I have so enjoyed talking with you all, and hearing your thoughts on this very important election. Thanks for all your input!
This has been an exciting political season already. We've had so many theological discussions, with so many friends, around this topic of politics and the Christian's role.
It's been incredibly stimulating for me. I haven't had this much adult conversation and interaction around a topic, other than children, in quite some time. Thanks!!
Speaking to a dear friend of mine the other day, he told me how much he hates politics because it's so divisive. I agree that it certainly can be, and we've all witnessed that fruit at some point throughout the years. But I appreciate and value being able to speak to these very important issues, and debate, much the same way men debate over who the best baseball team is, etc.
Ultimately, God is sovereign and completely in control. Praise the Lord!! Though I believe it is important for Christians to be known by our love and service - in all aspects including politics - it is a wonderful thing to know that either way we are unified by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are building a kingdom that is not of this world. God is good and He is worthy of my trust.
I'm sure there will be more political talk to come, but in the mean time, know that I value you and your opinions. I encourage us all to be educated in our decisions, keep far from any spirit of divisiveness or mockery, and above all be known by our love.
much love,
em
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Why Abortion is a Red Herring in this Election
First, let me begin by addressing my dear friend, Kim.
Kim, I'm sorry I didn't even see your last comment asking me about how we deal with the whole abortion issue on my Palin post. When I wrote that last post (Obama vs. McCain) it was in response to your comment about the Obama campaign needing to refocus. I was only addressing that point. I would be more than happy to talk about how we can reconcile voting for Obama despite his pro-choice stance.
Before I get into the depths of why I believe the issue of Abortion is a Red Herring in this election, here is a link to my sister's page, further speaking to why we have chosen to vote for Obama, as Christians, despite his pro-choice stance.
A Red Herring is a term meaning: something intended to divert attention from the real problem or matter at hand (dictionary.com)
We find ourselves in a different circumstance than we did twelve years ago. Back then we had a president with the intent of furthering abortion laws and pro-choice rights. We had a President that signed into existence partial-birth abortion. Eight years ago, I voted majorly on the issue of abortion because President Bush had plans to reverse the partial-birth abortion act and made it a major piece of his platform.
If Hillary were the first name on this ticket for President....abortion would be a MAJOR issue, yet again. She also had plans to further abortion laws and pro-choice rights. She is a heavy proponent of abortion.
However, that is NOT the case in THIS election.
Some background, quickly: Abortion rates are lower than they have been in over three decades. An article from Time magazine talks about how no one can figure out why this is. Each side is offering their own reasons and claiming credit, but one option that is not present in this article, that I believe is most relevant, is the work of the Church.
Women's shelters around this world, Christian-based clinics focused on educating and loving rather than judging, I believe are to be credited for this thirty-five year low. The Church was impassioned by Roe v. Wade. I call it "the awakening of the political Christian". Christians chose different ways to combat this new reality. Some began lobbyist groups and spent their time on Capitol Hill. Some chose to judge. Many others chose to open up their homes, clinics, shelters to a lost and hurting world - understanding, that for a woman (whose life was not in danger) to be so morally bankrupt and desperate that she would consider taking the life of an innocent baby, meant that she was in great need!! These Christians have turned back the rates of abortion. They have put their faith into action. They have changed the world. There is still much to be done, but how you and I chose to fight may differ.
Abortion is a Red Herring in THIS election because Obama has no plans to further abortion laws or the pro-choice movement. You can see here that he has no plans of reversing Roe v. Wade, but also has no plans of expanding the pro-choice agenda. He also challenges Democrats and pro-choice advocates to consider the moral dimension, too often over looked.
Furthermore, McCain has NO agenda regarding abortion or Roe v. Wade. Even with Pres. Bush in office, one who had the abortion issue as one of the key issues of his platform, hasn't done anything to reverse Roe v. Wade.
We must fight for life! Voting for McCain, however, does not accomplish that goal. This fight is won in our homes; with our children, first; and then in our neighborhoods, and towns, and cities.
The issue of abortion is a distraction in this particular election. We need to be focused, as Christians, on how we can truly live out Matthew 25; being our brothers and our sisters keeper; to the family loosing their home to foreclosure, the family so overwhelmed with medical bills they can hardly keep their heads above water, the homeless man we see or pass every day, sitting in the same spot month after month, the small business going down because they can't compete with the chains.
As only ONE example, since this is already too long: Trickle down economics has worked to some degree, we saw that to be true in the 80's with Reagan. The difference between then and now, is that our trickle down economics is now trickling down into India, and small town America is dying! Obama is not trying to get those jobs back (as was falsely stated during the RNC), but wants to get rid of the tax break for companies taking jobs overseas and give it to companies willing to create and keep jobs here. That doesn't mean big companies can't continue their practices overseas, it just means they won't be rewarded for it, by the government. McCain thinks the economy is in good standing (Aug. 20, 2008) and yet the second largest investment bank, Lehman Bros., filed for bankruptcy today.
When our fellow brothers and sisters are loosing jobs and homes and health insurance, we as Christians, need to be stepping in to help; fighting for those who can't fight for themselves. There's so much more to say, but this isn't the proper forum to completely express my thoughts. I hope you can get the idea of what I'm talking about with Matt 25 and how we need to broaden our scope beyond abortion when voting in this upcoming election.
I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this. ...to be continued.
Kim, I'm sorry I didn't even see your last comment asking me about how we deal with the whole abortion issue on my Palin post. When I wrote that last post (Obama vs. McCain) it was in response to your comment about the Obama campaign needing to refocus. I was only addressing that point. I would be more than happy to talk about how we can reconcile voting for Obama despite his pro-choice stance.
Before I get into the depths of why I believe the issue of Abortion is a Red Herring in this election, here is a link to my sister's page, further speaking to why we have chosen to vote for Obama, as Christians, despite his pro-choice stance.
A Red Herring is a term meaning: something intended to divert attention from the real problem or matter at hand (dictionary.com)
We find ourselves in a different circumstance than we did twelve years ago. Back then we had a president with the intent of furthering abortion laws and pro-choice rights. We had a President that signed into existence partial-birth abortion. Eight years ago, I voted majorly on the issue of abortion because President Bush had plans to reverse the partial-birth abortion act and made it a major piece of his platform.
If Hillary were the first name on this ticket for President....abortion would be a MAJOR issue, yet again. She also had plans to further abortion laws and pro-choice rights. She is a heavy proponent of abortion.
However, that is NOT the case in THIS election.
Some background, quickly: Abortion rates are lower than they have been in over three decades. An article from Time magazine talks about how no one can figure out why this is. Each side is offering their own reasons and claiming credit, but one option that is not present in this article, that I believe is most relevant, is the work of the Church.
Women's shelters around this world, Christian-based clinics focused on educating and loving rather than judging, I believe are to be credited for this thirty-five year low. The Church was impassioned by Roe v. Wade. I call it "the awakening of the political Christian". Christians chose different ways to combat this new reality. Some began lobbyist groups and spent their time on Capitol Hill. Some chose to judge. Many others chose to open up their homes, clinics, shelters to a lost and hurting world - understanding, that for a woman (whose life was not in danger) to be so morally bankrupt and desperate that she would consider taking the life of an innocent baby, meant that she was in great need!! These Christians have turned back the rates of abortion. They have put their faith into action. They have changed the world. There is still much to be done, but how you and I chose to fight may differ.
Abortion is a Red Herring in THIS election because Obama has no plans to further abortion laws or the pro-choice movement. You can see here that he has no plans of reversing Roe v. Wade, but also has no plans of expanding the pro-choice agenda. He also challenges Democrats and pro-choice advocates to consider the moral dimension, too often over looked.
Furthermore, McCain has NO agenda regarding abortion or Roe v. Wade. Even with Pres. Bush in office, one who had the abortion issue as one of the key issues of his platform, hasn't done anything to reverse Roe v. Wade.
We must fight for life! Voting for McCain, however, does not accomplish that goal. This fight is won in our homes; with our children, first; and then in our neighborhoods, and towns, and cities.
The issue of abortion is a distraction in this particular election. We need to be focused, as Christians, on how we can truly live out Matthew 25; being our brothers and our sisters keeper; to the family loosing their home to foreclosure, the family so overwhelmed with medical bills they can hardly keep their heads above water, the homeless man we see or pass every day, sitting in the same spot month after month, the small business going down because they can't compete with the chains.
As only ONE example, since this is already too long: Trickle down economics has worked to some degree, we saw that to be true in the 80's with Reagan. The difference between then and now, is that our trickle down economics is now trickling down into India, and small town America is dying! Obama is not trying to get those jobs back (as was falsely stated during the RNC), but wants to get rid of the tax break for companies taking jobs overseas and give it to companies willing to create and keep jobs here. That doesn't mean big companies can't continue their practices overseas, it just means they won't be rewarded for it, by the government. McCain thinks the economy is in good standing (Aug. 20, 2008) and yet the second largest investment bank, Lehman Bros., filed for bankruptcy today.
When our fellow brothers and sisters are loosing jobs and homes and health insurance, we as Christians, need to be stepping in to help; fighting for those who can't fight for themselves. There's so much more to say, but this isn't the proper forum to completely express my thoughts. I hope you can get the idea of what I'm talking about with Matt 25 and how we need to broaden our scope beyond abortion when voting in this upcoming election.
I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this. ...to be continued.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Obama vs. McCain not Palin
I promise I'm going to get back to what's going on in our family life. My dear friend made a comment on my last entry about how the Obama camp needs to refocus on McCain instead of Palin since he is the one Obama is running against.
I've posted this video because it's the press asking Obama why he's not engaging Palin more, and instead only speaking publicly about (going after) McCain... The media is going after Palin, and rightfully so - due diligence, not the Obama camp. The media has gone after Obama since he entered the race - again, due diligence. If she can't handle this scrutiny than she should not have stepped into the ring.
I appreciate that she is pro-life, as am I. But, with all the concerns of this country, I can not vote on only ONE issue. I've had so many "christians" questioning the faith of me and my family because of our choices to support Obama, that it is, frankly, ridiculous and extremely Pharisaical. When asked these absurd questions regarding the status of our faith, we refer them to Matthew 25.
...speaking of Matthew 25, here's a great website my friend, Wendi, sent me this week! Check it out!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Sarah Palin....WHAT?!
I listened to Sarah Palin's acceptance speech at the RNC. I must say that I was impressed by her, despite her lack of experience (and blatant arrogance). I liked her feisty attitude toward frivolous spending.
It turns out the things I liked about her, she was actually lying about!!!
I also think it's completely ridiculous that the McCain campaign is trying to tout her "experience" as Mayor of a 6,000 member town and less than two years as Governor of Alaska as more relevant than the combined experience of both Obama and Biden! I guess that makes her minimal experience more relevant than McCain's, as well. Seriously?!
She is the least experienced VP candidate in American history - as a running mate to the oldest candidate in American history. ...really.
I don't get the excitement...
It turns out the things I liked about her, she was actually lying about!!!
I also think it's completely ridiculous that the McCain campaign is trying to tout her "experience" as Mayor of a 6,000 member town and less than two years as Governor of Alaska as more relevant than the combined experience of both Obama and Biden! I guess that makes her minimal experience more relevant than McCain's, as well. Seriously?!
She is the least experienced VP candidate in American history - as a running mate to the oldest candidate in American history. ...really.
I don't get the excitement...
Monday, September 08, 2008
Weekend in NY
I mentioned in an earlier post that we spent a weekend in NY with our friends, the Wood's. We've never taken a bus trip before! It was so much fun. We rented an apartment - which we have done before. It's such a fun way to stay in the city. You really feel like a local:) ...getting a legitimate deal isn't an easy thing to accomplish, but if you can it's the best way!
We all took the children to see Mary Poppins on Broadway. Everyone loved it - even the daddy's:) Here are a few pictures from Renee's camera. I still haven't uploaded any pictures I've taken this summer. I'm such a slacker!!
Friday, September 05, 2008
"Pizza and a movie" night
Tonight was our first "pizza and a movie" night in months. This is something we look forward to all week. Tonight we watched "Nim's Island". It was a very cute movie. I love how the dad is the hero who is able to do the impossible.
I'm very happy for the routine the school year brings. I definitely needed Rae's kindergarten year to break me in last year. You don't realize what a free spirit you are until you are made to stay put for extended months.....yuck. I rebelled, at first. But this year I'm finding it a source of comfort. We'll see if I feel the same way in a few months:)
I'm also trying to get back to blogging regularly. Thus, this random entry.
I am in the midst of preparing a blog comparing the two Conventions (DNC/RNC). I made myself sit through every night of the RNC - it was painful! The two conventions could not have been more different. I also sat, like a student, taking notes on every word of McCain's speech. I want to compare his against Obama's, in the matter of actual substance and plan for the future. I can already tell you there is no comparison...but I'm getting ahead of myself.
blessings, dear friends, and all my love - no matter who you vote for:)
I'm very happy for the routine the school year brings. I definitely needed Rae's kindergarten year to break me in last year. You don't realize what a free spirit you are until you are made to stay put for extended months.....yuck. I rebelled, at first. But this year I'm finding it a source of comfort. We'll see if I feel the same way in a few months:)
I'm also trying to get back to blogging regularly. Thus, this random entry.
I am in the midst of preparing a blog comparing the two Conventions (DNC/RNC). I made myself sit through every night of the RNC - it was painful! The two conventions could not have been more different. I also sat, like a student, taking notes on every word of McCain's speech. I want to compare his against Obama's, in the matter of actual substance and plan for the future. I can already tell you there is no comparison...but I'm getting ahead of myself.
blessings, dear friends, and all my love - no matter who you vote for:)
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Pregnant!!
On the way up to Cambridge, at the beginning of August, I noticed that I was having trouble getting a deep breath. I commented to Gavin that I felt like I was so stressed out from Dad's visit with us that I couldn't even catch my breath.
While in Cambridge, the topic of babies came up a lot, quite randomly. I even told our friends about a "vision" I had a few years ago, before we were even pregnant with Elle, about having twins boys. (Gavin and I have talked ever since about possibly adopting our twin boys from Africa.) Anyway, on the way home Gavin and I talked about how funny it was that there was so much baby talk.
Now I should preface here that over the eleven years of our marriage I have never been on birth control because when I tried it a few months before our wedding it made me crazy. My PCOS kicked in after that which made me always very irregular. When I was diagnosed with PCOS this past year I started taking birth control again.
Whenever asked if we were finished having children, I always said that we were open to having more but were trending in the wrong direction (being on birth control for the first time in our marriage).
I've taken so many pregnancy tests over the years - so many being negative. Needless to say I was completely SHOCKED when I took one, that next week, and it said positive!! I admit that July was an off month for me - taking the pill here and there, but I was still very shocked.
We're so excited!! I haven't been to the OB yet because of being out of town and having trouble getting an appointment I can get to, but I'm pretty sure this will be another March baby. I was waiting to say anything official until I had gone to the Dr. but it's taking too long:) Gavin and I can never keep a secret about ourselves....hahaha
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
much love,
em
While in Cambridge, the topic of babies came up a lot, quite randomly. I even told our friends about a "vision" I had a few years ago, before we were even pregnant with Elle, about having twins boys. (Gavin and I have talked ever since about possibly adopting our twin boys from Africa.) Anyway, on the way home Gavin and I talked about how funny it was that there was so much baby talk.
Now I should preface here that over the eleven years of our marriage I have never been on birth control because when I tried it a few months before our wedding it made me crazy. My PCOS kicked in after that which made me always very irregular. When I was diagnosed with PCOS this past year I started taking birth control again.
Whenever asked if we were finished having children, I always said that we were open to having more but were trending in the wrong direction (being on birth control for the first time in our marriage).
I've taken so many pregnancy tests over the years - so many being negative. Needless to say I was completely SHOCKED when I took one, that next week, and it said positive!! I admit that July was an off month for me - taking the pill here and there, but I was still very shocked.
We're so excited!! I haven't been to the OB yet because of being out of town and having trouble getting an appointment I can get to, but I'm pretty sure this will be another March baby. I was waiting to say anything official until I had gone to the Dr. but it's taking too long:) Gavin and I can never keep a secret about ourselves....hahaha
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
much love,
em
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
...still here
summary of August:
the house in Cambridge closed!!
Raegan and Reece spent a week with mom at "Camp Marneaux"
Gavin, Elle and I drove up to Cambridge to get the last of our things
wonderful visit with the Ryan's and the Putnam's
we were home a few days before heading down to Orlando
Mom, Jen and our family greatly enjoyed Universal Studios - fun!
Gavin, the girls and I stayed at Dad and Dorothy's one night on the way home.
...it was a very hard decision, but also a very good thing...I'm sure I'll write more about that later
on the way back up to Va we spent a weekend in Durham/Chapel Hill, NC
we stayed with our friends, the Chapman's, who we haven't seen in years
our nephew, Daniel was married, and we loved celebrating with the family
we spent the next night with our oldest and dearest friends, the Morrison's
breakfast and lunch the next day were with my cousin and his family, the Horton's
a few days later we took a bus up to NY to meet the Wood's
we stayed in a tiny NYC apartment (all of us)
saw Mary Poppins on Broadway
bus trip home with the Wood's
week of decompressing
school begins
Raegan began first grade without best friend, Megan
Reece began preschool without best friend, Margeux
everything is going swimmingly
I'm easing my way back into civilization
elaborate more later....I hope
oh, and....I'm pregnant:)
the house in Cambridge closed!!
Raegan and Reece spent a week with mom at "Camp Marneaux"
Gavin, Elle and I drove up to Cambridge to get the last of our things
wonderful visit with the Ryan's and the Putnam's
we were home a few days before heading down to Orlando
Mom, Jen and our family greatly enjoyed Universal Studios - fun!
Gavin, the girls and I stayed at Dad and Dorothy's one night on the way home.
...it was a very hard decision, but also a very good thing...I'm sure I'll write more about that later
on the way back up to Va we spent a weekend in Durham/Chapel Hill, NC
we stayed with our friends, the Chapman's, who we haven't seen in years
our nephew, Daniel was married, and we loved celebrating with the family
we spent the next night with our oldest and dearest friends, the Morrison's
breakfast and lunch the next day were with my cousin and his family, the Horton's
a few days later we took a bus up to NY to meet the Wood's
we stayed in a tiny NYC apartment (all of us)
saw Mary Poppins on Broadway
bus trip home with the Wood's
week of decompressing
school begins
Raegan began first grade without best friend, Megan
Reece began preschool without best friend, Margeux
everything is going swimmingly
I'm easing my way back into civilization
elaborate more later....I hope
oh, and....I'm pregnant:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)