Mommy Wars: A Response to Amy Glass

This is a response to the Amy Glass post titled "I Look Down on Young Women with Husbands and Kids and I'm Not Sorry" found here.

Dear Amy,

I was just apprised of your perspective on SAHM's. I read your thoughts. Here are some of mine.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance at the age of 19. I worked in Banking for four years until I purchased and built a National Franchise with my husband for the next four. I ran the sales side of the business, which had an annual revenue of over $1,000,000. I received a $1300 a month allowance to lease the Mercedes Benz of my choice as a result of my accomplishments from our Franchise Headquarters. After we had our first child, it became apparent to me exactly what you said, "The dominate cultural voice will tell you these are things you can do with a husband and kids, but as I've written before, that's a lie. It’s just not reality. You will never have the time, energy, freedom or mobility to be exceptional if you have a husband and kids."

I agree that I could not do both well because of the demands of that role and because I missed my daughter. I wanted to be able to be with her when she was sick or when she said her first words. All of the material possessions that our culture tells us are "must haves" or will give us our feeling of self-worth were not as important to me as she was/is. 

You talk about major accomplishments. I can tell you that all the sales goals that I hit were immediately forgotten the next month when the new goals rolled out. My children however will be greatly influenced by my everyday actions and will be remembered long into the future. The way that I do the laundry. Do I complain when they wipe their nose on me, or do I quietly teach them to blow their nose? Do I help them resolve conflict or just yell at them and tell them they need to figure it out? I want them to learn to love God and treat others the way Christ would. I am the best teacher for that job.

Our perspectives and priorities are different and that's ok. I would ask you to consider that you do not have to climb over others to be or feel successful. The core of your article seems to assign value to humans based on what you think is valuable. We can be happy for other women and rejoice with those who rejoice when the are having a baby and throw them a shower. If you want to throw someone a party for another occasion, DO IT!! Celebrate!! 

I don't care about feminism. I don't need to push a cause. I need to make the best decisions I can with where I'm at. Do I miss getting paid monetarily well for what I do? Absolutely. Do I miss the mental challenge and adult interaction? Absolutely. Do I miss getting to leave work and be done with work? Absolutely. But, I chose to get married and have children, and I am choosing to put the same energy and dedication into this job that I would if I were getting paid $200,000 a year to reach sales goals. You may not make the same decision. Again, that's ok.

As my children grow, and when my children graduate from high school and college, they can look back and understand what I "sacrificed" to be with them. I loved them so much I wanted to be with them. Not because I couldn't figure out how to have a "real accomplishment", but because I chose to make them my accomplishment for this time of my life. It's not wrong, it's just different.

One day I hope that my children will arise and call me blessed (Proverbs 31:28). ~Julia

Be Careful Where You Place Your Hope

A good reminder this election day, from The Gospel Coalition:

As Americans, it's often helpful to be reminded that the epicenter of Christ's kingdom is not located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And the purposes of God have never been thwarted at the hands of men---a streak that's not about to end on November 6. Such a recognition isn't quietism or escapism---just biblical Christianity.

President Obama and Governor Romney are, like you and me, feeble creatures of dust. They're worthy of our honor (Eccl. 10:20; 1 Pet. 2:17), but never our hope. 

So pay your taxes, choose your candidate, and cast your vote (politics does matter, after all), but do so as one whose trust is anchored in another world. As citizens of "a better country" (Heb. 11:16; cf. Phil. 3:20), we the people of the risen King await "new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Pet. 3:13). 

Whatever comes of our quadrennial sojourn to the ballot box, we can rest in the sovereign goodness of a Father who sits enthroned in the heavens and, with majesty and mystery, does whatever he pleases.

In the Beginning God Created

Bill Nye, popular as The Science Guy, has come out with a YouTube Video saying, "Denial of evolution is unique to the United States." 

"In another couple centuries I'm sure that worldview won't even exist. There's no evidence for it. "

We all believe in something...and we all get to choose what that something is. Bill Nye believes in evolution. I believe in God.

Ken Ham with Answers in Genesis has devoted his life to refuting evolutionism. He has developed and built The Creation Museum in Kentucky.

A well written article may be found here stating that in a recent gallup poll 46% of Americans believe in Creation by God. That amazes me since evolution is the only view taught in public schools. Praise God ~Julia

To Chick-fil-A or Not to Chick-fil-A

Well, today was the day. Images like this have been flying around Facebook and the internet like crazy for the past few weeks. Hey, I have to admit, I may have even shared or "liked" this image myself at one point. I haven't even watched the news on TV a whole lot this past week. I've read enough online, and seen enough Facebook talk and commenting done on this issue to know exactly what is going on. 

On the surface of the issue, I agree wholeheartedly with where Mike Huckabee is coming from. If companies like Chick-fil-A can get banned from a city based on the personal beliefs of the CEO, how long will it be until our churches are facing the same kind of attack? 

The right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion is an amazing privilege that we hold here in America. Many countries around the world don't enjoy that same freedom. Churches in America have the right to create a statement of faith, a church constitution or doctrinal statement that reflects the beliefs of that church family. I don't agree with the beliefs of every church in America, but I believe in the law that protects the right to those beliefs. If the government can tell a business, that is based on biblical principles, that it cannot do business in a particular setting, how long will it be before the government tells every church it must allow gay marriages to take place in it's building or be forced to leave? I don't agree with the way many churches have chosen to display their disapproval of the homosexual lifestyle, but I believe fully that a church's right to disapprove, needs to be upheld. 

Moving on, this issue has obviously escalated. Beyond what Mike Huckabee originally intended? I don't know. I'm sure there are plenty of people that wanted this to become big, and to make a loud impression on our nation by the stance they are taking. But did anyone think the overall impression most people would get out of this, would be another reason to think Christians are just a bunch of insensitive, biased, homophobic, uncaring individuals out to prove their own points and push their own agendas? It sure seems like that is the main message coming through. I'm not sure how, but it is. Which does stink, because I love Chick-fil-A. I have, ever since first receiving an Adventures in Odyssey cassette tape in one of their kids meals as a child. We don't have one near us, so I don't go there often at all, but I do agree with the personal beliefs of the CEO regarding homosexuality.

Why are there so many freaky Christians in the world? "Love the sinner, hate the sin" seemed like a simple statement at one point. The controversy now of course, even in many churches, is the idea of referring to homosexuality as a sin. On the other side of things, there are just too many radical church groups out there making a loud, obnoxious stink about homosexuality. The crazies are the ones setting the standard for all Christians. Personally, I don't want to be lumped in with them, so I am more likely to shrink back in fear of speaking my beliefs on the subject. *By the way, I have had many close and extremely personal encounters with friends and family members that are gay, but I didn't really set out to write a lengthy post on homosexuality. In fact, Julia has been working on some posts on this subject for a while now. This is such a sensitive, but important issue facing the church today. Her posts have been in the works for months and have been thought through and prayed over for just as long, but she has not felt right posting them yet.

It is such a fine and delicate line between taking a stand for something that God clearly address in his Word and establishes as wrong (I realize many of you will disagree with that), and making sure that what we are first and foremost communicating is the all encompassing, unconditional, amazing love that God is all about. Why is it that the Christians who take the in your face, loud, obnoxious, inconsiderate and unloving approach always stand out the crowd? We are in a battle on many levels, liberties are under attack. But let's not get so worked up and pumped to battle this issue that we miss the target and take down people while we're at it.

Please stay tuned for more posts on this subject. We want to encourage Christians to put on the right attitude and outlook of this subject. Stand strong and discern when to go to battle over an issue or fight back against an agenda that is being pushed. Do so with strength, and sensitivity. Never let the issue cloud your vision, so that you lose sight of the person God loves. We need more Christians who are willing to take a stand against attacks on the church, agendas in the media and in our schools, but to do so with a love that is loud.

"You Didn't Build That" Obama Attacks Small Business Owners

Here's the Question: 

If you are successful in your business, did it have anything to do with you?

According to Obama, Nope.

Fundamental question: If you are successful in your business, did it have anything to do with you? Or were you successful because the government exists? If you agree with President Obama, you could start your own business, go home and watch the money flow in. On Friday, President Obama gave a speech where he said that if you have a successful business you didn't do that.



Any other business analyst would say that small business is one of the leading creators of jobs. If that is the case, Obama could have created many jobs without spending billions on roads, bridges and the like. Following his thought process you don't even need the American people. I am not sure if he is trying to cover his decision to spend billions of dollars on infrastructure, or he truly believes that small business owners are that inconsequential. 

As a former small business owner, I am shocked by Obama's philosophy. Why, because when we bought our business we put everything we owned plus the family farm, literally, on the line. My husband and I worked 15 hour days on average. We were actually present and active. I personally know several other families that have put all they own on the line and have failed, declaring bankruptcy and left with nothing.

By owning a business with customers and employing 25 people, you are also open to a heightened level of litigation. The claims do not have to be founded, just made and you spend considerable time and resources defending yourself. The risk is incredible for a whole host of reasons. 

You may have a great idea, but the world changes so quickly your good idea may be outdated or copied before you have recovered your investment let alone make money. Maybe you operate an at home business like Mary Kay, Thirty One, Pampered Chef, etc. you are able to attest a difference exists between owners results even with the exact same product. 

I find myself at a loss of even where to start or stop with his comments. I guess you either fundamentally agree with me, or you agree with Obama. I do not see much point in trying to change your philosophy. I respect the position of the Presidency, and I believe that God allowed him to hold the office he holds. Romans 13:1, " Everyone must submit himself to governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established."  Just know for the record, not everyone agrees with Obama, and I am one.

~Julia

Home Education Link:
Don't be afraid to talk with your kids about these real life issues. It could make for some interesting discussions! Talk with them about the differences between capitalism and socialism. What does the Bible have to say about government? Here are some recommended resources for Government and Economics:

Fifty Shades of Compromise

Where do you draw the line? I have been shocked by the number of people, facebook friends and family members alike, that have referenced or admitted to reading the Fifty Shades of Grey books. I really was pretty unaware of this series until just recently. Where have I been?? Now, I am seeing it pop up everywhere! 

This isn't so much a book review, as it is a personal rant on how and why books like this even get so popular! Scroll down to the bottom for some links to actual reviews. In case you didn't know, 50 Shades of Grey has been on the New York Times Best Sellers list for the past 16 weeks and has sold an estimated 20 million copies worldwide.

The world is corrupt, it's messed up. Duh. There was some really twisted stuff going on way back in ancient Rome too, which reminds me that sin is nothing new. For some reason, America has prospered and enjoyed God's hand of protection for many years. I'm not here to claim that the end is near or preach a dooms day message, but our country is changing. There are agendas being pushed that have drastically altered our way of life and the overall opinion of many Americans. This book series is just a piece in the sexual agenda that has only intensified over the years, now to the point of blatantly disturbing. 

There have been plenty of sexually charged movies and books released over the years that have helped pave the way. Singers like Rhianna can now release songs like S&M (and in case you don't get the song, you can watch the video!), which are met with chart topping success rather than disgust and horror. Because Magic Mike will, no doubt, be viewed by countless housewives, teen girls and grandmothers across the country this month, I believe we're well on our way to becoming completely comfortable and accepting of this sort of explicitally sexual entertainment directed at women. 

On the other hand, maybe there is something more we can learn from this! Is there something else going on in the hearts and minds of women across the country that books like 50 Shades of Grey are getting at? I just read an interesting take on this in a blog post written by Melissa Kircher, a frequent writer for Relevant Magazine and Simply Youth Ministry:

There has got to be something going on below the surface, because everything that women say they want, like equality in the workplace, home, finances, etc, is not in this book at all! Western society is doing it's d***dest to erase any kind of gender roles. Yet, here we are with a misogynistic, degrading novel and women can't put it down...

I do think that "Fifty Shades of Grey" hits a nerve in women. That perhaps there is some part of us that is disappointed and frankly exhausted from having to be a million and one different things. We would love to let go and have a man completely be in control, take care of everything and love us with the all-encompassing passionate love...

Does it sound ridiculous to conclude, that the lack of real men, the blurring of gender roles, the fight for women's equality and desire to do it all, has created this emptiness and driving need for something else in the lives of women across the country? A desire for the leadership of a man, maybe (that most woman would never actually admit to because it would contradict everything women have been fighting for all this time)? Could it be possible? Well, I'm not going to go there right now. Maybe another time. But think about it! :)

Shannon Ethridge, author of Every Woman's Battle, refers to this sexually charged shift in our culture as the Sexual Revolution of the Past 40+ Years. She defines this by saying, 

The Sexual Revolution actually isn’t about sex at all. It’s about broken people using other people, desperately trying to medicate their own emotional pain through sexual acts. It’s about loneliness… isolation… rejection… insecurities… co-dependency… selfishness.

Shannon is working on a book entitled The Fantasy Fallacy: A Christians Response to 50 Shades of Grey set to be released in 2013. Check out www.shannonethridge.com for all the great resources Shannon has put out on women's purity and guarding your heart. 

As girls, our minds are powerful things. Guys are visually drawn to pornography, while we are swept away on emotional fantasies and longings of our heart. Soap Operas and romance novels have long been a woman's emotional disconnect into this fantasy world. Personally, I have to be selective and practice moderation even when it comes to "christian" romance novels. Anytime I find myself lost in a book that glamorizes the leading man or makes me long for the perfectly scripted love life of the main character, I am reminded how quickly I can grow discontent with my own life and relationship in the real world. These books, however, take your average romance novel a step further by making their primary purpose; to stimulate sexual desire. 

Read Fifty Ways Porn Might be Sneaking into Your Church for a great list of biblical reasons not to read Fifty Shades of Grey. Dannah Gresh opens with this number one reason for not reading:

Let’s start with the facts. Fifty Shades of Grey is classified as erotic fiction. According to one online dictionary, this genre of literature is defined as that which has “no literary or artistic value other than to stimulate sexual desire.” I’ve been studying what God says about sexuality for fifteen years. According to Him, there is only one who should stimulate sexual desire in me: my husband. Since that’s God’s plan for my sexual desire, anything other than my husband creating arousal in me would be missing the mark of God’s intention. (Translation: it is sin.)

Jesus said it this way: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” The same is true of a woman looking at or reading about a man.

Fifty Shades of Grey...Lady Porn and the Fall of Culture is another good blog post I recently read about Fifty Shades of Grey. Read here, an interesting conversation the author overhears while hovering over the book table at Costco:

One conversation in particular rattled me. A younger woman was holding the book [Fifty Shades] and pondering the purchase. She had an inquisitive and slightly guilty look on her face. An older women standing nearby happened to see the same inquisitive and guilty look and decided to engage the younger lady in conversation. . . . a conversation that pushed the latter to a tipping point. "Thinking about reading it?", the older woman asked. "Yes, but I hear it's a little dirty," the younger woman replied. At that point, the young woman's husband appeared behind her with their cart. Noticing her husband was now privy to the conversation, the young woman turned a little red and muttered something about her husband showing up. . . as if the conversation needed to come to an end. She looked like a guilty kid who had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. The older woman. . . probably in her mid-60s by my estimation. . . looked at her, gave her a little wink, and said, "It's ten dollars well spent." With that, the young woman placed the book in her cart. . . . and I watched her exchange a sly little smile with her husband. That was an interesting mentoring moment that says a lot about who we are and what we're becoming as a culture.

This is a loaded topic. As I have been scanning the internet for reviews and reading what other bloggers have to say, there is no denying that everyone wants to know the same thing: why, oh, why are these books so popular with women??!! For real, why the obsession, ladies? I have a feeling this question could be analyzed and debated till no end. What do you think and where do you draw the line?

Girl's Burned on Class Field Trip Because of Sunscreen Ban

This is amazing. Did you know that your children aren't allowed to have sunscreen without a Doctor's note in 49 states? California, apparently the only state with sun, is the only exception. Jesse Michener's daughters (11 and 9) went to school for a class field trip, and came home burnt to a crisp.



My kids are home schooled, so maybe this is something that everyone else already knew. I guess the lesson is, have your kids wear long sleeves, pants, and a rimmed hat the next time they go on a field trip.  

Today's Health Reported:
When Michener pressed school officials on the ban, they told her that there is a state-wide policy that does not allow staff to apply sunscreen to students, and students can only apply it themselves if they have a doctor’s note. The law exists because the additives in lotions and sunscreens can cause an allergic reaction in children, and sunscreens are regulated by the FDA as an over-the-counter drug. Michener discovered that the policy exists in 49 states nationwide; California is the only state to allow sunscreen in school without a doctor’s note. 


To hear Jesse's perspective you may visit her blog http://lifephotographed.com/2012/06/burn-babies-burn/

Should Karen H Klein Press Charges? She says No, I say Yes

Karen H Klein now has over $602,959 in her Indiegogo account after three days of exposure. ABC News is reporting that although the Police say that the video proves a clear case of harassment Karen is still refusing to press charges. She thinks the boys should be punished, but should be punished by the school.

Disclaimer: I do not personally know Karen or these boys. I am going to be making general statements based on what I do know of the situation. Karen has the option of making her own decisions. I am going to express what my decision would be and why.

"He (the king or ruler of the land like our government now) will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor." Psalm 72:4

"For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight." Psalm 72:12 -14

Proverbs says even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. These boys have been allowed to get away with many bad behaviors.

Often nice people feel that they are being unkind when they are asked to press charges. In reality, by pressing charges they are allowing the government to perform the function that God established for our protection.

What good could come from the boys being prosecuted? Obviously, up until this point nothing has happened in their lives to make them believe there are consequences strong enough for them to stop their bad behavior. I would bet that you would be able to find other people who have suffered similar taunts from these boys. Going through the court process would be a good lesson for them. They would have to get a lawyer, go to court dates, and have an impartial Judge pronounce a sentence. We know they would be guilty because it is clear to see they harassed Karen. This is the only way to show the kids there are consequences for their behavior. Getting suspended or expelled or kicked off the bus is not going to leave as much of an impact.

The other reasoning that seems so powerful is right now they are minors. They will be treated like minors in the court system.

The Bible says, in Hebrews 12:6, that God disciplines those He loves. For the same reason that I discipline my children. I don't love disciplining them, but if they are running toward the street and a car is coming, I need to know they will stop if I yell stop. It's not a game, and it's not time to count to three. I need obedience the first time I call.

You've heard the punishment needs to fit the crime. Meaning, the next time those boys think of treating someone else the same way, the thought goes through their head, "I don't want to get a lawyer, I don't want to have court dates, I don't want to see my family upset, I don't want a Judge to tell me what I did was wrong, and I don't want to have community service!!!" The other reasoning that seems so powerful is right now they are minors. They will be treated like minors in the court system. Meaning their sentence will reflect lessor punishment now, than if they are emboldened thinking they are invincible and can get away with anything.

Eventually, we'd like to see the boys refuse to treat anyone the same way they treated Karen because they understand it hurts that person.

In any situation, we need to let the police and court systems do their jobs. If we tie their hands, they cannot protect us the way God designed them.

~Julia

Who is Karen H Klein?

What does the Bible say about Bullying?

Fox News Interview

$413,465 Newest Numbers for Karen H Klein

The support for Karen has been overwhelming to put it mildly. God loves a cheerful giver, and so does Karen. After one full day random people around the world have $413,465 in an account waiting for her. The average donation to her on Indiegogo is about $20 per person. Over 19,000 people have decided to give.

Is anyone else totally amazed by this? Instead of riding the school bus, Karen's new job is hitting refresh on her Internet browser to see the generosity of people directed toward her. She is just shy of 26 years of her current income given to her in one day.

In her interview on Fox News, Karen said even more than the money was the support that the money represents. Keep in mind this interview was $300,000 ago!!

I hope that the message being communicated is clear. We do need to do to others as we would have them do to us. Matthew 7:12 While these boys were unkind to her, it is reassuring to see so many strangers taking a stand when they see amoral behavior.

For more information on this story:

What happened to Karen?

How should we respond to bullies?

~Julia

Update: Help and Support for Karen H Klein Bullied Bus Monitor

Karen H Klein has gone viral. Even though nine years of salary and counting has been given to her, Karen says she isn't planning on quitting her job.

Here's what ABC News is reporting

The 10-minute video of Klein’s abuse has been viewed more than 1 million times and sparked a fundraising appeal in hopes of giving Klein a vacation and possibly getting her off the bus permanently.

As of early this morning, a petition posted on indiegogo.com indicated that more than $110,000 was donated to a fund for Klein, far overreaching the expected $5,000 with 30 days still to go in the online campaign. Of the more than 18,000 comments posted on YouTube, most appeared to uniformly condemn the students’ behavior.

“It does make me feel a whole lot better,” Klein said of the positive reaction. “I appreciated everything. I think it’s awesome.”

Police have interviewed four of the students, but no arrests have been made. The Greece school district said its bullying team is investigating, and the students will be disciplined.

The father of one of the teenage boys who was involved in the bullying says his “heart broke” to see that his son was part of the abuse, but that the boys have suffered enough with their faces made public in the video.

“My family’s received death threats,” Robert Helms told ABC News. “He’s a 13-year-old kid. It was a stupid mistake and he’s paying for it but I just think it’s a little out of control.”

What do you think?

~Julia




View Our original article:

Help and Support for Bullied Bus Monitor: Karen Klein




A Biblical Response to Bullying:

Raising Bullies

Help and Support for Bullied Bus Monitor Karen H Klein?

The power of the Internet is amazing. Karen H Klein was being bullied by  students on the bus. The kicker is she is an adult. These Jr. High boys in the back of the bus are calling her fat, and she starts crying. They still make fun of her and swear at her. She says, "Unless you have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." The boys look at her and just keep swearing at her and taunting her even threatening her life.



I have no idea who was shooting this video, but if I had to guess it would be one of the boys to keep as a trophy. I cannot imagine all of the stuff that she has put up with all the years. This is a slight glimpse of what goes on in our schools and especially our school buses.  The good news is some of the boys lean in, so there is no doubt who they are. I am sure those boys will tell on the other boys, etc.

She has worked in this capacity since 1992 and makes $16,000 a year. Max Sidorov set up an outlet on a website Indiegogo for people to donate to give her a vacation. As of 11:00 tonight, June 20, they raised over $86,000. That was all raised today. If you want to contribute, or see how quickly money is coming in for her click here. Literally, thousands of dollars were raised before our eyes within an hour. The average person is clicking and donating $20, some are donating $1 and others much more.
All the money being raised for her makes you wonder will Karen Klein quit her job?

Tomorrow she will be on Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper and probably many other shows before the day is out.

My heart breaks for this lady and others like her. Imagine if she were a child!
~Julia

*Update: $119,591 at 7:35 a.m., Thursday, June 21, 2012


A Biblical Response to Bullying

Updated Post About Karen