Politics and Christianity

Ever since Jesus started his ministry two thousand years ago, lines have been drawn between His followers and those who wish to silence them.  Stephen was stoned (Acts 7), Peter and John were arrested and told not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4), Saul (before his conversion, and becoming known as Paul) arrested many followers (Acts 8:3), and many of Paul's writings are sprinkled with accounts of the persecution he and his fellow evangelists suffered for spreading the gospel of Christ.

Today is no different.  It's really no secret that Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith.  We've been pretty blessed here in America, and I know there are many Christians here that realize how good they've had it compared to our brothers and sisters in other countries.  However, it is clear that our freedoms, even in the area of our faith, are being eroded away.  Those who preach tolerance want everyone to tolerate everything.  Oh, except for Christianity.  We must be careful not to link one faith to its followers that have committed acts of terrorism in our country and others, yet, feel free to fling insults at the Christians and call them names.  Feel free to tell them their faith is unacceptable.  Feel free to shame them into being quiet about that gospel.  Feel free to make it so that it's against the rules to make any gesture that may look like they're publicly thanking God.  Then?  Tell them they need to tolerate ALL views.  Hmm.

I heard a sermon at church yesterday that I've been rolling around in my head.  It was basically about Matthew 5:44,

 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (KJV)  

Forgiveness was also discussed.

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.  And when he had said this, he fell asleep." ~Acts 7:59-60.  

I need to say, I was definitely convicted.  Yes, I do pray for the leaders of this country, and for those with whom I don't agree, and for those who are persecuting my brothers and sisters in the faith, and for those who are intent on basically outlawing Christianity.  I honestly can say that I don't hate anyone.  However, I have definitely become angry, and maybe even get a little bitter, when I hear what's going on in this world.  And I know my Father doesn't want that for me.  So, I'm asking His forgiveness for this, and for His help in forgiving and feeling love when it's REALLY hard to do.

That being said, many people and even many Christians don't understand that love doesn't always feel exactly like we think it should feel.  When many people think of love, they think of the warm-fuzzy, good feeling.  Many people think that anything that makes them feel bad about what they do is surely hate.  They think that keeping quiet instead of saying something that may hurt or offend someone is the loving thing to do.  But, that's simply not true.  Recently, my husband had to yell at my four-year-old to get out of the street because a car was coming.  He didn't listen (he wasn't paying attention) when hubby said it in a normal tone "Hey, get out of the street, a car is coming."  So he then had to yell.  Then he was told he couldn't ride his bike in the street anymore that day (we live in a neighborhood where their is a "main" road, and then little road loops for each section of houses, so kids play in the street on the loops all the time...hard to explain, but they're by no means busy and drivers know to be very watchful).  My four-year-old started crying.  His heart breaks when he has to get yelled at, and obviously he was upset about not getting to ride his bike any more that day.  No warm-fuzzies there.  Does that mean my husband hates his son?  Because he told him what he was doing was wrong, that he needed to change it NOW, and it made him feel bad?  NO!  Being silent, knowing what was going on, would have been hateful.  Trying to take the time to have a nice, feel-good conversation (at that moment) about how it "isn't really good that you are in the street right now, because a car is coming, and we don't want that car to bump you so that you have an owie, do we?" (trying really hard not to gag here) wouldn't exactly be loving, either, considering our son could have been hit (if the driver hadn't been paying attention) long before that sentence was out.  Yet SO many people hear something someone says, or reads something someone writes and says "Well, that makes me feel bad, or offended, or hurts my feelings, or (insert any other feeling that's not feel-good).  What a hater!"

I will say here, I have personally seen and heard those who claim to be Christian and spout off some pretty hateful things.  I'm not saying that doesn't happen, and that is most certainly not right at all.  What I AM saying is, there is no filter.  ALL Christians who say something offensive, or perhaps convicting, are haters, according to those who would like to quiet us.  They equate being loving with being silent instead of exposing lies and evil, which they equate with hating.  YES, the bible calls us to love, and to pray for, and to forgive our enemies.  It also calls us to expose evil, and lies, and false teachers.

"For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;" ~Titus 1:10-13 (emphasis mine).  

Not only are we to expose evil, we are to rebuke sharply those who participate in evil and lies.  This is not at all contradictory of being loving, prayerful, and forgiving. In fact, it is a loving act of doing what is right, even when it is hard to do.

When I see my kids doing something they should not be doing, I call them out on it.  Because I hate them?  No, because I love them!  I also love my God and country, and my fellow believers in the faith.  When I see things happening that could greatly affect my country and fellow believers, I'm going to talk about it.  I'm going to share things that I'm passionate about.  I'm going to share the gospel and pieces of scripture that are on my heart.  I'm going to share things that are going on that are going to affect others.  I'm really focusing on only worrying about what God thinks, and not what other people think (this is not easy, and a struggle of mine).  Anything has the potential to offend anyone.  That shouldn't keep people silent.  Being offended is a choice made on the part of the offended, not on the part of the voice that speaks.

Another thing that has been on my mind lately is political parties.  I've seen the articles that state you can't be a Christian AND a Republican, or you can't be a Christian AND a Democrat, or you can't be a Christian AND (fill-in-the-blank).  Since when is Christianity linked (or unlinked, as the case may be) to a political party?  Let me make this real simple.  You can't be a Christian AND not accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  I am a Christian, plain and simple.  And, there are Christians in every political party.  I'm pretty sure that it's no secret that I'm conservative.  More of my political beliefs lean to the Republican side than to the Democrat side.  Even more, they lean toward the Tea Party.  Does that mean that I agree with everything those parties stand for, and that I blindly believe everything the politicians on that side says, or let them dictate to me what is right and wrong?  No!  And it would seriously make me laugh if anyone tried to insinuate that.  Does it mean I think every Democrat is evil and that I think absolutely everything out of the mouth of every Democrat is a lie? No!  I don't pick a party and then base my beliefs on what they think is right.  I look to God my Father and trust that what HE says is right and good is, in fact, right and good.  And, it's certainly no secret that I do not look to society and everyone else around me to tell me what's okay and what's not.  It's all Him.  He has clearly laid out his plan for us in His Word, and that's where I take my cue.  I am by no means perfect (another thing I would laugh at if anyone told me that I was trying to portray myself as such)...I am a sinner just like everyone else.  I may not have the exact same struggles as everyone else (who does?), but struggles I have, just like everyone does.  But I very much long to know Him more and more every day, so that I can learn to be more and more like Him every day.  You can't do that by listening to what everyone else says you should do.  You can't even do that by listening to what everyone else says God wants you to do.  Seriously, I don't even want you to take my word for it.   The only way to get to know God and what He wants for you, is to open up the bible and read, no listen, truly listen, to what He says.

Thank you for reading, if you've read this far.  :-)  These are just some thoughts that have been on my mind, with the atmosphere of our country lately.  If you want to talk, please feel free to leave a comment here or on my Facebook page, or message me on Facebook.  If you are truly seeking information, advice, etc. I will be glad to discuss things with you, but I will not debate my beliefs, as they are not debatable.  :-)  Unless you can use the bible IN CONTEXT where any of my beliefs are wrong...any other source is not going to fly.  Anything disrespectful will be deleted.  My blog, my rules.

An Infamous Day in History

Politicians and the media have called yesterday "A day where history was made."  History was made, alright, but it's not something to be proud of.



I went back and forth in my head about whether or not I even wanted to post this, as I really don't like getting into politics here.  But this was just too much in my face to ignore.  I did have a whole tirade thought out, but I'm not going to do it.  ;)  Let's just say that yesterday, the federal government threw the Constitution out the window and spit into the face of every single American.

Whether you wanted the health care bill to pass or not, when you look at it, the way it happened was just plain wrong.  Regardless of the fact that this country is *supposed* to be a Republic, even democracy was thrown out the window.  They are both done with, this was an act of DICTATORSHIP.  In regards to a Republic, Constitutional law was broken, and in regards to a democracy, the majority did NOT rule in this.  This was a group of government officials (who are supposed to work for US, by the way, you know, of the PEOPLE, for the PEOPLE, and by the PEOPLE) saying "No, no, I know you don't want it, but that's just plain crazy.  You people don't know what's best for you, so we're going to force you to take this anyway."  No, sir, that ain't my America.

And now, regardless of all the politicians that will get FIRED in this year's elections, we're stuck with this.  It doesn't matter if every single American that was originally for this bill stands up and says, "You know what, this isn't working out so well, let's take it back."  (And mark my words, there will be many that will, the first time they or someone they love gets struck with a serious ailment and will have to wait for months or even years for proper treatment...or when a society that has gotten so used to demanding what they want NOW suddenly finds themselves not getting it.)  Nope, history has shown in other countries that have adopted socialized health care, once you've created the beast, there's no way to get rid of it.  It's a done deal.  And THAT is a very sad day, indeed, in U.S. history.

All we can do now is lean on God, who is so good, and who has already won the most important battle for us.  I will leave you with some comforting words from God Himself.  HE is our refuge and strength.  We can trust in Him and His ultimate plan.

Psalm 46

 ¹God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 ²Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

 ³Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

 ⁴There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

 ⁵God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

 ⁶The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

 ⁷The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

 ⁸Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

 ⁹He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

 ¹⁰Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

 ¹¹The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

A rant: Open Your Eyes, People!

I usually try to stay away from politics on my blog, but this was just too much. This was brought on last night when hubby was flipping through the channels and accidentally lingered a little too long on MSNBC. It was a good thing he turned it after thirty seconds due to his own disgust, because I was already seeing red.

They were talking about taking the health reform plan to various town hall meetings, and were talking about all the "loud, shrill voices" and the "disruption" being caused by people who are against government health care. Are you kidding me?!?! I'm sorry, but those "loud, shrill voices" are the voices of the American people, who YOU POLITICIANS are *supposed* to be working for! If this were a few years ago and this were some sort of reform President Bush was trying to push through and the liberals were voicing their opinion, this liberally biased media would be saying how wonderful it is that the American people are speaking out and those darned politicians just aren't listening. But no, people like us are "disruptive" and I'm sure they're thinking "dissenters." And now the White House wants people to report websites who disagree with their health care reform??? Seriously?!?! Does this, or does this not, sound like DICTATORSHIP???

Let me ask you, since when has the government stuck their nose into something, that it has gotten better? Or cost LESS? HA! Why is NO ONE talking about Medicare/Medicaid??? Is anyone who has to rely on that singing it's praises? WHY is no one concerned about the fact that the government (higher-up employees, anyway) will get a totally different and separate health care plan, different from the citizens? Why are doctors and nurses actually living the system in Canada and saying "DON'T do it!" being shut up and swept under a rug? Think you're going to be able to keep your private insurance? Observe Obama's actual plan:


What is going to happen to people who have issues that without proper and PROMPT treatment could possibly KILL them a lot faster? Ask the healthy people in a country with socialist health care and yes, they will sing praises of a single payer system. They get a cold or an ear infection, or their kids do, and they can get in the same day and get it taken care of and it's "free." Guess what? No, it's not free, the taxpayers are paying for it! Now, go to that same country and ask someone with cancer how they're liking their health care system. Do you know that in Canada, if you're diagnosed with cancer, you get put on a 3 YEAR WAITING LIST just to get seen by a specialist? Do you know how many patients die in that amount of time? Still think socialist health care is going to save a lot of lives?

And every time a politician or someone in the media opens their mouths, the number of uninsured in this country gets bigger and bigger. There are 47 million in the US without health insurance. NOT hundreds of millions, certainly NOT billions, as I heard last night on MSNBC! A good chunk of those are people who WILLINGLY opt out of the insurance they are offered. Another good chunk of those are most likely illegal immigrants. Key word: ILLEGAL, as in, they are not supposed to be here! They are not paying taxes, yet somehow they are recieving all the benefits. I can't say exactly how I know because I would be revealing too much about a family member and their past employment, but believe me, there are people on the databases that have never paid a cent of tax to this country in their entire lives, yet are enjoying retirement benefits as I type.

No, we don't have the perfect system for health care, no one ever will. What can we say, though, about the *quality* of our health care compared to the rest of the world? There's a reason people from other countries come to America when they're sick (if they can afford to travel). And before you start throwing tomatoes at me, I'm ALL for making sure everyone's taken care of and less people are dying! That is not what I'm saying! Getting the government involved in health care is NOT the way to do it! I even don't mind helping out. It's being FORCED to "help out" that I have an issue with. And it's when the money that's being stolen (yes, STOLEN) from my husband's hard-earned paycheck may not even be going to help someone TRULY in need of it, since there's already so many who take advantage of the system because they don't WANT to work hard for what they have like so many Americans do.

Anyway, this vent went on longer than I expected it to...there's so much more I want to say, but I'll leave it at what it is for now. I'm sure most of your eyes have all glazed over by this point. I'm not going to apologize for my rant, truth be told, I'm extremely concerned about this going through. Concerned for what will happen to my own health as well as many others across the country who will eventually get put on waiting lists. Oh, but OUR country certainly won't be anything like all those *other* countries who have adopted this very same system, will we? (Note: the sarcasm)

Lisa