Who Lives Here?

"Should anyone knock at my heart and say, ‘Who lives here?’ I should reply, ‘Not Martin Luther, but the Lord Jesus Christ.’” 
- Martin Luther

Dancing in the Minefields

Supporters of Chick-fil-A: Haters?

I am sick and tired of people saying that if you support Chick-fil-A {you were among those participating the Mike Huckabee induced Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day} that you are somehow advocating “hate.” That’s not the case. The reason Americans showed up in mass numbers to buy chicken sandwiches and nuggets is because –we stand for free speech and freedom of religion {promised to us in the First Amendment.} How hard is that to digest? 

Dan Cathy, President  & CEO of Chick-fil-A, is being persecuted – and yes, I said persecuted by liberal media and LGBT groups for simply stating his viewpoint on traditional and Biblical marriage. It’s not a secret – Chick-fil-A is a Christian company. They are closed on Sundays – for heaven’s sake! Why should one statement incite such fury from critics?

These critics are the ones that want government mandated healthcare. These critics are the ones that want a nanny-state. These critics are the ones that don’t want to lift a finger and still collect an unemployment check. These critics are the ones that want to abort precious lives, while forcing Catholic and other religious groups to pay for contraceptives {even though, it opposes their core values.}  These critics are the ones that want to give amnesty to all – without making people who have broken the law and mooched off the economy legally become United States citizens. These critics are the ones that are destroying the American Dream as we know it. There is something very wrong with this picture. 

Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emmanuel, once Chief of Staff for America’s Commander-in-Chief {can you say scary!?} was among the scoffers that stated, 

“Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago’s values”

He also went so far as to say he does not regret his comments made about the fast food chain restaurant. Classy Mayor – very classy! 

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino fired off a letter to the Chick-fil-A president. He writes, 

"In recent days you said Chick-fil-A opposes same-sex marriage and said the generation that supports it has 'an arrogant attitude. Now—incredibly—your company says you are backing out of the same-sex marriage debate. I urge you to back out of your plans to locate in Boston."

I live in a land of bi-partisan nature {Washington, DC} – although these days it feels like more of a dictatorship ruled by our “Tyrant King.” It’s funny because I thought that’s the reason our ancestors sailed across an ocean – freedom of religion and to escape the hands of despotism? Yet, we now have elected officials trying to reverse this freedom our fathers fought so hard and died for?  

It all boils down to the fact that we have lost sight of who we are. Even some Christians have misplaced this truth. We feed into political correctness in order to “fit in.” However, Jesus told us – 

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” - John 15:18-19

More troubling to me is seeing notable Christians posting articles and statements on their social media accounts not advocating that marriage should be between a man and woman. Jesus called us “the light of the world.” Conforming to the pattern of this world should not be an option. We should not see ‘both sides of the issue’ regarding something that is a Biblical truth. God’s word is black and white. Just like the Ten Commandments – there is a right and wrong. 

One prominent Christian author notes, 

“Again, what concerns me the most in all of this is the drawing of unmovable lines between the Christian community and the LGBT community when these lines need not exist. As Christians, we should be working tirelessly to find common ground instead of drawing battle lines.”

This is not accurate. We are to draw a line in the sand – for what is holy and what is unholy. No, we should never carry out hate crimes or treat someone who holds different beliefs as a “second class citizen.” But, we should not be forced in to accepting something that is a sin – in the eyes of Christianity. 

It’s encouraging that newly elected Texas Senator Ted Cruz served Chick-fil-A at his victory party last night. This is an indication that Americans are not completely glazed over by the ideals of the “kooks” {as Monica Crowley would call them.} 

Let’s not allow America to forsake her godly heritage. It’s time to claim that phrase that hangs over the speaker’s diocese on the Floor of the United States Representatives, “In God We Trust.”And, let's not forget that our First Amendment rights are precious. Once these cease to exist, America as we know it, will.

ShePAC

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Last night listened to one of my favorite role models – Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Talk about incredible! She is a physically little woman with giant intellect. Her speech was graceful and delivery was flawless. With her words she stirred the room of flashing cameraS and star-struck ladies to get out, vote and support Mitt Romney in 2012. Excellent VP material? I think so!

One thing she said resonated throughout my body [will be paraphrasing]. She looked at everyone with tears in her eyes and noted – this is a little girl who grew up in segregated Alabama; yet, her father told her that she could be the President of the United States someday. We live in a beautiful country – where someone who was not allowed to get food from a hamburger stand could grow up to be Secretary of State. Chills.

Father's Day 2012

My Father - I could write volumes of books to explain why my father means the world to me. A masculine and towering character, his presence is felt by all. Upon initial glance, he looks stern and serious. Face concentrated and lined in wisdom, his green eyes are piercing and intimidating. His voice is assured and confident. However, this is not the man I know. This is the man the world knows. I am blessed and humbled to know my father’s heart. 

When thinking about my father, my soul leaps within me. My body bubbles over with love. If I were to describe my dad in one word – it would be “sacrifice.” Of course, parents are always supposed to lay aside a lot of their wants and desires for their kids – that is what makes for a good parent. But, I think my dad is an exception. He has always been me and my sister’s biggest advocate and fan. 

Blessed with two little girls, my dad stepped up to the plate serving as our protector, coach and encourager. He gave up his pastimes to sit up in high school bleachers and chant with his two cheerleaders, “Go Big Green and Gold.” He spent his Saturdays hitting grounders to his freckle-faced middle school daughter and spent countless nights wiping the tears from her emotional face. 

My father is a rock. It’s hard for me to think of him as a little boy or new husband –I guess he once was –but, I’ve always known him as a steady source of wisdom and strength. I know him as a solid leader who knelt by our bedside and powerfully prayed promises over us. I know him as a man who would sing with us, “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God” from his gut after prayers. I know my father as a voice who stated at every turn, “You are blessed and favored by the Lord.” 

You see – my father is an exception. A simple, “thank you for being my dad” cannot suffice on this Father’s Day or any for that matter. He had a choice – to be a lackluster dad or to show his little girls a father’s undying love. I’m glad he chose the latter.

Daddy, you’ve not only encouraged me and spurred me on to “suck out all the marrow of life,” you’ve gently guided me. You have led by example. You are our family’s patriot. You ride at dawn with a torch of fire in hand – which is God’s word. Your battle cry is not one of self-serving accolades. You call out in truth. I respect you deeply. You are the husband and father God has called you to be and that means the world to me.  

 I love you Daddy.

Crave Blessings

Today it’s raining in DC. I typically loathe the rain. A girl with naturally curly hair, humidity and moisture either make my hair very frizzy or resemble a red version of Shirley Temple. Although, I don’t like the physical aspects of the rain, the symbolism of rain is quite beautiful to me – it washes all the old away. 

So many times in life, I’ve wanted to just get one of those squeegees at the gas stations and wipe away the dust that clouts my vision and my mind. You see, it’s so easy to get bombarded by the everyday mundane things and miss out on the blessings. 

How sad is it that people miss out on beautiful blessings because they are fixated on the ordinary? I think of the fossil digs in grade school we all went on. On the outside, the dig would look like a typical sandbox. But, as soon as you put your shovel to work – you’d uncover sometimes unique relics.

I can tell you – that I want to take time and seek out the fossils. However, nothing special is acquired without hard work.  This has to be intentional. It’s deliberate to gather the equipment to uncover fossils and search for these unearthed treasures. 

In order to find blessings from God, we must make our journey to his throne room intentional. It’s vital to just read an entry in a devotional, listen to a Christian podcast or simply open your Bible and read a verse. Blessings cannot flow to a heart only seeking the mundane. Hunt for the extraordinary! Go on a heavenly fossil dig!

God is extraordinary – so why would he give you anything other than what is exceptional? You are his child – the apple of his eye. He longs for you to yearn for him in your everyday life. Crave the blessings of the spirit!. The Lord has promised – you will never hunger or thirst.

New Day

• Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. - Henry David Thoreau

 

• This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24