protocol of calling Mr. Obama president.

It is our Christian duty to be compassionate and kind. That means that if we were to see Mr. Obama walking down the street, we would simply take another route, look the other way and keep walking. We might even stare for a moment and keep our mouth shut. I don't believe a good Christian or a classy person would cause a scene because we don't accept him as president.

If however, he tries to make a law that states we are not allowed to attend our local church on Sunday morning - it is our Christian duty to oppose him, work against him and in protest to march in full force to our local church.

If he comes to my town and goes into a local restaurant with his family and I happen to be there, it is my right and I still have the freedom to get up and leave. It is NOT my Christian right to cause a scene or spit on him when I walk by.

If he enacts laws that would call for the persecution of my Christian friends, it is my duty as a Christian to keep a low profile and try to smuggle those Christians to safety. It is also my right and duty to speak out on anything he's doing that I feel is wrong and to try to help others see my point of view.

Get the idea? I'm not advocating riots in the streets or fights with your democrat friends. That would be totally unchristian.

I was a teen during the 60's. Violence by bigoted men and women was horrible. I respected Martin Luther King and his Non-violent protest. I didn't understand or like the signs that read "no colored served" or bathrooms that were designated "white" and "colored". I read King's words and felt inspired to take a stand against the cruelty that riddled through the south.

I remember riding steamy buses to work in downtown Atlanta. Burly white men with cigars dangling out of one side of their mouths would nod to whites and yell cruel statements to blacks. I always sat near the front for safety reasons. Once a "very" pregnant black woman loaded with packages and trying to hold the hand of a two-year-old boarded the bus. The bus was filled beyond capacity and many people were standing in the aisle. I jumped to my feet and pointed for the pregnant lady to take my seat. The bus driver started to pull away from the curb and stopped.

"You, ****** get to the back of the bus!"

"No." I stepped in front of her. "I gave her my seat. She doesn't have to move."

The beer belly driver put the bus in park and turned to face me. "I said she has to move. I don't want to smell her."

"She's pregnant. I gave her my seat and I say she stays."

He clinched his jaw and started toward me. "I can throw you both off this bus. What I say goes on this bus. Now both of you get to the back!"

She pleaded with me to let her move to the back. I smiled and winked, "He won't do that." I turned to him. "If you kick me off the bus, I'll get a taxi and go straight to Channel 5. I'll tell them all about you and how awful you were to a poor helpless teenager and a pregnant woman. They would love it. You'll be famous for being a jerk."

"You won't have time to do that kid. I'm going to call the police."

"Go ahead. That will just add to the story. Big, bad bus driver has teen arrested so he can beat up on a pregnant woman."

He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. Traffic was building behind us. I stomped my foot and stood firm.

"What do I care if you are a ****** lover."

When he started the bus, my knees shook so hard I thought I was going to fall. I kept praying for more courage because now that the Adrenalin was gone, I was scared. I knew I couldn't get off at my stop because I knew he would take my actions out on her. I rode with her until she got off.

She was too scared to talk to me during the ride. She just kept mouthing - thank you. After she got off, I was only one of two people on the bus with the driver. God must have sent a huge angel to sit with me and get me back to my own stop. I was an hour late for work, but thrilled that I had one moment in the fight against violence in the south.

Why did I tell you that story? Because for the last 40 years that story has been a psychological boost to my definition of who I am. Every person on the planet has a built in desire to be defined by some moment. We need a moment that tests our beliefs and let's us breathe the air of freedom and taste the sweet assurance that comes from making wise decisions. We need to know that when push comes to shove that we will stand tall and support those decisions.

We need to be able to say, "I won that blue ribbon" or "I made those grades" or "I took up for my friend" or "I was a part of the platoon that crushed that evil." There's nothing more gratifying than facing a defining moment with courage. And there's no greater boost to your self-esteem than to walk away from that moment as a victor - knowing you made the right choice.

Unfortunately Hollywood and liberals are doing all they can to convince the general public that courage and standing for what's right isn't the mark of a leader or a desired trait among decent men. It's a lie! The best stories and the most successful movies are when the hero is truly heroic.

There is also no more crushing defeat that to be forced to repeat a phrase that tears your definition of right and wrong apart. There are hundreds of stories about people taken captive who endured torture. Physical torture can be so overwhelming that most victims never recover from the memories and physical pain.

The most difficult torture to overcome isn't physical - it's mental. And of all the mental aspects the one most likely to resist help and end in suicide is when a person is "forced" to admit to others that he agrees with his captors. It strips the individual of his self-respect and causes an internal conflict about his definition of self. He may know that he was forced. He may even feel sure that television viewers understand he's being forced to read a statement - but the internal conflict of knowing he just "repeated" those words, is something he can't live with. Like Judas betraying Jesus, victims feel as if they have betrayed themselves.

Some of the most difficult teen cases I've ever worked with is when Mom and Dad forced a child to repeat something he didn't truly believe. Not only does the child feel self hate, but he will hate the parent as well. That hatred will eat at the child like a cancer.

"But Debbie, what about being a gracious loser? Not everyone wins you know."

Of course we all have to accept defeat. Unfortunately, politics and psychology along with the liberal left have tried to blur the lines between sports like competition and the acknowledgement of good and evil. Those are two vastly different areas of life.

Put me in any sports arena and I will probably lose. Most board games will find me losing or coming in a close second. I have no problem congratulating the winner and finding common ground. I have no problem conceding defeat and giving the winner a big hug. That's sportsmanship.

But the war between good and evil is an entirely different thing. The worst cancer we experience in our churches is not because Jesus is Lord but because we have decided that a watered down faith is okay as long as the pews are filled. We cater to the desires of teens and visitors rather than the wisdom of elders. A contemporary church often becomes little more than a club where non-Christians won't be confronted and older Christians can backslide without anyone knowing.

I simply can't support that kind of wishy washy faith. It's not real and it will end with souls being sold out with a Judas mentality. I've spent a lifetime challenging my beliefs. I've searched scriptures, debated with ministers and read a mountain of books. I've fasted and prayed and begged God to inhabit my life - especially my brain. I've begged for wisdom and discernment and compassion and understanding. I don't hurt new Christians. I'm compassionate with the pain a sinner feels. But I refuse to lie and distort the truth!

So when I'm presented with someone who walks in evil, associates with evil, talks evil, is praised by evil people and wants to fill this country with everything evil - I can't accept and honor him without losing my own self-respect.

You see....it really doesn't matter to me what anyone else thinks of me - what matters is what God thinks of me. While ministers all over this country are advocating that we accept and support Mr. Obama, I'm thinking of scriptures like...

John 14: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Hum....God is judging my love by whether or not I keep his commandments? How can I support and respect a man who thinks it's right to kill children just moments before they are born. And further - if they survive the abortion that it's fine to take them to another room and let them cry until they die. How can I support a man who wants to destroy our religious freedoms and has said in his book that if there is a choice between Americans and Muslims - he will side with Muslims? How can I be a supportive force to a man who wants to appoint judges that will decide guilt based on race and religious affiliation - the very freedom that millions have died to preserve?

Every scripture seems to scream at me that this man is supporting everything that the Christian faith is against. And even if it's not based on scripture, how can I respect a man that is getting ready to bring dishonor to the White House that we all support and stands as a symbol of our nation. According to the following article, Mr. Obama intends to offer an open door policy to all forms of gender confused people.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=315244

In counseling with many teens one of the largest reasons they refuse the faith of their fathers is because their parents have "flip-flopped" in their beliefs.

On Sunday it's wrong to steal but tomorrow Dad will cheat on his taxes. On Sunday it's wrong to lie but today Mom told her boss she was sick when she wasn't. On Sunday it's wrong to cuss but on Friday night mom and dad go at it like two drunk sailors. On November 3rd parents all across this country told their children that Mr. Obama was a threat to our Christian way of life but on November 4th many ministers are calling for us to see him as God's pick and give him honor. How confusing is that? How can our teens believe anything we say?

For the sake of your child's soul - research your faith and then commit to it!

No....I'm sorry. I would betray my faith, betray those I teach and betray my own self-respect if I agreed that God changed his mind because of the "will" of the people. God must work through people and if people aren't listening to Him - they will make the wrong choice!

I can't tell a teenager that he will suffer the consequences of his choices and then tell him that God will bring about a miraculous change in order to prevent 3 million people from suffering the consequences of their choices.

God's word is true. His directions are true. Break his laws and you suffer. That's the basic truth of our faith.

I refuse to damage my psychological well being by accepting this man as president and I refuse to teach children to deny their faith and accept him.

What I will do is pray for God to protect this wonderful country. What I will do is pray for God to place a shield of protection over Christians who voted against this evil man. And what I will do is pray that God's judgement of this decision will teach America a lesson without allowing America to be destroyed. What I will do is work very hard to maintain the "truth".

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

If you disagree with me, that's fine. That's your right. But I encourage you to search your scriptures, search your heart and ask God to let you see the truth. It doesn't really matter what you think of me or what you think of this blog. What does matter is that you know the real "truth". On that day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess - you will want to be sure that you have known the "truth" and that you stand With God.

God loves you,

Debbie

Wild days !!!

My new book, Discipline Exposed is here!! It arrived over the week-end. I hope you will order your autographed copy from http://www.debbiejansen.com/.

Click on the resource tab or use this link..

http://www.debbiejansen.com/store/store.html

I have been overwhelmed with questions from Christians who are struggling with Mr. Obama. I wanted to be sure I've covered all these new questions when I post the last two entries on this subject. The Psychological reasons for my private protest will be posted as soon as possible.

For now, I hope you will check out the book.

God loves you,

Debbie

MR. Obama is NOT "my" president!

Before you blow coffee out your nose, I hope you will listen to my reason for that statement.

I want to make it clear that this blog entry is about my decision - it is not about the integrity of my many democrat friends. I may not understand their decisions, but I accept them and will continue to love them and appreciate their lives. Unfortunately, many Christians around this country are suffering. They feel their votes were based on solid Christian principles and they simply can't flip flop and accept this president. This blog is about "our" struggle and why I feel we don't have to accept Mr. Obama.

I have NEVER been a person who spouts off or makes undocumented claims. I believe that I am called by God to seek wisdom and truth in everything I teach. I believe that God will deal harshly with me if I lead even one person away from his teachings. For that reason, I spend a lot of time searching for truth. I listen carefully to both sides and try to make "wise" evaluations. Therefore, before this election - back during the summer - I spent a lot of time fasting and praying asking God for Discernment.

Many Christians have forgotten about Discernment. It's a gift from God. It's not flashy and center stage like prophecy or healing miracles - but it is a gift from God. It comes and goes as God wills so you have to be extremely careful about your feelings or motives - but discernment is a gift from God. What does it mean? "Keen perception or judgment; insight." To discern means "to perceive or recognize the difference, to discover, to recognize and spot the truth."

Wow! I think that's the best gift of all. To be able to look at a situation or person and "discern" the truth. But....I don't think discerning is accomplished with just "feelings". True discernment is accomplished first with feelings and then documented by wisdom and puzzle like pieces that can give an overall structure to your belief. Do you realize that the most grotesque evils that have happened in all of the history of the world - happened because no one "discerned" the truth laid before them?

Knowing that this "discernment" thing could be muddled by emotions, I spent many hours before the election reading, praying and fasting. I worked the polls on election day from 6am until 10pm. I listened to a lot of opinions that day. When I arrived home and watched some of the early predictions I began to pray, turned the TV off and went to bed. I spent the next day - no TV - in the living room alone with my Bible. I read scriptures and prayed.

I cried - not because my pick lost - I cried because I applied the principles of philosophy I learn in college to this situation and I felt afraid. I begged God to inhabit me and to let me see America through his eyes. I begged God to guide and direct every emotion, every feeling and above all every belief I had. Then I kept quiet and waited. I waited for God to allow all the praying and reading and sitting at his feet to take root in my heart.

In a college philosophy class, our professor presented all types of religions and eastern philosophies. I still remember the look on his face when he said, "Now my eager young minds, it's time for you to find truth." He pointed to several books. "We have read all kind of philosophies - I want evidence as to why they won't work." For days we tried to logically debate them and find holes in their teachings. We tried to pin their false ideas to the wall with simple cliche's like, "It's not of God" and "The word of God teaches against it." Finally, in a gesture of frustration, he climbed on his desk and stood like a tower of strength. He stomped his foot and yelled,

"Every philosophy must be judged on it's end results - never on it's beginning or middle. The beginning and middle can be good and even sound in it's teaching, but the proof is in the end result! That's why I am a Christian. I have watched Christians face the "end" of their lives and their faith is just as potent then as it was in the beginning." He went on to say that NOTHING in this world can be judged as truthful if the criteria is success. The most successful people in the world have been the most evil. Success can only measure the ignorance or apathy of the people who allowed the success.

Truth can never be measured by success. Truth is often buried in the failures of men. When Jesus was crucified who was dancing? Who was celebrating and feeling success? Peter wasn't. Judas certainly wasn't. And even when Jesus rose again....did Cesar turn and say - wow....that Christianity was right? No. The disciples were scattered and everyone felt the agony of defeat!

Until.....the true ending. Jesus appeared to the disciples to reassure them, but the failures and defeat continued. Success didn't arrive during the disciples lifetime. It wasn't apparent during the sufferings of the many Christians that were beaten and jailed. Truth came forth only when the individual died and in a split second was able to reassure his loved ones that Truth had won.

To give in and say that Obama is God's pick because he was successful at the polls is to deny a basic TRUTH. Success doesn't equal Truth or Right. If he was the wrong Christian pick before Tuesday - he is the wrong pick now!

I have never forgotten my professor's powerful statement or his gesture. I've never forgotten his face and determined fist as he proclaimed God as the only logical and powerful power. It is by that rule that I judge everything I do. How will my actions today change the world tomorrow? How will my actions and beliefs at this moment change my family dynamics. By using the detective abilities I learned in that class, I have been able to find Truth in many trying times.

How do I know I'm right? I've often made the statement that if anyone can show me a way of life that's better than my faith in Christ I will change. Bold words. Some people have even felt those words were a denial of my faith. NO WAY! Either I have a tight grip on TRUTH or I'm living a lie. And the only way I can be certain that I have a tight grip on TRUTH is to let it be tested. I am 57 and no one (many have tried) has been able to shake my faith. Why? Because I continually test it and I know it's true.

It is my ability, talent and discernment that I will use to discuss Mr. Obama. You are more than welcome to challenge me and join in the discussion.

Mr. Obama may have assumed the position of president and he may live in the White House, but he is not "my" president. Many of my Christian friends have been alarmed because I won't graciously wave a flag of surrender and pat him on the back. They are alarmed because I won't pledge my support and try to bring peace to those around me. My own denomination (that I dearly love) has encouraged me to accept him as "appointed by God".

Sorry....no can do. There is huge evidence to support that accepting this man is not good for our country, our children and our faith. The evidence was true before the election and 3 million people can't erase the truth. I can prove that an acceptance of Mr. Obama is NOT the Christian way to handle this. It is NOT scriptural to accept evil practices nor is it scriptural to stand beside and support someone who is anti-christian. And....it will hurt your family, your faith, your child's ability to accept your faith and your personal psyche to do this.

Since this is going to be such a long lesson....I'll tackle it in three days. In order to find TRUTH, we have to look at history, psychology and the scriptures to find our evidence.

HISTORY

I've watched a lot of documentaries and movies about WWI and WWII. It has never ceased to amaze me how Hitler came to power. Didn't someone see his potential for evil? Didn't anyone speak out and hold a Wednesday night service to discuss the evils of Mein Kampf?

In his book, The Frog in the Kettle, George Barna lays a framework for Christians in America. "The signs we need to perceive are not vague predictions about the future - many are present realities. The trouble is that they occur so gradually that we often do not notice them."

He goes on to illustrate by telling how to boil a frog. If you try to put a live frog in a boiling pot of water, he will jump out immediately. He can tell that it's a hostile environment. If however, you place a frog in room temperature water and slowly increase the temperature, he will contently paddle around until he is boiled to death.

Mr. Barna goes on to say, "The Christian community in America might be expected to be more aware of current changes in the environment than the frog in the kettle. Yet, for the past two decades, at least, the church has been generally insensitive to those changes. We have continued to operate as though our environment has remained the same. Like the frog, we are faced with the very real possibility of dying because of our unresponsiveness to the changing world around us."

The question for me becomes.....why isn't the church a driving force that "changes" the world around us. History tells us that the Roman Catholic church knew what was going on and refused to intervene. How many Jews might have survived if the church had gotten word to America in time to stop the growth of the Nazi party? After we won the war the Catholic church released an apology to the Jews. Too little, too late?

Growing up in the 50-60's, I recall church services where people would pray until the sun came up. I remember men and women banding together to pray for a lost son. Night after night I attended revival services where people stood in circles to pray for loved ones and to beg God to save them. I also remember sitting quietly with my doll waiting for the offering plate to pass by when a man came screaming into the service. "God Help Me!" He screamed. He ran to the alter as everyone gathered around to pray for him. You guessed it....he was one of the men we had prayed for all week.

Where is the power of churches? When did Christians decide that working overtime and going to soccer practice was more important than 5 nights of revival services?

No.....I'm not getting off the subject. This is the subject. If we as Christians have lost our God Given power to take on the evils of this world --- look out! We need strong Christians that are willing to stand in the face of evil and shout about it.

Oh Debbie....now you've gone off the deep end. I guess you plan on becoming one of those tambourine slapping holy rollers that no one respects.

No, darling. I AM a Bible believing Christian that will not bow. It is impossible to be a Christian without drawing lines. We either stand for what's right or we don't. We are either a believer or we aren't. The worst thing that's happened in the Christian faith is that we have sold out for the sake of acceptance. Anytime you decide to cushion a belief in order to gain the approval of another person - you have sold out.

Think about Peter. He had walked and talked with the Savior. He knew what was right. But he was scared. He didn't want to venture out of the safety of the crowd. He wasn't sure what would happen if he did. So...he denied Christ, not once or even twice. He made a conscious effort to deny him three times. All because he was worried about how he would appear if he was cut from the crowd.

What does this have to do with Obama? A lot. In my search for truth I found a huge mountain of reasons he could never be "my" president. He stands for every policy that is poised to take away my religious freedom. He also stands for many acts that tear at the basic beliefs of Christianity. I even went on the democrat website and read their party statements. I was appalled. There is no way I could align myself with any of their beliefs. I am amazed at anyone who claims Christianity that could align with that party. It is the opposite of the basic teachings of Jesus. I can only assume that my friends and loved ones who cling to that party simply do not know what the party is doing.

My next question then is why? Why would people claim to be Christians and agree with a party that is trying to eliminate God in every public arena and thinks it's perfectly fine to kill healthy babies? Is it fear that drives their alliance? Is it the need to be accepted? Or the desire to carry on a tradition of their fathers?

The Bible is very clear on what we are to do when our faith conflicts with public opinion or even the will of the person in power. In the Old Testament we read in Daniel about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. There are powerful lessons on how they acted toward the King. They didn't try to overthrow him or lead an army into a civil war - but when push came to shove and their faith was questioned - there was no other choice for them.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

WOW! Did you get that? No apologies, no fussing or fighting...just a simple statement - "We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter - WE WILL NOT BOW!"

For those of you who haven't studied that story, their simple statement infuriated the king and he heated the furnace so hot that the guards surrounding it were dying. Then he tied them up and had them thrown in. God taught Nebuchadnezzar a lesson by not only saving those men but walking around in the fire with them.

Do you realize that God can't do miracles in your life if you aren't willing to step out of your comfort zone and take a stand for him. God can't fight fires with a wimp! He can't change nations with a scaredy-cat and He can't work through a person who rides the fence.

In philosophical terms - you can't argue both ways. Either God is God and is able to take care of you no matter what or He is powerless.

Daniel was another example. He resisted the reigning power at Babylon. The royal mandate was issued, but Daniel did not obey it. He was commanded to stop praying where others could see him. He didn't take an add out in the paper and he didn't chop off the messengers arm. He also didn't come along side the man of authority and pat him on the back. He simply opened his curtains and knelt three times a day and gave thanks before his God as he had always done. The king tried to get rid of him by throwing him in the lions den. Once again God came to the rescue and closed the lion's mouth.

How about Peter and John? The Jewish council at Jerusalem commanded them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. Here's their answer....

They boldly answered, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and hear. Where the law of a nation or the command of an earthly ruler conflicts with the law of God, then it is clearly the Christian's duty to obey God rather than men."

In other words, Peter and John refused to bow to the will of those in authority over them because they were asking them to deny their allegiance to God.

My district pastor tried to use Romans 13:1-4 to say that

Obama's presidency is appointed by God.
Christians should lead the way in supporting Obama
Obama can be a force for good and a deterrent against evil
Obama is God's minister to you for good

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong!!!!!

I love the men and women of my denomination that have given their lives to lead our churches. But this type of thinking will make us weak stupid sheep that can be lead to slaughter at any time. While Romans 13:1 does ask us to submit to governing authorities - we must ask the question - which ones? All governing authorities? Has every person that has every been in a place of authority been a GOD chosen man? If that's true then why in the world did we go to WWII? Why not accept the authority of Hitler? Why didn't we read the accounts of children being beheaded and thrown live into fire pits and simply say - Submit to the authority God has chosen!

Because - the TRUTH of the matter is that God did not put Cesar in a position to kill endless Christians - he simply didn't send a lightning bolt to kill him.

God didn't put Nebuchadnezzar in place so he would kill three men in a furnace, but he did provide a way of escape.

God doesn't put presidents in the White House - we do! I could spend another three days writing about the Christian view on "free Will" but just take my word for it. We have a choice to serve God or not based on free will. Because of that free will, God has promised that he will move in our lives but he will not "Force" anything on us. We have the free will to say no.

Now....if that's true....why would God go all over this country and "force" people to vote for Obama? Did he go in the booth with Christians and use his power to make them push the Obama button? No...Obama is in the White House because too many Christians refused to look at the facts. They turned their backs on dying babies, teens who want to carry their Bibles to school and little old ladies who don't want TBN forced off their TV's. They didn't research and find out that Obama wants to make sure that when you appear before a judge that the judge will consider your faith before he considers the facts.

God had nothing to do with Obama's win - you did that. And when we begin to lose our freedoms it won't be God's fault - it will be yours.

I'm hoping and praying that my wonderful denomination will seek wisdom and pray about where we stand. I have instantly forgiven my district pastor and hoped that his speech was out of desperation and he was only trying to keep everyone calm.

I want to encourage you to look at history once more. We can find great comfort and hope in our past.

Imagine for a moment that you are a devout Christian living in the home of your heritage - Berlin. You have watched Hitler come into power and you are fearful for your Jewish friends. We all like to wear the shirts and bracelets that proclaim WWJD "What would Jesus Do". But for a moment close your eyes and imagine you are in Germany. What would you do?

Would you run to the street corner and watch Hitler pass by? Would you stick your hand in the air and yell, Hile as he passed by? Would you give your support and claim him as your leader?

Or like Jesus would you walk quietly among the people and share your faith. Would you ask others to pay attention to the events of the day? Perhaps like Jesus you would keep a low profile answering questions in such a way as not to disturb the ruling class. Things like, "Give unto Cesar's what is Cesar's and give to God what is God's."

Like Jesus perhaps you would gently go against the rulers and help others on Sunday or reach out to those in need.

Perhaps you would be like Cori Ten Boon and keep a low profile by day and smuggle Jews out by night. Perhaps like her you would seethe with rage when your sister died in a consentration camp, vowing to preach the gospel till the day you die. When the war is over and you are finally able to speak freely, perhaps you would shout the gospel of freedom and the evil of oppression while your heart opens to forgive your captors.

This Gospel....this Holy Word....is very complicated. It requires us to be a meek as lambs but as cunning as foxes. It requires us to be loving and compassionate while we also accept the judgement and punnishment of God. This Gospel requires that we take a stand but do it so graciously and so thoughtfully that everyone will know our power comes from Almighty God.

So...

Let me repeat a part of the letter I posted by Huntley Brown.

I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads I follow. I can't dictate the terms He does because He is the leader.


Taking his lead I will repeat....Mr. Obama is NOT "my" president! I voted based on my belief in Biblical principles. I will not flip flop and change those principles just because someone else voted based on race or a handout.

I won't go out of my way to be mean or rude. If Mr. Obama is walking down my street I won't go over and spit on him. I won't call him names or throw stones at his family.

If my new book (Arrived yesterday - get your copy now!) becomes a best seller and I'm invited to the White House for a celebration - I will respectfully decline. That is after all, my freedom and my right.

I will distance myself from him and I will fight to make sure he does as little damage as possible to "my" country. I will donate to watch groups that keep me informed of his sneaky tricks (frog in the kettle) and I will voice those tricks loudly to those who read this blog.

I will not allow women who aren't afraid like Ann Coulter to be my voice. I will not be ashamed to let the world know that I am a Christian, I am strong and I will stand for God's will - not the will of the majority.

I am not afraid of standing for TRUTH.....are you?

Think about History. Think about the many men and women who fought wars, suffered and died standing up for freedom. Think of our own ancestors who braved the ocean and wilderness so we could have the religious freedoms we have. Are you going to let them down because it's just easier to say nothing?

A great statesman once said, "All that evil needs to succeed is that good men do nothing."

God help us.

There is more to this subject. I hope you return Sunday when I discuss the Psychological reasons why you and I should not accept Mr. Obama as "our" president.

"Dear Heavenly Father, please give us wisdom. Help our blinded eyes to be opened and give us discernment about the future of our country. Give us strength. Don't let us be afraid - no matter what comes. Keep us calm and help us to exhibit your love."

God loves you,

Debbie

Pray for America!

I received the following call...

"Debbie, I don't know what to do. I'm so scared. I know this election will determine if America will remain a country where I can safely practice my faith. I don't know what to do and that really scares me."

My reply....

"All we can do now is pray. Pray for God to move in the hearts of all voters tomorrow. Pray that they will vote their conscious and their faith. Pray that God will consider how this country began that that he will remember how we fought during WWII to protect the Jewish nation. Ask God to protect us from harm and to give us four years to get busy about his work. All we can do now is pray. The most important thing we can do now is pray."

If you have not voted yet, consider the following letter from Huntley Brown - a fabulous concert pianist, a man of God and a black man.

Why I Can't Vote For Obama
By Huntley Brown

Dear Friends, A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an email with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it's worth repeating...First I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him.

Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads I follow. I can't dictate the terms He does because He is the leader.I can't vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that's who I am. Christian first, black second. Neither should anyone from the other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 200 years from now I won't be asked if I was black or white. I will be asked if I knew Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior.

In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning to name a few, wrong economic concerns will soon not matter.We need to follow Martin Luther King's words, don't judge someone by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I don't know Obama so all I can go off is his voting record. His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007.

NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama: Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008) To beat Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing. Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years. I wonder what would happen to America if he had four years to work with.There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him a 100 % rating. There is a reason the homosexual community supports him. There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him. There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court. There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill. There is a reason he voted No on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. There is a reason he voted No on banning partial birth abortion. There is a reason he voted No on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.

Let's take a look at the practice he wanted to continue.The 5 Step Partial Birth Abortion procedures:
A. Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's leg with forceps. (Remember this is a live baby)
B. The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal.
C. The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head.
D. The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole.
E. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed. God help him. There is a reason Obama opposed the parental notification law.

Think about this: You can't give a kid an aspirin without parental notification but that same kid can have an abortion without parental notification. This is insane.

There is a reason he went to Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years.Obama tells us he has good judgment but he sat under Jeremiah Wright teaching for 20 years. Now he is condemning Wright's sermons. I wonder why now?Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him. A disciple is one in training. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 - 20 "Go and make disciples of all nations." This means reproduce yourself. Teach people to think like you, walk like you; talk like you believe what you believe etc. The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him?Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a ...
1. Commitment to the White Community
2. Commitment to the White Family
3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic
4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community
5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions
6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System
7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System
Would you support a President who went to a church like that?Just change the word from white to black and you have the tenets of Obama's former church. If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside.This kind of church is a racist church.
Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discovered he went to a racist church. The church can't be about race. Jesus did not come for any particular race. He came for the whole world.A church can't have a value system based on race. The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandate. It does not matter if it's a white church or a black church it's still wrong. Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.

Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book A Black Theology of Liberation. Cone once wrote: "Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him."Cone is the man Obama's mentor looks up to. Does Obama believe this?

So what does all this mean for the nation?In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing - judgment.Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king.

First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 "Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.

"Then God says1 Samuel 1:18 " When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day."

19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."

Here is what we know for sure.God is not schizophrenic. He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God. Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it.

For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; Father based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four Supreme Court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy.I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama's positions.

Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends. Since we know someone's value system has to be placed on the nation,

1. Whose value system should be placed on the nation.
2. Who should determine that this is the right value system for the nation?

Blessings,
Huntley Brown


Well said Mr. Brown. We all need to vote as "CHRISTIANS" and let the love of Christ fill every part of our lives! Let the love of Jesus define every decision and every part of your daily life.

"Dear Jesus, please remember that this country began as a "shining city on a hill". The settlers wanted this land to be one nation under God. Please help us now in our hour of need. Please God, have your way in this election and let our religious freedoms continue."

God loves you,

Debbie