TO TAKE A STAND ........ or NOT

My blog is first and foremost an avenue to share my faith. Secondly, it is a place to share our family happenings and lives as a future record.

Increasing, over the past year, I have found myself taking a political and moral stand on many issues. I had never been particularly interested in politics in my past years. As I have seen things unfold, especially since 1-20-09, I have been compelled to speak up.

I do take a political stand on my blog because I am of the generation who let O'Hair take prayer out of school because we Christians sat back and said, "Oh God won't let that happen." WRONG...it did happen, because as Christians we did nothing. I vowed then and there that I would not and could not ever again not speak up for my God, my country and my beliefs when they were being attacked.



As I see more and more pictures like this,


and read about 50,000 Islams gathering on the Capital Hill (I posted about this here) I MUST speak out.

"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing."

This is what happened

The U. S. Supreme Court issued two bans. One in 1962 and the second in 1963. Both bans were the result of lawsuits against the teaching of religion and religious practices in public schools. Basically stating that organized prayer in schools was a violation of the separation of church and state. It was decided that publicly funded schools were an extension of the state, and that organized prayer or bible readings were a form of proselytizing. The bans not only banned mandatory prayer in schools but also banned the daily reading of bible passages. The lawsuits were supported by several organizations but the most outspoken supporter for banning prayer in schools came from Madalyn Murray O'Hair, the founder of American Atheists, Inc.

&
ROE v. WADE
Decided January 22, 1973

"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Psalm 11:3

Please stand with me to defend and protect the foundation upon which our Nation was founded.

Speak out & most importantly PRAY!!!!!!

PROUD TO BE AN OKIE!!!

An update from Oklahoma:


Oklahoma law passed, 37 to 9, had a few liberals in the mix, an amendment to place the Ten Commandments on the front entrance to the state capitol. The feds in D.C., along with the ACLU, said it would be a mistake. Hey, this is a conservative state, based on Christian values...! HB 1330 Guess what.......Oklahoma did it anyway,


Oklahoma recently passed a law in the state to incarcerate all illegal immigrants, and ship them back to where they came from unless they want to get a green card and become an American citizen. They all scattered. HB 1804. Hope we didn't send any of them to your state. This was against the advice of the Federal Government, and the ACLU, they said it would be a mistake. Guess what .......Oklahoma did it anyway.


Recently we passed a law to include DNA samples from any and all illegals to the Oklahoma database, for criminal investigative purposes. Pelosi said it was unconstitutional. SB 1102 Guess what .......Oklahoma did it anyway.


We passed a law, declaring Oklahoma as a Sovereign state, not under the Federal Government directives. Joining Texas, Montana and Utah as the only states to do so. More states are likely to follow: Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, West Virginia, Mississippi, Florida. Save your confederate money, it appears the South is about to rise up once again. HJR 1003 Guess what .......Oklahoma did it anyway.


The federal Government has made bold steps to take away our guns. Recently Oklahoma passed a law confirming people in this state have the right to bear arms and transport them in their vehicles. I'm sure that was a set back for the criminals (and Obamaites). Liberals didn't like it -- But.. Guess what .......Oklahoma did it anyway.


By the way, Obama does not like any of this. Guess what .... who cares... Oklahoma is doing it anyway.

This information verified at: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/o/oklahoma-laws.htm

Our Independence Day

Our area had two Tea Parties this Independence Day. One in Tulsa and one in Broken Arrow. The one in Broken Arrow was from 10 to 2. Mickey & I donned our Red/White & Blue T-shirts and headed to the Tea Party. A much needed rain began to fall on our way there. We got to the park but decided we were not up to standing in the rain. They did have a pretty decent attendance, even despite the rain. We were pleased and happy to see so many young couples with their children there. It is encouraging to know that all age groups are aware and becoming concerned with the direction some are taking our beloved country. These Tea Parties are to organize the people for the next election cycle . The next one Tea Party scheduled in our area will be in September and hopefully we will be able to attend it.

We decided to try out a new restaurant called The Broken Egg Cafe and have brunch. We waited about 1/2 an hour to get seated. They were packed!!! It was well worth the wait.

This evening we attended this monthly Southern Gospel Worship Gathering. It is put on the 1st Saturday of every month at The Assembly Church in Broken Arrow. We have been to several of these and have never been disappointed.

Came on home and listened to our various neighbors shoot off fireworks.

It was a lovely day and even with all the problems that our nation is facing at the moment we are thankful and grateful for our Country, which was founded on God and the principals of The Bible. We are determined to stand firm for those values.

Here is a poem written by one of the organizers of the Southern Gospel Worship Gatherings.

Thank God For The Great USA!

You're a beautiful lady, quiet and tall,

With a torch in your hand, bidding welcome to all.

To all who come here with freedom in mind;

But you are not deaf and you are not blind.

You see those who come to do hurt to our land.

The plotters of evil; their cause will not stand.

While we have endured, death, sorrow and pain,

Know that your heroes did not die in vain.

You're in your prime but you've kept your appeal.

We love your anthem, your flag and your seal.

You have some wrinkles, they come with the years.

But our love for you lady, still brings us to tears.

We've been silent too long. It's time to speak out.

We want you to know that there isn't a doubt;

You are the greatest! United we say,

"Thank God for you lady. The great USA!"

by Peter Enns 2009

=========================================================

Drop over to Hands & Hearts ....... for HIM!!! for some great tips about using Bounce sheets!!!!

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER

Given the current national economic crisis, you may find this interesting.

The Benefits of the Inevitable Economic Depression

Americans will reduce their overall national obesity rate because they will have less money to spend daily on fatty, fast foods.



Americans will walk or ride their bicycles more because they will have less money to spend on gasoline.



Americans will spend less time on their computers because they will have less money to spend on Internet pornography and gambling.



Americans will spend more time reading than watching television because they will have less money to spend on outrageous cable and satellite fees.



Americans will spend more time worshipping God rather than Hollywood and sports celebrities because they will finally realize that during a depression the latter NEVER cared about them.



Americans will appreciate the value of a dollar and what it takes to earn one before they squander their money on frivolous things they don’t need.



Americans will appreciate that being employed is more honorable than being unemployed because, during a depression, the federal government has no money for welfare and human services.



Americans will finally demand leaders of integrity and principle who truly care about the Nation’s welfare rather than lecherous, self-serving politicians who shamelessly lust for money and power.



Americans will finally embrace hard work, personal accountability, self-achievement, and success.



Americans will finally despise sloth, irresponsibility, government waste, and failure.



Americans will finally realize the family unit, and not government, is the most important element of our society.

THANK YOU & A SERIOUS ISSUE

First, thank you to all who stayed with me during 8, yes count them 8, posts answering your questions. Many of you probably learned way more than you wanted to know about what I thought!!! I was stunned at the number and depth of the questions I was asked. You truly made the climax of my first year a very special event for me. My blog friend, Barbara, from England just received the package of the give-away items for my drawing. I'm so glad they arrived safe and sound.

Thanks also for the sweet comments about Oksana's birthday celebration for her and her friends. Today is actually her 13th birthday. How, or how, did she get to be a teenager so quickly!!!! She is a very mature 13 year old and we are so extremely proud of her and the decisions she has made and making. Since this is her birthday the family will be celebrating it tonight with dinner at Macaroni Grill. (See why I don't lose weight........we eat all the time.....our social life it around food!!.) I'm sure I'll post a picture or two tomorrow of this event.

**********

Now to a very serious issue. As you all know I am an avid reader. My preference for reading are books of a spiritual nature but a friend at church recently shared with Mickey & I about a book he had just read that really disturbed him and asked if we would like to read it. He told us briefly about it and I said yes. He brought me the book and we had it read in 3 days!!! It is CRASH PROOF by Peter D. Schiff. He is actually giving investment advice, which is not why I read it or why I encourage you to read it, but it's because he tells the terribly shape America is in that I do so.

In 1999 we went to Dallas and attended a Hal Lindsey conference. At the time we purchased Cliff Ford's book, BLOOD, MONEY & GREED. We read it back then and after reading Crash Proof I pulled it off my shelf and are almost finished re-reading this book again now 8 years later and see how "right on" Cliff was.

We are in a VERY critical time in the life of our country. We Christians know how very serious this upcoming election is to America. We must start making some of the serious decisions in our personal life and in the life of our nation. We must not elect people who promise us all the "something for nothing" mentality that American's want to hear. There is no "Free Lunch" and we are ruining our nation and destroying the future for our children and grandchildren. I personally feel the return of the Lord is VERY near, but the Bible tells us to "Occupy until I return" and that is what we must do.

I would love to hear your comments, feelings and thoughts about the condition of our country. I would encourage you to read either or both of these books and if any of you have other ones to refer to us I would appreciate it.

**********

I am happy that I see the glass 1/2 full and not 1/2 empty. Even though I am moved enough to be concerned I still know that God is on the throne and that we win. I know "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14

I don't know how many of you are familiar with THE CALL (Lou Engle) but Mickey & I are participating in this call to pray and fasting. Lou is asking us to read Joel 2:12-23 for 21 days (this began on February 13th) and to add Isaiah 22:20-22 and Daniel 2:20-22 for February 20-22. Any who would like to join in I encourage you to do so.

USS NEW YORK

Artist rendition of the USS New York

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

It is the fifth in a new class of warship-designed for missions that include special operations against terrorist.

It will carry a crew of 370 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section.

When it was poured into the molds on September 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there."

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up.". "It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down.

The ship's motto? "NEVER FORGET"!

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns ------ All three missed it ---

This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance Very fascinating.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1


3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.


4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.


5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.


6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30."


Other requirements of the Guard:

They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.

They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.


The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.


There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.


The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV.


All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.


A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.



Among the notables are:

President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.


Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.


ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.


In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person.

The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

God Bless and keep them.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.