Pray Righteously, Please

Apparently there is a new prayer being offered and which is being put on teeshirts and posters, which reads something like this: "Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8." A fellow Christian I know was talking about the Psalm 109:8 slogan on Facebook and he was talking about how wrong it is. I, as a Christian and conservative, would have to agree with my my FB friend. I do not want to defend our fellow Christians who would put forth such sentiments. The proper Scripture we should all have for this President, as well as all presidents, is 1 Tim 2:1-2. God has instructed us to pray for our leaders, and He did not qualify it by saying that we should only pray for those with whom we agree. I would venture a guess that the people who were in authority in Paul's day were not righteous leaders. Even though I do not agree with the policies of the current administration and I do not think Mr. Obama is good for this country, I still pray for him and the others in office. I pray for their well being and safety as well as their hearts. I know without a doubt that this is what the Lord wants us to do.

Certain people who are familiar with this Psalm 109 slogan are saying that its intent was that folks would pray for a one term office, but if that was the intent, it is totally out of context. The passage in question is clearly asking for the death of the psalmist's enemies. I for one am very disappointed on hearing about this being on teeshirts and posters and hope that it will soon come to an end. I saw a lot of hate filled photos and posters against President Bush and I abhorred that. Now, I am sorry to say, many conservatives are stooping to the same level. So sad. I haven't met anyone personally who is posting or wearing this slogan, but if anyone reading this is in agreement with it, then you and I are not on the same page. I don't want to get into an argument about it, but I do want to express my heart. I am quite upset about this slogan, because it is a misuse of the Word of God and a misrepresentation of Christians. I hope you will reconsider if you think this is the way that God would have you voice your opposition to a leader whom you don't like.

Have a nice Lord's Day tomorrow, worshipping our great God who alone reigns and is King of King and Lord of Lords. We look to Him, not any leader, no matter what his political party or affiliation. Even those we consider good men, are men at best and sinners who will fail us in one way or another. I hope we don't get too carried away with our desires to see the America we want to see. I hope our desires are grounded in a love for God and our fellow man, as Jesus said they should be. I hope as we fight for freedom, we remember that more important than anything else, true freedom is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ and that America will only have true freedom if she returns to Him.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Be blessed.

Feed the Children

Other than good Christian broadcasting, which is getting more and more difficult to find, I like listening to conservative talk radio. I like the talk radio hosts which are not so loud and brash and controversial. I like the ones who talk about issues without being ridiculous or insulting. But I do want them to "tell it like it is" and call a duck a duck if it quacks and walks like one. You know what I mean. The station which I prefer lately is Radio 990, WNTP, which airs in my area, but as with all radio stations, you can get it online. I won't talk about the particular shows I don't like, but will say that my favorite one is Bill Bennett's "Morning in America." I listen most days after having my devotions and while making and having breakfast. Works out nicely, as it finishes up about the time I need to get to teaching chores and housework. I also like Dennis Prager; I can get some of that one during lunchtime.

Did you know there are hungry children in America? Some people didn't know that, but it is true, unfortunately. And even more sadly, there are plenty of them. Well, Radio 990 is joining in an annual campaign with the Feed the Children organization. This is a group we already support and may be one you would like to look into. You know, as conservatives, we believe that it's not the government which should be taking care of us. We believe that individuals and churches can and should fulfill the mandate of Scripture to help the needy. But you know, as conservatives, we also need to be people of action and not just ideals. So, I think that is one of the reasons that the people on WNTP are strongly encouraging people to help this organization, if at all possible. The current liberals in power want the citizens of our country to think that large government is the answer to everything. Now, we beg to differ, right?

Hey, I have another suggestion. Check out this post I made on our Hands and Hearts site to see what that is. One of many ways to save money so you have more to give.

Let's all pray that we can find more ways to be useful and caring while we're complaining. I have to tell that to myself all the time. Often it is said that we can make a difference, and I believe that's true. Imagine if every one who were able to would exchange a meal or two(or some of the other things we lavish on ourselves) and send in $25.00 to help with the real needs in our country (note I said REAL)? Wouldn't that be better than being taxed to death?

Fort Hood Terrorist Attack

Wake up, America. Return to your Judeo-Christian roots. I sincerely believe, and many of us have been saying for a while now, that unless this country returns to the triune God, we are done.

Praying for these families . . .

VOM Day of Prayer 2009

"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." Hebrews 13:3 (KJV)


Are you going to church tomorrow? This is just a quick reminder of a need that is always with us: The need to pray for our persecuted brethren. November 8th has a special emphasis, though, as Voice of the Martyrs is asking churches in the United States and all over the world to set aside time to pray for those who are suffering for the sake of Jesus. Please do, and please encourage those in leadership positions to bring this before your congregation. We cannot pray for these dear saints too much. And let me say this: we never know when persecution is coming our way.

Here is more information about this International Day of Prayer.

No Repeat

My dear Phillies went into the World Series trying to defend their World Championship crown from last year and be the first National League team to repeat in a long time. Well, the Yankees said "No, you can't keep it; we want it and we're gonna get it." And sadly for my team, the Yankees did just that and took it away. Wasn't that mean of them? Don't we teach our children not to snatch when someone else has something? Tch, tch, the Yankees just have no manners whatsoever. Oh boy, I guess I have to excuse it this time and begrudgingly offer them and their fans my congratulations. And in case you are wondering, I am NOT sorry that I changed my allegiance from the Yanks to the Phils. And boy, have I!

I think I appreciated this Phillies team even more than I did last year when they won. Somehow, watching them during that final inning touched me as a fan. As a commenter wrote this morning on a blog post by one of the players: "Even in Shane's [Victorina] final at-bat tonight, even tho you were down 4 runs, with 2 outs in the 9th he did not just give up and took a 10 pitch at-bat. And that to me represents this team." I would agree. Sure, they did upset me by not playing as well as I think they can in many situations during the series. I see some areas of needed changes. But I won't talk about that now. I just wanted to affirm my "fan" status and to say that I am looking forward to next year.

Republican Governor for NJ?

Well, some hopeful signs yesterday. Quite a few of them, actually. As far as what happened in my state with the election of Christie, let me say that he's a moderate, not a conservative, but realistically that all we can expect for now. In my estimation, it's a huge step for that to happen here in a state that is as blue as they come. Let's hope it's the beginning of something big and needful across our country in the critical three years ahead. At any rate, this made me more hopeful. Well, at least for now.

Praise Him, All Ye Little Children

This little children's praise song is a favorite of mine and I felt inclined to share it with you today. Some of you may not know, but one of the earliest publications which we did in our home business was a photo album entitled "Verses and Hymns for the Very Young." Shortly after publishing it, we produced a cassette by the same title, with voices of my own children and the children of some very close friends of ours. Of all of our publications, the popularity of this little cassette exceeded everything else. We still have folks asking us to put it into dvd form, and we are hoping that it won't be long until we're in a position to do so.

"Praise Him, Praise Him, all Ye Little Children," is one of the songs included and may be my favorite one on the cassette. The reason is personal. You see, the two children singing this particular song are my two daughters. It's the only piece on it which has just the two of them singing together. They were seventeen and five at the time; not professional singers, but two young hearts singing the praises of a great God. The older one understood what she was singing about; I think the younger one didn't then (she does now), but it will always be a special blessing to this mother when she hears it:

Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.

Thank Him, Thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Thank Him, Thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.

Serve Him, Serve Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
Serve Him, Serve Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.

There is also "love Him." That is most important. Don't you pray your children and grandchildren will love Him? If they do, then they can truly praise, thank, and serve Him in the days to come. Do you know the tune? Here is a piano version I found on YouTube, but the singing on our cassette was at a much slower tempo:

Hot Dog!

Dinner for tonight! Looks good, right? Ours won't be cooked on the outside grill, but I like them just as much panfried. I know, I know, they're not that good for you, but it's the opening night of the World Series!! What goes better with baseball than hot dogs? So that's what we're all about tonight. You would not believe how much excitement there is in the northeast where I live over this World Series. I have never seen anything quite like it. Yankees fans and Phillies fans are really going at it! I hope everyone takes it for what it really is--a game. Lots of fun, yes, but we all should remember it's just a game, and at the end of it all, whoever wins, we need to keep in mind that

JESUS STILL REIGNS!!!!!!!

Pink Slips

Did you see this? I saw this on the Mom's Network and thought I would pass it along. Read the article dated October 23rd in World Net Daily. I plan to take part; hope maybe some of you will too.

Ashamed of Jesus?

A couple of blog posts I read yesterday brought a hymn to mind, which we sing in my church now and then. Reading these words should make each of us think. As you probably know, it's not popular to be a Christian these days. We have not reached the point where we have to worry about physical persecution in this country, but I do believe there is a sense in which persecution for our faith has begun. I think we've come to a time where it's "easier" if you don't let your faith in Christ show too much. Maybe, you can go further in your profession or get better grades in school. Maybe you can do bigger and better things if you're not bogged down with too much "Christianity." Maybe, maybe, maybe a lot of things if you are not so fanatical about Jesus. I sure hope that you and I will take heed to these words, and that none of us are ever ashamed of our Lord. No matter what it costs us.

Jesus, and shall it ever be,
A mortal man ashamed of thee?
Ashamed of thee whom angels praise,
Whose glories shine through endless days!

Ashamed of Jesus! sooner far
Let evening blush to own a star:
He sheds the beams of light Divine
O'er this benighted soul of mine.

Ashamed of Jesus! just as soon
Let midnight be ashamed of noon;
'Tis midnight with my soul till he,
Bright Morning Star, bid darkness flee.

Ashamed of Jesus, that dear Friend
On whom my hopes of heav'n depend!
No; when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere his Name.

Ashamed of Jesus! yes, I may
When I've no guilt to wash away,
No tear to wipe, no good to crave,
No fears to quell, no soul to save.

Till then—nor is my boasting vain—
Till then I boast a Saviour slain;
And O may this my glory be,
That Christ is not ashamed of me.