worship before battle
We started Day 1 of our legislative session with The Gathering and it was absolutely fantastic! The Gathering yesterday was our first monthly worship and prayer time at the Capitol. If you missed it, don't worry! You've got an opportunity on February 8th to join us, so mark your calendars now!
Check back on our Events page to plan for March, April & May.
why gather & worship?
1. Last session as I was praying in the midst of some very hard days, Holy Spirit began to whisper, "Gather the believers." God made it very clear to me that we would NOT win these earthly governmental battles without divine strategy and working with Him. He continued to whisper instructions of gathering committed believers throughout the course of the interim.
2. We started monthly worship last session in 2023, but we kept it private. We gathered a tiny group in Senator Jill Carter's office for worship and prayer. It was a divinely ordained and blessed time every month. We typically invited the other senators nearby to join us and sometimes we had other guests, including citizens who were in the building for hearings and staffers. It became our favorite day of the month and we all looked forward to it, only wishing we could do it more often.
3. In the Old Testament, when the Israelites were going to battle they would send out worshippers ahead of the army to sing and worship the Lord. For example, in 2 Chronicles 20, Jehosephat told the Israelites to, "...trust in the Lord your God and you will endure. Put your trust in the prophets and you will succeed." He appointed those who sang to the Lord and who praised Him to to go before the army in praise. It was as they began singing and praises that the Lord set ambushes against the enemy.
please join us!
In 2024, we are moving our time of worship from a private office to the rotunda and we are inviting all who would like to join us to come.
Expect a short word from scripture, a short time or corporate prayer, prayer points provided for you to take home & 30-45 minutes of worship. As legislators are able to join us, we will stop and pray over each one individually.
It is a very laid back time set aside for those He calls to come and freely worship and pray as you are led. We encourage everyone who attends to take some time afterward to meet with their legislators, build relationship and use the time to offer prayers and encouragement.
If that resonates with your spirit, I hope you'll pray about joining us in February!
This article is a supplement to Episode 28 on the Arise & Build podcast. Listen for more info & subscribe!
Health & family education for mo high schools
HB 447, sponsored by Rep Bishop Davidson, is an education bill that addresses several different issues pertaining to Missouri school kids.
One of them is a change in the name of our high school health class and the development of new standards:
160.527
1. The one-half unit of credit in health education required by the state board of education shall be renamed "Health and Family Education" for the 2024-25 school year and all subsequent school years.
2. The state board of education shall convene a work group to develop and recommend academic performance standards relating to the one-half unit of credit of health and family education required by the board. The work group shall include, but not be limited to, educators providing instruction in health education and family and consumer science in grades nine to twelve, representatives from the department of elementary and secondary education, and nonprofit organizations that focus on public health, parenting, and social services. The work group shall develop written curriculum frameworks relating to health and family education with an emphasis on behavioral health relating to the causes of morbidity and mortality of youth, chronic disease management, and parenting skills associated with optimal family health over a lifetime that may be used by school districts.
This is only one small piece of HB 447 and this alone is concerning enough I would've voted no on this piece of legislation. Unfortunately, most of our legislators voted yes and this bill was signed by the governor and took effect in August.
Concerns
Why do we need to change the name of our health class? Is this really necessary?
Including 'family education' would likely indicate an emphasis on sex education and/or extending personal health of students into their homes and families. Neither one of those things is something I appreciate.
Because I've personally sat in education hearings and listened to the lobbyists for the counseling and education industries categorize parents as abusive if they don't affirm LGBTQ lifestyles, this simple change in title was a red flag to me.
In the 2nd paragraph, the red flag was confirmed. A work group that will include non-profit organizations. When you understand more of the national landscape around the issue of our youth and their health, which includes mental health, the connection to LGBTQ ideology becomes much more clear. The fact that this language specifically mentions youth mortality is another clue that the gender & sexuality issue will be front and center.
It's language like this in our statutes that are delivering woke ideology to our schools. It seems harmless on the surface but when you have an understanding of the bigger picture, it's a huge problem!
I'm adding some links to a few non-profits that would want to be part of this workgroup so you can see for yourself what I'm concerned about.
Also, remember that centralizing and standardizing systems is the goal of the globalization movement. The efforts of these organizations to bring the entire nation into alignment is a big problem.
sunshine requests
The workgroup has already met and I've requested copies of all related emails, attendance lists, and materials used. I should be receiving those documents in the coming days. It will be interesting to see what topics were actually discussed. I'll be sure to let you know, so make sure you subscribe!
Resources
HB 447 can be found here. See page 1 & 2 for the Health & Family Ed language.
WSCC model video on CDC YouTube channel.
WSCC on CDC website.
Planned Parenthood sex ed info.
Seicus - Sex Ed for Social Change
WSCC model video on CDC YouTube channel.
WSCC on CDC website.
Planned Parenthood sex ed info.
Seicus - Sex Ed for Social Change
This blog compliments Episode 24 on the Arise & Build podcast where Lisa Pannett and I discuss the interstate compact language that was found in 4 different bills in 2023. The end result was the passage of interstate licensing compacts for medical workers, counselors and social workers. The language is the same for all three professions.
Bill Links:
SB 70 sponsored by Senator Travis Fitzwater
SB 157 sponsored by Senator Rusty Black
HB 99 sponsored by Rep Bishop Davidson
HB 115 sponsored by Rep Brenda Shields
what are interstate compacts?
In the simplest of terms, interstate compacts are official agreements between states. They are not required. In fact, if you read the U.S. Constitution literally, they are unconstitutional.
Black's Law Dictionary states the legal definition of the term 'compact' is:
"An agreement or contract. Usually applied to conventions between nations or sovereign states. A compact is a mutual consent of parties concerned respecting some property or right that is the object of the stipulation, or something that is to be done or forborne."
"No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay."
Although the U.S. Constitution says states aren't allowed to enter into compacts with each other, the Supreme Court has adopted the precedent that only interstate compacts which would increase the State's power and undermine federal power need to be approved by Congress.
The compacts we are discussing today are professional licensing compacts and, therefore, are not seen by SCOTUS as unconstitutional.
what are interstate licensing compacts?
Licensing compacts between states are agreements that lay out how licensed professionals (such as doctors, nurses, surgeons, physical therapists, counselors, social workers, nail techs, emergency medical technicians, dentists, etc.) are able to practice in multiple states without jumping through more hurdles like testing, application processes, etc.
isn't that a good thing?
The simple answer is yes. We want to allow our professionals to practice in other states, move more easily across state lines, etc.
We ALREADY COULD DO THAT.
We already had the ability to have what's called reciprocity from one state to another. It didn't NEED to be changed.
these compacts cede our state sovereignty
In these bills, we have opted in to interstate compacts that address our healtcare workers, counselors and social workers.
Missouri is now opted in to three different federal level commissions. These commissions....
- Have one member on the commission from each member state. Missouri will have ONE unelected person on the commission with potentially 49 others from across the nation.
- The rules of the Commission will be carried out in Missouri with the FULL FORCE of Missouri law. Rules that will be written by people from across the nation and can be added to or amended at any time.
- The Commission is immune from any suit brought against them
- The Commission, however, can bring suit against Missouri
- The Commission can institute emergency rules with no notice
- The Commission can revoke a license without notice if the licensee is under investigation
- The Commission requires full participation in all data collection programs
- and more.. more potentially dangerous things for Missourians
rules with full force of missouri law
This point is worth highlighting. I want to make sure you understand.
These commissions now have the ability to write rules that will be enforced as law for Missouri.
Unelected people from across the country will now, essentially, be writing laws that apply to Missouri professionals.
Think about Covid as that related to our doctors.
Think about LGBTQ+ as it relates to our counselors.
Think about pandemics and left wing craziness as it relates to social workers.
Doctors = our healthcare.
Counselors = mental health & schools
Social workers = hospitals, schools, our families
What happens when this federal commission writes a rule that doctors can't deviate from CDC guidelines without losing their license?
What happens when this commission writes a rule that requires doctors to give hormones to pre-teens struggling with identity?
What happens when this commission writes a rule that requires social workers to remove kids from non-affirming homes?
What happens when the commission writes a rule that counselors will collect and submit specific data on their clients - which could be your children?
what can you do?
Call your senator and representative. Ask them about their vote on this language. Share the information you get with your friends and family. Write down the date, what they said & hold them accountable.
Missouri law makers should not be law breakers
Looks like it was going to be swept under the rug, until The Missouri Independent published an article yesterday (10/23/23) exposing the shenanigans of Missouri Speaker of the House, Dean Plocher.
I can't say that I'm surprised. Plocher has been quite a character while he's been in the House. I'm not sure why our reps elevated him to Speaker status in the first place. Frankly, they need to take some of the heat themselves. They voted him in, knowing his character.
Well...that's not entirely true. He was tapped for the position while he was still Majority Floor Leader - a full year and a half before the official vote in January 2023 was taken. By that time, the new freshmen representatives who got to vote and weren't part of the tapping, were bullied into believing he was the only choice and they'd better go along to get along. Which they always do.
lack of morals and near zero ethics
Plocher has been in hot water lately because the truth is coming out. So far, in the last few weeks we've had two major issues arise and I have a feeling we're not done yet.
1. Plocher was pushing for an $800K purchase of software for the Mo House - which was wasteful and not necessary at all. He had personal connections to the lobbyists pushing the buy. That's a No-No.
He also apparently was threatening staff who were pushing back and trying to protect Missouri tax dollars. I recorded a podcast about that about that a few weeks ago.
The end result is that his Chief of Staff got fired & the grapevine talk is that he was threatening other jobs as well.
He's certainly not been a morale builder since he took his position as Speaker. Just ask around and the legislative assistants will tell you the tyrannical rules he's put into place. He's treating them like they are kindergarteners.
2. He's a thief. This is a pretty basic principle...."Thou shalt not steal. Ex 20:15" If we could just get our elected officials to follow the 10 Commandments - what a difference that would make.
The latest drop of information which includes documentation obtained via Sunshine request show that he's been double dipping and stealing from Missouri taxpayers to line his own personal pockets.
I heard that the FBI was in the building when the whole situation with the software went down. I assumed that is as far as it would go but now it looks like Plocher has broken Missouri law more than once and could possibly be facing federal charges, depending on the amount of dollars that was taken.
plocher needs to be removed!
If they can do it in Washington, I don't see why we can't do it in Missouri! Our House Speaker is as corrupt as they come and he needs to be removed from his office. In fact, I personally feel he needs to be removed from the House altogether. At the very least, he should NOT be holding the most influential seat in Missouri politics!
House Ethics Committee Is Meeting
Friday, October 27, the Missouri House Ethics Committee is meeting at 10:00am in House Hearing Room 4.
That meeting will be closed, but every committee member needs to be getting calls & emails from across the state from now until then that are asking for Plocher's removal from the Missouri House.
And even though the meeting will be closed, if you're free on Friday it might be a great day to have a grassroots meeting. Who wants to have brunch in the Capitol basement Friday around 9:30am?? I'll bring the donuts!
what you can do
1. Call & email each committee member listed below. Request they remove Dean Plocher from his House seat entirely at their meeting Friday. Rep Hannah Kelley will be the one in charge and leading the group.
Committee Chair, Rep Hannah Kelley 573.751.2205 hannah.kelley@house.mo.gov
Vice Chair, Rep Richard Brown 573.751.7639 richard.brown@house.mo.gov
Rep Jerome Barnes 573.751.9851 jerome.barnes@house.mo.gov
Rep John Black 573.751.1167. john.black@house.mo.gov
Rep Paula Brown. 573.751.0100 paula.brown@house.mo.gov
Rep David Evans 573.751.1455 david.evans@house.mo.gov
Rep Rick Francis 573.751.5912 rick.francis@house.mo.gov
Rep Robert Sauls 573.751.5701. robert.sauls@house.mo.gov
Rep Marlene Terry 573.751.6845. marlene.terry@house.mo.gov
2. Pray. Pray God removes Plocher from this office and brings whatever it takes to drain this part of the Missouri swamp.
Remember that Nehemiah prayed AGAINST his enemies. We have Biblical standing to pray that Plocher is removed and his efforts to harm Missourians are turned back onto his own head.
Be sure to subscribe if you haven't already - there's more to come on this front, I'm sure.
This blog post supports Episode 22 of the Arise & Build podcast with Bev Ehlen on the Republican primary caucus process.
no presidential primary election in missouri
Are you expecting to cast a vote at the polls in the Missouri presidential primary in 2024?
If you are, you shouldn't be. There won't be one.
In 2022, the Missouri legislature did away with the presidential primary as you have known it in the past. The truth is that it wasn't ever what you really thought. It was never the official process for choosing Missouri's primary winner. It was only a way for you to express your opinion, but it held no weight whatsoever.
The way the presidential primary winner is actually chosen has always been through the republican party caucus.
What's a caucus? A group of people. In this case, a group of republican (we hope) voters.
presidential primary caucus
The End Goal: Choose delegates that will go to the Republican National Convention on July 15 to cast a vote for their chosen republican presidential candidate. The winner of the RNC vote will be on the ticket in the November general election in 2024.
the most important action you can take
We NEED you to participate in your county caucus!
The county caucus is where it all begins and it lays the foundation for every vote cast thereafter. We NEED you to show up on MARCH 2nd before 10:00am and stay until the votes are cast and the meeting is over.
This is THE most important thing you can do to ensure that Missouri voters are well represented in our presidential election!
the process
- County Caucuses on March 2nd - Each county will choose 2 groups of predetermined number of delegates. One group will go to the Congressional Caucus. The other will go to the Missouri State Republican Convention.
- Congressional Caucuses on April 6th - County delegates go to their Congressional Caucus where 3 delegates will be chosen to attend the RNC in July.
- Missouri State Republican Convention on May 4th in Springfield, MO. County delegates go to the state convention and choose 27 delegates that will attend the RNC in July.
county caucuses are the #1 priority
At the county caucus, you will make your primary choice known. If there is a clear winner (50% plus 1) ALL the delegates for the county will vote for the county winner at the congressional caucus & state convention.
If there is not a winner by simple majority, there is a process of splitting the county delegates by percentage.
The county caucus is CRITICAL!
put march 2nd on your calendar!
Where is the caucus? You'll have to make a phone call or two to find out.
The locations are chosen by your Republican Central Committee so you need to contact your Chairperson to find out where your caucus will be.
You may not know who that is, so finding out is the first step. If you don’t know what the Central Committee is, that’s a conversation for a different day.
Miles Ross can tell you. He works for the GOP and his number is 417.812.5078. Call him and ask who your Central Committee Chair is and what their phone number is. When you find out, if you could email that information to me at jodi@jodigrace.com, I will start compiling an updated list.
Then, call your county chairperson and ask for the location for the presidential primary county caucus.
Plan on being at that location by 9:45am. They will close the doors at 10:00am and no one will be allowed in after that. You will be in that room until everything is finished. Plan on being there AT LEAST 2 hours, but it could be longer so clear your day.
Can you be a delegate?
We need good, honest people to commit to be a delegate to the other caucuses.
The congressional caucus is April 6th. It may be a bit of a drive from your house - a county or two away depending on your district and location. It wouldn't require an overnight stay.
The state convention is in Springfield on May 4th. You'll want to be there the night before so it would require the expense of a hotel room & food.
The national convention is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 15th and the expense of the entire trip would be yours to cover.
You'll need to know if you are willing and able to be a delegate when you attend your county caucus.
