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2012 Elections: What to do “when the wicked beareth rule…”

By Angela Wittman (Revised and updated 9.16.2012) “ When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn .” Proverbs 29:2 KJV There has been much discussion in Christian circles about how one should vote in the upcoming 2012 Presidential elections.  And while I won’t presume to tell the reader who to cast their vote for, I will share some Christian history on how earlier followers of Jesus Christ believed and taught on this important aspect of our life: Biblical Christianity and the civil government. Much of the information I am presenting was found in “Reformed Confessions Harmonized” edited by Joel Beeke and Sinclair Ferguson, the “Historic Church Documents” page at Reformed.org (CRTA – Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics) and the website “ A Puritan’s Mind ” created by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon. The Belgic Confession (1561) is known as one of the oldest reformed doctrinal standards and originated in the Nether

Google and the push to "Legalize Love"

By Angela Wittman Updated 8.14.2012 Christian Post recently featured an article on Google and its push/campaign to "Legalize Love" in countries that Google has offices " where homosexual activities are illegal or same-sex relationships are not legally recognized ." The Christian Post article goes on to quote Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe , the head of Google's Diversity and Inclusion department for Europe, Middle East and Africa regions as saying, "We want our employees who are gay or lesbian or transgender to have the same experience outside the office as they do in the office." And he then goes on to give Singapore as an example of a country where homosexuality is banned and Poland which does not legally recognize homosexual marriage. Frankly, Google isn't looking to "Legalize Love" because one cannot make a feeling or emotion legal or illegal.  It is my opinion that Google is seeking to overturn long-held political and cultural foundations of

Oreo cookies get political

By Angela Wittman Last week ABC News reported that Oreo Cookies had gotten "Gay Pride" and their rainbow stuffed cookie posted on Facebook  sparked some controversy . The article went on to say that some folks are planning to boycott the cookies made by Kraft Foods. I think boycotts are an effective tool for consumers to use. And frankly, the cookies really aren't a good food choice when one investigates their nutritional value : one serving of 34 grams has 160 calories, 7 grams of fat (of which 2 grams are saturated), 14 grams of sugar and 160 milligrams of sodium. The list of ingredients used to make these cookies includes high fructose corn syrup which has been linked to obesity and the many health concerns associated with it in North America . My advice for Christian consumers is to forego the unhealthy cookie that appears to have a political agenda and eat a healthier, tasty alternative that can easily be prepared in your own kitchen.  This alternative gives you cont

A closer look at the Sixth Commandment: How it relates to the Church and the Christian’s responsibility to stop the murder of the preborn

By Angela Wittman The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks and answers this question: Question 67 : Which is the sixth commandment? A: The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill . -  Exodus 20:13. Question 68 goes on to ask what is required in the sixth commandment and responds with: The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others. Francis R Beattie  (1848 - 1906) in The Presbyterian Standards , chapter 24 , section II, The Sixth Commandment, explains in greater detail what is required of God’s people concerning this command [emphasis mine]: In a general way, this command requires all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life and the life of others. This is further explained by the Larger Catechism to include resistance of all thoughts, subduing all passions, and resisting all temptations, which tend to the unjust taking away of the life of any . It also requires just defence of life against violence , and

The Stefanos Foundation: Serving the persecuted Church in Nigeria

By Angela Wittman ‘Remember those in prison as if you yourself were their fellow prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourself were suffering’ ~ Hebrews 13:3 The Stefanos Foundation describes itself as ‘the rising hope of the persecuted’ and bringing hope to a troubled nation while working for peace and justice.  Some of their featured projects  include widows support , care of orphans , trauma counseling , advocacy / media awareness , and rehabilitation/reconstruction  of burned and damaged homes while providing micro-funding to small businesses and helping to establish self-supporting small businesses. The foundation also provides advocacy and legal aid for those imprisoned and suffering injustice throughout the region. Their goal is to serve God’s Church by speaking as advocates for the persecuted while showing Christian love and compassion to all parties involved. Evangelism efforts include facilitating a radio program  which broadcasts God’s Word to the unreached

Illinois home educators oppose amending School Code with SB 3259

By Angela Wittman Illinois home educators are rallying in opposition to SB 3259 which calls for amending the Illinois School Code compulsory school age from 17 to 18 years . Organizations calling for citizens to take action and call their state legislators include ICHE (Illinois Christian Home Educators) and HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association). Disagreement concerning SB 3259 stems from the belief that parents are in the best position to know what is best for their 17 year-old children, whether it be higher education or perhaps an apprenticeship to prepare them for employment.  It may not be in the best interest of a young adult at 18 years of age to be forced to remain in school. Home educated children often advance at a faster pace than students in government schools and as a consequence are ready for higher learning or career preparation such as a trade or technical school at an earlier age.  HSLDA states on their Academic Statistics on Homeschooling page under Independe

A cross and Christ-centered response to the death of Whitney Houston

By Angela Wittman He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. – Psalm 40, verse 2, KJV While the world mourns the premature death of one of its pop music icons, Whitney Houston , perhaps those in the Church should remember their humble beginnings as new creatures in Christ and what life for them was like before they came to know Jesus Christ.  And while we can rejoice in our new status as a redeemed people, set apart for good works in Christ Jesus, let us never forget that if not for the love of God and the sharing of the Gospel by His people, we might still be in a horrible pit, stuck and weighed down in the mire of our filthy sins.As Christians it is very tempting to separate ourselves from the world around us and somehow feel superior to the “pagans” and ungodly people we cross paths with everyday.  But I encourage you to remember that you were also once dead in your trespasses and sins ( Colossians 2:1

Love

Love Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth [1] not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [2] 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; [3] whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we

Home Education: A viable option for Illinois families

It has been estimated that approximately 60,000 students were home educated in the state of Illinois with a national estimate of 1,376,804 homeschooled students in 2010/2011 . And in most states the number of home schooled students is growing annually. This article will explore why many parents are opting to teach their children at home and some of the helpful resources available to help home-schoolers. The Illinois State Board of Education states on its Illinois Home-Schooling page : Home-schooling in Illinois is considered to be a form of private education. Parents who choose to educate their children at home are under a legal obligation to meet the minimum requirements stated in Illinois’ Compulsory Attendance Law (Section 26-1 of the Illinois School Code). Parents who choose to educate their children at home are obligated to teach their children “…the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public schools” and they are further obligated to

Worship the One Who Rules the Nations

By Angela Wittman Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. (1 Chron. 16:31, KJV) I recently entered into a discussion with some well-meaning conservatives about pluralism in America. The general consensus appears to be that they want pluralism and believe that having a poly-theistic nation is desirable. What surprises me is that they say they want America to return to her Christian roots, but also believe that people of all religious faiths should have freedom to worship their false gods. Perhaps I am just an old-fashioned puritan at heart, but this view of “freedom” by honoring multi-gods sounds double-minded to me. My hope and prayer is the conservatives who believe this will think a little harder and dig a little deeper into Scripture and see that their thinking is not founded on the Rock called Christ Jesus, nor is true liberty to be found anywhere but in Christ Jesus alone, who is an exclusive and jealous God. On pag

Life Network of Southern Illinois: A pro-life mercy ministry

By Angela Wittman Life Network of Southern Illinois located at 224 N. Main St. in Waterloo, Illinois has been helping those in need of unplanned pregnancy care, and providing education and referrals to helpful resources since 1995. Services offered for both males and females are free and confidential. These services include: Pregnancy Tests Baby Resources STD Test/Treatment (for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea) Options Counseling Earn While You Learn Client Education Program Ultrasound Community Referrals Abortion Recovery Support Abstinence Education Male Mentoring Program Child Birth, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Care Classes Upcoming events include a Trivia Night to be held on January 28th at Gibault High School in Waterloo and their annual Spring Banquet with guest speaker Shawn Carney (co-founder of 40 Days for Life) scheduled for April 19th and April 20th at Turner Hall in Columbia, IL . The Life Network of Southern Illinois annual Li

‘Ignore Roe’ and the holocaust of the Preborn

 January 22, 2012 marks the 39 th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision which opened the floodgates to the holocaust of the Preborn. Abort73.com reports on its Facts About Abortion: U.S. Abortion Law page that: The history of abortion in the United States is far more complicated than most people imagine. It has been an issue of varying contention in this nation for the last 200 years. Nevertheless, abortion has never enjoyed such universal protection under the law as it has for these last three decades. As it stands today, American women have the legal right to obtain an abortion in all 50 states, through all nine months of pregnancy, for virtually any reason at all. This has been true since January of 1973 when the Supreme Court declared that autonomous abortion rights are built into the Constitution, and that any legal barriers which prevent mothers from aborting their children are unconstitutional. This ruling was arrived at on the premise that the 9th and 14th

Christians can find hope for the future by looking to the past

As the New Year begins, a Christian can find great comfort and encouragement by reflecting upon what God has done in their life during the previous year.   And while one can find peace while tracing the hand of God in their circumstances, hope for the future can also be found by looking at the history and triumph of God’s Church in this world. One of the best loved passages of Scripture is Hebrews, chapter 11 , which is also referred to as the chapter of the “Heroes of the Faith.” One can find hope in the stories of others who faced persecution, adversity and severe trials for their faith, but who remained steadfast and did not waver in their faith. Here is an excerpt from the King James Bible, beginning at verse 32:   32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:   33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths

Spiritual direction for Americans questioning God

A study of The Barna Group conducted in April of 2011 reports that nearly one out of three Americans feel they aren’t living up to their “fullest potential” while three out of ten adults report they are “dealing with unresolved emotional pain or conflict in life.”   And 15% of Americans are questioning God due to “their experiences with religion.” The director of the study 70 Million Americans Feel Held Back by their Past concludes the report by saying “the research shows that internal doubts about fulfillment, faith, emotion and personal history significantly define millions of the nation's residents."   Clearly many Americans are not content with the current status quo and are seeking truth, meaning and purpose for their lives. One can find direction from the Westminster Assembly of Divines . The Westminster Larger Catechism composed in April of 1648 begins with this question: What is the chief and highest end of man? And responds with the answer: Man's chief and hi