To vote or not to vote that is the question...

How many people actually take voting seriously? Do you vote? Do you belong to a specific party? What is it that you look for in a candidate?


When I was younger I use to believe that you had to chose a political party that more closely resembled your opinions, that was the major importance on the political party I chose. Next came whether that political figure was candid or not, followed by a few issues and how it got along with certain idealisms I had. At that time I had also walked away from my faith to try others and well to put it mildly my life was disintegrating fast.


I bought into the bs of "a woman's choice", feminism etc. It could have been culture shock, after all only in this country will you find so many appealing "freedoms", but the truth was as I got older and realized I needed God, I went back to my home Church. I chose to really take a look at what I was taught in Church and realized every thing I so blatanly believed when I walked away was a lie.


The choices I made were based on me walking away from my faith to experiment with others that left me empty and confused at best.


No this is not to "attack" any one particular belief, what it is a self realization that we do need God in ALL areas of our lives.


When I realized that , I discovered that if I want to make a difference in the world my vote had the power to do so. So long as I voted under the right frame of "mind".

When I decided that sitting down and electing the next person whether a senator or a town mayor I needed to vote for those that truly resembled the beliefs I had about the worthiness of a human life, the care of the elderly, the rights of the people that so valiantly fought for this country among others.

In that moment of truth I realized how important voting is, and to vote well one must vote through the eyes of God so to speak. Disregarding the secular world view, the party affiliations and all other petty aspects we vote by.


I urge to take this seriously for the price we pay if we don't is too high a price to pay.


Go vote according to His will

The eye of the storm.

Nope I am not speaking of an actual weather related storm, although the weather in the country (specially the Midwest) definitely deserves mention. 

If you know even a little about the weather, you might recall hearing how the eye of a hurricane/tornado is the quietest of places to be. I know, NOT a good enough reason to want to be in one, however it is a feeling I get often! It brings to mind several season in my life in which the storms were severe enough to uproot me had it not been for the One who holds me in His hand. I am speaking of the storms in life.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe" Proverbs 18:10

Recently I found out a dear friend of mine is battling cancer again, yet what caught my eye is her attitude, in the middle of this battle she is vibrant, positive, and still as funny as ever!

"A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance" Proverbs 15:13

As I had a short conversation (through email) today with my friend, I wanted so bad to reach and touch her, sorry she is not near, and then it hit me-she has much to offer me after all, we can all learn to be like her; sitting still, with a smile on our face through the storm, as God reveals what He has in store for us.

I pray that God gives you the grace and strength you need as you "weather" through your storms, whatever their size.

When my anxious heart forgets that He is my shepherd.

   I have been reflecting on what to write. Simply put there is so much going on in my life and my heart, so I decided to pray about it and let the Lord guide me.

I received a call today from a dear friend of mine who lives in Washington and is going through some rough times herself. As I spoke with her and prayed for her and with her, I felt a call to write about something dealing with struggles.

   The truth is we all have them. They are part of our daily life. For better or for worse they are meant to teach us something. We rarely know when something is going to hit. We get so carried away with joy when things are going great, but woe is me when they don't!

How do most people stay afloat on situations that could turn a normal person insane? Well I can't speak for most people, but what I do know for sure is that I turn to the LORD. He is my safe haven, my rock.

When I say there is so much going on I am not kidding. My husband will be leaving for the Army in 3 short months, we are trying to rush to renew our wedding vows, celebrating our oldest 7th birthday, financial hurdles and just your everyday struggles. It feels like things are closing in sometimes, but just when I feel myself about to cry or get overwhelmed I think of the words found on Psalm 23

 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want...He leads me beside still waters: He restores my soul...Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil for thou art with me.." RSV Translation.

It calms my anxious heart to know I can trust everything to Him, who walks with me ALWAYS.

 I know sometimes when the stress (small or not) gets to us is hard to place our trust in the LORD, but as we walk by Faith and learn that God is not bound by human limitations, it becomes comforting to know that no matter the size of the problem He offers us His undivided attention and a readily available solution if we just let Him!

I pray that you keep searching and eventually find the comfort that only comes from working on your relationship with God. Until then, I will pray for you.

Karla