Month: August 2024

Kamala Harris addresses the nation at the DNC

On By vickleaIn News Reports1 Comment

One of the main criticisms of Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign going into the DNC was that it subsisted more on vibes than substance.
— Read on www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/kamala-harris-addresses-the-nation-at-the-dnc/

I did not watch the speech, nor have I actually watched more than a few seconds of the entire DNC or RNC conventions, as I passed from one room to the next where my husband was watching. I refuse to be stressed by the actions of politicians who a)cannot be honest b)cannot put the good of the people above their own political ambitions and c)act like spoiled children whose favorite toy is in jeopardy of being taken away when, in fact, the nation is NOT a toy. Anyway, I liked what Dr. Denison wrote this morning and thought I would share it with you, not because it is about Kamala Harris, but because it is about the courage that all of us need to take seriously. It takes courage to stand up to donors and political pundits who think that they know best. It also takes courage as a voter to say who you plan to vote for and why, especially in today’s divisive world. Being silent is not an option because in being silent, you are demonstrating that you agree with the actions of the one who is voicing an opinion. One pastor used to say that “silence is actually a form of agreement” and I totally agree with that statement.

That being said, I want to state here that I am choosing to vote for the candidate whom I consider the lesser of two evils. Neither candidate is perfect, but one stands for socialism and freebies for everyone at the expense of the taxpayers. One promises to close the border and deport the illegals who have entered in the last four years, stretching our nation’s resources and jeopardizing our citizens with the lawlessness and rampant crime and drugs. One wants to get a handle on inflation that has caused prices to soar while the other has no policy that I have heard other than to continue the policy that has been in effect. I know you have guessed by now that I plan to vote for Trump, not because he is the ideal candidate or an outspoken Christian. I will vote for him because I value the Constitution, the values it promotes and the fact that he is the candidate who can best be a strong leader. Most importantly, I believe him when he says that he supports Israel. I am not happy about his turn away from a total pro-life proponent, but no candidate is perfect and Trump is far from reaching the high standards set by Presidents like Reagan. Nevertheless, I will courageously speak out in favor of a candidate whom I believe is best for our nation and for the peace of other nations, too. If that means that I lose followers, then so be it. I am not jumping on the “joyful” bandwagon with Kamala. She knew Joe Biden was not capable of running the nation and yet she never once told the truth about his disabilities and who was really leading the nation. In fact, I still have no idea who the puppet master has been for the last four years, although I could make a few guesses. I don’t want a puppet installed into the highest office of the land; I want someone who listens to advisors, understands consequences of decisions and then courageously makes the final decision by weighing the choices and then carries out the actions of a leader, not a dancing puppet who goes along with whoever is pulling the strings (or offers the most money, as the case may be).

Enough of my diatribe. I hope that you will read the article by Dr. Ryan Denison, Jim Denison’s son. He is in the younger generation and seems to be astute in his ability to recognize what is needed and what the shortcomings and strengths are. If you have to read or listen to news, I recommend that you follow the broadcasts that are not bought and paid for by one party, but rather, listen to those who try to report the news fairly and honestly. That last word is a hard one to live up to because personal bias is a part of all the news; I trust the commentary of the Denisons, Mike Huckabee and The Epoch Times. What news do you follow? My final authority is God’s Word and if what they say is not lining up with God’s Word, I am skeptical about their ability to make a commitment that they will live up to, both in newscasts and political candidates.

Pray for our nation and may God have mercy on us.

Your Cheerleaders

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/1201/day/2

Everyone needs encouragement some days, and most need encouragement every day. This life is hard and we fight the battle every day against our spiritual enemies and those who oppose us here on earth. When I had my stroke, my cheerleaders were my husband and my daughter. They kept telling me that I could do it, even when I was too weary to take the next step. And I knew God was right there with me because, after all, He revived me from the stroke to begin with and set me on that road to recovery. I am not currently suffering from the effects of a stroke, but I am still battling every day, against sin and its consequences and against the enemy of our souls who wants me to give up, surrender to him and be done with it all. You are battling, too, and the same Lord who fought for me is fighting on your side. Not only that, but there is a crowd in Heaven cheering us on. We don’t give up, we don’t give in, we keep fighting for right because the end result is going to be amazing and beyond belief. We will get to join our cheering squad in Heaven…what a glorious day that will be!

The Right Response

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

I was the student in school who raised my hand only when I knew my answer was right, and when I answered, I expected an immediate reply from the teacher that I was right. That immediate kudo that I got was my reward for the right answer. When we repent, turning away from our old life and towards a new one with God, we don’t get an immediate oral response from God as our reward. Instead, what we receive is so much better…it’s a peace that I cannot explain, a feeling of relief that a big burden is gone, and a total feeling of acceptance in a way that you have never been accepted before. Your reward is also a promise of a future spent in eternity with your Creator. So, don’t be afraid to raise your hands toward Heaven and confess your sins to God and your belief in His plan of salvation. The reward is eternal; the consequences of not answering His call to repentance are eternity without Him and separation from God forever. That’s a high price to pay just because you won’t raise your hand. You already know your answer is the right one if you are ready to repent. So, don’t wait…today is the day of your salvation and the beginning of a new life with the Lord!

The Beginning of Our Journey

God has been working within history for thousands of years. His redemptive plan has culminated in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. All of God’s promises in the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Jesus. 

The book of Acts, which details the life of the early church, contains many long speeches which cover the historical timeline of God’s redemptive activity. Acts 3 is one of those speeches, given by Peter to a group of Israelites. Peter’s speech not only includes historical details, but also a right response to all of this information.

The right response to hearing about what God has done throughout history is to repent and believe in Jesus. When we learn of all that God has done for us, it’s only fitting that we should turn our lives back to Him.

Repentance is when we recognize the truth and we turn towards it. Usually it involves turning away from our own way of life and turning towards God’s way. Repentance is the beginning of our faith journey.

When we repent, God forgives us. We no longer live according to our past mistakes and offenses. Rather, God gives us a new life that is forgiven of those things.

This is why Peter says that times of refreshing follow repentance. Repentance leads to rebirth. We are made into a new creation. We are empowered to walk in the newness of life with God. After beginning this journey with Jesus, we continue it by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you haven’t started that journey, begin today by repenting of your sins and turning back to God. He is faithful to forgive you. Pray for Him to guide your life. Continue to read about God’s ways in Scripture so you can grow in your knowledge of Him.

Weary of the Battle

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/1201/day/1

I confess that there are days when I just want to stay in bed, pull the covers up over my head and snuggle down, just ignoring my responsibilities and what is going on in the world. I don’t turn on the news because it’s not new and it’s rarely fair, balanced and accurate. I don’t listen to podcasters spouting their interpretation of the news, for the same reason. However, I live with a man who listens to all news, all the time and who reports to me gleefully and repeatedly throughout the day about what he heard and how he interprets it. The world is broken. The news is mostly a lie. And my husband is annoying, but I am holding on to the hope that one day God will make everything right. Does my breathing quicken and my heart speed up when my husband gives me his latest report? Unfortunately, yes, it does. Even when I tell him honestly that the news he is reporting is stressing me, he continues to report. After all, who else is going to listen to his 16 hour a day broadcast? So, I continue to fight the battle of the war of what is right (patience with my husband’s enthusiasm for the news) and what is wrong (losing my temper and telling him to go away). This is one example of a spiritual battle that I fight daily, but there are many others. Satan would love to destroy our marriage of fifty one years with constant disagreements like this one. But we have made a commitment to love each other, which means putting up with the differences we have and forgiving each other when an offense occurs. It must make Satan cringe when we go to bed together again each evening, not angry and not ready to “throw in the towel” on our relationship. The battle is real…but so is God. And since I know that God wins in the end, I will just keep fighting on His team, with the faith and assurance that this earthly battle will not last forever. (And praying that there are no newscasts in Heaven, of course.)

Live as a Child of God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

We change from the inside out, not the reverse. When I put on clean clothes, it doesn’t make me the person I am. What is inside me, inside my heart, determines my choices and makes me who I am. We need to recognize that our sin no longer has the power to separate us from God because we are His children and He calls us to repent and live rightly before Him, totally clean and knowing who we are in Christ. I want my public persona to match the person I am in private, so that I am always and consistently living as a child of God, with the knowledge of my place in Him. I am loved and He forgives me.

True Inward Transformation

Have you ever thought about what a proper response to God looks like when you make a mistake?

It was common in ancient times to tear your clothes as a way of repenting and showing sorrow over mistakes you may have made. It was an outward expression of something happening internally. 

But what would often happen is people would make a public display of repentance without actually repenting in their heart. So, rather than tearing your clothes, God says He would rather you repent in your heart. Tearing your clothes means nothing if your heart isn’t broken before God. Outward expressions should come from true, inward transformation.

And God says that anyone who comes to Him in genuine repentance will experience His grace and compassion. We do not need to fear God’s wrath since we are His children. He encourages us to repent and return to Him when we mess up.

Scripture says that God is slow to anger and abounding in love. Rather than living in guilt and sorrow, God says He will give grace and love instead. He desires that we experience and live within His love, even when we mess up.

What is your first reaction when you mess up? If you try to hide or ignore your sin, take some time to consider why. God wants you to experience freedom and love. Go to Him with what you’re carrying in your heart, and repent of anything that goes against His ways.

Remember that nothing can remove His love from you. He desires that you live in grace and mercy as a child of God.

Recognizing Those You Know

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App8 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/31835/day/5

I have a problem that seems to have come along with aging. When I see a person who smiles at me and says, “Hi, Mrs. Watts” or “Hi, Vickie” I have been known to freeze, smile broadly and return the greeting but without a name attached. The honest truth is I recognize the face, but I genuinely have no idea who they are. Having taught for almost twenty years in VA and having between 140-170 students every year, I don’t expect myself to remember everyone, but it would be nice if I could come up with a gracious way to tell them I have no idea who they are.

If Jesus were to suddenly appear and greet me, I hope that I would recognize Him and be grateful for all He has done for me. But recognition comes with spending time with that person. If it has been days, months or years since you have spent time with someone, it is no wonder you don’t recognize them even though they may know who you are. (I figure the students had fewer teachers than I had students. That’s my excuse and I am sticking with it!) I know who Jesus is, that He is all-knowing, all wise, that He heals and shows the Father’s love wherever He goes. What I don’t know is if I would recognize Him, but I am hoping and praying that the time I spend in His Word and in prayer will lead me to instantly recognize the one I have been reading about and praying to all these years. I don’t think it will be His physical appearance that I will know, but I do think His Spirit will communicate with my Spirit, much like Elizabeth’s unborn baby knew the baby Jesus in Mary’s womb. You know, I cannot imagine what it will be like to be in the actual presence of the Lord for the first time. But I am excited about it and know that He will know me just as I am and love me just as He always has.

Trust God, Not Circumstances

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/31835/day/4

Good things happen and we are delighted to praise God. Bad things happen and we turn and blame God for them. Our circumstances are not caused by God; in general, our circumstances are caused by the sin in the world, our fallen world and our own wrong choices. My sister wants to know why she is going blind. Why would a loving God cause that to happen? My reply is that He didn’t cause it, but He has allowed it and no matter the circumstances, we are to continue to trust God. This life is a schoolmaster for our eternity with the Lord. We either learn the lessons we need to learn from the hard things we go through or we learn them later from another hard thing. Unlike some school teachers who just shake their heads in frustration and give up, God doesn’t turn away from us and give up. He wants a relationship with us that is based on His sacrifice and our trust, and if it takes hard times to get us there, then He will allow it. Harsh God? No, a loving Father who wants the best for each of us.

God’s Wisdom

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/31835/day/2

We all know that bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. And like the little child who is told to do something they don’t want to do, the ultimate question is, “But why?” God knows the answers, has a plan and is working things out to fulfill His purpose. That truth does not always satisfy my quest to know but it is the truth so I will stand on it. Satan wants to destroy us, God uses Satan’s plans for His glory. We may not like it, but that is how it is. Like the toddler put into bed kicking and screaming because they claim that they are not tired yet, we must inevitably accept that God knows best, lie down and get some rest in the middle of our temper tantrum against our authorities and know that God will watch over us and bring us through. He is a wise and all-knowing God…and we are neither of those.

Living by God’s Laws

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/31835/day/1

Do you remember when you were a child and your parents set down certain rules that you had to follow, for your own safety and well being? For example, I was told at a very young age to always look both ways before crossing a street. I was told not to touch certain plants like poison ivy or oak. They might look harmless, but I found out the hard way that they were indeed untouchable. As I aged, the rules changed and I felt more restricted by them, but my parents assured me that they were for my good. I was not to go out alone at night; I should have a sibling or a friend with me. I was told that smoking was bad for me as was alcohol. I was instructed that sexual relations before marriage was bad for me physically and emotionally.

Just as my parents had rules for me, I had rules that I expected my children to follow because I love them and wanted them to be safe. Likewise, God gives us rules, standards to live by. We are not a society that likes to follow rules. This is the generation of “if it feels good, do it” and “do what makes you happy.” People may have changed their view of God, but He has not changed His view of them. He loves each of us and wants what is best for us, even when we are ignoring His standards because we think that they restrict our freedom. What they actually do is give us more freedom to live longer, happier and healthier lives. God’s rules are for our benefit, not our harm. God doesn’t want us to suffer the consequences of wrong choices, so He makes clear what the right choices are. It is up to us to listen and follow them. Or, we can reach out and touch the hot stove and find out for ourselves that it will indeed burn us. Obedience is a choice, but so is sin. Thus, we are expected to choose wisely. Our Heavenly Father loves us, just as we love our children, and He wants us to grow closer to Him, following His rules because they are what is best for us. He who knows us best and loves us best gives us rules so that we can become the best person we can be, representing our Savior and loving the life that God gave us.