Category: Faith

My brothers and sisters in Iraq, my faith

~ Conservative Momma ~ Leave a comment
I am frustrated….I am angry and I am concerned….
I haven’t talked about the situation in Iraqthrough a blog yet….it grieves me deeply, on a level deeper than September 11th 2001.
I am a Christian….and I have the ability to freely pronounce this without fearing for my life or the lives of my children because I am an American citizen and thank God that my right to freedom of religion is protected through our Constitution.
You see….the people in Iraqthat are losing their lives because of their faith, are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I know it sounds “cheesy” but it’s the only right way to phrase it. If you aren’t a Christian you just won’t get it….it’s sad and horrific news to most but to me and to other believers it’s gut wrenching.
The Christians in Iraq did not die in vain….and I’d be a fool and hypocrite to not honor them if I remained silent about my faith……

I accepted Christ years ago when I was a child, I was four years old, I lived in Macon, GA at the time and I remember being in my bedroom, alone, looking out the window and asking Jesus to come live in my heart. At that moment, I didn’t “feel” anything, but I became part of a body of believers, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit at the age of 10 years old, but it wasn’t until I was in high school that I really came into a relationship with Jesus…that is….I wanted to know him….. I greatly desired to know him and I found him. I experienced the almighty presence of God at a youth retreat up in the mountains of Colorado. It was such a powerful encounter that I could not stand…..my knees buckled under the heaviness that I encountered….a love that I had never known hit me like a Tidal wave. The creator of the universe gave me a tiny ounce of what it was like to be in His presence and I have never been the same.
I found truth and the truth I found is the most beautiful thing to ever exist. I had so many questions….so many things I wanted answered… like -why do bad things happen to good people? Is healing for everyone? What is the will of God? Is Jesus the only way to salvation?
I got answers. I found them in the words that Jesus himself gave us…the Bible. If there was ever a time to cling to what is in that book…it’s now. Anyone can read it….but when the Holy Spirit dwells in you and is active in you…it becomes alive. I wanted to know this truth in every realm of my life, I began to understand more and more, the more time I spent seeking the truth.
You see we are not powerless victims here on this earth wandering about aimlessly…. We have been given the same authority that Jesus had when he walked on this earth. That’s why Jesus came, the power didn’t die with him…it was passed on to us. That it why Jesus told us to go and do the same!
I’ll be the first to admit that I am imperfect. My faith is still growing, I have good days and I have bad days….trust me, I haven’t “arrived”….I am challenged daily –but I have truth to hold onto. I do know people that are stronger than me spiritually and those are the ones I turn to when I need counsel, incite and advice.
My heart is in mourning for my brothers and sisters in Iraq. I have had many restless days and nights over this situation, many questions I want answered, many things I want God to show me…..but I know this, there is power in prayer. There is power when Christians unite. I have first handedly witnessed miracles in my life. I have seen sick people healed; I have watched broken lives made whole again and I know I serve a GOOD God. What these terrorist can’t take is the Spirit. We are essentially a spirit, we have a soul and we live in a body.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I know who the enemy is and I know what 1John 4:4 says- “The one who is in me (Jesus) is greater than the one who is in the world.”
I am still on a journey in my Faith. But I think it’s important to share it. I think we have to, as Christians, begin speaking out and speaking up. When all is said and done….your eternity and the eternity of your loved ones is what matters.
    The truth shall set you free. I am free.

Do not fear

~ Conservative Momma ~ Leave a comment
 
 
 
I don’t even know where to begin. My heart is heavy….
 
Our world is in such distress and conflict.
 
We’ve got North Korea saying they are determined to nuke the US.
Russia attacking innocent Ukrainian civilians, and shooting down commercial airliners.  
A major humanitarian crisis on our countries southern borders, with illegal immigrants flooding into our country….
A complete lack and reverence for our Constitution from our leaders. 
Christians in Iraq being murdered because they are refusing to renounce their faith in Jesus.
A terrorist organization known as Hamas, vowing to annihilate the country of Israel (our only ally in the middle-east) and using innocent Palestinians to do it. Telling Palestinians not to leave their location knowing that it will be a target in a most likely deadly attack, and then using propaganda to fuel their cause.
The terrorist group Boko Haram in Africa, killing Christians, and they have yet to return the hundreds of girls that were kidnapped months ago…which started the trendy hash-tag campaign #Bringbackourgirls (and of course the mainstream media has fallen silent on this story…..)
 
I have never witnessed such division in our country as well….political parties causing such divisiveness and a president flaming this fire.
 
I’d love to say that it’s all going to get better….that this is just a bad dream and we’ll wake up and all will be well.
I am a mom, I ask myself everyday what kind of world are my kids going to grow up in? Will they be safe? What does their future look like? It’d be great to have the ability to not think about it all….but I know people like that….people who really don’t show concern….and I can’t relate to them….
 
I am gravely concerned.
 
The only thing that brings me peace is my hope and faith.
 
I know that my children were born for such a time as this. They have a specific calling on their lives, no life is an accident….God says that he knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb.
 
Even if it does get crazier…more insane…we are equipped because we have Jesus.
 
Years ago when I was living in Los Angeles, I had the words “Hebrews 13:5″ tattooed on my wrist the passage is: “I will never leave you or forsake you” -that is a promise God made to me, to all of us. At the time it meant so much to me but it means even more now.  
 
My husband reads a ton…more than almost anyone I have ever known. He is reading everything he can get his hands on right now about the wars our country has fought. He told me that the Marines primary prayer is Psalm 23. It’s amazing how scripture rings true throughout history. There is no beginning or end to its relevance in our lives.
 
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
 
With all the chaos in the world…..there is something that does not change…..something that is the same as it was yesterday, today and forever more….Jesus and his words to us. It’s easy for it all to get cloudy…right vs. wrong, good vs. evil, the world is becoming more and more gray…..
 
It’s easy to get off course….to question direction….
Our anchor in the storm has to be the bible. The bible is the compass we were given in a lost world. If it’s not in the words we were given…..question it. Thank God we have this though! I believe that No words are divine unless they are found in the scriptures. Remember this when the wind starts to blow…. 
No matter what happens, what may come, what lies ahead….do not fear. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. In the end….all will bow all will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord….
 
 

Religious freedom….not so much…

~ Conservative Momma ~ Leave a comment
 
 
In case you haven’t heard a cadet at the United Air Force Academy is being court martialed for having a Bible verse written on the white board outside his dorm room! No JOKE!
Ya….I know nuts right! I mean this is absurd! If our religious freedoms are no longer protected and we can’t express our faith…than this country is straight up doooomed!
Below is a posting I wanted to share and I couldn’t agree more!
 
Robert Blaha’s Face Book Page:
 
“Below is my modified version of Susan’s (my wife) recent “Letter to the Editor” published in the Colorado Springs Gazette:
Our family has lived in Colorado for 20 years and we can look from our back yard and see the Air Force Academy. It has always been a source of pride to see the symbol of American freedom and liberty from our home. I honor and respect the brave men and women who represent us so well as Cadets. But after reading the numerous articles and blogs about the …Cadet who posted a Bible verse on his personal whiteboard, having to erase it because it offended other Cadets…outrage is my only response. Whether you are Baptist, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Catholic, Non- Denominational or even of another Faith … you need to be concerned. When or first Amendment can be so easily, casually and consistently be dismissed…. Beware !

I am appalled by the biased anti-Christian atmosphere that permeates the Academy. I’m tired of hearing about leaders at the Academy bowing down and cowering to the ant-Christian chorus that sing the toneless refrain. I’m tired of reading about Cadets whining to their superiors about how they are so offended by Christians….Really.
Our right to live our Christian faith out in public is protected and under siege…. Period.
I say those weak and offended by those who exercise our most basic rights, should grow up and Leaders who put their political finger in the wind should seriously evaluate their understanding of The Constitution of the United States of America. If WE stand by and remain silent then we are in the grasp of a nefarious and terrible future….. regardless the coming topics….”