A Day of Victory?

National Sanctity of Human Life Day was January 15th (Thursday of last week). Most likely the last official Proclamation like this for quite some time.

He has surely made mistakes, but I will miss having a president who took a stand for the unwanted and unborn child.

It was seven years ago that President Bush made the Proclamation:

"Let us recognize the day with appropriate ceremonies in our homes and places of worship, rededicate ourselves to compassionate service on behalf of the weak and defenseless, and reaffirm our commitment to respect the life and dignity of every human being."

I have written some here and here about the gruesome and horrific truth of abortion. The absolute sin and hatred of God it represents and how we (including the "Christian" we) have not only turned our heads but also covered our eyes and ears to avoid looking at the atrocity.

Today, as our nation celebrates the Inauguration of our 44th President, I cannot help but to grieve.

Grieve for the unborn who will never waken to a day on this earth.

Grieve for our culture that is blind to its wicked ways and has given way to the sinful desires of idol worship ... and let us not forget ... our God is jealous.

Grieve for our nation that sees a victory in the election of our new President who has a proven disregard for human life.

While certainly there is victory in the promise of progress. The progress from a nation divided over slavery and hatred to one that has begun to heal and recognize the heinous consequences of it's actions. It is not lost on me that history is being written today.

But it comes with such a price.

The celebratory manner in which people have encircled this man is a reflection of what matters most to men ... and it seldom reflects obedience to God.

I do not see a victory in the election of this President. One who speaks hope and promise while silencing the cries of the unborn. One who has been relentless in his pursuit of more freedoms for the business of baby killing.

They are facts that don't bode well on this day of "victory".

But.

We need to be reminded ... again and again.

Benjamin was born at 38 weeks gestation ...
An age where babies can be legally aborted in this country.

Is this offensive?

Roe v. Wade?

What about Planned Parenthood?

Well. Do you know this about them?

"The organization's status as the country's leading provider of surgical abortions has put it in the forefront of national debate over the issue."

Or this?

"Planned Parenthood has been accused by pro-life organizations of agreeing not to report cases of statutory rape to the authorities; for example, a pro-life activist, posing as a 13-year-old impregnated by her 22-year-old boyfriend, called over 800 clinics requesting an abortion. According to the recorded audio and transcripts, over 90% of the clinics agreed to her request not to report the boyfriend to the police for statutory rape."

Just want to be clear.

What about this part?

"Planned Parenthood receives almost a third of its money in government grants and contracts ($336.7 million in FY 2007)."

That is tax dollars. Your money. My money.

Let's summarize:

We pay tax dollars to an organization that performs more abortions than anyone else. Oh, and they will perform an abortion on your 13-year old daughter and you might never find out.

God help us.

It is not news to me that Planned Parenthood is a pro-choice (pro-abortion) organization. My desire to be well-informed stems from my passion for the unborn baby and defending it's right to live. To live and not be killed.

I think there are still people in this country who believe that Planned Parenthood is the local free clinic for birth control and cond&ms. A crash course in s*x education, staffed by friendly and well-meaning folks who want to give options and *choices* (my favorite word) to young women in need.

But then again, our country is notoriously good at turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to dealing with the consequences of poor choices.

If the above did not elicit some level of uncomfortableness, I sincerely hope the following does.

Regardless of where you stand in the world of politics or religious beliefs, there should be a place where human beings instinctively care for a helpless newborn life.

For goodness sakes, there are phone numbers you can call and people will rush to your home in an effort to rescue and save the life of a helpless newborn baby bird.....or a helpless newborn baby squirrel.

What about a newborn human being?

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Offended yet?

from Jill Stanek's blog:

Barack Obama opposed legislation as IL state senator to protect abortion survivors from being shelved to die:

» Links to Obama's votes on IL’s Born Alive Infant Protection Act

» Obama’s 10 reasons for supporting infanticide

» Why Jesus would not vote for Obama

» Audio of Obama arguing against giving medical care to abortion survivors

Barack Obama thinks partial birth abortion is a “legitimate medical procedure”:

» Michelle Obama's partial birth abortion fundraising letter

Barack Obama opposes parental notification of minor girls before they abort:

» Media Matters corroboration

Barack Obama has stated “the first thing I’d do as president“ would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which would overturn every local, state, and federal abortion law passed in the past 35 years:

» Video of Obama promising FOCA to Planned Parenthood

Consumer Report

Starbucks gave me a coupon for a free Banana Chocolate Vivanno.

There is a reason they are giving them away.

Es no bueno.

Your welcome.

Homemaking...Full-Time

Choosing home? Instead of career? Crazy talk!
But look here. They really exist.

Say it with me now...."hohm-mey-king"

HT: Rocks In My Dryer

Subway....

I was working myself up a little post about this but then I read this and as usual, she said it better than me :)

From Amy:

Why don’t we independent types support autonomous businesses to do what they want with their money? It is not public money; it belongs to Subway to do whatever they want with it. If homeschooling exists because of the freedom allowed by the Constitution for parents to raise their children how they see fit (children belong to parents, not the state), then Subway ought to be afforded the same freedoms to give their money to non-homeschoolers (after-tax money belongs to Subway, not the state). It’s consistently applying the same principles, even when we don’t like it.

Certainly, we have to take a stand for Christ, live in a way that glorifies Him, honor our husbands, care for and discipline our children, & wash oil out of their hair, but.....finding fault with Subway and spending a precious moment over this issue would not reflect good stewardship of my time.

I got stuff to do.

Lots and lots of stuff.

I agree with Amy.....except I'll head to Jason's Deli! Mmmmm....Turkey Muffaletta!

Say What?

from the product website:

Why use Milkscreen?

Because all mothers are unique! So, naturally the way our bodies process alcohol is unique, too. Metabolizing alcohol depends on several factors including:

*Body Weight
*Type of Alcohol Consumed
*Food Intake

Following generalized guidelines may result in using alcohol-tainted milk, but with Milkscreen Mom can ensure that her breast milk is alcohol free.

OR.....

You could abstain (gasp) from drinking alcohol while you are providing nourishment for your growing baby.

How About Logical Consequences?

I was reading the headline article from our Sunday's paper in the pullout section for our county when I decided it was time to dust off the ol' soapbox. The article addressed a new school program for a local middle school that aims to help struggling students.

They had my attention.

The program is called, CARE (Carver Activities Remediation & Enrichment Period). The school's principal, Don Ashburn admits that the school has fallen behind the standard for No Child Left Behind and previous attempts at improvement had yet to produce adequate results.

Enter....CARE which provides 125 minutes per week within the school day where students can make up work or get some extra help. If the students are caught up on work they can participate in "more than 60 different activities ranging from basketball to yoga to scrapbooking".

My issue?

My issue is with the school's "instructional strategy". (I prefer words like crutch, band-aid, or the easy-out)

The strategy is called the "Power of I". The I stands for incomplete, which means that instead of a student receiving failing grades for not doing their work OR turning in poor-quality work, they would receive an incomplete. The allotted "CARE" time will provide the opportunity for the student to redo their work.

So let me get this straight. The lesson is.....

Don't Do Your Work = More Chances To Do Your Work

Do Shabby Work = Opportunities To Do It Again

I'm not sure where this flies in the real world....the job force....or the natural order of cause and effect, but then again it's our public school. Their primary job is to churn out adequate test scores.

It doesn't end here. They are also using the CARE time for students who need to serve detention.

Call me old-school, but shouldn't detention involve some sort of detaining process? You know, all your friends are going home to eat pop-tarts and watch MTV and you are stuck here at school in "detention". I was even thinking that detention might serve as a deterrent of some sort?

Nope. It's more like:

**Hey! Let's provide laxity opportunities for students who need help and rather than apply actual consequences for their actions let us instead provide more *chances* for their success.**

Honestly, the only success this program is driven for is the success of the standardized test (No Child Left Behind) and an improvement in the grading curve.

If behavior (remember we are talking about children in need of a Savior who will most likely always choose the fleshly desire) is not addressed then actual change will NEVER take place. Things like respect for authority, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment cannot be taught within the school day if they are not first taught at home. Hence the vicious circle of programs and gimmicks aimed to "solve" the problem.

Ashburn tries to clarify, when he says, "In a way, we have to be more like parents and say you have to do your work and you have no choice."

The problem is, they certainly do have a choice and a rather lucrative one at that. A second chance during the school day when the incentive for correct answers outweighs the benefit of a child learning the true consequences of reaping & sowing.

I understand that there are students within this system that are not being parented well or at all for that matter. So does it make sense to lower the standard to accommodate the lowest achiever?

This article serves as another blessed example as to why the state should not decide what consequences look like for my children or what the standard should be for them either.

Our standard for parenting and teaching our children is the Word of God and I am once again reminded how far removed that is from our public school system.

Oh, and by the way...

The middle school that is highlighted in this article is where my oldest attended 6th grade.

Stepping down now....