I wish I could afford private Christian school, Roger. As for homeschooling, I have 3 with severe special needs--and they need specialized schooling because of autism and mild cp. HOWEVER, I refuse to go by the school rules of keeping religion out of school. My children are allowed to speak and witness about Jesus. They encourage youth groups that our church has with out students. My oldest does Children's ministry, 3 time a week and my other children absolute LOVE going to church. I so wish we had the opportunities for hearing about Jesus as a child, but churches rarely reached out, beyond Sunday services in our area in those days. I am so glad the churches have changed, for the most part where the schools are failing our children.

Trust me--if my child is EVER told to not speak of Christianity, or stopped from witnessing, this school system won't know what hit them! I am not the SILENT type about what I believe in and I will not allow Christianity to be prejudiced any longer--I will stand wherever I can be heard to ensure my children ALWAYS are witnesses to our precious Lord, Jesus Christ!

God Bless,
Kelly

I believe the "once saved always saved" is used as an excuse by many, without constantly considering what comes with the cost of Salvation--for all that Jesus did for us in order for us to receive eternal Salvation! Yes, you are saved when you accept Jesus in your life, but you also must continue to repent from sin, and work eagerly and without hesitation to follow His steps, constantly seeking His Face.

Yes, we are saved--but we must constantly stay in His Light. We sin on a daily basis, and we need to always repent. Salvation comes with a price--Jesus paid for it for us. But we also must do as He tells us to do, constantly seeking Him in all we do.

Does that make sense? I haven't had a lot of coffee yet!

*hides in case some throw sweet potatoes at me*

This is a passion of mine--bringing Christianity back into the school systems of America (and the Pledge of Allegiance allowed in public school again too).

I grew up where, The Pledge of Allegiance was said, followed by a moment of silence. Not everyone in our schools were Christian--many were without belief at all as I was in the inner city, with no youth outreaches during that time. Yet, we all bowed our heads at the moment of silence. For those without belief, they used the time to simply get their brain cells in order or to dream of whatever they wanted to--but the point is, no one complained. It was choice to pray. If you didn't want to pray, you didn't have to. For those of us that believed in prayer, we did so when this time came before our classes began.

We lived in a very poor and multi-ethnic part of the inner city. We had no gun violence. We had no knives brought to school. We had no gangs. We had no bomb threats or death threats amongst any of us, or our teachers/staff. We all got along during the school day and even got together afterwards at our local park to play a very-multi-racial game of basketball WITHOUT any problems.

Do I believe that, prayer in school helped? Yes, absolutely. We didn't worry about religious beliefs, but allowed others to practice without predjudice. We all stood together, in unity without any thoughts of our fellow student harming us. No one argued after the moment of silence that it didn't belong there--instead, they simply turned their heads or did their own thing during that time.

I live in a part of the country that is mostly Christian--aka The Bible Belt. Yet, even here Christianity is shunned from our public school system. My daughter had a class for world geography where an Islamic woman came in to discuss her religion. I went ballistic--not because I feared her teachings, for my daughter knows The Truth (Jesus)--but because, a Christian would not be allowed to do such a thing without legal battles (ACLU), screaming parents (ACLU) and newspapers covering articles about a lack of religious freedom and separation of church and state (ACLU).

My son came home at Christmas and said, "Happy Holidays". I said, "No, Blessed or Merry Christmas". He told me that, the school did not want them to say anything about Christmas but to just say Happy Holidays. I told him that, we were Christian and we had freedom to declare what we believed--he had every right to say Merry Christmas or God Bless if he chose to--and NO ONE had the right to tell him he couldn't say these things.

Arghhhh!

I believe our country has become prejudice to Christianity completely, but all other religions are now open without any issue (ACLU). It is time we all take a stand and have our children stand up for THEIR beliefs--and not the beliefs of those that make up these new rules (ACLU). If an Islamic woman can come in to discuss her beliefs in her religion, we should, as Christians be allowed to do the same. (And yes, I asked if I could come into the school to talk about Christianity--although he had allowed buddhism and muslim beliefs talked about, he refused to even answer me about this issue.) His point of these two religions was that, the area of the world they are studying is "muslim or buddhist". However, what he failed to recognize was that, in those parts of the world, people are being saved and, yes..Christianity is ALSO now part of that area of the world--Praise Jesus!

We need God back into our schools AND our government--not taken out.

*Now, I hide in the event someone is throwing sweet potatoes at me*

Bro!
I know that God is the same, yesterday as He is today and tomorrow. God has not and will not change. Unfortunately, man has. Over many generations, I have watched how the Lord became a major part of our family, to almost completely non existant. Praise God, I was not one of them. When I say I was saved, I was reborn--but had a very close, intimate and OPEN relationship with our Father from early childhood--which, in a house of an agnostic and atheist (mom and grandfather), was not a pleasant experience. Yet, even after being beaten for openly speaking to our Father, I still talked to Him. He promised to be with me, and I knew His Word to be the only truth I had in my life.

Man has changed. We have God in our country, yet not in our laws. I do NOT agree with gay marriage- and am grateful I no longer live in the state that now has it legal. I have family members that are gay and they are well aware of my Christian beliefs. I may no longer be a member of THAT family, but I am forever a member of the family of Christ. In that family, I am loved an accepted, praise Jesus.

Although I do believe there are many interpretations since the original languages in our bible, I also will stand by the fact that God can and does speak to each of us personally. I will never follow man's suggestions, although I do ask for advice from my pastor, co-leader of our prayer team (I am lead Intercessor for prayer in our church). I will hand over all that God tells me to give to "authority" in my church. My relationship with Jesus is intimate and I would never give that up for anything==no matter what anyone on earth said to me. He has been ever faithful in my life and I continue to listen to every calling  He has for my life--for His Glory. I do go by the Word of the Bible, and will pray whenever I find something I am not in total understanding with. God has always pointed out the truth to me, even when I didn't like it. He will continue to do so--where it applies my works for Him, to bring others to Christ.

Again, I have no intentions of being at the pulpit. However, if God tells me to do so, I will not refuse. If some do not like it, I respect that. However, I am not out to please or do anything by man--only by God. I would hope we would all do the same--and seek His Wisdom for discernment before judging anyone's calling.

Let's put it this way--when I get to heaven, I think I will find I was wrong about many things I thought were true here on earth. God will set many of us straight, I am sure. However, we will all be together in His Kingdom, for we followed Jesus and did as He told us to do. No matter what the debate here on Earth, the rest we receive in the promise is worth it all! Praise Jesus for His Victory at the Cross and our gift of everlasting life, in Him!

God Bless,
Kelly

I am not debating the bible--for I do believe it is God Breathed. I do question translations to a degree--however, I also do believe that God speaks directly to each and every one of us. He has done so much leading in my life and many times, I wish I had listened. In other cases, I am glad I did. My move here to Kansas was against what is stated in the bible. Woman is not supposed to leave her husband. Yet, God led me here, alone. Granted, I didn't listen to human beings and get a divorce. God said not to divorce, and I listened. I waited and prayed. Well, coming to Kansas was truly of God. I got a home I could afford, my children have the best education, my autistic children receive services they never would have gotten in Massachusetts, my marriage was restored--and most of all, PRAISE GOD..I was saved here! Although I was always loving God, I rarely ever knew anything about Jesus. So, even though I was chastised for doing what I did, God led me here for a reason. I am glad I listened to God and not to opinions of my fellow "brethren" back home, and to the church I went to at the time.

I am not saying I am going to preach. I don't know what God is leading me to. Personally, I believe it is some sort of public witnessing so that I can lead others to Jesus. From a pulpit, I dont know--could be right in my back yard--or in another country. I do know what God is pulling me towards, and I also know I have a lot of learning to be done. God continues to strengthen me in many trials, some that are, right now very harsh by human standards. But, I don't stand on human standards. I stand by God, and know that, He will use this time for His Glory.

I will say this--how a woman perceives (not all, but some) what is written here, and how a man does is two different things. I do believe times have changed, and people with them. I do believe God is using the change in our times for His Glory, and to bring more sheep to His herd, before the end of times (which I also believe to be closer).

All I can say to anyone is, pray and pray without ceasing. God will always be faithful, and each of us will always be right if we continue to follow HIS lead, and continue to walk in faith, not by sight. Trust in God. He will never forsake you or lead you down the wrong path. We all know who leads us astray--it will never be God.

God bless,
Kelly

You know what amazes me the most is that, when Jesus walked the earth--not ONCE did He treat women as second hand citizens. Notice how, in the bible they talk openly about men that followed Jesus, yet--when they admit to the women, it is "and 4 women". They have no names, yet Jesus didn't turn around and say to them, "go home, be barefoot and pregnant and don't follow me". Mary Magdalene followed Jesus, openly. The woman that touched Jesus' cloak because she bled.

John refers to himself as THE ONE THAT JESUS loved--which always amazed me for Jesus didn't pick and choose. Jesus even loved Judas, knowing he would betray Him. Paul had so many women, including Lydia that, had they followed the rule of being silent, he would have never made it in his ministry as far as he did.

Jesus never once told women to be silent. I follow what Jesus says.

I look at it as a sign of the times--back then, women were treated by all men as subordinate. Yet, Jesus never once showed anything in this manner at all.

Me, I listen to God. God would not tell me my path if it was against His Will. I trust FULLY in Him. What His path is for me, I am not sure. But, if it is at the pulpit, witnessing to others and leading them to Jesus--it is my honor to do--for it isn't for me or for anyone on earth. It is fully for HIS Glory!!!

God Bless,
Kelly

It is truly, my believe that God tells us each what path He wants us to go. As for authority, if it hadn't been for me--these kids would be homeless. I not only had to take care of 5 children, but I worked 7 days a week, 364 days a year from home as well. I paid mortgage, taxes and food. God moved me here to Kansas--not with my husband but on my own for a reason. Granted, He restored my marriage--but if I had not been given "authority", we would not be here (and doing well) today.

God leads EACH of us as HE calls us--and I don't think any human can judge another human being. That is God's job. So, if God leads me to ministry OR to pastor, I will not disobey--for I have NEVER disobeyed God..and Jesus is the one I follow.

God Bless,
Kelly

(Titus1:5) (Titus 2: 1, 3-5) (Titus 2: 4-5)

Let us not forget...Miriam, Ruth, Rebekah, Abigail, Esther, Rachel, Deborah, Lydia, Herodius--just to name a few. Had they not stepped up to the plate and taken control--stayed silent--Can't imagine how our world would have turned out.

Oh, yeah..and Mary, Mother of Jesus. Imagine if she had stayed silent at God's calling!

[Female "pastors",]

But dailey we see more and more bodies compromising God's Word. Female "pastors",

Please tell me I didn't read that right! Female pastors are in the same sentence as homosexual church leaders. I am sorry but, I thought I left that theory that women were not to serve in the church as leaders, when I left Catholic faith!

If it is a sin for me to pursue being a pastor, please discuss this with God. I have been called, and I know it is God telling me, for I listen to no other Word. I don't believe in gay marriage (If God wanted us to be with each other, there never would have been an Eve, but a Jim). I uphold the Word and I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Salvation, my healer, King, Friend. I will go wherever God leads me, whether it be full time ministry or pastoring a congregation.

Sorry, but I do not believe women are discriminated against in the eyes of God. I do hope I read this wrong--if so, just ignore the rant

God Bless,
Kelly

I just came in out of curiosity--seeing Al Gore and God in the same sentence was too much for me to handle!

*creeps out quickly..VERY QUICKLY*

We "lay hands" on others when we pray--or some of us do. However, no one falls on the floor and begins screaming, "I am healed" or anything. It is a way for us to pray for the person, touching them as we do. We don't SLAY anything, but intercede in prayer, in the Name of Jesus!

When I hear of these "brigades" of falling people on stages (yes, stages==aka..baskets sent around for more money to "heal"..so unJesus-like), such as the Benny Hinnn-der, I think of how the Bible tells us of FALSE PROPHETS. Get some snakes and claim you are healed. It is the same thing.

Now, GOD works miracles. God, ALONE works miracles. We pray to God for these miracles, but we DO NOT cure, heal or save anyone. God does. We don't need to LAY HANDS on anyone--God's Mighty Hand is enough. We are simply His Vessels, but God does all the Work by answering our prayers, in His Perfect Timing and with His Perfect Will.

*gets off soap box*

God Bless,
Kelly

The last time I saw Buddah, he wasn't in the bible. He was in red marble and in the corner of my favorite Chinese restaurant. The sign said to rub his belly. I passed on the suggestion.

God Bless,
Kelly

homosexuality is wrong. The bible tells us this so many times, I lost count. However, God made the laws. God should do the judging and sentencing. We are told, by Jesus to love our neighbors are we love ourselves. He doesn't give exceptions to that rule. If I am correct, Jesus chose those that were "outcasts", judged and condemned by their fellow man but loved deeply by Jesus. God chose David, although David was a sinner, and continued to be this way. Yet, God loved Him dearly, even after David committed adultery, turned his back on God's word, and many other things that human beings do when we are overly sure of ourselves, or simply don't think before we act.

I don't see any homosexual changing. I am sorry if no one believes that. I have 2 cousins, not only homosexual but also wiccan. I come from Massachusetts, which has a large gay community (and now, legal gay marriage). I have spent much time in their communities, as I found them to be honest and good people. I don't condone or accept their behavior. I simply stand by my beliefs, my Christianity and I love my neighbor.

Many homosexuals were turned off of Christian churches, due to judgment and witnessing on a "bible thumping" basis. Although I do know homosexuals that follow the church and claim to be Christian, I also see none that are able to give up their orientation (oh, they might try, but they still have thoughts that lean back towards being homosexual). However, those that do follow the church and love Jesus do believe in being forgiven and saved. So, who am I to say they are wrong? Yes, I can quote the bible but, God is still the one and only Judge and Jury. I will leave it up to him and continue to just love them as Jesus told me to.

God Bless,
Kelly (Back to being prolific..throw pies, quick!)

I truly believe that God gave us matching organs and blood for a reason. We are to talk care of and love our neighbor. That also goes past a few meals and some extra cash, or a warm jacket or cool drink. We love our neighbor by sharing what we have. If we have something that someone needs, and we can either live without it (a live donor kidney donation, for example), or it will turn into dust anyway (during death), why not save a life that truly will benefit from it? If it is a match, it is God's Will for that person to complete whatever plan it is that God has for them.

I am an organ donor. I also have my name on the platelet registry and a blood donor as well. If God gave it to me, He gave it to me to share. I will obey His Word, for His promise is is perfect.

Anyway, we get new heavenly bodies when we go home! Praise Jesus for the promise of new, everlasting life!

God Bless,
Kelly

If music makes us go to hell, all of the psalmists would be there. Song was popular for praise and worship back in the days that the bible was still just a manuscript. I was saved because of lyrics that touched my soul and made me realize just how much I was missing. I proclaimed Jesus as my Lord and Savior that day, right after a song was played that I feel God led to me, so that I could hear His voice. Music always spoke to me and every situation I was in. I used to sing prayers to God as a child. I now praise Him, as well as cry out a song in pain to Him when words don't come to my lips but lyrics do.

That is my take on it.

God Bless,
Kelly *goes out singing, HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!*