Called to Speak up for Jesus....

The body of Christ. The body of Christ is made up of people from different countries in the world, from all races - it matters not what the color of your skin is, male and female, rich and poor, we come with a vast range of gifts and experiences.

 Romans 12: 4-6 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

 What joins us together is Christ Jesus our Savior. With this thought as a background, I question the message of a speaker I heard recently - speaking in my church. I agree with some of what he said but not entirely. He suggested that we should not be one issue Christians. That is completely true and I doubt that any of us really are "one issue Christians" except of course for the fact that Jesus alone saves each of us as individuals. I felt like the speaker was trying to silence those who strongly stand for the truth of the Bible regarding sin issues. In his list of  so called  "one issue" concerns, he listed taking a stand against violence, homosexuality,and immodest dress, etc. as well as the discussions around end times and the coming of our our Lord Jesus.  His list was quite extensive.

I believe that as Christians, God has sent each of us out to be a witness for Him and to seek to win souls for His Kingdom. But I also believe that God has gifted each one of us to use the experiences in our life to speak up for the issues that matter to Him. This includes standing strong against the homosexual agenda, against violence ,against pornography, etc and also to speak up for issues that He lays on our hearts. I believe God lays something on each one of our hearts that becomes our "issue" that we are called upon to stand for and speak up about - and we are NOT to let anyone SILENCE us as we speak up about that which God has called us to speak about. 

In my community the issue of homosexuality is a hot topic right now. The government is pushing it to become an accepted lifestyle, using the public school system to influence our children. This is despicable and many Christian parents in our area and in our church are opposing the homosexual agenda and are taking a stand. Of course this brings divisions and it is even felt in the church. I believe this is why the speaker in my church was using his place of authority and power to try  to silence the opposition that these parents are bringing to meetings etc. This is kind of upsetting.

In my own personal life, I also have some issues that I feel God has called me to take a stand for. This also can be traced back to experiences in my life.God can use what you and I have gone through to help and encourage other who find themselves in similar situations.  The issues that I have been called to include standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves - those with disabilities and and handicaps. I believe God has called me to be a voice for them  so when the opportunity arises, I try to speak up. This is one of my passions because of the fact that I have a daughter who has down syndrome and she cannot express herself verbally very much. If someone mistreats her, she cannot defend herself. There are many other people in this world with disabilities who need someone  to help others understand that they are real people with real feelings and real needs and need to be loved and accepted as they are.

Another issue I take a stand against is abortion. I believe life begins at conception. Due to the premature death of one of my children while still within my womb, I have experienced death through the death of my unborn child. I can honestly say I could feel in my spirit that the spirit of my child had departed from within my womb. This was well before the doctor did any tests. So I take a stand against abortion.

So if the Lord has allowed you to experience a trial or has laid a burden on your heart for a certain issue - please be faithful to the Lord and speak up for Him. Don't let others silence you even if the one trying to silence you is close family or a close friend or even someone in your church!

God bless.

Romans 12: 4- 10⁴ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

International Down Syndrome Day

Psalm 139:15-16  My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret,And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

Today is March 21 - International Down Syndrome Day. As a mom of a child who has Down Syndrome, I feel it is important to share my story today.
It was the year 1998 when my husband and I learned that our lives were about to change forever.

After what seemed to be a normal pregnancy, we had no idea what was about to take place.  Our baby was born in the local hospital here and it wasn't until she was unable to feed that we were made aware that something was horribly wrong. After several hours the doctor came in to the room and informed us that our baby in fact has down syndrome and was seriously sick and would need to be rushed to Winnipeg by ambulance. I don't remember a whole lot from that day but I remember asking my husband - So what do we do now? to which he wisely responded " What would Jesus do?" I knew the answer to that. Jesus loves and cares for us. So I too will love and care her come what may!  There were many questions in those early days. My doctor here at our local hospital encouraged me - helping me to see that God saw me fit to care for his precious little girl and has gifted her to me for this short time we all have here on earth. My experience in the hospital in Winnipeg had both positive and negative interaction. One particular nurse shared with me her feelings about children with Down Syndrome. She suggested that every family would benefit from having a special needs child in their home. There are so many valuable lessons that we learn - We really learn to love. But I also remember one particular doctor in Winnipeg speaking to me about my daughter's condition and the way he spoke puzzled me. He kept implying that we should and would be giving her up to adoption. There was no way that I was going to give her up for adoption. So I had to tell him very plainly "We are keeping her". That changed the conversation. I could not imagine a doctor suggesting to me that I should give up my child. There had never been a question in our minds whether we would keep her. My husband and I knew that God had planned this special baby for us, that he wanted us to love her and raise her and that really she is God's little girl. She is a gift to us for this short time on earth.

I am happy to say that our daughter has brought  much joy and blessing into our lives as well as into the lives of friends, family and of those at school and church. God is at work in all of our lives and He has a plan for each of our lives and He can use every one of us regardless of our handicaps to bring blessing and hope to those around us. God has taught me many lessons by giving me the gift of our daughter. 
Here are a few of the lessons that I have learned:

1)  Love your child for who he or she is without comparing them to others.

2) It's not all about the life that we live here. This short little time that we have here on earth is so small compared to eternity to come that it is so important to keep our eyes on Jesus and our eternal home with Him there.

3) Be thankful for what we have rather than focus on the "not going to happen sort of things".

4) Expectations and goals set up for my child by others is not necessarily what is best for her or what she needs. I need to stand my ground and stick up for her making sure the others keep her best in mind also.

5) In Heaven she will not have a disability - she will be free to express her love to Jesus without the limitations of now. 

6)  God made her exactly who He wanted her to be.  She is equal to every one else in His eyes - fearfully and wonderfully made.

7) Stand up and speak up for those who cannot stand or speak for themselves.

8) All human life is equal and valuable and no baby should be aborted. God is the giver of life and it is in His hands to determine how many days or years He gives us here on earth.


I love you my precious little girl!

Down Syndrome is Beautiful...

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month.
I thought I would share some pictures of my daughter to celebrate her precious life. She is truly beautiful.

Psalm 139: 13-14  For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.   I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

 Our baby was born in the local hospital here but was rushed to Winnipeg by ambulance when it was determined that she was seriously ill. So I spent sometime in the hospital in Winnipeg as well. I remember one particular doctor in Winnipeg speaking to me about my daughter's condition and the way he spoke puzzled me. He kept implying that we would be giving her up to adoption. There was no way that I was going to give her up for adoption. So I had to tell him very plainly "We are keeping her". That changed the conversation. I could not imagine a doctor suggesting to me that I should give up my child. There had never been a question in our minds whether we would keep her. My husband and I knew that God had planned this special baby for us, that he wanted us to love her and raise her and that really she is God's little girl. She is a gift to us for this short time on earth.

Psalm 139:15-16  My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 139:17-18 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible Tells me so!

 

Information about Down Syndrome

(Information from the National Down Syndrome Society)

*People with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways.

*All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.

* Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome

*Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels

*People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.

* A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees or not at all.

 

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Today is your birthday Sweetie! Happy Birthday to you! You've grown up so fast. I can hardly believe that you are already going into grade 8 at school. 

Some of your favorite things include: pizza, hamburgers at McDonald's,  chocolate cake, birthday parties, watching Veggie Tales, going to church, playing with your cat Binky, school, your friend Shelly, playing with bubbles, playing outside with home golf and basketball, going on trailer rides in summer and snowmobile rides in winter with family, the songs "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder", and "Trading my Sorrows" and many other praise songs.
I love you Sweetie, We belong to Jesus! God Bless you!
love from Mom

Gender Selective Abortions......

Genesis 4:9-11
And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
¹⁰ And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
¹¹ And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;


This morning I was listening to the radio as I usually do as part of my morning routine. The discussion involved gender selective abortions. I was utterly disgusted to learn that this practice is going on within Manitoba's health care system. The question they were asking is whether gender selective abortions is founded in a  prejudice against a particular gender whether female or male. It's horrific to imagine that a couple would go for an ultrasound for the purpose of identifying whether their baby is boy or girl, then choose to have it aborted if it is not what they wanted. Seriously, we are not shopping for clothing or a car here, we are talking about a human life created by God Himself. We are talking about a human being's life, a life that is equally as precious as the lives of the  parents who are making these horrible decisions.  I think it is time that people realize there is a God up in Heaven and that each of us will give an account to Him for the things we have done on this earth in our lifetimes.  Abortion is the killing of a child and therefore it is murder and that is how God sees it. As the opening verses that I posted - the blood of the murdered victims cries out to God.

Romans 14:11-12
¹¹ For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
 ¹² So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God

  The discussion on the radio went on to the abortion of most babies with down syndrome. Parents are encourage by their doctors to have an ultrasound to check the health of the baby. If down syndrome is detected, then abortion is recommended. This also is a horrific tragedy. God creates each human life with loving care and there is no doctor or health practioner that has the authority to recommend killing innocent children.  How can we as a nation survive if we mess with the authority of God like this? God sees and knows what is going on and such as this grieves His heart. God is God and we as people are not God, neither in a position to pretend that we are.

Psalm 127:3  Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

I remember when my baby was born with down syndrome. You can read about this in the archives section of this blog. Our baby was born in the local hospital here but was rushed to Winnipeg by ambulance when it was determined that she was seriously ill. So I spent sometime in the hospital in Winnipeg as well. I remember one particular doctor in Winnipeg speaking to me about my daughter's condition and the way he spoke puzzled me. He kept implying that we would be giving her up to adoption. There was no way that I was going to give her up for adoption. So I had to tell him very plainly "We are keeping her". That changed the conversation. I could not imagine a doctor suggesting to me that I should give up my child. There had never been a question in our minds whether we would keep her.  My husband and I knew that God had planned this special baby for us, that he wanted us to love her and raise her and that really she is God's little girl. She is a gift to us for this short time on earth.

Jesus loves all children and we can plainly see that in the following verses:

Luke 18: 15-17
¹⁵ And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
¹⁶ But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
¹⁷ Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter there

So if anyone out there is considering having abortion - Please please do not give your child to be put to death.
Not for gender selection nor for a birth or growth abnormality. It is just not right to abort the baby. God will give you the strength to care for every one of the children that he gives to you - only trust Him to do so!

My Baby has Down Syndrome..

My baby has down syndrome...my baby is now a teenager but that was the shocking news that we received when she was born more than 13 years ago. With this news also came a lot of questions and uncertainty. Questions reguarding her health and the future. Now more that 13 years along this jouney I am happy to say that she has brought  much joy and blessing into our lives as well as into the lives of friends, family and of  those at school and church. God is at work in all of our lives and He has a plan for each of our lives and He can use every one of us regardless of our handicaps to bring blessing and hope to those around us. God has taught me many lessons by giving me the gift of our daughter.
Examples: (1)  Love your child for who he or she is without comparing them to others.
(2) It's not all about the life that we live here. This short little time that we have here on earth is so small compared to eternity to come that it is so important to keep our eyes on Jesus and our eternal home with Him there. (3) Be thankful for what we have  rather than focus on the "not going to happen sort of things".
 (4) Expectations and goals set up for my child by others is not necessarily what is best for her or what she needs.
(5) In Heaven she will not have a disability - she will be free to express her love to Jesus without the limitations of now.
And probably most important is that God made her exactly who He wanted her to be.  She is equal to every one else in His eyes - fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139: 13-17
¹³For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
 ¹⁴I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
 ¹⁵My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
 ¹⁶Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
 ¹⁷How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
I feel honored to have been called by God to be her mother! Thank-you Heavenly Father for this wonderful gift that you have allowed into my life.