Causing a Ruckus on the Internet is New to Me... Be Gentle Please

I feel nervous about this blog... I don't usually write blogs like this. Here is why:

1. It is political (I rarely, or maybe even never, write in length about my political stance.. because of #2)

2. It could offend some people (because of recent conversations with people of differing views, I felt it on my heart to share my ideas)

3. In an extension to my #2 reason, people who may think I am talking directly about them (you know, the "You're so Vain" - Carly Simon Syndrome), may decide to start a blog war with me (Now I know what Mark Driscoll is always talking about... crazy bloggers! haha)

But either way, I will write... and I will post anyway. To stay in the theme of writing titles, followed by a list (I don't usually do that... too structured for random thoughts if you ask me! hehe), here I go...



Reasons I am okay with Obama's being elected, even thought I didn't vote for him:


1. God put him there

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." - Romans 13:1


2. As Christians, we are the LAST people who should be fearing what is happening now or what is to happen later. So if God put Obama as president, then this is all apart of His plan... and we know what happens at the end: Jesus wins!!

"Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." - Luke 21:28


3. Has anyone seen gas prices?? ;)


and 4.

The word... the one word that surrounded the entire campaign... to some people it is a motto... or others it is now a cuss word...

HOPE

To start with, I do see a danger in people looking to a man, a sinful man (like the rest of us), for the hope of this nation. Only one man could bring hope to all mankind and He did not sin and is coming back for us someday. Obama will fall short of being the true hope of this nation...

However, I see something new happening with people now that he has been elected. People do have a new sense of hope, and even responsibility, regarding their place here in the US.

I have been thinking about Obama's non-saluting gig. I will admit that it is iffy to me... especially since he is our president. But then I think about what the flag is SUPPOSED to represent... and then I look at our actually country, from two hundred years ago to today... Two VERY different things. So different in fact, that it is hard for me to be proud of where we came from and how not-far we actually have come. It makes me so sad what people have had to go through to get here (geographically even), what they have gone through to prove themselves (even just as a human being), and the things that still happen to people today. I am not at all un-patrotic. But I am just saying that for most people (who aren't white basically), this land has been anything but free.

And so, although I think that our president, of all people, should be saluting the flag, perhaps because of a man who doesn't salute, many people will... for the first time in their lives.

For the first time, people who felt like they have never had a voice in this country, do. They have someone as president who knows what it is like to be a minority and who wants to use that experience to right the wrongs and make sure that people really are being treated equally. There is now someone in a high place in the country who 'sympathizes' with the people. Hmmm... sounds familiar. Although it falls short of being close to any type of comparison, how could this be used to tell people about what Jesus has done for us? (Being someone who is preparing to do more work in the inner city someday, I think more and more about these types of things!) What would that mean to some one to be able to say now, "Just as Obama knows what it is like to be a minority in this country, on a much, much, MUCH larger scale, JESUS knows what it is like to be a human and He wants us to be with Him."

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:15-16


So overall, I think instead of just surviving these next four (or possibly eight) years, let's pray and think of ways that God could be using our new president to bring people to His Kingdom... that's what this whole silly little life here on Earth is all about anyway, right? :)

Beauty from Ashes

I feel like my blog is often filled with a lot of sadness, prayer requests, and updates... with hope, but sometimes even more sadness. I suppose though that if I can't be honest about what's happening in my life, then why bother at all... but I still worry... am I a negative Nancy?? I don't think so... God loves all our requests... especially if they are from a heart for Him.

"Give ear to my words, O LORD,

consider my sighing.

Listen to my cry for help,

my King and my God,

for to you I pray.

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait in expectation."

-Psalm 5:1-3

On to my 'update':

Tuesday, Drena had a miscarriage. She would have had a little boy. At that point, it was easier for Joey to let her go. Her organs are now being donated to help other people live.

Here is a picture of Drena (on the right) with my friend Cynthia:



A super neat part about all of this is I have gotten a lot of responses about wanting to donate to this family... whether it is gift cards, clothing, or money, people really want to help! I even received an email from a lady I don't know! I am not even sure how she received my email address to contact me but either way, she still felt God leading her to do something to help! So neat!!

I will most likely get to meet Joey and Hailey this weekend as a few of us are going over to their house to help clean and unpack (they were in the process of moving during this last week.) Be praying for this time! Also, Joey is going to need a nanny soon for Hailey so he can go back to work after the holidays. We also need prayer that strong Christian men will step up to walk along with Joey during this tough time and also to encourage him in his walk with God.

Overall, (and here comes my 'positive Polly' attitude!) I am really excited to see what God is going to do through all of this! He is already bringing people together and showing His power as He provides for this family through the body!

Hailey... what a cutie:

Prayers needed and a chance to show Christ's love‏

The past few days, some sad information has been passed around for prayer. I received the following email today regarding the events and asking for our help. This would be a great opportunity for the body of Christ to step in and show our support and love. At the very least please be praying for this family.


"Hi everyone,

So it seems like tragic events always happen around Christmas time, for some reason. As many of you know, my friend Drena (who is only 34) was taken to ICU on Friday and declared dead on arrival.

2 days before, she had really bad headaches but was sent home the 2 times she went to the emergency room. Early Friday morning, her husband heard a thump in their bathroom and ran in to find Drena on the floor and not breathing.

Once she was checked into ICU, she was in a coma and deemed brain dead. This is not only tragic because of her age, but it was a freak thing. She had a cyst growing in her head that no one knew about. It was collecting fluid and putting pressure on her brain.

Drena is also 14 weeks pregnant. Although Drena is clinically dead, her baby's heart beat is still strong and the OB doctor still feels he/she is viable. Joey, Drena's husband, is now faced with the horrific decision of pulling the plug or allowing the baby to continue to grow within Drena for another 10 weeks in order to give the baby a 'meager chance'. There are no guarantees that Drena's body will continue to support the baby.

To make this even worse, Drena has a 15 month old daughter named Hailey. When I saw Hailey on Saturday, I realized that her shoes where a whole size too small and her poor little feet were shoved into them. I asked Joey if she had any other shoes....turns out Hailey lost 1 shoe to the only pair she had left that fit.

I started realizing that Joey was now going to be a single father and he will need lots of help from people that know and don't know him. If any of you have small daughters and have clothes/shoes that have been outgrown and you are willing to donate, please let me know. If you don't fit into that category, but would like to help with funds toward a Target gift card, we would be very thankful.

Joey is an unbeliever and this is the perfect opportunity for him to see the love and support of believers in Christ.

Please pray for this family and for their guidance....and if you have donations (of any kind), please let me know.

~Heather"


Please let me know if anyone has a donation to be made and I will pass it on to Heather. I never had the opportunity to meet Drena but I will look forward to the day when we will meet. Thank you so much for your prayers everyone!

My favorite song...

In only 20 Days, 6 Hours, 13 Minutes...

I will be 25 years old...

That is One Quarter of a Century!

I have already found gray hairs, I may have to go to the chiropractor for the first time for back pain, and... I could spontaneously combust at any given moment...

Ok... so I am not getting weird with thinking I am super old or anything like that...

BUT!! What in the world have I done with my life so far? Have I taken any chances for Christ? Why does my 20 page application for World Impact sit on my desk with only 3 pages sloppily completed? And when I get to heaven, what more is going to matter besides being with Jesus with the rest of my family, many of whom God could use me to bring into His kingdom?

Why am I so scared to just take a step? Just a step... not even a big one... just A step...

Time is Ticking!