When the evil King Herod sent soldiers to kill all the male boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years of age and younger, the Bible says his brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet, Jeremiah. "A cry was heard in Ramah - - weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead" (Matthew 2:18; Jeremiah 31:15). Have you ever wondered what that verse meant?
If you recall, Rachel was the wife of Jacob (Genesis 29:14-30), and Jacob was the grandson of Abraham. Jacob was the father of twelve sons who would make up the twelve tribes of Israel. Ramah is fairly close to Bethlehem and was the place where Rachel (who is the symbolic mother of Israel), was buried around the year 1,600 B.C. (Gen.35:16-20). Approximately 1,000 years after Rachel's death (587 B.C.), Ramah became the gathering place where the Babylonian soldiers rounded up the Jews, chained them, and deported them to Babylon (II Kings 24:10-16; 25:11&12; II Chronicles 36:17-21).
Jeremiah, the prophet, was alive at the time so many Jews were chained and scattered throughout the Babylonian Empire. He witnessed this event and he noted (Jer.31:15) how the mother of Israel (Rachel) had to be figuratively weeping from her grave as her children were being led away from the land of Promise. And now, as the child of Promise is exiled to a far away land (Egypt), Matthew connects the story of Rachel's figurative sorrow in the Old Testament as her children were led away to Babylon, with the sorrow of the mothers in Bethlehem who have just lost their sons.
700 years before the birth of the Messiah, Isaiah wrote, "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine" (9:2). The apostle John wrote about Jesus, "The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it" (John 1:4&5). It is important that we note what neither Isaiah or John said. Neither of them indicated the darkness disappeared with the coming of the Light. We all know that. We are confronted by evil all too often. The weeping was real that night in Bethlehem when the Devil used Herod to carry out his dark deed. Herod may have had his way for a day, but every Herod is eventually doomed. With the coming of the Light, God sent a message. Evil is defeated. It has yet to be totally eliminated, but it will. Regardless of how the world attempts to remove Christ from Christmas and put out his light, the days of evil's reign are limited. God's entrance to earth in a manger was a spiritual invasion of the darkness far greater than the Allies invasion of Normandy in World War II. The prophecies are true! The Savior is real! The King will return! And when he does; EVERY knee will bow, some in worship and some in fear. When he does; EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, some in praise and others by force (Philippians 2:9-11). No wonder the angels were commissioned by God to sing that news to the shepherds. And now, God has commissioned you and I to share that news with the whole world. Will we?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Did You Know?
During the third and fourth centuries, it became customary for men living in the area we now know as Germany, to disarm themselves before entering a church building and worshipping the Lord. Most of these weapons were simple, wooden clubs which were effective as protection against robbers or wild animals. In time, the Christ-followers developed a game using these wooden clubs. After corporate worship was over, the clubs standing at the back of the sanctuary would be taken outside and placed together in a rectangle. Round stones would then be used to roll at the clubs and the more pins one knocked over, the more sins a person supposedly left behind during worship. This game eventually became more organized and intentional. In time, knocking down sins became a favorite past-time on Sunday afternoons. By the early 1500's, nine-pin bowling had become so popular that it grew beyond the church "parking lot" and found it's way into taverns and inns as a sport people would bet upon. Many say that this fun activity became Martin Luther's favorite sport and he loved the symbolism associated with Christians becoming "holy bowlers."
By the time bowling made it's way to the United States, it lost all it's association with Christianity and became a favorite sport for gamblers to bet upon. As a result, many local and state legislatures passed laws outlawing 'nine pin' bowling as a sport. But, some bright entrepeneur circumvented that legislation by replacing nine-pin bowling in a rectangle, with ten-pin bowling using a triangle. And now, you know, "the rest of the story."
Of course, we also know that sins can never be symbolically "bowled over" by knocking some wooden pins down with a bowling ball. Sins are forgotten and forgiven by a gracious God who knocked our sins over when He accepted the blood of His Son as a substitute for the sins we've committed (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17; Psalm 103:11&12). Are there sins we need to confess to the Lord and turn our hearts, minds, and lives away from so that we can be more in favor with God (I John 1:9)? It's really not a game to do so. It's a blessing made possible only by God's grace. What's keeping you from God's forgiveness?
By the time bowling made it's way to the United States, it lost all it's association with Christianity and became a favorite sport for gamblers to bet upon. As a result, many local and state legislatures passed laws outlawing 'nine pin' bowling as a sport. But, some bright entrepeneur circumvented that legislation by replacing nine-pin bowling in a rectangle, with ten-pin bowling using a triangle. And now, you know, "the rest of the story."
Of course, we also know that sins can never be symbolically "bowled over" by knocking some wooden pins down with a bowling ball. Sins are forgotten and forgiven by a gracious God who knocked our sins over when He accepted the blood of His Son as a substitute for the sins we've committed (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17; Psalm 103:11&12). Are there sins we need to confess to the Lord and turn our hearts, minds, and lives away from so that we can be more in favor with God (I John 1:9)? It's really not a game to do so. It's a blessing made possible only by God's grace. What's keeping you from God's forgiveness?
Monday, June 21, 2010
I Was Blessed!
The assignment was fairly easy. A number of Sudanese Christians from Kansas City and Rochester, Minnesota were using our church building to support and pray for a Sudanese family that has been worshipping with us in Marshalltown, Iowa. I was asked to say a prayer at the beginning of their program. No problem! The program started at 7pm on a Saturday night, after our regular worship service was already completed. I said my prayer and then they asked me to say one at the end also. I was wondering how long the program would last, but okay, I can do that.
The program consisted of a number of these friends, who had all once lived in the same tribe in Sudan and who now all lived in the United States for several years; speaking in support of Mameer and Anna (the people in our congregation) who had purchased a house in the last year and suffered through a couple of recent, physical accidents. About 30% of them spoke in English and the others spoke in their native language, requiring someone to translate into English. After the program, which lasted nearly 2 hours, they insisted I come eat with them (at 9:00pm ?). So I did, and I discovered that becoming a missionary in Sudan would require me getting used to food that I'm not sure I want to get used to.
I came that night to be a blessing and as is so often the case, it was I who was blessed. Here are just a few of the lessons I learned that night:
1. There is a reason the apostle Paul said that someone speaking in tongues required someone else having the spiritual gift to interpet what was being said (I Cor.14). I still could have nodded and smiled without an interpreter telling me in English what the speaker had said, but how would I have known that I was nodding and smiling for the right reasons?
2. I have brothers and sisters in Christ anywhere and everywhere that I find people (regardless of their skin color, the language they speak, the food they eat, or the customs of their culture)who love Jesus Christ (John 1:12&13; Galatians 3:26-28). These members of my spiritual family probably had a deeper faith in God than I did, because of the many hardships they have seen God bring them through.
3. These individuals are probably a whole lot more grateful for the blessings of living in America than most of us Americans. They prayed for our country with a fervor that many Christians in America don't even do. They remember what they didn't have in Sudan and the possibilities they do have in America (Luke 7:40-50).
4. We are all nothing more than nomads passing through this life. This world is not our permanent home (Philippians 1:27; 3:20&21; Hebrews 11:13-16; 13:14; I Peter 2:11) because God has something even better prepared for us.
I look forward to that day when all my brothers and sisters in Christ from various tribes and tongues, can gather in our permanent homeland where we will all praise our God in the same language. I look forward to that day when there will no longer be any barriers between us because we are in the presence of the lamb of God. Until that day, may ALL God's people live, labor, and love in such a way as to be an answer to Jesus' prayer, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done, ON EARTH as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).
The program consisted of a number of these friends, who had all once lived in the same tribe in Sudan and who now all lived in the United States for several years; speaking in support of Mameer and Anna (the people in our congregation) who had purchased a house in the last year and suffered through a couple of recent, physical accidents. About 30% of them spoke in English and the others spoke in their native language, requiring someone to translate into English. After the program, which lasted nearly 2 hours, they insisted I come eat with them (at 9:00pm ?). So I did, and I discovered that becoming a missionary in Sudan would require me getting used to food that I'm not sure I want to get used to.
I came that night to be a blessing and as is so often the case, it was I who was blessed. Here are just a few of the lessons I learned that night:
1. There is a reason the apostle Paul said that someone speaking in tongues required someone else having the spiritual gift to interpet what was being said (I Cor.14). I still could have nodded and smiled without an interpreter telling me in English what the speaker had said, but how would I have known that I was nodding and smiling for the right reasons?
2. I have brothers and sisters in Christ anywhere and everywhere that I find people (regardless of their skin color, the language they speak, the food they eat, or the customs of their culture)who love Jesus Christ (John 1:12&13; Galatians 3:26-28). These members of my spiritual family probably had a deeper faith in God than I did, because of the many hardships they have seen God bring them through.
3. These individuals are probably a whole lot more grateful for the blessings of living in America than most of us Americans. They prayed for our country with a fervor that many Christians in America don't even do. They remember what they didn't have in Sudan and the possibilities they do have in America (Luke 7:40-50).
4. We are all nothing more than nomads passing through this life. This world is not our permanent home (Philippians 1:27; 3:20&21; Hebrews 11:13-16; 13:14; I Peter 2:11) because God has something even better prepared for us.
I look forward to that day when all my brothers and sisters in Christ from various tribes and tongues, can gather in our permanent homeland where we will all praise our God in the same language. I look forward to that day when there will no longer be any barriers between us because we are in the presence of the lamb of God. Until that day, may ALL God's people live, labor, and love in such a way as to be an answer to Jesus' prayer, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done, ON EARTH as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Oops!
It was a long day at work. I was tired and anxious to see my wife. I called her on her cell phone. No response so I left a message. A few minutes later, I texted her. Still no response. By the time I got home, she was nowhere to be found and I started talking to my neighbor. I was a little upset, wondering why in the world, she doesn't answer her phone. "What good is it to have a phone if you don't listen to it, check it, etc.?"
When she did call me, well after 6pm, I was obviously distant. "Have you had supper, yet?" she asked. "I'm eating now. I tried calling you and when you didn't answer, I decided not to wait." "I called you twice and you didn't answer," she said in her defense. Sure enough, when I checked my call log, she was right. It was I who was guilty of not hearing her call me. Ouch! "Those who walk in pride, God is able to humble" (Daniel 4:37).
Over the years, I've had many people tell me that when they prayed and lifted up requests to God, He just wasn't listening. Oftentimes, this means they didn't get the answer they wanted. Could it be that God is talking to us on a regular basis and we're the ones not listening to Him? Is it possible that God has already communicated exactly what we need to hear, in His Word, and we selfishly and stubbornly haven't made the time to read it?
Maybe, when it comes to our relationship with God, we need to heed the advice of the Psalmist: "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Or, maybe James was referring to our relationship with God, as well as our relationships with other people when he wrote, "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry"
(1:19). From my experience that day with Jane, I can verify there is a direct correlation between being "slow to anger" and being "quick to listen", and vice versa. It was precisely because I wasn't listening that I got angry. Maybe, if we were listening more and speaking less to God, we would also get angry less often with Him. Maybe, the truth really does set us free (John 8:32). Just a thought! Blessings! (I Corinthians 15:58)
When she did call me, well after 6pm, I was obviously distant. "Have you had supper, yet?" she asked. "I'm eating now. I tried calling you and when you didn't answer, I decided not to wait." "I called you twice and you didn't answer," she said in her defense. Sure enough, when I checked my call log, she was right. It was I who was guilty of not hearing her call me. Ouch! "Those who walk in pride, God is able to humble" (Daniel 4:37).
Over the years, I've had many people tell me that when they prayed and lifted up requests to God, He just wasn't listening. Oftentimes, this means they didn't get the answer they wanted. Could it be that God is talking to us on a regular basis and we're the ones not listening to Him? Is it possible that God has already communicated exactly what we need to hear, in His Word, and we selfishly and stubbornly haven't made the time to read it?
Maybe, when it comes to our relationship with God, we need to heed the advice of the Psalmist: "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Or, maybe James was referring to our relationship with God, as well as our relationships with other people when he wrote, "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry"
(1:19). From my experience that day with Jane, I can verify there is a direct correlation between being "slow to anger" and being "quick to listen", and vice versa. It was precisely because I wasn't listening that I got angry. Maybe, if we were listening more and speaking less to God, we would also get angry less often with Him. Maybe, the truth really does set us free (John 8:32). Just a thought! Blessings! (I Corinthians 15:58)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Christ's Resurrection Matters!
What if, four days after your loved one died; what if, after he/she had already been prepared for the burial; and what if, before the funeral service, your loved one came back to life? Now I know that's not likely, but what if, it happened? What kind of reaction would you have?
That's probably somewhat how Martha and Mary reacted when their brother, Lazarus, walked out of his tomb, after being dead for four days. It's probably a small glimpse of the reaction of Jesus' disciples when they saw their Lord alive again.
Twenty-three years ago, my father called me with the news that my brother and his wife, and their two infant sons had been in a car accident and that both my brother and his wife lost their lives. Dad knew nothing about the boys' condition or how the accident happened. I spent the next hour contemplating my relationship with my brother, remembering events from growing up, pondering things I could have/ should have done differently, etc. I still remember that time twenty-three years later. But, dad called me back a little over an hour later and said that my brother was still in fact, alive, barely. Again, he did not know any more information beyond that. But, my attitude changed immediately. Wouldn't yours?
Nearly 2,000 years ago some women returned from the empty tomb of Jesus and announced, "He's alive! He's alive! He's no longer in the grave!" (John 20:18) That is GREAT News! Jesus had promised that because he lives, we would live also (John 14:19). He had promised that "those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life" (John 5:24). IF the news that Jesus is alive doesn't change our attitude and outlook on life, then nothing else will because nothing is better news than that.
How excited are YOU about that news? How many people have you talked with about that news? How many people have found their way to life because you had the boldness to share this Good News with them? May the God who has changed our lives because of the message of Easter, also change other lives because we have dared to share that message with them (II Corinthians 5:14).
That's probably somewhat how Martha and Mary reacted when their brother, Lazarus, walked out of his tomb, after being dead for four days. It's probably a small glimpse of the reaction of Jesus' disciples when they saw their Lord alive again.
Twenty-three years ago, my father called me with the news that my brother and his wife, and their two infant sons had been in a car accident and that both my brother and his wife lost their lives. Dad knew nothing about the boys' condition or how the accident happened. I spent the next hour contemplating my relationship with my brother, remembering events from growing up, pondering things I could have/ should have done differently, etc. I still remember that time twenty-three years later. But, dad called me back a little over an hour later and said that my brother was still in fact, alive, barely. Again, he did not know any more information beyond that. But, my attitude changed immediately. Wouldn't yours?
Nearly 2,000 years ago some women returned from the empty tomb of Jesus and announced, "He's alive! He's alive! He's no longer in the grave!" (John 20:18) That is GREAT News! Jesus had promised that because he lives, we would live also (John 14:19). He had promised that "those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life" (John 5:24). IF the news that Jesus is alive doesn't change our attitude and outlook on life, then nothing else will because nothing is better news than that.
How excited are YOU about that news? How many people have you talked with about that news? How many people have found their way to life because you had the boldness to share this Good News with them? May the God who has changed our lives because of the message of Easter, also change other lives because we have dared to share that message with them (II Corinthians 5:14).
Monday, March 15, 2010
God Answers Prayers
I've always enjoyed playing basketball ever since I grew up in Wayne, Nebraska. I tore an ACL in my right knee while playing basketball for Nebraska Christian College. I won't tell you how long ago that was. In those days, doctors didn't diagnose ACL tears so I lived with it for many years. There were occasional surgeries with a scope to clean out cartilage here and there until a Dr. Davick diagnosed the ACL tear a few years ago and reconstructed it. A short while later I tore the ACL on my left knee and the same doctor reconstructed it. A short time later I tore the ACL on my right knee again. But, this time Dr. Davick recommended that I get a knee replacement on my right knee. He referred me to a colleague who specializes in these things, Dr. Vittetoe. Sounds more like a foot doctor than a knee doctor, but it's in the general vicinity.
By that time, we had changed insurance carriers and the request was denied based on pre-existing conditions. That was about seven years ago and I figured that was the end of it. But, my wife (Jane) wrote a very nice appeal to Dr. Vittetoe asking if anything more could be done on it. We went for an appointment and he showed me how the knee had deteriorated from seven years ago. We scheduled a surgery for March 16th and waited for the insurance to make their decision. Fully expecting a denial, I was utterly astonished when they told me on Friday (12th) that it had been approved. I had asked several people to pray that some individual in the home office would review this case with favor. And God answered in a BIG WAY! When the Bible says, "nothing is impossible with God" (Matthew 19:26), it means exactly that. Whatever your concern, your request, your need, don't ever give up on your prayers and your dreams. God may not always answer in the way that we want or on our timetable, but He always knows what He is doing (Isaiah 55:8&9). Since we are told in scripture that we, "have not because we ask not," (James 4:2), I want to selfishly ask that you would pray for unbelievable results and that my interactions with everyone I come in contact with, would bring honor and glory to God.
By that time, we had changed insurance carriers and the request was denied based on pre-existing conditions. That was about seven years ago and I figured that was the end of it. But, my wife (Jane) wrote a very nice appeal to Dr. Vittetoe asking if anything more could be done on it. We went for an appointment and he showed me how the knee had deteriorated from seven years ago. We scheduled a surgery for March 16th and waited for the insurance to make their decision. Fully expecting a denial, I was utterly astonished when they told me on Friday (12th) that it had been approved. I had asked several people to pray that some individual in the home office would review this case with favor. And God answered in a BIG WAY! When the Bible says, "nothing is impossible with God" (Matthew 19:26), it means exactly that. Whatever your concern, your request, your need, don't ever give up on your prayers and your dreams. God may not always answer in the way that we want or on our timetable, but He always knows what He is doing (Isaiah 55:8&9). Since we are told in scripture that we, "have not because we ask not," (James 4:2), I want to selfishly ask that you would pray for unbelievable results and that my interactions with everyone I come in contact with, would bring honor and glory to God.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Self-Examination
It is a wise person who periodically examines their lives to make sure their words, actions, and motives reflect the person of Jesus Christ. There are many references in the Bible for such self-examination. When we come to participate in the Lord's Supper, the apostle Paul tells us we ought to examine ourselves before we eat of the bread and drink of the cup (I Corinthians 11:28). Other Bible references telling us to take a look at ourselves include: II Cor.13:5; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 119:59; 139:23&24; Romans 12:3. Even Michael Jackson got it right when he said that making a difference in the world begins by taking "a look at yourself" ("Man in the Mirror"). But, it does us no good to examine ourselves if we aren't honest about what we see and disciplined in what we do, as a result.
A severe rash prompted a farmer from a very rural area to get an examination from a doctor. After taking the usual tests, the physician advised the patient that his dog was causing an allergic reaction and he would have to get rid of it. As the farmer was leaving the office, the doctor asked him whether he planned to sell the animal or give it away. "Neither," the man replied. "I'm going to get me one of them second opinions I been reading about. It's a lot easier to find a good doctor than it is to find a good bird dog."
Over the next two weeks, New Hope Christian Church is undergoing a self-examination and we need your help. Included in the bulletin is a website where you can take a test that lasts anywhere from 25-40 minutes. It's not a Bible quiz. It's more like a spiritual inventory. No one will know who gave what answers so we need you to be totally honest. Whether you attend New Hope irregularly or regularly,and whether you are a member or not, we need you to help us determine how well we are doing in making disciples of Jesus Christ and fulfilling our mission. If you don't have access to a computer or the Internet, call the office (752-1612) and we'll set up a time for you to come in and take it at the church. We'll share the overall results with you at a later time. As we continue with our sermon series for the year, entitled, "I Am Responsible.....", it is important that our church family take inventory so we know where we need to improve. In advance, thanks for your help!
A severe rash prompted a farmer from a very rural area to get an examination from a doctor. After taking the usual tests, the physician advised the patient that his dog was causing an allergic reaction and he would have to get rid of it. As the farmer was leaving the office, the doctor asked him whether he planned to sell the animal or give it away. "Neither," the man replied. "I'm going to get me one of them second opinions I been reading about. It's a lot easier to find a good doctor than it is to find a good bird dog."
Over the next two weeks, New Hope Christian Church is undergoing a self-examination and we need your help. Included in the bulletin is a website where you can take a test that lasts anywhere from 25-40 minutes. It's not a Bible quiz. It's more like a spiritual inventory. No one will know who gave what answers so we need you to be totally honest. Whether you attend New Hope irregularly or regularly,and whether you are a member or not, we need you to help us determine how well we are doing in making disciples of Jesus Christ and fulfilling our mission. If you don't have access to a computer or the Internet, call the office (752-1612) and we'll set up a time for you to come in and take it at the church. We'll share the overall results with you at a later time. As we continue with our sermon series for the year, entitled, "I Am Responsible.....", it is important that our church family take inventory so we know where we need to improve. In advance, thanks for your help!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Legal Hypocrisy
A young woman boarded an airplane in Pittsburgh and flew to Youngstown, Ohio, a flight of thirty-two minutes. During that time, she delivered a baby in the restroom of the airplane and left it there. She was arrested on two charges; child abandonment and attempted murder. While her action was obviously a crime worthy of prosecution, what seems hypocritical is that Planned Parenthood would have been happy to assist her in murdering the unborn baby with an abortion and she would not have been arrested or charged with any crime. What's even more schizophrenic is knowing that in some states a teenage girl does not need her parent's permission to abort a baby, but she does need her parent's permission to pierce her ears. Furthermore, an unborn baby is considered by our legal system to be a "nonperson", regardless of how developed that baby is, but when that "nonperson" is born, he/she is suddenly a person eligible for welfare benefits.
These are only a few of the dilemmas created when the U.S. Supreme Court decided on January 22, 1973 that the wording found in the United States Constitution guaranteeing every "person" the right to life, applied only to people already born. I have ministered to parents who miscarried babies after only four months of pregnancy and seen the babies. Believe me, they may be small, but they are fully developed human beings. I have seen doctors and nurses deliver a baby weighing a little over one pound after only six months of pregnancy. That little girl is still alive today! Pregnancy is a consequence of sexual intercourse. If two people do not want the responsibility of a pregnancy, then they should consider the wisdom of having sexual relations without some means of preventing that pregnancy, other than taking a human person's life after he/she has already been conceived. If Abel's blood cried out to God from the ground after Cain had murdered and buried him (Genesis 4:10), then you can be sure that every unborn baby whose life has been selfishly and senselessly murdered has the same effect on God.
Jesus Christ came to give us "life" and he demonstrated how to enjoy life "to the full" (John 10:10). God has not given us permission to play God by killing life before a baby is born. I hope you will always stand with me on the side of life. I believe that every life deserves to be born. I believe that every life which has been born deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I also believe that mothers who have already had abortions deserve to find the love and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, and God has called Christians to be that instrument. "I have set before you life and death, blessings or curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live...." (Deuteronomy 30:19).
These are only a few of the dilemmas created when the U.S. Supreme Court decided on January 22, 1973 that the wording found in the United States Constitution guaranteeing every "person" the right to life, applied only to people already born. I have ministered to parents who miscarried babies after only four months of pregnancy and seen the babies. Believe me, they may be small, but they are fully developed human beings. I have seen doctors and nurses deliver a baby weighing a little over one pound after only six months of pregnancy. That little girl is still alive today! Pregnancy is a consequence of sexual intercourse. If two people do not want the responsibility of a pregnancy, then they should consider the wisdom of having sexual relations without some means of preventing that pregnancy, other than taking a human person's life after he/she has already been conceived. If Abel's blood cried out to God from the ground after Cain had murdered and buried him (Genesis 4:10), then you can be sure that every unborn baby whose life has been selfishly and senselessly murdered has the same effect on God.
Jesus Christ came to give us "life" and he demonstrated how to enjoy life "to the full" (John 10:10). God has not given us permission to play God by killing life before a baby is born. I hope you will always stand with me on the side of life. I believe that every life deserves to be born. I believe that every life which has been born deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I also believe that mothers who have already had abortions deserve to find the love and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, and God has called Christians to be that instrument. "I have set before you life and death, blessings or curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live...." (Deuteronomy 30:19).
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