No Longer Silent

I received an e-mail about a conference that I'm attending, informing me that attendees questioned why the soapmaking guild was hosting the upcoming conference in Indiana in light of the "anti-gay law" that Governor Pence just passed. Or, is it anti-gay?

The "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" (RFRA) that the Governor of Indiana just passed reflects the federal law (by the same name) that was introduced by Chuck Shumer and signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993. It "ensures that interests in religious freedom are protected." How is it an anti-gay law now, but not before?

Those in favor say the law protects businesses from having to provide services that offend their religious beliefs and that it will keep the government from forcing them to provide services that they find objectionable, such as a Christian minister performing a same-sex wedding.

This law counteracts recent events where legal action forced business owners with religious convictions to serve LGBT couples (the florist who refused to provide flowers for a same-sex marriage, a baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for the same reason)."It's discriminatory!" has been the outcry.

Is it all right to force people to provide services even if in so doing it violates their conscience? Should a Jewish business owner be forced to design Swastika plaques? Or, an atheist jeweler to sell crucifixes? A Muslim butcher to sell pork? 

The law was passed to prevent this kind of manipulation. This law that protects religious business owners protects us all from being forced to do something against our conscience. Whether or not you're against same-sex marriage is not the issue; it's about having the right to run a business according to your beliefs.

Unfortunately, what was intended to protect religious freedom has been misconstrued, spawning vitriol and mistruths.

When a pendulum swings too far off center, a counteracting force balances it: this law is that counter balance. It reaffirms our freedom of religion, a constitutional right.

(http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/13pdf/13-354_olp1.pdf
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/political/gov-pence-to-sign-religious-freedom-bill-thursday
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/washington-florist-sued-refusing-provide-flowers-sex-wedding/story?id=18922065

Like a Million Bucks~

--is how my cat makes me feel. My husband will argue that Chambo is useless: he meows to go out and come in a dozen times an hour; awakes us early weekend mornings to be fed; snuggles on his terms; stretches across the bed so I find myself sleeping scrunched up; occupies Meisje's bed, impeding her comfort...

     But he makes me feel special: he's the first to greet me when I arrive home; wherever I am, it's not long before he's there, too (although, he acts like he'd be there anyway); he purrs loudly and looks at me with eyes at half mast with contentment as if there's no other place he'd rather be.

     And our dog. She thinks we got her as a watch dog, so, until she lost some hearing, she'd dutifully bark full throttle with fur standing on end until all danger had passed every time Brad arrived home from work. Not so when solicitors or Jehovah's Witnesses came by, though. She thinks she's earned her keep and is enjoying her retirement years. No more frantic barking.

     Yes, there's fur and dander, chewed shoes and furniture, accidents, vet appointments, grooming and food bills, but the benefits...

     Pet owners have: 

*a decreased risk of asthma and allergies (ironic, I know); 

*reduced stress and increased feeling of contentment and relaxation;

*a lower risk of having a fatal heart attack;

*lower blood pressure and cholesterol;

*a more active lifestyle.

     The day after a friend's father passed away, a dog started visiting the widow's house daily. Grace has never seen the dog before, yet the dog lay at Grace's feet as if she'd done it a thousand times before. I bet that pup made Grace feel like a million bucks.

     

Sources:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/6-health-benefits-of-having-pets.html

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/health-benefits-of-pets- See more at: http://www.alphaomegasoaps.com/blog/like-a-million-bucks#sthash.CJXzvwXU.dpuf

Purim: An Event that Changed History

You don’t hear much about the Jewish holiday of Purim (on March 4,5 this year), yet it’s based on an event so significant that it changed the trajectory of the history of the Jewish people. 

Occurring during the time of the Persian King Ahasuerus (486-465 B.C.), the king unwittingly left the fate of the Jewish people to Haman who wanted them exterminated. Enter Esther, a beautiful Jewess whom the king had chosen among a multitude of young maidens to be the Queen. Realizing Haman’s evil plan, she asked her people to fast and pray with her for three days before approaching the king to save her people. God answered their cry for deliverance and they were spared extermination.

Esther was in the right place at the right time with a tender heart of submission. While an earthly king had chosen her for her beauty to be queen, the King of kings had chosen her to bring deliverance to her people who were destined to destruction. 

It was no insignificant thing to approach the king, for if they did so without his invitation and he didn't extend his scepter to them, they were to be put to death. When Esther voiced this concern to Mordecai, he said, "...Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14c)  Her response, "Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16c). 

This young woman (probably a teenager) was beautiful and meek with a passion for justice that made her strong and bold. We need Esthers and Mordecais today: people whose hearts are anchored with God's purpose and vision, who can change the trajectory of history.

Evil and darkness are washing over this country like a tidal wave. If there's ever a time to fast and pray, it is now. "Who knows whether you have not come.....for such a time as this?"