Christians and Homosexuality

A friend of mine gave a fantastic speech on Christians and Homosexuality. This speech won first place at the National speech and Debate tournament this year. Couldn't have said it any better, Kasey.

Happy Fathers Day!

You were made to lead us,
To stand strong amidst the fight,
To pull us onward up the mount,
Ignoring its towering heights.

You were made to be brave,
To ignore impending dark,
To laugh despite the toughest odds,
Trained to hit the mark.

Your courage led me onward,
Your strength, it made me tall,
Tenacity helped me learn,
To get up when I fall.

You taught me perseverance,
To never give up hope,
And when the going gets tough,
Get going, don't mope.

You helped me be a leader,
Stay strong in all I do,
To weather hardships, large and small,
And it's all thanks to you.

You taught me by example,
I always looked to you,
Your guidance is what helped me,
To always make it through.

I've never looked at you,
With disdain in my heart,
Or felt some sort of disrespect,
Or loathing on my part.

I've cherished every bear hug,
And enjoyed every poke,
I love the way you laugh out loud,
When you tell a corny joke.

All your imperfections,
Are outweighed by the great
Things you've taught me through my life,
That are forever in my heart.


I thank God for deciding,
To give a dad like you,
To a little girl who needed strength,
Thank God that I know you.

Click it or ticket...or regret it.

   
     Most people don't see this as a gigantic problem. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I just think this is big enough to talk about. I want to warn you about the frustration, anger and guilt before it's too late to fix it.
     It was sometime in February. The night before, we had a house fire that destroyed our basement, laundry room and most of the front door area. Thank the Lord that insurance is covering that. Anyway, we were staying with some friends until we had a rental to stay in. We went out to eat at McDonald's, still somewhat surprised by our bad fortune last night. We had driven two cars, my parents and three siblings in one, and five people in the other car. I was in the five person car. Our parents sent us ahead, saying they needed to pick up a few things at Walmart.
     Joseph was driving. I'm not really sure what happened, but we ran into some slush on the road. The car swerved a little and Joseph put his foot on the brake. That didn't help. We swerved even more, Joseph trying to gain control of the vehicle. I put my hand over the two younger kids sitting next to me, making sure they didn't fall. They were terrified. To be honest, I was really scared too.
     The car spun out of control and we were flung into the ditch. I closed my eyes, but I kept my hand over my siblings, bracing myself. When I opened my eyes, everything was still, and for a split second, I thought I was still upside down. The car had flipped on it's side ; the passenger side, so the kids were on top of me. They were still screaming, but they were both alive. Thank God.

"Is everyone okay!?!" Joseph asked, looking around.

     Sammy calmed down a little, but was still really excited. He turned to me, tears running down his face and said," I got the phone! I got the phone!"
     I hugged him, praising the Lord he was okay.
   
     Joseph, since he was closest to the door, climbed out and began helping the other kids out. After the younger two were out, I laid me head against the glass, breathing slowly. I wanted to close my eyes and just wake up from this horrible dream. It's not really a feeling I can explain. Even though it was over, I was still scared.
     Adrenaline is a gift. It helps you ignore the pain and do what needs to be done in certain situations. It helps you push past your feeling of despair and pull yourself out of the ditch. I did. Thankfully, we were not that far from a friends house. So Joseph stayed behind to call the ambulance and our parents and Timothy and I took the younger two down the road. Kim (the friend) was on the phone with our dad as she opened the door.

     "Yeah, they're right here."

     Once inside, we examined the kids for any indications of concussion or broken bones. Nothing, they seemed okay. Luckily, Kim had some younger kids who were playing with Legos, and that seemed to take the younger kid's minds off the accident for a while. I fell into a nearby chair, my legs still shaking. I suddenly felt very tired and wished I could go to bed. I wanted to see my parents...and yet I didn't.
     The ambulance came before my mom did. They checked everybody out, feeling the spine and arms, making us bend our neck. Everyone was fine and the paramedic was very surprised. Why? The reason was enough to make me turn my face away in shame; the younger kids had not been buckled in.
     I wasn't just mortified, I was disgusted with myself and not a day goes by without me thanking God for keeping those kids safe. They should have been hurt, maybe even dead, but God saw it fit to bestow mercy upon me; selfish, disgusting me, who put her own seatbelt on and didn't make sure the kids were. I was the oldest, I was sitting RIGHT NEXT TO THEM!
     Later, after the adrenaline had fully worn off, my wrist began to hurt me. I had to wear a splint for three weeks, a cast for three weeks and then the split on and off for the rest of the month. Sometimes, I have to wear the splint because my wrist bothers me. And you know what? I had expected God to break my wrist, as punishment for my selfish and insistently act. But he didn't. God forgave me...he excepted my apology as enough...and I thank him for that. For his unending grace and mercy.
     I still get scared when I'm driving, and even when I'm not. I still wish I could take that day back and fix what I did. But I have learned my lesson... And you should too.

     They say seat belts save lives. I believe it.

     "Failure to wear a seat belt contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic safety-related behavior. 63% of people killed in accidents are not wearing seat belts. Wearing a seat belt use is still the single most effective thing we can do to save lives and reduce injuries on America's roadways."(car accidents.com)

     The only reason my younger siblings didn't get hurt is the because God wanted to give us another chance. He wanted us to do better in the future and maybe save you guys from a few injuries...or lives. Take my advice; don't get in the car and think you don't need to worry about it because it happens to "somebody else"...because to everyone else, you are "somebody else".

History Test; Part four

    

 "HBO’s “John Adams,” despite fine drama, excellent acting and impressive production values, is – sadly and unnecessarily – seriously compromised as a depiction of history." (HNN.com)


     When I read those words, my heart sank. I loved the HBO drama "John Adams" and thought it was very well done. Unfortunately, the screenwriters felt it would be more "emotionally appealing" to audiences.
This has been proven true to me over and over and over that people don't like history. From "The Patriot" to "John Adams" to "Braveheart". Countless times, we are told "history" stories and think we have a pretty good grasp of history and historical fiction.

     We have heard of Molly Pitcher, the brave woman who fired the cannon of her fallen comrades in war. Though we would like to believe she is real, she was not; http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1999/summer/pitcher.html

Remember "The Patriot"? Remember all the historical inaccuracies? Probably not; http://www.studythepast.com/patriotreview.pdf

How many of you knew "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" wasn't half as exciting or romantic as the real thing; http://www.historynet.com/paul-reveres-true-account-of-the-midnight-ride.htm

     What has happened to make us want to change history? Why do we feel the need to change true events for a more entertaining story?

     I think I just answered that question.

     Ever since the art of storytelling was invented, people have yearned to entertain with stories of nobility, romance and excitement, whether true or fictitious. Ever since Hollywood, we have wanted to tell stories how WE want to tell, whether true of fictitious.
     I have been a huge fan of Joan of Arc ever since I was a little girl. I have read tons of books and papers on her, so when I heard they had made a movie of it, I immediately jumped at the prospect, begging my mom to let me see it. While I waited for her to make her decision, I decided to look up a few reviews on it. I was heartbroken. Apparently, the acting was bad and so was the story. They completely ruined the character of Joan and her story and faith. Why? Because it wasn't "exciting" enough or the screenwriter thought his idea was better then what actually happened. Same thing happened with Beowulf. Beowulf is one of my favorite poems and I wanted to watch the movie. But, of course, the screenwriters thought their idea of an adulterous, low down "hero" was better then the upright, Christian man Beowulf was in the poem.

     For some reason, people tend to feel like it is an "obligation" to twist facts in order to entertain audiences'. After all, history is "boring",

    "If one were to adhere to historical accuracy all the way, you'd probably have the most boring two hours on earth, but firstly it's entertainment and we've taken license with history to make it more compelling." Mel Gibson talking about "The Patriot"

     Firstly, I think something is wrong with us if we don't find the American Revolution "exciting". Exciting as in, 'I'm not bored'.
     Second, is entertainment an excuse to exchange truth with lies? Yes, twisting facts and presenting them as "history" is lying.
     Third, if you don't want to make a two hour boring movie, don't make a movie!

     Remember that quote I had at the beginning of this series?
     “Do not let our posterity be deluded with fictions under the guise of poetical or graphical license.” John Adams (Stern, hnn.us)

     In other words, don't even think about changing history for what seems more exciting, entertaining or romantic. And guess what? It's not just our Founding Fathers who wanted us to remember history as it happened.

     "And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out of Egypt, out of the house of bandage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten." Exodus 13:3

     In the next couple of verses, Moses goes over with the people the feasts of Passover, saying they must remember what the Lord did for his children.

     "And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. And it shall come be for a sign unto thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand the Lord brought thee out of Egypt. Thou shalt keep this ordinance in his season from year to year." Exodus 13:8-10

     That's a problem we lack today. We don't REMEMBER. We failed at teaching our children what we accomplished during the American Revolution...what God accomplished. And it doesn't stop with the birth of our nation. Even before then, we didn't tell our children. Don't believe me? Riddle me this, how come the bible has survived our these hundreds of years, but our history is still screwed up? Because Christians knew God's word HAD to be remembered and they took it upon themselves to see this done. They taught their children, they taught their friends. They remembered and they shared it.

     We need to remember what happened. Today, of course, it's a little easier too. We have TV, camera's, etc...But no excuses. Don't leave it to the "professionals". You do it. You tell your children. It is your responsibility, your God-given duty to ensure we remember. Do not forget.

And for the record, I never liked "The Patriot".

Bibliography

St. George Jr., William R. "The Patriot; Movie Review." Study The Past. Web. <http://www.studythepast.com/patriotreview.pdf>.

Stern, Jeremy. "History News Network." History News Network. HNN. Web. 27 Oct. 2008. <http://hnn.us/articles/56155.html>.