Government tells us "To Hell With You"

This has come as a shock to me.  I am appalled.  What does this mean for the future of religious freedom?


The article below was written by the bishop of the Catholic diocese of Pittsburgh - Bishop David A. Zubik - on the HHS mandate telling us as Catholics, and Christians, we will be forced to give our money for abortions and contraception, and in not doing so, we will be penalized.
Contact your representatives, senators, and our president to get this mandate abolished.






It is really hard to believe that it happened. It comes like a slap in the face. The Obama administration has just told the Catholics of the United States, “To Hell with you!” There is no other way to put it.


In early August, the Department for Health and Human Services in the Obama administration released guidelines as part of the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The guidelines mandated that by Summer 2012 all individual and group health insurance plans, including self-insured plans, cover all FDA-approved contraception, sterilization procedures and pharmaceuticals that even result in abortion.


Read More here.


All State Representatives.


All State Senators.


Address for the White House: President Barack Obama, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20500 (202-456-1111

When I Became A Man

When I Became A Man is a video I post regularly on FB walls of the teens I minister to.

I'm boycotting Girl Scouts

Enough is enough. I cannot be silent anymore. I've posted links to various new articles supporting my decision to boycott Girl Scouts.


I was a Girl Scout - brownie, junior, and senior. I served at Day Camp 2 years in a row. I even was a troop leader in college.


As a Catholic-Christian, I want to be called out if my behavior is unbecoming of a Christian or if I support something that goes against my beliefs.


Example: a couple of years ago, I was running a fundraiser that was kind-of-like a block party.  People could sign up for a booth.  A woman wanted to register for a booth to get pledges for the Susan G Komen 3-day run. Two friends posted on my facebook that Susan G Komen gives money to Planned Parenthood.  I of course went and researched the accusation.  And, it's true.  Susan G Komen DOES GIVE  $$ to Planned Parenthood.


Coming back to now.  Girl Scout cookie season.  I got all excited because one of the cookies is like the Nabisco Lemon Cooler.  And, again, my friends told me Girl Scouts partners with PP.  




Jesus asks us to love.  His greatest commandment is to LOVE.  Matthew 22:37-29 ~"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and the first commandment.  The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."


You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  




Now, as a Catholic-Christian, scripture tells us that Jesus was not afraid to speak his mind.  And, he was persecuted for it.  Stephen, the first martyr, wasn't afraid to stand up for his faith either.  And, neither am I.  I'll pray for those who persecute me when I speak the TRUTH.  I'm not afraid of a little suffering, it draws me closer to Him.


Girl Scouts DO support Planned Parenthood.  So what if you're a troop leader who doesn't see the PP material or talk with her girls about abortion?  You are still SUPPORTING even if you're not in the thick of things.  The mere fact that you belong to Girl Scouts is SUPPORTING Girl Scouts.  


That's like saying its okay to stand-by and watch someone get beaten up without doing anything.  You are there.  DO SOMETHING.  You are just as much at fault as the bully.


And, this is what really gets me.  When someone finds out the truth and doesn't care.  That they just go about what they were doing before.  That's careless. It's a copout.  It's wimpy.  It makes me pray even harder for them.  What are they afraid of?
  
God never gives us something we can't handle.  He Always Provides Us a Way Out.  1 Corinthians 10:13.


A wise friend once said, "Stand Up for something or you'll Fall for anything."


I'm boycotting Girl Scouts.  And, I'm praying for those who turn a blind eye to the DEATH that is Planned Parenthood.


Resources:


http://www.girlscoutswhynot.com/
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/denver-bishop-girl-scouts-could-make-girls-more-open-to-pro-abortion-agenda
http://www.fightpp.org/
http://www.girlscoutswhynot.com/images/GIrl%20Scouts%20of%20Greater%20Atlanta%20and%20Planned%20Parenthood.pdf
http://www.girlscoutswhynot.com/news/news.html
http://www.ippf.org/NR/rdonlyres/B4462DDE-487D-4194-B0E0-193A04095819/0/HappyHealthyHot.pdf 

Nearing the $10K mark

God has gifted me with so much.  I am so blessed.

Health Update :
I've lost 3 inches on my waist!  Hallelujah!  And, muscle and abs are beginning to form.
I feel really different. So, different, that the new jeans I purchased in November don't really fit me.  Aiyeeee.
Guess, I have to go buy a belt. :)  That TJMaxx gift card will finally be used.

Blood work this week.  Yay.  I hope my numbers have decreased, and I can finally see results to all these lifestyle changes.

I've also been blessed enough to hire a Life Teen intern, who, God-willing, when I depart for Summit, God-willing, will slide into the role of assistant youth minister.  We are so lucky to have JG.

Jesus is pulling me closer to Him day by day.  And, my longing for Summit turns into dreams, and me waking up saying, "You mean I'm not in the choir chanting the office. Boo!"

God is so good to remind us of what's really important - Him.