Gay Marriage

Obama Changes His Mind on Gay Marriage

Obama Claims Defense of Marriage Act Is Unconstitutional 2/23/11

Watch This Video:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4553761/obama-claims-defense-of-marriage-act-is-unconstitutional/

Vote But Don't Judge 

In Rom 1:26-27, the Bible says that homosexuality is wrong. Whether you agree with the Bible or not is not the point I am trying to make. Though it clearly says that homosexuality is wrong, so is lying, cheating, stealing, and so many other things that people do. That being said, who am I to judge another human being for something in their personal life? 

The Bible also says in the New Testament, "Judge not, lest you be judged..." Matt. 7:1. It is a shame that Christians misrepresent the loving heart of God so often. It is sad to me that just because the Bible  says homosexuality is wrong, Christians in the past, have been mean and hateful towards gay and lesbians. It is wrong to hate anyone. Who are we to condemn any person for their actions? Whether you agree or disagree with the Bible or the current laws concerning gay and lesbian rights, it is not for us to judge peoples hearts. How would you feel if other people were judging you and your lifestyle? Vote as you feel convicted, but perhaps it's best to leave the judgement part up to God and focus on loving one another rather than condemning someone if you disagree with their lifestyle.


"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16


What do you think?

Go Out And Make Your World Happen

Advice From Me to You


Go out and make your world happen, don't just let life happen to you. In order to get what you want and be who you want to be you must be proactive in life, and not wait for things to fall into your lap.


This is a principle I live by and wanted to share with you. Going after what you want in life may come easier for some than for others. I consider myself a "go getter," but that doesn't mean that I am not scared sometimes. And it certainly doesn't mean that I have always been successful at everything I have tried. 

There is power in our choices. There is power in our motivations. There is power in our actions. Fear and our lack of motivation and actions can also be powerful. They can subtly yet powerfully hinder us from reaching our goals.

Carpe Diem!

Seize the day, or you may have herd the famous term, "Carpe Diem!" It is never too late to change the direction your life is going in. If you want to make a change in any area of your life, you must first have the following mindset: "I am going to give different to get different (results)." You have to say to yourself, I am not just going to sit here and let life pass me by. I am going to pursue what I want and go for it. I am determined to be the person that I want to be. 

Often times we are our own worst enemy. We also tend to be our own worst critic. If you have an idea or a dream, go for it! Worst case scenario, things don't go exactly how you planned. If you end up not being as successful as you had hoped, that doesn't mean that you have failed. It means that you tried something and probably learned a lot along the way about yourself and the situation. 


What is it that you aspire to do? What are some of the things you have dreamed of? Set goals for yourself in order to reach your dreams. Then, when you meet those goals, set higher goals the next time around. What kind of person do you want to be? You have more influence than you think you do to create the kind of life that you want. Of course there are always things in life that are out of our control, things that are only in God's hands. I believe that we ourselves are partly responsible for creating our own experiences, and we can do this while asking God for help along the way. What are you waiting for? Go out and make your world happen!


Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt. 19:26

"Inconceiveable" A Story About In Vetro Fertilization

A Medical Mistake

Carolyn and Sean Savage struggled to have their first three children. They wanted to try for a fourth using embryos left over from the in vitro fertilization procedure that brought them their daughter previously. Ten days after the embryos were transferred, the doctor called them saying that Carolyn was pregnant with someone else's  child. This couple decided to have the baby. Then after giving up the child for the other parents, Carolyn was at high risk and could not have another child. It was then, that the Savages decided to use a surrogate mother to have their fourth. 


Current Event 2/12/11


This is the video link to an incredible story... http://www.clicker.com/tv/dateline-nbc/inconceivable-part-1-1346161/






In Vitro Fertilization

One of the better-known fertility treatments, in vitro fertilization (IVF) essentially involves fertilizing an ovum in a laboratory dish and then transferring the embryo to a woman's uterus. IVF treatment is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) method suitable for couples with any one of various causes of infertility, including tubal factor infertility, endometriosis, and certain types of male factor infertility.

IVF Cost and Financing

The cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is generally about $12,000 per cycle. However, the treatment does not always work the first time it is performed, so some couples choose to undergo multiple cycles. Learn more about how financing can be used to offset the cost of IVF.

In the United States, the live birth rate for each IVF cycle started is approximately:

• 30 to 35% for women under age 35
• 25% for women ages 35 to 37
• 15 to 20% for women ages 38 to 40
• 6 to 10% for women ages over 40

Information is provided by the American Pregnancy Association and DocShop.

".....your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Ps.139:16

20 Richest Women / Budget Tips

Debt

It is important for women to be educated financially so that we can make good choices when it comes to money. According to BBC World News, "Men are less likely to seek help for spiraling debts than women - even though they face a greater risk of bankruptcy." Though women are more likely to declare themselves bankrupt, in general there are more women filing than men. 30% of single women declare bankruptcy. 26% of single men declare bankruptcy. The rest are couples, 44%. 

Ten problem areas in your budget (according to womensfinance.com)

• Focus on fixed expenses: Just because they're "fixed," it doesn't mean they're not negotiable. Many items are fixed only in that they come out of your paycheck every month, or you write checks for them automatically–like rent and life insurance.
• Rent or mortgage: Your home is your castle, but can you afford the one you have? Moving is not something you're going to do tomorrow, but if your castle is eating up more than 25 percent of your income, start making long–term plans.
• Utilities: Turn down the heat and air conditioning. Analyze your phone needs. Do you need so many lines? Is your cell phone essential?
• Insurance: If your term life insurance policy is five or more years old, you're in for a pleasant surprise: you can almost certainly get a better rate. Increase the deductibles on your auto and homeowner's policies, and drop collision insurance if your car is paid for. Don't skip disability insurance, though. If you can't work due to a disability, you could jeopardize everything without insurance.
• Groceries: Is there really that much of a difference between generic and name brand products? Do you really enjoy the prepared foods you buy? Could you make something fresh and simple–and cheaper?
• Clothing: What can we say? The biggest enemy of a clothing budget is impulse. You need a strategy. Make a list of what you need. Shop from your list. Buy the best you can afford. Think about all the stuff hanging in your closet.
• Transportation: This item can eat up 50 percent of a budget. Take a hard look at where you can save. Set a budget for transportation. Negotiate for bargain air fares. Cars are better made and last much longer than they used to. Get one you like. Take good care of it–and keep it two or three years longer. Ride your bike instead of driving short distances.
• Household and babysitting help: It's tough cutting corners here. If you've found a good caretaker for your children, don't cut his or her pay. Supportive people to help in your business and home can make your life run much more smoothly.
• Credit: This one has a lot of opportunities for reductions. Pick up two months' worth of credit card bills and total up the interest you paid. If you pay off your credit cards, you will save that much every month.
• Taxes: Contribute to your 401(k) and make use of healthcare and dependent care spending accounts at work.
• So look at discretionary expenses to see what you can do. Think of positive lifestyle changes. Vacations, too, can be thrilling without being costly if you do some research and plan a trip that allows you to explore and further an interest. You can find the fat in your budget–it just takes a little creativity and willingness on your part. 

Here are some budgeting tools from Suze Orman: http://www.suzeorman.com/igsbase/igstemplate.cfm?SRC=SP&SRCN=layout_suzetools&GnavID=110




According To Forbes: Top 20 Richest Women in the US
"The list is entirely confined to today's active megastars."


http://www.forbes.com/2007/01/17/richest-women-entertainment-tech-media-cz_lg_richwomen07_0118womenstars_lander.html


"A sensible man (or woman) watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them...." Prov. 27:12

Lara Logan, News Reporter Raped in Egypt

"During the Feb. 11 attack, Logan was stripped of her clothes, punched and slapped by the crowd, according to the Times of London (via the Daily Mail.) She was beaten with the poles demonstrators used to fly flags during the protests, and red marks on her body initially believed to be bite marks turned out to be the result of pinching.

As she was being abused, the crowd of roughly 200 men chanted "Israeli" and "Jew," apparently believing her to be a spy. Egyptian state media had been reporting that Israeli spies were disguising themselves as television crews.

Finally, a group of women and approximately 20 guards rescued Logan, 39, from the mob and took her to the Four Seasons Hotel for medical treatment. She was flown out of Egypt hours later and taken to New York, where she spent five days in a hospital. She was released from the hospital on Wednesday to recover at her home in Washington, D.C., according to CBS." 


-AOL News


A thank you to CBS reporter Lara Logan for letting her story be known.

"On Friday, the world watched a gleeful, giant celebration. History was made, President Obama told the world. Men and women danced in the street. Fireworks lit up the sky over Egypt. Although there had been bloodshed and pain, it paled in comparison with what a disparate group of people had done when they came together in peace. The people had toppled a dictator.

On Tuesday, CBS released a statement, short and straight, that punched people in the stomach with its staccato message. Amid that joyful party, there had been "a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating."

Lara Logan, CBS News' chief foreign correspondent, had been surrounded by more than 200 people in Cairo's Tahrir Square, separated from her colleagues and attacked.

After the news came the responses, in three distinct categories:

• Those who blamed her for being beautiful and blond in a foreign country.

• Those who blamed the Muslim country.

• Those who blamed journalism for not doing enough to protect women.

The responses make a terrible situation so much worse. (And cost at least one man, Nir Rosen, his job.)

Here's why this story is not just about Logan:

A 2008 study by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights found that 83 percent of Egyptian women and 98 percent of foreign women experience public sexual harassment, from groping to assault.

Here's why this story is not just about Egypt, either:

In 2000, in New York's Central Park, an assault similar to Logan's occurred during a parade. Seven women were attacked. In the United States. Attacks occur everywhere, every day. Again and again.

The assault did not happen because Logan was a reporter in a dangerous country. It did not happen because that country happens to be Muslim. It happened because sexual assault occurs every single day to women everywhere in the world.

Here's why this story is about Lara Logan:

That 2008 report also said nearly 97 percent of Egyptian women and 87 percent of foreigners do not alert police after an assault.

Logan did not stay silent. Through CBS's statement, her story was heard. It gave voice to an incident that happens all the time, every day. Maybe it will push one more person to tell their story.

For that, I say thank you."

-The Washington Post

By Melissa Bell  | February 16, 2011; 1:30 PM ET

Video Of Lara: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT-Hq117w8s&feature=player_embedded




"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped..."  
Ps. 28:7

Female Mentors

She Looks Up to You
What is a mentor anyway, and why does it seem there are not many around these days?

You might think a mentor is someone who lives by example. Perhaps... but I also think a mentor is anyone who is willing to just be real and allow others to learn from their mistakes. No one is perfect and I certainly think that none of us are qualified to be held up on a pedestal.

With mentoring it seems as if there is always those who look up to you, while you are somewhere in the middle, and then there are those whom you look up to.  I have many peers that I consider to be mentors. Most mentoring relationships are lateral, and include someone with more experience in an area or areas that the person on the reciprocating end can benefit from.  Some mentoring relationships are more horizontal. For example, I consider my closest friendships to be this way. These are the women who speak into my life, and when the time comes, I speak into theirs. In these relationships, my friend may be stronger in one area, and I may be stronger in another, so we mentor each other.

I don't know if I consider myself a mentor, but I would like to think that despite my many mistakes in life, I would have some sort of impact on the women around me. I am also ever so thankful for the strong women in my life, who I look up to. 

Do you consider yourself a mentor to other women? Whether you think of yourself as a mentor or not, you are. None of us are off the hook just because we don't feel like setting an example or don't want to be a mentor. You may not know it at the time, but there is always someone watching your life. 

In Search of Heros

Here is a quote from an article called "In search of Heros, Where are the Female Mentors?"

"It is NOT because of a lack of time—every person (male and female) that gains the respect of the mentoring request is already too busy. Taking the time to mentor is simply a matter of priorities. Those of us who mentor regularly are extremely busy with our careers and yet somehow....we realize the importance of a legacy....
A mentor does not have to DO anything special, they simply have to BE themselves and LISTEN and answer questions honestly. That is enough!

Where are our female heroes?"

Original Link: http://www.randyelrod.com/in-search-of-heroes-%E2%80%94-where-are-the-female-mentors/

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:3-5

Who do you look up to and why?

Empowering Women - A Path to Prosperity

It is a fact according to the World Bank that "Low gender gaps are directly correlated with high economic competitiveness." What does this mean for most of the world? Basically the higher the rates of gender equality a nation has, the higher the social and economic status that nation will have.


 January 5, 2011

"In many ways 2010 was the year of women in American politics: Female candidates were among the most visible in the midterm congressional elections, and more women became governors than ever before. In our country, women have a prominent voice in the debates that matter: political, economic and social.

But in much of the developing world the story is different...In these countries, women often lack essential legal and social rights, such as the right to own land or access credit on the same terms as men.
The key insight of the report is this: Empowering women is absolutely crucial in the fight against poverty.


When women are empowered to go to school, enter the workforce, be entrepreneurs, own property and get reliable access to credit, they not only invest in their businesses, they invest in their children's health, nutrition and education. In other words, they invest in the future.

According to the World Bank, "Only 20 out of 128 economies surveyed have equal legal rights for men and women in several important areas for entrepreneurs and workers." Of the 20 economies with equal legal rights, only one is located in sub-Saharan Africa: Botswana.

In a number of African countries -- including Rwanda, Cameroon and Togo -- men have the legal right to forbid their wives to work. This means that in virtually all of sub-Saharan Africa, and in much of the developing world, half the population has a more difficult and costly time starting and operating a business or a farm than the other half.

Taken together, these constraints help us understand why 70 percent of the world's poor are women.

Creating change is difficult, especially in the face of a hostile legal and regulatory environment or, perhaps more challenging, when confronted with tradition or other cultural obstacles that thwart women.

But there is hope.....placing women's empowerment front and center in the human development debate has the potential to pay large dividends, not only for women around the world but for their children. And that will contribute to a brighter future for us all." 

- Author Karol Boudreaux is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center, lead researcher for Enterprise Africa and board member of Indego Africa. Ben VanMetre is a master's fellow at the Mercatus Center and George Mason University.


http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/05/opinion-empowering-women-a-path-to-prosperity/


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not against your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and He will make your paths straight." Prov. 5-6

What Are You So Worried About?

Don't Be Anxious

It has been said that anxiety in the heart of men and woman causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. There are too many things in life one can fret about. It is easy to agonize over things like finances, career, and relationships or perhaps even what the future holds. Especially in today's society there is much to be concerned about. Unfortunately our current economy breeds an environment for anxiety.

Sometimes I find myself overly concerned with small things like what to wear out that evening, if my house is clean, or even about something I said to a client that day. These are all examples of things that probably don't really deserve as much attention as they may seem to demand in the pressing moment.

Needless worry is not only hard on the mind, it is hard on the body. It is proven that living a life of worry ages you more quickly physically. So the next time you find yourself worrying about something, whether it's a big deal or something small, ask yourself a few questions.

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. How long have I been stewing over this?

2. Does this situation really deserve the time and energy I have been spending focusing on it?

3. What am I going to solve by hashing and rehashing the situation over and over again in my mind?

4. Am I practicing being peaceful and confident or am I acting overly insecure and anxious?

5. Finally, what is the absolute worst possible outcome of this situation? In the end, is my life or anyone else's at risk here?

Practice Being Peaceful

Is it really as easy as thinking positive thoughts? When overwhelming worry takes over, practice a few things to stop the cycle.

1. Focus on something else. Read, watch a movie, or call up a friend and try chatting about something other than your situation. Try asking them about what's going on in their life. Sometimes just getting our eyes off of ourselves can work wonders.

2. Realize that your anxiety not only affects you. Needless worry can affect those around you and make them not want to be with you, especially if you live a life of constant worry.

3. Yes, think positive thoughts. Stop focusing on the bad and fix your thoughts on all the things in life you are grateful for. Perhaps start speaking out a list of the things you are thankful for. There is always someone worse off than you.

4. Trust that no matter what the outcome is, hopefully one day you will be able to help others through that very situation.

"...do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will put on....do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." Matt. 6:25

NY Woman Held as Sex Slave / FGM

Warning: The following articles are very graphic and intense. Please do not click the links to these two articles if you are sensitive. (I don't want to be a "Debbie Downer" but I do want to talk about real issues that are happening now. I promise that tomorrow I will write about something less intense.)  


National News: Yesterday this was on the front page of MSNBC

Apparently a young woman was looking for housing on Craigslist, but ended up being held in NYC as sex slave for days. Everyone should be extremely careful with Craigslist. DO NOT EVER go to anyone's house alone, to buy or sell anything!

The article is here, but is extremely graphic and intense. Don't read it if you are sensitive to this kind of material. 
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41620089/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

Global News: Female Genital Mutilation

Did you KNOW that three million girls face FGM/C (Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting) each year worldwide? Though this practice is mostly prevalent in Africa, globally up to 14o million women and girls have already undergone the practice.

Current 2011 Prevalence Rates (according to United Nations FPA):

• Ethiopia 74%
• Kenya 27%
• Egypt 91%

Current Press Release 2/6/11

Over 6,000 Communities Across Africa Abandon Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

What is FGM/C?

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/

To read a current article from the UNICEF about FGM/C click here: http://www.unfpa.org/public/cache/offonce/home/news/pid/7219

"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." 
Ps. 9:9

Female Immigrants

A Ride to the Post Office


Imagine you go to get your nails done, at a local salon...You walk in smelling the strong aroma of nail polish remover and hearing the low murmur of women in the background. There is a Madonna song playing and the only man in the room greets you from behind the counter. "Hello. Manicure? Pedicure?" he asks as he cashes out the woman with the purple things between her toes. "I'll do both this time," you say.


As you sit there in the chair flipping through the latest Glamor Magazine, you realize how much more fun this would have been if your friend didn't have to work through her lunch today. It's too bad she had to cancel last minute, but you were not going to miss out on treating yourself. After all it has been too long and you were really looking forward to this.


"Long or short?" she asks as your feet soak in the blue bubbly water. The young woman with the penciled on eyebrows is now sitting at your feet. She smiles and looks your outfit up and down while she begins to file. Then she mumbles something foreign to her tiny friend on the stool next to her, and of course you pretend not to notice as you flip the next page. The questions start to run through your mind....What are they talking about? Are they talking about me? Where are these women from anyway? I wonder why they came here? 


Perhaps you dig a bit deeper and think to yourself about the girl sitting before you....What was so bad in her own country, that this girl was willing to leave her family and everything she knows, in order to come here and sit at an American woman's feet and dig out the dirt from my nails? I wonder how much money she makes? Certainly not too much more than my tip. 


Meanwhile the girl faithfully scrubs, smiling up at you every now and then thinking...."I wonder what this woman does for a living? "You have husband?" she asks. You answer and continue to read... Then she thinks to herself, about how pretty your highlights are, and wonders what it is like to be an American woman. Her thoughts trail to her family back home....at least I don't have to do that anymore to provide.... Proudly, she thinks....all I need is ten more dollars, then I will send my 5th paycheck to my family this year and they will be able to buy another bicycle and food for three weeks....I wonder if my friend can give me a ride to the post office?"


Current Events: February 14, 2011


Here is an article from the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF):

Highlighting Importance of Women Migrants' Remittances

"...Indeed, women are not just passive players who accompany or join migrating husbands or other family members. Migrant women are in many cases the only contributor to family imcome. Many women increasingly migrate on their own in search of better opportunities for themselves and their families. And they contribute to improvements in the quality of life in both countries of origin and destination.

Every year, migrant women send large sums of money in the form of remittances to feed families, clothe and educate children, support older persons, provide health care and generally improve living standards for families left behind.

In host countries, many migrant women are employed in households of working families, taking care of their children, the elderly and the household. Others contribute technical and professional expertise as teachers, nurses, scientists, technicians and business owners....

...There are also gender differences in the utilization of remittances: women tend to use remittances for daily needs, health care and education while men tend to spend remittance income on consumer items such as cars and televisions, and some for investments such as property or livestock."

Click here to view the article: 

http://www.unfpa.org/public/home/news/pid/7261

"You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners...." Ex. 22:21

Lyrically Incorrect

Serious Lyrics

This morning I was driving to a meeting when I had a major revelation. I was rocking out to some serious tunage when a repetitive, overplayed song by Taio Cruz came on. "I'm only gonna break, break, break, break, your he-art. I'm only gonna break, break, break, break, your he-art... If you fall for me, I'm not easy to please, I might tear you apart, told you from the start...." he sang as I dodged a blinker-less Mazda on the highway. There may even be another "break, break" in there somewhere, but just in case I missed one, hopefully you know what song I'm talking about.

At some point early to mid song, I changed the station and ironically Kelly Clarkson came on. "Since you've been gone....How come I never hear you say, I just wanna be with you? I guess you never felt that way...."

So here was Taio Cruz warning all the girls, not to fall for him, because he will just tear them apart. After all, he told them from the start. Say whaaat? And then Kelly is yelling through the speakers how she can "finally breathe for the first time" and asking why "he" whoever "he" is, never says "I just wanna be with you."

It Gets Worse....And The Curse Plays Out


In light of my recent post "Barefoot and Pregnant" how do you think this exact example corresponds? I was surprised to see such a clear illustration of "Your desire shall be for your husband..." (Genesis 3:16). So where does that leave us as women? Certainly not all brokenhearted?

There are many songs out there that are degrading of women, some that you may even sing along with. Another example is the song "Get low" by Lil Jon. It says that women should "crawl" and "give me back my doe, go get ya friend...stupid b---- standing there....". Some of the lyrics to this song are so vulgar and degrading that I am unwilling to post them on here.

I am not a prude. Don't get me wrong, I like to "get low" myself when I am dancing, and I like to have fun with the best of them. However, unless women refuse to subject ourselves to this sort of cycle, perhaps things will never change. We will always fight it, until all of us make a stand.

You and I

It wasn't until I caught myself literally singing along with this guy who was warning all the girls, that he would break all their hearts and tear them apart, that I had this profound revelation. I'm not saying that either Lil Jon or Tiao Cruz as artists are good or bad, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I only want to bring this up in order to provoke you to think. Think hard about what you are feeding your feminine spirit on a daily basis.

Does this mean that you or I will never listen to a song that is blatantly degrading of women again? Unfortunately probably not. But I can tell you that I definitely don't want to rush out and promote this kind of stuff by buying a CD or downloading it on my I-Pod.

You and I probably don't have the buying power to put degrading artists out of business but....Perhaps out of a small step in the direction of self-love and self-respect, you might find yourself changing the station from time-to-time.

I would love to know your thoughts on this. Please feel free to post comments.