God's Will vs God's Grace

I was sent a beautiful email today from a beautiful lady and this really stuck out to me:

"'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."

AMEN......that's all I have to say to that!

The Grace of God is never ending! It protects us 100% of the time.....even when we can't see that it is there!

Food for thought.......

Health Care Reform

What President Obama should have said when he signed the bill:

"I am signing this bill for all the people who don't want to work. Those who are lazy. Those who want others to pay for their medicine"

At least if he had said this, I would have respected him for telling the truth.

Do I think we need health care reform? Yes.
Do I think the current bill is what America needs? NO!!! Absolutely not.

The goal of health care reform is to reduce the cost to Americans. I cannot see how spending over a TRILLION dollars saves American's money. I do understand that the bulk of the cost is coming from additional taxes on the wealthy. Fine. What about the rest of it?

What about the ramifications to small business owners? This bill seems to favor big business and will crush small businesses. Those that do not offer their employees health care could be caused to go under due to the high costs they will now incur. So problem, NOT SOLVED.

The government should have created a new health care option that Americans could buy in too if they so chose. A new type of health Insurance company that is available to all Americans at prices that are competitive to current Health Insurance companies. This would have led to Insurance companies keeping prices low as well as offered an option to those not covered. All this while NOT spending a TRILLION DOLLARS!

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

Please know that the actions being spoken of are not meaning materialistic goods. Rather it is saying that backing up words like Love with actions are important. Actions can include things like making time for a person, showing support (even if you may not agree with them), and filling needs without them having to ask.

Spitting out words like Love without backing them up with actions make the word useless.

FAMILY -- What is family?

Have you ever heard the phrase: "You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family?" That is SO true!!!

Family--What is family?
Most people might answer by saying a mom, dad, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc. I, on the other hand, would not answer that way. Those people might be linked to a person genetically but the title "mom" or "dad" should not automatically be given the title of "family".

I have a very unique family. You see, to me, family is the group of people in your life that show you unconditional love. For some, that might be your mom or dad. For me, that isn't the case.

As I move along through my adult years, I am learning that unconditional love is not easy to come by. I can count the number of people who love me unconditionally on one hand. Yet I know there are peopleout there who feel as if no one loves them unconditionally. So I count myself lucky to even have more than one.

I am coming toterms with my new definition of family. It isn't the ideal situation but it is my life. I love the new family that has formed around me as a result. For that I have to tell my genetic "family" THANK YOU!!!

Life begins at CONCEPTION!!!!

On Sunday, 1/24, my Pastor, Tim Wilder of First Baptist Church-Kissimmee, preached the most compelling sermon I have heard in a long time. It was a practical message on engaging our critics regarding the Abortion issue. He gave practical steps to take when talking with those who are for abortion. It was a great lesson in exactly how to talk about an extremely controversial topic without getting in to a debate or even an arguement.

Below is a copy of the sermon notes from his message. It makes for a very compelling study.

Enjoy!!

--Cherish

Building Bridges to Life
Building Bridges – Part 22 Timothy 4:1-5

Step One: Simplify the issue.
1. What is the unborn?

Step Two: Make a case FOR life.

1. Embryology – In 1981, a U.S. Senate judiciary subcommittee heard expert testimony on when human life begins. Professor Micheline Matthews-Roth of Harvard University Medical School told the subcommittee, “It is incorrect to say that biological data cannot be decisive… It is scientifically correct to say that an individual human life begins at conception.” Dr. Watson A. Bowes of the University of Colorado Medical School stated, “The beginning of a single human life is from a biological point of view a simple and straightforward matter—the beginning is conception.” The subcommittee report concludes, “Physicians, biologists, and other scientists agree that conception marks the beginning of the life of a human being—a being that is alive and is a member of the human species. There is overwhelming agreement on this point in countless medical, biological, and scientific writings.” *Subcommittee on Separation of Powers to Senate Judiciary Committee S-158, Report, 97th Congress, 1st Session, 1981.
Embryos are distinct, living, and whole…regardless of size or location.

2. Philosophy—Humans have value simply because they are human, not because of function.

3. Theology
Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve. Proverbs 24:11-12 NLT

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,…” Genesis 1:26

For you created my inmost being;… Psalm 139:13A

…you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13B

In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10

All humans have value because they were created by God and bear God’s image.

Step three: Engage our culture.
“Engage your critics, don’t silence them”

Question 1: What do you mean by that?
Question 2: How did you come to that conclusion?
Question 3: Have you considered…?

Step four: Offer compassion, forgiveness, and healing.
· Stop making excuses
· Ask God to forgive you – 1 John 1:9
· Forgive yourself and others
· Grieve your loss
· Tell someone you trust. James 5:16
· Realize your baby is in Heaven – 2 Samual 12:22-23
· Comfort others who have gone through the same thing – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

For counseling or just someone to talk to, call the Osceola Pregnancy Center—407-846-9101

http://www.opchelp.org/index.html

Sarah Palin gives Oprah HUGE Ratings!!!!

Her highest ratings in two years to be exact!

Oprah Winfrey's interview with Sarah Palin had an 8.7 household rating, which was the best she's had since the Osmond family appeared on the show back in 2007.

Palin even beat Whitney Houston's interview!

I don't know if you caught the interview or not, but Sarah really held her own against a woman who public and fiercely supports Barack Obama.

Click here for the link to watch the interview:

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/200911-tows-sarah-palin