My Blog has moved to Greg and I's website: www.theszramas.net
I hope that you'll check it out. ~K
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Matthew 25 Network
Rant time.
I'm sick of being invited to support this group and having my faith questioned when I decline to support it. This group in and of itself is against principles for which I stand firm. I'm not saying that I don't support strong and true application of Biblical principles to our everyday lives. The reason that I cannot support this group is because I do believe the Bible to be God's holy word to all who accept the love and grace of his son's sacrifice upon our behalf. I therefore cannot in good conscience use my faith as a political platform in support or opposed to a specific candidate. I will vote and my faith will influence my decision. However, I will research issues and determine for myself which ones I hold to be most pressing for my faith. That my dear friends is the significance of free will. If this political action group were truly supporting Christian ideas I wouldn't be reading unwavering support for the democratic party on their online boards and Facebook profile, but rather I'd be reading about Biblical stances by both candidates and how they aligned with Biblical principles. Faith is not politics. Faith can affect your politics and frankly should; but politics should never affect your faith.
In light of constantly being invited to join and support this group, I will be writing a series of BLOG posts looking at the principles they list and how the Bible actually describes the roles of the faithful in fulfilling them. I say the faithful because this includes the individual as well as the church. A government composed solely of believers following Biblical principles would be a dream come true; however, the Bible places responsibility for action upon the shoulders of believers and not their governments. This action should include voting for a candidate that holds closest to what you believe to be the closest following of God's will. It should not include judgment upon fellow believers who hold different views of how Godly living can be carried out. Along these lines I plan to refute the Mathew 25 Network placing responsibility for caring for the sick, hungry, mourning, weak, widows, and orphans upon government structures such as welfare while still trying to claim decisions on abortion are up to individuals' morality due to the separation of church and state. You can't have it both ways.
I want it to be perfectly clear that I will not be attacking the faith of those involved with the Matthew 25 Network. Each of their members has their reasons. Rather, I will be using their agenda as a platform for illustrating that faith cannot be used as a judgment measure against those who may disagree. Nor can it be a political pawn in the realms of man and still hold fully to Biblical principles for every single, free-willed, grace-filled believer trying to follow the example of Christ. It is from this view point I plan to exam why I will not support a political party using my faith as a notch in its support base.
Consider this: No man since Christ was perfect in God's sight. We as believers are called to model Christ in our everyday living and this means following the scripture as best as we can while acknowledging that others are doing the same. And finally, Christ was not the political king that the Jews expected, but according to scripture, the anti-Christ will be a visibly moral and highly political man. I'm not saying that either candidate is the anti-Christ, I'm just giving you some things to consider going into an election year.
I'm sick of being invited to support this group and having my faith questioned when I decline to support it. This group in and of itself is against principles for which I stand firm. I'm not saying that I don't support strong and true application of Biblical principles to our everyday lives. The reason that I cannot support this group is because I do believe the Bible to be God's holy word to all who accept the love and grace of his son's sacrifice upon our behalf. I therefore cannot in good conscience use my faith as a political platform in support or opposed to a specific candidate. I will vote and my faith will influence my decision. However, I will research issues and determine for myself which ones I hold to be most pressing for my faith. That my dear friends is the significance of free will. If this political action group were truly supporting Christian ideas I wouldn't be reading unwavering support for the democratic party on their online boards and Facebook profile, but rather I'd be reading about Biblical stances by both candidates and how they aligned with Biblical principles. Faith is not politics. Faith can affect your politics and frankly should; but politics should never affect your faith.
In light of constantly being invited to join and support this group, I will be writing a series of BLOG posts looking at the principles they list and how the Bible actually describes the roles of the faithful in fulfilling them. I say the faithful because this includes the individual as well as the church. A government composed solely of believers following Biblical principles would be a dream come true; however, the Bible places responsibility for action upon the shoulders of believers and not their governments. This action should include voting for a candidate that holds closest to what you believe to be the closest following of God's will. It should not include judgment upon fellow believers who hold different views of how Godly living can be carried out. Along these lines I plan to refute the Mathew 25 Network placing responsibility for caring for the sick, hungry, mourning, weak, widows, and orphans upon government structures such as welfare while still trying to claim decisions on abortion are up to individuals' morality due to the separation of church and state. You can't have it both ways.
I want it to be perfectly clear that I will not be attacking the faith of those involved with the Matthew 25 Network. Each of their members has their reasons. Rather, I will be using their agenda as a platform for illustrating that faith cannot be used as a judgment measure against those who may disagree. Nor can it be a political pawn in the realms of man and still hold fully to Biblical principles for every single, free-willed, grace-filled believer trying to follow the example of Christ. It is from this view point I plan to exam why I will not support a political party using my faith as a notch in its support base.
Consider this: No man since Christ was perfect in God's sight. We as believers are called to model Christ in our everyday living and this means following the scripture as best as we can while acknowledging that others are doing the same. And finally, Christ was not the political king that the Jews expected, but according to scripture, the anti-Christ will be a visibly moral and highly political man. I'm not saying that either candidate is the anti-Christ, I'm just giving you some things to consider going into an election year.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Rundown of the Interim
So it has been way too long since I've last posted and for that I apologize. Here's the brief rundown on the past few months.
January:
Greg and I visited PA, where he talked to my Dad, and then he proposed (twice). YEA!!!
We went to see Professional Bull Riding. It was awesome.
February:
Wedding planning kicking into full swing with contracts, and venues, and catering, oh my.
The AU Chi Alpha 10th Anniversary shindig was a blast, especially catching up with folks I never see anymore.
Greg proposed a third time, this time giving me a beautiful three stone ring.
My parents met Greg's Mom, step-dad, siblings, and grandparents during a trip to Abingdon, VA.
March:
More wedding planning and dreaming.
Greg and I started premarital counseling in PA.
We had a engagement celebration at Dave and Buster's in Rockville, MD.
Easter morning, Greg and I went to the Sunrise service at Arlington National Cemetery--it's quite possibly my favorite service of the year, and there is something moving and sacred about celebrating Christ's resurrection surrounded by graves of the departed.
April:
Greg went to Las Vegas for a week for the websphere conference.
We went to Paul and Jen's wedding in PA.
Invitations were designed and printed as wedding planning keeps moving on.
And finally we get to May, during which we've already had bridesmaid's over to help with invitations, went to hear the National Symphony Orchestra perform Copland works which was amazing, and are celebrating friends college graduations this weekend. Oh, and did I mention wedding planning. ;-)
Anyway, I hope to be better about posting in the future.
January:
Greg and I visited PA, where he talked to my Dad, and then he proposed (twice). YEA!!!
We went to see Professional Bull Riding. It was awesome.
February:
Wedding planning kicking into full swing with contracts, and venues, and catering, oh my.
The AU Chi Alpha 10th Anniversary shindig was a blast, especially catching up with folks I never see anymore.
Greg proposed a third time, this time giving me a beautiful three stone ring.
My parents met Greg's Mom, step-dad, siblings, and grandparents during a trip to Abingdon, VA.
March:
More wedding planning and dreaming.
Greg and I started premarital counseling in PA.
We had a engagement celebration at Dave and Buster's in Rockville, MD.
Easter morning, Greg and I went to the Sunrise service at Arlington National Cemetery--it's quite possibly my favorite service of the year, and there is something moving and sacred about celebrating Christ's resurrection surrounded by graves of the departed.
April:
Greg went to Las Vegas for a week for the websphere conference.
We went to Paul and Jen's wedding in PA.
Invitations were designed and printed as wedding planning keeps moving on.
And finally we get to May, during which we've already had bridesmaid's over to help with invitations, went to hear the National Symphony Orchestra perform Copland works which was amazing, and are celebrating friends college graduations this weekend. Oh, and did I mention wedding planning. ;-)
Anyway, I hope to be better about posting in the future.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
God is Faithful
Psalm 45
1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
2 You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.
3 Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;
let your right hand display awesome deeds.
5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.
8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces adorned with ivory
the music of the strings makes you glad.
9 Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
10 Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear:
Forget your people and your father's house.
11 The king is enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift,
men of wealth will seek your favor.
13 All glorious is the princess within her chamber ;
her gown is interwoven with gold.
14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
her virgin companions follow her
and are brought to you.
15 They are led in with joy and gladness;
they enter the palace of the king.
16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land.
17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Christmas 2007
Greg and I traveled to Williamsburg, PA to spend the Christmas holiday with my family after making our rounds through the traditional DC Christmas sights like the National Christmas Tree.
We had a great Christmas and I hope you all have just as much fun.
We checked out the White House decorations.
Our visit to the tree was great.
Once in Pennsylvania, Greg made a new friend, my sister's cat, Boots.
And after receiving his gift from Tink & Jay, Greg promptly put it on his head. Yeah, there's nothing more I can say to that one.
We had a great Christmas and I hope you all have just as much fun.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Flower Personality Quiz
| You Are A Lily |
 You are a nurturer and all around natural therapist. People see you as their rock. And they are able to depend on you. You are a soothing influence. You can make people feel better with a few words. Your caring has more of an impact than even you realize. |
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