Think Before You Speak

If we all used this mnemonic device as our filter there would be significantly less word wounds and animosity in the world. If we ask ourselves these very simple questions before we speak, we could radically decrease the amount of "suck" in the world....

God knew how difficult it would be for us to watch what we say based on the amount of times this subject is addressed in The Bible. But it's also clear that how we speak to one another is very important because it is mentioned so much throughout God's Word. Here are just a few of the verses that mentions speech...


Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. -Ephesians 4:29


Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. -Proverbs 21:23


There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. -Proverbs 12:18


A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. -Proverbs 15:1


Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. -Psalm 52:2-3


A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit -Proverbs 15:4


When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. -Proverbs 10:19


Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. -Matthew 15:11


So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house. -1 Peter 2:1-5


A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. -Matthew 12:35-36


Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip strife ceases. -Proverbs 26:20


Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. -Psalms 141:3


We should strive to not just be heard, but to be heralds of truth, love and kindness. It doesn't take much thought or talent to harm and destroy with our words. It does however, take wisdom and strength to be effective and instrumental when it comes to speaking. Controlling our tongue is a daily challenge we all face...myself included. But to quote The Beatles..."in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make." I believe this to be true. In my experience, the more you give, the more you get. 


The times where I've lost my cool and said damaging things I lost more than just my cool...I forfeited relationships and respect. But in the times where I've spoken the truth in love - not always instantly, but eventually - I gained respect and harmony. I think if we're honest with ourselves we all want harmony. And peace begins with the individual. We have the choice to seek harmony or to harbor hostility. Each conversation, each interaction challenges us to make our choice. Choose wisely. Speak cautiously.


It's also vital to be reminded that we WILL inevitably slip up...none of us are perfect...therefor seeking forgiveness and extending forgiveness are integral parts of life. Forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts the Lord has given us. With it comes understanding. It's a virtue of the brave.

Dealing With Disappointment

To quote Max Lucado, "When God doesn't do what we want it's not easy; it never has been and it never will be. Faith is the conviction that God knows more than us...and he'll get us through. Disappointment is caused by unmet expectations...and it's cured by revamped expectations. Don't panic...don't give up...be patient...God is in control."

So when you're disappointed: 

1.) Look inward. David asked, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?" (Psalm 42:5) Admit how you feel. You can't deal with what you don't acknowledge. Ask God to show you the root of the problem. Is it pent up anger? Envy? Unforgiveness? Pride? Lust? Physical and mental fatigue? Be open to what He reveals.

2.) Look upward. David said, "I will hope in God! I will praise Him" (Psalm 42:5). Instead of focusing on your discouragement, focus on the One who knows the way out.

3.) Remember God's past faithfulness. David said, "I am...discouraged, but I will remember you." Through every trial we can cling to the assurance that we "can do all things through Christ who gives us strength" (Philippians 4:13). Recalling God's faithfulness builds your confidence that He'll continue to provide.

4.) Remember, you don't have to have all the answers. Just because you can't figure out what God's doing right now, doesn't mean it won't make sense later. He "causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him." (Romans 8:28).

5.) Don't give in to the bitterness. When your hopes are crushed, resentment can set in. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Regardless of how deep the pit may seem, God is on your side!

We've all experienced disappointment in our lives and inevitably will experience disappointments in the future.  But in those disappointments are lessons to be learned, wisdom to be unlocked, and believe-it-or-not...opportunities in disguise. Disappointments can help us to grow if we allow God to reveal His purpose and if we trust that He will reveal His plan to us in perfect time. It's important that we don't let ourselves get stuck in our disappointment by allowing bitterness and resentment to replace our hope and trust in Christ. How we respond to disappointments greatly determines the ultimate outcome.

A Simple Prayer

We just returned from our weekend trip to Italy. We had an absolutely wonderful time and I will share stories and photos later in the week but I did want to share a quick highlight from the trip.

One of our stops was in Assisi, Italy and we visited St. Francis Basilica. It was such a beautiful church with so much history. Unfortunately cameras were forbidden inside so I was unable to capture any photos to share, but what I was able to take away and share with you is the famous prayer spoken by St. Francis himself.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred .... let me show love.

Where there is injury .... pardon.

Where there is discord .... unity.

Where there is doubt .... faith.

Where there is error .... truth.

Where there is despair .... hope. 

Where there is sadness .... joy.

Where there is darkness .... light.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled .... as to console.

To be understood .... as to understand.

To be loved .... as to love.

For

It is in giving .... that we receive.

It is in pardoning .... that we are pardoned.

It is in dying .... that we are born to eternal life.

-St. Francis


This is also my heart's prayer.

I will share more about our adventure to Italy soon! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend too!

Mental Vitamins: Distinct Value

The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive. Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."  ―Albert Einstein
 

Jesus has called us to influence and illuminate others for good and for God. That means taking responsibility to do things better at home, on the job, and in all aspects of our life. If the only people we show genuine care for are those who will care for us in return then we aren't showing authentic love. Christ's command to "Love your neighbor" includes the less-than-lovable. And we love others when we add value to their lives.

 So how can we do that?. 1.) By truly valuing them. That calls for believing in them before they believe in us, serving them before they serve us, loving them before they love us, and giving to them without expecting anything in return. 2.) By making ourselves more valuable. We can't give what we don't have. So we must earn and grow, in order to give and guide. 3.) By knowing what they value. What happens when we are interested only in our own agenda? We know very little about the people around us. We should strive to make others' priorities, our priorities. Ask to hear their stories. Discover their hopes and dreams. Make their success part of our mission. 4.) By doing things that God values. When our life is done, what will we have lived for? Eventually everything on earth will turn to dust―including us. So we should devote ourselves to things that will last beyond your lifetime.

*excerpts from my daily devotional

Mental Vitamins: Daily Exercise

"The only exercise some people get is jumping to conclusions, running down their friends, side-stepping responsibility, and pushing their luck!" —Anonymous

I stumbled upon this quote and had to share it. At some point or another in our lives we have all been guilty of one or more of these things. But none of these things are a positive use of our time and energy.

If we all dedicated more energy into positive things like, being sensible instead of making assumptions or risking misjudgment, encouraging others with our words and actions rather than tearing people down, accepting responsibility rather than being irresponsible and/or building towards a successful future rather than setting ourselves up for failure, then I think the world as a whole would be a much more enjoyable place to live and there would be less conflict and suffering.

I encourage everyone to evaluate your approach to each and every situation you face and ask yourself  "Do I have the right attitude?" More times than not it is our attitude that gets in the way of us doing the right thing. A bad attitude produces bad results, a positive attitude produces positive results. What is right is not always easiest or what is the most appealing, but we should not base our actions solely upon what feels good. Feelings are fleeting and subjective, what is right remains right regardless of emotions and the attitude we should have is to always do what is right simply because it is the right thing to do. If you're not sure of what is right or wrong, look to the source of Truth....

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. —Galatians 5:22-23

Mental Vitamins: Unstuck

Change is inevitable. We try so hard to resist change but it always seems to say, "Ready or not, here I come!". So what is it about change that we fear so much? Perhaps the unknown that lies on the other side of that change or maybe certain changes will require more from us and we're too lazy and/or don't want to risk our comfort? Whatever the reason, resistance to change just creates more stress, sleeplessness and discomfort. Our attitude towards change can make a huge difference in how change can effect us. So here are some steps you can take to help you handle transitions:

1.) Stop acting like a victim.  Stop expecting others to rescue you, feel sorry for you, or reduce your stress levels. Get behind the wheel of your own life! You're not helpless, and your situation is not hopeless. God's word promises us that we "can do everything with the help of Christ" (Philippians 4:13)

2.) Stop refusing to change. Instead of banging your head against the wall of reality, invest your efforts into changing what you can - like your attitude and your approach. None of us are perfect so if we never accept the need for change then we are declaring our lives perfect as is and only a fool would make such a claim. Evaluate your attitude. Usually it is the first thing in need of change. (Philippians 2:1-5)

3.) Learn to adapt. When the music changes, it's time to learn some new dance moves. You may not like the changes but you can learn to flow with them. The only stabilizing influence in a constantly-changing world is Christ. We have to learn to trust in Him instead of struggling to make sure life always happens on our terms. There are no problems that we will face that our God is not bigger still. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Psalm 34:8, Proverbs 18:10) He not only wants what is best for us, but He knows what is best for us. (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 40:31)

4.) Choose your battles wisely. Do you instinctively give into fear and oppose change, even when it might benefit you? Do you keep throwing yourself across the tracks, hoping to stop the freight train of reality? Waging war on too many fronts always results in fatigue and defeat, so choose battles big enough to matter.

5.) Welcome new experiences. If you're moving forward in life, your surroundings will be constantly changing. If they're not, then you're going in circles. Clinging to comfort just buys you comfort for today at the expense of tomorrow. Draw from God's grace and know that if He leads you to it....He will lead you through it. (Psalm 34:19)

We all want to live stress free without having to work at it, but it simply can't be done. There's an old Chinese proverb that says: "A diamond cannot be polished without friction, and a person can't be perfected without trials." Often it is in the toughest times where our faith, our life shines brightest and we are improved. (James 1:2-4) Change requires effort and responsibility on our part so if you are unhappy in your current condition, ask yourself if you are doing all you can to rectify the situation, are you seeking God's best for your life, or are you choosing to stay stuck in your circumstances? I encourage you to get unstuck.

google image

Happy Mama Bear Day!

If you have a faithful mother, there is nowhere you go that a prayer has not already been. 

I'm thankful for my mom who has loved and prayed for me all these years. Her love is the fuel that has brought me to this moment and continues to keep me going. Nothing I could give her could ever compare to her gift to me - life. She is wonderful beyond words and I'm so thankful God chose her to be my Mom. I love you Mama Bear! <3

In honor of her I thought I would share a few memories I have of my Mom from over the years.

My mom's patience with me began before I was even born...I was born two weeks past my due date.

She was my protector from the start....the nurse accidentally brought her the wrong baby in the hospital and my Mom knew instantly by the cry that this baby was not her daughter. Sure enough, the nurse had made a big mix up and from that moment on, my Mom made sure I was in her sight at all times during the rest of the hospital stay. I shutter to think how my life may have turned out had I been switched at birth. I can't imagine life without my Mom and family!

My Mom often laughs at how I was sleeping through the night after being only a month old. Once I became a toddler I would actually remind my parents of when my bedtime was. I was never that child who put up a fight for bedtime. To this day I love my sleep and I am a deep sleeper. Some habits never change.

When I was about 10 or 12 years-old I wanted to ride my bike to a friend's house who lived a couple blocks away. My mom refused to let me ride my bike that distance by myself so she followed behind me in the family van. I was so angry with her at the time, but now I see how she loved me too much not to care and try to protect me. As an adult I can see how a sketchy corner bar and country roads is not the safest route for a vulnerable little girl on her bike. But at the time, I thought she was just being overprotective. I'm thankful she has always done what was best for me even when I didn't understand or agree with her at the time. The saying is true..."Mother's know best."

The first night I met my husband was on our family cruise and my Mom and I were talking about the "date" I was going on later that evening which was to a dinner show on the ship. I made some comment about ideas for what we could do after the show, like dancing, walking the ship, etc. and my Mom, enthusiastically and with all sincerity suggests: "How about bring some UNO cards?!" We still laugh to this day about how funny it would have been for me to magically bust out some UNO cards on our first date, like it was one of my everyday hobbies! HAHA! I love her innocent heart.

I've always been amazed and proud of how much my Mom has done and accomplished. She is up before the sun and every moment she is awake she is giving of herself. Whether it is managing her own household, taking care of her elderly parents, giving in various ways at her church or in the community. She has taught me how rewarding it is to give. I admire her for her servant heart.

I love my Mom for so many reasons and have so many wonderful memories with her. These are just a few. I have learned so much about life and love from her and hope to pass on her greatness in my own children someday.


In honour of all the mothers out there I want to share a few heartfelt quotes for these often unsung heroes.

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." -Abraham Lincoln

"Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love."  -Mildred B. Vermont

The sweetest sounds to mortals given
Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.
-William Goldsmith Brown

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie."  -Tenneva Jordan

"The moment a child is brought to life, the mother is also brought to life. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." -Unknown

"It kills you to see your children grow up.  But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't."  ~Barbara Kingsolver

"Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children."  -Sam Levenson 

Hope you enjoyed these mom-inspired quotes. My love and appreciation goes out to all the Moms in the world! Have a blessed day everyday! 

Things I Love: Giving

I live to give is definitely one of my frequent phrases. I sincerely enjoy helping others and doing things for people that might improve their quality of life...even for a moment. Why? Because there is nothing in this world I treasure more than people. Now, before some begin making assumptions...I am not attempting to portray myself as some saint, (I am far from it) but I can't and won't deny something that brings me a lot of joy in life. You know that elated feeling you get when you enjoy that thing you love? That's how I feel about giving. I simply love it.

I don't have a lot to give as far as money is concerned but whenever there is a sincere need I like to meet it when I can. Sometimes that just means being there to listen or to physically help someone or volunteering my abilities in some way. Giving to me means giving of yourself not just of your goods. If I could live simply off smiles, I would. Because I believe smiles are the heart's greatest reward.

No one has ever become poor by giving.  ―Anne Frank

A giving heart gathers.  ―Luke 6:38
 
It is in giving that we receive.   ―St. Francis of Assisi 

The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.  ―Albert Einstein

*photo from google image

Mental Vitamins: No Better Place

“We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.” -C.S. Lewis

We've all been on that road - the road that leads to destruction. In fact, there are many avenues in life that lead to ruin. But the good news is, we can always get back on the right road. The path of righteousness is straight and narrow but where it leads is far more rewarding than the broad road that leads to certain demise.

Thing is, we have to make a choice between whether we want to be on Life's Road or Death Row.

I took this photo last year. It's the path that leads to Château de Chillon (Chillon Castle) in Switzerland. My mom said that it made her think of the "narrow road" that leads to Heaven. It looks plain, narrow and rugged but at the end of the road is a castle. Much like the road to life...only instead of a castle at the end...our Saviour is waiting...Heaven is the destination. Sure, other roads may be fancier, easier and seem more appealing but their end is not a safe or fun place.

 click for larger view

It's easy to get off track in a world where we make the roads to destruction look like the hippest place to be. It's exciting, there is appeal around every corner but we must remember that there is only one road that leads to salvation and that is through Jesus Christ. Steven Curtis Chapman said it best: "There's no better place on earth than the road that leads to Heaven." And there's no other place I'd rather be.

Encourager vs. Destroyer

 "There are always hungry hearts that need spiritual encouragement.....help them with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault". -Robert Hein


I have seen destructive words being carelessly thrown around all over the internet as well as in everyday life. "Cyber bullying" is a popular term these days. It is essentially the act of using our words to intentionally harm someone online. And it isn't necessarily name calling or threats, but is also done by discouraging someone. I myself have been guilty of the latter.

Several weeks ago my friend shared a website link that I re-posted. The website targeted those who are self-proclaimed professional photographers and whom I personally felt were not qualified to hold that title and showcased images that are actually offensive to professional photographers. But I later realized that it would have been better or more helpful to share a photography workshop or instructional website with tips to encourage improvement rather than one that simply says "FAIL!".

My point is this...the world doesn't need more negativity. What it needs more of is love and encouragement. Before we say something, post something or do something, we need to consider our motives, ask ourselves "is this sending a positive or negative message?" and make an effort to be an encourager not a destroyer. We can accomplish so much more if we take a positive approach rather than a negative one.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Encouraging one another especially now that the day of His return draws near.  (Hebrews 10:24-2 )

Mental Vitamins: Forgiving Ourselves

Why is it often so hard to forgive ourselves? Being both the wronged and the wrongdoer places us in the awkward position of being able to reject the forgiveness. A thief cannot reject the forgiveness his victim offers since it is not for his sake that it is offered. Yet, we can and often do refuse the choice to forgive ourselves because we are experiencing tremendous guilt and believe that we deserve more punishment. Failing to forgive ourselves is one way to keep the punishment in effect. It is a way for us to torment ourselves over and over again.

The foolishness of this practice should be self evident. What can our self inflicted punishment do to help our victim, or for that matter, ourselves? What good can come of it?

It's common to hold on to guilt and shame when we've hurt someone, but those feelings do not come from God. They come from our enemy, Satan. Guilt and shame prolong pain and suffering while providing nothing of value to anyone. They leave us looking back, and while we're busy focusing on the past, it's very difficult to move forward with Christ. 

Instead of guilt, God requires repentance. These two words mean very different things. Repentance is an acknowledgment of the wrong we have done followed by a commitment to change our ways, but guilt carries no such commitment. Guilt causes us to live in the shadow of our past disgrace, while repentance looks forward in anticipation of God's grace.  

We know that because of Christ's amazing sacrifice, all our sins are forgiven whenever we call upon the Lord with a repentant heart. God has the most perfect sense of justice in all of creation, yet in His mercy He has decreed that all offenses are paid in full by Christ's blood for those who call Him Savior. In His eyes, we stand worthy to be forgiven. 

We must forgive ourselves as we forgive others and for all the same reasons - so that we can move past anger, bitterness, loss and regret. There is no honor in guilt and there is nothing to be gained in prolonging our punishment. There is no exception in God's laws about forgiving ourselves so we must remember to apply this commandment to ourselves. Never forget that guilt and shame come from the Enemy, so do not give them a foothold. Replace guilt with repentance and begin moving ahead to where Jesus is waiting to continue His walk with you. 

 

 This was a very timely devotional for me. I can be my toughest critic and I tend to beat myself up over every little mistake I make. I often allow myself to be haunted by my actions - by regret. If I feel I have have wronged or offended someone I will replay it over and over again in my head and spend hours wishing I would have said things differently or acted differently even after I have asked for forgiveness and especially if I am not extended forgiveness by the person I have offended or wronged.

I too often forget that God knows my heart and He knows when I am sincerely sorry for whatever it is I have done in the past. He is a God of forgiveness even when others may not pardon me for my errors or even if I don't pardon myself.  He gave the ultimate sacrifice so that I might live a life full of His love and reprieve. Believing that I am unworthy of forgiveness is like saying that I have more authority than God. He is willing to forgive me therefor I should be willing to forgive myself and others.


I hope this also found you encouraged. Forgiving ourselves is tougher than it sounds. But with God's mercy and grace - forgiveness can be achieved so that we can continue to enjoy a life full of His love.
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*Excerpts from Delve Into Jesus Devotionals

Mental Vitamins: Stop Worrying and Start Living

What's The Worry?

An average person's anxiety is focused on :

40% -- things that will never happen
30% -- things about the past that can't be changed
12% -- things about criticism by others, mostly untrue
10% -- about health, which gets worse with stress
8% -- about real problems that will be faced

So, 92% of our worries are nothing to worry about.

I used to let worry and anxiety consume me. I can still let my thoughts get away from me at times...I am human afterall. But when the reality of worry is broken down like this - it really helps me to get a hold of my fears and anxiousness. Truth is, worry accomplishes nothing. In fact, it does more harm than good. When we are anxious our focus is on the worry and not how to overcome whatever it is we are facing. And stress from our constant fear and anxiousness weakens us more because it is damaging to our health and well-being. 

My family often jokes about how my Mom's side of the family has the "worry wort gene" and often frets over nothing so I'm all too familiar with being worry stricken. It's apparently in my genes! ;) But I have learned from my own personal experiences that giving our worries over to God and trusting He will help us through any and all situations that will come up in our life is the best way to handle our anxiousness. Now, I don't mean give up and not try to actively fix our problems or expect God to do all the work - I mean acknowledge our struggles and surrender our weaknesses to Him so that WITH Him we can overcome.

 Here are a few verses to comfort and encourage during those stressful times we all face.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. -Philippians 4:6

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  -Matthew 11:28

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? -Matthew 6:25-27

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. -Proverbs 12:25

I hope this found you encouraged and gave you strength to face the weeks ahead.

Get Uncomfortable

"To diminish the value of one category of human life is to diminish us all." - Ronald Reagan

We are definitely seeing the full meaning behind these words in recent weeks. Society has placed little to no value on the Life of the pre-born and now it is being revealed just how little value some have for the other most vulnerable among us. I'm speaking specifically about the complete disregard for the value and protection of  the countless young girls (and boys) who are victims of child sex trafficking in the United States. 
For Planned Parenthood human value has been replaced by dollar signs.

The footage of the most recent undercover video released today shows a clinic supervisor and medical practitioner of a New York Planned Parenthood aiding and abetting sexual exploitation of minors, even telling the undercover "pimp" he could pose as the legal guardian for his underage sex workers, some as young as 13 years old! Apparently a guardian to Planned Parenthood can be a slave owner.


This was the fourth video released this week by LiveAction all of which reveal the same shocking reality of what goes on inside Planned Parenthood's across the country. Each of these "sting" operations confirm that these are not isolated incidents. All of these clinics have one thing in common - they break the law. The overwhelming and what appears to be "trained" response from Planned Parenthood staff to those who are posing as sex workers seeking abortions, STD testing and birth control for minors as young as 13 and 14 is to ignore and completely disregard the value and safety of these young  victims. 

Watch carefully all of the undercover investigation videos taken from inside Planned Parenthood clinics across the country HERE. It is disturbing that not a single one of the employees were bothered in the slightest  to discover these individuals were involved in child prostitution. Instead of showing any concern or compassion for these young girls they ALL supplied ways to get around the law. They willingly and without question gave the sex traffickers information on how to obtain secret abortions, how to lie on the paperwork and "tweak" information and ultimately put these young girls back into the arms of their abusers. 


Planned Parenthood and other abortion supporters are trying to make this merely an abortion debate. Claiming that "anti-abortion groups are simply trying to take down the organization and take away a woman's choice." I'm here to set the record straight...this is no longer simply about abortion...this is about criminal activity, this is about breaking the law, this is about aiding and abetting in the sexual exploitation of children. 

300,000 children are trafficked  in our country alone each year. That is a staggering number and Planned Parenthood has made it clear that they are active participants in this crime against children.  Instead of reporting these cases of rape, abuse and violation of minors - which they are REQUIRED to by law - they are covering them up and sending these young people back into the arms of their abusers. They are actually PROFITING from the abuse because, as the videos reveal, they are willing to provide health services to the victims such as abortions, STD testing, and birth control - and they make a substantial profit from these services. It's disgusting when you think about it.


Any and all "pro-choice" advocates should be just as outraged by this. Coercion, forced abortions and child exploitation should not be tolerated or endorsed by anyone regardless on their stance on abortion. Sex slaves, like the young girls portrayed in these videos, are in no position to make their own choice on the matter - they take orders from their pimp - and therefor are being coerced and forced.  This is clearly what is going on and Planned Parenthood is very unapologetic about their involvement.

We must hold them accountable for their crimes against humanity. These are daughters, sisters, future wives and mothers that are being repeatedly victimized and Planned Parenthood, in and of themselves, are acting as a pimp to the the pimps themselves. Plain and simple, they are breaking the law and it needs to end. Any other organization involved in this kind of criminal activity would be immediately prosecuted but because the issue of abortion is a "sensitive" subject, they are trying to overshadow the illicit crimes being committed here. Abortion debate aside...what is going on at Planned Parenthood's across the nation is wrong and we must bring accountability.


We must end ALL current government funding to Planned Parenthood. They have proven time and time again that they do not deserve the support of the American people. Currently they receive over $300,000 in tax payer funds (that is money from you and I) and regardless of their claims, the evidence speaks for itself, they are not obeying the laws that were put in place to protect women, so our financial support of their organization MUST come to an end. We as Americans refuse to be enablers to this kind of criminal behaviour anymore.

Here's what YOU can do:


1. Sign this petition to defund Planned Parenthood: SIGN THE PETITION HERE
2. Call or contact your congressmen and voice your concern and outrage and tell them you don't want your tax dollars going to Planned Parenthood - this is SO important! SEND AN EMAIL RIGHT NOW!
3. Tell your friends, family co-workers, everyone you know about the truth and encourage others to follow these steps in order to EXPOSE PLANNED PARENTHOOD. Share what you know on Facebook, Twitter and other social outlets like email and personal websites or blogs.
4. Donate your time, treasure and talent to life-affirming centers and organizations whose goal is to help women and families in need. Give those in vulnerable situations a place of hope where they can go as an alternative to places like Planned Parenthood. FIND A LOCAL LIFE CENTER IN YOUR AREA AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.


This is an uncomfortable subject but we NEED to get uncomfortable about it. Afterall, it is because of the support of you and I from our tax dollars that these kinds of crimes are able to continue. That should make us all uncomfortable enough to do something about it. I'm here to assure you that WE CAN do something about it. It requires your voice and your action. Please speak now. Act now.



To see all of the undercover video investigations follow this link: Live Action Projects

Mental Vitamins: Infallible Love

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.”
-C.S. Lewis

I came across this quote by the wise and talented, C.S. Lewis and it went straight to my heart. We live in such a fickle world where you can be head over heels one day and loathsome or indifferent the next. We misuse and overuse the word love. We attribute love to inanimate objects or are quick to say "I love you" only to discard the relationship a few weeks, months or even years later. Often our "love" for one another changes as quickly as the seasons. But love - God's love - is constant, unchanging, everlasting. It's hard for us to fathom it because we have never seen it in other people or even in ourselves. And because we have never witnessed this one-of-a-kind love, it is difficult to wrap our heads around the concept that God is capable of this kind of love and more significantly incapable of not loving us. Truth is, God will never fail us or leave us and no matter what, he will always love us. This is exciting truth!

I'm sure we can all think of at least one person in our lifetime that we have disliked or even hated (that person can even be ourselves). But the amazing truth is that those people we can't stand, those people that make us angry or apathetic...those whom we label as "unlovable" - God LOVES them. God loves all of us, unconditionally and abundantly. We are selective about who we love - but not God. He loves everyone. Not everyone except "so-and-so"...He loves EVERYONE, no exceptions. I don't know about you, but I'm thankful for that. I will be the first to admit that I can be unlovable at times so I'm humbly grateful that Jesus loves even me, despite great faults.

One of my favourite bands, Sleeping At Last, has song lyrics that say "in this sea of change, understanding is our shore." I find it to mean that with all of the constant flux of life, knowing and understanding God and his love for us is our solid foundation. The One we can depend on to never change, never disappoint us, never let us go and always be there to love us and hold us together, is Christ. And in this world of constant waver...there is comfort and consistency, unlike no other, in the Lord. And the Bible tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:39)

 photo by cheska annelliese

It's hard for us to fathom this kind of enduring love because our eyes have never seen it in ourselves or in others, but through Christ - and only through Him - can we experience and enjoy authentic, infallible love.

 “I have loved you with an everlasting love;
   I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

-Jeremiah 31:3

The Bible is full of love notes that God has given us. We should cherish them.

Mental Vitamins: Love Warriors

Today commemorates the character of a man whose efforts shaped history. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to the civil rights movement. He was considered the leader in restoring dignity to humanity and left a legacy that encourages us to love.  He was a Love Warrior. While there are still human injustices occurring in our world today, he made significant progress and shared with us so many great words of wisdom. Here are a few memorable quotes from the late Martin Luther King, Jr.

 "The time is always right to do what is right."


"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." 

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."


"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."


"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."


"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."


Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend. " 
 
"Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him." 

It's no wonder we have a day dedicated to this man. He lived an honorable life that emphasized the value of each individual. He is proof that one person can make a difference and that passion fueled by love accomplishes great things! May his legacy encourage us to be Love Warriors.

Mental Vitamins: Heavier Things

"From a knowledge of God's work, we shall know Him." - Robert Boyle, father of modern chemistry

I was once very skeptical of the God I now fully believe exists. After researching and looking deeper into the evidence to support a Creator, I realized that the doubt I had was really confusion.There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions to better understand something. To find Truth...we must ask questions. But I have come to the realization that many people are not seeking Truth. There are those who simply want to validate their own idea of truth.

God's Word is constantly being twisted and misrepresented by both believers and non-believers. But possibly the most disturbing are those who take an antagonist approach with malicious intent. These blatant attacks against God and the Christian faith used to really upset me because the stabs felt personal. As a believer, God is a part of us, He lives within us. Therefor any words of opposition towards God felt as though they were denying who I am, what I stand for and in turn denying my very existence. It was hard to shake that off. I didn't understand how people could be so ugly towards me simply because of my faith. I don't agree with many of the beliefs that other religions have but I don't spend my time attacking those religions and viciously mocking them. What would be the purpose in that? As a Christian I am called to share God's love and live according to Christ's standards. Behaving in any other way would go against my God and everything I believe in. So for a long time I asked God, why are these people acting so hateful toward me? His response was:

"If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first." (John 15:18)  He was the first to be hated for being a light in a dark world. And if the world could hate the greatest man to ever live can we really expect the world to love us?

The important thing is that GOD LOVES US and He always illuminates the darkness. He revealed to me the purpose of this persecution. It brought me closer to Him. I developed a deeper understanding of who God is, what He has done for us and for me personally and strengthened my faith and relationship with Christ. Because of these attacks, I was forced to ask questions that I may not have otherwise asked and to seek the Truth as I had never before. What was obviously a devilish tactic to shake my faith and to encourage doubt ultimately brought me closer to God and gave me a deeper appreciation for the One who continuously shows me the true meaning of selfless love, compassion and faithfulness. The devil's greatest weapon is doubt, but we hold the shield of faith!

The purpose of this entry is to empower those who are currently under religious persecution. There are those who are just waiting in the shadows for us to fail. And we inevitably will...we are imperfect. But these same people forget that simply because we serve a perfect God does not mean that we are perfect. They will use our imperfections to justify their theories by superimposing our flaws onto our flawless God. I know - because I once did this. There have been those in my life who called themselves believers but their actions did not line up with their faith so I not only wrote them off...but I turned my back on God. We as Christians need to realize that we are endorsers. How we act can bring people to God or can lead them away from Him. People are more likely to come to Christ if we try to emulate Him instead of trying to please ourselves or others. The truth is, if you have ever claimed to be Christian or you have been involved in some way with a religious organization - you are being watched. You are under constant scrutiny. But don't let that intimidate you because we have been chosen to shine a light in a dark world. We have the Lord WITH us in every battle we may face.

"As you know, we suffered rough and insulting treatment. But our God gave us the courage to tell you His Good News in spite of strong opposition." (1 Thessalonians 2:2)

Don't be afraid to share God's Truth. If you are unsure of a proper or valid response to questions from those who doubt Christ and His teachings, don't be afraid to say "I don't know, but I will get back with you after I have researched what God has to say about it." This confirms that we as humans do NOT have all the answers, but we know who does have the answers and where to find them. It also shows that you take the subject seriously and that you are not looking to simply be right by blurting out just any un-researched answer. And it also reveals your genuine commitment towards their own spiritual assurance.

We will all face overwhelming opposition in our lifetime so we must be prepared to stand up for Truth. Studying God's word, the Bible, is the primary tool for wisdom when faced with opposition. For those who want more scientific-based evidence I recommend reading books and research by Dr. Stephen C. Meyer who holds a Ph.D as a Philosopher in Science from Cambridge University and can offer fundamental arguments for intelligent design by a Creator. His book, Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design investigates how new scientific discoveries are pointing to intelligent design as the best explanation for the complexity of life and the universe. I also recommend you watch the film The Case For A Creator based on the book by Lee Strobel. In this film, Stephen Meyer adds commentary along with other respected scholars, philosophers and theologians. These are excellent sources that use science to support the argument that there IS in fact a Creator. After all, our role here on earth is to lead others to Christ by providing them with the Truth in love so we need to be well-equipped if we are to see hearts change.


I hope this was helpful. I hope this finds you encouraged. You can be assured of my prayers!

Mental Vitamins: Family Love

“The love of a family is life's greatest blessing.”

My parents arrived safely here in Switzerland last night. I woke up this morning feeling as though I had dreamed it all but was relived to realize that it was not a dream...they are actually here with us. I could not be more thankful. It's such a blessing to have them in my life and to be able to enjoy life with them. You don't choose your family...but I'm thankful for the family I was gifted with. 

Mental Vitamins: Check Your Pride at the Door

"As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you."  
— C.S. Lewis

Pride is by far our greatest downfall. Pride is the attitude of self-worship and leads to every other vice. It was through pride that the devil became the devil and the very element which brought sin into the world. The most tragic result of our own pride is that we sometimes elevate ourselves to the point that we think we are above God...our Creator...our Saviour. Pride gets in the way of our relationship with Christ. It blinds us from the simple Truth - which is that God loves us and desires to have a meaningful relationship with us. Pride has many symptoms and features. The difficult thing about it is that it is so hard to see in ourselves! Often the people who hate pride the most in others are those who are the proudest themselves.

As human beings, we have a tendency to want to be selective about the people we associate with. Our natural tendency is to seek the company of those who we find interesting, attractive, intelligent, accomplished. On the other hand, for most of us, there are some people we would rather not spend much time with at all. People who are of a different social background, who are physically or mentally handicapped, who have obnoxious habits, or who hold different beliefs than our own. And yet, I have found that God Himself is willing to associate with such people! In fact, He is willing to come into their lives, permanently! God is there for the people whom society rejects. While we wouldn't want to be associated with these "outcasts" God wants them to be a part of His family.

Christ has every reason to be prideful, but He is not. When God sent Jesus into the world, He could have arranged for him to be born in a grand palace, or at least in the house of a nobleman. But He didn't. God sent His Son into the world to be born in an animal's feeding trough. That's what the word "manger" actually means. None of us would be willing to have our children born in an animals feeding trough. But this humble birthplace made him accessible to EVERYONE and is a testament to His own humbleness. There is no lower, upper, or middle class to Jesus...we are all of equal importance to Him and He wanted to make sure that everyone had the opportunity to know Him regardless of social standards.


 Christ extends His love and mercy to everyone who will receive it. He does not play favourites. We are all equally loved in His eyes. Being a Christian does not make us any more worthy of salvation than those who do not believe. We are all unworthy, but we can choose to be grateful. We could never earn salvation, we could never deserve God's love. We either accept His love or we don't. There are no trophies, there are no awards, salvation is not a prize to be won and Heaven is not a reward. We either accept God's gift of salvation or we reject it. We can't buy it, we can't earn it, but we CAN enjoy it. All we have to do is humbly accept God for who He is. Our own pride is the valley that stands between us and God's love. Humility is the bridge.

For the LORD takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation. (Psalms 149:4)

How does God feel about pride? On this point, the Scriptures are very clear. Here are just a few Bible verses with references to pride and humility: Psalms 37:11,  Proverbs 16:18-19,  Proverbs 22:4,  Proverbs 25:9,  Isaiah 5:21,  Matthew 23:12,  Romans 12:3,  Romans 12:16,  Ephesians 4:2,  James 4:6

God hates pride, not because He is proud, but because it is completely inappropriate. Anything good we have came only because of God. Any good we might show forth is like the light of the moon, which has no light of its own, but merely reflects the light of the sun. Should the moon then boast as if it was the creator of the light which comes forth from it? Much less should we show darkness in place of the light we should be reflecting from the Lord.

God tells us that our job is to humble ourselves, and His job is to exalt us. If we try to reverse the roles, and do His job, exalting ourselves, then He will do our job for us, and humble us.

Society encourages pride up to a point. We are taught to be our best, not so much because that will enable us to help more people, but rather, because then we have something to be proud about, so we can feel good about ourselves. One of the most powerful motivations in the world today is what the Bible calls “the pride of life” (1 John 2:15).

This “pride of life” motivation is what drives many people to devote their lives obsessively to their career or to the pursuit of money. In the process, people miss God's plan for their lives. Often families are neglected as well. The desire to live prestigiously, to drive an expensive car, or to achieve some other material objective often has a lot more to do with fulfilling personal ego needs than anything else. The same can be said for the academic pursuit of knowledge and understanding. If the goal is never achieved, the person becomes miserable. And if the goal is achieved, chances are, the person will become proud of what they have done, and this pride will cause them to further resist God's purposes for their life. Pure and good motivations are love for God and people, and a passionate desire for the honor of God.

Pride is a sinful attempt to meet a deep emotional need that we have for significance. If we can realize that we are already immensely significant to God,  we can be freed from the sin of pride and enjoy a personal relationship with Him.

I must also add that our own pride is a battle we will face often, if not daily. We all have a sinful nature and therefor will have to constantly battle against our own selfish desires. No one is perfect, but if there is something we seem to really struggle with...asking God for help and strength in our daily lives is definitely the right step toward humility.

Mental Vitamins: Willing Heart

"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." — E.B. White

This quote pretty much sums it up for me. Everyday I have so many thoughts and plans running through my head and find it hard to go in one direction. I have so many projects that I am currently involved in and I always seem to get to a certain point, then something new will come into play, and despite my best intentions,  those existing projects end up getting a bit neglected. It's hard to fully focus on one thing, but it's also hard to spread my focus amongst several things. And I think much of it has to do with the above statement...I can't seem to sort through my priorities when everything seems so important and I'm passionate about so much.

I'm certain many people think that I just lounge around all day while Jared is at work and do nothing. I have way too many thoughts and plans to simply be idle. I'm thankful that much of what I am trying to accomplish can be done from home. I don't get paid monetarily for it, but I am rewarded by knowing that my efforts are in some way helping lives. I may not be making news-worthy differences and I probably will never know many of the indirect ways that my actions or words have changed lives or impacted people but that's OK. I am not a glory seeker. I just want to know that I lived today the very best I could. I want to be certain that I didn't miss God's calling and that each day I fulfilled my daily purpose. My fear is that I won't spend my time wisely and that I won't fully enjoy the day God has given me.

We are not promised tomorrow or even a minute from this moment. When that thought is constantly in the forefront of my mind....just as this quote states...."it makes it hard to plan the day". However, it is comforting to know that God understands our hearts and sees our willingness to serve. It takes a little bit of the pressure off. He knows we can't possibly do it all, but a willing heart is all He asks of us. My desire for each day is to have a willing heart.

Mental Vitamins: Get Your Shine On!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear
is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I
to be brilliant and gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?
Actually who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people
won’t feel insecure around you.
We are meant to shine.
We were born to make manifest
the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some of us: it’s in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson

I have always been more of an introvert...my nickname in high school was "shy girl". I have never liked to be in the spotlight, I preferred to blend in and even go as far as to hide in the shadows so as not to be noticed. And I love these words from Marianne Williamson because I have experienced this sort of "liberation". I feel in recent years I have had an inner transformation that has generated an outward alteration. I am still as imperfect as I have always been but I am more comfortable in my own skin because I have an understanding that God loves me AS IS. He sees through my flaws and He loves me unconditionally despite great faults.

Once I became aware that my insecurities were holding me back from my true purpose here on earth, which is sharing God's love with others and being a living example of His love, I have experienced my self-doubt disappear and be replaced with strength. No, I don't think I am special or wonderful, or great but my Savior IS. And that gives me something to smile about, to shine about, to live to tell about. I no longer feel the need to try and be perfect because I know I can never be and that is not our purpose in life. Our purpose is to love like Christ.

I always had this idea that being a Christian meant I couldn't let others see me make mistakes or fail because if I was weak how would that reflect on the One I was trying to represent? But now I see that it is how I handle my mistakes, how I respond to challenges and how I seek Him through it all that makes the difference. I can unashamedly say that I don't have it all together, I don't have all the answers, but I serve the Lord who does. And by admitting that, I don't have the same fears I once lived with. Fears of being judged by others, fears of being misunderstood, fears of being hated or making mistakes. Instead, I have a humble sense of courage that has been ignited by hope, trust and love. I still live an imperfect life but I strive to better myself each day and I no longer live in constant fear.


My heart's desire is to show others that if God can love someone like me...then His love is abundant enough for you. In fact, all He wants is to love us. Nothing makes Him happier. What an unbeatable compliment...WE make GOD happy! :) Just by letting Him love us.

So the next time you feel less than worthy, or that you don't have what it takes...know that you ARE enough....to the one who matters...to God...you are perfectly imperfect and you were created to SHINE! So get your shine on! :)