Happy New Year to all my friends and family. We woke up to this site this morning and it reminded me of these verses from Isaiah chapter 1:
“Let Us Reason”
18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. 19 “If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land; 20 “But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
What a great God we have! Though our sins are as scarlet, they can be white as snow.
Back around Christmas in 2010, I put up these two posts about a story that intrigued me when I heard it. I have since found out that Mr. Longfellow had some interesting beliefs (Have the revisionists taken him apart, too?). However, the words of this song are so inspirational that I felt led to share the story once more.
When Brother Dick led the congregation in singing last week, he would never know how his selection of this song would bless me this year.
It is not one of the more popular Christmas Songs, but as I sang the song I did something I don’t always do I’m sorry to say.
I took note of the words.
This song, indeed, fits the times in which we live.
I looked at the bottom of the page and saw that the words had been written by the famous American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
I went home and did some research.
I discovered that hymn books remove two of the verses that were originally written by the famous poet.
The verses are removed because they have references to the American Civil War.
Mr. Longfellow wrote the poem on Christmas Day in 1864, when the war had affected nearly everyone in the country.
Unfortunately, the great poet was no exception.
Three months after the war had begun, in July of 1861, tragedy struck the Longfellow family.
Francis Longfellow had just trimmed some of seven-year-old Edith’s hair. Mrs. Longfellow then decided to preserve some of the clippings in sealing wax. While melting a bar of sealing wax with a candle, a few drops of the super heated wax fell on Fanny’s dress. The hot wax ignited the dress, swallowing the beloved wife and mother in flames.
Fanny ran to Henry in the next room. Henry grabbed a small throw rug and wrapped it around his wife, attempting to smother the flames. Unsuccessful, he finally wrapped his arms around his wife in a last attempt to stop the fire.
Henry’s attempt not only burned his face, hands, and arms severely; the effort to save his wife had failed.
Fanny Longfellow died the next morning.
Because of his injuries and his unbearable grief, Henry was unable to attend his wife’s funeral.
Two years later, Charles, Henry’s oldest son, a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac, was severely wounded in the Battle of New Hope Church. This happened the month before Christmas in 1863.
It is no surprise there is no entry in Mr. Longfellow’s journal for the Christmas of 1863.
Still grieving over the events of the past few years, Henry put his famous pen to paper on Christmas Day in 1864.
This poem is the result.
Jean Baptiste Calkin added the music in 1872.
Mr. Longfellow heard his words in music for a decade, until his death in 1882.
The words have inspired many, as they have me in 2010. (And they are still as inspirational in 2023!)
May God give you a peace that passes all understanding, like He did to Mr. Longfellow, throughout this Christmas season.
Chris Reimers
(Composed on Christmas Day, 1864)
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’ unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men
And in despair I bowed my head: “ There is no peace on earth,” I said,
Pushing back against the Biden administration’s radical identity politics, 19 state attorneys general and numerous conservative and religious organizations last week stood up for religious liberty and for long-standing, effective child adoption services. Good. The Biden proposal at issue is pernicious.
As succinctly put by Advancing American Freedom, a think tank founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, the proposal “would violate the religious freedom of foster care families and ultimately make the shortage of families working within the foster care system worse.”
Nov. 27 was the deadline for comments about the “Safe and Appropriate Foster Care Placement Requirements,” a rule proposed by President Joe Biden’s Administration for Children and Families, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. It is yet another manifestation of the Left’s obsession with sexual behaviors and “identities.” It would prevent states from using child adoption agencies, most of them faith-based, that do not accept leftist dogma about clothing choices and “pronouns” for “children in foster care who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, as well as children who are non-binary, or have non-conforming gender identity or expression.”
The regulation would put children in charge: No matter the child’s biology or anatomy, his or her “self-identified sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression” would rule the day. Adoption and foster care organizations that do not agree to be “trained” — that is, refuse to be indoctrinated — to comply with the “name and pronouns that align with [children’s] gender identity,” no matter how fleeting or ill-considered, will be banned from providing services to homeless children labeled “LGBTQI+.” If readers cross-refer supporting documents cited for the proposed, it is clear that the required “support” presumes a bias in favor of chemical and surgical transitioning procedures.
Most faith-based adoption agencies reject the transgender assault on chromosomal and anatomical reality, which often does lasting harm. Yet they make up 40% of government-contracted child placement agencies. In some states, either most, in the case of New Mexico, all, private placement agencies are Christian. Observant Christians are three times more likely than the general population to consider fostering children. The attorneys general draw the unavoidable conclusion: “Without faith-based organizations and foster homes, the foster care system would face a critical lack of placement options.”
As the attorneys general also write, the religious-liberty implications of the proposed rule are profound: “This proposed rule seeks to accomplish indirectly what the Supreme Court found unconstitutional just two years ago: remove faith-based providers from the foster care system if they will not conform their religious beliefs on sexual orientation and gender identity.” And: “The proposed rule is unconstitutional because it discriminates against individuals and organizations of faith who want to serve children in the foster care system. The proposed rule also unconstitutionally forces [so-called gender-affirming] speech on foster providers.”
For good measure, say the top state legal officers, the proposal also would violate the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Harm is done not only to would-be adoptive families and agencies that place children but also to children themselves. By eliminating so many providers and families from consideration, “the proposed rule will harm LGBTQI+ foster children by limiting their family setting options.” Instead of being placed in families that might provide a nurturing atmosphere, they would probably be placed in “congregate settings” that would not give them individual attention or familial love.
Isn’t finding a loving surrogate family the main point of adoption and foster care?
Willingness to love a child, not subscription to misconceived leftist gender ideology, is what makes a good adoptive or foster family. For the government to force out faith-based institutions and families would create a dystopian world in which sexuality crowds out what is fully human.
I read this article today and feel this is very important news. Anyone who has followed this blog long enough knows how I feel about corrupt Child Protection Services. I started covering the Barnevernet in Norway in 2016.
I agree with former Vice President Mike Pence that Biden’s rule “would violate the religious freedom of foster care families and ultimately make the shortage of families working within the foster care system worse.”
I hope you are able to watch what transpired today in our nation’s capitol. In our times, when antisemitism seems to be widespread, it is nice to see an event like this one. I am praying for the peace of Jerusalem. I support Israel’s right to exist as God’s covenant with Abraham is clear in Genesis 15:
15 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” 2 Abram said, “O Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.” 4 Then behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.” 5 And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. 7 “
The covenant between Abraham and God consisted of three separate parts: 1) the promised land. 2) the promise of the descendants. 3) the promise of blessing and redemption.
I don’t agree with the politics of some of the speakers at this event, but I appreciate their willingness to speak out in support of Israel.
It says something that this event had so much security. How did this happen in America? I hope all Christians get back to reading their Bibles. As I’ve asked so many times on this blog: “How can God bless a people who turn their backs on Him?”
May God bless Israel, and may God bless the United States of America.
Chris Reimers
Approximately 290,000 attended this event. The largest event of its kind ever.
At last count approximately 516,000 people have watched this video.
Before the end of the year, I want to make sure I share this video with you. A challenge has been given to the ten greatest origin of life researchers.
Anyone who questions Dr. Tour’s experience only need look at his impressive biography:
I just finished watching this video. I have known about each one of these false teachers for a long time and I have been critical of each one of them for a long time as well. I also know the good men in the video who are exposing the truth of this corruption and deception. The stumbling blocks are everywhere. They are found in Australia, Nigeria, and America in particular. The reality is that this problem is getting worse with new names seeming to join this cast of frauds on a daily basis. Justin Peters rightfully identifies them as charlatans. It is important to remind everyone that these people are not teaching Christianity. They teach a false gospel.
Chris Reimers
If you can stomach more of this heresy, Justin Peters shows how ridiculous other false teachers are by using humor:
“For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires…” 2 Timothy 4:3
Just a quick note because I know most of you are spending time with family and I certainly don’t want to intrude. There is a post here that was written for Veteran’s day but has patriotic sentiment that fits the 4th of July. You may not have the time to read it today but maybe you can get around to check out parts of it eventually. It is about a man whom I met who lived near me whom I was very fortunate to meet.
Happy 4th and please be careful if you are setting off any fireworks.
Born Again
Beth is a born again Christian who lives in Canada. She believes that Jesus is the the way, the truth, and the life and she also believes that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. She blogs on a variety of topics.
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Elizabeth is a writer of Evangelical Christian books based in Ireland. Her books are currently published under “Ready Writer Publications.” Her blog is a testimony to her Christian faith and always an enjoyable read.
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Tom has a loving heart for Catholics and his blog is an attempt to help those in Catholic churches understand that we are saved by grace alone. He blogs on a variety of topics.
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If you have a teenager or anyone close to being one, this is a must read
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Posted by Chris 
Wings of the Wind 
Adoption and Foster Care in America
December 8, 2023Biden’s War on Family and Faith Continues.
Story by Washington Examiner • 4d
Pushing back against the Biden administration’s radical identity politics, 19 state attorneys general and numerous conservative and religious organizations last week stood up for religious liberty and for long-standing, effective child adoption services. Good. The Biden proposal at issue is pernicious.
As succinctly put by Advancing American Freedom, a think tank founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, the proposal “would violate the religious freedom of foster care families and ultimately make the shortage of families working within the foster care system worse.”
STATES SHOULD WELCOME RELIGIOUSLY MOTIVATED FOSTER PARENTS
Nov. 27 was the deadline for comments about the “Safe and Appropriate Foster Care Placement Requirements,” a rule proposed by President Joe Biden’s Administration for Children and Families, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. It is yet another manifestation of the Left’s obsession with sexual behaviors and “identities.” It would prevent states from using child adoption agencies, most of them faith-based, that do not accept leftist dogma about clothing choices and “pronouns” for “children in foster care who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, as well as children who are non-binary, or have non-conforming gender identity or expression.”
The regulation would put children in charge: No matter the child’s biology or anatomy, his or her “self-identified sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression” would rule the day. Adoption and foster care organizations that do not agree to be “trained” — that is, refuse to be indoctrinated — to comply with the “name and pronouns that align with [children’s] gender identity,” no matter how fleeting or ill-considered, will be banned from providing services to homeless children labeled “LGBTQI+.” If readers cross-refer supporting documents cited for the proposed, it is clear that the required “support” presumes a bias in favor of chemical and surgical transitioning procedures.
Most faith-based adoption agencies reject the transgender assault on chromosomal and anatomical reality, which often does lasting harm. Yet they make up 40% of government-contracted child placement agencies. In some states, either most, in the case of New Mexico, all, private placement agencies are Christian. Observant Christians are three times more likely than the general population to consider fostering children. The attorneys general draw the unavoidable conclusion: “Without faith-based organizations and foster homes, the foster care system would face a critical lack of placement options.”
As the attorneys general also write, the religious-liberty implications of the proposed rule are profound: “This proposed rule seeks to accomplish indirectly what the Supreme Court found unconstitutional just two years ago: remove faith-based providers from the foster care system if they will not conform their religious beliefs on sexual orientation and gender identity.” And: “The proposed rule is unconstitutional because it discriminates against individuals and organizations of faith who want to serve children in the foster care system. The proposed rule also unconstitutionally forces [so-called gender-affirming] speech on foster providers.”
For good measure, say the top state legal officers, the proposal also would violate the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Harm is done not only to would-be adoptive families and agencies that place children but also to children themselves. By eliminating so many providers and families from consideration, “the proposed rule will harm LGBTQI+ foster children by limiting their family setting options.” Instead of being placed in families that might provide a nurturing atmosphere, they would probably be placed in “congregate settings” that would not give them individual attention or familial love.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Isn’t finding a loving surrogate family the main point of adoption and foster care?
Willingness to love a child, not subscription to misconceived leftist gender ideology, is what makes a good adoptive or foster family. For the government to force out faith-based institutions and families would create a dystopian world in which sexuality crowds out what is fully human.
Tags: Editorials, adoption, Foster Care, Transgender, Joe Biden, Opinion
Original Author: Washington Examiner
—————————————————
I read this article today and feel this is very important news. Anyone who has followed this blog long enough knows how I feel about corrupt Child Protection Services. I started covering the Barnevernet in Norway in 2016.
I agree with former Vice President Mike Pence that Biden’s rule “would violate the religious freedom of foster care families and ultimately make the shortage of families working within the foster care system worse.”
Chris Reimers
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