"Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence."~I Peter 3:13-16a
The heartache of the senseless killings by predators using automatic assault weapons continues day after day. Is it safe to go anywhere anymore? Do we need to say good-bye to loved ones before we venture out our back-doors? Do we let fear change our lives? What can we do to change the world we live in? Many questions to ponder with no clear answers.
The second amendment of the constitution states, " "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Sounds a little dry and focused on the word militia. What is a militia? It can be defined as a well armed society seeking defense and protection. What happens when the enemy becomes part of the same society needing protection? Tough question!
I will use the disclaimer that my husband is a hunter. Yes, he uses a gun, and no, it does not frighten me to have guns locked in a cabinet in our home. For those that can't understand the mind of a hunter, you might be surprised to find that most hunters have an amazing love for nature. The environment and keeping the ecosystem balanced is an intricate part of keeping nature thriving and the majority of hunters follow strict regulations to help achieve this. If you eat meat of any kind, you might need to stop and think through what happens to animals before they are placed on your dinner plates. It's sad. Many animals are raised in conditions where they can barely move, fed food and antibiotics that help them grow as fast as possible so they can quickly be killed and marketed, and most never know the beauty of nature that God has created. When my brother and I raised a calf when we were kids that became our pet, you can't begin to imagine the heartbreak of seeing that calf go off to market. The deer my husband hunts live off the land eating what God has provided for them to thrive and have a good life. Two different ways to bring food to the table, but all animals are God's creatures.
Yes, we have the right to bare arms for protection, and to use for food on our tables. This brings me back to the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution. I don't believe that our forefathers ever thought about assault rifles that can kill dozens of people in minutes when the 2nd Amendment was written. Yet, somehow, we don't want that 2nd Amendment touched because it somehow takes away some of our power of which we feel entitled. I can tell you whole-heartedly that I am no longer afraid to say to anyone, "We need to do something!" Yes, we need to do what our forefathers did over 200 years ago, and say, "We the people, need to protect the people!" These forefathers weren't afraid to fight for the rights of the people, and we shouldn't be either.
God gave us all wisdom and intelligence to be loving children. When we see problems, we need to have courage to speak up when something needs addressed. Not using my voice allows me the comfort to hide from the problem, but I do have the "hope" inside of me that we together can become a more loving society. I cannot fear what others think of me as I decide to work toward the greater good and safety of the society my children and grandchildren will inhabit even after I am gone. So, we are all faced with the questions, "What does the 2nd Amendment say to me? What am I going to do about it?"
Heavenly Father,
Give us courage to stand up to help the innocent in our society. Grant us wisdom to know the difference between entitlement and what needs to be done for the greater good. And when others disagree with us, help us to focus on You and Your wisdom.
Amen
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
"Sort the Piles and Keep Moving Forward"
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
Keep straight the path of your feet,
and all your ways will be sure. Proverbs 4:25-26
Laundry really never ends. Even if the baskets are empty, the clothes on one's back will soon need washed. The first step in doing the laundry is the "sorting." It seems easy when you've done it for decades until you try to explain to someone else how to "sort" the laundry. It isn't as simple as putting all the same colors together. Most know that you can't put a red evening dress with a red towel because the materials are different. The red dress will be ruined as the towel fades streaks of a different red onto the dress. Yes, it takes a little knowledge and judgment to "sort" through the "piles" that have accumulated throughout the week.
Recently, I sat down with a friend to discuss a big decision on an employment possibility she might be making. If it were just the question that needed answered, it seemed to be an easy yes or no response. But, it was about so much more. This decision would affect an entire "pile" of different parts of her life. After much discussion, we listed all the ways this decision could change her life. Now, came the difficult part: making the decision. It's not always easy to "sort" it all out, but at some point she has to make a decision and move forward.
Sometimes answers aren't really right nor wrong. It's more about having faith and trust after one looks honestly at how the decision can affect their life, and then through prayer, asks God for direction. One has to keep moving forward. You can't look back and wonder if you had made the other decision how all the "piles" in your life might have come out differently. Just like the red evening dress and red towel, the decision to put like colors together seemed like a logical one, but you didn't expect the streaks to do such a number on the dress. The red dress may need replaced, but you never know what is waiting to take its place.
When you're faced with a big decision that affects the many "piles" in your life, remember God is there to listen. He is a forward thinking God. He is there to help you "sort" through all the decisions that are neither right nor wrong. So, the next time you're "sorting" your laundry; remember, use your knowledge and judgment and know that whatever happens you've got to keep moving forward as verse 26 in Proverbs 4 reminds us, "and all your ways will be sure."
Let us pray . . .
Heavenly Father,
Each day, we are faced with so many decisions to sort through in our lives. Remind us to turn to you and keep moving forward with your guidance.
Amen
"Decisions are the hardest thing to make,
especially when it's a choice between,
where you should be,
and where you want to be." ~ Author Unknown
and your gaze be straight before you.
Keep straight the path of your feet,
and all your ways will be sure. Proverbs 4:25-26
Laundry really never ends. Even if the baskets are empty, the clothes on one's back will soon need washed. The first step in doing the laundry is the "sorting." It seems easy when you've done it for decades until you try to explain to someone else how to "sort" the laundry. It isn't as simple as putting all the same colors together. Most know that you can't put a red evening dress with a red towel because the materials are different. The red dress will be ruined as the towel fades streaks of a different red onto the dress. Yes, it takes a little knowledge and judgment to "sort" through the "piles" that have accumulated throughout the week.
Recently, I sat down with a friend to discuss a big decision on an employment possibility she might be making. If it were just the question that needed answered, it seemed to be an easy yes or no response. But, it was about so much more. This decision would affect an entire "pile" of different parts of her life. After much discussion, we listed all the ways this decision could change her life. Now, came the difficult part: making the decision. It's not always easy to "sort" it all out, but at some point she has to make a decision and move forward.
Sometimes answers aren't really right nor wrong. It's more about having faith and trust after one looks honestly at how the decision can affect their life, and then through prayer, asks God for direction. One has to keep moving forward. You can't look back and wonder if you had made the other decision how all the "piles" in your life might have come out differently. Just like the red evening dress and red towel, the decision to put like colors together seemed like a logical one, but you didn't expect the streaks to do such a number on the dress. The red dress may need replaced, but you never know what is waiting to take its place.
When you're faced with a big decision that affects the many "piles" in your life, remember God is there to listen. He is a forward thinking God. He is there to help you "sort" through all the decisions that are neither right nor wrong. So, the next time you're "sorting" your laundry; remember, use your knowledge and judgment and know that whatever happens you've got to keep moving forward as verse 26 in Proverbs 4 reminds us, "and all your ways will be sure."
Let us pray . . .
Heavenly Father,
Each day, we are faced with so many decisions to sort through in our lives. Remind us to turn to you and keep moving forward with your guidance.
Amen
"Decisions are the hardest thing to make,
especially when it's a choice between,
where you should be,
and where you want to be." ~ Author Unknown
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