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My Mother: A Woman of Strength, Beauty and Morality

By Angela Wittman My mother, Marsha Somers, in the mid 1970's I've been thinking about the values I was taught as a child and the example my mother set before me who passed away from an aggressive form of cancer 21 years ago. I think the lessons she tried to impart were based upon her Christian upbringing, and while she had strayed from the church, she didn't stray too far from Christian morals. If there is any wisdom mom would want to impart to her granddaughters, great-granddaughters and nieces, it would be to seek the Lord first in your life and then pattern your life after women in the Bible and other authentic Christian women found throughout history. So, while mom wasn't perfect, (she had a famous Scottish temper), she did find peace, love and forgiveness at the cross of Christ before her death. I still marvel at the change that came over her as her heart softened and her mind was renewed with the Word of God. I also remember how accepting she was when we found ou

Here we go again... Feminism in the Church and What are the Biblical Qualifications for Candidates?

By Angela Wittman Image from thehill.com I've been sitting back watching the political entertainment of those vying for the position of President in 2016 and wondering if or when I should wade in... Well, after seeing Donald Trump's captivation of the evangelical vote and his recent endorsement from Sarah Palin, this just might be a good time for me to once more remind the "religious right" of the qualifications for godly leadership. This is probably going to anger some of the Christian "feminists," so please know in advance that I won't approve your comments or engage in any cat fights. The text below is taken from a blog post written in 2008 about the nomination of Sarah Palin as a Vice-Presidential candidate, but it is also applicable for all ladies considering a run for political office: Sarah Palin and the feminism which has invaded the church in America  The blogosphere has been full of stories and opinions about the recent nomination of Sarah Pali

I'm a New Creation in Christ

By Angela Wittman Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  - 2 Corinthians 5:17 AKJV The photo above was taken shortly after my conversion to Christianity approximately 20 years ago.  It's probably one of my favorite photos because it shows the joy I felt in my heart when realizing I didn't need to carry the weight of sin upon my shoulders any longer - I had a Redeemer to lift that wretched weight off of me and He was willing to claim me as His own. Of course, as a newborn babe in Christ I fell into error and had several heartbreaks over misplaced trust in others, but I always knew the good Lord had my back. So, when others would hurt my feelings or write anonymous letters to my broker (I worked as a Real Estate agent for several years) warning her I was "crazy," I could rejoice because I knew my true Protector would vindicate me. So, when my sister-in-law called yesterday for permission t

Reflections on Patriarchy and Homeschool Movements

By Angela Wittman Dear friends,  While it is a new year and a time for reflection, here are my thoughts on the patriarchy and homeschool movements.  I wasn't part of the movement as Providence didn't allow me to go that way, but I had many friends who were part of it and I often grieved that my family wasn't as "perfect" as I thought theirs appeared to be. You see, I became a Christian as an adult (approximately 22 years ago) and was not raised in a Christian home.  My mother had been badly abused by her first husband, a youth minister, and was bitter toward the church. My father still laughs as he tells the story of taking me to church as a child on Easter; the pastor asked him if we attended church regularly, to which I replied "Yes sir! We go every Easter!"  My parents then separated when I was 9 years old, got back together, had a stormy relationship and then finally divorced when I was grown. Yet, through the grace of God, I had some knowledge of Hi

2016 Elections: Continued Non-Conformity

By Angela Wittman Hillary Clinton (Wikipedia) While following the 2016 Presidential jockeying of the candidates from both political parties, I fear we will have Hillary in the White House. This is abhorrent to me for many reasons: she's un-apologetically pro-abortion, flip-flops on issues, is untrustworthy and frankly, she's a woman. I realize other nations have had respectable women as leaders, and I admit Margaret Thatcher did much good for Great Britain, but Hillary Clinton is no Margaret Thatcher. She simply doesn't have the moral clarity or Christian foundation needed to be a good leader. And I just don't see the Republicans as being much better than the Democrats on social issues. I lack confidence in their ability to make any significant changes; for example, they lack the backbone to take a stand for the absolute end of the murder of the preborn. They are also too divided among themselves, and I don't believe they're able to win the White House in

Federal Vision and the rotten fruit of its proponents

By Angela Wittman "The Federal Vision (hereafter FV) is the view that seeks a restatement of traditional Reformed theology in order to apply a more robust Covenant theology in the study of the relationship between obedience and faith , and the role of the Church and Sacrament in one's salvation . Proponents are made up of a loosely organized but vocal group of writers among the confessional Reformed and Presbyterian churches who appear intent on revising core confessional doctrines such as election , covenant , the sacraments , and justification .  "FV proponents claim to be addressing problems in the contemporary evangelical and Reformed churches such as individualism, the neglect of the covenantal objectivity of salvation, an over-emphasized subjectivity in seeking assurance of salvation, antinomianism , and an inadequate view of the role of the sacraments as signs and seals of salvation. "Critics see the pastoral concern in these matters as commendable, bu

Reaping the Fruit of Feminism

By Angela Wittman A sower went forth to sow Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that he will also reap. Gal. 6:7 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Ephesians 5:22,23 Dear Friends, This article is written mostly for my sisters in Christ who are struggling with the fruit of feminism. What is the fruit of feminism? Discontentment Broken marriages Depression The murder of preborn babies by abortion Couples living together without marriage Fornication and adultery Homosexuality Suicide Neglected and abused children Unemployment and loss of jobs for men I firmly believe that we can trace these ills of society to feminism. Feminism is a radical transformation of our culture. Traditional families are to be destroyed, and as a result lives are lost through disease, suicide and abortion. Do you think I may be exaggerating

Additional thoughts on the Confederate Flag, War Between the States and Honoring Our Dead

By Angela Wittman   "Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." Ephesians 6:2,3 (AKJV) The following caption appears under the original image: Above is shown the last photograph ever taken of the remaining members of the famous Thomas Legion, composed of Cherokee Indians in the Confederate Army. The photograph was made in New Orleans at the time of the New Orleans Reunion of Confederate Veterans. The inscription on the banner, displayed in the photograph, is as follows: "Cherokee Veteran Indians of Thomas Legion. 69 N. C. Regiment. Suo-Noo-Kee Camp U. C. V. 4th Brigade, N. C. Division." Reading from left to right, those in the picture are: front row, 1 Young Deer; 2 unidentified; 3 Pheasant; 4 Chief David Reed; 5 Sevier Skitty; back row, 1 the Rev. Bird Saloneta; 2 Dickey Driver; 3 Lieut. Col. W. W. Stringfield of Waynesville; 4 Lieutenant Suatie Owl; 5 J

Removal of Confederate Flags and Monuments: Straining at Gnats?

By Angela Wittman Image from Wikipedia "Our Heroes and Our Flags 1896" by Southern Lithograph Co., New York  Regular readers of this blog will know that I've been researching my father's family heritage and periodically post my findings at the Somers Family Heritage blog. What you might not know is I discovered my 4th, 3rd and possibly 2nd Great Grandfathers were slave holders. As one who has firmly and consistently denounced any form of racism this information rocked me to the core. In fact, I was so dismayed at the revelation, I almost stopped researching my family tree because I wasn't prepared for the historical truth of my ancestry. You see, I was always taught that my grandfather hid his Native American heritage due to the persecution of the Cherokee. Grandpa was a "half-breed" and looked down upon by others for something he had no control over - his race. It never occurred to me he might have been the grandson of a slave holder. So, after confidi

Taking Comfort in the 73rd Psalm

Psalm 73 (AKJV) A Psalm of Asaph. 1  Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 6  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10  Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 11  And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12  Behold, these a

Our Christian Heritage: The 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta

By Angela Wittman "A Chronicle of England - Page 226 - John Signs the Great Charter" by James William Edmund Doyle Source: Wikipedia Today marks the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta and as Christians, we would be remiss to not take a few minutes and reflect upon the significance of the document and what it has meant to America, the Founding Fathers and our foundation of liberty. So, please join me as I explore more of it's history. The Magna Carta was signed June 15, 1215 in England by King John and his barons. King John had a failed reign as it was one marked by tyranny. The website History.com tells us : Following a revolt by the English nobility against his rule, King John puts his royal seal on the Magna Carta, or “Great Charter.” The document, essentially a peace treaty between John and his barons, guaranteed that the king would respect feudal rights and privileges, uphold the freedom of the church, and maintain the nation’s laws... And the significance of this d

Cultivating Character Through Family Stories

By Angela Wittman For my dear friend Dee Galyon who recently reminded me the importance of keeping our loved ones memories alive and my dad who patiently cultivated a love of family history in me. My soon to be 80 year-old father called me yesterday and while his reason was to relay some family news, he soon began reminiscing about his years in the Air Force and travels to England and Scotland while in the service. And even though I was right in the middle of preparing dinner, I didn't mind the call or the stories. You see, I love my dad and my earliest memories are of him telling me family stories. I cannot help but think that the stories of my grandfather and his family helped shape my character. My grandfather was the "black sheep" of his family due to a tragic divorce between his parents and the circumstances of his father's accidental death. My grandfather blamed his mother, (a strong, independent woman), for both the divorce and death of his dad. So, while Gran