The Values for which I will stand, pray, & speak

 
A dear & greatly respected friend has been corresponding with me about my Facebook posts.  He feels my posts are "hateful" and "bitter."  I don't agree.  I do not FEEL hateful or bitter towards anyone.  But my discussion with him caused me to realize that others who may disagree with me may see my posts differently than me, and I admit that I did actively work against the re-election of President Obama.  Now, after the election, I still find myself wanting to speak up for the same causes.   The truth is, I am much more issue-oriented than I am personality oriented.  I spent some time praying about this, asking God to guide me in future posts and to show me anywhere where I was wrong in what I posted.  I admit that I might have passed some potentially offensive posts in my zeal to see America go in a different direction.  As a result, I decided to think through and write down in firm form the values I will speak up about, and the kinds of posts I will not make or pass on.  Since I first wrote this on Facebook, I've added a couple of other things, & I'll continue to do so as God brings more to my mind.  For now, this are my own private rules.  They apply not only to Facebook, but to all public discussions.  Also, I am glad to say that I have many friends who disagree with me, some of them on almost every point below.  I still value them as friends and respect their right to make their own choices.  But for me, I have to speak up for the values that matter to me.  Some will see that I did not list my obvious interest in helping African children, fighting child trafficking & slavery.  I am trying to keep this as short as possible, & I feel those interests naturally flow out of the second point.  My support for the value & dignity of human life reaches far further than abortion, although that is included.  It is that core value which causes much of the ministry for which I, and Every Child Ministries, have become known.  Well, here are my values & private rules.  It might be interesting for others to do something similar.

THE VALUES FOR WHICH I WILL STAND, PRAY, AND SPEAK

Testimonies that honor my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and encourage other Christians.

 

The unique, innate value & dignity of human life as created in the image of God from conception until natural death.

Respect for all people as created in the image of God whether or not I agree with their views, decisions or lifestyles. This respect not to be interpreted as approval of their choices.

 

Respect for people’s right to make their own choices, up to the point those choices do not infringe on the life or right of another human being.

 

Religious freedom for all & discussion of ways we should react when those views are threatened or ignored.

Human sexuality, marriage and family as God created them to be & as a standard towards which we should strive.

Support for the nation of Israel to exist and to defend that right.

Exposing the progress of the imposition of Shariah law in non-Islamic countries.

Exposing the increasing persecution of Christians and speaking out as their voice.

Financial responsibility including minimizing debt, spending resources wisely for the good of all, and emphasizing programs that empower people to stand on their own and not to become permanently dependent on government.

Limited powers of government and strict, literal interpretation of our founding documents.

Truthfulness, transparency, and normal use of words without reinterpretation and doublespeak. Accountability from public officials and cultural spokespeople.

Factual exposés related to the above principles.

Prayer for all elected & appointed officials.

 

WHAT I WILL NOT SAY OR PASS ON

 

 Name calling and nastiness or villainizing of entire groups or political parties.

Nit-picking not related to the above principles.

 

Anything that just complains or expresses anger about those with opposing views without contributing in a positive way to the discussion.

Complaints & demands for recounts related to the election.• Respect for all people as created in the image of God whether or not I agree with their views, decisions or lifestyles. This respect not to be interpreted as approval.

 

 

Post Election Blues

My heart is heavy and sad today.  I'm not scared, not desperate.  I know God is on the throne and sovereign over all.  I know God is still the same as He was before the election of Barack Obama to a second term.  Ultimately, I trust in Him.

But I am sober, somber.  I know that this nation has made a huge mistake--not because they elected a Democrat and not a Republican, but because they elected a man who claims to be a Christian and yet spits in the face of so very many Biblical ideas and principles, even things as basic as respect for all human life and what marriage is.  That's why I decided to take an open stand against him on Facebook, even realizing I could lose a friend and the mission could lose support. 

America has been moving away from God for some time.  Obama did not start the engine rolling downhill.  But his policies and the principles he openly espouses are like stepping on the gas full speed ahead.  His polcieis and principles mock God and His Word. 

As I thought about the election, I can't help but think of the Bible account of when the children of Israel wanted a king, so they could be like all the nations around them.  God said no, He was to be their king.  But they kept insisting.  God warned them pointedly what would happen if they got a king.  He would make them poor with heavy taxes.  He would enslave their children to serve him.  But they still insisted.  So God let them have their own way, and they suffered all the consequences God had warned them about.  (I Kings 8)

I think about Romans 1:24, 26 & 28, where the Bible says "God gave them up" because "they did not like to retain God in their knowledge." 

Is God at the point of giving America up?  Has He done so already?  I can't say for sure, but I do know we are headed in that direction, in a steep downhill race, picking up steam, going faster and faster.  There is a huge cliff ahead, but we show no signs of stopping or slowing down.  I knew before the election we were close to that point if we haven't reached it yet.

I feel we have crossed a line, and there may be no return. 

Of course, I know God can bring us back if we turn from our sin and seek His face, but I also see that when we insist on going our own way, God's judgment often comes in the form of giving us up--simply withdrawing His grace and letting us eat the fruit of our own ways.

My mood tonight reminds me of one of our most difficult nights in Congo.  The army was in mutiny and was systematically pillaging and destroying sections of the city of Kinshasa.  We were staying at a friend's home and they were not able to get back because the streets were unsafe and volatile.  We could hear gunfire in the background.  We heard that the soldiers were coming to loot the neighborhood where we were staying.  They had planned to do so that very night.  There was no way to get out and nowhere to go.  We felt that we might die that night.  We gathered the African guard and workers who were there.  Together we knelt on the veranda and committed our lives to God.  I remember that tears streamed down our faces as we faced the fact that we could be in our last hours on earth.  It was a sober, somber time.  Yet the most amazing peace filled my heart.  I knew that if the soldiers killed me, I would be with Jesus.

That's the sense I feel right now.  Sober.  Somber,  Realizing that we are in awesome and imminent danger as a nation.  Yet still knowing that Jesus is with us.  Nothing can separate us from Him and His love.

The future?  It's not looking bright right now as far as this life goes.  It's looking very serious for our grandchildren.  Yet Jesus is with those who love Him, and we know we are on the winning side in the end.   Lord, let me experience the reality of that in even greater measure!

My IMPOSSIBLE call to the Karimojong

I've been stepping out of my comfort zone for years, but what should I do when I believe God is calling me to do something that I know I cannot physically do?  For some years I've been following the plight of the Karimojong people in Uganda.  It is becoming quite clear that God expects us to go up to Karamoja land on an exploratory mission.  We've been in touch with a Christian missionary veterinarian up there and she has suggested November 2013 as an ideal time for the trip.  Roads are most likely to be passable, and the weather is not yet at its hottest.  I know I have to go.

Yet even as I write this, I realize that I am in no shape to go.  I would say that my physical ability to make that trip and to do the exploration successfully is just about as close to zero as it is possible to get.  For years I've struggled with fibromyalgia pain.  It's not responded to any of the pain medications and anti-inflammatories my doctors have given me.  And it's got a lot worse recently.  The truth is that I've taken the easy path, avoiding needed exercise because I found it painful.  That's an ever-increasing downward cycle.   As my life has become more sedentary I've also filled in my minutes by munching and comforted myself with food, getting more and more out of shape.

Although the deterioration of my condition is rather advanced, I am believing that it must be possible to reverse degenerative fibromyalgia pain.  If it wasn't possible, God would not be asking me to go to Karamoja.

So, yesterday I made a decision to commit myself to getting in shape.  I will do everything I know to do, believing that by November 2013 I can build up the stamina and health needed to go to Karamoja.
I've tried several kinds of supplements, and they have not helped long term.  I've tried pain relievers from a neurologist my doctor sent me to see and anti-inflammatories from my chiropractor.  I believe my lifestyle has to be the key.  I developed these problems after I came home from Africa and began to be less physically active.  I've tried several times to adopt a more disciplined lifestyle, always falling back into old habits and the easy path.  But I was leaving myself an out--trying to do it quietly on my own.

This time, I am announcing my intention publicly.  I have already put it on Facebook.  I need friends to pray for me, encourage me and keep me accountable. 

I've begun to keep a fitness diary--diet, exercise, pain levels, attitude.  Maybe it will help me spot problem areas and maybe it will encourage someone else who is struggling.

My goal is not just to look good, although I won't complain about any improvements in that area!
My goal is to be able to do what God is asking me to do.  Today I did several forms of exercise, starting gradually.  But when I sat for half an hour to do scrapbooking tonight, I was almost unable to stand afterwards.  The back muscles of my upper legs just tighten up and refuse to work.  That's why it's such a spectacle to watch me try to get up after sitting for awhile.  I have no doubt that I cannot do this right now.  Graciously, God has given me a little over 13 months to work on the problem.  I know the precious Karimojong people are well worth the effort.

The Terrible Silence Has Ended--Daughter Found

Lord, I am sorry for any negative thought I ever had about Kristi's early morning phone calls.  If only she had called this morning.  Or yesterday.  Or...

I took medication to make sure I could sleep.  The second I woke up and looked over at the clock it hit me.  Silence.

I had started this blog this morning, and had to leave it to come to work.  About 9:30, we received a call from our daughter Carrie saying Kristi had just shown up at her place.  We are so relieved.  We had all thought the worst.

Kristi apparently went to visit a friend she met through the mental health program she is in.  Since she normally calls Carrie even to inform her that she is on the bus, leaving without telling anyone is not like her.  When they got to the town where the friend lived, she could not get a bus back to town because of Memorial Day weekend.  She didn't have any cell phone units.  We are all tremendously relieved.

Thank you all for praying.  After this experience, getting ready to take a team to Africa will seem like a breeze.

THE TERRIBLE SILENCE --Daughter Missing

THE TERRIBLE SILENCE

The silence this morning makes me sick to my stomach.  I can hear the loud ticking of the clock beside me.  Every tick is one second that our beloved daughter Kristi might be suffering.  Normally she calls before her feet even hit the floor.  ZERO messages.

Kristi has been missing since Friday.  All of us who know Kristi well are scared.  This is a complete break with her normal patterns.

She lost her job and the apartment where she was living.  She was staying temporarily in a homeless shelter.  She was supposed to show up at our granddaughter Marissa's graduation Sunday afternoon.  This is the kind of thing Kristi absolutely lives for.  I was bringing her pictures of her daughter Whitney's graduation and she could not wait to see them.

When Kristi did not show up, we thought there might have been some kind of miscommunication.  Maybe she needed a ride.  Maybe her friends dropped her at Carrie's, not realizing the party was at the church.  The day was very hot and we were afraid of Kristi being left out in the hot sun.  But she was not at Carrie's, nor did we see her anywhere along the route between the church and the house.

We went to the shelter where she was staying.  They informed us that Kristi was no longer there.  No, they could not tell us when she left.  No, they could not tell us where she was going.  No, they could not relay a message.  No, they could not give us any information.  I understood their position.  They were following policy and protecting those under their care, but it was a sober mama who had to come out and tell Papa John that Kristi was not there.  Still, I thought that probably Adult & Child services had moved her to a new location.  I could not understand why they would not have told Carrie, who handles Kristi's affairs, since Kristi is special needs.

We went back to the reception.  Carrie was also very concerned, because Kristi ALWAYS keeps in touch.  She called the emergency number for Adult & Family services who were helping Kristi.  They had not moved her to a new place and did not know where she was.  They agreed that it was highly unlikely that Kristi would willingly have missed a family event.  Kristi is extremely social and places a very high value on staying constantly connected.

I felt we should call the police and report her missing.  My training about human trafficking was beginning to make me sick, and I knew that if Kristi was in trouble, there could be a narrow window of time in which to act.  Plus, Kristi had no other place to go.  The homeless shelter was a last resort, and since she did not pack, she obviously planned to come back when she left in the morning.

The police came out and took a report.  They were able to call the shelter and get details.  She had not been there since Friday, and her clothes were still there.  Now I knew for sure that something was wrong.  We believe that either she was abducted or met with foul play, or someone talked her into going with them.  If it is the latter, they are also restricting her freedom or she would definitely have called home.  Kristi knows she can call home no matter where she is, no matter what trouble she is in, no matter what she may have done.  If she hasn't called, it is because she cannot call.

We called friends with whom we knew Kristi kept in close contact.  They said they had already been concerned because Kristi always called them every day but had not called since Friday.

Although my husband John & I had prayed together earlier, we asked the church elders & leaders, many of whom were camping on the grounds at Carrie's church to pray with us for Kristi, and we so much appreciated them holding us all up before the Lord.


Dear friends, I know may seem like a short time Kristi has been missing, but we have reason to believe she is in danger.  There are three things you can do to help.  1.  If you are a praying person, please pray for her.  2.  Please put this out on Facebook, email, etc. & ask others to pray, 3.  Those of you who know Kristi, if you see or hear from her, please urge her to call home and please let us know if you or anyone hears from her.

Dear God,
You saw Kristi when she still growing in the womb of her sickly, malnourished mom in Africa.  You had Your hand on her as she struggled to survive.  You love her and have good plans for her life.   You know where she is right now.  Please keep her in Your care.  No matter what her situation, give her an opportunity to call home.  We trust You no matter what because You have already proven Yourself Good and Faithful.  We love You, God.  Convey our love to Kristi.  In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

My Spiritual Journey--The Changes Jesus Made

So, for the past several days, in honor of my spiritual anniversary, I've been posting how I came to know Jesus Christ.

Now I'd like to talk about a few of the changes Jesus has made in my life.
Previous to coming to Jesus, my life had been dominated by the dark shadows of my insecure personality.  Always fearing rejection, it was a 3 year project to plan how to say "hi" to somebody.  Most people stare at me in disbelief when I tell them that I don't recall ever speaking to a single person outside my family all through elementary school.  Certainly I did not speak to any of my classmates.  It wasn't that I didn't like them.  I just didn't know how, nor did I have the courage.
In elementary school that wasn't so bad.  I kind of lived in a fantasy world of my own making.  But around about Jr. High, it began to become excrutiating.  I was almost finished with my sophomore year in high school when I came to Christ, and my social situation was not much better.


I can't say that Jesus transformed me into a brilliant conversationalist or a popular socialite.  But becoming a Christian did change things for me.  It took my mental spotlight off my own pain and began to focus it on Jesus.  It assured me of God's love and acceptance.  It assured me of my personal worth as a person made in God's image, an object of His love and mercy, a part of His big plan.  As those ideas filled my mind, it was easier to relax around others.  I was still very shy, but I no longer feared rejection so much.  And I began to understand God's love for others, too, and reach out to them to genuinely befriend them, and not just to get a friend for myself.  That has been a long process.


Along the way in God's providence He brought me a husband who had all the social qualities I lacked.  He has taught me a lot, and I am still amazed at how fast and completely he opens up even to someone he is just meeting.


I am still a quiet, thinker type of person, still more cautious in how I make myself known to others.   I am still uncomfortable in many social situations.  But I no longer fear speaking to people.  I no longer worry about whether I am liked or accepted.  I feel secure and loved, and am able to extend that to others.


My heart always goes out to the underdog, to the person who is alone, to the person who is outcast.  I can identify instantly because for so many years I was an outcast myself.  (And yes, I do recognize that most if not all of that was my own making.)  My own making or not, I can still remember how it feels.  I think maybe God wanted me to go through that pain so that I could identify with the pain of others.


Because of that pain, I have been able to help homeless street kids, abandoned kids, enslaved children, trafficked children.  God has used it all to help many and I think to bring Himself glory.

I must not be the only one in the world who has gone through these things, because some years back I wrote my story for Good News magazine.  They wrote back encouraging me with the news that 63 people had written to them saying that they had received Christ as a result of reading my story.  Wow, that's more than enough repayment for any pain I suffered!


Even better yet, God is not done with me yet.  I can't wait to see what else He has in store.

Assurance at Last

May 15.  In 1961 it was a Sunday.  I attended services at Michigan Center Bible Church, where I had been attending evangelistic meetings since Thursday.   At the conclusion of the message, they asked everyone who had made a decision for Christ during the week to come forward to the front of the church.  They began singing, "Where He leads me, I will follow".  As the congregation sang, suddenly I felt a surge of courage.  That meant me.  I had not registered a decision with the church, but I had certainly made one.  Already that decision had brought a thirst for God's Word that I had never had before.  But it had not yet brought assurance.  Since Thursday, how many times had I told God that I was indeed a sin lost and condemned?  How many times and in how many words had I pleaded with Him to save me?  I understand now that He did that the very first moment I cried out to Him, but back then I did not have that understanding.  I yearned for the assurance they had sung about in church on Thursday night.

Suddenly I found the courage to do something absolutely atypical for me.  I walked down that church aisle and stood there with a group of others who had also come to Christ during the week.  That clinched it.  I knew I had come to saving faith--not that it happened that very moment, but that I felt it that very moment.  Assurance just flooded my soul.  From then on my prayers to move on to other things.

Shortly after that, I was baptized there.  Although my parents had taken me through a baptismal ceremony as a baby, I saw in the Bible that people were baptized after coming to faith in Christ.  I took that step, too.  Then slowly, subtly, God began to change me, and the horrible shadows caused by my inordinate shyness began to lift.   More about that tomorrow.