THE MIRACLE OF WATER by Lady of Light June 23, 2014

THE MIRACLE OF WATER

Lady of Light June 23, 2014

 After viewing Tommy Christopher's film of the White House in Washington, DC, I was curious to know more about The Bill that was being signed by President Obama.

HR 3080 is primarily about WATER and flood prevention. I must confess that water is something that has always fascinated me-- 60% of our body is made up of water, and when we go back to the book of Genesis in the bible, we can also note that during Creation (Genesis, Chapter One), water covered the earth and was divided and separated to make land and sea:

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

...6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

In terms of what to do about flooding, there was no way to prevent it, but God spoke directly to Noah about this and warned him of the coming rain. Not only that, but Noah was also given specific instructions about what to do to preserve the animals, live creatures and his family during the duration of the storm and flood.

 In those days, there were no scientists to determine or show how high the waters would rise or how to measure so it would be possible to know how much the waters would recede so that the ark could be opened. Noah was again specifically instructed to release a dove from the ark and when the dove would return with an olive branch in its mouth, that would be the sign that the waters were receding and there would be land.

 There were no laws or bible to cover this experience back then, but one thing Noah and the modern world have in common is that when it rains, the consequences must be dealt with, and because we now have a boy of scientific knowledge, some preventative measures can be incorporated into our laws to guide us in how to minimize the damages.

H.R. 3080 consists of Amendments to increase the amount of funds given to projects of flood damage prevention in the River Harbor Act of 1960 and 1968, and the Flood Control Act of 1948, to name a few.

What are some of the benefits of H. R. 3080?

Tommy Christopher wisely stated that as a result of the increase in funding for various projects,, more jobs would be created and the infrastructure of our country would be strengthened.

 It was also the miracle of the "parting of the Red Sea" in the bible that saved the lives of the Jewish people and drowned their enemy, Pharoh's Army.

They didn't need an H. R. 3080 Bill to get things done in those days!

Obedience

Lady of Light

In Ephesians, Chapter 6:1:3, it tells us:

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with proise. That it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long on the earth."

At first glance, one may think that these verses only applies to children who are still under the control of their parents - minor children. After meditating on these verses, I believe this applies to all children who have parents - alive or deceased. We can always remember the good things that our parents taught us by example, and trained us to do in live - good values, good manners, good speech, good habits etc. Also, how we speak and live in memory of them when they pass away is important too in terms of honoring them. There is much we can do to produce a positive legacy of our parents for our own children and grandchildren as well. I believe that all of these things are included in these verses as well as to read them to young children and instruct them in the same way.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Church or Jail???

CHURCH OR JAIL???

According to the Huffington Post Religion/AOL News, offenders in Bay Minette, Alabama can choose Jail or Church for a year for misdemeanors - to work off the sentence by paying a fine and jail or go to church every Sunday for one year. Offenders can pick the place of worship but must check in weekly with the pastor and police.
There is some controversy about this program. Executive Director of the Alabama Branch of the ACLU, Olivia Turners says:

"It violates the Constitution, based on the Fundamental Principle of the Establishment Clause that says that Government cannot force someone to attend church. When the alternative to going to church is jail, the so-called choice is not a choice at all."

There are 56 congregations participating in the effort.

One must look at this objection in the light that the person is not going to jail for refusing to go to church - they are going to jail for the misdemeanor that they committed initially. That is the reality - the offer to attend church is an offer of grace and an opportunity for spiritual growth and change - even repentance.

Why Question Potential Presidential Candidates More About Their Faith?

Why Question Potential Presidential Candidates More About Their Faith?

In his article,"Asking Candidates Tougher Questions About Faith"
(http://nytimes.com/2011/08/28/magazine/asking-candidates-tougher-questions-about-faith-html?_=2), Bill Keller states that one out of three Americans believe that aliens dwell among us and he asks the question, "Will this affect your willingness to vote for them?" He would want to ask them questions such as where they get their information from.

In the same way, Keller believes that would-be Presidents should answer questions about their faith. However, we are sometimes hesitant to probe too deeply into this matter. Keller says that we need to "get over our scruples about privacy of faith in public life."

I tend to agree with Keller that those who are considering being leaders in our country should answer all pertinent questions regarding their faith and I, myself, being a Fundamentalist, born-again Christian, will share that I get my information from the bible. One of my primary beliefs is that the bible is the divine word of God.

1. In Romans, Chapter One, verse one, it states:

"Let every soul be subject unto the highest powers for there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God." This indicates to me that if we are to be subject to rulers whose powers are ordained of God, certainly, they should be willing to answer any and all questions about faith.

2. In 2 Timothy 2:15, it states:

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a worker who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." This indicates that people should be knowledgeable about what they believe and that it should be based on a sound understanding of the word of truth.

If these politicians are not just using "religion" to attract people, they will show themselves approved by God by answering questions about their faith in line with the "word of truth" that is contained in God's word.

3. In I Peter 3:15, it states:
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you in meekness and fear."

If God expects us to be ready to give an answer for our faith to every man who asks, then it seems to me that questioning prospective leaders about their faith is reasonable.

Lastly, why should we be interested in this and in bible-based reasons how to handle inquiries about the faith of future leaders is found in Proverbs 21:2:, which states:

"Every way of man i right in his own eyes, but the Lord pondereth the hearts."

If a man is basing his faith on God and believes in the Word of Fod, he is not as likely only to do "what is right in his own eyes", but what is right in the sight of God.

Similarly, in Proverbs 14:12, it states:

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

We need to know that our future leaders are not misled, only thinking and doing what is right "in their eyes" or "what seemeth right" but what IS right. We need to heed the wisdom and warningof Proverbs and of God's word in dealing with these issues.

In terms of questioning Michelle Bachman, obviously, the person who asked her the question was not familiar with the instructions in the New Testament regarding a wife's submission to her husband, which Michelle stated that she believed in. All she had to do was to quote Ephesians 5:22. Not everyone is familiar with this verse that is the origin of this particular belief.

The questionaire that Keller wants to use for the prospective leaders is reminiscent of voire dire that questioning that is used in jury selection. If the lawyers or the judge feel that the juror cannot be impartial or objective in reviewing the facts of a case, they are then excused from duty.

Keller's article also poses the question of how much of our Constitution finds the roots of its principles in the Bible? If the Constitution is in harmony with what God says, there would be no conflict if a "bible-believer" is in a position of leadership.

In our Pledge of Allegiance, we say we are "one nation under God with liberty and justice for all." This is another reason to ask questions about the faith of potential leaders.

Keller was also correct when he said that many churches attended by candidates are "mysterious". It is questionable where they are getting their information from - are they getting their information from the bible or from traditions of men and other teachings?

Ask questions to discern what the faith and beliefs of future leaders are, and how it will affect the performance of their duties because the fate of our country will be in their hands when they are elected.

Lady of Light

Rick Perry - Prayer and the Presidency

Rick Perry's event, The Response, where 30,000 Christians gathered together and prayed for our nation, certainly was a very effective public event. I understand that it was planned about a year ago before he had any intention of running for president
and that it was the outcome of sincere faith.

However, he did define himself politically in line with the Conservatives and is just now preparing to officially announce his intentions to run for President.

Only God knows what was in the hearts of Rick Perry and those who participated in the Response, but I know that what they did is biblical and a response to God's promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which states:

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

This verse was written after King Solomon had finished the temple and his own palace, the Lord appeared to him with promises and warnings. In the event that God sent drought, locusts, or pestilence on the people, they should humble themselves,...pray,...seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. Then he would forgive their sin and restore them. Quoted from the Believer's Commentary, William McDonald:

"Verse 14 may very well be the golden text of this entire book. Though originally addressed to the chosen nation of Is real, it has rightly been applied to those nations which have a biblical heritage. It is the sure road to restoration and revival for all times. If the conditions are met, the promises are sure of fulfillment."

Although this has raised some political controversy because of Perry's position,
those who believe in separation of church and state, this was not a political meeting, but an opportunity for people to respond to this wonderful promise of God, and to "storm heaven" for our nation and the needs of its people.

Lady of Light

Meals on Wheels - A Piece of the Kennedy Legacy

MEALS ON WHEELS - A PIECE OF THE KENNEDY LEGACY
By Lady of Light

LEGACY

With the recent passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, it is especially appropriate to do an article on "Meals on Wheels" due to the fact that it was part of Kennedy's Legacy. Prior to 1962, there was no "Meals on WHeels" program subsidized by the Federal government - Senator Ted Kennedy's voice in the Senate was instrumental in effecting the passage of this legislation.

HISTORY

From a historical perspective, "Meals on Wheels" started in Great Britain after the Blitz, in 1947.

Modern day programs began in Australia in 1952; the first program in the United States began in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1954 and the second in Columbus, Ohio; the third was in Rochester, New York in 1958. Canada implemented its progrram in 1965.

In 2007, the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), a non-profit organization, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, did a study on hunger of senior citizens. It was found that 5 million seniors had some "food insecurity" - 11.4% of all seniors. The findings of this study were released at a hearing of the US Senate Special Committee on Aging in March of 2008 in Washington, DC.

Although many programs are run on a County level, the Federal program subsidy allows that only a request for a donation may be given rather than charging a fee as some programs do.

My husband and I are seniors who volunteer with the program and I would encourage others to look into what they can do in this program and in general about the growing problem of hunger in our country.

Tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy

Tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy
Lady of Light

Senator Ted Kennedy passed away last night at the age of 77. He left a legacy of advocating for health care, seniors, women, immigrants, the disabled and children.
Although he made mistakes in life, he persevered and lived out the scripture, "Look not on your own things, but also on the things of others."
I don't know that anyone can truly replace Senator Kennedy, but there will be someone filling the empty slot that he vacated upon his death.
We all need to think on the ideals of the "Liberal Lion" and to continue to forward those goals which will help people, especially those who have issues that need strong advocacy and representation.
Senator Kennedy, we will miss you and we know that you lived out that famous quote of your late brother, John Fitzgerald Kennedy "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
As my husband and I deliver "Meals on Wheels" this week, we will remember that it was a program that Senator Kennedy was instrumental in implementing the legislation for.
I offer prayers of comfort to his family and colleagues at this time and
I hope that this tragedy will cause everyone to take a look at their lives and to think about more ways to "make a difference" for God, our country and the people of our country.
Senator Kennedy, thank you for the wonderful job you did serving your country all of these years and for the inspiration and help you have given to others. You will be remembered as a significant figure throughout the history of the United States...