Merry Christmas, everyone! May you know the peace that only Jesus brings, this Christmas and always!

A Call for Mental Health Help

In light of the tragedy on Friday, I have to agree with what so many are saying...

We need to take mental health issues seriously.
We need to provide better care for those who face mental health problems.
We need to know that mental health problems are real, and they are serious.
We need to reform how our government cares for those with mental health problems.

My heart goes out to all those affected by the shooting, especially the families of the victims, and the family of the shooter.

No hate, no judgement Abortion Part 1

I wrote a post, similar to this, on homosexuality... but I find it hard to compare the two sins. I find it hard to compare any sin to the sin of abortion, other than murder - which, you will find, I believe is one and the same. I believe that killing anyone is sin. I believe that abortion is killing someone.

But...

Is it my job to judge those who have an abortion since I know it is wrong?

Is it my job to judge anyone who does anything wrong?

Is it my job to hate those who have an abortion since I know it is wrong?

Is it my job to hate anyone who does anything wrong?

Remember...

Just as the Bible clearly condemns killing, it also condemns judging.

Just as the Bible calls for us to protect the unborn, it also calls me to love.

So...

Somehow I need to find a balance. I need to believe the Bible when it says that abortion is wrong, but I can't hate those who have them. I have to realize that sin is wrong, but I need to remember that God will take care of the judging.

**Our country should be protected the unborn, which I believe is their job, and isn't the same as me judging someone as an individual.

Giving to those who have it all...

Isn't it funny how there are always all these advertisements out there, especially at Christmas time...

"The perfect gift for the person who has it all!"

Isn't it funny that we feel like we must give a gift to those who don't need anything, when there are so many out there who just need their next meal?

This Christmas, why not consider a gift to charity, for those who have it all? I know I will be doing that for at least one family member.

America isn't the World

Something we must always remember, especially in the midst of all the bad things going on in our country lately... 

America isn't the world. 

There is more to the world than just our one country. 

We need to open our eyes to those around us, not just our one country. 

What goes on in our country isn't necessarily a sign of what is going on in the world.

At another point I may right what this has to do with everything else, ha.

No hate, no judgment - Homosexuality Part One

*Disclaimer: this is a touchy subject, and I know that many will disagree with what I have to say.

I believe that there is right and wrong, not much of relativist thinker here. I believe that homosexuality is wrong. (Wow, did I just claim that in a country and culture that will now call me judgmental, or maybe even convict me of a hate crime?) I believe that the Bible specifically tells us that it is wrong for two people of the same gender to be together, to have sex.

But...

Is it my job to judge those who live this lifestyle that I know is wrong?

Is it my job to judge anyone who does anything wrong?

Is it my job to hate those who live this lifestyle that I know is wrong?

Is it my job to hate anyone who does anything wrong?

Remember...

Just as the Bible clearly condemns homosexuality, it also condemns judging.

Just as the Bible calls for relationships to be between a man and a woman, it also calls me to love.

So...

Somehow I need to find a balance. I need to believe the Bible when it says that homosexuality is wrong, but I can't hate those who practice it. I have to realize that sin is wrong, but I need to remember that God will take care of the judging.

Also, I find it interesting that so many Christians pick this sin as their main "fight", when there are so many sins out there, there are so many people living sinful lives.

Praying all the way...

My sister and I have been writing together for the past several weeks. We've written a few novels and are currently working on another. 

One thing we have just started to do, in the past few days, is to pray before we start writing, and to take time to pray again, as we go...

If we pray, God will guide our writing...

If God is guiding our writing, it will turn out according to his plans...

If it turns out according to his plans, whether the books get published or not will be his will...

So we pray. And pray. And pray again.