Did It Move You Closer to God?

Did how you vote move you closer to God or farther from Him? 

ACL's pastor asked that today, and it is a pregnant question. 

Our battle is against the spiritual forces of darkness. Are we with God or against Him?

The Endgame of Transgender Ideology

Kimberly Ells, author of this excellent article, understands what the left's agenda is with dismantling the family. 

Liberalism, feminism, sexual reformers- to include denying one's God ordained gender, all seek to destroy the family. What or who will replace it? Why, the ever-loving, ever-nurturing, warm, efficient arms of the federal government! 

The title of this post is part of the title of her article, linked to above, which spells out what the desires of the left are. Don't be part of the problem. Understand what is going on. 

Virginia Department of Education Taking Comments on Proposed Transgender Policies

I want to have this on my blog so that one day, perhaps after the Rapture, people can happen upon this and see the atrocities in America (and the rest of the world, really) that led up to the judgment of God. His wrath over the abominations we humans concoct will be severe and sure. If you are reading this in Jan 2021, please take time to comment your opposition to these dangerous measures.

How can adults, which are entrusted with the nurture of children, allow such twisting and distortion of reality? The mental gymnastics of people denying their actual gender, and then other people encouraging it rather than truly helping them, is deplorable. It is not the Christian, who understands we are made in the image of God, who is at fault, it is those who want to deny nature, who are at fault. Sin is the root of struggles with sexuality, and sin causes people to explore homosexuality and it is the root gender identity issues. The political 'left' think it is loving to endorse and encourage people in these endeavors, but the discontent, depression and other problems many of those folks deal with, is lifelong. You can eliminate every person who is against it, and these people will still be unhappy and feel something is 'off', because trying to thwart God's design, which is right and good, never leads to peace and wholeness. God can help anyone turn from their wrong thinking and wrong desires, but we first have to humbly come to Him and seek His strength and truth. We must admit we are sinners in need of a Savior, and realize it is only Jesus Christ who can forgive us and set us free from these bodies of sin. 

Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Victoria Cobb, President Monday, January 4, 2021 The public comment period for the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) draft model policies for the treatment of transgender students starts today, January 4, 2021, and lasts through February 3, 2021.  These model policies are meant for local school divisions to either adopt as approved, or use them as the basis for even more expansive (and dangerous) “transgender” policies. ACTION: Click HERE to enter a comment on the townhall.gov website, and tell VDOE you do not approve of their proposed guidelines based on radical theories that eradicate all distinctions between male and female and indoctrinate our school children. (Click on “Enter a comment”) To learn more about this issue, you can read our blogs about it here and here.  While there are plenty of reasons to oppose these guidance policies, here are TEN that will help you form your comments: Failure to use a student’s new “preferred pronouns” – which can change from day to day and even defy basic rules of grammar (“ze/hir/hirs”, “they/them/their”) – would be “harassment” and “discrimination”, for which both faculty and students would be subject to disciplinary action. “For transgender students, acts of verbal harassment may include the intentional and persistent use of names and pronouns not consistent with their identity.” (Recommended Standard, p.10) “A school administrator may need to direct school staff to abide by the wishes of a student on their asserted name and pronoun. A school employee’s intentional and persistent refusal to respect a student’s asserted name and pronoun is considered discriminatory.” (Recommended Standard, p.12) “Complaints alleging discrimination, harassment, or bullying based on a student’s actual or perceived transgender status shall be handled in the same manner as other discrimination or harassment complaints.” (Draft Policy, p.10)   Schools will be permitted to help a student explore, facilitate and make decisions regarding their gender expression of sexual identity while at school, without a parent even knowing! “School divisions will need to consider the health and safety of the student in situations where students may not want their parents to know about their transgender status … There are no regulations requiring school staff to notify a parent or guardian of a student’s request to affirm their gender identity...” (Recommended Standard, p.12) The definition of “Gender identity” is completely subjective to each person claiming it, hence it cannot possibly be known by anyone except that person. Since it cannot be tested or ascertained by any objective method, nothing could prevent any student from constantly “changing” their “gender identity” to exploit many situations.  “Gender Identity: A person’s internal sense of their own identity as a boy/man, girl/woman, something in between, or outside the male/female binary. Gender identity is an innate part of a person’s identity and can be the same or different from the sex assigned at birth.” (Definitions, p.6)   Parents who encourage their children to embrace their God-given sex would be at risk of being reported for child abuse or neglect by the school.  “School staff should be prepared to support the safety and welfare of transgender students when their families are not affirming. … Whenever school personnel suspects or becomes aware that a student is being abused, neglected, or at risk of abuse or neglect by their parent due to their transgender identity, they should report those concerns to Child Protective Services immediately.” (Recommended Standard, p.13)   Students will be allowed to claim to be either a biological male or female (or both, neither, or something else entirely) for any duration of time, without providing any evidence to a teacher or administrator, making it impossible for teachers to comply with these policies. “A student is considered transgender if, at school, the student consistently asserts a gender identity different from the sex assigned at birth… it does not necessarily require any substantiating evidence nor any required minimum duration of expressed gender identity ...” (Recommended Standard, p.12)  “Schools shall allow students to assert a name and gender pronouns that reflect their gender identity without any substantiating evidence.” (Draft Policy, p.13)   Schools would be prohibited from notifying parents if a biological male is using the same changing facility as their daughter that was designated for girls. “In addition to adhering to all legal standards of confidentiality, school personnel shall treat information relating to a student’s transgender status as being particularly sensitive, shall not disclose it to other students and parents, and shall only disclose to other school personnel with a legitimate educational interest.” (Draft Policy, p.12)   All students will be allowed to use any bathroom or locker room they choose, without being questioned by any school administrator or faculty, eliminating privacy and safety of students in states of undress. “Access to facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to a student’s gender identity shall be available to all students.” (Draft Policy, p.18) “School staff should not confront students about their gender identity upon entry into the restroom.” (Recommended Standard, p.18)   The requirements for schools to maintain gender-neutral dress code standards will cause disruptions and distractions, permitting boys to wear skirts and girls to go topless in activities where boys can – such as swimming activities or teams. “Students have a right to dress in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression. Schools shall administer and enforce dress and grooming codes consistently across the student body, regardless of actual or perceived gender identity or gender expression.  Requirements for attire for school-related programs, activities, and events shall be gender-neutral.” (Draft Policy, p.16)   Parents will not be notified that their child is being interrogated by school officials for allegedly violating these policies, or have the opportunity to intervene on their child’s behalf, UNLESS the complaints are not resolved “at the school level.” “Any incident or complaint of discrimination, harassment, or bullying shall be given prompt attention, including investigating the incident and taking appropriate corrective action, by the school administrator. …The [School Division’s Designated Contact] shall be available to hear concerns from students or parents when complaints are not resolved at the school level.” (Draft Policy, p.10)   The policies provide absolutely no exceptions or accommodations for a student or teacher whose religious faith, conscience, or understanding of biology and sociology prevents them from being able to go along with the “transgender” ideology and policies. These troubling policies proposed by VDOE are totally unworkable and will force all students, faculty and administrators to comply with an empirically false view of sex and gender, even if it directly conflicts with their own fundamental beliefs. ACTION: Click "Submit Comment" below to enter a comment on the townhall.gov website, and tell VDOE you do not approve of their guidelines. (Then click on “Enter a comment”)

Submit Comment

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Who Should Christians Vote For?

Elections are not about individuals. They are about platforms, ideology and theology. Christians are to be about their Father's business, all the time. God ordained marriage between one man and one woman. He created them, male and female. He knits humans together in their mother's womb. People are created in His image, they are special, and to end innocent life is murder, no matter the gestation, age, race or creed. There are more black unborn children murdered annually via abortion, yet this is not talked about as our nation ramps up equality debates. Woe to those whose hands shed innocent blood or who turn a blind eye and align with those who do, directly or indirectly.

To corrupt children is wicked. Telling them they are not the gender they clearly are corrupts them. Woe to those who do such things or turn a blind eye to such treachery.

God ordained the family, a married father and mother, to raise their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Therefore, the family, as the example of Christ's relationship with the church, is to be holy. It is to be an example of loving order and different, but complementary roles. This is not negotiable for those who claim to follow Christ. God created and designed men to be the priest, provider and protector of his home and family. Some of the most unhappy women I know are those who have chosen to ignore this truth. Women are not designed to carry their family, and we see the results in the stress and lack of contentment those who do, exude. Wives are to be a suitable helper to their husbands, and there is such freedom and joy in this. Sadly, women have largely bought in to the lie that this is oppressive. We see the results. The happiest women I know understand and embrace this truth. 

God is the head of society; not the government. This is a foundational difference between the political parties in America, and if Christians won't stand for it, who will? Foundations built on the government are controlled by a corrupt entity that shifts. A foundation built on Christ is unshakable and will not shift with the corrupt schemes of men.

Satan is using COVID and shameless fear mongering to make people lose sight of this and other matters far more important than if we will get a virus

We Are All Going to Die One Day. This is apparently news to some people. 

What is the bigger danger for people? Living, possibly unsaved and never getting COVID, even if that means not worshiping God, not using our gifts to bless the church, being isolated and lonely, and suffering severe economic repercussions, or living life and being reasonably careful but not shutting ourselves off from the world and getting COVID? 

Closing people off from each other is a sure way to slow the spread of the gospel. It is a sure way for fledgling Christians to be cut off from their lifeline, the church and the fellowship of believers. This results in weak believers who can be duped by the schemes of the devil and their own flesh. Being closed off ensures we as Christians are not blessing others. Does the Lord not determine our days, virus or no? Let it not be said of those who belong to Christ they loved their own lives so much that they refused to worship and serve the Lord as we're told to do. Let us be an example to those coming after us of what it means to follow God during hard times. Let us be an example of living out Romans 12:1-2. What if all the missionaries loved their lives to the degree Christians in America apparently do? It is not a contradiction to be thankful for life yet not stay closed off from the world because of a virus that nearly everyone under 65 years old recovers from! Give adults the option to put their own life at risk--this is freedom. There are plenty of elderly who would rather risk getting COVID, even if it means possibly dying from it, rather than live shut off from their loved ones. People need to be touched by other people. 

Those with plenty of money can afford to think the economy doesn't matter. They can afford to think shutting down the world is the only answer, not seeing how the economy is really PEOPLE. When it is all about us, isn't that what we call selfish and short-sighted? We can say that living broke, not providing for our kids, hiding out in povery is better than being dead, but let's remember that the recovery rate for children and healthy adults is around 99 percent. How weak have we become as a people? For crying out loud, again I remind us that death IS coming for us all. This is NOT the bubonic plague, people. Even if it was, people need to eat. The government is no one's savior.

How should a Christian vote in the upcoming presidential election? In a way that aligns with what God has outlined clearly in His word. On issues we want to claim He is silent on, vote on the issues He is anything BUT silent on.

Are Public Schools Bad?

The Harsh Truth About Public Schools

I've chosen the above link to this book because the reviews do a good job explaining where the author is coming from and how he approaches the work. It is one of two books that might challenge what proponents of public education think.

Discussing hot topics is something most of us shy away from. Going along to get along is far easier, but I have never been that sort of person. I love people and I love truth. I can't pretend something is neutral or just 'another option' among other good options. This is tough because of course there are hard cases where single income living isn't an option, or both parents don't agree on private school or homeschooling, or for single parents who can't transport their child or who can't afford anything put the government schools. The thing is, and I'm trying to say this gently--- hard cases cannot shape or hide truth. It is also hard to tell a homosexual that is very kind or a part of your family that you can't accept their lifestyle. It is painful to not be excited with a relative who just got their first house with their girl/boyfriend because they are violating God's standards. But we can't forget God has standards and as His people, we need to stand for those things and not be ashamed. Hard cases like rape can't make us think abortion is ok...rape is horrendous, but killing the child produced is also horrendous.

With that in mind, my point is that government education is not sound for Christians. If we looked at it as a non-option, like many other things in life, we'd figure out as best we could how to avoid it. But the public schools are a part of the American way, and for those who aren't Christians it is very insulting and seems crazy to disparage government funded schools. No one appreciates being told or having it implied that the educational choice they made was somehow not acceptable to some people. People get offended thinking you are insulting the sweet Christian teacher their child had one or two years...they look at all the positives. Of course it is designed to be a positive caring environment (though sadly abuse happens every year in the public schools).

Christians also get offended and they say that only the Gospel matters--how people educate doesn't. They imply that those against public education for Christian kids have a pride problem thinking they are superior. It will be said that you are putting a secondary issue before the gospel. This could not be more incorrect.

My concern with public schools lies completely in the truth that there is an agenda that is very much anti-God, and I do not think it is right to put children in a system for 12 yrs that continually indoctrinates them away from God. From the self-love to the evolutionary beginnings to the promoting of religions that are anything but Christian to the history that leaves God out to the liberal ideals that say being transgender is OK...none of it brings glory to God. People far better at explaining have said it all (see sidebar videos on my blog and books recommended).

Will there be outliers to the statistics, meaning, won't some Christian kids in the public schools remain in the faith? Of course, roughly 20% will.

Sending the most vulnerable among us to be 'salt and light' is unwise when there are adults with their own agendas heavily influencing those kids for 12 yrs, and there is a curriculum, which also does the teaching and is anti-God. That curriculum is heavily influencing them for 12 yrs, and the kids that these tender shoots are in school with are not Christian children. Kids in public schools are far more likely to make friends that are not solid Christians, which we know is not how God wants us to live.

Satan is a deceiver and one of his greatest tools to undermine the effort to reach the lost and undermine Christian parents is government-funded education.

Be brave, Culture! Souls are at stake.

Gay Marriage Arguments Divide Supreme Court Justices - NYTimes.com

Gay Marriage Arguments Divide Supreme Court Justices - NYTimes.com.

Nothing will remove the 'stain of unworthiness'--no law, no smiling faces, no lifetime commitment, because God's word and standards are clear and true. He designed us with roles and a purpose-male and female He created us. We are made in His image and likeness, and being happy or feeling good cannot stamp out His holy order and standards. The whole world can approve, but God never will. People can (and have) rewritten the Bible, and it does not change the truth that homosexuality is an aberration of what is right in God's eyes.

There is hope for those trapped in this lifestyle. Many struggling with same-sex attraction are not assuaged by all the cries for acceptance. Deep inside many of these individuals feel the trouble and will never be whole because they are living in rebellion to God's design for males and females.

If you have stumbled upon this post as someone struggling with same-sex attraction, realize God can help your desires change. He brings freedom from all sin, and those who keep trying to say homosexuality is not a sin are the liars.

Let God be true, and every man a liar.

Romans 1:18-32

Unbelief and Its Consequences

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth ^[l]in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because that which is known about God is evident ^[m]within them; for God made it evident to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ²¹ For even though they knew God, they did not ^[n]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and ^[o]crawling creatures.

²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. ²⁵ For they exchanged the truth of God for ^[p]a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed ^[q]forever. Amen.

²⁶ For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is ^[r]unnatural, ²⁷ and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing ^[s]indecent acts and receiving in ^[t]their own persons the due penalty of their error.

²⁸ And just as they did not see fit ^[u]to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, ^[v]haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹ without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; ³² and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

 

God, the Gospel, and the Gay Challenge — A Response to Matthew Vines –AlbertMohler.com

God, the Gospel, and the Gay Challenge — A Response to Matthew Vines – AlbertMohler.com.

Al Mohler can have some worthwhile words to consider.