Abigail and Dolley is a record of the ponderings and interests of a Modern Woman. From faith, to hobbies, to political and social commentary; I share with you whatever is brewing around in my brain at the time. Thanks for reading!
Whenever I stumble upon a Christian writer, I try to determine early on what they believe, this is prudent. Here at Abigail and Dolley we believe in the inerrancy of the Scripture (Protestant), that the word of God is inspired and infallible, that all Scripture is useful in the teaching and reproofing of the people. We don't pick and choose which Scriptures we like, we take the Word as it was given to us. We are pretribulation Rapture dispensationalist and believe in a literal Second Coming and Millennial Reign. We believe in crucifixion of the flesh and reject the tenants of the Word of Faith heresy. We believe the age of Grace is rapidly coming to an end at that the Church will be called home to meet the Lord soon, from there a 7 year Tribulation will descend upon the World. Maranantha.
Abigail and Dolley readers some years ago I read the story of the shepherds, the significance of Bethlehem, and the wonderful plan of God. Every Christmas I am reminded of the story and wish that more folks knew and understood the significance of Bethlehem.
You see, Bethlehem was where the lambs of the temple were kept and raised. These were the perfect lambs of God. The shepherds who tended them were trained in the laws and the rules of the law. They were special, set apart, and holy unto God.
Midgal Eder - over the fields of Bethlehem
It was no accident that there was no room at the inn, for the true Lamb of God would not be born in a house but in a pure, clean, and holy lambing barn. The final sacrifice for our Sin, the Holy Lamb of God, born for us in that special place.
The depth of the story, the significance of the place, the foreshadowing of the event in Genesis is full of wonder and majesty. We do indeed worship a Holy and Blessed Lord. If you'd like to read more, check out these links:
Abigail and Dolley readers I have been much less introspective these days. The lost days of 2010 are retreating into the past and the rebuilding and renewal days of 2011 are coming to a close. I have turned outward to my country, my friends, and my work. I am passionate about the up coming electoral season and will work to play my part as a citizen. Lest I become too absorbed in the world, I am disciplined in my prayer time.
I find myself increasingly burdened for those who are without Christ. They play across the landscape of my mind, I see their faces, I weep for them in their lost state. I pray earnestly that they come into a relationship with the Living God. I wonder how they make it through this hard life without the blessed assurance that they are love, saved, and not alone. How do the deal with sickness, death, or unemployment? How indeed?
I pray, "Lord, if you would have me witness, give me the words and the opportunity." From my human perspective, I want to argue with them, I want to convince them of the truth. I want to use reason and logic, I want to use history and prophecy. I want to prove to them the validity of faith and in the end I feel totally ill equipped for the task. I have been a Christian since I was a child. I do not believe I have ever helped lead anyone to the Lord.
My husband, on the other hand, has been privileged to lead hundreds to faith and help guide hundreds more along their journey. Perhaps these folks will be credited to me in Heaven because I have worked very hard to enable my hubby to have that opportunity. Regardless, the burden for souls does not abate with large successes, you either have it or you don't. I feel it intensely.
Blogger has added the analytics tab to the settings for easy access to their analysis. When the blog was first launched, I was very intent to promote it and bring traffic to the site. Today, I am just thankful that I have this small forum and that I have faithful readers who stop by and have a cup of tea with me every now and then. Perhaps there are some, who have stumbled upon this blog and been encouraged. Perhaps there are some, who have been directed here and enjoyed their stay and even learned a thing or two. I hope I have been a light, I hope that the love I feel for the Lord has come through. I hope the love I have for our Country has been represented well. In short, I hope I have been a good and faithful servant,
Abigail and Dolley readers do you remember the world before email? If you remember that time, then you will also remember the first time you received an email that tampons were giving women cancer, that Nutra Sweet was killing people, and that their were spiders lurking under public toilet seats ready to strike. Maybe you received an email about a gang initiation with headlight flashing or a prayer request for a cancer patient; in the beginning, we passed them on as true! We typed dire warnings to our friends and colleagues, MUST READ! There have always been Urban Legends but email made them instantly accessible to everyone and they flew from keystroke to email box with lightening speed.
Eventually though, cooler heads prevailed and sites such as Truth or Fiction.com and Snopes were launched to combat these internet rumors. You will occasionally still get one via email but not like in those first days of email. People have become wiser, they are skeptical, and they do their own research.
I think we need to employ this same level of wisdom, skeptism, and research to news stories of the day and specifically to smear pieces put out to destroy one GOP candidate or the other. Much like when email began, this is our first Presidential election where Social media is coming into play on a big way. In that regard, we have not yet developed the same level of control we exhibit about hairless cats that turn out to be giant rats that eat your other pets...
Abigail and Dolley readers it is a testament to the age we live in, where trust of the media and public officials has reached such a low level that anything is plausible. The libertarians are the absolute worst about spreading this kind of thing. There is a rumor running rampant among the Paulbots that the FEMA prison camps are opening back up and they are all going to be herded into them before the election, presumably so Ron Paul won't be elected President. They buy into this garbage with a fervor that is amazing.
Another Libertarian lie is that Newt Gingrich is a big government Progressive who believes in a New World Order. They are compiling videos of Newt speaking of historical politicians who are on their "Progressive Enemies Lists." There is no context to these videos, no more that 10 second snippets, and they prove nothing except that the compilers are out to paint Newt as an evil enemy.
If you want to look at someone's beliefs is it really necessary to dig into their nuances when the surface level behavior does not support your hypothesis? Think about it, if Newt was a Progressive wouldn't his speeches, his institutions, his books, and his movies reflect his core beliefs? I would venture a guess that in the dozen years since Newt left public office he would be free to pursue his Progressive Agenda uninhibited by the need to be reelected.
Just look at Gingrich Productions, does this site seem a Progressive media site to you? Look at the DVD titles:
A City Upon a Hill - Rediscovering American Exceptional-ism
America at Risk - Post 9/11 dangers facing the USA
Nine Days that Changed the World - The Pope and Poland and how it was the first shot in destroying the Iron Curtain
Ronald Reagan: A Rendezvous with Destiny
Rediscovering God in America Part 1 and Part 2 - Our Godly History
We Have the Power - American Energy
Does that seem like Titles a Progressive would produce? No? Me either.
Is Newt Gingrich really a Progressive in disguise? Glenn Beck seems to think so and is absolutely tearing up the airwaves to insure everyone who is still paying attention to him hears it, too. I heard the interview that Beck did with Gingrich last week - I also saw it. I saw how Beck was rolling his eyes, not paying attention to answers to his questions; the man had clearly made up his mind before the interview started and it was a sham to try to prove to his audience that he "gave him a chance to explain these things." Immediately after hanging up with Gingrich, he got Bauchmann on the line and they held a Newt bashing. Beck is publicly supporting and endorsing Bauchmann, so take this assault with a grain.
I've been a long time fan of Beck's and have caught him on the radio in the weeks leading up to this "interview" and was appalled at the lies he was spouting. I kept yelling at my radio, "That is propaganda, Glenn! Do your research." I was relieved when Newt agreed to do the interview and figured that once they had a chance to speak and once Beck had done his research he would quit with the smear, alas I was wrong. Beck has revealed himself to the public, what others in the industry have known for a while now, he is a charlatan.
Many pundits have been open about their dislike of Newt and while I don't agree with them, I respect their right to feel that way. Beck has taken it several steps further and he is dead to me. He has incorrectly labeled Newt a Progressive - a label that Beck has raised to the level of evil incarnate to his audience. He has then gone on to say that anyone that supports Newt over Obama is doing so because they are a racist. Then he goes on to say the furor over his remark comes from the Progressive GOP media...ummm, no Glenn, it's from your former audience.
Now the Tea Party is once again racists. The liberal media will make hay out of this one. Glenn's attack on Gingrich is absolutely irrational. Thanks a lot Glenn. I would venture a guess, he will have Paulbots swarming to his side but what of the 35% of GOP voters that are supporting Newt? What of the Reagan Democrats who are emerging from hibernation? What of the 45% of Tea Party folks that are supporting Newt? They are gone and once you loose folks in a manner like this, they don't come back. Bye Glenn, you broke my heart.
Abigail and Dolley readers I have been quite meloncholy this Christmas. I have been haunted by the memories of last year and find I am fighting off sad and troubling thoughts. As always, I have taken great pleasure in creating a fashionable Christmas Tree. It has cheered me considerably, I hope you enjoy.
Purple, Pink, Royal Blue, and White Christmas Tree
Abigail and Dolley readers I have to admit that I wept before the Lord today. I fell to my knees and sobbed. I cried because when I speak the truth of Christ, many condemn me. I cried because a good friend of mine claimed I was deaf to racial insensitivity and when I sought him out, to show me, he condemned me for my blindness. I cried because we heard the same speech in different ways, and if we did, then I will never be effective in outreach. I cried because the world's financial system is on the precipice of a bottomless pit. I cried because the new unemployment figures are lies and for people hurting everywhere. I cried because I have friends that are not saved and the Rapture is coming soon. I cried today because Billy Graham is gravely ill and the world will be a much darker place without him. I cried today because I have prayed for the Lord to come and get us but I never realized how dark it would be here before He came.
2 Timothy 3
The Dangers of the Last Days
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Abigail and Dolley readers I am deeply disturbed by the rise and popularity of Ron Paul. The unlikely assent of an elderly, squeaky voiced, isolationist, Libertarian begs the question - why? Why have hoards of people latched on to this man and why are they all but worshiping him? Furthermore, why are they so ANGRY with everyone else? If you have run into any of them online, you will know of what I speak. They are collectively vicious tongued zealots who gleefully libel all of the other candidates and spread lies and smear, like jelly on toast.
I believe I have figured out the appeal, these folks are deeply afraid. They are afraid of what is happening to our economy. They are afraid of what is happening on the world's stage and they are afraid of where Big Government is taking us. Okay, most of us are also afraid of that, so what is the difference? The difference is, that Ron Paul preaches a gospel that there is no evil in the world other than us, if we would just behave, evil would leave us alone.
You have to admit, it is sort of enticing. I mean, if we could just behave in a certain manner and evil would disappear, that seems like a pretty good deal. The Paulian worldview, at its core, asserts that you can control evil. His followers are buying into this with a fervor and a zealotry that always attaches itself to a cultish figure that claims to have the answers and is the only one who can save them.
Unfortunately, Ron Paul and his supporters are wrong. You don't control evil by being good. It is naive and while understandable, ultimately very dangerous. Evil exists in the hearts of men and in the powers and principality, in the spiritual dark places of wickedness and the only way to defeat it is to fight it. To shine the light of righteousness on it and to go after it with everything that you have.
We as a nation are tired of fighting off the evil. We look around and see spent lives, endless war, collapsing world economies, ineffective governments and we say enough! I just want to go home and live my life! Leave me alone and I will leave you alone, okay? Have we been perfect, of course not! Have we made mistakes, yes but is it time to retreat? To stop being a global force that stands up to the evil in the world and says, "Not so fast, Buster." The results, if we were to follow the Paulian plan, would be disaster on a scale of which the world has never seen. Evil does not change, evil does not get nicer, evil only grows and seeks to destroy all that is in its path and it wants to consume all that is good and righteous in this world.
Don't fall for the lie folks, it's an old one and if you pay careful attention, it smells of fire and brimstone.
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