Thoughts About Being an Out-Spoken Christian

I keep hearing that authors shouldn't speak out on political issues on Facebook or other social media;  that posting views on controversial issues could alienate people, maybe even make them hate you—and that's not what we're called to do.  I'd like to examine the usual reasons given for us to keep our mouths shut and offer a different viewpoint:

 Argument: It could alienate readers/make them hate you.

The Response:  If my politics alienates anyone they wouldn't like my books, anyway. My books are strongly Christian and staunchly conservative. Also, did Jesus care if he alienated people? Lots of people hated Jesus for telling them like it is. When I share political stuff, I'm not just spouting opinions—but links to articles that I believe are telling it like it is.     

Argument: We're called to write, not get into politics.  

The Bible says the ungodly "suppress the truth in unrighteousness." If the ungodly suppress the truth, doesn't it stand to reason that the godly should do the opposite? Broadcast it? I post headlines and links to things mainstream media purposely suppresses. Why should I join them in silent collusion when I can do what they're not doing and help spread truth?

 It isn't "nice" to talk politics.

That may be true at a family dinner or reunion, but on places like Facebook there is no captive audience. I don't make it a habit to tag people, or post to their pages—I stick to my own turf. No one has to put up with it if they don't want to. And we as a church are so busy being "nice" and guarding the front door that the wolves have been coming in the back. We need to stop playing nice, and get real. (We've been so nice, historically, that society has fallen to its current level. Society can only fall as low as the church will allow.)

As writers, our job is to entertain, not cause possible strife.

 That may be true for some writers, but personally I try to imbue my work with much more than entertainment. If I wanted to simply entertain people I'd be a stand-up comic.  My job is to be authentic, a Jesus follower in view of the world.  I feel strongly about the issues of the day, and I am being authentically me not only when I share my faith, but when I share how that faith engages with social issues—and that includes political things.

If you're not an expert on the issue, you're not qualified to share your opinions about it.

Having the right to discuss issues does mean running the risk of being wrong on occasion; so what?  Few of us have time to exhaustively research every matter—but that doesn't preclude the need or right to discuss them. (It sure as heck doesn't stop the progressives from sharing their opinions. )Social media is an open forum—many people recognize this and share their thoughts if they disagree with a post, or think you're mistaken on an issue.  And that's just fine.

Don't share it if it doesn't have eternal value.

This sounds strangely like "if you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all." That's great advice when you're talking about mom's dinner, but it's not great advice when the wolves are at the door and you need to tell them to keep out.  I make no claims that my political posts have eternal value—but do other posts get this stringent requirement? If I put a picture of my beautiful backyard roses online, does it have eternal value? Must it have eternal value to have any value? If we all stuck to this requirement, the only thing we could talk about would be God and scripture.

It comes across as negativity.

That's exactly what the Pharisees thought when Jesus pronounced woe on them. Some people don't like posts that imply abortion is murder, or that sodomy is still sin, or that traditional marriage is the only real marriage.  To them, it's negativity.  In fact, I'm not trying to offend people, but in truth, they're offended with God, not me. He made the rules! As for purely political posts, many see that as negativity, too, for all the above reasons. But for people who are like-minded, these posts are encouraging. They know they're not the only ones who care.  And many people really are ignorant of God's views on issues, and need to be told.

Christians should spread love, not hate.

The most loving thing to do for people other than pray and witness the gospel is to be honest with them. If I keep silent on social issues in order not to offend some, I am also failing to offend the ones who need to be offended. Yes, you heard that right. Sometimes we need to be offended—with our sin. Coming to God requires the acknowledgment of sin, yet we are told to avoid discussing social issues that the Bible calls sin. Why? Because it makes people uncomfortable?  Sometimes discomfort is the path to faith. And we are the church—who else will call out abortion for being murder, or homosexuality as an abomination to God?  You don't have to be ordained or stand at a pulpit to stand firm on God's Word. People need to know that God has definite views on these issues. Perhaps this knowledge could lead to repentance!   It is not unloving to administer truth.

You won't win any popularity contests by being opinionated.

To paraphrase a famous line of fiction: "Frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a darn."  Would you tell a Bonhoeffer to keep quiet?  Or Luther not to pin his 99 articles to the door at Wittenburg? Thankfully, we don't have to be a Bonhoeffer or a Luther to stand up against ungodliness; or to share what we feel is right, politically. All we need is a place to be heard. And a willingness to ignore those who only want us  to play nice. 

In the end, Jesus' commitment to sharing truth got him crucified. Which was, of course, God's plan from all eternity, for our blessing and salvation.  Jesus knew the end from the beginning. He knew exactly what his destiny was and stayed true to his calling.  Calling out sin got John the Baptist beheaded. For us, being willing to stand counter-culture in the cause of righteousness may end up bringing persecution our way, too. But that's no reason to remain silent.  It identifies us as light-bearers, people who swim the other way in this sea of fish, who stand against the tide when the tide is going in the wrong direction. 

Some fish are going to knock into us and tell us to get out of the way. All I can say, (and I hope you'll say it with me) is, "Here I stand. I can do no other."  

Do you agree? Still think Christians ought to keep our mouths shut? Tell me why in a comment.    

           

Linore Rose Burkard grew up in NY and graduated from CUNY (City University ) with a magna cum laude degree in English Literature.  Linore  wrote a trilogy of genuine regency romances for the Christian market before there were any regencies for the Christian market. Published with Harvest House, her books opened up the genre for the CBA. She also writes YA Suspense/Apocalyptic fiction as L.R. Burkard. Married with five children, she home-schools her youngest daughter, preferably with coffee in one hand and an iPad in the other. Her latest  PULSE EFFEX SERIES, takes readers into a "chilling possible future for America."

Shedding the Weight of Bitterness

This short devo is from The Christian Pulse and such a great reminder that I wanted to share it with you. All too recently I've been here--allowing bitterness to take root without my truly acknowledging it--or repenting of it. It's always a good idea to keep short accounts with God--and others. Don't let things simmer...the pot always and only gets hotter.

Vacation Declaration

Posted: 18 Mar 2016 01:11 PM PDT

By Cindy Martin –

How much unforgiveness are you carrying? 

On a recent family vacation, during a time of casual conversation, our 13 year old daughter made the following spontaneous declaration, “I tried holding a grudge once, but it was too much work.” The manner in which she expressed herself caused us all to chuckle enthusiastically. Revealing her deep desire for meaningful relationships, she followed up by saying, “I just wanted to talk with my friend”.
While her little pronouncement has brought me much amusement, it has also challenged me to reflect on the high cost of unforgiveness. Hebrews 12:15 reads, “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many” (NLT). We learn in this verse that by withholding forgiveness, we are depriving others and ourselves of God’s grace. It also reminds us that the choice not to forgive results in many unexpected and destructive happenings in our life. While forgiveness leads to peace, unforgiveness leads to misery and our misery poisons those around us. Many of us have experienced the harsh stinging words or attitude of someone else’s misery. Perhaps, we’ve been the ones extending misery instead of grace.

Forgiveness is not forgetting, denying, approving of or excusing another person’s actions. Rather it is an active choice to be a conduit of God’s grace. Refusing to forgive is choosing to stay tied to someone in a link that is sometimes stronger than steel. God’s work of grace in our hearts to extend forgiveness is the only pathway to release. When we choose to forgive, we are untying ourselves, freeing ourselves from an often suffocating weight in our lives.
Matthew 6:15 explains another way we feel the weight of unforgiveness in our lives, “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (NLT). Whether it’s the weight of being tied to another person (or persons) or the heaviness of our own unforgiven sin, my daughter was right, “it is too much work.” The load is overwhelming and the loss of intimacy in our relationship with our heavenly Father stifles His work in and through us. God never intended it to be this way. He modelled ultimate mercy and pardon so that we could enjoy the life giving lightness and freedom that forgiveness brings.
Prayer: Lord, please show me if there is any unforgiveness in my life that is weighing me down. If there is, I ask You to do a work of grace in my heart. Help me to choose to follow Your example of mercy and forgiveness.
Verse: “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13 NLT).

You can subscribe to the Christian Pulse for free here.

New, New, New!

The sequel to PULSE is here!

Available for pre-order on Amazon.

It takes faith to be resilient.

Now that an EMP has sent the United States into a seeming Dark Age, society has fallen apart at the seams. Andrea, Lexie and Sarah must survive despite the loss of technology, electricity, and worse, the threats of marauders and lawless opportunists. The appearance of FEMA camps might be reassuring except that the military seem determined to force civilians to enter them.

Is the US government also a threat?

And can the country recover from the loss of technology before everyone--and everything--is destroyed?

COMING APRIL 29TH! PRE-ORDER NOW!  

Is There Rest for the Weary?

 Brandon Clements, pastor of Midtown Fellowship in Columbia, S.C., says there is. I love the analogy he uses in his post "Christian, Why You Are Exhausted," which he, in turn, borrowed from a book by Chip and Dan Heath.* They say  the mind (or will) is a rider on an elephant (the emotions). Are you having trouble controlling your elephant?  Read on! You'll find hope, and yes, rest! 

http://www.dearbiblebelt.com/why-you-are-exhausted/

Illustration from, Switch

*The book is Switch.

Stand Up, Church!

It's time the church stands up and gets behind companies like Hobby Lobby, who are suffering nothing less than persecution in this so-called "land of the free." And really, this isn't just a religious issue. It's an issue all Americans should be concerned about. The government may be starting with the Church, but if they get away with forcing their control into faith-based arenas, make no mistake, they will not stop there.

Below is a letter from the CEO of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. It's an open letter to the American people. Please read it.

Date: Friday, November 30, 2012, 12:30 AM

A Letter from Hobby Lobby Stores CEO

Monday, November 26, 2012 14:10

Sharee26

By David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

When my family and I started our company 40 years ago, we were working out of a garage on a $600 bank loan, assembling miniature picture frames. Our first retail store wasn’t much bigger than most people’s living rooms, but we had faith that we would succeed if we lived and worked according to God’s word. From there, Hobby Lobby has become one of the nation’s largest arts and crafts retailers, with more than 500 locations in 41 states. Our children grew up into fine business leaders, and today we run Hobby Lobby together, as a family.

David Green, Founder and Ceo of Hobby Lobby with wife Barbara

We’re Christians, and we run our business on Christian principles. I’ve always said that the first two goals of our business are (1) to run our business in harmony with God’s laws, and (2) to focus on people more than money. And that’s what we’ve tried to do. We close early so our employees can see their families at night. We keep our stores closed on Sundays, one of the week’s biggest shopping days, so that our workers and their families can enjoy a day of rest. We believe that it is by God’s grace that Hobby Lobby has endured, and he has blessed us and our employees. We’ve not only added jobs in a weak economy, we’ve raised wages for the past four years in a row. Our full-time employees start at 80% above minimum wage.
But now, our government threatens to change all of that.

A new government health care mandate says that our family business MUST provide what I believe are abortion-causing drugs as part of our health insurance. Being Christians, we don’t pay for drugs that might cause abortions, which means that we don’t cover emergency contraception, the morning-after pill or the week-after pill. We believe doing so might end a life after the moment of conception, something that is contrary to our most important beliefs. It goes against the Biblical principles on which we have run this company since day one. If we refuse to comply, we could face $1.3 million PER DAY in government fines.

Our government threatens to fine job creators in a bad economy. Our government threatens to fine a company that’s raised wages four years running. Our government threatens to fine a family for running it’s business according to it’s beliefs. It’s not right. I know people will say we ought to follow the rules; that it’s the same for everybody. But that’s not true. The government has exempted thousands of companies from this mandate, for reasons of convenience or cost. But it won’t exempt them for reasons of religious belief.

So, Hobby Lobby and my family are forced to make a choice. With great reluctance, we filed a lawsuit today, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, asking a federal court to stop this mandate before it hurts our business. We don’t like to go running into court, but we no longer have a choice. We believe people are more important than the bottom line and that honoring God is more important than turning a profit.

My family has lived the American dream. We want to continue growing our company and providing great jobs for thousands of employees, but the government is going to make that much more difficult. The government is forcing us to choose between following our faith and following the law. I say that’s a choice no American and no American business should have to make.

The government cannot force you to follow laws that go against your fundamental religious belief. They have exempted thousands of companies but will not exempt Christian organizations including the Catholic church.
Since you will not see this covered in any of the liberal media, pass this on to all your contacts.
Sincerely,
David Green, CEO and Founder of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

2012-11-26 14:00:12
Source: http://www.tomhoefling.com/8/post/2012/11/a-letter-from-hobby-lobby-stores-ceo.html

Don't you think it's time we stood behind a company like this? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. (All commenters are entered into the weekly book giveaway. For details on this week's book, see any of the past few posts.) 


Warmest Blessings,

Linore

Everyday's A Gift--Reprint by Kirk Cameron

I've got a little encouragement for you. 

There are few things meant to be encouraging about the results of the last election that actually do encourage me, so when I got a lift from reading this, I knew at once I'd like to share it with you. 

From a clip in a local paper, by the well known Christian actor, Kirk Cameron:

First, Kirk talks about times in history when things really looked black: After the fall, after Cain killed Abel, as Noah watched the flood cover the earth, when Moses was trapped between Pharoah and the Sea; finally, when Mary and the disciple watched Jesus die on the cross...It would have been easy for each person around at the time to think the world was really over. Or that hope had died.

But he writes:

"Today there are many who think the world is almost over. All signs say, 'Panic!' The economy. Moral decay. Spiritual decline. Godlessness. But if the past is any indicator of the future, then hold on. God has a plan! He isn't finished. He made this world and he loves it so much he sent his son to save it. He has promised to reverse the curse, reconcile the world to Himself, and restore all things. While this present darkness in our culture may seem great, God's promise is to flood the darkness with light, crush the serpent's head, and make all his enemies his footstool." 

Kirk also wrote: 

"Even now, Jesus is seated next to the Father in Heaven, ruling and reigning, in session with the Trinity..."

Great reminder: The days of evil are truly numbered. Let's get busy helping to point the lost to Christ while there's still time.

"Let's lift up our head, strengthen our weary bones, and get busy discipling the nations like Jesus commanded us to. Exciting days ahead!"

Thanks, Kirk! Now that's a fresh take on these dismal political and economic times! And Good News to this weary soul. Do you agree? 

Leave me a comment. Let's talk about it.

This week's giveaway book, up for grabs, is An English Christmas, by Paula Tanner Girard. As always, leaving a comment enters you in the drawing for the book *(US only, sorry). Drawing held on December 7, 2012. 

An English Christmas is copyrighted 2001 but isn't in print anymore, not even on Amazon, so this is an excellent opportunity to get your hands on a compilation of  two Christmas regency stories. (It is two books in one: A Father For Christmas, and A Husband For Christmas.) I must add a caveat: It is not a Christian historical, but tame, as far as secular regencies go. The writing is good, I assure you, and the heroine is refreshingly modest and devout. Nevertheless, it reminds me why I started writing to begin with: to give the world regencies (that are wonderful, God willing!) without making us endure too much of a secular viewpoint, most often which is conveyed through the heroes' POVS (point of views). I wouldn't be offering the book as a giveaway, however, if I didn't enjoy it, myself.  
 

Leave a thought about today's post and I'll enter you in the drawing! If you don't win, remember that I do new drawings almost every week of the year, so COME BACK. Better yet, enter your email to the feedburner box on the right side of this blog, and you'll get new posts with giveaway information right in your inbox.
Until next time,

Warmest Blessings,

Linore 
PS: You can read Kirk Cameron's testimony of how he came to Christ here. 

*For those outside the US: if you're willing to pay the shipping, you may enter the drawing for the book.  

 

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Contest Winner & New Contest!

to Karen K.!

Karen, you've just won a copy of Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana, by Anne Rice. I sincerely hope you enjoy the book.

New Giveaway

Last week I shared two new (to me) treats to keep me on the path of eating well despite all the temptations that surround us this time of year.

I spoke about planning "cheats" into your healthy lifestyle, such as my favorite, dark chocolate, because no eating plan will work if you aren't enjoying it.



Now I'd like to hear from you.

   
Do you have a favorite guilt-free product you enjoy? Something you consider a treat for the taste-buds but don't have to feel terrible about eating (or drinking) afterwards?It could be a short recipe of your own or just point us at a product you love. I'll pick one winner from among those who leave a comment,  to win GOD HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE: THE MYTH OF THE MODERN MESSAGE, by Ray Comfort.


DOES God have a wonderful plan for your life? According to His perfect plan, yes. According to what OUR idea of wonderful is, maybe not. This is a provocative, thoughtful little book that I think you'll really appreciate. I'm a fan of Ray Comfort's but I recently found that I'd bought two copies of this book by accident, so I have a brand new one to give away to one of YOU.

Leave a comment and share a favorite healthy treat. It could be something you make yourself or just grab from the shelf of a grocery or natural foods store.

LAST DATE TO ENTER IS NOVEMBER 30th. 

When you leave a comment, include your email address so I can contact you if you win, like this: Linore(at)linoreburkard(dot)com.

I look forward to what you'll share! We all need some great ideas to help us not to pack on pounds at the upcoming holiday gatherings. 

Thanks, and Warmest Blessings,

Linore

http://www.LinoreBurkard.com/calendar.html  (Click here to see some regency-era illustrations such as those below. Scroll past the calendar of events)

Do you love the Regency? Visit my Pinterest page to browse the boards loaded with period illustrations, costume, and more!

ENTER THE DRAWING----LEAVE A COMMENT WITH A FAVORITE TREAT OR SNACK OR BEVERAGE THAT IS PRACTICALLY GUILT-FREE. Good luck!

Helpful Products/ Win A Book

Before you read further--There's still time to enter my current giveaway of  CHRIST THE LORD: THE ROAD TO CANA by Anne Rice. Go here for details.  (I posted my review of this book on GOODREADS, if you're interested.)

I call this a "practically usable" blog, so now and then I like to make it practical--and usable. I thought I'd do so today by sharing a few nifty products I've recently discovered, to my delight.

As many of you may recall (because you're avidly following my every move, right? lol)  I follow a Paleo eating style. I've lost 26 pounds since I began eating this way and I feel fabulous. Because I don't eat white flour, white sugar, or most white carbs (potatoes, gluten free), I'm always on the lookout for healthy stuff I can eat. I cheat all the time, by the way, because of the difficulty of feeding a family--read: six other people who don't care to cut out all the bad stuff. I also cheat just because I want to.

To make this lifestyle work, I've learned that all you need do is follow the rule of MOST. Eat well MOST of the time. Avoid sugar and white flour MOST of the time. Then, when you cheat a little here, a little there, your body can easily handle the rogues. :) 

The other important MUST if you want to succeed at eating well is make sure that you do, in fact, eat WELL. Eat as much as you want--of the good stuff. Experiment in the kitchen. I make zucchini chips that beat potato chips. I make chocolate brownie bombs to die for and they have NO white flour or sugar in them. (Honestly: I have to hide a few from the kids or they're gone in a flash. The kids DO eat regular brownies, but I don't, so I think it's fair to set a few aside!) 

Incorporating a few "cheats" into your eating plan is well worth it to keep you on the straight and narrow the rest of the time. One of my favorite cheats is dark chocolate. The stuff is loaded with antioxidants. It seems every few weeks or so I see yet another article lauding the wonders of dark chocolate. I've tried quite a few brands, as I don't have a problem with having a tiny bit almost every day.  The best I've found to date is ENDANGERED SPECIES NATURAL DARK CHOCOLATE. (My favorite is Forest Mint.)

It's 72% Cocoa--a pretty good ratio; still sweetened with "water-filtered beet sugar," so it's important not to eat a whole bar at once. But, if you can make do with a little piece a day, then I highly recommend it. A large bar (3 oz) can last me more than a week, sometimes two.

(Next grocery trip I want to try their "Extreme" Dark Chocolate with 88% cocoa!)

In the meantime, another product I want to share with you is STEAZ ORGANIC ICED TEAS. My supermarket had these on sale or I might not have noticed them, but I was so pleased to find they are NOT artificially sweetened. (Stevia is not an artificial sweetener. And unlike sucralose, it hasn't been tinkered with by scientists to make it calorie-free.)


Every flavor I tried is truly delicious, but my favorite is peach-mango. It has a clean taste--if that makes sense. The thing about iced tea that makes it better than stevia-sweetened soda, in my opinion, is that your body really doesn't need the carbonated water of soda.

OK: Your turn! This week's giveaway book is GOD HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE: The Myth of the Modern Message,  by Roy Comfort. DOES God have a wonderful plan for your life? According to His perfect plan, yes. According to what OUR idea of wonderful is, maybe not. I recently found that I'd bought two copies of this book by accident, so one of you will win a copy by leaving a comment and sharing your best healthy treat with us.

In a future post I'll even share my no-sugar, no flour brownie bomb recipe. Right now, I want to hear from you!

Warmest Blessings,

Linore
PS: In the spirit of full disclosure, I mention now and then that if I share an Amazon link, I may get a tiny affiliate payment if you order through it. I'd appreciate it if you do, as it will help support my e-newsletter, which, unlike this blog, is not free. Thanks!    

Our God Reigns!

By the time you see this post, the voting will probably be over. The new president will be elected. I wanted to share this guest post, however, for it reminds us of eternal truths that are relevant no matter how the election turn(ed) out and no matter who is in office.
Read and be blessed:

11/04/2012

God Reigns God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. Psalm 47:8   God reigns over the entire earth. He is not just the God of the east or the God of the west. He is the God of the north, south, east and west. The long arm of the Lord reigns over everyone. The sun never sets on the omnipresent shadow of our Savior Jesus. Indeed, He is the greatest in power, high and lofty in dominion, extremely eminent in wisdom and elevated in excellence of glory. Our God reigns, our God reigns. He reigns in war. He reigns in peace. He reigns in crisis. He reigns in calm. He reigns in economic catastrophe. He reigns in economic prosperity. Our God reigns. He reigns over evil. He reigns over good. He reigns over nations. He reigns over individuals. Our God reigns. Moreover, He reigns from His holy throne. His is not a throne soiled with corruption and self-serving scenarios. His throne is full of grace and truth. His throne is marked and defined by holiness. It is a throne that has never been stained with sin, corrupted by cover-up or defiled by injustice. God is seated on His holy throne. He never sits dismayed or in a dilemma. God does not wring His hands in worry. He sits in serenity, for He knows His own power and sees that His purposes will not miscarry. He sits on a throne from where He dispenses truth and wisdom. Therefore, approach His holy throne boldly but reverently. Furthermore, God reigns over the human heart. It is here that we can submit to or spurn the Almighty’s authority. We are wise to jettison the latter. It is in submission to our reigning King Jesus that we come to know His will for our lives. Obedience leads to opportunity. Because our God reigns, He can be trusted. His rules are for our good pleasure. Christ is not a cosmic killjoy. His rules are inviting when we are in right relationship with our reigning King. It is when we resist Him that we foolishly push back from His gracious guidelines. Therefore, love Him and you will love to follow His statutes. Indeed, our God reigns in love and holiness. It is easy to follow an unconditional lover. He reigns lovingly. Therefore, we have reason to celebrate Christ’s reign. His kingship brings praise to our lips. Our Lord reigns. Halleluiah! We have no real reason to worry or stress out because our God reigns. We can put the kibosh on our complaining and murmuring because our God reigns. We can rest in a peaceful sleep at night, not toss and turn in distrust, because our God reigns. We can let go of control and not be controlled because our God reigns. We can give Him our grief, sorrow, and sin because our God reigns.   Our God reigns for the purpose of His glory and His glory alone. It is all about Him and His eternal aspirations. Our God reigns for righteousness’ sake. Our God reigns for the sake of the gospel. Live like He reigns. Live free and by faith. Tell all whom you have earned the right to tell. Your God reigns. Validate your words with your life of faith and faithfulness. Your God reigns. He reigns now and for evermore. Amen and amen! Taken from Reading #34 in the 90-day devotional book, “Seeking God in the Psalms”…  http://bit.ly/InvUdR Post/Tweet this today: We can let go of control and not be controlled because our God reigns. #trust Download the free Wisdom Hunters app… http://bit.ly/OVrYb9

If you enjoyed this, consider subscribing to Wisdom Hunters, as I have. A friend recommended it to me, and it was a good move.
Blessings,

Linore

Devo Monday--Words Are Wonderful Things

I saw the following little poem in my email one day and saved it. I don't remember who sent it to me.  (Thank you, whoever you are!) I'm big on saving things; snippets of poems, quotations, web links, book titles, and so on. Now and then--miracles never cease--I even go back and look at what I've saved.

I'm glad I found this, again. 

It's a reminder we all tend to need from time to time, and written in sweet old-fashioned language. I found the full text of a book this poem appeared in, Morning Exercises For All the Year, (A Book for Teachers) from the Cornell University Archive Library on-line. It was sobering to see what was included in this book for public school teachers, which is so often absent, now: Morality! Biblical principles! Goodness and Righteousness! 

With election day looming before us, it reminds me how far our country has fallen. (Anyone else wish for the days when prayer was allowed in school? When teachers could openly share their Christian principles?)

Well--back to the poem I want to share:

Words Are Wonderful Things

Keep a watch on your words, my darling,  

For words are wonderful things;

They are sweet like the bee's fresh honey,
Like the bees they have terrible stings;

They can bless like the warm, glad sunshine,
And brighten a lonely life;

They can cut, in the strife of anger,
Like an open, two-edged knife.

Mrs. E. R. Miller

  Scripture reinforces the idea of the poem:

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

(Proverbs 12:18)

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

(Proverbs 10:19) 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

(Ephesians 4:9)

Did you find this little reminder useful? May we all keep our talk wholesome and helpful! 

Warmest Blessings,

Linore

PS: CONTEST STILL GOING ON for a prize of 5 Books! See the details here. Entering is EASY!

Time For A Good Book. Enter my contest and you could win five of them!

Why Are Pastors Afraid to Influence Congregations to Vote?

Disclaimer: This is my second political rant in a week. As a Christian, I believe we belong in all areas of the culture, including politics.  As Noah Webster said,

 ...if the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted.

If you dislike political blog rants, please don't read any further! 

I look forward to this election being over so I can go back to sounding like a mild-mannered romance author! If you're feeling intrepid, by all means read on.

A dear friend and I discussed recently how we'd both come across pastors who were afraid--or just plain unwilling--to influence their congregations to vote this election.

I visited a church recently that I miss. We used to attend regularly, but when Sovereign Grace Ministries began a church plant in the area, my husband, a theology geek, moved our family there. It's a great church. Nevertheless, I love this other church. Love the pastor. Love his wife. Love the worship music.

I enjoyed that worship began with a reminder to pray for our nation. I believe it was mentioned again, how important it is to pray for our country. But there wasn't a word about voting, and especially not a word about which way to vote.  

Being an ex-New Yorker (that's my excuse, anyway) and therefore not afraid of speaking my mind (read: I can be blunt), I took a moment to speak with the pastor after the service.

I told him I was glad his church prayed for our nation. But it troubled me that I could have sat through the service, been an Obama supporter, but never got a clue that perhaps my choice wasn't the best, from a VALUES standpoint only.  (This was a Christian church, so we're talking Christian values here.)

He seemed proud of the fact that in more than 30 years of pastoring, he'd never once influenced a congregation how to vote. He said he left it in God's hands to influence people.

That has the sound of piety, doesn't it? Hey, I like this guy and he's as sincere and wonderful a human being as you'll find behind a pulpit. He's really gifted at speaking, too. His messages are tight and to the point.

I just wish he'd THINK THROUGH that answer closely.  


My dear friend had asked her pastor when he would be giving a sermon about voting. His answer? Never. He wasn't going to do it.

His reasoning was that neither candidate is wonderful and both would probably not keep all their promises. But does this justify silence?
(It rather boggles the mind.) 
This is as lame an excuse as the Christian who doesn't vote because they can't wholeheartedly support either candidate, uses.
You can still choose the one who MOST aligns with your values.
You can encourage your congregation, if you have one, to do the same.


There is a choice to be made this November.

Even the candidates themselves recognize the vast difference in their platforms, encouraging Americans to make a choice for the future.  


So what are these grown men afraid of? Legal action? There are limits, from what I understand, to how much they can say, but we're not talking about naming names, here. The issue is that they have a platform where they can encourage people to get out and vote their VALUES. That isn't endorsing a candidate by name (although anyone with a brain knows there's one candidate who is automatically out of the running if we use a values standard. Heck, use just about any standard, and he's out.).

The venerable Billy Graham ran a full-page ad recently in which he encouraged Americans to vote their values. He said it was the first time he was coming out and saying this. He is 94 and felt it was time. (I'd say: ABOUT time!) But even Mr. Graham felt the stakes are just too high this election to remain silent. 


If Billy Graham can do it, why can't our local pastors and ministers do the same?    

What about you? Has your pastor encouraged the congregation to vote their values? Did you, or would you  appreciate it if he did?

10 reasons to fast from Halloween--Guest Post by Linda Harvey

My blog header promises that this blog will be "practically usable," which is a little play on words. (Is it practical? Is it usable? Is it almost--or practically--usable?) As an author I enjoy word play, of course. But today's post is a link to a definitely practical exploration of why we, as Christ followers, should consider bypassing this increasingly dark celebration we call Halloween.

Before you read it, take advantage of this litte harvest-themed picture frame you can use.

A gift for you today: Copy this image, print it out on card-stock and use it to frame something pretty!

But back to the issue of Halloween: Here's an intro to what Linda has to say. Please click through to the WND site (World Net Daily) to read the full discussion. If you return here and leave a comment, it'll count as an entry to the book drawing I have going on here this week. If you're comment is (randomly) chosen, you'll win a free book!--one from among those I've written and which you can see if you scroll along the right side-bar of this blog. If you win, you choose the book you want.

Anyway, here's what Linda says:

 10 Reasons to Fast from Halloween

 Skip Halloween? Many American Christians cringe at the very idea. Who wants to be labeled a witch-hunting fundamentalist? And no one wants to be the bad parent who deprives a child of the “essential” childhood experience of trick-or-treating.

 But the number of Christians stirred by conviction about Halloween is growing. I believe Christians need to bypass overt celebrations of Halloween, and some of my reasons may surprise you:

Click through to read the rest of this thought-provoking essay. Then, RETURN HERE to read my thoughts and leave a comment.

My thoughts:  When we lived on Long Island, my next-door-neighbor's daughter was a self-proclaimed witch. A "white witch," she said. She had a "spirit guide"--a demon!--giving her counsel. Her life was a shambles, but she was essentially a sweet girl that I tried to reach out to.   HOWEVER, Halloween night was a huge thing for her and her friends. They went into the nature preserve behind both houses and did some sorts of rituals, things, quite honestly, that I didn't want any details of--not that she was offering. Ultimately, I had to choose to put distance between us as my little ones were so young (and vulnerable). I never wanted to give her an opportunity to be alone with any of my children--not for a moment. She admitted to using spells, for example.

While I firmly trust in the power of Christ which is FAR GREATER than any satanic power, I had church elders telling me to avoid contact, especially on account of my newborn. It was a dilemma. Sometimes I wish I hadn't listened, and had continued to try and reach out to this young, lost woman. My withdrawal hurt her feelings, and that is something I will always regret. In any case, the fact that Halloween is the biggest event of the year for such people should tell us something.

Surprisingly, my nine-year-old-daughter has actually ASKED to skip Halloween this year--that says a lot right there.  She's a sensitive soul and, at her young age, has already discerned an uncomfortable amount of not-so-fun stuff in this supposedly kid-friendly day.  She has moments of weakness on account of the candy (of course) which is why I will buy some and hide it for her to find, like an Easter egg hunt.


What about you? Will you be celebrating Halloween this year? How could you switch things up so that you aren't participating with darkness? Some years, I've bought candy for the kids and hidden it all over the house like I'll be doing this month.  Other years, I've trudged along with them as they went from house-to-house, enjoying the social interaction with other parents, as well as the more creative, cuter costumes on kids. (We so WANT this to be an innocent, fun holiday! But it's not.)

Leave your comment below! I hope you win a book!
Hugs,

Linore 

Just Ten Things-Book Giveaway II

More Autumn Blessings--Just Ten Things 

(and book giveaway!)

In an earlier post, I discussed the power of gratitude and how creating a simple habit of giving thanks each day for just ten things can dramatically alter our feelings and attitudes for the better. I did a book giveaway for those of you who left a comment to share something you're grateful for, and Kelly Ropson won a book.

Well,  I'm doing another giveaway. To be entered, leave a comment like last time, sharing your top three reasons for gratitude today. In this beautiful Autumn season there is so much to be grateful for. I'm starting us off with my list for today  (the illustrated version--with pictures!).

Here goes: 

1. We recently took a trip from Ohio to New Hampshire and Maine, and were fortunate enough to be visiting  at the height of the "colors"--that is, the fall, when the leaves change. I'm grateful, Lord, for your beautiful Creation!

2. Good friends became better friends as we shared four nights and five days together in their rustic retreat on a pristine Maine lake. Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of godly friends who share their blessings!

3. In New Hampshire, we renewed ties with relatives we hadn't seen in a decade. (And with their dogs, too! Below, meet Lila, Noah and Moses.) Thank You, Lord, for family, both far and near. 

4. We got to "ooh" and "ah" all along the way, both coming and going. Thank You, Lord, for leading us safely there and back. 

                                                 Every turn in the road was postcard-pretty.


5. Our friends were perfect tour guides, taking us from remote mountain views to off-the-beaten-path good eateries. Thank You, Lord, for hidden blessings that You bring forth in their time--and for those still in store for us during life's journey. 

            Here I am, with Pete and Sandi. I found out Sandi is an intrepid hiker who will leap tall boulders for a single photo! Me? Not so much.

6. The picture below was taken only three days after the similar one, above (3rd from top of post). Notice how much the maple on the left changed in so short a time. Thank You, Lord, for the fleeting beauty we glimpse on earth--just a taste of what awaits us in heaven. 

7.  Coming home has blessings all its own, like these marigolds which I never expected to last this far into the fall. Thank You, Lord, for unexpected, small pleasures.

8. In the front, my geraniums are proving hardier than expected, too!

9. We don't have mountains or a lake just steps from our back porch, but I'm grateful for our little woodsy spot in Ohio, anyway. 

10. For all the responsibilities of home and family, which make vacations so very special. Thank You, Lord, for appointed times of refreshment! 

                                          Above: Back at the lake. The view from our room. (Sigh.)

Now it's your turn. Leave a comment with your top three reasons to be grateful today, and I'll draw a winner (to win a free book of mine) from among the commenters. To choose a book, you can see what I've written  along the right side-bar of this blog, or you can click through to my website and see more about my books  here.  

Comments accepted for the drawing through  October 31st.  I look forward to hearing from you!

                                                            Saying goodbye is sad to do!