SelahV Today by hariette petersen

Is the Battle for a Better World "Pointless"?

A friend recently questioned my reasons for engaging the various battles in life when it all seemed so “pointless.”

 I understood her frustration. I’m the woman who wonders about all the battles when faced with monumental opposition at every turn: 

 ~ when legislators refuse to hear bills and judges overturn the public’s votes;

 ~ when school systems ignore the voices of parents and students;

 ~ when corruption destroys the efforts of hard work;

 ~ when society rebukes the Word of God and bashes Christians for faithfully standing upon it despite extreme personal losses — materially and emotionally;

 ~ when another baby is aborted and tossed in the trash; and,

 ~ when a Christian stands for truth and is knocked down by worldly opinion.

 If it’s pointless for people to stand against abortion, then the abortion rate would still be rising, not falling. Those who are pro-life would be losing ground, but they are gaining it: 87 abortion clinics in the U.S. closed in 2013.

 “The total number of surgical abortion clinics left in the U.S. is now 582. This represents an impressive 12% net decrease in surgical abortion clinics in 2013 alone, and a 73% drop from a high in 1991 of 2,176.” says Operation Rescue/here in a LifeNews.com report.

 If our battle saves one life and changes one mind for the rights of the unborn, then we’ve made one point. It’s not pointless. There’s reason for praise. People are waking up.

 I’ve often wondered why so many Planned Parenthood offices are located in minority neighborhoods, where desperation and hopelessness abounds. Could it be an ideological reflection of PP’s founder, the genocidal racist Margaret Sanger?

 Recognizing Sanger’s ideology, many people also recognize that Black Americans are the target for the majority of abortions in America, and they are speaking out. Former Congressman Allen West calls it ethnic cleansing, and cites that in 2012 in New York City there were 56,000 pregnancies among black women, and 31,000 ended in abortion. (Read West’s outrage here.)

 If we don’t battle for the rights or our children, then who will? Of course we’d like to see results; that’s the point in every battle– to win, to gain ground. But sometimes we gain ground by standing our ground.

 The culture of decadence and sinfulness is eating the soul of our society. America is deteriorating at a rapid pace; immorality is the cancerous tumor that’s spreading through every niche and node. We will forever be at war with the powers of darkness which seek to silence Christians in every single portion of their lives. Bit-by-bit, religious freedom is suppressed and shackled. More preachers are handing out sugar pills of tolerance to treat the sin which can only be removed by the Great Physician. We can sit down in the waiting rooms of life and let it all happen, or we can stand together and battle it. Even when it seems pointless to do so.

 We cannot fight all the battles, and we can never do enough. But we’re not called to eat the whole elephant– just to do what we each can with our one vote, two ears, two eyes and ten fingers. The rest we leave to God. 

“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24.

At Least He Prays

...at most?  He believes in the God Who can heal our land when we acknowledge Him and request His guidance.  In the end, we will all have to make up our own minds as to whether or not God will answer Gov. Rick Perry's requests for wisdom and healing as he led roughly 30,000 people in prayer in Texas this month.  We will all have to discern if his walk matches his talk--if his words are more than rhetoric based on principles or his principles form his words to honor our Creator.  Each will need to consider whether his words are to win and woo voters, or reveal his own integrity, and dependence upon a Holy God.

His critics can whine and fuss all they want, but I am of the opinion that whatever else Rick Perry does in this nation as a leader, he did the best thing any government leader can do.  He prayed.  He called on Americans to seek God's guidance with our broken government and economic chaos.  He sought Divine intervention to bring America back to a nation that thrives and achieves goals set before her to help ourselves and ultimately...other nations in the world.

Every time a person, be it a state legislator, or a President in the Oval Office emphasizes faith in their life, they are ridiculed and chastized.  What do these critics fear?  A God of mercy, grace and love?  A God of protection and provision?  In America, people are allowed to worship in freedom, without fear of persecution.  That includes our leaders. Unfortunately, in the last few years, cultural voices seem poised to eliminate as much public mention of God, Jesus and Christian faith as possible. 

Today I saw a report of a high school principal who organized a prayer meeting over the summer.  He simply invited a group of educators and parents to come together to pray for God's protection and wisdom to lead the children in the year to come.  It was not mandated. It had no students to persuade.  It was an invitation.  Is this a violation of church and state?  Seems to me, the state violates his right to free assembly, free speech and freedom of religion if they prohibit such.  But that's me.  Just because a minority of people decide we cannot have prayer in schools, can't teach students that the laws that rule our land come directly from the moral laws of the Ten Commandments, doesn't make it the correct interpretation of the law of separation of church and state.

Considering all the schools which have had children brandishing guns, knives and other weapons to wipe out entire classrooms, it seems it behooves us to pray.  We need to enlist every help available at our disposal.  Including and foremost the Sovereign.  No school is exempt, even schools of faith, as attested by the recent Memphis murder of a principal by a seventeen year-old student just three days after opening(/link) . 

It's odd when one thinks about how schools are limited and prohibited from mentioning God today. It's okay for federal and state employees to take time off for religious holidays, and okay for the citizens to pay their salaries, but it is not okay for employees (and in most cases, students), to proclaim for Whom the holiday is celebrated.

Critics of religion in general, and Christianity in specifics, deny the very principles upon which our country was founded.  They think the moral laws imposed upon its citizens came from the secularized minds of supposed atheists, agnostics, and diests.  However, for years the institution which turned out many of our presidents and legistlators, taught Biblical principles as a means for governing and thinking of justice and law.  I offer the example below an original rule from Harvard Law School in 1636:

 
Oh, to have rules like this honored in our colleges today--especially those which mold and manipulate the minds of future legislators and leaders of this country.  Americans are tired of teleprompted speeches filled with false hope.  Americans are fed up with polished politicians and legislators who have no principles, who are afraid to mention their faith, and who submit to the money-changers, and the ever-changing popularity of polls.  Folks are fed up with leaders who do not listen, but dictate.  They need someone willing to be humble enough to trust in God, and recognize, as the early founders of Harvard, "to lay Christ in the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning."  Many might not know it.  But they need someone like that...whether it is candidate in the running now, or not.  Whether God raises up someone like that to help us remains to be seen.  At least I can pray.  selahV

I Don't Believe Obama

waited this long to insist upon his birth certificate be made available.  Not only has he been the focus of "birthers", he's been the butt of thousands of jokes, innuendo and suspicion for over two and a half years.

I was reading several comments on the news media announcements and low and behold you would never believe what I read.  Now the liberals are saying the "birthers" will never let this rest because they will say the newest released certificate is counterfeit.  You know...like other documents are counterfeited.  Like other signatures are forged....like, well....like other government documents...like passports, Social Security cards, and driver's licenses, and currency.  So, do you think this is over?

Before you answer....

Take a peek at the following documents which just came to my attention via email.

 

   to ENLARGE for greater viewing, just click on the photo.

This my friends, tells me that we can trust the speculations to continue.  ANND...as all of us know, that is what TRUE journalists report anyway.  Speculation, innuendo, opinion, angles, slants, political persuasions, and consipiracy theories, wiki leaks, with a few facts sprinkled in between, and interviews with someone who has similar views, to reinforce all of the above.  Such fun is life.

Now...who moved the stone?  Who took time to leave the grave clothes neatly folded as if the person within simply evaporated through them?  Who stole Jesus' body?  Why didn't they bring him out to dispute those wild accounts of lying disciples that they'd seen Him alive again after the crucifixtion?  If those 500 plus new believers didn't really see Jesus, and all those witnesses didn't see Him ascend into heaven, why didn't the ones who stole his body prove it and parade His body for all to see.

Hmmmn, can I get a witness to the living Jesus in your life today?  What exactly has He done to make you KNOW He is real?  That He is no counterfeit?  That He passes the "smell" test of decayed reasoning and logic?  Anyone?  I need facts.  I need interviews.  Someone help me...I wanna be a journalist.

Awh....never mind...I just wanna tell the old, old story and let you believe what you decide to believe.  O'Reilly or Jesus.  Heaven or hell--it's your choice.  selahV

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SECOND VERSE

To hear the second verse of the Star Spangled Banner, just click on the video below.  What an ear-opening heart-warming scene at a Tea Party Gathering.

LIKE SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER

Democrats are taking Americans over the cliff, despite that the majority of Americans (Democrats, Republicans and Independents, alike) do not want to go.  A special thank you to all you who voted for the "BO" in 2008.  You've just nailed the coffins on thousands of grandmothers and grandfathers.  I hope you sleep well with the fiasco you are bringing upon America.   November is coming!  

SelahV's STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE

I was 12 years old when I first realized I was proud to be an American and why.  It was a time when American history was still being taught in elementary school, when the Founders of the Constitution were revered--and people loved America.  It was a time when racial unrest was bubbling below the surface of political podiums.  When freedom of speech meant more than condemning America and her place in the world.  It was before Christianity was a dirty word and discipline was considered intolerance.  It was when family farms, baseball and our military were valued and prized.  It was when the American dream thrived in every corner of the world.  It was when life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness was not overriden by legislators in the halls of Congress.  At least it was to me.  It was a time I saw the first man launched into outer space and believed in my heart that anything was possible.

Since then, nearly 50 years have come and gone.  Today I am as proud of America as I was 50 years ago.  In fact, I'm prouder.  You see, friends, America is not defined to me by the person who sits in the Oval Office.  Our state is not defined by what some politician says to try and get an agenda applauded into action.  Our union is defined by WE THE PEOPLE.

In America, we have more churches with more Christian people worshipping God than in any other nation in the world.  We still enjoy the freedom of speech.  We still have opportunity to reach the world with our ideology of democracy and liberty for all.  We still have men and women standing for the values and principles of our Founding Fathers.  Our constitution (though under attack), is still intact.  Our judicial system (though not always just), is still second to none.  Our health-care system (though not perfect) is envied by all other nations.  Our education (though flailing and floundering at times), is still available for any person who wants to learn.  Americans are still more generous than any other country in the world.  America is still more caring than any other country in the world, i.e. response to Indonesian tsunami, Haitian earthquakes, Bush's emphasis to help stamp out AIDS in Africa.  Our government (though lacking in men and women of integrity), is still a government with checks and balances.  Citizens still have the freedom to choose who represents them in various offices in the land.  We have the right to vote for our leaders.  And we get the privilege of voting them out if they're proved to be liars and worthless.

We are not perfect.  But we have the right to strive for more than mediocrity.  We are not invincible, but the vast majority of our citizenship looks to the Creator of this earth for provision and protection.  We still have freedom to worship as we please.  We have the right to own property and to bear arms and protect it.

Today, in America, the first ammendment affords us the opportunity to twitter, email, blog, comment, and write letters to our newspaper editors and elected representatives when we agree, disagree, or desire change.  We are still a republic of states which can stand on our own to legislate and live free in the United States of America.  We can demonstrate and voice our convictions without fear of being persecuted, burned, murdered, and imprisoned.  We can still erect and display symbols of our faith to symbolize we submit to a Higher Power.  America is a great nation.  I am grateful the Lord has granted me the blessing of living here.  I am grateful my children live here.

We The People have recently been reminded that we are, indeed, the people granted privilege and responsibility to seek justice, to be watchkeepers over our blessed land. In our pride we must be ever-mindful to live humbly before Him.  We must raise high the banner of Christ and share the greatest freedom of all--eternal life, filled with forgiveness, grace and joy through our Savior and Lord, Jesus, the King of Kings.  I look forward to the day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Amen?    selahV

INTERESTED IN HEALTH CARE DEBATE?

More meat worth chewing on in this congressman's few minutes than many politicians say in their entire careers.  This former FBI man doesn't mince words.

PRESIDENT THINKS CONSTITUTION IS FLAWED

I always had a great respect for the Constitution of the United States.  I especially like the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence.  Of course, that may be because I studied about them as a child and was taught to respect the founders of our country and stuff like the Pledge of Alliegiance, The American Flag, The National Anthem, and The Ten Commandments.  What amazes me at this moment is that we have a president who thinks that he needs to fundamentally transform the United States, and that our Constitution is flawed.  He thinks the "framers" of the Constitution had an enormous "blind spot" that carries on to this day.  How can he have meant what he said when he took the oath of office to uphold the Constitution if he thinks it is flawed?  And he now wants to speak to the children in classrooms around America and have kids share how they can "help" Obama?  I think the only thing flawed is our President's views of America.  That's what I think.

YES, THEY CAN!!!

FROM SPIRITUAL TO MUNDANE "FISHY" STUFF AND "MOB MENTALITY"

Just taking a quick break from my series on Thessalonians to mention a mundane matter.  Fishy stuff, and Mob mentality.

I've been watching the speculations of pundits, spectacles of health-care town hall meetings, and explanations from politicians and meeting attendees for some time now.  Last night I was listening to one news show, and a panel was trying to figure out why the White House and politicians were so adamant about calling vocal citizens "mobs".  Some of the discussion hit upon the distant drumming of these people not being representative of Americans.  The pro-health-care reformers and single-payer proponents are calling their opposition crazies, and dangerously reminiscent of Tim McVeigh anger, and militant enthusiasts.  So, it occurred to me that possibly I have an answer for those pundits who are wondering why The White House wants everyone in America to report their neighbors' casual conversations, forwarded emails, websites, ETC. (my newspaper column, COMMON MATTERS), to [email protected]. *

Now, to be quite clear, I don't have the answer, just an answer.  Who could possibly know the mind of the present administration?  They're never clear.  But in light of the following statement by President-elect Obama, I submit it may be part of the reason:

"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set.  We have to have a Civilian National Security Force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded..."?

Could calling the thousands of citizens protesting health-care and government invasion of their lives have rendered these opposing voices as "mobs", "crazies" and "fear mongers" have another goal in mind?  Could it be just the fuel our now, duly elected, President Obama needs to form this National Security Force, he thinks we need?  Could this National Security Force be the force to reckon with these "right-wing fringe groups", "astroturfers", "organized", "orchestrated", "manufactured" people, who are "distorting the facts" and creating fear in the hearts of the real America?  Could we need a "Force" to assist city police departments, to control these "angry, yelling" crowds who may swell all the more, the more the government ignores their voices?  Is this the force we need to enforce the rules of that HATE Bill that's been passed?  I don't know.

It's hard to discern which people will be considered "mobs", "haters", and "fear mongers".

Did you hear about that one man who got bullied by some thugs who didn't like him handing out flags and buttons that said, "don't tread on me"?  Yep.  Happened last week.  He was an African American Republican and some guys (one, another African American), knocked him down to the ground and called him the "N" word.  Is that the kind of "mob" they are talking about?  Or is it just "mobs" of citizens who are tired of being ignored by their government and saying so?  You know..."mobs" of housewives, nurses, doctors, retired salesmen, and white-haired old ladies and veterans (who know what the VA health-care delivers).

This makes me wonder, if all these citizens with "mob mentality" that politicians, today, are citing will someday be silenced with greater force than ever imagined in America?  Surely not.  This administration doesn't seem too worried about people intimidating people.  Our Attorney General's office just quashed the prosecution of the Black Panther dudes who showed up with a billy-club at the voting booths last November, so why would they be disturbed by a four folks who jostled a man who was giving away flags and buttons saying "don't tread on me" at one of those town-hall meetings?

I don't know about you folks, but I've never considered myself part of a "mob".  I've had times when I did not like what I saw my government doing, and even went to a couple of town hall meetings to voice an opinion.  That was years ago, however.  I never did anything that would or could be classified as a "mob".  I listened to each side.  I tape-recorded their words.  I wrote letters, even hand-delivered a couple to some politicians.  When that didn't do much, I started a newspaper.

That was then.  Today, well...I'm gonna just go to a few town hall meetings and see for myself what all the fuss is about.  And I'm gonna write on-line what I think about it while I still can.  selahV

* [UPDATE, Aug. 17, 09...The White House disabled the email address for reporting "fishy" emails and conversations among Americans.  Guess they realized that was rude and an invasion of privacy.  Why else would they remove it, after requesting information?] 

GOTTA HAND IT TO OBAMA

He sure can talk.

He says he wants to set up a team of health "experts" and "doctors" who can eliminate "the waste" in healthcare.  Uh...folks...I think I am his "waste".  Me.  A senior citizen who can drain the system because I am bound to need more and more healthcare as I age.  Of course, part of the way he can control my "waste" is to eliminate the unnecessary tests because his "experts" will tell me what I need and don't need.  Folks, I hate to be a wet blanket, but those "experts" can't determine anything from Washington about ME in Lawton, Oklahoma.

When I go to the doctor and tell them what is wrong with me, the best thing they can do is "guess" what test I need..."guess" what my problem is...and "guess" what medication to give me.  Why?  Because I am an individual who has individual needs based on MY problems...my history...my allergies, etc.  For the most part, it is always a guessing game.  My cardiologist with all his fancy machines and tests, echo-cardiogram, chemically induced stress test, and BP checks...determined that I "most likely" (an 85% probability), had a blockage in the front part of my heart.  It took a test to rule it out.  The test was the heart-catherization.  Yeah, it's expensive.  But the only other option was to forget about it and take the chance I'd drop dead of a heart attack.

My husband's cardiologist (one of the best in Oklahoma), determined by a few tests and his best "guess" that his symptoms was most likely a pinched nerve.  Several tests later, and an open-heart surgery to repair 5 blockages, proved to this notable expert that his best "guess" was wrong.  Dead wrong.

So with Obama's bill, all my health records will now go to Washington to get a protocol of care determined by Washington's federal board.  Based on a model of many folks.  Ain't that just ducky?     

According to Obama, healthcare is all about "waste".  Could some of the "waste" be those babies, children, and adults who will put an added drain on the healthcare system because of their chronic-diseases, disabilities, and castastrophic illnesses?  I wonder.  Based on data accumulated, the probability of a person with a specific cancer has only X-amount of chance to survive even with the best of treatments.  So, what do you think this federal board will decide is the most appropriate care for them? 

He says we need "affordable" healthcare.  Whose definition of "affordable" are we using, anyway?

Obama's bill is gonna take care of all of us out here.  "I wanna cover everybody," he says.

Let's get real.  He doesn't want to cover anyone.  He wants all of "us" to cover everybody.  He wants YOU to cover ME.  He will ensure that happens, too.  He proposes with his bill to mandate that we get healthcare.  Kinda like car insurance.  If you don't get insurance you don't get to drive your car.  I wonder, does that mean if I don't purchase insurance, he will take it from my husband's social security check, or, that I don't get to live? 

He says Americans need to "give up things that don't make them healthier."  Uh..let's see.  What are things that aren't making us healthier?  According to President Obama, it is "Testing".  Hmmmmn.  So what makes us healthier?  Our diet.  Obama says one of the things that panel of experts will be in charge of doing is, "making sure our diet is what it ought to be."  Now that's a grand mandate.  Has that man been to the grocery lately?  Does he have any idea how much it costs to eat the "diet" we need to eat?  The highest priced things on the grocery shelves are fresh vegetables, chicken and fish.  I know.  I went shopping tonight to get my hubby some fruit to take in his lunch sack.

Obama pooh-poohs those folks, like me, who don't like his healthcare plan.  Folks say "Even though I don't like this devil, I like this devil better than the devil I don't know."

He said a mouthful, there.  Thing is...I don't like any devils.  They say, "the devil is in the details".  How true it is of this healthcare bill.  How very true.  selahV   

SQUIRRELS IN THE ATTIC AND NUTS IN THE GOVERNMENT

So I'm standing in my shower and it sounds like someone has broken into my house and is coming down the hall.  My mind raced.  Did I lock the front door?  Should I have locked the bathroom door?  I thought of the movie Psycho. 

Squirrels.  And by the sound of their racket, there must be four or five of them playing tag in my attic.  Right now they are bounding off the sides of the house above my head as I sit here typing.  I live in the city.  Can't shoot those buggers.  Yeah...there's a way to get them out of the attic.  But I'm not capable.  So...I listen to their antics and suffer the consquences of their frollicking madness.  Much like I must listen to the nuts in our government today.

What can I do about the 700,000 dollars that the Social Security Department spent on a fancy vacation--uh, hmmmmn--meeting regarding the demise of the Social Security System?  What voice do I have in the passage of all these bills that legislators are forcing through Congress which have pushed our national deficit beyond one trillion (that's 1,000,000,000,000) near-worthless dollars?  What good does it do me to know the answer to fixing the games politicians are playing with American lives in the rooftops of Washington, D.C.?  What difference does it make that the lying, cheating, thieving, adulterous, conniving, manipulating, dishonest, politicians care more about getting re-elected than hearing and following the voice of constituents?

Apparently not much.  Not much at all.  selahV

  

ARE YOU A SYSTEMIC RISK?

Secretary Tim Geithner and President Obama are considering taking over companies that are a "systemic risk".  In other words, they'll come in and take control of companies when they think they are a threat to hurting the financial system in America.  This is all about capitalism (or socialism), and economics and money issues.  Uh, I've got a dumb question:

Who's going to come in and take over our government when its pathetic mishandling of taxpayers' money, budgets, defense, foreign relations, moral issues, and the constitution slides into the red zone of disaster?  Who's gonna say, "NO MORE!  Enough is enough"?

When I consider the healthcare reform and what they already seem to think is a risk to the system--namely elderly folks and the drain they are on society--I wonder.  I wonder when someone is going to come into my life and say, "Sorry, no more tests.  No more surgeries.  No more assistance.  No healthcare benefits for you; you're over the age limit.  And make no mistake, that's in the works.  They already say that Medicare needs a complete overhaul.  And any person over 65, even if they continue working at their little job because it's simply not possible for them to retire on Social Security, they no longer qualify for earned-income credits.  I truly believe I'm one of those "systemic risks". 

Don't you laugh, now.  Think about all the babyboomers and what folks are saying about us reaching the age where we begin drawing on the Social Security system we've paid into for probably, at least, 45 years.  They keep pushing the age up for full benefits.  They're talking about reforming Social Security so we don't collect as much.

And when will the government decide that children with castastrophic diseases are a "systemic risk" to the healthcare system?  And when will the government decide that religious organizations are a "systemic risk" to solidify their immoral socialistic policies?  And when will the government decide that Christian education and private schooling is a "sytemic risk" to the Public School systems?  And when will the government decide that bloggers like you and I are a "systemic risk" to the success of their agendas?

I don't like "systemic risk".  I don't like the idea of it starting with government intervening (uh, or interfering) in private companies and corporations.  I think it's one of those precedent-setting slippery slopes that inevitably will change life as we know it forever.  What do you think?  Are you a "systemic risk"?   selahV

[copyrighted, 2009, SelahVToday, hariette petersen] 

BEST AND WORST THING ABOUT THE BAILOUT

I've got good news and bad news about the "bailout plan".  I'll start with the bad:

WORST:  It exposes the sad truth about most folks.  It shows that the main thing people really care about is money.  Possessions.  And the love of money is the root of all evil.  Not money.  The love of it.  Congress was historically inundated with calls.

BEST:  It breeds a bit of hope.  It tells me that when American people care about something, they will contact their Congressmen and women and voice their opposition or support.  We can change the course of our government, if we want to.  The millions of emails and phone calls that produced the rejection of the plan prove this.

May we all pray that the best in us seeks the better of our country and ourselves.  And may we make a difference worthy of our calling in Christ.  selahV