ABOVE RUBIES MINI-NEWSLETTER #3, Jul 2011

Dear Above Rubies reader,

At last! The new magazine, # 82 is rolling off the presses. My plan was to go to print at the beginning of May but unforeseen delays kept emerging. But we keep on plodding on and it’s now happening. I will be looking forward to sending the magazine to you and I know you will be blessed as always.

In this Newsletter:

BOOKS ABOUT HAVING CHILDREN

 BOOKS ABOUT ADOPTION

THE NEW BOOKSTORE SPECIALS

UNIQUE FAMILY PICTURES

T-SHIRT ANSWERS

STUDY MANUAL EGROUPS

THE LAND OF ISRAEL

HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN

REQUESTS FROM READERS

NANNIES NEEDED IN EUROPE AND ISRAEL

BOOKS BY ABOVE RUBIES READERS

A YOUNG MAN’S VISION

THE MAYISHA CAMPAIGN

JESUS CAME TO OUR HOME

A TEN YEAR OLD’S THOUGHTS

ARE WE A CHRISTIAN NATION?

 

GOD SPEAKS ON MORE THAN ONE FRONT

In the new magazine, I listed on page 29 two new books, Positively Yes (Can you trust God or your Family Size?) and Family UNplanning. You can see by the titles that they are on the subject of trusting God to give the children He has planned for you. This belief has not been in vogue in the world, or even in the church that have followed the world, for many decades. But God is always in the business of restoring and He is restoring this biblical truth to believers. When God begins to say something to His people, He does not say it in one place only or through one person only. He speaks through many. There are many books that have now been written on this subject. God wants to make His truth known. God is speaking. I hope His people are listening.

The following are a list of books that I have read and would recommend. I know there are many more and I would love to hear from you of books that you have read that I could also add to my list. Thanks so much.

 A Full Quiver by Rick and Jan Hess
http://bit.ly/AFullQuiver

A Change of Heart-50 Reversal Testimonies (prepared by Nancy Campbell)
http://bit.ly/HeartChange

Be Fruitful and Multiply by Nancy Campbell

http://bit.ly/BeFruitfulAndMultiply

Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions by Randy Alcorn

http://bit.ly/BirthControlAbortions

The Bible and Birth Control by Charles D. Provan

http://bit.ly/BibleAndBirthControl


The above books are all available at http://aboverubiesbookstore.mybigcommerce.com

The following are available on www.amazon.com

Family UNplanning by Craig Houghton  

Positively Yes! (Can you trust God for your family size?) by Hanna E. Farwell

Birthing God’s Mighty Warriors by Rachel Scott (I enjoyed reading this book. Rachel writes, “The book is also available in a PDF for a minimal fee and parts of the book are FREE on my blog: www.godsmightywarriors.wordpress.com * This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Children: Blessing or Burden? by Max Heine

The Way Home by Mary Pride (a “must” read)

All the Way Home by Mary Pride

The Duggars: 20 and Counting! Raising One of America's Largest Families – How do they do it? by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar (haven’t read yet)

 

BOOKS ABOUT ADOPTION

I would also like to compile a list of books written about adoption, which is very close to God’s heart. God sets the solitary in families. He wants all His children to be embraced into a family for this is the way He planned for us to live. Did you know that there are currently 143 million orphans in the world? Each one of them needs a loving family. If you have read a good book about adoption, please share it with me so I can make a comprehensive list to have available for women. Type ADOPTION in the subject heading.

The only ones I can remember I have read are:

Adoption as a Ministry, Adoption as a Blessing by Michelle Gardner
http://bit.ly/AdoptionAsMinistry

Adopted for the Kingdom, One Church’s Story by Terri Cooney and Kathleen Schwartz

Hidden for Glory, Destined for Adoption by SuDawn Peters

Refuge Ranch by Bonnie Walker (I printed Bonnie’s testimony in Above Rubies # 78 entitled Twenty One Children! Eighteen of these children are adopted and after sending the article to me, the Walkers were in the process of taking in another sibling group of five children, adding their number to 26 children!)

The Primal Wound—Understanding the Adopted Child by Nancy Newton Verrier (a most interesting book which should be read by all mothers contemplating adoption).

THE NEW BOOKSTORE SPECIALS

Now that we will start sending out the magazine this Wednesday, we have finished the specials for last issue and the new specials are now available.

ONLY $5.00 EACH FOR A FIVE-MESSAGE POWERFUL TEACHING SESSION!

Choose one or all three!

Changing the World from the Heart of your Home!
(Five messages on how to teach your children to stand up and be counted in this hour)
http://bit.ly/ChangingWorldMP3

Shepherding Your Flock
(Five messages about mothering our children the way God shepherds us)
http://bit.ly/ShepherdingFlockMP3

The Beautiful Woman
(Five messages about what it means to be a beautiful woman—beautiful spirit, submission, countenance, maternalness, warrior, purity, fragrance, speech, clothes and temple)
http://bit.ly/TheBeautifulWomanMP3

Download five hours’ of teaching for only $5.00 EACH!

THE FAMILY MEAL TABLE DVD-IN ACTION!

You will discover that food is only the beginning of what can happen at your table!

You will also see other families around their tables and many other interesting features!

All for only $8.00! You save $7.00!

Comments:

“Exciting and engaging!”

 

“This DVD is an invitation to a feast. It will change the way you look at your table.”

 

“We love this DVD!”

 

“Our family has been so inspired by the captivating and informative message of how God desires families to join Him at the family meal table. Even if your family already practices this tradition, this DVD brings more light, more depth and more meaning!”

 

“The family dinner table is one of those things that people are homesick for but don’t realize that’s what they are missing.”

 

Go to http://bit.ly/FamilyMealTableDVD 

or call 1 877 729 9861 to order.

 

UNIQUE FAMILY PICTURES

I am ready for a new influx of pictures—pictures of mothers and babies, fathers and babies, babies on their own, children, families, husbands and wives. I am planning to do an Above Rubies calendar this year so will need to get started on it pretty soon. And of course, I will need pictures! And we plan to do some more YouTubes.

I know that every picture of babies and children are beautiful. I ooh and aah over them all, but I will be looking for those especially unique and different pictures.

Instructions:

  1. Make sure your picture is sharp and clear
  2. Send as an attachment and no less than 300 dpi for good reproduction
  3. Type PICTURES FOR AR in Subject Heading
  4. Email names of who belongs to the picture
  5. You may send the pictures as horizontal or vertical (but, if your picture was to be a front cover shot for Above Rubies it would need to be vertical!)

I am excited to see all these wonderful pictures. Send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

T-SHIRT ANSWERS

Allison Durham writes, “I went to an Above Rubies conference with a friend in Texas years ago. One of the things you said that spoke to me personally was that when we are out in the world, at the grocery store or wherever, with all our little blessings following us and people are staring and asking questions, that we should hold our heads high and wear a large smile. When asked, “Are all these yours?” we should answer happily and proudly, “Yes, they’re all mine.”

When I go to town with my seven (eight on the way) I am always asked questions by perfect strangers. Now I have a ready answer. I have also designed a T-shirt that further encourages a joyful conversation.”

On the back of the T-shirt it says,

Yes…

They’re all mine!

I know how this happened!

We homeschool!

My hands are full, of love!

They were planned!

I’d be thankful for more!

Psalm 127:3

If you would like to order one of these T-shirts for yourself, contact Allison at

Ph: 530-632-3669

Or her mailing address is:

12300 Allison Ranch Rd

Grass Valley CA 95949

 

ABOVE RUBIES STUDY MANUAL E-GROUPS

Apart from the Above Rubies Facebook, we do have an Above Rubies E-Group (contact Denise Bryce at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

We also previously had four other E-Groups for mothers to study the four manuals together on line:

THE POWER OF MOTHERHOOD

THE FAMILY MEAL TABLE AND HOSPITALITY

BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY

THE GATEKEEPERS OF THE HOME

Preview each group at: http://bit.ly/WomensForums

NOTE: Currently, all our moderators have not been able to continue for various family reasons. Therefore, if anyone else is interested in moderating one of these groups, please contact me by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THE LAND OF ISRAEL

In the coming issue of Above Rubies that you will soon receive, I have written an article about the “land the flows with milk and honey” relating it to wifehood and motherhood. The article is taken from my recent Email series of which there were 10 parts. In preparing for this article I did a full research on the Scriptures regarding the land of Israel. I was absolutely amazed to find so many Scriptures regarding the promises God has given concerning His people coming back to their land. There are not one or two promises but over 100! God’s people need to know and understand these Scriptures, especially at this time when the nations of the world are turning against Israel, even the leadership of our own nation of USA. I would very much encourage you to read them. You will be very excited. You can get them by going to the link: http://bit.ly/EverlastingPossesion

Or you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and put LAND in the Subject Heading.

And, if you find any Scriptures that I have missed, please email them to me. I would be so grateful. Thanks, Nancy

By the way, I just signed a petition this morning. If you are concerned about the Wailing Wall, East Jerusalem and the West Bank being taken from Israel (leaving them only a strip 10 miles wide) you may like to sign this petition also.

http://www.unitedwithisrael.org/petitions/white_house/friends.php

HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN

Many of you will have enjoyed the recent book, HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR HUSBAND. I am now nearing the end of preparing HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN. I know you will find this a wonderful blessing too as I compile great ideas from mothers around the world. There is still a little window of time if you have a great idea you would like to include in this book. Send it immediately to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Instructions:

  1. Type ENCOURAGE in the Subject Heading
  2. Type only one space between sentences
  3. Send by Word attachment
  4. At the end of your article include your name, city, state and email address

 

REQUESTS FROM READERS

 

HOME FOR SALE

From Kathy White, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“We have a 3300 sq. ft. house with 7 bedrooms for sale in Central New York. Since the traditional housing market doesn’t offer much for large families, we are trying to share this information in other venues.

We are a Christian family of 10 and have enjoyed the home for 20 years. We are hoping to relocate to VA and need to sell soon.

Email if you are interested. LARRY AND KATHY WHITE.”

HOMESCHOOLING IN HAWAII

From JILL OWEN, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“I have attended several retreats and have been receiving your magazines for years. We will be moving to Oahu, Hawaii soon and I was hoping to connect with some women about home schooling. Please email. Many thanks!”

NEWLY MARRIED IN HAWAII

A message from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“My daughter is in Honolulu, Hawaii with her sailor husband and is really lonely for good Christian fellowship. If anyone who would like to contact her let me know. She got married in December and is expecting her first child in September. She has an "Above Rubies” heart and needs a lot of encouragement. Thanks.”

NEED A HOME

From CRISSY ADCOX, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“We have felt the Lord leading us toward a more simple life, so we've been praying and waiting for his direction. We feel he is opening the door for us now. We are in the process of selling our home, and are in need of a rental home, preferably in middle or west Tennessee. My husband is an experienced home/auto repair man and is currently in the construction business, so he will be looking for work in that area. Any size home will do. We just need a big yard so we can start/run a small farm. We have six children and look forward to more. We want to live a simple life, work together, raise our family and serve with a fellowship of believers. Email if you have a contact. Thanks.”

COUNTRY LIVING

From Karen MacKenzie, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“I was hoping to get some advice on living life in the country well. We have been out of town for two years now and while I am so thankful to have lots of space, both inside my home and outside in my yard, I find difficulty with the commute, lack of playmates for my children and getting groceries, etc. I think our many months of winter in Saskatchewan add to my struggles. Anyway, this “born and raised city girl” would love to hear ideas from others in order to become a more content wife and homemaker.”

NANNIES NEEDED AROUND THE WORLD

From GERDINE MULDERIG in The Netherlands, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“I'm Gerdine Mulderij from Delft, Holland, and I came to your meetings every time for the last few years you came to Holland. I'm very grateful for your support and encouragement, I really love the Above Rubies magazine and other materials, and I'm looking forward to seeing you again!

My question is: I've some health problems (fatigue due to thyroid gland problems) and we're expecting our fifth child coming in October. It would be a great blessing for us if a homeschooled lady would be willing to stay with us for some time and help us out a bit. So we thought maybe you would have some contact with an American family with an older daughter that likes to spend some time (maybe some months?) in Europe with a homeschooling family here. We've a nice guest room on the attic with a small kitchen as well. The best time for us would be around September-December this year. I'm due mid/end of October.”

Email Gerdine in you are interested.

From CAMILLE NEVE in France, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


“This is Camille Neve writing. I often think back on your visit to our place almost two years ago and how short it was and how I would have liked it to be much longer! I am always greatly blessed by your magazine. I am writing to you because last year has been quite a heavy year and we were thinking of taking an aupair girl for the next school year. By the way, we are happily expecting baby number 5 for November!

We would like a young Christian girl from a European country (which will make it easier for visas and health insurance etc.) who would like to travel to France and spend at least six months with us. We would make her part of our family. She would be helping me around the house and with the little ones. We would of course lodge her and feed her etc.

I can send pictures if you are interested.”

 

From Tali Klimer in Israel, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Shalom friends, I would like to ask for your prayers and help. My daughter-in-law, Ortal is seven months pregnant. She is not feeling well and has strong pain on her lower beck and under the belly. Dadi and Ortal also have a sweet baby girl, Ghyah who is 11 months.

I need help with cleaning, cooking and helping with the baby.  We all live on the kibbutz. I need help in order to do my ministry work. If someone would like to come NOW and help us for three months, hat would be a great blessing! We will take care of accommodation etc. There is option to stay more time, even for six months and help with the new baby that will be born at the end of September.”

Email if you are interested.

Ariel and Talia Klimer
PO Box 348
Kibbutz Merhaviya 19100- ISRAEL
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel:  00972.50.2793556

BOOKS BY ABOVE RUBIES READERS

The following are some lovely books that some of our readers have authored and even illustrated and would like to make known to you:

ANSWERS IN A TIME OF MISCARRIAGE By Bethany Kerr

Bethany writes: “It is estimated that one in four pregnancies will end in miscarriage. It is amazing how many women have to deal with this grief silently and alone. Because of this, I decided to write a book about miscarriage. I collected questions from women across America and put them in the book with answers to those questions, along with adding stories from men and women (including myself), plus encouraging articles and Scripture. I believe it will offer much comfort and validation to women who are going through the loss of a baby. I hope this book will show the very real pain that mothers experience when they lose a baby, even from the very earliest stages.

To purchase this book, go to: http://www.prpeciousinfants.com/miscarriage.htm

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

A DAY LIKE TOMORROW By Sarah Janisse Brown (Illustrations by her daughter, Anna Miriam Brown – 9 years)

Find out how Sarah Brown, mother of eight young children, brings her dreams to life on an ordinary day. Mothers and children alike will discover simple ways to dream big dreams, and make them come true, in their own backyards.

A delightful book and beautifully illustrated.

Contact Sarah at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A LAMB NAMED EWE

“My name is Kevin Jones and my beautiful bride loves your magazine. She suggested that I send this book to you that I wrote to our four young children while I was deployed to Iraq.”

This is the most delightful book, a delightful story and beautifully illustrated. A lovely gift for your children.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. * Ph: 316 259 9505

THE SHEPHERD’S HEART By Ian Moilliet

This book is written by a true shepherd. Although it is about shepherding as a pastor, not parenting, I learnt so many lessons about parenting as I read t his book. The more we know what it means to be a shepherd, the more we understand how to truly shepherd our own little flock. Colin and I stayed with the Moilliets on their 105-year-old Aveley Ranch in British Columbia and had meetings with them when we first came to North America nearly 20 years ago.

Order: www.essencebookstore.com * Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. * Ph: 250 670 9574

A YOUNG MAN’S VISION

 

From Stacie Eddy, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Our son, Josh (18) has been keeping a blog. I was so blessed by his post today. I still have tears in my eyes) and wanted to share it with you.  

 

What She Will Be?

For those who might ask, no, I don't plan on writing about marriage and relationships all the time. But a blog is a place for thoughts, right?

 

May 2011

Not even knowing who my wife will be, of these things, I am certain:

She will be loved, but not smothered.

She will be well cared for, but not spoiled.

She will be protected, but not caged.

She will be blessed, but not worshiped.

She will be a source of pride, but not touted as a prize or an idol.

She will be lead by example, but not a bad one.

She will be unbelievably beautiful, even if only in my eyes and God’s.

She will be praised, but not lied to.

She will be told the truth, even the hard truth when necessary, but always in love.

She will be led in the nurture and admonition of the LORD, but not treated as a child.

She will be listened to with an open heart and mind, not a closed one.

She will be a woman with her own desires, and they will not be overlooked.

She will be valued above the most precious treasures; all but the Lordship of Christ.

She will be supported in raising a godly family, not abandoned in such a crucial battle.

She will be my first priority in life, not shelved for the sake of my own desires.

She will be constantly reminded of my love for her, but not with lifeless repetition.

She will be a beacon of hope to all, and will never lack the admiration of her husband.

She will be given hope and love, especially in the hardest times of her life.

She will be given children who are taught to love and respect her.

She will be loved by me as Christ loved the church.

She will be the love of my life.

She will be all that and so much more. Lord, let not the blessing end with me.


THE MAYISHA CAMPAIGN

From Michaela This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) are organising a campaign to deal with maternal mortality, called the Mayisha Campaign. As background, often high maternal mortality rate is given as a reason or a need for abortion to be provided in that country, as dangerous abortions are included in maternal mortality death statistics. This is a myth that is highlighted by the facts of maternal mortality rates in South Africa and Chile. In South Africa, they have one of the most liberal abortion programmes in the world, yet their maternal mortality rates have risen since implementing this policy. In Chile, babies are protected from conception by the constitution, yet they have the lowest overall maternal mortality rate in the whole of South America.

Anyway, if you want more information, please look at their blog http://mayishacampaign.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html

Mayisha is Swahili for “life.”

There are some really interesting articles, including one by the Economist on what economists would recommend to most improve health and life in third world countries, and just as a hint, it is not abortion or improved access to contraceptives!!

Anyway, if you don’t have time to read anything else, please read this letter http://pop.org/content/population-control-the-kenyan-perspective-895 . It is a letter written by a Kenyan doctor, to the US government, but actually, he could have written it any Western Country. It brought me to tears.”

I have just read this letter and it is powerful. Nancy

JESUS CAME TO OUR HOME

I am writing this after returning from the death and burial of my sister, Patricia Felix Dickey. As people are wont to do at times like these, we talked of childhood memories. One in particular stood out. It was the day my family believes Jesus appeared at our front door. It is a true story my family cherishes, and it brings us great comfort. I shared this story with Pat's minister, and he was so struck by it he included it in his sermon at her funeral. I feel that by sharing this with others I might bring hope and encouragement to them. It is the best personal experience I have in witnessing for Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

It happened around 1935 on a summer day, during the depression, when I was about eight years old. My family lived just outside of town and was very poor. That day for lunch, we were down to our last four pieces of bread and a dab of mustard. Water was our only drink. This was to feed three hungry children and my mother. What we were to do after that, we did not know. A knock sounded at the door just as my mother was preparing our lunch. We all thought this was strange because we heard no car, and our dog never let anyone come near the house without barking, not even people he was familiar with. My mother went to answer the door with three curious children at her heels. I will never forget what I saw that day when she opened the door.

There stood a man unlike any I have ever seen. He was very tall with flowing, medium brown, shoulder-length hair. He had a very fair, clear complexion and no beard. What struck me the most about his facial features were his eyes. They were the clearest, bluest blue I have ever seen. There is no name I can give to the color of them. Sky blue seems closest, but yet, not quite. They were the type of eyes that totally captivated you when you gazed into them.

His attire was very different from anything I had ever seen. He was dressed in a long, ankle-length brownish colored robe tied with a belt made of rope. He wore some sort of sandals on his feet. I was in awe of how clean he was from walking up our dusty lane. Not a speck of dirt was to be found on him. The final shocker was that lying at his feet, just as calm as you please, was our dog! The short conversation that followed was one I shall never forget.

My mother greeted him and asked what she could do for him. He said, "Mamam, could you spare some food and drink?" My mother told him that all she had to offer was a slice of bread with mustard and water, but he was welcome to that. He said, Thank you. Mamam.” She took it to him and asked if he would like to come in and sit to eat. He said, "No, this will be fine. My thanks, Mamam.”

My mother would not allow us to be rude and watch him eat, so she shut the door. But as curious children, we ran right out the back door and around the house so we could look at him some more. But he was gone! We lived on a hill where you could see for some distance in all directions, but he was nowhere to be seen; nor were there any cars. He seemed to simply vanish into thin air. We couldn't wait to tell mom.

We were so excited and full of questions! We wanted to know who he was, where he went, and why he was dressed so strange. My mother could not give us any definite answers, of course. But she reminded us that the Bible tells us not to turn away a hungry person, and that the Lord can appear in many ways.

Things were different after that. Things slowly improved for us. From that day on, we always had enough food. We never went hungry again. I feel strongly that our Lord visited us that day, to perhaps test my mother to see if she would sacrifice her last bite of food for Him.

I also feel He wanted me to share this story with others beyond my family. The telling of it brought my sister and entire family great comfort in her last hours. If telling it now does so for others, then I will have served the Lord's will.

HELEN STEMBAUGH MATHIS

A TEN-YEAR-OLD’S THOUGHTS

 

Many mothers bring their teen daughters and even their younger daughters to the Above Rubies retreats. It is such a delight to have these beautiful daughters with us at the retreats. And it is very important for them to hear these messages of truth while they are young and before the enemy has a chance to come in and deceive them with the deceptions that are all around us in society. It is great to see them sitting up the front, attentive, and absorbing all the messages. I have had five-year-olds taking notes in the front seat! That is inspiring!

Some of the young ones will draw pictures for me, sometimes of me speaking. Others write messages to me. Here are some thoughts from Abby Kelly which she gave to me at a retreat. I thought I would share them with you, too.

My Ideas!

Satan is like a robber

We’re like gold coins

And God is like a policeman.

Satan is stealing us

And God is stopping him.

God is like a rich man

And we are his gold coins.

We are all precious

And valuable to Him.

God is like healthy food

Satan is the unhealthy food.

God keeps us going

But Satan slows us down!

 

ARE WE A CHRISTIAN NATION?

A very interesting letter written to President Obama.

THE PRESIDENT WITHOUT A COUNTRY by Pat Boone

"We're no longer a Christian nation." - President Barack Obama, June 2009

"America has been arrogant." - President Barack Obama

"After 9/11, America didn't always live up to her ideals." - President Barack Obama

"You might say that America is a Muslim nation." - President Barack Obama, Egypt  2009

Thinking about these and other statements made by the man who wears the title of president, I keep wondering what  country he believes he's president of.

In one of my very favorite stories, Edward Everett Hale's, "The Man without a  Country," a young Army lieutenant named Philip Nolan stands  condemned for treason during the Revolutionary War, having come under the influence of Aaron Burr. When the judge asks him if he wishes to say anything before sentence is passed, young Nolan defiantly exclaims, "Damn the United States! I wish I might never hear of the United States again!"

The stunned silence in the courtroom is palpable, pulsing. After a long pause, the judge soberly says to the angry lieutenant: "You have just pronounced your own sentence. You will never hear of the United States again. I sentence you to spend the rest of your life at sea, on one or another of this country's naval vessels - under strict orders that no one will ever speak to you again about the country you have just cursed."

And so it was.  Philip Nolan was taken away and spent the next 40 years at sea, never hearing anything but an occasional slip of the tongue about America. The last few pages of the story, recounting Nolan's dying hours in his small stateroom - now turned into a shrine to the country he foreswore - never fail to bring me to tears.  And I find my own love for this dream, this miracle called America, refreshed and renewed. I know how blessed and unique we are.

But reading and hearing the audacious,  shocking statements of the man who was recently elected our  president - a young black man living the impossible dream of  millions of young Americans, past and present, black and white - I want to ask him, "Just what country do you think you're  president of?"

You surely can't be referring to the United States of America, can you? America is emphatically a Christian nation, and has been from its inception! Seventy percent of her citizens identify themselves as Christian. The Declaration of Independence and our Constitution were framed, written and ratified by Christians. It's because this was, and is, a nation built on and guided by Judeo-Christian biblical principles that you, sir, have had the inestimable privilege of being elected her president.

You studied law at Harvard, didn't you, sir? You taught constitutional law in Chicago? Did you not ever read the statement of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and an author of the landmark "Federalist Papers": "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers - and it is the duty, as well  as the privilege and interest of our

Christian nation - to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."?

In your studies, you surely must have read the decision of the Supreme Court in 1892: "Our lives and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian."

Did your professors have you skip over all the high-court decisions right up till the mid 1900's that echoed and reinforced these views and intentions? Did you pick up the history of American jurisprudence only in 1947, when for the  first time a phrase coined by Thomas Jefferson about a "wall of separation between church and state" was used to deny some  specific religious expression - contrary to Jefferson 's intent with that statement?

Or, wait a minute: were your ideas about America 's Christianity formed during the 20 years you were a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ under your  pastor, Jeremiah Wright? Is that where you got the idea that "America is no longer a Christian nation?” Is this where you, even as you came to call yourself a Christian, formed the  belief that "America has been arrogant"?

Even if that's the understandable explanation of your damning of your country and accusing the whole nation (not just a few military officials trying their best to keep more Americans from being murdered by jihadists) of "not always living up to her ideals," how did you come up with the ridiculous, alarming notion that we might be "considered a Muslim nation"?

Is it because there are some two million or more Muslims living here, trying to  be good Americans? Out of a current population of over 300 million, 70 percent of whom are Christians? Does that make us, by any rational definition, a "Muslim nation"?

Why are we not, then, a "Chinese nation?” A "Korean nation?” Even a "Vietnamese nation?” There are even more of these distinct  groups in America than Muslims. And if the distinction you're  trying to make is a religious one, why is America not "a Jewish  nation?” There's actually a case to be made for the latter,  because our Constitution - and the success of our Revolution and  founding - owe a deep debt to our Jewish brothers.

Have you stopped to think what an actual Muslim America would be like? Have you ever really spent much time in Iran? Even in Egypt ? You, having been instructed in Islam as a kid at a Muslim school in Indonesia and saying you still love the call to evening prayers, can surely picture our nation founded on the Quran, not the Judeo-Christian Bible, and living under Shariah law, can't you? You do recall Muhammad's directives [Surah  9:5,73] to "break the cross" and "kill the infidel"?

It seems increasingly and painfully obvious that you are more influenced by your upbringing and questionable education than most suspected.  If you consider yourself the president of  a people who are "no longer Christian," who have "failed to live  up to our ideals," who "have been arrogant," and might even be "considered Muslim" - you are president of a country most Americans don't recognize.

Could it be you are a president without a country?

GOD’S BLESSING ON YOUR HOME

May your home be filled with the joy of the Lord. I know there are many things that come up in your day that could easy take away your joy. But don’t let the enemy defeat you. No matter what is happening, you can rejoice because God is with you. He is faithful and will never let you go. He is your strength as you mother your children and keep your home. So keep rejoicing. Yes, even when you don’t feel like it.

Much love,

NANCY CAMPBELL

www.aboverubies.org

Above Rubies Address

AboveRubies
Email Nancy

PO Box 681687
Franklin, TN 37068-1687

Phone : 931-729-9861
Office Hrs 9am - 5pm, M - F, CTZ