I don't think I necessarily have writer's block. It's not like a blog requires that much forethought (at least mine). Well, I have been overwhelmed lately with all the abortion laws that have been passing. I believe that over time we will see a shift towards life in this nation. If you haven't heard about Sycloria Williams and what happened to her baby, you really should read about it, but be prepared to be sickened. The link is here. I believe this will even grieve pro-choicers, my prayer is that it does. On the other hand we have this bizarre case with the octuplet mom, who now has a single mother home of fourteen children. Cases like this certainly don't help the pro-life movement. I find myself praying often for our president and believe that to honor God he must change his policies concerning life. I'm also sickened by all the Christians who believe that Obama will become successful at making abortions rare with his stated tactics. I pray that he does make them rare (and not at all), I just think that it's ridiculous to defend that position with what he has done so far and promised to do in the future.
On the home front, my wife is still sick with a sinus infection, and my girls are busy. Especially Emma, she's super busy right now, which I find incredibly cute. Hailey is talking so big right now. Last night Hailey, Emma, and I were at the store to get a Valentine Card for Grace. When I read our final Snoopy card to Hailey she said, "That's the funniest card I've ever seen," with a little laugh. My family's amazing. I can't wait to see our first little boy.
On the heart front, I desperately want people to meet Jesus like I have. I want all of Christ, for all of me. A relationship with Jesus is glorious. Sure I've been disillusioned, frustrated, and angry in my Christian faith, but nothing is better in a life of sin and shame. I love to taste of the pleasure of loving God. Like John Piper, I'd have to say that I'm a Christian hedonist (but I'm not that Calvinist). My greatest joy in life is being overtaken by Jesus. I wish I always felt the pleasure of loving God, but I'm growing in it. I want people to know this incredible God and be free from all that holds them captive.
I've sure loving being a youth pastor lately. More than before. I've always enjoyed it, but God is getting those youth into my heart. They're amazing and it's an honor to raise up warriors in the army of the Lord. They will do great things in their life times. It will be fun to cheer them on!
Showing posts with label Life Culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Culture. Show all posts
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Long Term Family Planning and the Financial Crisis
What if people planned on having big families? What if Joe Bob had so many kids, that his kids could just pitch in a small fraction of their savings later in life to care for Joe Bob's elderly/retirement needs? What if there was an incentive to have large families so that families could be financially stable?
Our government has put forth a narrow minded solution today and may possibly be retracting it a day later. Nancy Pelosi was quoted in an article today where she stated that putting $200 million towards contraception would help the economy by relieving financial aid to impoverished families giving birth to new children. So apparently children have become a burden.
More babies, more possible creative solutions. Less babies, less possible creative solutions. Another classic example of a mindset that sees limited resources and limited solutions. This thinking is absurd. Let me explain. Let's say that in our country that there are only 100 jobs and there are 101 people that need jobs. A mindset that is narrow minded and closed believes that we have to short one person, kill one person, split the profits of another person,etc. An open minded solution would be to create a new job, a new industry, a new product, a new way to recycle, a new service, etc.
More people do not limit us. Our ideas limit us. Less people, less ideas, less energy. More people, more ideas, more enegry.
Our government has put forth a narrow minded solution today and may possibly be retracting it a day later. Nancy Pelosi was quoted in an article today where she stated that putting $200 million towards contraception would help the economy by relieving financial aid to impoverished families giving birth to new children. So apparently children have become a burden.
More babies, more possible creative solutions. Less babies, less possible creative solutions. Another classic example of a mindset that sees limited resources and limited solutions. This thinking is absurd. Let me explain. Let's say that in our country that there are only 100 jobs and there are 101 people that need jobs. A mindset that is narrow minded and closed believes that we have to short one person, kill one person, split the profits of another person,etc. An open minded solution would be to create a new job, a new industry, a new product, a new way to recycle, a new service, etc.
More people do not limit us. Our ideas limit us. Less people, less ideas, less energy. More people, more ideas, more enegry.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
It's a Boy on a dark day in American History.
I am very excited today because today my wife, Hailey, and I went to get an ultrasound of our new baby. It's a boy!! As a family of five, it's really nice to have a little boy. I was pretty outnumbered (not that it's been a bad thing). Girls have melted my heart, but I'm pumped for the little warrior to be added to our family.
My emotions were pretty mixed up when I realized that I got to see the gift and miracle of life, a baby in the womb, on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. On January 22, 1973, this horrible law which paved the way for mass abortions has lead to the slaughter of 40-50 million babies. President Obama has decided to pay for abortions around the world with our tax dollars in honor of this wicked ruling.
We have to ask ourselves, is change really a good thing, if it increases the amount of deaths of our most innocent and helpless members of society? Just because I want my baby, it makes it one? Just because someone doesn't want their baby, it makes it a blob of cells and tissue? There is blood on our hands. I am celebrating the life of my child and mourning the loss of innocents. I believe that great change is possible and I continue to pray with faith. God reverse the decree of '73. Jesus I plead your blood over my sin and the sin of my nation. God end abortion and send revival to America.
My emotions were pretty mixed up when I realized that I got to see the gift and miracle of life, a baby in the womb, on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. On January 22, 1973, this horrible law which paved the way for mass abortions has lead to the slaughter of 40-50 million babies. President Obama has decided to pay for abortions around the world with our tax dollars in honor of this wicked ruling.
We have to ask ourselves, is change really a good thing, if it increases the amount of deaths of our most innocent and helpless members of society? Just because I want my baby, it makes it one? Just because someone doesn't want their baby, it makes it a blob of cells and tissue? There is blood on our hands. I am celebrating the life of my child and mourning the loss of innocents. I believe that great change is possible and I continue to pray with faith. God reverse the decree of '73. Jesus I plead your blood over my sin and the sin of my nation. God end abortion and send revival to America.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Daddy's Girls
I learn things all the time from my two little girls. They're amazing. I never knew that I would love having girls so much. I'm crazy about them. I laugh and smile so much now that they are in my life.
Tonight my one year old, Emma, had her mommy put a wool cap on her head. The moment it went on her head she looked to me with this little inquisitive expression that was patiently waiting for daddy's affirmation. I said with a big smile and a hi-pitched voice, "Emma you look so beautiful." She smiles back at me and then goes back to playing with mommy. Then she does it again and again. She takes off the hat, has mommy put it back on, and looks right to daddy for another praise. My oldest daughter has been doing this probably since she was one year old as well. Each time Hailey, my oldest puts on a new shirt or dress, she comes out with a big smile and a silent stare, to wait to hear those words, "You look beautiful," from daddy.
Life is amazing with little ones. God is so good to bless me with them. I wonder what would happen to all the little girls if someone told them with a pure heart that they were beautiful, that they were valuable, that they mattered, and that they had a destiny. I learn a lot about God's love being a daddy?
Tonight my one year old, Emma, had her mommy put a wool cap on her head. The moment it went on her head she looked to me with this little inquisitive expression that was patiently waiting for daddy's affirmation. I said with a big smile and a hi-pitched voice, "Emma you look so beautiful." She smiles back at me and then goes back to playing with mommy. Then she does it again and again. She takes off the hat, has mommy put it back on, and looks right to daddy for another praise. My oldest daughter has been doing this probably since she was one year old as well. Each time Hailey, my oldest puts on a new shirt or dress, she comes out with a big smile and a silent stare, to wait to hear those words, "You look beautiful," from daddy.
Life is amazing with little ones. God is so good to bless me with them. I wonder what would happen to all the little girls if someone told them with a pure heart that they were beautiful, that they were valuable, that they mattered, and that they had a destiny. I learn a lot about God's love being a daddy?
Saturday, December 27, 2008
WHAT?!
A great friend of mine recently sat down with a young lady that began to press him about his job and such. He reluctantly talked to her about what he did and touched on some of the pro-family lobbying that he did. It was a sad series of events throughout their conversation that lead to the place where she questioned his "hateful" pro-life basis on the grounds that he has no rights to pass moral judgement on the issue because of his gender. WHAT?!
There's been a sad series of events in our nation that have lead us to the place where people who simply want all lives valued at every stage to be considered hateful, judgemental, and narrow minded. My heart breaks for this Christian girl (or at least that's what I was lead to believe) that has been so brainwashed by a death culture that she can't see what's clearly stated in Horton Hear's a Who ("A person's a person no matter how small"), or the Bible: Psalm 139:13 "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb (NIV)."
I understand that we have some Old Testament "Christians" that have bombed abortion clinics and targeted abortion doctors, but these guys are way off base and are clearly violating the heart of God over the issue. It's wrong to use violence to change the hearts of people concerning the issue of life. But we are in a tough place right now. The liberal is kicking our butts on this issue by leading in the way they have framed their movement. This stinks, but it's where we are at. I'm praying this: Jesus, I plead your blood over my sin and the sin of my nation, God end abortion and send revival to America. As well as this: God give us wisdom to rebrand a life culture movement that will change the hearts of people concerning the value of life.
There's been a sad series of events in our nation that have lead us to the place where people who simply want all lives valued at every stage to be considered hateful, judgemental, and narrow minded. My heart breaks for this Christian girl (or at least that's what I was lead to believe) that has been so brainwashed by a death culture that she can't see what's clearly stated in Horton Hear's a Who ("A person's a person no matter how small"), or the Bible: Psalm 139:13 "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb (NIV)."
I understand that we have some Old Testament "Christians" that have bombed abortion clinics and targeted abortion doctors, but these guys are way off base and are clearly violating the heart of God over the issue. It's wrong to use violence to change the hearts of people concerning the issue of life. But we are in a tough place right now. The liberal is kicking our butts on this issue by leading in the way they have framed their movement. This stinks, but it's where we are at. I'm praying this: Jesus, I plead your blood over my sin and the sin of my nation, God end abortion and send revival to America. As well as this: God give us wisdom to rebrand a life culture movement that will change the hearts of people concerning the value of life.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
An Abortion Survivor Touched Hearts and Changed Lives
"One-month-old Jacob would not be alive today if it weren't for little Sarah Brown. Jacob's mother had scheduled an abortion but then heard Sarah's remarkable story of having survived an abortion attempt. When she saw the precious little girl, instead of keeping the appointment, Jacob Alan's mother gave him the gift of life."
This is a compelling story. It's worth your time. Click here for the full story.
Life Culture Revolution
I've been thinking a lot lately about the need for the pro-life movement to reshape it's dialogue and key word phrases. We need a collaboration of people in arts and entertainment, education, church, and government to come together and get strategic with a 20-30 year plan to spread the message of life. We need people to write it, preach it, sing it, prophesy it, pray it, paint it, teach it, legislate it, etc. We can't reform the hearts of the nation from one perspective. We need to employ a multi-dimensional plan of victory that looks over the long-term.
Ultimately, we need changed hearts, because changed hearts, change lives.
Ultimately, we need changed hearts, because changed hearts, change lives.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Family Grows
It's pretty crazy. Grace and I went to her first doctor's appointment where we heard the heart beating of our third special baby!! We also got a little ultrasound (not big enough to determine the gender yet). It's so amazing to watch that little 10 week old baby moving around in mommy's tummy. I love that little life! We both walked away totally blessed by our doctor. She rocks!! I don't want to say why, but she's loves babies!! Our little house is filling up super fast. By four and a half years of marriage we'll have three little cuties. Will God continue to overpower me with estrogen or will their be another male in the house? Grace says she doesn't want to know this time. The suspense continues...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
What if we Gave a Choice?
What if we gave a choice
to the ones who have no voice?
What if life was valued
before men took women to the bedroom?
What if slavery had it's end
because customers stopped their sin?
What if life culture represents
elders, youngens, and adolescents?
What if all we owed was love
because we were filled from above?
What if we decided to touch each
with respect and a loving reach?
What if our vote reflected our values
because our conscience gave the cues?
What if justice and mercy we were to meet
and we found that peace had a seat?
What if you needed a new heart
and all that you longed for was a fresh start?
Who gives you a chance at free
to let go and to let you be?
What if all the death you caused
could be wiped away and guilt restrained?
What if the voices were silenced
and your dreams were no longer menaced?
What if you met Jesus for all the right reasons
because your loved no matter the seasons?
What if this isn't too good to be true
that no matter what your part you can be brand new?
to the ones who have no voice?
What if life was valued
before men took women to the bedroom?
What if slavery had it's end
because customers stopped their sin?
What if life culture represents
elders, youngens, and adolescents?
What if all we owed was love
because we were filled from above?
What if we decided to touch each
with respect and a loving reach?
What if our vote reflected our values
because our conscience gave the cues?
What if justice and mercy we were to meet
and we found that peace had a seat?
What if you needed a new heart
and all that you longed for was a fresh start?
Who gives you a chance at free
to let go and to let you be?
What if all the death you caused
could be wiped away and guilt restrained?
What if the voices were silenced
and your dreams were no longer menaced?
What if you met Jesus for all the right reasons
because your loved no matter the seasons?
What if this isn't too good to be true
that no matter what your part you can be brand new?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Daddy, am I your choice?
I hear someone yelling and screaming,
the sound of hate and thoughtless scheming.
Daddy, is that your voice?
I hear laughter, songs, and joy;
I think I hear a new special toy.
Daddy, is that your voice?
I hear sadness and woeful cries,
sounds like mourning and dark lullabies.
Daddy, is that your voice?
I hear loving hands and feet
gathering to listen for my strong heart beat.
Daddy, is that your voice?
I hear prayers covering me today.
If I could talk this is what I'd say,
Daddy, is that your voice?
I hear a world trapped in confusion.
How can they be so blinded by strong delusion?
Daddy, where is your voice?
I hear the critics of my legacy.
Will I be a burden or prodigy?
Dadddy, am I your choice?
the sound of hate and thoughtless scheming.
Daddy, is that your voice?
I hear laughter, songs, and joy;
I think I hear a new special toy.
Daddy, is that your voice?
I hear sadness and woeful cries,
sounds like mourning and dark lullabies.
Daddy, is that your voice?
I hear loving hands and feet
gathering to listen for my strong heart beat.
Daddy, is that your voice?
I hear prayers covering me today.
If I could talk this is what I'd say,
Daddy, is that your voice?
I hear a world trapped in confusion.
How can they be so blinded by strong delusion?
Daddy, where is your voice?
I hear the critics of my legacy.
Will I be a burden or prodigy?
Dadddy, am I your choice?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Need a laugh? Watch.
Life is so funny. Celebrate the funny moments. Sorry for my junior high sense of humor but I always liked chimps. My brother and I always wanted one for a pet.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Miracle Baby
Israeli Unborn Baby Victimized by Abortion, Put in Freezer, Comes Back to Life,
I don't know if you have seen this headline, click here. So a mother that is 26 weeks pregnant is told that her baby is not showing signs of life and they decide to do an abortion to remove the baby that they presume to be dead. After the procedure is performed, the dad asks to see the child who was put in a freezer and when they get the baby girl out to show the dad, the baby is alive after being pronounced dead. Even at 26 weeks, 14 weeks away from full maturity, this baby is alive. The baby did not live long and ended up dying. The doctors claimed that the baby, since being born prematurely was never dead, just that the pulse was too hard to detect. That story is here.
These babies are such fighters. Life wants to live. Is that so suprising? I don't know if the baby was dead or not, but I do believe in miracles and maybe God brought her back. This is miraculous that she even survived for a few hours at all. I think that God is getting our attention lately about the value of life. Headlines about babies surviving abortion seem to be popping up a little bit lately. Let us conintue to fill heaven with prayers for the unborn, until we see the curse of abortion reversed and righteousness prevail in our land.
I don't know if you have seen this headline, click here. So a mother that is 26 weeks pregnant is told that her baby is not showing signs of life and they decide to do an abortion to remove the baby that they presume to be dead. After the procedure is performed, the dad asks to see the child who was put in a freezer and when they get the baby girl out to show the dad, the baby is alive after being pronounced dead. Even at 26 weeks, 14 weeks away from full maturity, this baby is alive. The baby did not live long and ended up dying. The doctors claimed that the baby, since being born prematurely was never dead, just that the pulse was too hard to detect. That story is here.
These babies are such fighters. Life wants to live. Is that so suprising? I don't know if the baby was dead or not, but I do believe in miracles and maybe God brought her back. This is miraculous that she even survived for a few hours at all. I think that God is getting our attention lately about the value of life. Headlines about babies surviving abortion seem to be popping up a little bit lately. Let us conintue to fill heaven with prayers for the unborn, until we see the curse of abortion reversed and righteousness prevail in our land.
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Theology of Life from the lips of a toddler
The other day my 2 year old daughter was getting into her car seat, all by herself, like a "big girl." I said, "you did a good job," to affirm her new ability. So she decided to bust out in a little chant, that bordered on a song, "I am a good job. I am a good job. I am a good job." I of course had a huge grin pasted on my face and as I patted her on the head I agreed with her, "that's right Hailey, you are a good job." It's been heartbreaking lately as I run across and minister to people who think that they are worthless, broke down, no good trash. It's true that without Jesus we are all sinners. But it's also true that we were originally created in the image of God. Psalm 139 states that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." We are "a good job." God wants to restore a dignity and value for life. We are made in His image and God said that His creation was "good."
Arrows
Arrows in the hands of a warrior
adorn yourheart your dream
the thief tries to break awaybring dismay
bust up the teamIt's a familys affairs
who caresabout their legacy
A seed's a heritagein the carriage
a blessed destinyWon't be detesting me
Father's love arrested me
Don't want hate
to taint
Life culture paint
Resurrect the faint
Can't we stand for what's right
With might
But not a fight
Of hateful banter
the ranter
Brings more fire than light
Dip the message in love
From above
Creates hearts desire
The image alive
We'll thrive
Time to acquire
Blessings are overtaking
Legacies making
Receiving the little ones
The sound of war
Never bore
Joy by the tons
I hear laughter
Coming after
The ones to come along
All the files
Smiles
Time for life to be the song
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I've Seen Their Faces
I was watching Monster's Inc. with my daughter this morning and I started to see a pro-life, pro-child message coming through that I hadn't seen before. I don't know if that was intentional or not, but nonetheless here's a poem that started to surface as I prayed and reflected on the topic.
I've Seen Their Faces
We're the monsters in this game
If we're using them for our fortune and our fame
Doesn't anyone know they have a name
Their uniqueness makes them not the same
The fingers of God weaved them together
They should be covered like momma's wings of a feather
Ending these destinies has commissioned a dark weather
Treating babes like cattle, at least we "use the leather"
Kill this one to save another life
We've filled our nation with darkness and strife
But Father's emerging noble husband and wife
Who see the potential and reject the knife
I've seen their faces and heard their cries
They have voices, hands, and eyes
Redemption and healing turn dark to blue skies
The Spirit of adoption makes these eaglet's fly
Their story on earth isn't where it ends
Heaven's received the babes, their God's friends
Blood that's stained our guilty hands
The redeemer washes white and heals our lands
Savior is turning things around
As we get our knees to hit the ground
Turning from death and letting life abound
In Abba's love, His life we're found
I've Seen Their Faces
We're the monsters in this game
If we're using them for our fortune and our fame
Doesn't anyone know they have a name
Their uniqueness makes them not the same
The fingers of God weaved them together
They should be covered like momma's wings of a feather
Ending these destinies has commissioned a dark weather
Treating babes like cattle, at least we "use the leather"
Kill this one to save another life
We've filled our nation with darkness and strife
But Father's emerging noble husband and wife
Who see the potential and reject the knife
I've seen their faces and heard their cries
They have voices, hands, and eyes
Redemption and healing turn dark to blue skies
The Spirit of adoption makes these eaglet's fly
Their story on earth isn't where it ends
Heaven's received the babes, their God's friends
Blood that's stained our guilty hands
The redeemer washes white and heals our lands
Savior is turning things around
As we get our knees to hit the ground
Turning from death and letting life abound
In Abba's love, His life we're found
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
My Canadian Vacation and the Overpopulation Myth
My family and I just returned from our first family vacation to Kelowna, B.C. It was a such a great time, we definitely need that every year. Almost everyone that we ran across in Kelowna was noticeably friendly. The city also has a strong commitment to the advancement of arts in their culture which was very inspiring. My wife and I were both inspired to pursue some of our dreams that surface from time to time as a result of just being in that kind of environment. Our girls our crazy about the water which made swimming the highlight of almost every day. What a blast! Good times, good times.
On our return home from the vaca, it dawned on me as we drove the barren land, Thomas Malthus must have never visited Canada when he came up with his erroneous theory about overpopulation. For crying out loud, move the people to Canada!! For the love, there are like 60 mile stretches without anything but trees! We could probably move a quarter of the earths population to Canada and still have elbow room to spare. Maybe someone should start a move to Canada campaign. The place is loaded with natural beauty (at least in the West), and a plethora of natural resources. I'm quite content in the USA and don't feel the need to flee to the north, but before we start limiting the number of children people have in the earth, maybe we should just push for open boarders into Canada.
On our return home from the vaca, it dawned on me as we drove the barren land, Thomas Malthus must have never visited Canada when he came up with his erroneous theory about overpopulation. For crying out loud, move the people to Canada!! For the love, there are like 60 mile stretches without anything but trees! We could probably move a quarter of the earths population to Canada and still have elbow room to spare. Maybe someone should start a move to Canada campaign. The place is loaded with natural beauty (at least in the West), and a plethora of natural resources. I'm quite content in the USA and don't feel the need to flee to the north, but before we start limiting the number of children people have in the earth, maybe we should just push for open boarders into Canada.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Enjoying Children
Tonight my two year old melted her daddy's heart. It was "jammy time" (you know pj's, jim-jams, pajamas). I flew her upstairs like her favorite cartoon spelling super-heroes from the PBS show Super Why. As her pj's were going on, I thought she said, "what you say?" She repeated the phrase a few more times and it finally dawned on me as she mumbled in her sweet little voice, "what tid say?" Daddy translation: "what does it say?" I realized what she ment and responded, "You want to know what your shirt says?" She nodded and replied, "yea." I started with only the first word on her pajama top, "Apple..." And a big smile started on her face before I could finish. She obviously remembered the phrase and finished it with, "of daddy's eye." Then as my heart was dripping like a melting candle inside, I got a big hug. It's times like these that I love to celebrate, celebrate children and celebrate life.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Narrow Minded Bigots (Re-defining Pro-Life)
Check out this definition of pro-life from Merriam-Websters Dictionary:
"antiabortion"
What!? If Christ followers are labeled "narrow minded bigots," then I'm naming this a "narrow minded definition." To be fair, other dictionaries give slightly better definitions, that include pharseology, such as, "opposed to legalized abortion, right-to-life; advocating full legal protection of human embryos or fetuses, especially by opposing legalized abortion." If you are going to be "pro" something, then you will always be "anti" something as well. But "antiabortion" tends to sum up all of what people feel pro-life is about. Being pro-life is about promoting a culture of life. How will we solve the great suffering of the world if we don't value life the way that God does? It's impossible to end starvation in the third world by simply giving money away. How will a dictator distribute that wealth if he believes that his life is more valuable then villagers of his nation? That's not pro-life. How will genocide end when we continue to see education that promotes superior races? That's not pro-life. How will we stop human trafficking with our donations when we can't overcome our own desire to look at pornography on the internet and end up supporting the very thing we say we hate? How dare we hate human traffickers while we buy dirty magazines and click on pornographic ad banners on-line, that are fueling the fire of human trafficking. That's not pro-life. How dare we hate abortion, and dispise children. That's not pro-life. We need money and talks to help promote the cause of life, I'm not against that. But what we ultimately need is a worldview change that comes from people encountering Jesus Christ.
Being pro-life doesn't mean that you have to have 28 children or have lived a perfect life. Being "pro" - "life" in it's truest sense, means repenting (changing our minds and as a result our actions) until we see things like God does and live that way. If it wasn't for the blood of Jesus covering my sins, I could never speak up on behalf of the cause for life. "I am the chief of sinners," as I can confess along with the Apostle Paul. I don't pray for life and promote a culture of life from a position of arrogance, although sometimes I feel pulled that direction. I plead for life from a position of humility, knowing that I don't deserve in my own righteousness to stand up for anything. But Jesus makes things new, He made me new. I'm free to value and promote life.
The human heart is so wicked apart from knowing Jesus. Jesus wants to forgive our sins and heal us of lust, selfishness, sexual addiction, and abortion (and any others for that matter). But will you see your sin for what it is? It's simple to do but not easy to live. But if you cry out for forgiveness to God through Jesus Christ with a full heart, it's a sure deal (see the Bible 1 John 1:7-9). God will supply all the love to heal you and form your thinking to match His.
One of the reasons that I love the new movie "Bella," is because of how it promotes life. Maybe pro-life needs to become just that, "pro"mote-"life." Will you join me in being pro-life? Valuing the least, the lost and the lame? Valuing pregnancy and pregnant women? Valuing babies in and out of the womb? Valuing the elderly? Valuing people of diffent colors and different cultures? Valuing life because God does and because He gave each individual to this world for a reason? Maybe then as we celebrate, enjoy, and champion "life," people will see that we're so much more for something than just against something else. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes but to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and life more abundantly." My declaration is that me and my house will value abundant life like Jesus does. I need Jesus more than ever as I walk this path of re-defining what is pro-life.
"antiabortion"
What!? If Christ followers are labeled "narrow minded bigots," then I'm naming this a "narrow minded definition." To be fair, other dictionaries give slightly better definitions, that include pharseology, such as, "opposed to legalized abortion, right-to-life; advocating full legal protection of human embryos or fetuses, especially by opposing legalized abortion." If you are going to be "pro" something, then you will always be "anti" something as well. But "antiabortion" tends to sum up all of what people feel pro-life is about. Being pro-life is about promoting a culture of life. How will we solve the great suffering of the world if we don't value life the way that God does? It's impossible to end starvation in the third world by simply giving money away. How will a dictator distribute that wealth if he believes that his life is more valuable then villagers of his nation? That's not pro-life. How will genocide end when we continue to see education that promotes superior races? That's not pro-life. How will we stop human trafficking with our donations when we can't overcome our own desire to look at pornography on the internet and end up supporting the very thing we say we hate? How dare we hate human traffickers while we buy dirty magazines and click on pornographic ad banners on-line, that are fueling the fire of human trafficking. That's not pro-life. How dare we hate abortion, and dispise children. That's not pro-life. We need money and talks to help promote the cause of life, I'm not against that. But what we ultimately need is a worldview change that comes from people encountering Jesus Christ.
Being pro-life doesn't mean that you have to have 28 children or have lived a perfect life. Being "pro" - "life" in it's truest sense, means repenting (changing our minds and as a result our actions) until we see things like God does and live that way. If it wasn't for the blood of Jesus covering my sins, I could never speak up on behalf of the cause for life. "I am the chief of sinners," as I can confess along with the Apostle Paul. I don't pray for life and promote a culture of life from a position of arrogance, although sometimes I feel pulled that direction. I plead for life from a position of humility, knowing that I don't deserve in my own righteousness to stand up for anything. But Jesus makes things new, He made me new. I'm free to value and promote life.
The human heart is so wicked apart from knowing Jesus. Jesus wants to forgive our sins and heal us of lust, selfishness, sexual addiction, and abortion (and any others for that matter). But will you see your sin for what it is? It's simple to do but not easy to live. But if you cry out for forgiveness to God through Jesus Christ with a full heart, it's a sure deal (see the Bible 1 John 1:7-9). God will supply all the love to heal you and form your thinking to match His.
One of the reasons that I love the new movie "Bella," is because of how it promotes life. Maybe pro-life needs to become just that, "pro"mote-"life." Will you join me in being pro-life? Valuing the least, the lost and the lame? Valuing pregnancy and pregnant women? Valuing babies in and out of the womb? Valuing the elderly? Valuing people of diffent colors and different cultures? Valuing life because God does and because He gave each individual to this world for a reason? Maybe then as we celebrate, enjoy, and champion "life," people will see that we're so much more for something than just against something else. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes but to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and life more abundantly." My declaration is that me and my house will value abundant life like Jesus does. I need Jesus more than ever as I walk this path of re-defining what is pro-life.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Bella, a Masterpiece on Life
Last weekend my wife and I finally got to enjoy the film Bella. What a great movie. It is a "must see" and even a "must own" for me.
This story messed me up. My wife and I watched Bella on the couch with our two daughters crashed in our arms (which added to the emotion) and tears filled our eyes by the films end as we saw a masterpiece of life being weaved before us. God has birthed so much passion in me over the issue of life and abortion. It is so easy in this journey of seeing a shift in culture to value life, to be become bitter and hateful. I certainly walked away from Bella with a greater passion to see the ending of abortion. When you really love something, you'll have passion to protect it. But I love people that are involved in performing abortions and having them, but I hate to see them robbed of one the greatest blessings in life. But beyond this drive to end abortion I found a greater passion for loving life. There was something so powerful in the simplicity and beauty of life that is portrayed. If image creates desire, then we should see a spike in the amount of people that choose life. Bella represents life culture to the max (at least in terms of physical life). My prayer is that people would see this film as truely pro-life, the call that Christ's followers must rise up to. It is important to be educated on the atrocities of abortion, but it is most critical to celebrate and value life. I will be writing more about the narrow mindedness of the pro-life label in a future post. But until then, if you haven't already, go watch this life changing movie.
This story messed me up. My wife and I watched Bella on the couch with our two daughters crashed in our arms (which added to the emotion) and tears filled our eyes by the films end as we saw a masterpiece of life being weaved before us. God has birthed so much passion in me over the issue of life and abortion. It is so easy in this journey of seeing a shift in culture to value life, to be become bitter and hateful. I certainly walked away from Bella with a greater passion to see the ending of abortion. When you really love something, you'll have passion to protect it. But I love people that are involved in performing abortions and having them, but I hate to see them robbed of one the greatest blessings in life. But beyond this drive to end abortion I found a greater passion for loving life. There was something so powerful in the simplicity and beauty of life that is portrayed. If image creates desire, then we should see a spike in the amount of people that choose life. Bella represents life culture to the max (at least in terms of physical life). My prayer is that people would see this film as truely pro-life, the call that Christ's followers must rise up to. It is important to be educated on the atrocities of abortion, but it is most critical to celebrate and value life. I will be writing more about the narrow mindedness of the pro-life label in a future post. But until then, if you haven't already, go watch this life changing movie.
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