I believe in women's rights more than most people. Really, I do. I don't believe men are superior to women, and I sure don't believe the other way around. Women should get paid the same as men for the work they do, and should be appreciated just like men in the workplace and for the work they do at home. I believe in a woman's right to choose, too.
Right about now, you might be saying, "Huh?" Well, you heard right and that is what my focus is on today: Standing up for a woman's right to choose.
You see there are some people in America that want to make decisions for women and what they do with their bodies - decisions that go against their will. They adamantly defend putting a woman's life in danger, and they stand in the way of that woman living out a happy life. These same people tout women's rights, but they don't really mean it. I mean how can someone mean it if they would rather see women suffer at the hands of oppressive laws that keep women from being and doing whatever they want in life. How could they really mean it?
Join me in standing up for a woman's right to choose. Why should we stand up for them? Why not just leave it for them to stand up for their own rights?
Because they can't. These poor women are weak and don't have a voice. They might have been doctors and lawyers and senators and leaders, but they really don't have it in them to stand up and speak on their own behalf. Will you just sit by and let corrupt politicians make laws for people who don't believe the same as them. It takes all of us to stand up for a woman's right to choose.
Yes, they are prominent women - women of their own time, making a difference in their world. But that is only if their rights are defended. Would you take away these women's rights to choose?
The women I am speaking about live in a world of darkness and trust. Will you help them into the light?
Once again, won't you help me in standing up for a woman's right to choose. These are the unborn women of today, and of tomorrow. These unborn women have no voice and they live in the darkness of their mothers' wombs, in total trust that mommy loves them and will take care of them. They cannot defend themselves, but that is why we must defend their right to choose life.
Stand up for the voiceless because you have a voice! Should they really suffer a brutal attack while all the world sits by? Should one woman's rights to live and maintain a certain lifestyle cause another to die? Since when is it right for an innocent person to be punished for another person's mistake? Did the unborn child sin? No, it didn't! Why snuff out the same hopes and dreams that were afforded to you? Trust me - two wrongs don't make a right.
If these words cut you, just ask yourself why? Maybe you made the mistake and took it out on your child. Maybe you forced such a decision on your girlfriend or on your daughter. Stop trying to justify your mistakes or those of someone close to you. Instead cry out to the Creator of us all and ask for forgiveness. It's not the unforgivable sin. He will forgive you!!! He will forgive them!!! Jesus died for even those sins. In the book of John, chapter 3, Jesus Himself said, "For God didn't send His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
I will forever take this stand as long as I live: SPEAK OUT FOR THE UNBORN. There must be a defense for the helpless. Maybe its time for you to stand with me for the rights of all men and all women, even the unborn. Speak out. Now it's your turn. Live out love.
---Johnie
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Fellowship [koy nohn ee' ya]
This morning's sermon was about how to be a part of the family of Christ. The early church cared about each other so much they spent time with each other. They sold their possessions and had all things in common. They met daily in the temple and prayed together. They met and ate together in each others houses. They supported each other.
All selfish ambition was replaced with regard for others. They were looking out for each other and growing closer to each other as they became more like Christ.
If you are lonely and leave the church service feeling like you don't fit in and don't know anyone, then bust out of your isolationism and individualism. It's not about how much you can get, but instead how much you have to offer. If the sponge only soaks up, it stagnates. It must be emptied to be able to soak up anything new. Are your gifts stagnating inside you because you aren't using them? If you were saved then you received a gift or gifts from the Holy Spirit. Those gifts were not intended for you to use to gain socio-economic status in the current world system. Your gifts were given to use for the edification of the entire body of Christ. If you are feeling alone, reach out and be a friend. Invest your gifts in others. Esteem others more highly than you do yourself. Don't wear your feelings on your sleeves. Have a forgiving attitude and pray for wisdom.
The goal is not to see who has more friends in the end. But if you grow close to several other Christian families you will find that the family of God is a real family and that those friendships will be a big part of your life.
Pray for other Christians. This is a selfless act that draws us closer to our Maker and teaches us the heart of our Saviour. We have to look out for each other and not just be all about promoting ourselves.
The greek word for fellowship is koinania [koy nohn ee' ya] and it is the type of fellowship that represents a family that gets along really well. It is true to its members and spiritually deep. It is looking out for its weakest link and helping them up when they fall.
When Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom, it will be like that! Pray and ask God to soften your heart and renew your mind and help you to be the child of His that builds up His body.
--Johnie
All selfish ambition was replaced with regard for others. They were looking out for each other and growing closer to each other as they became more like Christ.
If you are lonely and leave the church service feeling like you don't fit in and don't know anyone, then bust out of your isolationism and individualism. It's not about how much you can get, but instead how much you have to offer. If the sponge only soaks up, it stagnates. It must be emptied to be able to soak up anything new. Are your gifts stagnating inside you because you aren't using them? If you were saved then you received a gift or gifts from the Holy Spirit. Those gifts were not intended for you to use to gain socio-economic status in the current world system. Your gifts were given to use for the edification of the entire body of Christ. If you are feeling alone, reach out and be a friend. Invest your gifts in others. Esteem others more highly than you do yourself. Don't wear your feelings on your sleeves. Have a forgiving attitude and pray for wisdom.
The goal is not to see who has more friends in the end. But if you grow close to several other Christian families you will find that the family of God is a real family and that those friendships will be a big part of your life.
Pray for other Christians. This is a selfless act that draws us closer to our Maker and teaches us the heart of our Saviour. We have to look out for each other and not just be all about promoting ourselves.
The greek word for fellowship is koinania [koy nohn ee' ya] and it is the type of fellowship that represents a family that gets along really well. It is true to its members and spiritually deep. It is looking out for its weakest link and helping them up when they fall.
When Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom, it will be like that! Pray and ask God to soften your heart and renew your mind and help you to be the child of His that builds up His body.
--Johnie
Friday, September 12, 2008
City Lights
"A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."
Have you ever thought, "I wonder what kind of plan God has for my life?" I have thought that so many times, wondering if God wanted me to be a missionary or if I was somehow missing out on what He had planned for me. Well, I'm not a missionary in Africa, but I contact many people every day. I wonder if they see Jesus in me. Do I shine for Him?
When I was heading to work very early the other morning, I was going over a tall overpass and I thought of Jesus' words, "A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." The lights of the city were everywhere almost as far as I could see. It made me think of all the believers that were being lights right where they are. Are you waiting for God's big plan for your life? We don't have to wait for official "ministry" opportunities for us to be lights. Where does your day lead you? Shine there! Do you deliver chips to a bar? Shine! Do you lead a team? Light their way! Are you surrounded by nurses and doctors? They need the light, too!
GOD CALLED YOU OUT OF YOUR PAST DARKNESS!!!!!
HE WHO HAS BEEN FORGIVEN MUCH LOVES MUCH!!!!!!!!!
Don't wait for the sweet by and by. Invest in today right where you are in those you're around. Run this race like you really want to win it.
--Johnie
Have you ever thought, "I wonder what kind of plan God has for my life?" I have thought that so many times, wondering if God wanted me to be a missionary or if I was somehow missing out on what He had planned for me. Well, I'm not a missionary in Africa, but I contact many people every day. I wonder if they see Jesus in me. Do I shine for Him?
When I was heading to work very early the other morning, I was going over a tall overpass and I thought of Jesus' words, "A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." The lights of the city were everywhere almost as far as I could see. It made me think of all the believers that were being lights right where they are. Are you waiting for God's big plan for your life? We don't have to wait for official "ministry" opportunities for us to be lights. Where does your day lead you? Shine there! Do you deliver chips to a bar? Shine! Do you lead a team? Light their way! Are you surrounded by nurses and doctors? They need the light, too!
GOD CALLED YOU OUT OF YOUR PAST DARKNESS!!!!!
HE WHO HAS BEEN FORGIVEN MUCH LOVES MUCH!!!!!!!!!
Don't wait for the sweet by and by. Invest in today right where you are in those you're around. Run this race like you really want to win it.
--Johnie
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