Not Alone

standing in the icy sea
suffocating waves washing over me
I can't breathe, too much pain
drenching, pounding, pouring rain
and as I stand here screaming "why"
does anyone even hear my cry?
so alone I seem to be
my head goes under
and I can't see

the urge to fight has somehow gone
there seems to be no way to carry on

give up, give up, I think but instead
I feel someone lifting up my head
and swimming me toward the shore
though I don't want to be there any more
on dry land He lays me down
and with tenderness He says:
"I won't let you drown;
don't you know I'm always here?
I'm the One who will rescue you
My grace covers all you do.
When there is no one else at all
I'm the one who'll break your fall."
shame washes over me for my despair
my doubt, my fear, thinking no one there
human I am, and human I fall
thank you God for the grace that covers all

Father, thank you for getting me through another difficult day.  I would ask you to reach down and
comfort and give courage to those who are going through painful times of their own....including me.

Psalm 130:1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.  Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.                                  
Psalm 25:20 Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

His Strength is Sufficient

1-31-12

It's been a long time, but it's time to get back at it! I'd thought about giving this up, but you can only share so much on Twitter (which I have also sorely neglected) and I have so much more I'd like to share.

I'm passionate about several things: my faith, my country, and my family. Here is where I share my faith, and the challenges we face here and around the world. Today I'm going to keep it close to home.

I've been tweeting here and there about a critically ill family member. Her name is Sue, and she is the mother of my ex-boyfriend of nine years. When I became ill and no longer able to work 8-12 hours shifts as a Registered Nurse, she gave me the opportunity to work in the family business (her husband and son fix commercial cooking equipment) doing the accounts receivables, while she does payables. It's a great position for me because I am able to be gone when my illness flares, as it often does. I usually spend my afternoons there.

What's all this got to do with faith?

She's an amazing Christian, my best friend other than my own mother, and we may lose her. As of last night, she is deteriorating again. I heard a quote yesterday that really hit home.

When it is the darkest, it is then that our light shines the brightest. (unknown)

I'd love to just curl up in bed and cry; and I have a few times, but it is the strength of our God that keeps me going, jumping in and doing all the things that must be done to keep things running smoothly. I don't think that I could do it without His help. Now, to get over there is thirty minutes each way. Several years ago, I turned my radio to a Christian station and wow! I have one hour built into my day for prayer and worship. This time alone with Him each day makes a tremendous difference.

There's a couple of verses that are sustaining me right now.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Not some things, not just the easy things, but all things. Not through my own strength, but through His.
No matter the circumstance, He is there. He is with us when we call on Him. And the comfort He provides is a tangible comfort that I can feel in my heart. Another good verse from Philippians is:

Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.

Some might find it difficult to rejoice in the face of such tragedy. To lose this woman of God will be a tremendous personal loss not just for me, but for their whole family. How do we rejoice? In this situation, I can rejoice knowing and trusting that the God who created the universe has a perfect plan. He will take each of us home in due time. I can rejoice that if she goes home, she will be forever in His presence. And I know from past experience that there is no wound that He can't or won't heal.

This beautiful song by Casting Crowns has given me so much encouragement.  I hope that it will touch you, too, with whatever you may be going through:    Praise You in the Storm

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Hello! It's been a long time since I've been online, but the surgery I needed turned out to be more extensive and difficult to recover from that I thought. I'm finally getting up and around now and look forward to reconnecting with all of you. For now, I want to wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope that all your wishes come true.

Still waiting

So, here it is a week later and I still haven't had my surgery and have gotten sicker by the day. I've been going in to get IV fluids in the Urgent Care, but it's been getting rough. Anyway, enough whining :) It's almost over now, though the surgery itself will lay me up for a few days. It's funny how much you can miss reading what everyone has to say and feel a connection through shared beliefs.

An Idea for Ministry

Hello Everyone, I'm back from spending Thanksgiving with my mom and step-dad. They're wonderful Christian people, and we spent the day before and Thanksgiving Day feeding the homeless a full dinner. We did it through a ministry that feeds people every Wednesday at a park where a lot of homeless people go. It was a great experience. First we sang, then a man who was once homeless and is now a pastor gave a short message. We also passed out "hygiene kits" to those who wanted them, which I thought was a great idea. It's just a ziplock bag with a washcloth, toothbrush and paste, shampoo, soap, and a couple other items along with a few snacks and a drink. It was a great conversation starter, and as we gave them out we asked if they needed prayer. Many did, and we prayed with them right then and there for whatever their most pressing needs were. We also had warm clothing, scarves and blankets. I got to pray with several people and one I talked with at length about his heroin addiction. He had previously been clean eight years and a believer. I should restate that. He still believes, it's his walk he's having trouble with. We also took some boxed lunches that we made by assembly line and drove up and down the streets giving out meals to people who looked like they could use them.
What a great way to minister, I thought. I took some of the bags with me and gave them away downtown before I even got home. I have to say that it was such a blessing to me to be able to help in a concrete way without worrying that the money I'm giving someone will just go to further their addiction. And, like I said, it's a good way to start a conversation about our Lord, which is the main mission in all of this. I'm going to talk to my church about setting up a ministry like this. I'm sure if we put a box in the foyer with a list of what we need, people would donate. Then we could go out in pairs on the street or in a group at one of the parks. I don't recommend interacting by one's self for safety's sake. I'm so excited I can't wait to start! I'll let you all know what happens with this from time to time.

The Story Of Mark and Sunny

Sunny and Mark
A real story about family, love, citizenship and loved ones being wrongly deported.

This is about love, family, immigration, a couple wrongly deported out of the country and a family split up. Our family is comprised of Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, Christians, Catholics, Agnostics and many other denominations. Some believe in closed borders, some believe in open borders. We do however, all agree that the situation with my Son Mark and his wife (my daughter-in-law) Sunny (Kaesun) is an injustice. If anyone knows anyone, who knows anyone, who can help - please pass this on. This story has affected hundreds of South Korean immigrants that thought they had come here legally. They lived here for decades, got jobs, got degrees, went to school, only to be deported from a country and life they love.
A Letter Written by a Dear Friend

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing you regarding an extremely urgent matter. This crisis is not showing up on the news, but should, as it is affecting hundreds of wonderful South Korean immigrants and their friends and family.

Over 20 years ago, three corrupt men, a U.S. immigration supervisor (Leland Sustaire) and two immigration brokers, committed crimes that threaten to deport (or in some cases, already have deported) 275 innocent South Korean immigrants. These greedy brokers were found guilty of bribing Leland Sustaire, who accepted the bribes, and authorized the fraudulent green cards.

Kaesun Song Douglas (lovingly known as Sunny, now wrongly known as alien #A47054690 in Eloy Detention Center), is a brilliant, loving, and honest young woman who began her life in America as a 10 year old immigrant. Her family believed that everything was done legally, and even Daniel Lee, the corrupt broker, has stated that his clients did not know of the bribery and fraud. Regardless, it is 100% unjust that a girl filled with dreams, who arrived in this wonderful country at the age of 10 should be uprooted from the life she has worked so hard to build, over 20 years later!

Not only was Sunny an innocent child through the immigration process, but she is in love with and married to her sweetheart of over five years, who is an American man! I see NO possible explanation for her deportation. The last conversation I had with her before she was snatched from her home, she was discussing her plans for graduate school and how she was excited about the idea of having children and starting a family in the next couple years.

The men who committed the crimes have done their time (please see attached article from the LA Times which contains more information).They have stated that their immigrant clients are innocent. These professionals, families, students, and outstanding AMERICANS have spent 20 years building their lives in this country.
They came to this country for a better life. They came to this country to be here for all the reasons we love being Americans. They came to this country because we as a people believe in justice. Ripping an amazing young woman like Sunny away from her husband, education, friends and entire life is utterly and undeniably wrong. Please don’t let me, and everyone whose lives have been touched by Sunny and the many others in her position, lose faith in the justice for which this country stands.
Please, I know you are busy, but anything you can do to help will never be forgotten. Sunny has been torn from her friends and family, is being detained in Arizona, and faces deportation as soon as tomorrow.
Sincerely,

Melissa

*Update

- Sunny was deported to South Korea from her detention center. My son Mark joined his wife in South Korea and they both are trying to gain her acceptance back into the United States.

-Sunny is also juggling her full-time job and taking her last two classes online through San Jose State University in order to earn her degree.

*More Background Information

My daughter-in-law ( Sunny ) Kaesun Song Douglas ( A#47054690 )
came to this country when she was 10 with her Mom and her brother
with visas. She went to school and worked her way through San Jose
State University. In 1986 there was a scam that was started by 2
Korean Brokers (who some of 275 South Koreans had met at church).
These 2 brokers said they would get legal help for these people-for a
fee-and these South Koreans were naive. Instead of getting legal help,
the brokers bribed an INS Supervisor who ended up getting $500,000 for
giving out green cards to these 275 South Koreans. The INS Supervisor
finally, in 1998 turned himself in and testified against the brokers, and
because of that he received a $7,500 fine-6 months in a halfway house-
and 6 months home confinement at his ranch in Tracy. He had burned
all the records previously.

The government told the South Koreans they
had to prove their innocence-which of course they couldn't do because
all the records were burned.

So Sunny is a victim of this whole scandal.
Sunny and my son Mark Douglas were married on 4/01/09. She
immediately became a wonderful part of our family, we all love her
tremendously. She is a sweet, caring, positive, fun person to be with.
I have never heard her say anything negative (except when she was
in the detention center in Eloy,Arizona-she was terrified).

Absolutely everyone I have ever spoken to, thinks this is one of the most unjust
situations they have ever heard of. Congressional Representatives
asked the DOJ to please take these deportations on a case by case
basis. Obviously they did not or Sunny would still be here.
She was in her last semester at San Jose State University
(had previously been on the dean's list-with a great GPA),
was on her way to her car to go to school and was picked up by
INS-on 8/31/10 and taken into custody. She was sent the next day to
the detention center in Eloy,Arizona and was deported on 9/21/10.
Sunny was here for 22 years and was a child when the scam happened.
She should not be responsible for what others did,especially 3 corrupt people.

Sunny loves this country and feels in her heart - this is her country.
Posted by Ms.Jeffry Elaine Douglas

Even as I walk through darkness, #I'm so thankful

There's so much in this country and world that angers me. If you're reading this, we probably share some the same issues. The world around us grows more evil by the day, including those who are supposed to lead us. I've never heard of so many children and infants being killed by their own parents. Then we have the Muslims starting a reality show on TLC, deceiving the uneducated. I could go on and on, and probably will in the days to come, because the issues we don't discuss and plan to enlighten people about leave us guilty by our silence.
Last night I awoke from a nightmare, and was immediately soothed by God's presence when I prayed. It occurred to me that although we are surrounded by this world of darkness and despair, as God's children we have much to be thankful for. And as it is Thanksgiving week, we would do well to remember these things both big and small.

So I started a list using #I'm so thankful. If each of us could contribute a few things, we can share our hope, faith and thankfulness with each another. Here's what I've got so far:


#I'm so thankful God's people once again inhabit Israel, the land that He gave them.

#I'm so thankful "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9

#I'm so thankful "In the morning, O lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in
expectation." Psalm 5:3

#I'm so thankful that God even knows the number of hairs on our head.

#I'm so thankful we live under the New Covenant.

#I'm so thankful for each new day that allows me another chance to share God's love.

#I'm so thankful for the jump-up-and-down, tail wagging show of joy that my dogs give me when I come home.

#I'm so thankful that though my body struggles with illness, my mind remains clear.

#I'm so thankful for the mercy and peace that comes from my Father.

#I'm so thankful for the roof over my head and warm blankets to pull up to my chin.

#I'm so thankful for this place where I can hear encouraging words from others that believe as I do.

#I'm so thankful that in this country my faith is not grounds for jail or death.

#I'm so thankful for God's unconditional love.

@vaibk Vaibhav Khare RT @SuzieTors #I'm so thankful for God's unconditional love.

#I'm so thankful that I have adult children that I can be proud of.

#I'm so thankful that when I wake from a bad dream, my heavenly Father is right there to comfort me.

No Christmas at White House this year

White House will not do Christmas!        Thought you might be interested in this information from the White House..  This isn't a rumor; this is a fact.     A very talented artist for several years has painted ornaments to be hung on the various White House Christmas trees. The WH sends out an invitation  to send an ornament and informs the artists of the theme for the year.     She  got her letter from the WH recently. It said that they would not be called Christmas trees this year. They will be called Holiday trees. And, to please not send any ornaments painted   with a religious theme. She was very  upset at this development and sent back a reply telling  them that she painted the ornaments for Christmas trees and would not be sending any for display that left Christ out of Christmas.     Just thought you should know what the new residents in the WH plan for the  future of America . If you missed is statement that "we do not consider ourselves a Christian Nation" this should confirm that he plans to take us  away from our religious foundation as quickly as possible.     Just another step toward turning America away from Christianity!     We should shout to the highest hills that the White House is ours - not the Obama's, and 85% of Americans believe in Christ (Christmas)

From my Mom and worth passing on

FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD

Twas the Month before Christmas  Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand. Why the PC Police had taken away The reason for Christmas - no one could say. The children were told by their schools not to sing About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things. It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say December 25th is just a ' Holiday'. Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it! CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod Something was changing, something quite odd! Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda. As Targets were hanging their trees upside down At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found. At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears  You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears. Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty Are words that were used to intimidate me. Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton! At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter. And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded The reason for the season, stopped before it started. So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree' Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me. Choose your words carefully, choose what you say Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday! Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS Christ is The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!  If you agree please forward, if not, simply delete.

Coming to a High School Near You

Religion News  You're here » News Main Index » Religion News Religion News  Holocaust/Abortion Movie, Coming to a School Near You by Staff November 7, 2011 Like This Page? LOS ANGELES, (christiansunite.com) -- A free DVD of the award-winning viral movie "180" may be coming to a high school near you. The creator of www.180movie.com, Ray Comfort, said "180 received over a million views in 22 days, because it's 'shocking.' It opens with 14 people (mainly college students) who have no idea of the identity of Adolf Hitler. One reviewer said, 'So, what's a pretty good documentary could have been even stronger without the fools early on.' Perhaps those who are quick to call these students fools lack perception themselves. These young people are rather ignorant as to perhaps the darkest period of human history, because the American education system has failed them." Late last month, between 180,000 and 200,000 copies of the 33-minute DVD were given out at 100 of America's top universities, and now the Jewish author and TV co-host is turning his attention to high schools. "No doubt some will say that Holocaust education isn't appropriate for high school kids. However, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum says that the appropriate age is '11 years of age and older.' Nelly Silagy Benedek, Director of Education, The Jewish Museum (New York) agrees: 'From my experience, the best age to introduce students to the topic of the Holocaust is in high school.'" In 2004, approximately 125,000 students visited the Washington D.C.'s United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Sixty-four percent were middle school students (ages 11-14), 35% were high school students (ages 15-18), and less than 1% were elementary students. The public school guideline for education says: "Given the repetitive nature of the teaching of history in the United States (i.e., U.S. history is taught at ages 10, 13, and 16), it can be assumed that students will encounter the Holocaust in both middle and high school." Education about the Holocaust isn't mandatory in the U.S. "In the United States, the 50 individual states, not the federal government, are primarily responsible for education policy. Therefore, there is no national curriculum or course of study on the Holocaust that has been created by the government of the United States. Five states have enacted laws requiring the teaching of the Holocaust." Comfort added, "It's evident that many of the States aren't bothering to teach kids about one of the darkest periods of human history. I am concerned that we may become like the U.K. where some schools dropped teaching about the Holocaust for fear of offending Moslems, some of whom deny that the Holocaust even happened. This is more than a travesty, so we are giving hundreds of thousands of kids a free documentary that received more than a million views on YouTube in 22 days. We have already started locally, and they are going like hot cakes on a cold winter's day." The "180" movie has been criticized by some because it compares the Holocaust to American abortion. Comfort said, "The amazing thing is that people who watch it, change from pro-abortion to pro-life. We have received thousands of emails from people, many of whom have changed while watching the movie." Here are some of many: "We both voted for a pro-choice president the last election. After watching this documentary he said to me in tears that he was wrong. We have had our minds changed about who we vote for." "THANK YOU! ... I'll be spreading the word about 180!! And I NEVER will vote for a candidate that is pro-choice or anything close to it." "I have showed this to almost all my friends, and even the very atheist or very liberal ones have changed their views!" "I have always been pro-life, but have voted for presidents that are not. When the part came up about standing up for the innocent, it opened my eyes. I will never vote like that again. Thank you so much." "THANK YOU for changing my mind on how I view abortion and how I plan on voting in the future." "I was always pro-choice and now I am pro-life after watching such a powerful video." "It changed my mind and made me aware that I've got to make a stand on this issue." "From someone that has been Pro-choice this video changed my view on life completely." "This movie has changed my heart! I stopped after the movie and just repented [to] God for my forgiveness." "I used to vote pro-choice. I will not ever do so again. EVER." "Hey, my name is Aubrey and I'm a senior at a public high school in West Virginia. This past week in our civics class we were writing essays about laws that we wish would change in America. After seeing this video I choose to do mine on abortion, and how I wished it would be illegal. After I had finished reading my essay, a discussion arose in class (obviously) about how they thought abortion should be a choice, especially if the child is unhealthy or was caused because of rape. But once we started to compare it to Hitler and the Jews every ones minds started to change. I just wanted to let you know, and say thank you for doing what you do! Because of 180 I was able to turn around the entire class opinion about abortion and by the end of the class 25 of the 25 students and my teacher as well had all raised their hand agreeing that abortion should be illegal." Please scroll down one more time for movie! Discuss this article in the ChristiansUnite Discussion Forums Back to Religion News Headlines After the above endorsements, there's not too much I have to add, except that I hope that you will take the time to watch this.  I've always been pro-life with a few reservations.  It seemed to me that  in certain cases it would be warranted, but my mind has been changed as well.