A few days ago, I came across a very disturbing video on the internet. The video was about a 2 year old girl named Kelsey, who sadly became a victim of child abuse. Kelsey’s parents divorced before she was born, her father was a soldier stationed in Iraq. Kelsey’s mom met a man, that most people thought was the perfect man, his name was Michael Porter, and before no time, Kelsey had a new stepfather. Michael began abusing Kelsey before he married her mother, not too long after they married Michael abused Kelsey so badly that he killed her. Kelsey died just two weeks before her father was scheduled to arrive back from Iraq.

This video was not only thought-provoking, but it disturbed my spirit for the remainder of the day. I began researching cases of child abuse and eventually stopped because I was brought to tears and great sorrow for these innocent children. Most of the cases I researched were murder cases, I noticed that some of the child abusers did not receive a reasonable sentence in prison, some would have 18 years, others 27 years. What about life? Well, I only noticed a few people who were sentenced to life. Do you think somebody who abuses a child to DEATH, should be in jail for life? I do.

It was clear through my research that a number of children die every year from child abuse, and as these statistics were revealed to me my spirit filled with anger. Revenge is not the route to go down when you know somebody should be punished for their wrong, I realized that all I can and will do is use my prayers to God and my voice to spread the word about the prevalence of child abuse in America and the world.

I charge you to send this video to as many individuals as you can, and ask them to pray for victims of child abuse, and pray that it stops. If you know somebody who is being child abused, or even domestically abused, TELL SOMEBODY. Many of the cases I researched were disturbing because people knew, but kept their mouths shut. October is non-violence month, lets not just look at October to do something, but everyday of the year. PRAY for violence to STOP. Our prayers are the biggest weapon of them all. 

http://media.causes.com/544740?p_id=37288800   

Today I came across a very interesting headline in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Pastor told to deliver 'nondenominational' prayer in state House". Last month Rev. Gerry Stoltzfoos prayed before the state Senate, and provoked legislators when he closed with "We pray, in Jesus name, amen". House officials asked Rev. Stoltzfoos to use a 'non-denominational' prayer, eliminating the use of 'Jesus', well, like any Christian would, Stoltzfoos opted out of praying at all, causing an uproar in the wonderful world of cyberspace. Stoltzfoos questioned Senate officials about a policy with these limitations even existing, he was told that the Senate has a more diverse approach to opening prayers, but wasn't told that there is a policy which limits prayers. Rev. Stoltzfoos gave his prayer again yesterday, with a few modifications, one being a preamble; 

"I am painfully aware that there are many here today who have embraced belief systems other than mine. I am not here to say that everyone ought to believe as I do. But I can only pray to my God. If you believe in some other power, I invite you to address yours as I address mine".

During his prayer, he used the words God and Lord, not Jesus. Stoltzfoos closed the prayer with "For those of you who are Christians, we pray in Jesus' name". Reverend Stoltzfoos took the stand we must continue to take as Christians. God is calling us to do more, to be more, to give more, and yes, to make a stand…more.

I am almost positive Senate officials and legislators thought about what Stoltzfoos did, just a thought about Christ can make a difference in somebody. What stand have you taken for Christ? Would you have done the same as Rev. Stolzfoos? Or would you end the prayer in a way that’s correct to the world but completely wrong biblically? Today I charge you to stand for Christ because a very long time ago Christ stood for us.

Today as I thought about some unexpected events that occured in my life this month I thought of this......

"When nobody else feels the pain you endure, and leaves you to die, its God that hears your cry, in Him is where your hope lies, so bless His name & lift Yeshua on high".- My Thoughts

Of course your probably thinking, geeze whats that about!!!???, or others may be thinking of dilemmas that have hit them in the past, or even now. Well, we all get hit with news we're not ready to swallow, our flesh often reacts before our spirit, sometimes we look to friends and spouses for support initially. I'm learning that looking to God first is the only sure way of gaining peace and hope to move forward. Growing up in a very rigid household with a deacon for a father tells you that looking to God first is something I always should've known to do when trials hit, well knowing something and acting on what you know to do are two completely different things, action is what we are expected to do when it comes to God's word. I see a very interesting commanality in the Christian community, we know so very much when it comes to the Bible and morals etc, but acting on what we know seems to be the challenge, we are human, we are not perfect, but through Christ living within our hearts we have strength to get through those unexpected events, whether it be your car breaking down, or even losing a loved one, or maybe something as simple as not being able to go on a vacation you planned because of an unexpected financial obligation. I didn't expect my first blog entry to be so deep, I am a fun person!! lol, but this is whats currently on my mind and I'm honored to have shared it with you.

As I close my entry for today, I leave you with this, when life throws you lemons, make lemondae out of them!!! and while your at it thank God for all He's blessed you with thus far, because that's the bigger picture.