Blog Neglected

With the hustle and bustle of life, and with Facebook, this blog has been neglected. But, thanks to Situ, ichowdown 2.0 will soon appear. Stay tuned for more information.

And on a side note, thank God for cheaper gasoline!

Facts on Prop 8

This video articulates the truth about CA Proposition 8. We need to pray for our great nation.

Voting

This world is degressing rapidly. Where were the morals and standards that the US was built upon? Many people in our society are thinking what they know best instead of relying on a sole, supreme authority.

I am a values voter, which means that I am pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, and pro-anything else that is properly supported in Scripture. I hope that you find this information informative...

Please vote:
1. For John McCain/Sarah Palin as they:
- Are Pro-life
- Are for traditional marriage
- For the increase/promotion of adoption
- Believe in smaller government (the last thing we need is the anti-Christ*)
- Understand the threat of terrorism and Iran
- Want to win the war in Iraq before fully withdrawing troops
- Promise to elect conservative supreme court judges

2. Against Barack Obama/Joe Biden as they:
- Pro-choice
* Obama: the question when life begins is "above [his] pay grade"
- Obama: pro-infanticide. Check his voting records.
- Pro-traditional marriage but attended/accepted $ from a homosexual fundraiser
- Obama's questionable theology:
* mentored by Reverend Jeremiah Wright
* "obscure passage in Romans" <-- look this up
* believes that Muslims, Jews, etc can go to Heaven
- Want to pull out troops in Iraq no matter what
- Will elect liberal supreme court judges

3. For CA Proposition 8 (bringing back traditional marriage). I received a call last night from a No on 8 campaigner. I told her that I will vote Yes on 8 and that I don't want my future children to be taught about homosexuality in 1st grade. She said that I was being unfair to same-sex couples who love each other. I responded by saying that what about individuals who want to marry 2 life partners or 3 life partners? Or, those who want to marry their pets? Are we then being unfair to them? The conversation quickly ended by her. If we allow same-sex marriage, where do we draw the line?

4. For CA Proposition 4 (parental consent for an abortion). It hasn't received nearly the amount of publicity as Prop 8, but you can read Wikipedia's version to get more information.

I know that some of you reading this may disagree with me. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. I am not blogging because of hate, but because I want to declare the true morals God has written in the Bible. He wants all people to come to Him, repent, and love/serve Him with all of your heart.

This world is not our home, but we need to vote.


*The belief that a large government is the solution to our problems allows for the anti-Christ to spring up. I am not claiming that Obama is the anti-Christ, but he has characteristics that show that he may be or may pave the way for him/her.

If I Could Only Be

My guitar playing skills have peaked since the days from college. Actually, it probably has degressed. When I was young, I wanted to be in a boy band. Now, if I could only be as half as good as this dude, I would be... well, you know.

Gap Man

We spent our Labor Day today at Ontario Mills. We walked around for about 3 hours window shopping at various stores. The window shopping ended at The Gap. Looking at the quality of their clothes and their prices, I turned to my lovely wife and said "I think I am a gap man". Turning to me with a smile on her face and humor in her mind, she said that I am funny. Funny? Maybe. Stylin'? For sure!

Needless to say, we opened up a Gap card. Normally, I oppose obtaining store cards but they gave us 15% off, and discounts to Banana Republic (a great store but a little more pricey) and Old Navy (a bargain store but lower quality). How cool is this?

Ichowdown has turned into a Gap man. I bought a nice vest for work, 2 sweaters, and a pair of jeans for less than $70.

A close 2nd place is H&M.

Steven Curtis Chapman

Steven Curtis Chapman is my new role model. His passion, his heart, and his character is unbelievable! On the radio show, Focus on the Family, he explains how God has shaped his family's life after his daughter's tragic death. One of his 3 adopted children, Maria, was accidentally struck by his biological son when he was driving into their home. Maria was just 5 years old. She was adopted as a waiting child having a hole in her heart, but it did not stop him from adopting her. With love and warmth, he opened his home. Now that the Lord has taken her home, he is now more focused on eternal matters. What a man after God's own heart!

His campaign continues to be for the plight of the orphaned. Not everyone is called to adopt. But, this miracle of adoption should be considered by more people. And, not just as a last resort due to infertility or any other reason, but as a first option to extend their love to the needy.

On a slightly different note, here is an interview with his wife on Good Morning America.

Cinderella

In view of the tragedy that occured to Maria Sue Chapman, Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter, this song is both touching and inspirational. I have new-found respect for Mr. Chapman. He has done so much for the worthy cause of assisting with the plight of the orphans who number about 150 million worldwide.

Wall Builders

Pastor Rick Green was a guest speaker 2 Sunday's ago. He is from Wall Builders, an organization that presents the Christian roots of America. Did you know that the majority of our founding fathers were Christians? Many had seminary degrees, others were even pastors. Before the first session of Congress, they even took the opportunity to pray and have a Bible study.

Look where the U.S. is today compared to those days. The definition of marriage is about to be redefined. Abortions take place everyday. Movies/TV/magazines are getting more explicit and vulgar. Prayer is not allowed in public school. The display of the 10 Commandments, the cross, the phrase "in God we trust", the word "Christmas", and anything else religious has been removed from the public sector. Our world is turning into Sodom and Gomorrah.

One of Wall Builders' chief objectives is to inform Christians and get them to vote. Pastor Green delivered this message clearly mixed in with a little humor. He's speaking again at Calvary Chapel La Habra on 9-14-08. Lets rock the vote!

Take This Poll

Check out this poll to see which major presidential candidate do you feel evangelicals can more closely identify with at this time?

Whatever you decide, please don't forget to vote in November.

A Twist in Our Adoption Plans

God has thrown a curve ball for us to adopt a healthy Thai toddler. All of the agencies that facilitate Thailand adoptions are either closed or require us to be infertile.

So, now it's time for plan B. We still want to adopt, but from where? We'd like a child that at least somewhat looks like us so here's a list of Asian countries:

• China: takes about 28 months!
• Vietnam: closed
• South Korea: very costly
• Kahzakstan: length of stay at the country is like 2 months!
• Philippines: this is plan B

The full layout of plan B is to adopt first from the Philippines. Since my wife is Filippino, the process is quicker. After we have our Filipino toddler (boy), then we still start the process for China (girl) so that it doesn't seem like we are waiting forever. This will inspire me to learn some Cantonese. What a plan!

Just pray that there isn't a plan C. And, if there is a plan C, may we both trust in the Lord that He will ultimately provide.

Just think: father = Chinese American, mother = Filippina, son = Filippino, daughter = Chinese.