George Washington issued Thanksgiving Proclamation

Brought to you by American Minute

In order to thank God for the First Amendment, which was passed a week earlier by Congress, President George Washington issued the first National Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789:


"Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness;'"

Washington continued:

"Now, therefore, I do recommend...Thursday, the 26TH DAY of NOVEMBER...to be devoted by the People of these United States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be;"

Washington concluded:

"That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks...for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government...particularly the national one now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed...to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue."


Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope all of you had a wonderful time with your family.  Don't forget to thank God for all your many blessings.  I prayed for you today that God will bless you and give you peace through this beautiful Holiday Season!

God loves you,

Debbie

Watch it.....They are sneaking in the window!

The reason I watch Glenn Beck is NOT because I believe every single word he says....it's because he presents great research and he shines a light on "hidden" agendas.

Unfortunately, we live in a day when "motive" and "hidden agendas" can destroy your life, your faith and extremely important - your freedom and country!

I haven't said a lot about Muslims and their presence in this country.  I sincerely hope and wish that some of them are dedicated patriots that would not allow radical Muslims or jihad's to take over this country.  And more importantly that they would join a fight against those types of people.  (In the right sidebar of this blog there's a link to a site that gives the truth about radical Muslims.  I encourage you to click on it and read about their agenda.) 

But....the more I wait for confirmation of Muslim dedicated patriots - the more disappointed I become.  So far....(at least what I've read) only one Muslim leader has come out against radicals and even his statements could be construed to mean that he wasn't for jihad unless it was absolutely necessary.  In other words, "my faith comes first". 

What I truly don't understand about all this, is the lack of intelligence on the part of "true patriots".  Yes, we must be concerned about the economy.  Yes, we must be concerned about politics and culture related problems.  Yes, we must be concerned about our own faith and our children and our jobs and...and...and....

My concern however, is that while we are fussing about taxes and bailouts and political agendas and loss of our "American" freedoms.....someone is sneaking in the window.  The Twin Tower mosque is only the beginning.  Most Americans agree that Muslims shouldn't be allowed to build a temple as a conquering statement.  Most Americans agree that Sharia law is not what America is about and will lead to massive abuse for women and children.  Yet....we continue to keep silent and let it happen.  Why?  Are we content to rock along and let Muslims turn this country from true freedom into the worst kind of personal abuse the world has to offer?

There is a huge difference between the majority ruling faith of this country - based on Christianity - and the brutal "do what I say or die" faith of Muslims.  Do we really want that here? 

Even from my boring office I can hear all my readers screaming a huge "NO".  Yet...as if afraid for their lives, the media - the bureaucrats - politicians and liberals refuse to stamp a big "NO" on the attempts of the Muslim faith to take over this country. 

I felt sick as I read this article from   One News Now

An expert on Islam explains that schools across the United States have implemented radical Islamic curriculum in public schools.



Brigitte Gabriel, founder of ACT! for America, explains that students are required to become a Muslim for three weeks, adopt Muslim names, memorize verses from the Quran, and visit a mosque for a field trip. If students try their best on assignments, she says, they will be guaranteed a good grade.


Students in these programs, laments the conservative activist, must also recite the Islamic prayer for salvation, which describes Islam as a straight path to God -- and Christianity in error.


"Here's what they're teaching in the public schools; [here's] what they're telling the students they have to memorize and recite," she says -- "'Praise be to Allah, Lord of Creation, the compassionate, the merciful, king of judgment day. You alone we worship, and to you alone we pray for help.'"


Gabriel sees more than a little inconsistency in how the material is being presented. "Remember, this is public school where we can't even say we have a Christmas break -- we have a 'winter break,'" she exclaims. "Where we can't even say we have Easter break -- it's now called 'spring break.'"


The ACT! for America president explains that Islamic ideologies are prevalent in textbooks, such as the way the term "jihad" is explained. She says instead of portraying the idea as one of violence and bloodshed, the texts describe it as a struggle against oppression -- the same description that al-Qaeda presents.


She argues that "what they're doing is literally brainwashing our students to prepare them to turn against our own soldiers and our own military and government by basically feeding them the talking points of al-Qaeda."


Gabriel contends that if students were to recite Bible verses, adopt Christian names, and learn a Christian prayer for salvation, many Americans would be infuriated, arguing it violates the alleged separation of church and state. But because of political correctness, she says, Islamic indoctrination is allowed in public schools

So what would you do Debbie? 

Well, first of all....I'm not advocating that we declare war on Muslims and run them out of America.  I don't think that's what America is all about.  But...I do think we need to begin standing up for what we are about. 

We need to stop the anarchy.  If something is against our laws.....then it's against the law.  We need to stop allowing "certain" people to break laws because we don't want to be considered "politically incorrect". 

Secondly, everyone of every faith needs to understand that just like Iraq is basically Muslim and you have to follow their laws in their country -AMERICA IS A CHRISTIAN NATION!  Period.  We may have a lot of non-Christians that live happily here.  We may have Muslims and Jews and Buddhist and even witches.....but everyone needs to understand that AMERICA IS A CHRISTIAN NATION.  Because we are Christians our laws and schools as well as many other daily activities will be sponsored and governed by men and women who believe in the Bible.  We celebrate Christmas and Easter.  We educate our young children about Pilgrims and their faith.  We teach the Ten Commandments because it's a good way to live and because most of America's laws are based on them.  Don't like it - you are welcome to leave and find a country that promotes the lifestyle you want. 

If you live in America, you will not trash our heritage or our laws.  Suck it up.  Live in peace with us and don't indoctrinate our children.  Period.

Whew!  Debbie that's tough.  No.  Not really.  That's called preservation.  If I had a child that was going to a school that wanted to teach the Muslim faith to my children or....to ask my child to study how to be a lesbian or how to be a witch - I would not only give the school system a piece of my mind, but I would rip my child out of that school so fast the void would break the sound barrier.  That's my freedom.  And it is also the freedom of illegals, Muslims and anyone else who doesn't agree with America - it's also their freedom to leave this country.

Now you don't have to agree with me.  You can be as tolerant and kind and patient with evil as you wish.  But don't be surprised if one day you hear someone yell....."Watch it....they are sneaking in the window!"  Evil will always find a way to conquer.  If they can't get their way through the front door, they will try the back.  If that doesn't work, they will try to go through the basement or garage.  If that doesn't work - they will crawl through a window.  Evil will continue to cheat their way into conquering no matter how long it takes.  You can never relax when evil is around.

In my book Child of Light I said, "It's possible to live side by side with a compassionate but understanding person who differs in personality, opinions and beliefs.  It is totally impossible to live side by side in peace with evil.  Evil has one basic component - to conquer.  It will lie, cheat, steal and commit any despicable act necessary in order to conquer.  Evil can never be trusted.  If you trust evil - one day you will find that you have been conquered."

God loves you,

Debbie

Governor William Bradford

Brought to you by American Minute

Governor William Bradford called him "a special instrument sent of God."


Of 102 Pilgrims that landed November 1620, only half survived till spring - then appeared Squanto.

William Bradford wrote: "Squanto was a native of these parts...one of the few survivors of the plague...

He was carried away with others by one Hunt, a captain of a ship, who intended to sell them for slaves in Spain; but he got away for England, and was received by a merchant in London, employed in Newfoundland... and lastly brought into these parts by a Captain Dermer."

Bradford continued "Squanto stayed with them and was their interpreter...

He showed them how to plant corn, where to take fish and other commodities, and guided them to unknown places....Nor was there a man among them who had ever seen a beaver skin till they were instructed by Squanto."

Bradford wrote that in LATE SEPTEMBER 1622: 

"Winds drove their boat in...they could not get round the shoals of Cape Cod...so they put into Manamoick Bay...Here Squanto fell ill of Indian fever, bleeding much at the nose, which the Indians take for a symptom of death...

He begged the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen's God in Heaven...

His death was a great loss."

 
 
This is a great story for our children.  So much is written about how badly we treated the Indians and how awful we were to them.  This story is one of mutual trust and respect.  I hope this Thanksgiving you will remind your children that Americans and Indians did have good history as well as bad.  Since I have a heritage of Native Indian blood...I am grateful for this type of history.
 
God loves you,
 
Debbie

Darlene's Daily

'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*


Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.


-- Phillips Brooks

'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*
An elderly fisherman wrote to a mail order house the following:
"Please send me one of those gasoline engines for my boat you
show on page 438, and, if it's any good, I'll send you a check."

In a short time he received the following reply:  "Please send check; if it's any good, we'll send the engine!"

'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*

The true home has no boss, but it does have at least one wise leader.

'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*

A life-long city man, tired of the rat race, decided he was going to give up the city life, move to the country, and become a chicken farmer. He found a nice, used chicken farm, which he bought. Turns out that his next door neighbor was also a chicken farmer.

The neighbor came for a visit one day and said,  "Chicken farming isn't easy. Tell you what. To help you get started, I'll give you 100 chickens."

The new chicken farmer was thrilled. Two weeks later, the new neighbor stopped by to see how things were going.

The new farmer said, "Not too good. All 100 chickens died."

The neighbor said, "Oh, I can't believe that. I've never had any trouble with my chickens. I'll give you 100 more."

Another two weeks went by, and the neighbor stops in again. The new farmer says, "You're not going to believe this, but the second 100 chickens died too."

Astounded, the neighbor asked, "What went wrong? What did you do to them?"

Well, says the new farmer, "I'm not sure whether I'm planting them too deep or not far apart enough."
'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*

Money is a purchaser of anything except happiness and a passport to any place except heaven..

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Surgeons invited to dinner parties are often asked to carve the meat, or worse yet, to watch the host carve while commenting on the surgeon's occupation. At one party, a surgeon friend was watching the carving while Harry, his host, kept up a running commentary: "How am I doing, Doc? How do you like that technique? I'd make a pretty good surgeon, don't you think?"

When the host finished and the slices of meat lay neatly on the serving platter, the surgeon finally spoke up, "Anybody can take them apart, Harry. Now let's see you put them back together again."
'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*


Thanks Darlene....I'll remember that last one when I carve our turkey.

God loves you,

Debbie

Philippians - Insight is the key

In Philippians 1: 9-10 Paul reveals his prayers for his friends in Philippi. 

"And this is my prayer: that you love may abound more and more in the knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God."

Nice prayer.  He really loved his friends.  However if you look at the highlighted words (my doing) you will see the real value of sharing this prayer.

I know a lot of people who can quote more scriptures than I can.  They would win at the old game of "Sword drill" (where you hold your Bible in the air and then race to find a scripture).  These people have great knowledge and can quote scripture alongside the best pastors.  But....and this is a huge but.....they don't have insight.  They are unable to take the scriptures and apply them to everyday circumstances.  Instead they use the scriptures to make rigid rules and to judge or look down their noses at others. 

The word of God (Bible) must be a "living" thing.  It must invade our hearts and turn our thinking.  If it doesn't - if it is just something we quote - then it's worthless.  I taught a small group meeting where a man quoted scripture and lectured others with an attitude of superiority.  He wasn't haughty - just smug.  It was as if he was announcing...."See there, I'm Christian!  I know what I'm talking about."  It was sad to see him berating his wife in the parking lot.  She was crying while he called her names.  When he saw me he shoved her in the car and drove off. 

It's always been hard for me to have respect for people who obviously love God but despise his commandments and have no intention of changing their lives.  I've had friends tell me that they love God and yet two sentences later announce that if I make them angry they will cuss me out.  When I hear something like that I usually look like I've just had really sour lemonade.  Either we love God and we follow his leading or we don't.  It can't get more simple than that.

That's not being a Christian.  Enjoying the good life that Christ offers means that we not only know his word - we have "depth of insight"  and "we can discern what is best".  Those are powerful statements.  To have insight into the mind of God and to know what is best in this life will give you the power you need to live a victorious life!

My prayer for you today is that you will not only read your Bible - but that God will give you insight and discernment.

God loves you,

Debbie

Bible Study with Debbie

My life is different because I'm a Christian.

My life is better because I study the Bible.

I understand intricate details about life because I am a Christian who studies the Bible.

I have avoided a lot of life's problems because I believe the Bible is the true word of God.

I have joy and peace because of God's presence in my life and because I gain comfort from the Bible.


Your life will be better if you study God's word (Bible) and commit yourself to following his commands.

John 14:15

"If you love me, you will keep my commands."


How can you keep them if you don't know what they are?

Let's start with Philippians:

Philippians is my conscience

Philippians - Insight is the Key

I bear Witness - Philippians 1:12-14
God loves you,

Debbie

Abuse destroys lives

The Christian community needs to be very careful when quoting scriptures and twisting them to excuse abuse. 

ANY FORM OF ABUSE IS UNCHRISTIAN AND AGAINST THE LAWS OF GOD!!!

God does not permit destruction of His creations.  That includes everything mental, spiritual, intellectual, social, moral, marriage, children, pastors, grandparents and even our enemies ----all are protected from that deep down evil that encourages us to abuse.  There are reasons to extend proper punishment or to fight a war in order to protect freedom.....but the Christian must be very careful that our reasons for judgements do notcross the line into abuse.  If they do, you could lose your soul.  God does not tolerate abuse.

Some examples of God's anger against abuse include the story of Abigail  - I Samuel 25:3-44.  You must read this glowing example of good vs. evil in marriage.  In this story, Abigail was married to wicked man - Nabal.  He was cruel and mean.  King David and his men were in the desert and around Nabal's servants as they watched their flocks.  King David ordered his men to guard this man's property.  When feasting time arrived, David sent some of his soldiers to ask Nabal to share food and wine with them.  Nabal fussed and refused.  When David's men told David of the selfish and mean nature of this man, David ordered his men to get their swords.  They were going to destroy him and take his property. 

Verse 14...."One of the servants told Nabal's wife Abigail: "David sent messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing.  Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them.  Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him."

Verse 18... Abigail lost no time. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.  Then she told her servants, "Go on ahead; I'll follow you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

David met Abigail and begged for forgiveness not only for her husband but for all involved in the problem.  Because of her kindness and understanding David praised her and promised not to harm anyone.  
 
Some pastors have used this scripture to insist that somehow a victim can help to save the life of the abuser.  But....they miss the final point of this scripture.  God did not allow Nabal to continue in his sin.  Verse 36-38   When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until daybreak.  Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone.  About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died.

Did you get that???  Good vs. evil in marriage.  God supports the good by "striking dead" the evil!  That's a clear picture of how God feels about "any" abuse!  Nabal was a jerk who withheld compassion and love from those around him.  We can only guess how he treated Abigail.  But...the Bible doesn't say that he hit her.  All we know is that he was a total jerk and a very selfish man.  So....God struck him dead! 

The story didn't stop there.  When David found out about her loss, he asked Abigail to return to him and become his wife.  For the rest of her life she would live in luxury and would be protected.

If we take the time to look behind the story you'll find that God is never pleased with selfishness or a heart that chooses to hurt others.  It doesn't matter if it's through the anger of the sword or the refusal to provide food - God will not tolerate a mean and cruel heart.  That's not to say that any of us can be perfect.  Do we all slip and occasionally say something mean or say something hurtful to a loved one.  I think everyone on the planet has done that.  But....what this scripture is talking about is a man (or woman) whose heart is cruel.  A person who desires or loves to be mean.  Someone who finds pleasure out of hurting others.

Another quick example is that of Lazarus - Luke 16: 19-31  In this story "a beggar named Lazarus was covered with sores and sat by a rich man's gate.  he longed to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.  "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.  In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'  "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony."
 
I think we should ask the question...."Why was the rich man in agony (obviously Hell)?  As you read this entire passage, think about the motive and the state of the heart behind the rich man's requests.  Was he in hell because he walked by poor Lazarus day after day and did not have compassion for him?  That's the only thing that's alluded to in the scriptures.  There's nothing about the rich man being mean or physically abusing Lazaras.  All he did do was ignore him.  He just didn't care.  All the scriptures say is that Lazarus "longed to eat what fell from the rich man's table."  All he wanted was scraps and apparently the rich man wasn't kind enough to offer that to the beggar.  This story is about the continued selfishness of the rich man.  After all the pampering in his life - even from Hell he was not concerned about Lazarus.  Even from Hell he was demanding and unconcerned.  He wanted poor Lazarus to leave the comfort of heaven to bring him some water.  And when Abraham said "no"....this selfish rich man wanted Lazarus to go back to earth to talk to his brothers. 
 
What selfishness!  What an evil heart! 
 
That's where abuse begins.  Evil in the heart will always be manifested in abuse to others.  Evil and selfishness will destroy the lives around them.  Abuse is not limited to bruises and broken arms.  Sometimes the worst abuse of all is the destruction of dreams, the loss of self-esteem or the loss of purpose.  What could Abigail accomplished had she not spent years of her life with Nabal?  What could Lazaras have accomplish if the rich man had stopped and helped him?  What could they have done together?  What purpose did God have for both of them?
 
Not only is it our duty to speak out against selfish and abusive people, but it is our responsibility to make sure they do not destroy the lives they encounter. 

It is the duty of every Christian to fight to rid our churches and our homes of the destruction of abuse!  Our churches and participants must be the friend of the victim not the promoters of abuse!

God loves you,

Debbie