Planning Ahead

Times are a bit uncertain lately with the election drawing close. There are freedoms and liberty on the line, for sure. I post a lot of it on Facebook. Since I am an over-thinker, I wonder where our country is headed in terms of religious freedom. Right is called wrong, and wrong has more rights than any of us started out with. Am I concerned? Well, yes. Am I panicked? No. I know the One who holds my future. But, then...I wonder...{picture me with movie bubble above my head}.

[This summer, I have watched quite a few movies and tv series of every scenario possible of "the end". Blackouts, zombie apocalypses, nuclear bombs,floods, volcanoes, and general mayhem that leave you feeling unprepared for disaster. Why? Because they're awesome! I think, "Hmm. I need to put some food and supplies aside just in case." Then, you know, LIFE comes along and messes that all up. Okay, based on what I have stocked up, David, Emma and I would last about a week. Probably less for Emma, since we have lots of canned yucky stuff like mustard greens and tomatoes. So, here's what we're going to do. Trust God. Yeah, all you preppers out there just swallowed your gum, didn't you? I know, I know. God gives us enough sense to prepare for a hard time, even if it is short. I get that. I BELIEVE that. Well, He did give me sense, but He hasn't supplied the job or the money yet, so I guess He'll supply it for us then.] {end movie bubble}

So, what is my point? (Yes, I have one.) I realize that I have failed in relating WHY I post things about the evil goings-on and political unrest in our country. I guess I assumed everyone knew. Why do I post the horrible crimes that Hillary gets caught doing? Or the freedom we just got signed away by Obama's almighty pen? Why do I share when I find out that FEMA camps are manned and operational in every state? Why do I care that this law or that law was just passed without anyone's notice? Is it because I'm afraid? No. It's for several reasons:

1. I love this country. I'm a patriot. I love our history and our heritage of seeking freedom in order to worship the God that loves us.
2. Getting knowledge out there inspires people to fight it. Yes, sometimes all I can do is hit the "share" button, but there are people behind the scenes fighting for our country's freedoms. We can join them in prayer, and in taking a stand with our votes. We can show love to each other in the midst of a racial war that is shaking our nation to the core. A war that was started by our leaders to cause civil unrest and hatred. Are we just let this hate grow, or are we going to take Jesus' love to our neighbor?
3. If the events happen that I think our nation is headed toward, what is the church (body of Christ) going to do? Are WE prepared to minister in a FEMA camp, when we may not know where our loved ones are? Do we have enough of God's word in us to share with others? If food is scarce and people are scared, how are we prepared to love and help them? The church (believers) will be called to a DIFFERENT ministry than we have had in the past. What about massive job losses or a food shortage? What if we are no longer permitted to gather publicly? Do we know how to pray? The Apostle Paul lived in days like that. So did Peter and John. We need to think about it. We need to acknowledge that it is a possibility.

Yes, God is in control. He always has been. But I will remind you of Pentecost, where the believers were given power by the Holy Spirit. THEN, persecution came, and they were scattered throughout the world to share the gospel. Many suffered and died. The "church" had to learn a new way to minister to each other. Throughout history, Christians have lost freedoms and have been persecuted. I believe it is coming to America.

So, fight to keep God in this country as long as we can. Silence and doing nothing is not working. We must stand for Him. Band together to support Christians who are being run out of business for standing for their Biblical beliefs. Sign petitions. Share laws being voted on, and contact your representatives. Be informed and VOTE. There are seats coming up for election that need to have good people voted into them. That's WHY I post. I'm not just complaining. I'm not just trying to scare people. I'm not afraid...well, okay, maybe a bit. God's got this, but we have responsibilities too. Do nothing, we lose everything.

We are forgetting that Christian people came to the country to build a free nation, and they fought for the freedom we have. People are still fighting for it every day since then. Why are we believing that we should just sit back and not worry about it, because what will happen will happen, and we can't change it? Really? History does not support that. God is getting kicked out of this country, and we better take notice.

Anyway. It sure is hot outside.

Returning from the Upside Down

Well, I've been gone for quite some time. Don't think anyone noticed, but since this blog is basically for my own opinions and thoughts. I wasn't too concerned. My world has been everything from upside down to sideways and all the angles in between. I've struggled with so many things. Life is weird. It's hard. It sucks sometimes. I withdraw.

Now, I'm getting my feet back under me, and I want to share some things I've gone through and some things the Lord has patiently showed me. Okay, so he had to use some bricks, but I did eventually get it. There are so many things going on in this crazy world. Political unrest, racial wars, crimes against our law enforcement, and just plain meanness. I saw on the news that a 74-year-old man was shot over a parking space today. What in the world?

I may have lost my balance, and I may have lost my interest in life for awhile, but I never lost my faith in the Faithful One. Many times He has had to pick me up and throw me over His shoulders like a "sack o' taters". Often He was rescuing me from certain destruction that I was running headlong toward and at times from my weariness to go on. My humor is sometimes born in pain, so join me as I trudge through this weird thing called life. One of my gifts is encouragement. I may not have answers, but as I come up beside you, and walk this loopy road of life with you, let me tell you what you mean to me and throw in a funny story or two. I hope I inspire you or lift your spirits just a little. At the least, maybe you'll be a little distracted and not notice the rough road.