Senseless Ramblings of the Mindless

I have to say I am getting more than a little ticked off over things going on in the world. One of those things among many is the little cake bakery that was shut down because they refused to back a cake. Aaron and Melissa Klein, former owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa bakery in Oregon was fined 135.000 because of emotional damages for refusing to make a blasted wedding cake. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. Well, OK, not the most ridiculous, but pretty close.

After GoFundMe removed disallowed them to raise funds since it is considered as a hate crime (give me a break) , evangelist Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse stepped in to provide a platform to raise funds for the married couple, through the organization’s donation page designated for persecuted Christians in the U.S. Check out their Facebook page.

Another online campaign in support of the Kleins was set up on ContinueToGive.com, which is a “faith based online tithing and giving platform founded on biblical principles” devoted to helping churches, missionaries, nonprofits, individuals and adopting parents. They have met their goal there, but they will need a whole lot more.

As Oregon’s Commission of Bureau of Labor and Industries was told that the couple has been notified that they must pay by next Monday or risk having a government lien placed on their home.

Then, on July 7th, the authorities slapped them with a fine and a cease and desist order. Not only do they have to pay the $130,000 penalty they have also banned them from speaking publicly about their refusal to participate in or bake wedding cakes for same-sex nuptial. Dangit, I have no problem voicing my opinion on this, and I am ticked. I loved what one news website heading said, “Gay Activists Used “Mafia Tactics”. Which I can see why they would since it was like they sent out the lynch mob over a wedding cake.

The owners of the bakery said that they refuse to comply and as far as their constitutional freedoms have been violated by the state, they would speak out. Good for them!!! This has gone on way to long and things are getting worse all over the world. The United States is going to hell in a hand-basket.

I hear all the time that none of the changes in legal marriage or other personal choices will be forced upon anyone. I say that is nonsense. Every-time I turn on my TV, computer, Facebook, radio and whatever else, someone is pushing their agenda on others. Respecting others is one thing, but forcing them to agree and be a part of something is a whole other ball of wax.

It isn’t just the Kliens in Oregon that have fallen victim, this happened in Lakewood, Colorado. I will list a couple other bakeries who are being forced to closed because they didn’t make a stupid cake. Actually in my opinion, this is all stupid. I would think that if someone wants a cake, there are others that can do it. I know this sounds bad, but if someone came up to me and asked me to make a penis cake, and I said no, they would think I was being discriminating against all makes that have a penis. My gosh!!!

A little cake shop by the name of Masterpeice Cakeshop closed down instead of being forced to make a cake that was against their faith and morals. Jack Phillips, which is a devout Christian is retaliating by refusing to make wedding cakes altogether.

Randy and Trish McGath – the owners of “111 Cakery” in Indianapolis are Christian owners of a bakery in Indiana have had to close up shop after respectfully declining to bake a cake for a man’s same-sex commitment ceremony because of their religious beliefs, even though they expressed that they would be happy to serve him in any other way

Randy McGath made it very clear that the first priority of his bakery was to be a beacon of light to the community and embrace customers with Christ’s love, while not compromising his own and his wife’s sincerely held Christian beliefs. There is no hate in their hearts, they always make sure to show the love of Christ. When they decided to finally close after a year of fighting the system, they left by sharing this message with everyone. “We want to thank everyone for your patronage, support and friendship. It has been a true pleasure to serve you. Eph. 2:8.”

I don’t get why it is OK to shut down small businesses for the most off the wall reasons. America was founded and we have rights. I guess freedom of speech and religion has been kicked to the curb. I’m not blaming one political party or another. It is people who voted for them and people have to approve the bills. When God and morals are taken out of the equation, we have just what is going on in America. I’m not even specifically talking about same-sex marriage. I am talking about the right to refuse service to someone when it is against our morals and our faith. I have a feeling I would be one of those bakers who had to shut down their business if it went against my faith in Christ. NO WAY would I do something that was against my beliefs.

Like I said earlier, I can guarantee you that if someone came into my business and wanted a penis cake, I would decline. I would hope that someone I know would bail me out for refusal of making the cake lol. But,  I would send them to a bakery that would have no issues with that. I would never consider making a cake that has anything to do with the KKK, since that is a horrible hate group. What if someone from one of those groups got their feelings hurt and they wanted to sue me for not making a blasted cake for them. People would come unglued if I would have made a cake for them and how horrible it would be. You might even see my face on Nancy Grace because I was so despicable for making a cake for a group of people the world seen as hateful, which of course I would never do since I think the KKK, ISIS are demons of Satans.  Shoot, I get offended all the time. Maybe I should have a running list and hire and attorney just because they made me feel bad. But in the name of not wanting to offend anyone, the government says you have to. What a joke! But it is the right of the owners of the business to say yes they will make it or no they won’t make it. They should be able to decide what they will and won’t make. It is their business.

If people get offended by my thoughts, I just want to say, that I am OK with it. My judge and jury is God, nobody else.

Today my daughter Rebechia, her children, JJ and myself went on a spur of the moment thing today. We rarely get to spend time together and I loved just hanging out.

We decided to go to Zions National Park. I have never had a trip there like today though. Zions is about 40 miles for me. I get a free pass since I’m on disability. For those who have a disability, you can get free passes to all National Parks. It look about 45 minutes to get there, which isn’t bad at all.

Once I showed the workers my ID and my parks pass, we proceeded into the park. We parked and our journey has begun.

As we were getting onto the shuttle so we can look around Zions. It was an interesting day to say the least and very long. We left my house around noon. We didn’t get home till around 8pm. Normally it takes a very short time, but not this time. Since it was raining down really hard and waterfalls was going on. Click here for a video of the downpour we got caught in. I figured it was a good idea to drive the scenic route since you can’t actually drive your car into the park. Off we went to the what I thought was a short distance to Interstate 15.

I was wrong. We left the park at around 4:30. On our way home and after many Photo OP’s and endless roads, we finally pulled over at a place called White Mountain Post off SR-9 & US-89 Mount Carmel Junction, Utah If you didn’t know there was a town called Orderville also there is. I have never been to this area, it was very pretty. We pulled off here so we can find out how to get back home. It only took me a couple hours or more to get home on this route and it never did hit Interstate 15. I guess I’m not good at directions lol.

I should say that right before we got to the trading post, we noticed there were buffalo’s all over the place. I never knew there were buffalo in Utah, I guess I was wrong again. They did give us the directions that we had to follow to get back home. The shortest way would have been to go back through Zions National Park, but we chose not to since there was 2 mud slides and it would have been a pain in the butt. My daughter went to ask for the directions since I can’t get my port wet. But she found out we were really lost. It took us an additional 2 hours which meant about 120 miles. Leave it up to me to get lost, lol.

The last time I got this lost was when I went to Phoenix to visit friends and family and somehow ended up in Flagstaff. We could have gone to the Grand Canyon since it was an hour away though, lol Not sure how I did that one either. We ended up way out of the way. Even though we got lost, we had a great time as mother in daughter. It was also awesome hanging out with all the grand-kids. They loved the time away from home. My grandson JJ gets bored easily, so I decided this would be a good time to get him out of the house.

One of the most inspirational parts of this unplanned road trip was as we were getting out of Hildale, Ut there was this huge wall of sunshine that was beaming down from Heaven. I have never seen so much sunshine that had beams that had to have been a mile wide. I immediately thought about how awesome it would be that once we reached the sunlight that Christ would be there as we drive through it. It was a pretty surreal moment. I had to pull off to the side of the road to take a picture.

Then, just as we are seeing it in our site and the song “When I Wake Up in the Land of Glory” by Big Daddy Weave came on the CD player. It was one of those moments when you know that even if you may be physically lost, God is always there and He sends beams of sunshine from Heaven. It’s hard to describe that moment. Even JJ was saying that they are from Jesus and that Jesus is coming soon. WOW!!! Is the best way to describe that moment.

I’m not a big fan of guns. I don’t even allow them in my house because of how I was raised and the violence I witnessed when I was little. We will never have one in my home. There has been more than a few times when guns were aimed at one of us kids. This is just one of many reasons I left home when I was 14.

Lately, I have been thinking on all of the incidents that has been going on in the world and it breaks my heart to hear that it is becoming almost a daily event. So my thinking is that even though I don’t like guns, is there a place for them in church? There will be all kinds of answers and viewpoints on this one I’m sure.

What would you do if an armed gunman broke into your church and starting attacking your friends with weapons in the middle of a worship service? My church isn’t anything like the Wild West, even though we have some members that would be OK with that, lol. My city is relatively safe compared to areas like Chicago and Los Angeles. Just because it is safe, that doesn’t mean we are immune from bad things happening to us.

As a Christian I know that God will be there to protect me and all the others in church. As we have seen in the news, man is the one killing, not the guns. He has given us the tools and ability to protect ourselves . God allows us to protect our families and those who need protecting.In the Bible there is no specific scripture when it comes to arming ourselves, unless we are putting on the armor of God. Which by the way is the best armor we can possibly have. The Bible does point out that there has been many mentions about the use of weapons during wars and battles (Genesis 4:1-26).

There are mentions in the Bible where weapons were used for protection against robbers and thieves. I can’t find a place where carrying a weapon is condemned.

In Luke 22:35-38 is says, “And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two more swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

My own personal feelings about guns are just that, they are personal. There is nothing wrong with Christians or anyone else using guns. I do think that we all have a right to protect ourselves and those we love. It’s a shame we live in a society that is fast to use guns as a way of killing others. As long as they are trained in how to use them, I see nothing wrong with them having them. Guns are not the problem, people are. From the time man was created, people have been killing other people, with and without weapons.

The Constitution gives people the right to have a firearm. There are times I have gone into a church or public place and I get a very uneasy feeling when it comes to behaviors and such. The church in Charleston, S.C. had this young man sit with them during a Bible Study. I am feeling more and more that if someone has a concealed weapon permit and choose to bring it with them, they have the right to protect their church family and anyone else from disaster. Before I would have said there is no way I would attend a church where members were armed. When I think of church I think about love, peace and happiness as I worship Jesus Christ.

If someone came into my church with a gun or other weapon intending on killing those who are there to worship, I would hope there would be someone there that could protect those who can’t protect themselves. By the time the police arrived to save the day, lives would have been lost. Within minutes all lives would be lost. As citizens, we need to protect those we love and be willing to die for them if need be. Some churches believe that if church members bring guns to church, we would do more harm than good. I don’t agree with that. I think that if members have a concealed weapons permit and have been properly trained, they should be allowed. I’m not talking about carrying pistols around like in the old west days. I don’t think if someone is carrying a concealed weapon that everyone needs to know that because of the potential panic that would ensue.

I want to close this post by sharing one of my favorite passages in the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 3:8

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.

So, if its a time for everything is it also a time for Christians and churches to protect themselves and others?

I have one of those minds that is curious about everything. Every day I learn something new. Sometimes that is a good or it can be bad. Lately I have been thinking on the second coming of Jesus Christ. I am impatiently waiting for His return. Our world and our government are greedy and corrupt. This isn’t anything new, but it is becoming much more apparent given we are living in a world that learns things the instant they happen.

The main thing I have been thinking on is how fast things are changing. I can’t remember the exact verse in the Bible where it says that things will be speeding up during the end times. I notice these things because of the speed of change. My pastor brought up something last week in his sermon. He was saying that just three years ago around 30 percent of Americans were against same sex marriage. In just three years, it is now legal in all states and over 60% are in agreement when it comes to the matter. As a Christian, I realize that no matter what the law says, God is always going to be the victor in the end.

Lately I have been pondering the Anti-Christ and false prophets. There has been a slew of people who claim they know who the anti-Christ is going to be. Now, I have no predictions, but I have noticed the many false prophets lately. I whole heartedly believe that there will be and are many false prophets that will deceive the world. We see it everyday in the news and social networks.

• Matthew 24:9-11- Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

It also left many afraid to hear the Word of God from those who are truly sent to share it. We are told that there will be a great falling away when it comes to those who profess to be Christian. There will be many who will claim to be preaching the truth, but they have become blinded to the truth. Jesus teaches is that there will be many churches that will fall away from the truth. These things are happening on a global scale.

• II Timothy 3:1-5,7 “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Christians are under attack throughout the world. I am grateful that I live in America where I can choose to worship God in the way that I have chosen. Americans are facing persecution by means of hatred, discrimination and are being condemned for speaking out when it isn’t the most popular thing to do. I see this all over Facebook. Recently there has been a family in the news that is Christian. They refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. They were sued and have lost their business. It boggles my mind to think that people don’t have a right to stick to their beliefs. Now they business is now more and they are in a huge amount of debt.  They have to pay the couple $135.000 in damages and needs help in paying this.  I would take the same stand they did. If I felt that it was against what I believe and against my morals, I wouldn’t do it. They would have to lock me away and then I would pray there would be people standing beside me.

It is like a spiritual warfare when it comes to those who believe fully what the Bible says, those are don’t believe and those who are interpreting things for themselves. if you speak up for what you believe, you are criticized and belittled. Now, in my way of thinking, I am OK with that. I don’t worry about others getting upset that I share my faith in God. If they have a problem, then maybe they need to figure out why they are upset. I am bothered by how those who profess to be Christian is fast at justifying going against what the Bible says because they don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.I’m not talking specifically about the same sex marriage ruling, I am talking in general.

• Matthew 24:8-9 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name.”

The one that I am seeing more so is about how Christians and churches are becoming more ecumenical by being all inclusive. Churches and Christians are giving into the pressures that the government is imposing on them. Pastors are becoming tolerant and are compromising God’s Holy Word by saying only what makes those who go to church happy. They are picking and choosing what they want to preach on and doesn’t want to hurt peoples feelings. I have zero respect for pastors, Elders, church leaders and fellow Christians that are willing to sell their souls and those who attend their churches.

There seems to be a whole lot of sitting on the fences when it comes to churches, pastors and Christians. They have one foot in the world and the other one with God. You can’t have it both ways. You are either going to believe in the whole Bible, or not all all. You can’t have it both ways. Fence sitting is not allowed. Too many times, they are afraid to make a commitment. Society and the world wants us to be accepting of all all things. Jesus wants us to understand something. If you are not with him completely, then you are against him. When it comes to Jesus, there is no sitting on the fence.There is no place in the kingdom of Heaven for fence sitters. In all situations you need to make up your mind one way or another.

• I Timothy 4:1-3 “But the spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. By means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.”

On closing, I would like to say that when God was taken out of our schools and world we can expect destruction, violence and immorality. Each night the news is being reported. When I watch the news, it is basically all about murder, violence, theft, greed, immorality, rape, and more. We are a nation and world that is becoming desensitized, which scares me. There is a mentality that basically says, “if it doesn’t affect me, then why should I care?” I am bothered immensely by this. We are becoming a Godless nation. There is hope though and that hope is in Jesus Christ. We need to be spreading the good news that God will deliver those who have remained faithful in these very Last Days.

Jesus also said in Matthew 12:30 that , “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” If you are not with the Lord you are against him. There is no middle road. There is no way to have a bet both ways. A decision must be made either way and if the choice is not for the Lord, it is against him.

My prayer for all people is that you believe in the Lord with all your heart and mind. I pray also that you are willing to let Jesus open the door and give you insight. Open your heart and mind to receive Jesus Christ and His Word. If you need someone to pray with you, please leave a comment and we will be happy to pray with you.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July and my mind has been thinking a great deal on this since so much is going on in our country.

What does it mean when we celebrate the 4th of July? Many people have the feeling that it is a great day to have picnics, watch fireworks and spend time with family. Celebrations can be seen throughout the United States as Independence day is ushered in.

The observance of the 4th of July gets me a bit upset though. Not because we are celebrating our independence, but because I feel the meaning is lost now days. When I think about what the 4th of July means to me, I think about the lives that were lost so I can have the freedoms I enjoy. Recently there has been many issues in the news that makes me really consider my freedom to choose and also how freedoms of choice are being taken away.

The United States has more freedoms than any other country. Our freedoms include freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly. For me the most important of all freedoms is in the freedom to believe in Christ. Not all countries have this freedom and everyday Christians are being persecuted. It is going on even in our own country. I have chosen to remember the freedom that Christ gave us.

I do my churches power-points and I have been toying around with what types of pictures and such I should include in the power-points. While I think it is important to show our support for our country, during worship services we should be worshiping Christ. With all the world events going on around us, I think we need to focus more on Christ instead of all the political correctness since many things in the world are far from what God wants us to be doing. I am proud to be an American and I am eternally grateful for those who have fought for our freedoms. But, and I know I will have opposition on this thought, should be intertwine the two into one.

As a Christian, my first loyalty is to the Kingdom of God. I wonder if we are getting further away from God when we devote so much of our time to the things of this world. Slowly we are becoming a nation of accepting anything in the name of unity instead of setting ourselves apart. Don’t get me wrong, I love America and I do celebrate Independence Day, but should we be putting so much emphasis on these celebrations at church. I guess with everything going on in the world, I find myself getting distracted and the lines are blurred more than ever.

John 18:36- Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.“ I guess I have been thinking about this a lot lately since the changes in the law, murders in the churches, flag burnings, abortions and such.

As I was looking up what others believe about the 4th of July, I came across a page that had speeches that were said by various presidents. I would like to share just a couple of them with you all.

• President Andrew Jackson: “I nightly offer up my prayers to the throne of grace for the health and safety of you all, and that we ought all to rely with confidence on the promise of our dear Redeemer, and give Him our hearts. This is all He requires and all that we can do, and if we sincerely do this, we are sure of salvation through His atonement.”
• President Abraham Lincoln: “The ways of God are mysterious and profound beyond all comprehension. ‘Who by searching can find Him out?’ God only knows the issue of this business. He has destroyed nations from the map of history for their sins. Nevertheless, my hopes prevail generally above my fears for our Republic. The times are dark, the spirits of ruin are abroad in all their power, and the mercy of God alone can save us.”
• President George Washington wrote a prayer addressed to “O most glorious God, in Jesus Christ” and ended it with this: “Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this day prescribed in Thy Holy Word. Direct me to the true object, Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Bless O Lord all the people of this land.”

I would like to thank all of those who fought for our freedoms. Blood has been shed so we can all have the freedoms we have. I choose not to take my freedom for granted. The freedoms I enjoy have come at the highest cost ever. I pray that I live my life in a way that glorifies Christ. My prayer is that I am able to focus more on Christ than on world conditions. Our nation is getting further and further away from God. I have no problem with being patriotic, but again, I wonder if we are focusing too much on patriotism instead of God.

I don’t know what my pastors feelings are on this subject, but I do wonder in general what pastors feel personally about celebration of patriotic holidays in church. I didn’t really think much on it till this last week. There are many views on this subject. Some believe it is idolatry or think it is just plain wrong to show grand displays of patriotism during church services since we are there to worship God not country. What are your thoughts? Should Sunday Worship services be used for the sole purpose of worshiping God or is it OK to celebration national holidays/celebrations?

In closing, I have just this one last thought… Are we considered One Nation Under God anymore? I’m not sure if that is true anymore since God is being taken out of everything and booted to the curb.

This past week has literally made me sick to my stomach when it comes to watching what is going on in the world. It doesn’t matter what I watch on TV, Facebook or Yahoo, it is rampant. My guess is that if you haven’t heard about all the things going on, then you must not have television, the internet or newspapers.If you don’t agree, they block or unfriend a person. It is the “my way or the highway” mentality. If someone doesn’t see how horrible things are right now, then they must live on an island with no other people there. I’m going to break a few things going on in the world that is extremely upsetting to me.

Romans 12:2- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will

A friend of mine has a blog and he made this comment and he is correct and I can’t agree more. Jim Black stated in his blog called Jim’s Personal Opinion that he suspect much of our fall from grace is because we do not teach historical fact in our schools any longer. We are too focused on teaching Current Social Skills and Political Correctness. We are too afraid to “offend” others with truth. He also said and said what I feel in my heart as well. Jim said, I worry that the Master will come and we will be found wanting. I anxiously await his coming. I hope it is soon.

Carmen’s Music Video – We Need God in America Again

Here are some of the things that are eating at me lately.

Same Sex Marriage- I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to this blog post, there is just so much. This last week same sex marriage was approved for all states. It is as if at that moment, there was an immediate divide among people. I posted a status on Facebook that said basically that I believe that marriage is between a man and a women and I believe in how God defined marriage. At the same time, I also feel that we are pointing out that those who are homosexual are the worst kind of sinners ever to grace this world. When in reality, there are a whole lot of sins and we all sin.

One particular commentator went on to say that basically Christians are worse than ISIS, Russia and the KKK. He went on to condemn anyone that didn’t agree with his views as the worst person ever. I have known this kid since he was in high school and I tried to reason with him that I wasn’t judging him, I was stating that I believe in what the Bible says and what God says. If he wants people to respect him, then he also needs to understand that not all people are like the Westboro Baptist Church. There are Christians and non Christians who are hateful, but not all are. I personally feel that each person has a right to be happy and deserves to live their life as they choose. God has given people “free will” and nobody can make someone believe what they aren’t ready to believe.

I think I am getting tired of the term “love the sinner, hate the sin.” The reason why I am getting tired of this is that it is being used for everything. It is becoming a generic term in a sense. I don’t think there are many that hate the sin since there are so many sinning. I’m pretty sure they are pretty happy as they are doing whatever they are doing. When I drive, I am usually breaking the law since I have a lead foot. I know that I am breaking the law, but I love the control of going as fast as I can. I think it is the same with sin. Some sins are funner than other, but still against God’s law. There is all types of sinning and people have a way of singling out those sins that they don’t do.

As a Christian I believe that by hating sin we are aware of what it is and that we refuse to be a part of whatever sin is going on. When we love the sinners we should be showing them respect, pray for them and sharing the gospel of Christ with them. When we truly love a person we should be showing love and kindness to them even if we don’t agree with his or her sin no matter what it may be. We hate the sin by refusing to ignore or excuse whatever it is. It isn’t as if we are going to stand up and applaud a murderer or other sinful choices in life.

Ephesians 4:15-  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Racism is alive also. I am sick to my stomach over how the KKK and white supremacists are burning churches. I don’t get why people think one race is any better than another. God created all people. I think people are going to be shocked when they stand before God and they figure out that they were wrong. If you are atheist, I would guess it doesn’t matter since they don’t feel they are accountable to God. That is a whole other topic. I don’t get it, I never will get it when it comes to hatred.

I have nephews, nieces and friends of all races. When I read comments by those who are obviously racists, I get upset. I take it personally when people say what they say. They don’t see the hatred in their own hearts and minds. History is repeating itself every day. There are those who say we need to make sure to remember what happened to the Jews under the rule of Hitler. While Hitler isn’t here, the mentality is still alive and well in America.

Today while I was watching CNN, they were covering the church burnings that are going on at predominately black churches. There has been at-least six churches that has been burnt down over the past week. Then the gunman who kills 9 people during a Bible study in South Carolina just gets me going all over again. I have one person that is on my Facebook that I will be unfriending here in a few that thinks that blacks are the worst people ever. I have known him for a long time and I have never seen this type of hatred and racism in him. .He will be blocked fully from my page though. His mindset is rampant in America and I don’t even have a word that is strong enough for how I feel on this subject.

Racism is just happening in the South, it is happening all over the world. God is the only one who can make a difference. When I see what is going on in the world, I can’t help but yearn for the return of Christ. We are told in the Bible that at the end of days that things will speed up, I think we are seeing that happening before our eyes. On CNN, they made a comment on their page that said, “Pointing fingers at the South isn’t necessarily the best way to do this, as it turns the problem into an easy divide between “us” and “them.” It’s a problem of “we.”

Lastly, the other thing that has been in the news is Donald Trump. I use to watch his show, now I can’t stomach even hearing his name or his voice. He is a vile person and I am shocked that people would even remotely consider voting for him. I see more and more messages where people are saying that he is right. I am disgusted by him and his views. Only in America can someone justify his behavior. They complained when Clinton was president because he had an affair with Monica Lewinsky and yet they can back Trump. He has had affairs, filed bankruptcy and he is a racist individual.

In closing, I have a feeling I am going to be taking many off of my friends list on my Facebook page. The reason I say that is that I will not be a part of hateful and racists people. With all the quote unquote white people are the best and pushing of agenda’s, I won’t tolerate it and I don’t want to fill my heart with such nonsense.

Glen Campbell was diagnoses with Alzheimer and I was watching a special on CNN, and it was so sad for all involved. Not only does it destroy the memories of the one who has it, it also affect all those who love a person with this horrible disease that there is no cure for. Glen Campbell is the first country crossover star, who still draws big crowds with his mellifluous voice, credits God and his wife with releasing him from substance abuse and ”carnal pleasure.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer’s disease causes changes in the brain that lead to destruction of memory and a loss of important mental functions. Receiving a diagnosis of the disease is life-changing. People like Glen Campbell are able to educate the world and learn more about the disease.

I remember listening to Glen Campbell growing up. I’m not really big into the whole country music thing, but I knew his songs. Mostly because my parents were huge fans of his. The Rhinestone Cowboy was the first song I ever learned all the way through. We would drive our bus driver nuts on the way to school when I lived in Hyder, AZ. It was a long ride, so she was pretty sick of it by the end of the day. Most of the students on the bus sang that one and Delta Dawn by Tanya Tucker. I’m willing to bet she wanted to pull her hair out.

As I was watching the documentary about Glen Campbell, I couldn’t help but feel bad for not just him, but also his loved ones. They have slowly came to the realization that he doesn’t know who they are. I can’t even begin to understand the sadness they carry with them as they try to find any trace of their father and Kim Campbell’s husband. During the documentary, Glen Campbell had a hard time knowing who his daughter was. Ashley would sing with him during some of his shows and it was extremely apparent that he had difficulties with even the smallest things.

One of the most touching parts of the documentary on CNN was when his daughter Ashley went before Congress to help raise funds and awareness for research for Alzheimer’s research. She stated while in tears that it is hard to come to the realization that someday her dad would look at her and she will mean nothing to him.

Glen Campbell decided to make his battle public and document his battle with the disease that he could hope to help others cope with the stigma and shame that often accompany the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. I never knew there were 7 stages with Alzheimer’s, and Glen is at the 6th stage. He has very little time left.

CNN Website: As Glen’s wife, Kim, explains in the film, “This is a really challenging illness for people to deal with every moment of their life. He can’t find the bathroom in his own house… He clings to me like I’m his anchor for ‘Who am I?’ ‘What am I?’ I’m his safety blanket that he wants around all the time.”

His daughter and those who knows him the most says that his faith in God keeps him going. I came across and article that pretty much sized up the kind of faith Glen Campbell has and Who is in charge of his life. It said, “I eventually lowered my guard and opened my heart. He changed me in ways in which I would have never changed myself. Kim was praying toward that end the whole time. Her prayers just might have saved my life.”

One of the video’s that documents his journey is “I’m Not Gonna Miss You.” One of the verses in the song is “I’m still here, but yet I’m gone,” and “I’m never gonna hold you like I did, or say I love you to the kids.” Below is a list of warning signs of Alzheimer’s.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

• Memory loss about time and place
• Struggling to complete familiar actions, such as brushing teeth or getting dressed
• Trouble finding the appropriate words, completing sentences, and following directions
• Poor judgment when making decisions
• Changes in mood and personality

I am watching the funeral of Reverend Clementa Pinkney on MSNBC right now and what and inspirational funeral this is. They are singing, “It Is Well With my Soul”. Even President Obama is joining in. I am amazed by the love and faith this church has. It is extremely humbling for me and what an awesome testimony for the world. They are sharing the gospel with the world and showing the true love of God and the forgiveness we must all have. I’m pretty sure that many won’t want to listen to Obama’s speech, if you don’t, then that is OK. But, it was an awesome speech about God and God’s grace and forgiveness.  Listen To Part of Speech and Amazing Grace. Entire Speech

• John 3:16-21, 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God

While their hearts are broken, tears are shed they are standing strong and bringing their burdens before the Lord. The church is packed and to watch this kind of a service on the news is beyond anything I could imagine. These 9 lives and this church has the opportunity to show what it means to love the Lord and to have the kind of faith that will bring them through the darkness and into the light.

My heart has a hard time understanding why someone would choose to do what this young man did. My prayers is that this young man has a change of heart. He sat in the Bible study for an hour. I pray that whatever words were spoken will fall on his heart. I have no doubt that people can change. I have seen it happen over and over again. This young man has many years left and God has a way of putting the right people into our lives.

• 2 Corinthians 15:54,55 — So *WHEN* this corruptible has put on in corruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, THEN* shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

As I am listening to all the songs, sermons and messages, I would hope that I would be identifiable to those who don’t know me. Would they know I am a person of faith and my faith is in Christ alone. When they talk about how in this world, we are just passing through. My home is not here, I am passing through.

In closing I just want to say that I have been put in situations and I felt that it was better for me to not say something or hurt someones feelings. There were times I should have stood up for my faith in Christ. I have missed opportunities to witness to others. As a Christian I have the responsibility to share my testimony and what God has done in my life. Even though this young man killed these 9 people in Charleston, S.C. “He didn’t know he was being used by God. God can turn bad things into good and it is evident in Charleston.

Sorry this is a long blog, but it is worth reading. It is warnings to prevent you from being scammed and taken advantage of online.

Have you ever wondered if the person you are talking to over the internet is really who they say they are? I know I have questioned this at times. The internet has made it possible for people to live anyway they want. There is a commercial that is about how the woman believes everything on the internet. If it is there, it must be true. The internet has changed the world when it comes to health and allowing people to self-diagnose. There are positives and negatives when it comes to too much information on the internet. This becomes a form of trolling.

Also, the internet and social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and other ones makes it easy for scammers to take advantage of people. Lately there has been a number of scams showing up on Facebook. I am mainly thinking on Munchhausen by Internet. It is a slap in the face when we discover that we have been lied to. Millions have people have fallen for the lies of those who prey on the heart of unsuspecting people.There are some pretty elaborate stories out there. With everything available online, it is easy to research an illness. It doesn’t take long before they come across sympathetic listeners. Most who have Munchhausen by internet are lonely people who are craving sympathy and attention.

Many times the person who has Munchhausen by Internet will start off getting to know those involved in the groups. I first noticed this when I went to my first chat-room on Angelhaven. I noticed how easy it was to deceive someone. I never used the internet, so this was all new to me. There was one lady that was from Canada. I think her name was Ginger. She was talking about her struggles and eventually, she gained the trust of those in the chat-room. She was getting Sympathy and people invested a great deal financially  and emotionally. I feel for it also and she sent me her telephone number. She proceeded to ask for money and it became emotionally draining. I had to step away.

Munchhausen Syndrome — a condition in which patients fake illness to get attention, often undergoing unnecessary tests and surgeries — is rare, such online versions of such fraud are becoming common enough to concern people with real life-threatening illnesses in support groups. There are a number of types of Munchhausen such as Munchhausen by Proxy, which means they hurt someone else. Or there is Munchhausen Syndrome where a person hurts themselves and seeks attention. This blog is about Munchhausen by Internet.  I belong to a group on Facebook that discusses Guillian Barre Syndrome. It is easy to get sucked in if you’re not careful. More and more cases of Munchhausen by Internet are occurring. Below are some examples that I have directly witnessed.

• Cancer– In our area there was a lady who convinced everyone that she had cancer. She needed help with her medical bills, transportation and other necessities. She went as far as to shave her head. The woman’s friends and community became skeptical when they never seen her go to the Dr’s or to receive treatment. Just days before a major fundraiser, her gig was up. She ended up getting arrested for theft of services and falsifying reports. When you realize that you have been lied to and manipulated it is like a punch in the gut. I feel anger and resentment when I find out I was lied to.
• Guillian Barre Syndrome– Recently there was a gentleman that joined a group I belong to. His name is Jesse and he just joined and started off talking about how he was diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome. He needed help financially and was asking others what to expect. He was having to drive 5 hours a day for IVIG treatments. Those of us who have had or have Guillian Barre knows that there is no way a person can drive. I took this very personal since I have the CIPD varient which is the chronic form.  If he was newly diagnosed and he would have been in ICU on a vent. Some of us caught on to his scam and found the images he posted on other sites. It takes months before you can even walk, let alone drive. Most times it is years. We all knew he was trying to scam people. But, there was a few that was suckered in. They asked for a place to send money and all kinds of things.
• Anorexia/Bulimia – A friend of mine just divorced his wife of 20 years. She has been talking to her friends and those on the internet about helping her out. She has a daughter and step son and she is about to loose custody of both of them. She is very computer savvy and has been researching Anorexia. She hasn’t been to bad for a couple years, but now things are worse since her husband left her. But she is loosing everything and her family unit is destroyed. They are Christian and my prayer is that they can reconcile. But, she has lost her health, lively hood and trust of her family and friends. She has been soliciting funds and she was being treated at a mental health place in Phoenix, but she left when they wanted her to start taking responsibility for her own actions and choices. As of right now, she is refusing to do that and mentally she isn’t there. She could possibly loose her daughter. Which is sad.

I was reading how a woman who was sick both physically and emotionally ended up soliciting funds from everyone all over the world. The had people paying bills, sending gifts and paying for special trips. She is receiving services from the state and she is getting private donations. People with Munchhausen end up costing the medical system billions of dollars each year. There are people sitting in prison right now for faked and exaggerated illnesses. Munchhausen has a way of destroying families financially and emotionally. They are prisoners in a sense.

Now days it’s hard to not hear about these kinds of things. It’s as if those who help others and feel they need to be like Christ and show love are targets to these scammers. Don’t buy into this type of behavior. Below are some tale tale warning signs when it comes to Munchhausen by Internet. By the way, there are also other forms of Munchhausen.

Warning Signs

• There are ongoing dramatic events going on in the persons life. The focus is on them and they crave attention.
• They posts consistently duplicate material in other posts, in books, or on health-related websites;
• Heighten fear and crisis’s such as septic shock and infections. There have been times that people have injected themselves with things that will cause the body to go into shock.
• Posting comments or updates about the person, which is really the scammer. Look for patterns in how they write or say something.
• They are dying and all of the sudden they are healed. If they say they are in the hospital, you can call it and they will verify if they are or not. They can’t give personal info, but they will confirm. I have had to do this a few times.
• If someone is called out on things they have said or done, they will become furious and will go overboard in defending themselves. They will NEVER admit that they are doing things to themselves.
• Every now and then there will be a miraculous recovery – eventually there will be more dramatic things going on, a relapse or other conditions.
• They are knowledgeable when it comes to medical terms. When I think of this warning sign, I think of my own situation. There are times that each person has to be proactive and know what is going on. I research all the things my Dr’s give me or says. Since I have rare disorders I need to know. So with this warning sign, you may want to err on the side of caution.

For me, I guess this is a personal issue since I have known a few that have done this. I was fooled a few times and I have my guard up now. The nice thing about the internet is that it is easy to research things. Most times these scammers are going to other websites and learning about their fictitious and life threatening illness. Not everyone that posts or shares what they are going through are like this. There are genuinely sick people who needs help. Those who are deceitful makes it really hard to trust those who are honest. It’s sad that it has to be that way.

Those who have this lying disorder most of all are seeking attention, funds or material items. There will be some truth to their stories so they can prove something to those who want proof they are sick. The majority of people are honest and they have no problem sharing with you. I would thing that the famous quote, ” if it is too good to be true, it probably isn’t.” Also it seems terrible and dramatic and someone says how bad things are, it probably isn’t. Trust your instincts. If you have a feeling you are being lied to, you may be right.

I try to be a loving and caring person. As a Christian, we are to treat others how we would like to be treated and to love others. When it comes to online scams and those who only care about themselves I have found that I can’t always trust what people post online. Most people on my Facebook I know personally or have met. Those who I don’t know personally doesn’t get all the posts I share. It is important to protect yourself when it comes to online relationships.

In closing, I just want to say that while the person is deceiving and doing what they are doing, we must remember that this is also a mental disorder and that needs to be treated. While I hate being lied to and deceived, I try to remember to love the person, pray for them and listen.