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Hello, and welcome back to Life of Heritage Corner! Today I’m continuing a tradition I started 2 years ago, listing some of the top things I’m thankful for this year!  Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Psalm 30:3 *Life! This year more than ever, I have come to appreciate the gift God has given us by giving us breath! Thank God for pro-life parents and siblings! Thank God for Eternal Life found in Him! And Thank God for caring about every sparrow (and every unborn baby)!
*Family! Family is one of the greatest blessings God gives us! I am blessed to live in a large family (Dad, Mom, 7 kids, 2 brothers-in-law, and 6 nieces and nephews!) with potential to explode the population of the United States as the rest of us marry and have kids 😉 I can’t imagine life in any other family! *Friends! God has blessed me with so many good friends over the years, and this year, I’ve learned that taking them for granted is a big mistake. You might not always be as close as you were. Life comes along, and people tend to drift away and make new friends. Enjoy the time that you have together! *America! I probably say this every year, but hey, I love my country! I cannot stress enough what my country means to me! She’s the greatest nation on the planet, and I am humbled that God chose to allow me to be born here! *Our Military! Yes, this is another repeat, but this year, I met a sweet young author, and she has opened my eyes to a little more of what our guys go through daily. It’s heartbreaking seeing exactly how PTSD affects every serviceman in one way or another. It doesn’t always show in flashbacks or nightmares, though these definitely happen. There’s the guilt complex, mood swings, the “100-yard stare” or the everyday memories of that horrifying experience they went through. We owe them a great debt, not only for risking their lives and giving their time to protect us, but sacrificing a “normal” life so we can keep ours. *Music! This year I got to attend the Majesty Music Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. And believe me, this conference gave me a brand-new appreciation for Godly music! Such an encouragement! *Conservative Values! My family has always taught my siblings and me to seek God when it comes to anything in life. What does God say about Marriage? About Life? About Capital Punishment? Because in the long run, it doesn’t matter what man thinks. It matters what God thinks. I praise the Lord for parents who have guided me to God’s views of the world around us, and the conservative values taught in His Word! *The Pro-Life Movement! Speaking of Conservative Values, I am so grateful for those who are willing to stand up for the unborn, the mentally handicapped and the elderly! Just this year, I was blessed to begin working for Pregnant Options, a website that allows women in crisis to find the Care Center closest to them. These Care Centers help them prepare to be a mother, offer classes on Motherhood, provide medical services, and if needed give referrals to adoption agencies. It’s a blessing to see everything these centers provide to those who want to choose life for their child! And it’s a joy to help with the editing of articles that have potential to save lives and offer hope to those in hard situations! *Books! Good books! This year, I have read so many good books, whether it be a physical copy, eBook, or audio, there are so many good books out there! I love a story that challenges me personally in my spiritual life or in some other aspect (getting organized, writing advice, etc.). I also love an informative book. Like a biography, history, or even a cultural study (like The South Was Right! There is so much more to this book than the title reveals!) But there have also been those books that didn’t turn out so great…the ones I couldn’t finish. Which makes me appreciate the excellent books even more! *Cooking! This year, I’ve actually gotten to play around in the kitchen a little bit…and nobody has died, and nothing has caught on fire 😉 I have cooked in the past, but Sarah is our main cook, so getting the opportunity to try my hand at culinary arts is always fun! Chicken Gyros anyone? Have a Blessed Day! Ryana Lynn Jude 22 Time for another devotion here on Life of Heritage Corner! Normally, this devotion is for young ladies, but I decided to change that…this devotion is for everyone.  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17 Here at Life of Heritage Corner, October is Pro-Life Month. Today, we are covering what should be a no-brainer issue. Life. Life at conception. And what we should do to protect it. And HOW we can stand up for life in our day and age.
We all know where life begins. Even those who say otherwise know deep down that life begins the moment the mother becomes pregnant. That is basic biology. And as it says in the Bible, those that shed innocent blood are an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 6:17). But did you know that doing nothing is almost as bad as doing the killing? Here’s a hypothetical situation. I’m walking down the street and I see two people fighting. The bigger of the two is really beating up the other. I have a cell phone. I am fully capable of dialing 9-1-1. But instead, I walk along my merry way. Later, I hear that the people I saw made the news. One is dead, the other wanted for murder. While the courts might not convict me, I am still partially to blame for the death of that individual. Because I could have called for help; I could have given them at least a chance to survive. And I did nothing. How many times do we “walk away” and turn a blind eye to abortion? How many times do we say, “I’m pro-life. I will never kill my baby,” and yet do nothing to pass that conviction on to others because, “it’s not our business.” Saving lives is always our business! How Can You Stand Up for Life? *Note: I know everyone can’t do all of these things. I’m just asking that you do at least one of them!
Pray. This is the most important point of all. Pray for the unborn and their mothers. Pray that Roe v. Wade will be repealed. Pray for those in the industry. Pray for a miracle! Hello everyone! This past month was amazing! We were able to attend several special services, I celebrated my birthday, Memorial Day rolled around (my favorite holiday!) and the North Carolina Home Educators Book Fair closed out the month for us! Today, I’m gonna share some of my favorites from my favorite month of the year!  My May Favorites…
Event: Born Alive Survivor Protection Act Rally. This was my very first Pro-Life event and our family thoroughly enjoyed it! We were able to give our loads of FBN information (we gave some to our Lt. Governor, Dan Forrest!!!). It was wonderful to gather with hundreds of people from around the state of various ages and background, all to support the lives of our smallest, most vulnerable citizens. Currently, North Carolina Representatives are trying to pass a veto override to protect our unborn, but we have to wait until certain voters change their mind or decide not to show up for the vote. I thank God we have a Representative who is willing to hold out until we have the votes we need to protect our babies! Song: Jesus Saves, as sung by Caleb and Katie Garraway. It’s so beautiful! Verse: Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12 I’m reading through the minor prophets now and this verse jumped out at me on May 20th. It’s time to seek the Lord in our country in the day and age that we live in. And we all know that is change is to come to our country, it’s got to start with us, the Children of God! Book of the Month: Lincoln Unmasked by Thomas DiLorenzo! 5 stars! It was sooooo good, y’all! One of the best nonfictions I have read this year! (Review coming soon!) Ministry: The God Bless America Rally in Canton Ohio! Yes, I added another states to my growing list of states visited! 13! The meeting was wonderful as always and we were blessed to see over 200 saved during the door-knocking and services! Them we got to have Evangelist Byron Foxx with us on the way to services in Kentucky! So yes, that was my top ministry even for this month! Writing Update: We are in the team edit stage! We are hoping to make some good progress in June, so stay tuned for that! Once we start meeting, rewrite get intense and wonderful and I love it! A Book I am Anticipating for June: I Varina by Ruth Painter Randall! It’s the story of Varina Davis, First Lady of the Confederacy! I finally got this book this year after searching for it for years! So yes, this is a much anticipated read! I also have a few books that I’m waiting on from my library about D-Day, so I’m looking forward to that! I’ll give you a quick recap on my anticipated reads for May. I am still reading Unbroken, but so far, I love it! There have been a few edits needed, and I anticipate that increasing as I get into the war, but so far, I really like it! Number the Stars wasn’t my favorite book on WWII, but it wasn’t bad either. I have a review coming soon, so watch for that for more details. And y’all. I finished The Hiding Place! At last! After being urged by friends and a few reading slumps, I finally finished that book! Review to come on that one as well! And Now for your Story Prompts! June Edition: Summer is here! Write about your favorite summer activity, but with a twist. Set the scene in 1932, during the Great Depression and make sure you include a train, a hobo and your favorite summer treat! D-Day Edition: I shouldn’t be here! He thought desperately as the landing craft carried them closer and closer to the battle. I should have listened to Mama and waited until I was older to go! The 17-year-old soldier gritted his teeth as the craft ground to a stop, just shy of the French beach called Omaha. Lord, please let me live through this! Father’s Day Edition: The young German soldier’s breath came in ragged gasps, frightening his little boy. The American medic gently pulled the toddler from his father’s arms and handed him to the private kneeling next to them. The boy whimpered, “You not hurt my daddy!” The medic smiled as the American private said, “He won’t. He’s going to make your daddy feel all better. Then, we’ll take you both somewhere safe.” The medic sighed. Judging by the looks of the exhausted prisoner, a prison camp would be an improvement indeed! Until Next Time, Ryana Lynn Jude 22 PS (Sorry there are no graphics for the story prompts! This week has been crazy, lol!) Hey y’all. Today, I’m here to talk about a heavy topic. Guys, don’t run away if you are reading this. This one is for all of us. We all need to face up to reality. Knowing I have young people reading this blog, I will try to keep this guarded. But today, I feel the need to discuss the very first pro-life rally I have ever attended.  These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,… Proverbs 6:16-17  Dr. Matt Harrison, developer of the abortion reversal pill, spoke to us, sharing his testimony of how the pill came into being, thanks to a young mother named Ashley who wanted to stop her baby from dying because of a bad decision. Her little girl survived and is now 12 years old. God makes no mistakes, y’all! Following many rousing speeches and calls to action, we were given candles for a candlelight vigil, remembering the little ones, born alive and those who never got to take their first breath, who are no longer among us. No baby is a mistake; every one is a miracle. God has a reason for every life that He creates. Who are we to stand in the way of His ultimate plan? You don’t know this, but since…February I believe, I have been helping with the brand new website, pregnantoptions.com. Started by Jesse Maxwell, and Nathan Johnson, and helped a long by an amazing team of young people, we have put together a national database for crisis Pregnancy Care Centers across the United States! We also provide factual information about abortion (as well as other topics), explaining exactly what happens when the procedure takes place. Most have no idea what they are doing and we want to change that for the better. Who knows how many babies will be saved because of God’s blessing on this site!  My question to you is this: What will you do to save the voiceless babies in your state/province? Will you volunteer at your local care center? Will you donate to a pro-life organization? Will you contact your district politicians and hold them accountable for how they vote on pro-life bills? Will you vote for people who value life before birth? Will you share the pro-life/gospel message with those who need to hear it most? And most importantly, WILL YOU PRAY? If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Have a Blessed Day!
Ryana Lynn Jude 22 Hello and welcome to my second devotion! I’m super excited to share this with you ladies specifically. I’m still stuck on my Word of the Year, Stand, so ladies, here is a devotion just for you.  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Proverbs 31:26 (King James Bible) We know that our place in the home is under the man; that’s not opinion, that’s God’s Word. End of story. However, that doesn’t mean that we are not allowed to stand for what is right, in a proper, ladylike way and with the proper audience. I could do a whole devotion on that topic alone, but today, I want to point out a few things that we as women in today’s culture need to stand for. Ladies, stand up for FEMININITY. Ooooo…that scary word, femininity. Somehow, it often gets confused with the modern feminist movement. In reality, they are polar opposites. It’s sad, but today, we live in a world that says you are not a strong person unless you have been to college, have a successful job (extra points if it is typically reserved for men), don’t marry until you are in your 30’s (if at all) and have maximum three kids (that’s pushing it though. Or, bonus points if you decide NOT to have any). What a sad society! Ladies, it’s high time we stand for the calling God has placed on us: “…The young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:4b-5, King James Bible) There is no shame in dressing like a woman. There is no shame in marrying a man and looking to him as your protector and your head. There is no shame in raising children. Don’t let anyone shame you into being anything less than what God has created you to be: A Woman. A Lady. An Embracer of Femininity. Ladies, Stand up for Femininity by: -Living femininely. -Studying Biblical femininity. (The Bible is the best source of course, but this book and this blog are great resources!) -Encourage others to embrace Biblical femininity!  Ladies, stand up for LIFE. What could be more important then human life? Regardless of race, nationality or creed, everyone is born with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But where does life begin? People argue about this all the time and sadly, many women will say that life begins after birth. It’s time for us Christian ladies to stand for the unborn and proclaim the truth: Life begins at conception. In fact, if you want to get technical, it actually starts before that! The Bible says, “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:16, Emphasis added; King James Bible) If God knows and has our members written in a book before they are even formed, don’t you think He considers even the earliest part of the pregnancy life? Who are we to define it differently? As Christians, we must stand up for the right of the unborn, the elderly and the handicapped. They too have a right to live. We must speak up for those who haven’t found their voice yet and may never get the chance to use it, just as the resistance, the White Rose, of WWII gave a voice to the voiceless (the Jews, handicapped, etc.). Just because the government says something is legal (Germany legalized murdering Jews; America legalized abortion; other countries legalizing euthanizing the elderly/ill) doesn’t mean it is moral or allowed by God, our Supreme Authority. Ladies, stand up for Life by: -Talking to others about pro-life when the topic comes up. Remember, don’t argue, but kindly explain the biblical principles of life in Christian Love. -Do you have a website? Post a Pro-Life themed article! -Participate in Life Chain Sunday. (See this post for more on Pro-Life.)  Ladies, stand up for your FAITH. For years, people have fought Christianity. People naturally push against anything that convicts them of their sin. That is no reason for us to be silent. Now, that’s also not to say that we are to mount pulpits or soap boxes and scream for our religious rights like wild animals! The Bible says, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26, King James Bible) While we are not called to be preachers, we are called to be witnesses of the Grace of God. We should never be ashamed to speak up for our Lord and Savior and the blessings He has given us. As in everything else, there is a proper way for ladies to stand up for our Faith. Ladies, Stand up for your Faith by: -Sharing your testimony with saved and unsaved alike. Your personal salvation testimony may be an encouragement to others to share their testimony or it may help someone else to see how much they need God in their life. -Are you a writer? Testify for the Lord in your writing! If you are a Christian, this is the most important qualification you have as a writer. Never hide your light for fear of man! -Share your testimony on your website if you have one! (See mine here) -Do you have a friend you know is unsaved? Seek them out and share the gospel with them. I know this can be hard, believe me, but there is nothing comparable with the joy of seeing someone come to Christ!  Ladies, it’s high time we Stand for the Right and let our Lights shine in the darkness of this world. How will you choose to stand today? Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 (King James Bible) Until Next Time, God Bless!
Ryana Lynn Jude 22 |
Ryana Lynn
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