In the News

Finally, somebody with some sense…

Dec 21st, 2010

I am so happy to read that the… person… who wrote that despicable how-to guide for pedophiles HAS BEEN ARRESTED. Sadly, that doesn’t mean the arrest will stick. I, for one, am hoping and praying that it will. It is a sad state of affairs– a very sad day– when, in this country, a person can write a guide for how to get away with raping and molesting children– AND GET AWAY WITH IT! A person can write explicit instructions on how to make condoms for using on children under the age of 12, and people call that free speech? It is disturbing that there are people who would actually defend this garbage, especially those who try to use the 1st Amendment to do so.

And while I’m on the subject of things that are disturbing…

This is the season of celebrating the greatest event in the history of the world… the birth of Jesus Christ. I am sick of non-believers trying to change the reason for the Christmas holiday and using ‘intolerance’ as their justification.

The true intolerance is in those who are trying to change something that was put into place more than 2000 years ago, and was perfectly fine for ‘use’ until recent times. Merry CHRISTmas has been used as a greeting for this season for longer than any of us have been alive. Yet, atheists work on taking our Holy Day away by claiming that Christians are intolerant of their non-beliefs? I’m not intolerant at all and neither are the countless other Christians that I know and know of. If you don’t believe, then don’t celebrate. You have that right.

YOU are the ones being intolerant, not the Christians. YOU are the ones being disrespectful, not the Christians. I understand that there are other religions that don’t necessarily use the saying/greeting “Merry Christmas”… but you don’t hear those people complaining. And why not? Because they too are tolerant.

It’s absolute hypocrisy to participate in a holiday that celebrates the birth of the Savior, God’s Son, if you don’t believe. No matter how much you try to take Christ out of it, HE is the reason for the holiday. You can try all you want, but you will never take that away.

I will not change for anyone. I will not back down for anyone. I will not keep my voice quiet for anyone. Will I offend someone? Yes I will. Do I care? Yes, I do. But it’s like this… the same ones I offend don’t care at all if they offend me or any other Christian. Yet we are labeled the intolerant ones? Just because we stand on the Word of God, the Creator of ALL things? The very God you try to remove from every aspect of life gave you the right to choose… it is called free will. So you have the right to believe or not believe whatever you want… and so do I.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

My final thoughts on Amazon…

Nov 11th, 2010

by Nickie.

Comments are off for this post

My mind is made up on the Amazon thing. I will no longer give this company a single penny of my money. Yesterday’s #amazonfail opened up a side to this .com giant that I didn’t know existed… a dark side that I don’t particularly like. This isn’t the first time this company has promoted such garbage. And I’m sure it won’t be the last. Why? Because the powers that be at Amazon have made a very loud declaration that they lack integrity and their priority is profit. They are operating this company with unethical principals, and they hide under the guise of “freedom of speech” to promote their own unethical philosophies. If you want to know what this multi-billion dollar company stands for, read it for yourself. What it basically boils down to is this: if it benefits Amazon, they will bend the rules or make them up as they go.

I have read the blogs and writings of those who have jumped on Amazon’s “censorship” bandwagon. It is the most ludicrous thing I think I have ever heard. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Let me give you this little example: We once owned a business. Granted this business wasn’t even remotely as large as the one in question, but a business nonetheless. We, as the business owners, chose what products we would use to represent our company. We chose what products we would or wouldn’t sell and promote. We, because we have integrity, carefully selected the products that would be affiliated with our company, our name. Is that censorship? Not even close. But those screaming “censorship” obviously don’t think so. Apparently, if a business chooses not to sell or to pull one product because it hurts said company’s branding, that is censorship. If a company chooses to end a relationship with another because it hurts said company’s image or violates what said company stands for, it’s censorship. Does that sound as ridiculous to you as it does to me?

Just because this particular event involved a book, written words, does not make it censorship. Nobody said remove all the books from every single supplier and never allow them to be sold again. To remove a book from inventory because it promotes, glorifies, and condones perverted and illegal sexual relations with minors is not censorship. That is protecting a brand’s name. And the brand in question here is Amazon. It would have been well within their right to protect their brand’s name by refusing a book that instructs child molesters in better ways of molesting and getting away with it. It would have benefited their reputation to remove the book before any public outrage had a chance to happen, especially since they sell children’s products. Instead, the only conclusion I can come to (and many others) is that Amazon’s priority is their financial statement, not their integrity or that of their company. Not an image I would choose for my own company.

Now, I have a lot of work ahead of me. In order to stay true to my agreement with Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze program, I am going to copy every review I’ve written at Amazon.com and post them to another consumer website. Then I will be able to remove my account at Amazon with a clear conscience.

In the meantime, I would ask you to pray for those who are in positions of power within Amazon. It is my belief that they are in desperate need of God’s divine guidance.

2012 is Just a Number

Oct 20th, 2010

by Nickie.

4 comments

I’m not surprised that someone has stepped forward to debunk the end-of-world theories supposedly based on the Mayan calendar’s [so called] 2012 end. I am surprised at the number of people who actually bought this theory. I’m also not surprised that companies have been trying to capitalize on the fear of the end that runs rampant in so many people (and have been successful).

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” Mark 13:32, 33

Sadly, I don’t think it’s Biblical truths that have prompted this change of mind regarding the Mayan doomsday. It’s probably more about saving-face than anything. Rather than look foolish in the eyes of the people who have heard this ridiculous theory (whether they believe it or not), “let’s figure out a way to debunk it so we don’t look so stupid when December 21, 2012 comes and goes without incident.”

People have been ‘predicting’ the end of time for centuries. Every generation thinks “it will happen in their lifetime.” Even the most devout of Christians have said that the “signs are here” from centuries ago to present times. The fact of the matter is this– no human being knows; the angels in heaven don’t know; Jesus Christ doesn’t even know. Only God knows. And He doesn’t work according to our human clocks and calendars. I, personally, am glad that only God knows (because I don’t want to know)– and that He has given us a heads-up so that we can be prepared. He didn’t have to reveal anything.

My theory about this fear of the end of times is this: people are only afraid because they have a valid reason to be afraid. They fear the end as much as they fear death. They fear death because they fear that they will find out that they were actually wrong; and that the Bible is the true Word of the Living God, that God does exist and is the Creator of all things, that Jesus Christ is His Son and our merciful Savior, that heaven is His kingdom and it does exist, and so does eternal damnation in the fiery pits of hell. I do not believe that a person who claims they don’t fear death and don’t believe in Jesus Christ in the same breath are telling the truth. I will never believe they are telling the truth. A person who doesn’t believe, and who hasn’t been saved, has every reason to fear death… and the end of time.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traiters, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

This fear of death is understandable… I too used to fear death and the end of times. Outwardly, I denied fear of either, but inwardly I trembled. I no longer have that fear because I know the promise of eternity and salvation through Christ. Knowing that the end is coming at some unknown point in time, I hope and pray that God calls my family and me Home first– because it isn’t something I want to witness from Earth’s vantage point.

Sometimes I think, and I’m sure it is true, that some of these end-of-time theories are created to instill fear and panic for the purpose of capital gain. It’s really sad, if you think about it, that the world has gotten so far away from what is right that such false sayings are so easily believed. People are so quick to believe the Y2K theories, the “predictions” of Nostradamus, the Mayan calendar theory– yet they have free access to the One and Only Truth [Bible] and discount it as false. It’s twisted and backward these lies satan tells.

This world is diluted with deceit– lies spread by the evil one. These predictions, in my opinion, are just one more rung on the deceitful one’s ladder (that leads straight down into the bottomless pit). If he can get people to believe these lies (which he successfully does) then he separates God’s people from Him even further. Don’t fall for such lies and untruths. God has fore-warned us that the days of earth will end… instead of focusing on when that will happen, focus on preparing yourself for it. Leave the hour and day up to the One who created it all.

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:42

Childhood memories!

Oct 8th, 2010

by Nickie.

4 comments

This is so cool! I love it!

I remember when my little brother was, well, wee little… we had a little red wagon and I used to pull him around in it. Fun fun! My Little Man loves wagons, and he would get such a kick out of this! (I’ll definitely be showing him this video!)

IRSF Needs YOUR votes!!

Sep 24th, 2010

by Nickie.

Comments are off for this post

What is IRSF? It is the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.

What is Rett Syndrome? A unique developmental disorder that is first recognized in infancy and seen almost always in girls, but can be rarely seen in boys. Rett syndrome has been most often misdiagnosed as autism, cerebral palsy, or non-specific developmental delay. It is caused by mutations on the X chromosome on a gene called MECP2. There are more than 200 different mutations found on the MECP2 gene. Most of these mutations are found in eight different “hot spots.”

Rett syndrome strikes all racial and ethnic groups, and occurs worldwide in 1 of every 10,000 to 23,000 female births. It is a developmental disorder. It is not a degenerative disorder. It causes problems in brain function that are responsible for cognitive, sensory, emotional, motor and autonomic function. These can include learning, speech, sensory sensations, mood, movement, breathing, cardiac function, and even chewing, swallowing, and digestion.

Rett syndrome symptoms appear after an early period of apparently normal or near normal development until six to eighteen months of life, when there is a slowing down or stagnation of skills. A period of regression then follows when she loses communication skills and purposeful use of her hands. Soon, stereotyped hand movements such as hand-washing, gait disturbances, and slowing of the normal rate of head growth become apparent. Other problems may include seizures and disorganized breathing patterns while she is awake. In the early years, there may be a period of isolation or withdrawal when she is irritable and cries inconsolably. Over time, motor problems may increase, but in general, irritability lessens and eye contact and communication improve.

Rett syndrome is confirmed with a simple blood test to identify the MECP2 mutation. However, since the MECP2 mutation is also seen in other disorders, the presence of the MECP2 mutation in itself is not enough for the diagnosis of Rett syndrome. Diagnosis requires either the presence of the mutation (a molecular diagnosis) or fulfillment of the diagnostic criteria (a clinical diagnosis, based on signs and symptoms that you can observe) or both. It can present with a wide range of disability ranging from mild to severe. The course and severity of Rett syndrome is determined by the location, type and severity of her mutation and X-inactivation. Therefore, two girls of the same age with the same mutation can appear quite different.

Rett syndrome presents many challenges, but with love, therapy and assistance, those with the syndrome can benefit from school and community activities well into middle age and beyond. They experience a full range of emotions and show their engaging personalities as they take part in social, educational, and recreational activities at home and in the community. ¹

IRSF is in the running to win a $250K research grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project. This grant could mean $500K for Rett Syndrome due to a generous matching gift grant from the Pioneer Fund of Colorado. Research has shown that symptoms of Rett can be reversed in a mouse model. IRSF is targeting research funds to discover, develop and test new drugs to treat and reverse Rett Syndrome. The research is too promising to not fight for this grant!

We need YOU to be a Rett Hero today and help IRSF win $500,000. Make it your goal for the next 10 days to get 10 new people a day committed to vote daily. VOTE EVERYDAY and SHARE!

There are three ways to vote, everyday (You can vote ALL THREE WAYS everyday):

Text a vote: Send 100842 to Pepsi @ 73774 (you should receive a thank you text; standard text messaging rates apply)
Vote with FACEBOOK: @ http://www.rettsyndrome.org/pepsi (Click on the VOTE link, go to lower left corner and click “Sign In,” click and complete “Log in with Facebook,” click “Vote for this idea” and then sign out.)
Vote with the Refresh Site @ http://www.rettsyndrome.org/pepsi (Click on the VOTE link, make sure you sign in, click “Vote for this idea,” then sign out.

SEE THE FACES OF RETT SYNDROME

Links to other Rett sites:
Girl Power, Girl Power Blog, Rett Girl, Rett Girl Blog, Rett Help, Rett Syndrome

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE EVERYDAY!

Bonus: Win an iPad– sign up for the daily email reminders and vote for IRSF every day! If IRSF wins the $250K, your name and email address will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win an iPad!

Spread the word. Click on any of the SHARE options below!

¹Quoted from IRSF