Prayer for Perseverence

On February 27, it was brought to my attention by lifesite.com that Pakistan is having population issues. Apparently, "The UN has targeted Pakistan with aggressive population control measures over the past five years. In November 2000, the UNFPA threatened to withdraw US$250 million in health programs if the country refused to accept an additional $35 million in funding for birth control and abortion. Pakistan succumbed to pressure and agreed to make population control a “national priority” in the country" (lifesite.com). Yet, abortion is illegal in Pakistan after the 4th month.

The e-mail update I received on the 27th told a story of a Pakistani nurse who was punished for refusing to perform an illegal abortion for a local woman. The men in the woman's family attempted to persuade the nurse to perform the procedure, but after she refused, they subjected her to punishment according to tribal ways -- she was gang raped upon orders of the village elders because of her "transgressions".

This is a horrifying thought, and sadly is not uncommon, though it often goes unreported because of the shame and fear felt by the women. These women and the nation of Pakistan need our prayers.

I found the story especially scary, as I'm a young woman hoping to doing nursing missions work overseas. Yet, I realized that there's something amazing about this story as well. This nurse was not unaware of the punishments distributed in the village. She knew the risks; yet, she chose to stand up for what she believed was right. She stood up for that baby, she stood up for life. I admire her courage and bravery. I pray that she will continue to be strong, despite the cosequences of her rape. I pray the Lord will provide for her needs and for the needs of any children that may have been conceived in all of this.

Yet, above all else, I'm thankful for this woman. I pray that I can learn to stand up for my God and His word in the face of hardships and persecution as she has. I pray that all of us pro-lifers, all of us Christians will be able to boldly live our lives and let others see that we are unwaivering on following our Lord. I pray that He will strengthen us.

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted tehy the prophets which were before you." Matthew 5:20-12

1215 Update

Bill 1215- the bill banning abortion in South Dakota has passed both the House and the Senate with only one amendment added. It was signed by the Speaker of the House this week, and is now on its way to Governor Rounds. Reports have said that Governor Rounds will more than likely sign. A fund has been opened in Pierre for anyone who cares to donate to the legal battle that will result from the signing of the bill. However, Rounds and many pro-lifers in South Dakota are anxious to get this bill on the way to the Supreme Court, where it will challenge the ruling made in Roe v. Wade. At a governors' conference, last weekend, Rounds found that South Dakota has support from several other states. In fact, Georgia, South Carolina, and Indiana are trying to pass similar legislation. South Dakota's session just opened sooner and will pass before theirs (hopefully). Point is, pro-lifers across the nation are coming together. If and when these bills reach the Supreme Court, they will be a direct challenge to the Roe v. Wade decision, it's a chance for the courts to reconsider the earlier ruling. So, in short, keep Governor Rounds in your prayers. If you want more information, check out

Keloland.com

or

lifesite.net

.

Contemplation...about commitment

I'm thinking of turning a new leaf with this blog. I started with an intent to encouarage my sisters in their persuits of purity. I wanted to use this to share my thoughts and feelings and realizations regarding God's goodness and grace. I've strayed from that, at times, and talked about myself and my life...I don't know if that's good or bad. I'm now considering adding a new element, pro-life. Blogs 4 Life requires a blog listed on their registry to deal rather regularly with pro-life issues...I'm considering doing that with this blog. I'm thinking of committing it to promoting purity, life, and living for the Lord...I think I need to pray on it...but I'd love feedback from you all, whoever happens to actually read this, that is.

Prayer for Pedersen

We interrupt this blog to bring before you a very personal concern.

Please, pray for Dr. Pedersen. He's such a kind and caring man, but he's so lost...he's so far from God...well, he's agnostic, at least...not atheist, but still...he needs your prayers, as do the Christians in his class. Pedersen is such a brillant man. He's truly blessed. If he were to dedicate that all to God, he could do so much good!

But as it is, he is against God and discourages faith, especially Christian faith. Today, for instance, Pedersen went on a rant about how those with faith should rely solely on prayer for healing because you can't have it both ways. You can't turn to science when you're sick and diss it other times. He told those of us with faith to stay out of the hospitals and get out of science.

What Pedersen doesn't know is that even medicine and our ability to reason are gifts from God. He fails to realize that science and faith are not opposing forces. Science proves God, and the fact that even with science we can't understand everything shows us just how small we truly are.

Pedersen also thinks that our faith is a product of where we are born, not a choice. What He doesn't understand is the concept of being born again into the family of God...the fact that God chose us...

*sigh* I didn't get to fully develop this like I wanted to, but you get the idea. Please, please, pray that God will soften Dr. Pedersen's heart and that we can all be witnesses to him, that we can show him sincere love.

Prayer Request

I just discovered that the Senate committee hearing for the aborition prohibition bill will occur on Friday, this week. Please, keep the South Dakota Senate in your prayers.

Life and Love

This fantastic cartoon originated at http://faithmouse.blogspot.com By all means, check it out.

Jeremiah 1:5 says, "Before I formed thee in teh belly I knew thee; and before thou camest froth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

I wanted to post this for all those children yet to be born, or that may not be born. I wish I would have thought about them before today. I pray that I'll think of them, next year so that I can be their valentine...and be a great one at that...

It saddens me to think how many lives were lost, yesterday...My comfort comes in knowing that they were budded on Earth but are blooming in Heaven. I know the wages of sin is death, but I wish that more women would flee from sin and lean on God. I wish children wouldn't have to die because of the sins of their parents. *sigh* I love babies...all those babies...they are precious gifts from God. Whether they are born perfect in the world's eyes or not, God has great plans for each and every one of His children. I believe that with all my heart.

I know some people believe that there are just too many exceptional cases where abortions are necessary. Yet, I've done my research. (http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/) Check out the stats there,especially "Reasons given for having abortions in the United States" The instances in which abortion is used to deal with medical emergencies are infrequent to say the least. Besides, legislation like that which is working it's way through the South Dakota Senate, right now (see previous post), account for medical emergencies.

Okay, I don't have to much opinionated stuff to throw at you, right now, but here are some links to websites of interest if you want to know more about the pro-life movement.



http://www.all.org the American Life League
http://www.lutheransforlife.org Lutherans for Life
That site means a lot to me. The pro-life movement is often associated with Catholicism alone. Yet, there are so many denominations who are out there fighting for the unborn, working to uphold the Lord's commands. I commend all Christians adhering to God's word and "fighting the good fight" so to speak. May God bless and keep each and every one of you.

Note: I apologize for not providing hyperlinks. For some reason, they were not working as they ought to. I made the executive decision that addresses were better than nothing. Thanks for understanding.

Movement for Life

Guess what! South Dakota is working on banning abortion! It will ban all abortions except in the case of protecting the woman's health! I'm sooooo excited! It passed the House 47-22, and it goes to the Senate, this week....then, if it passes, on to the Governor! Yay-rah! I'm sooo excited please keep the South Dakota legislators in your prayers, this week.

If you want to read more about the bill, here's a link:

It's bill 1215 (12-15 is my birthday...how cool is that?!?!?) Check it out! Praise be to God!

His little girl

Some days, such as today, I wonder a bit about my purpose and my value. This song stuck out in my mind, though...kind of put me in my place.

Go Fish - You're My Little Girl Lyrics


Album:
CURRENT RATING: (3 votes)
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vs. 1
The ones you love they let you down
And I want you to know that I¹m sorry
The choices that they made were wrong
You were caught in the middle and I¹m sorry

So when the anger and the pain
Get the best of you
I know it seems like you¹re all alone
But I am feeling it too

Chorus
'Cuz you're my little girl
You¹re the one that I created
No one in this world could ever be like you
When you're cryin' in the night
All you need to do is call me
I¹ll be there for you
'Cuz you¹re my little girl

vs. 2
When you're lookin in the mirror
I hope you're likin' what you see
Because no matter what you're feelin'
You're perfect to me

Because I see you as a child
Blameless in my sight
Just spend some time with me
And I¹ll make everything alright

Chorus

Bridge
I know you don't deserve what you've been through
I know it doesn't seem fair
I know that there are times you think you're alone
But you've got to know that I will be there, be there

Chorus

that the eyes that see my sin would look on me with love

For those of you who don't know, I am in love. I love my God. I've stumbled a lot, lately...in so many grievous ways, but...when it comes right down to it, my God loves me even more than I love Him. Why? I don't know, exactly. I don't deserve it, but He loves me just the same. My lovely title is from a song by Casting Crowns, "Who Am I?" I must say, that I found myself asking that a lot, today, "Who am I that the eyes that see my sin would look on me with love and watch me rise again?" Now, if that isn't love, I don't know what is. I'm glad that I was able to remember that I have that love in my life, especially now, right before Valentine's Day. Yeah, I have friends, even a courter, but...the love they show me is nothing compared to the love of God. As wonderful as they are, they're flawed. God loves me perfectly, and it is because of His love that my friends know how to love me, and how I learn to love them. So, how was I reminded of this remarkable truth? Rebecca St. James/Barlow Girl concert. How? Well, if you didn't know, music is like an inherent part of me. I breathe music like I breathe air. Without music, I turn blue. Without music, I whither. Just like inhaling is one of the fastest means to get a substance into the blood stream (second only to an intravenous injection), music is one of the quickest paths to my soul (second only to prayer). Music moves me in ways that can't be explained, moves me to tears and into a state of peace...whether I'm playing it myself or listening to a skilled musician, I become absorbed in the music. So, a concert was just what I needed to make me really settle down and understand what I needed to do. I needed to reconnect with God. So, when it came time, I went up front and prayed with a stranger about the burdens I'd been carrying. Then, I went in another room and prayed with a woman, talked with her about the hardships I've had lately, the loneliness, the desperation, the homesickness, the feeling of distance between me and any semblence of comfort. It's just what I needed. I got to stand up front and let the music wash over me as I communed with my God. Maybe it sounds cheesy to you, but I found the solace I needed. I realized that I can't do any of this on my own, I need my God. I recommited my life to God, last night. It's quite possibly the best thing I could have done. I feel so much better, so much more hopeful. I'm still far from the ones I love, but I have God, and that's more than enough. I had a wonderful day, today. It is by God's grace that I was able to rely on Him, today. It is only through Him that I had the strength to follow Him, however imperfectly today. I just pray that God would sustain me that I might be able to follow in His footsteps and fulfill His glorious will for me. I pray that I can stay by His side. I pray that I will have the humility needed to call to Him in the hard times and the faith to allow Him to guide me back to the right path.

stolen thoughts...

These are not original thoughts, unfortunately, but they are worthy of your attention and analysis because...ummmm...because of some theory that would tell you that they're important, but I'm not a communication major so I can't quote it at you...sorry...I don't write CA speeches...my bad...Anyway, just some thoughts I found in my composition handout booky thing....that's not important either...I'm going to stop marring the thoughts with my lack of thought....ugh...whatever...here goes it:

"High up in the North in the land called Svithjod, there stands a rock. It is a hundred miles high and a hundred miles wide. Once every thousand years a little bird comes to this rock to sharpen its beak. When the rock has thus been worn away, then a single day of eternity will have gone by."

"If the world were a village of 1,000 people, it would include:584 Asians, 124 Africans, 95 eastern and western Europeans, 84 Latin Americans, 55 former Soviets, 52 North Americans, 6 Australians and New Zealanders.

The people of the village have considerable difficulty in communicating: 165 speak Mandarin, 86 English, 83 Hindi/Urdu, 64 Spanish, 58 Russian, 37 Arabic. The remaining half of the people speak Bengali, Portuguese, Indonesian, Japanese, German, French, and 200 other languages (in descending order of frequency).

In this village, 329 are Christians (among them 187 Catholics, 84 Protestants, 31 Orthodox), 178 Muslims, 167 "nonreligious", 132 Hindus, 60 Buddhists, 45 atheists, 3 Jews, 86 all other religions.

...

In this village of 1,000 people, 200 people receive 75 percent of the income; another 200 receive 2 percent of the income. Only 70 people of the 1,000 own an automobile (some of those 70 own more than 1).

One third of the people have access to clean, safe drinking water.

Of the 670 adults in the village, half are illiterate.

The village allocates 83 percent of its fertilizer to 40 percent of its cropland - that ownedby the richest and best-fed 270 people. Excess fertilizer running off this land causes pollution in lakes and wells. The remaining 60 percent of the land, with its 17 percent of the fertilizer produces only 28 percent of the food grains but feeds 73 percent of the people. The average grain yield on that land is one-third the harvest achieved by the richer villagers.

...

In the village of 1,000, there are 5 soldiers, 7 teachers, 1 doctor, and 3 refugees.
...

The village has buried beneath it enough explosive power in nuclear weapons to blow itself to smithereens many times over. These weapons are under the control of just 100 of the peole. The other 900 are watching them with deep anxiety, wondering whether they can learn to get along together; and if they do, whether they might set off the weapons anyway through inattention or technical bungling; and if they ever decide to dismantle the weapos, where in the world village will they dispose of teh readioactive materials of which the weapons are made?"

Something to think about, I guess.

That battle ended in tears...

I wish I could say it ended in tears of joy and victory instead of tears of defeat and frustration, but I'm not going to tell you lies. I am crying...or wish I were crying...because I slipped up, again. Ok, well, I'm not bawling...I haven't shed in any actual tears...but that's because I didn't really "slip up". Such a phrase makes it sound like it wasn't my fault...like I fell and scraped my knee. I'm not crying because that's not what happened. It is my fault. I was faced with temptation, I fought it, but I didn't fight it fully and faithfully...and I lost...I gave in to temptation and lost the battle, again.

I feel so frustrated...so stupid...I can't believe I was so proud to put my temptation in a box...I set myself up for failure! *sigh* This is not a good way to start the week. Things clearly need to change.

To all of my friends, especially my sisters. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I flounder and fail and sin. I wish I could set a better example for you. I pray that you'll be stronger and more faithful than me in every way possible. To any of my friends who may feel semi-responsible for my present state...don't blame yourselves...It's my fault....though you may have been able to help in some way, I'm the one who failed....

I need to turn things around....

better and brighter

Phenomenon by Thousand Foot Krutch

She fooled all of her friends into thinking she's so strong
But she still sleeps with the light on
And she acts like it's all right on, as she smiles again
And her mother lies there sick with cancer
And her friends don't understand her
She's a question without answers
Who feels like falling apart.
She knows, she's so much more than worthless
She needs to find a purpose,
She wonders what she did to deserve this

CHORUS
She's calling out to you
This is a call, this is a call out
Cause everytime I fall down, I reach out to you
And I'm losing all control now
And my hazard signs are all out
I'm asking you to show me what this life is all about

And he tells everyone a story,
Cause he thinks his life is boring
And he fights so you won't ignore him,
Cause that's his biggest fear
And he cries, but you'll rarely see him do it
And he loves but he's scared to use it
So he hides behind the music
Cause he likes it that way
And he knows, he's so much more than worthless
He needs to find the surface
Cause he's starting to get nervous

CHORUS

Have you ever felt this way before
Cause I don't wanna hide here anymore
Take me to a place where nothing's wrong
And thanks for coming, shut the door
And they say some one out there sees us,
Well if you're real, then save me Jesus
Cause I've been this way for far too long
I wasn't meant to feel alone

CHORUS

Show me what this life is all about
Show me what this life is all about

-Sorry for using someone else's words, today...but...it's an emotional day...sometimes, music speaks for me...if you knew me, you'd understand.