Powerful Words from an Abortion Survivor

I don't understand how someone can claim to be a Christian yet be "pro-choice". The unborn baby does not have a choice, yet it becomes a matter of life and death for them. This child is created in God's own image yet this young life isn't valued.

Over 95% of the abortions performed in the world today are with women who simply do not want to have a baby. Less than 5% of abortions in the world today are for the reasons of rape, incest, or the mother's health at risk. Less than 1/10 of one percent of the abortions done in the world today are where the mother's life is at risk.

This is an utmost evil. Even in the more difficult 5% of instances (rape, incest, life of mother at risk), abortion should never be the first option. The life of a human being in the womb is worth every effort to allow a full term birth.

Even if the really may be the situation of trying to save a mother's life, we need to remember that God is a God of miracles. He can preserve the life of a mother and a child despite all the medical odds being against it.

It is never medically necessary to intentionally kill a baby inside the mother's womb. There is a big difference between trying to save a mother's life, resulting in a baby's death, and intentionally ending the life of a baby in a mother's womb.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. Jeremiah 1:5

Science agrees with what we are told in the Bible. It tells us that human life begins at the time of conception. From the moment fertilization takes place, the child's genetic makeup is already complete. Its gender has already been determined, along with its height and hair, eye and skin color. The only thing the embryo needs to become a fully-functioning being is the time to grow and develop.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16

I recently read that since Roe v. Wade allowed abortion to be legal in our country, that over 40 MILLION babies have been killed.

These are powerful words from an abortion survivor, Gianna Jessen. She researched the abortionist (he had to sign her birth certificate so she knew his name) and he claims to have performed over 1,000,000 abortions and considers it to be his "passion".





Victorian Premier John Brumby says he's "pleased to see legislation to decriminalise abortion pass through the upper house." Outcome on October 10, 2008 was that abortion was decriminalized in Australia - Read the article here

The War on Abortion:


Abortion is a reprehensible thing. We have decided to play God and snuff out these innocent lives. We need to pray and cry out to Christ to forgive us for being so complacent about the mass murder of millions of babies. It is nothing short of infantacide.

Acceptance and Encouragement

Acceptance is being patient and enduring. Don’t upset a friend because you cannot accept something about them. We can continue to assist them by shining our light, but we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. If we are loving the same Lord then what is the problem? Should we allow trivial differences to bring problems in our relationship with others? Jesus came to bring us love, not rules and regulations.

Always keep the gospel first and foremost in your mind.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:3-5

We have the divine word of God spoken in Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 13, Paul went on to speak a word of encouragement. He said, "We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers, he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus." How's that for a word of encouragement? God promised and God fulfilled the promise! Jesus was raised from the dead. God continues to work in and through us and because of God's great work in us, we can speak the Good News to others. We can speak a word of encouragement in the midst of a world that needs it so desperately.

Thoughts for Today

Well. . .today Mark had a scout pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Methodist church. Since I was over that way I figured that we could go to church at our old church - Cypress Lake Baptist. I couldn't believe how many people told me that they had been thinking about me over the last 2 weeks. I haven't been there in over 2 years! Ruth even broke down in tears and, among other very touching things, said that she really missed having me there. Alma said that every time they drive past our old house (she didn't know we moved) she thought of us. I was somewhat surprised at the degree of love they showed me.

It was really sad to see how few people were there. Except for Alyssa, I don't think there was anyone else in church under 40 and the average age was probably around 60! The first person I saw was Wayne, Paula is in complete remission from cancer, Brent Jr. is now regularly coming and is living back home, Jo was there (I hadn't talked with her since her husband died), Ellie is using a walker now, Ernie is still doing the sound (none of his kids or Cheryl were at church, though). Mary York and the Rutledges weren't there. It was great to talk to some of these older couples and widows. Apparently the pianist they hired isn't playing there any more so Paula was playing. I forgot to ask how her vertigo was. I know that it was something that plagued her for so long. Linda wasn't at church either. I had heard previously that her health isn't very good. Brownie was there. I had heard that she was in the hospital recently but I wasn't able to get down to Health Park to see her.

Since there were so many people that stopped to speak with me I was the last person out. I had the chance to speak to Pastor Harvey after the service. He knew I was going to Grace because I sent a letter saying that I had joined another church so they could remove my name from the church roll. He said that he and Pastor Ascol don't agree on their theology. He said that "Tom is more reformed than I am". Interesting, because now that I have become more familiar with the label "reformed", I wouldn't at all classify him as reformed doctrinally. He said that the one thing he respects, though, is that Pastor Ascol is a supporter of evangelism.

I asked what his views on some other items were and was very surprised to hear some of his answers. After talking for a little while, I found that there are many subjects that he chooses not to preach on because since different Christians have differing opinions, he would rather not go there because of the potential controversy. He would rather preach on a text that might relate to "life" and then explain what some of the Greek or Hebrew words mean or talk about the geography and how it would relate to the text so that people can "contextualize" it. He said that although he believes in the doctrine of election and predestination, he believes that a person has the free will to do the choosing. I don't ever remember him preaching on election, predestination or mentioning free will (in 13 years). As a matter of fact, I don't remember him preaching on any text in Romans at all (not to say that it didn't happen, but I don't remember any). He said that he got the Amazing Grace DVD that Tom sent to the SBC pastors and told me that he had one by Jerry Vines that I should see. He didn't tell me the name of it, though. Although he didn't say it in so many words, by what he did say, I got the impression that he thinks that the facts have been altered on the DVD so it isn't a true historical picture.

It was also interesting to note that his sermon didn't have a picture of the gospel at all. At Grace I have gotten so used to EVERY sermon coming back to the gospel that it ended up reflecting a stark difference between the two. At the end of the service when they had an "altar call", Alyssa asked "what is he doing"? Apparently she didn't remember that part of the service. Interesting because she was 14 when we left and she had seen it her whole life. I guess it made more of an impact since we don't have an "altar call" at Grace.

All in all, I left appreciating where I am more than ever. I am left wondering how I was able to be satisfied for so long with so little. It has come full circle and I am back to hearing doctrine that I heard growing up. Things that I didn't realize I wasn't hearing until I heard them again.

I do think that the next time Mark has a Sunday morning fundraiser at the church, that I'll plan on going. In the past I didn't want to miss the services at Grace so I passed on having Mark participate in the fundraiser. It was nice to talk with everyone - I had spent so many years there and they have seen my kids grow up. It was good to say "hi".

What I'm reading. . .

Here is an update of books I'm reading. . .

· The Bible Lessons of John Quincy Adams for His Son

· Poems for Patriarchs: The Verse and Prose of Christian Manhood - Edited by Douglas Phillips

· Parents in Pain: Overcoming the Hurt and Frustration of Problem Children - John White

· The Godly Man's Picture - Thomas Watson

Devotional I have added: The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions - compiled by Arthur Bennett (bummer - he doesn't credit any of the writings with the writer)

I've gone back to my old habits of always having a book with me. If I ever need to wait for the kids or for an appointment, I always have a book with me. This is a habit I had when I was growing up (although I was worse then - I would even read while walking around). It's weird. . .I can't seem to get enough reading in. It's been many years since I have read so much. At the rate I am reading now I will read at least 60 books this year.

Lord, You're blessing me with such good reading material. I know that you are guiding me in my selections. Many of these have been exactly what I have needed to read at this time. Please help me keep You always in my thoughts and to help me become more like You. Please help my life to reflect You.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Pilgrims v. Indians

Since it was Thanksgiving this week, I took the time to listen to the Pilgrims v. Indians CD that is put out by Vision Forum. This is a presentation by Doug Phillips (definitely one of my favorite speakers to listen to - quite possibly my #1 favorite). I have probably listened to this at least 4 times.

It reminds us of our Godly Christian heritage with the pilgrims and how history is being revised. How the pilgrims viewed the indians as being one of the lost tribes of Israel. They considered them as a people in need of God's saving grace - not some group that was living on land they wanted. They worked with the local indian tribe and many came to a saving knowledge of Christ. It was reported that all of the indians at Martha's Vineyard were converted.

It tells of how his family (along with Richard "Little Bear" Wheeler) went on a vacation to Plymouth one Thanksgiving for the purpose of remembering our Puritan heritage and to pray over his children and to to help them realize the importance of a multi-generational vision. What they found was desecrated historical markers and new markers placed which gave an amended version of the historical record which claimed that the pilgrims were responsible for acts of genocide against the indians as well as

The CD talks about John Eliot, a Puritan missionary who was instrumental in converting the Massachusetts Indians. Note to me. . .find a biography of John Eliot. They had no written language and he devised an alphabet for them. He also translated the Bible into their language - which was the first Bible printed in North America. Another note to me. . .read The Christian Commonwealth: or,The Civil Policy Of The Rising Kingdom of Jesus Christ, by John Eliot. This was considered the first book on politics written by an American and also the first book to be banned by an American government. Written in the late 1640s, and published in England in 1659, it proposed a new model of civil government based on the system Eliot instituted among the converted Indians, which was based in turn on Exodus 18.

This CD was worth every penny (and much more) that I paid for it. In listening to it again, it says that it is the first in the series "Christian Controversies in American History". Note to me. . .find out what other CDs he has in this series.

30 Day Gourmet

I have been a rep for 30 Day Gourmet for some time now (maybe a few years?). I haven't really done much with it as a business, but use it more as a resource (although I am really surprised at how many people have sent e-mails to me from the 30 Day Gourmet website!

I have done some Once a Month Cooking workshops and have done bulk cooking with other people (where I got all the recipes together, did the shopping and planning, etc.). I would like to do more of it - it's just that everything takes up my time and I have more things I want to do than hours in the day.

Next year I would also like to do more canning. Not just the small batches here and there, but 50 - 100 quarts at a time. I'd like to do tomato products, pickles and strawberry preserves. I have been doing some dehydrated potatoes already. I can get a 50 lb bag of potatoes at the farmer's market for only $8. I did some calculations and found that It will cost me less than 25¢ per quart for spaghetti sauce. I already have over 18 dozen jars so that isn't something I need to factor in. I can do spaghetti sauce, taco sauce, salsa and stewed tomatoes.

If I do strawberry preserves, I would also be able to use them for gifts. I never seem to make enough (this is my favorite kind of preserves) so I would like to make it a point to make a bunch.

Note to me: Contact Becky and Angie - if I have someone counting on me I will take the time to actually do it.

This post is another reminder to me. . .I know that there are opportunities to do classes as well as sell the WONDERFUL resources they have. Is the time it would take me worth the money I would make? Will the reality not really be there until the kids move out?

30 Day Gourmet

Book giveaway at challies.com

Challies.com is sponsoring a book giveaway. I was at this site last month but didn't notice that they were sponsoring a giveaway. Dan Phillips indicated he would do this for at least 4 months. I believe they started in September. So. . .I have at least the opportunity for November and December. It looks like they are giving away some great resources - ones that I'd love to have!

I'm listing the November link and the referral ID for my reference. . .it will be easier to find this way! LOL! Note to me: don't forget to come back next month.


My referral ID is 31829

The Perfect Bible

I do enjoy good satire when I see it. . .

I saw this blog entry a few weeks ago and thought it was great. I don't know how to change the name of a link to show a label of what it is instead of the full link address, so for the moment I'll just have to list the link. If I find out how to do this later, I'll definitely edit this post (reminder to me!).

http://www.macrosquishy.com/node/33#comments

The Task Ahead of You is Never As Great as the Power Behind You

A friend sent this to me. I think that the sentiment should be remembered not only in relation to our soldiers but to all of us. . .

Anti-teenage Behavior!

Our church sponsors English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and I'm the lead teacher. We had our final class tonight for our first ten-week session. It was well attended - we had over 50 people (I should have gotten an exact count, but forgot). We had a nice pot-luck dinner and gave the students the opportunity to "show off" and end with a final pat-on-the-back. They did a great job. I hope that they received as much a blessing out of the class that I did. It was wonderful. They far-exceeded my expectations. I look forward to the spring session. We are going to have a training session to train local teachers. We need to have at least 10 people sign up for the training. After the training classes we'll begin our second 10-week session.

When I got home, I got a VERY pleasant surprise. My 16 year old daughter cleaned the kitchen (without asking!!). She not only cleaned it, she did such a good job that it almost shined "like the top of the Chrysler Building" (couldn't resist the line from Annie).

She not only did the kitchen when it wasn't her turn, but she also cleaned her bedroom!!! That by itself would have given cause for rejoicing - the room looked like it needed to be condemned (well, maybe not that bad). She also took pictures that were on her bedroom walls of our old house (we moved here not too long ago) and put them up with about another 100 or so. Her intention when we moved in was to eventually paint her bedroom walls to be a camo-type design, but if she keeps going, she won't have any wall left to see! I would venture a guess that she probably has almost 600 pictures on her wall now - wallpaper style.

If she keeps this up, she's going to give teenagers everywhere a bad name! You go girl!

First Post

Well, I have been doing a lot of writing in my journal the last few months. I never thought I'd be the type to keep a journal. . .I didn't really understand those who did. . . .and now I'm one of them! LOL!

I don't know that I'll ever let anyone see what I have here, but at the moment I want to use it to keep track of things I have been doing online, clips I have enjoyed, sites I have found interesting and insightful, etc.

I have done a lot of soul searching and digging into God's Word this year. Not just the cursory reading one might do, but real "down deep" digging. You know, the kind where you use a study Bible, two or three versions of the Bible, read commentaries, and just meditate on His Word.

My brother gave me an iPod and it has been wonderful to load it with sermons and other radio broadcasts that I have enjoyed. I have filled the 1 GB memory and it is great when I am walking or at work or vacuuming or cleaning or doing any number of other things.

Some of what I have been enjoying:

American Vision and The Gary DeMar Show
Desiring God Sermons with John Piper (Bethlehem Baptist)
DTS (Dallas Theological Seminary) Chapel Services with various speakers
Reformed Heritage Church - mostly with Gary Wagner
Running to Win with Erwin Lutzer
Trinity Reformed Church - mostly with Dr. Young
White Horse Inn with Michael Horton as moderator
Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL with Tom Ascol
Truths That Transform with Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries
The Mike Corley Show
Renewing Your Mind with R.C. Sproul

I have been enjoying seeing what people have to say on Mark Driscoll's (Mars Hill Church) campaign (Ask Anything) to have people vote for what he will preach on in the beginning of 2008. Today they took the top 50 and reduced it to the top 20.

Again, these thoughts are just reminders to me. I can't leave video clips or pics in my paper journal!

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