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Why You Should See #UnplannedMovie

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Why You Should See the Movie Unplanned

I had another blog written for this week, but after I stood up in church today and asked everyone to go see the movie Unplanned, the Lord prompted me that I should encourage you to go see it too, if you haven’t already.

[Tweet “Just in case you don’t know the backstory of Unplanned, it’s the true story of Abby Johnson who was the youngest Planned Parenthood director at the time of her awakening.”]

Just in case you don’t know the backstory of this movie, it’s the true story of Abby Johnson who was the youngest Planned Parenthood director at the time of her awakening. After being involved in planning 22,000 abortions and counseling countless women on their “reproductive rights,” she was asked to assist in an abortion and what she saw changed her life. She said she couldn’t “unsee” what she saw on the ultrasound during the abortion or deny what was happening to a precious baby.

So she quit and became a pro-life advocate and wrote a book Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader’s Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line.

I first heard her story last year on the Mike Huckabee show while the movie from her book was in production.

God see the movie Unplanned

Here are a few things you might not know about Unplanned.

  1. Ashley Bratcher, the actress who plays Abby Johnson in the movie Unplanned, wasn’t sure how she felt about Pro-Choice or Pro-Life until she read the script and immediately took the role. She was warned she might be blacklisted, but she said it was worth it.

In an interview on FOX & Friends, she revealed that she knew her mother had had an abortion at sixteen, but didn’t know that at nineteen she almost aborted Ashley. When Ashley took the role, she learned that her mom was at the abortion clinic in the examination room, but changed her mind when a pregnant nurse entered the room.

‘I got up and I walked out and I chose you,’ Bratcher recalled her mom saying, “And I [Ashley] never knew that. It blows my mind.”

Ashley also had an interview with Shannon Bream on FOX, where she said “I walk by my faith in my personal life and in my career . . . I said, Okay God, I believe that you gave me these gifts and I want to glorify you with them. So, wherever that takes me and whatever that looks like, I give it all to you.”

WOW! That alone should make you want to see her in Unplanned and know that God led her to star in this movie.

BTW FOX, TBN, and CBN are the ONLY networks that have interviewed Ashley or anyone else affiliated with the movie.

  1. Unplanned is a PureFlix film by the same writer-directors Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon of God’s Not Dead.
  2. Dr. Anthony Levatino, who plays the abortion doctor in the movie, has an emotional testimony of performing over 1200 abortions when the tragic loss of his daughter in an accident made him realize he was killing other people’s little boys and girls. He went from a pro-choice abortionist to a pro-life advocate. Listen to his testimony on FOX & Friends.
  3. When the Unplanned producers were short on funds, Michael Lindell, founder of My Pillow, invested $1 Million in the movie to help finance it. He also has a cameo role. “I don’t get into things for the money; I get into them if the message is right,” Lindell says.
  4. Watch the movie trailer here.

Guess Who Doesn’t Want You to See Unplanned?!

As you can imagine, Hollywood, the mainstream media, Liberals, and social media have done everything they can to stop you from seeing Unplanned. Another reason why you should see it!

  1. Hollywood gave it an R rating unless the ultrasound showing the baby during abortion was removed, knowing that if people saw it, no one could deny what’s happening to a baby during abortion. PureFlix refused. The hypocrisy here is that in many states, a 13-year old girl can get an abortion without her parent’s permission, but she can’t go see a movie about abortion.

Many Hollywood actors are also planning a boycott of filming in Georgia because Governor Brian Kemp signed into law a Heartbeat Abortion Ban. Georgia is Ashley Bratcher’s home state.

  1. FOX is the ONLY TV mainstream media station running ads for the movie. All the other networks denied it commercial airtime.
  2. Twitter suspended #UnplannedMovie account the day after it opened, but there was such a push back, they reinstated it, but 85,000 followers were missing?! Twitter admits to it. And Abby Johnson continues to get kicked off her own Twitter account! Just as I’ve been saying in my blogs, we can make a difference so we need to keep the pressure on Twitter and do a grassroots effort to publicize this movie. We have to speak up and speak out. On your social media, use the hashtag #Unplannedmovie.

Abby Johnson tweeted that once it was reinstated, #unplannedmovie is trending worldwide on Twitter!

Follow @AbbyJohnson @_AshleyBratcher @Unplannedmovie.

  1. Theaters are showing Unplanned and at opening weekend Box Office it was in 5th Place. But we can do better next weekend if we want to keep it in theaters. They’ll look for any excuse to drop it.

So What Can We Do to Promote #UnplannedMovie?

PRAY

After I stood up in church to ask everyone to see this movie, we prayed for Unplanned as a church. Dave and I are also praying together at home.

[Tweet “Pray for everyone involved in the movie. Especially, Abby Johnson and Ashley Bratcher, who are the faces of this movie.”]

Pray for everyone involved in the movie. Especially, Abby Johnson and Ashley Bratcher, who are the faces of this movie.

Pray it stays in theaters

Pray for everyone who sees Unplanned

Pray that those who are confused about abortion or on the fence that their eyes are opened and they make a decision to protect life.

Pray for women who have had abortions or participated in them to acknowledge the need for repentance and seek God’s forgiveness. Like Abby Johnson, they can use their story for good to mentor other women. Johnson has a ministry called “And Then There Were None” that helps abortion workers get new jobs and helps shut down their former clinics.

[Tweet “Pray the eyes of our culture are opened to see how barbaric abortion is to the child and to the mother.”]

Pray the eyes of our culture are opened to see how barbaric abortion is to the child and to the mother.

Pray that legalized abortion is challenged and defeated.

[Tweet “Pray that every pro-abortion legislator is defeated. Too bold you say? Not for God!”]

Pray that every pro-abortion legislator is defeated. Too bold you say? Not for God!

Pray for the collapse of Planned Parenthood.

Pray that President Trump continues to pass legislation to defund Planned Parenthood.

Pray that other workers at Planned Parenthood and abortion clinics see what Abby Johnson saw and look at unborn babies as humans being dismembered and tortured, and they can no longer participate in these barbaric inhumane murders.

Pray God gives you the right words when confronted by those who challenge your beliefs.

Pray for me. Some of you might remember last October 22 when hubby and I were going to see the movie Gosnell about the trial of the abortionist and infanticide butcher (which sadly might not even be illegal in some states today), I fell down my office stairs and broke my wrist and banged up my leg. I never got to see that movie, which I had been promoting, just like I’m promoting Unplanned.

Last Thursday, the day before Unplanned opened at theaters, a boulder plummeted off a mountain and hit our car as we were returning home from Boise. Praise God, we were not hurt, but our car took a nasty hit. Coincidence? Maybe.

We live over an hour away from a movie theater, but we plan to see Unplanned this week. God willing.

[Tweet “Go see #Unplannedmovie. Take your friends. Take your teenagers, both boys and girls.”]

  1. Go See Unplanned. Take your friends. Take your teenagers, both boys and girls. Boys are just as much a part of unplanned pregnancies as girls. Take those who are sure they’re pro-choice or not sure. Take groups from your church. Antioch Church in Overland Park, KS sold out two theaters!! Now that’s what I’m talking about! God see the movie Unplanned like this church did!
  2. Use your social media presence to promote Unplanned, always using #Unplannedmovie.

With several states signing into law late term-abortion and even infanticide, I believe, along with the writer-directors, that God ordained this film for such a time as this. No one can leave this movie and say they don’t know what happens during abortion. Those who are “Pro-Choice” will know exactly what they’re “choosing” to do to an unborn baby.

[Tweet “No one can leave the movie Unplanned and say they don’t know what happens during abortion.”]

Don’t let abortion, late-term abortion, and infanticide become the norm anywhere. You know that could happen if we don’t keep the dialogue going and show the world the brutal truth about abortion.

[Tweet “Don’t let abortion, late-term abortion, and infanticide become the norm anywhere.”]

I said in last week’s blog, 5 Examples of How to Join God in Bringing Good out of Evil that “Only God could bring this movie out at a time when the atrocities of all abortion is the topic of national discourse. We can work with God in helping publicize Unplanned and end abortion!

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:6 NLT

What are your thoughts about the movie Unplanned? Please leave a comment and let us know.

April 1, 2019
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5 Examples of How to Join God in Bringing Good Out of Evil Intent

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How Does God Want Us to Bring Good Out of Evil?

I struggled with what to write this week. As I prayed, God kept bringing to mind two thoughts: Lying always backfires and evil is being exposed.

If you haven’t read my last two blog posts, I hope you will. I’ve received many encouraging comments that they might be the best I’ve ever written and to that I say, “To God be the Glory!” I honestly never know what He’s going to ask me to share with you. I pray and sit down at the computer and suddenly I have a blog post. I often read it later and am amazed at what I wrote. Only God.

10 Things You Can Do in a World Gone Mad!

How Not Mentoring Millennials Implodes a Political Party. What Can the Church Learn?

Everyone Knows The Difference Between Good and Evil

Since Satan enticed Adam and Eve to eat from the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden, humanity has known the difference between good and evil, truth and lies.

15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Genesis 2:15-17 (NLT)

Satan: “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

Everyone, even those who choose to do evil and lie, has a conscience. They know the difference between right and wrong . . . except maybe psychopaths

It’s a matter of whether we choose to make evil or good our guiding life force. Tell the truth or lie to our own advantage. You don’t have to be a Christian to make that choice. Even unbelievers can do good and be truthful.

[Tweet “Our choices between good and evil usually come down to whether we’re self-centered or other-centered.”]

Our choices between good and evil usually come down to whether we’re self-centered or other-centered. Caring only about our own selfish desires or caring more about others than ourselves. Again, you don’t have to be a Christian to make the choice to do good, but Christians should always make that choice.

When I hear politicians and pro-choice advocates expound that every woman should have a choice with her body, I want someone to challenge them with asking, “A choice to do what? Good or evil?”

Let’s look at 5 examples of how we can join God in bringing good out of evil intents.

1. Abortion

Many agree that abortion is evil, but until recently how many really did anything about it. Yes, there were annual walks for life and pro-life advocates, but few people, even Christians, let the murder of innocent babies keep them awake at night or invade their everyday life.

Then abortion went to the next level of infanticide and everyone started taking notice. When New York approved abortion up and through delivery and lit up the city in pink to celebrate this evil, the governor of Virginia told us in graphic terms that a baby who survives an abortion could be left to die, and Congress voted to legalize infanticide . . . suddenly we were kept up at night. We were appalled. We couldn’t ignore that 50 million innocent souls are tortured to death in their mommy’s tummy every year.

[Tweet “We can’t ignore that 50 million innocent souls are tortured to death in their mommy’s tummy every year.”]

Social media lit up with graphic pictures and descriptions of the atrocities of abortion. The mainstream liberal media, as usual, wouldn’t touch the topic, but FOX News did. You’d have to be a hermit today to not know what happens to babies during abortion.

So how could this publicity about the atrocities of abortion be used for good?

Pushing the envelope to late-term abortions and infanticide has now made abortion a topic of discussion and disgust.

There’s renewed hope and fervor for overturning Roe vs Wade. We must keep the momentum going when the publicity dies down.

We can’t become complacent again while murder of innocent babies happens in our own hometowns every single day!

Women who have long suffered with the guilt of abortion have an opportunity to use their story for good by sharing their testimonies and turning the bad in their life into good by helping to save more babies. We can pray for these mothers and share with them the forgiveness that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

A young dad who had no say in the death of his own baby when his girlfriend chose abortion, has now brought an unprecedented legal case for the rights of fathers.

We can send a message to Congress that all newborn babies should be welcomed with warmth and care, and join thousands of Americans in a End Birth Day Abortion campaign.

End birthday abortion. Stop infaniticide.

[Tweet “See the movie Unplanned releasing March 29. Tell all your friends about this movie and encourage mothers to take their teenage daughters and sons.“]

Go see the movie Unplanned releasing March 29. The true story of former Planned Parenthood Director, Abby Johnson, who suddenly saw the evils of abortion and became a pro-life advocate. A former abortion doctor has a role in the movie also.

Tell all your friends about Unplanned and encourage mothers to take their teenage daughters and sons. The movie is by the same producers who made God’s Not Dead. It has an R rating only because Hollywood promotes abortion and they’re trying to discourage people from seeing it.

[Tweet “Only God could bring out the movie Unplanned at a time when abortion is in the national discussion. We can work with God in helping publicize it.”]

Only God could bring this movie out at a time when the atrocities of all abortion is the topic of national discourse. We can work with God in helping publicize Unplanned.

[Tweet “An evil world has made killing babies a political issue. Abortion is a criminal issue. Make it your spiritual issue“]

An evil world has made killing babies a political issue. Abortion is a criminal issue. Make it your spiritual issue.

God created each baby in His image with a unique fingerprint and DNA from the moment of conception. Let’s not be satisfied until the world acknowledges this truth.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. — Genesis 50:20 NASB

2. The Mueller Investigation

I know you’re saying, “How could that be used for good?” We’re all so sick of it and it has plagued our president since before he even took office. Now he’s vindicated!

But consider that if there had been no investigation, would we have ever known about the corruption of some in the FBI and Justice Department? Those evil men and women who chose to put their own political interests before the good of the country have been exposed.

And the lies, lies, and more lies of the mainstream liberal media and politicians during this investigation are now boomeranging on them as the Mueller report is released.

Let’s pray for a revival of honesty and truth in our government and that our country can begin to heal. Corruption would continue to be eradicated and God would be brought back into our schools. We would vote into office godly public officials. It starts with we the people!

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
    and clever in their own sight.

22 Woe to those . . . who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
    but deny justice to the innocent.”  Isaiah 5:20-21, 23

3. Democrat Presidential Candidates Running on a Platform of Socialism/Communism

I know again, how could this be good? It’s not. Socialism is evil, but the younger generation and school age kids aren’t being taught that in school. This is our chance to educate them on the evils of socialism, which leads to communism and a dictatorship.

[Tweet “We have a choice. Take action or stay silent while Democrat candidates lie about the freebies of socialism without exposing how it ruins countries.”]

Again, we have a choice. Take action or stay silent while these candidates lie about the freebies of socialism without exposing how it ruins countries and lives. Speak out against their platforms and mentor truth to the next generation. If you don’t, who will?

“For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.” 1 Peter 2:15

4. Suffering

It’s hard to find good in suffering. It’s painful. Dreadful. Costly. Debilitating. Destructive. And yet, it happens to most of us at some time in our life. We try to avoid it by taking good care of our bodies, eating healthy, exercising, and taking vitamins. But one day we can’t outrun the diagnosis that stops us in our tracks. We want to deny it, but we can’t.

While in the moment it seems all about us, maybe God actually wants us to use our suffering to help others.

When I first had breast cancer, I wanted to go through surgery and treatment and then move on with my life. The last thing I wanted to do was identify as a breast cancer survivor. Then God took hold of my heart and I wrote the book I wished I had going through my cancer journey, Dear God, They Say It’s Cancer: A Companion Guide for Women on the Breast Cancer Journey. I’ve had many women tell me it was like God and I were walking along beside them during their breast cancer.

I’ll never know how many women God has used to turn evil cancer into a blessing for other breast cancer sisters.

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” Colossians 1:24

5. Sin

No matter how good we try to be, the evils of sin enter our life often through our wrong choices. But here’s the Good News: at Calvary God traded evil for good. The horrible death of Jesus Christ by evil men, and His ultimate resurrection, ushered in the amazing opportunity of salvation for everyone who chooses to believe in Jesus and receive forgiveness for his or her sins.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26 NLT

[Tweet “For believers, evil doesn’t have the last word in our life. No matter how evil the world becomes, we know that this world is not our final home.”]

For believers, evil doesn’t have the last word in our life. No matter how evil the world becomes, we know that this world is not our final home. We must share that Good News with everyone we know who might not be joining us in eternity.

The best way to exemplify the goodness of our Holy God is to let our Light shine in the midst of a dark unholy world.

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life . . . .” Philippians 2:14-16

We each have a choice:

Stay silent about evil or expose it.

Turn our backs on evil or work with God to bring good out of it.

“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:21(NLT)

Will you share in the comments where you’ve worked with God to bring good out of what Satan meant for evil.

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

You might also enjoy a slide how I wrote for Crosswalk.com 10 Powerful Gifts to Pass to the Next Generation. 

March 25, 2019
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10 Things You Can Do In a World Gone Mad

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__Holy Nectar from a hummingbird and God

Each morning we wake up and thank God for another new day.

10 Things You Can Do in a World Gone Mad

Then we look at the news headlines in disbelief that Satan is getting bolder and more visible. Evil seems to be winning and prevailing in a country founded on Judeo Christian values.

[Tweet “We’ve gone from most people believing in the 10 Commandments as a solid foundation for behavior to a world that’s traded evil for good”]

We’ve gone from most people believing in the 10 Commandments as a basis for behavior to a world that now finds the 10 Commandments offensive and has replaced good with evil. Truth with lies.  Moral with immoral. Like in the days of Judges, everyone does what seems right in their own eyes. There is no recognized central truth. Truth is whatever you want it to be. Your truth is all that matters.

“You can be whatever you want to be,” used to be an encouragement parents gave to their children to follow their dreams. Now it means children are “gender neutral” until “they” determine whatever sex “they” want to be regardless of their scientific biologic sex.

10 Things You Can Do in a World Gone Mad

More Madness

  • Legalized infanticide and late term abortions.
  • Gay marriage.
  • Young children who haven’t even experienced the hormonal changes of puberty are receiving hormones to change their biological sex.
  • Transgender athletes allowed to compete with their new gender identification, even in the Olympics. Yes, that means biological men are competing against biological women.
  • Political leaders stump for Socialism and Communism in America.
  • A freshmen Congresswoman suggests we eliminate air travel, cows, cars, hamburgers, and having children and seasoned legislators support this ludicrous fictional fable.
  • A Congresswoman denounces Israel and Congress doesn’t denounce her.
  • A sixteen-year old high school student is slandered and defamed by the mainstream media and celebrities for standing still and smiling while being harassed because he had participated in a pro-life rally and was wearing a MAGA hat.
  • A celebrity fabricates a hate-crime for greed, fame, and incrimination of supporters of our president, and fools the media with his lies.
  • Celebrity parents pay enormous bribes in a lying fraudulent scam to get their children into prestigious colleges.
  • A Democrat presidential contender encourages smoking marijuana to experience joy and legalizing prostitution.
  • Another inexperienced liberal Democrat throws his hat into the 2020 contenders. The newbie has no platform and his only claim to fame is that he swears a lot, has a DUI, fanaticized about killing children, was part of a hacking group, and can skateboard across a stage.
  • Media outlets no longer present news facts, but instead spew partisan opinions and biased liberal propaganda.
  • Churches of all faiths need armed guards.

I could fill this blog with cultural madness, and as soon as this blog posts, there will be even more shocking headlines.

We live in tumultuous times in the church and in the world. Confusion and fear reigns among newer believers who don’t have a solid foundation in biblical truth to help them discern evil from good, lies from truths, abnormal from normal.

How do you mentor the next generation when it seems we are in the end times?

[Tweet “How do you mentor the next generation when it seems we are in the end times?”]

How do you help young people stand bravely by the Bible when even many churches and pastors are deviating from God’s Word?

[Tweet “How do you help young people stand bravely by the Bible when even many churches and pastors are deviating from God’s Word?”]

Each generation has a predisposition to look at God as the God of the past who doesn’t understand the current culture. That’s why I’m a passionate proponent of mentoring and living out Titus 2:1-6 where spiritually older men and women receive the charge to teach, train, and model the Christian life to the next generation so they won’t be deceived and dissuaded.

Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives. Titus 2:1-6 The Message

To understand the full impact of Titus 2:1-6, we need to read the issues Paul was addressing in the previous verses. It sounds a lot like our world today:

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.—Titus 1:15-16 NIV

[Tweet “There’s a steady increase in crime and decrease in morality in our culture because many believers are failing to take up the Titus 2 mantel”]

Today, we see a steady increase in crime and decrease in morality in our culture because many believers are failing to take up the Titus 2 mantel—one Paul and I call the job description for every Christian man and woman. A consequence of a generation not accepting the charge of Titus 2 is a liberal progressive society aggressively challenging Christianity and long-held truths governing our society for over 2,000 years.

Just as the apostle Paul saw the need for mentors in his day, we desperately need mentors today. Yet, many who should be stepping up to mentor and teach the next generation are falling away from Titus 2 just as quickly as our world is falling away from God.

[Tweet “How do we ordinary Christians make a difference in today’s confused and fallen world?”]

So how do we ordinary Christians make a difference in today’s confused and fallen world? We follow Paul’s teaching to Pastor Titus. As mentors, we speak, teach, and train the truth to the spiritually younger, straight from the Bible.

10 Things You Can Do in a World Gone Made

We read our Bibles and let God’s Word speak, teach, and train the truth to us so we can respond to life’s issues from God’s perspective. Together mentors and mentees learn spiritual wisdom and scriptural principles to help navigate the moral decline of our culture, and in some cases, the foundation of the Christian faith.

Here’s What We Can Do

We can pray for revival.

We can pray for everyone blinded by lack of faith in God!

We can pray for the victims of evil.

We can ask God what He wants His people, to do. What action does He want us to take?

We can share Jesus openly in this urgent time of uncertainty.

We can reassure our children, grandchildren, and mentees that they can make a difference in this world.

We can live as godly role models in a world that has forsaken God.

We can live by the Bible in our personal lives and share the Truth that salvation is free by the grace of God.

We can emphasize that we don’t follow God’s laws because we have to; we follow them because we have Jesus in our heart and they can too.

Here’s What We Can’t Do

We can’t lose hope.

We can’t ignore what’s happening around us.

We can’t live fearfully.

We can’t be silent.

We won’t become relics if we stay relevant.

[Tweet “Jesus didn’t come to conform to the culture; he came to reform the culture.”]

Jesus didn’t come to conform to the culture; he came to reform the culture. Now we’re to go and do likewise. Are you up for it? I pray your answer is “Yes, Lord, Yes. Here am I, use me!”

If you received this blog by email, please leave your comments here.

Here’s a slide show I wrote for Crosswalk.com that also posted today. I encourage you to read it: 10 Powerful Gifts to Pass On to the Next Generation.

March 18, 2019
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How Not Mentoring Millennials Implodes a Political Party. What Can the Church Learn?

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How Not Mentoring Millinnials Implodes a Political Party! What Can the Church Learn?

Let me say right from the beginning that this is not a political blog. But it is a blog about what happens politically, spiritually, and personally when generations don’t heed God’s instructions, Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your ancestors? Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. —Joel 1:2-3

I don’t have all the answers, but I do know the Man who does, Jesus Christ. The Lord knew everything we would encounter in life and in our country. There’s nothing new under the sun. The culture may change, but the Bible is timeless.

[Tweet “There’s nothing new under the sun. The culture may change, but the Bible is timeless.”]

Here’s what I do know. If we’re encountering a problem in our world, God gave us the answer. We just need to seek it out and apply it. I can’t find anywhere in God’s Word where we’re told that young people don’t need guidance, direction, and mentoring before they take on important and influential roles.

[Tweet “Young people need guidance, direction, and mentoring before they take on important and influential roles.”]

For those of us past the age of millennials, we were all their age once when we thought we knew everything and were ready to change the world. But God knew that it was important for us to temper our enthusiasm with wisdom from those who have gone before us, whether it’s in business, ministry, parenting, politics, or just living life.

[Tweet “The Bible and God tells us that one generation should teach and train the next generation”]

Throughout the Bible God repeatedly tells us that one generation should teach and train the next generation. Titus 2:1-8 is a familiar mentoring passage written to older and younger men and women. But so often neither generation, the young or the old, realizes the value of mentoring.

These men and women understood, Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you (Deut. 32:7).

  • Moses mentored Joshua before Joshua took over the role of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.
  • Elijah mentored Elisha as his successor.
  • Barnabas mentored Paul and Paul mentored Titus, Timothy, and Mark.
  • Ruth followed Naomi and wanted to know her God.
  • Young Mary visited with her elderly relative Elizabeth as they both had miracle pregnancies.
  • Even though Saul was a bad king, David obeyed him until it was his time to be king and he learned from Saul how not to rule.

The younger people didn’t ignore or usurp their elders. They wanted to learn from them so that someday they would be ready for their God-given roles.

What Happens Without Mentoring?

In 1 Kings 12:1-24, a young son of Solomon, Rehoboam, tried to take on a leadership role he wasn’t ready to assume. His subjects implored him, “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”

Rehoboam told them to go away for three days and then he inquired of the elders who had served his father what he should do. They wisely replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.”

8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 9 He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

10 The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. 11 My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

Do you remember who he listened to? The wise elders or his arrogant young friends?

Yes, he took the advice of the young inexperienced entitled young men who were looking for power with Rehoboam, not what was best for the people.

The people said forget it then. We’re leaving. Those who stayed, rebelled against Rehoboam and he barely got away with his life.

We’re seeing something similar happen with the Congressional Democrats. Young, freshmen millennial women, who weren’t mentored or given wise counsel in how to be a constructive team player in Congress, came into office with their own agendas discounting the experience of those who went before them.

[Tweet “Instead of senior Congressional leaders reining in the freshmen for some mentoring, they seem intimidated”]

But instead of the senior Congressional leaders acting as mentors for the freshmen, they seem to be intimidated by them. The experienced elders are cowering to the inexperienced Millennials. They’re letting these three women set the agenda as ridiculous, rude, radical, and rudimentary as it is. They’re even letting one proclaim she’s “the boss,” and it looks like she is.

Why are Democrat presidential hopefuls endorsing the harmful philosophies of these three women instead of educating them on the pitfalls and dangers of Socialism and anti-semitism? Because the freshmen are getting more attention and press so the contenders for the party nomination feel they must join them, even if it means destroying America.

How could older legislators let the young immature legislators come in as wrecking balls and then bow down to them? Why? Because the seniors think this is what they have to do to get the millennial vote. Sell their souls and the good of the country for party power even as they lose their personal power.

[Tweet “Democrats are immobilized by their own identity politics.”]

The Democrats are immobilized by their own identity politics. Now they can’t seem to discipline or restrain the three women “of color” (which now just means not white) for fear of being called misogynist, Islamophobic, or racist. The same slurs they sling at Conservatives are boomeranging to haunt them.

Three freshmen Congresswomen are in charge while the elders are impotent. And just like the story of Rehoboam . . . they could soon see their party running for its life.

I don’t think this is how Millennials want to be wooed. They’re smarter than this. I don’t think we all raised a generation of arrogant, entitled, foolish, disrespectful, loud-mouthed young people. If I’m wrong and these three women are representative of the next generation, then our country will be in a steady dissent. If the older generation is afraid to confront them, they will indeed be a generation that watches their accomplishments disintegrate.

[Tweet “The older generation’s legacy will be that they tried to please the next generation instead of taking the time to mentor them.”]

What Can the Church Learn About the Importance of Mentoring the Next Generation?

I pray the older generation’s legacy in the culture and in the church will not be that they tried to please the next generation instead of taking the time to mentor them, love on them, and show them how to live godly lives in an ungodly culture.

Mentor them don’t ignore them.

Mentor them don’t appease them.

Do the young people in your church know about the evils of Socialism, anti-Semitism, abortion, and infanticide? Or is your church letting the culture and liberal media brainwash them?

We need to speak out against the wave of anti-Semitism, and yet, so far the only Christian leader I’ve heard denounce it is Governor Mike Huckabee in his monologue for his program on TBN.

It’s the church’s responsibility to educate the next generation, so that the evils of the past don’t become their future.

[Tweet “It’s the church’s responsibility to educate the next generation.”]

Mentor them about the fallacies and faults of Socialism. 

Show them that Socialism isn’t free, but you will lose your freedoms.

[Tweet “Socialism isn’t free, but you will lose your freedoms.”]

[Tweet “Each generation is responsible for the actions of the next generation.”]

Each generation is responsible for the actions of the next generation. What did we teach or not teach them? What kind of role models were we? How much time did we spend molding them into responsible citizens? They’re our legacy. Our responsibility. If we’re alarmed at what’s going on today, we have to ask ourselves: How did we let this happen?

I’ve stressed so often in blogs like this one that Generation Gaps Were Never Part of God’s Plan! In my book Mentoring for All Seasons: Sharing Life Experiences and God’s Faithfulness, I give ideas of how the generations can learn from each other and work together, just as God planned for us to do.

I encourage you to read my blog for Crosswalk: The Forgotten Link Between Seniors and Discipleship/Church Growth.

If you’re a Millennial, I would love to hear your thoughts. How can we reach your generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and help them be ready to take over the responsibility of running our free Democratic country, without ruining it with Socialism or Communism? How can we prepare them to continue God’s earthly kingdom and His church?

In an Op-ed Newt Gingrich writes about what he sees happening between the congressional generations: “To the new Democrats, the leaders are like the grandparents. And I don’t mean this in a positive way that could foster an opportunity for maternal or paternal mentorships.” Instead, “these new Democrats are throwing a party – and the grandparents aren’t invited.”

“One generation commends your works to another, they tell of your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4

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March 11, 2019
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What Kind of Person Kills a Newborn Baby?

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My daughter’s birthday was last week, February 26. Since she posted a picture with candles on her cake, I think she’ll be OK with me telling you I gave birth to her forty-six years ago. But like all mothers, when our children have birthdays no matter how old they are, we reminisce about their birth.

Where it took place.

How long or short was our labor?

Hearing our newborn’s first cry.

The nurse laying our precious gift from God on our chest as we kiss his or her cheek.

I remember like it was yesterday. Back then, we didn’t know if we were having a boy or girl, so I still have memories of the doctor holding her up and announcing, “It’s a girl!”

Then the nurse pronounced time of birth at 11:00 AM.

This year, Kim’s birthday fell on the day after Democrats in the US Senate blocked the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would mandate that doctors must try to save the life of a baby born after attempts at abortion.

[Tweet “Democrat endorsed legalized infanticide. Republicans voted in favor of bill to save innocent baby’s lives.”]

All Democrats, except for three, endorsed legalized infanticide: killing an infant. While all Republicans, except for three who didn’t vote, voted in favor of the bill to save innocent baby’s lives.

What Kind of Person Let's Newborn Baby Die?

Without the passage of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, the doctor can legally ask the parents if they want their newborn baby to live or die. If the parent’s give the death sentence to their new baby, the nurse removes the baby and lets this precious creation of God . . . cry or choke to death.

Then the nurse pronounces the time of death.

[Tweet “Doctors can ask parents if they want their newborn baby to live or die.”]

What kind of doctor, who took an oath to save lives, looks at a newborn baby, and asks, “Should we let him or her live or die?

What kind of nurse participates in this barbaric killing?

What kind of mother who gave her baby life, carried her baby in her tummy, went through delivery, and heard her baby’s first cry instructs the doctor to kill her baby?

What kind of Senator knows that this bill has absolutely nothing to do with abortion laws, but everything to do with saving the life of a newborn baby, votes for infanticide?

What kind of “political base” could these Senators be trying to please, who expect them to vote against a  Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,  which would have required that “any health care practitioner present” at the time of a birth “exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.”

What kind of country tolerates infanticide?

What kind of church leader doesn’t denounce infanticide?

My friend Patti Smith asks this same question in her blog Where is the Outrage of Church Leaders and Infanticide?

What kind of Christian does nothing?

Some friends who are speaking out have said they’ve taken a lot of online abuse from Christians who call this a “moral quandary” – and we should not judge others. I suggest they ask their critics, “So do you consider it judgement or a “moral quandary” to try and stop someone from being murdered?”

Then ask: “If abortion wasn’t legal, would you still think it was okay for a woman to have her baby burned, poisoned, or torn apart? Is it a moral quandary for that baby with a beating heart, who feels pain and is trusting his mommy’s tummy is the safest place in this world, to have a chance at life?”

Our job as Christians is to live by God’s ways, not compromise because they’re not popular.

[Tweet “Our job as Christians is to live by God’s ways, not compromise because they’re not popular.”]

Anyone who says they’re a Bible-believing Christian and refuses to take a stand against abortion, late-term abortion, and now infanticide is falling into Satan’s trap: “Did God really say that we shouldn’t kill, inside or outside the womb, His babies made in His image?” Yes, He did.

Christians must fight for the sanctity of life at all ages! With many Democrats threatening Socialism in America, how long will it be before the government decides how long you can live before you become a burden or inconvenience to society?

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act didn’t effect abortion; it was designed to protect the life of a baby that survives abortion. But here’s the fear of the liberal left and why they voted against it. If they agree that a baby is a human when it’s born after a botched abortion, it leads back to the argument that a baby is a human when the abortion was attempted in the womb. The Democrats couldn’t take the chance that the public might start thinking of unborn babies as humans, so they can’t recognize that the born infant is a human!

The Democrat’s rationale: If parents wanted assisted killing of their baby in the womb, they should be allowed to also have assisted murder of the baby if the abortion failed, and horror of all horrors, their baby lived!

We need to keep reminding the public that from the moment of conception in the mother’s womb, each baby has a unique genetic code with its own personal DNA and fingerprint. Scientifically, no one can deny that humanity is not determined on a sliding scale of whether you’re wanted or not wanted. The March for Life theme this year was “Unique from Day One!”

[Tweet “The Democrats couldn’t take the chance that the public might start thinking of unborn babies as humans”]

It’s unimaginable that we’ve arrived at a time in a supposedly civilized society where we’ve reverted to barbaric times when babies were drowned or left on a hillside to die if they weren’t wanted. Or like in the days of the worship of Bael, burned alive.

4 “‘For Israel has forsaken me and turned this valley into a place of wickedness. The people burn incense to foreign gods—idols never before acknowledged by this generation, by their ancestors, or by the kings of Judah. And they have filled this place with the blood of innocent children. 5 They have built pagan shrines to Baal, and there they burn their sons as sacrifices to Baal. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing!” Jeremiah 19:4-5 NLT

When I visited with my daughter on her birthday, she said that before going to bed the night before, she had read the final Senate ruling on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. She, like many of us, couldn’t sleep. She kept thinking of all the birthday wishes she would receive celebrating her life, while thousands of newborn babies would never see their first day of life because they were unwanted, an inconvenience.

No celebration of his or her life. No funeral. Their coffin a trash can. Nameless. The abortionist was supposed to murder the baby before it was born. Now they’re live human beings left to die, and maybe even dismembered and body parts sold.

What Kind of Person Let's a Newborn Baby Die?

Kim realized she has life because I wanted her and loved her. She has three children that she dearly loves, and her first child was adopted from a teenage mom who didn’t abort but chose to give her baby life and give our family a blessing.

[Tweet “How could a mother who gave birth to her child choose death for that child?”]

It was hard for Kim to reconcile, as it is for any of us mothers, that a woman could give birth and then choose death for her child.

With states like New York passing laws that a baby can be aborted up and through delivery, and now infanticide, the one hope we can cling to is that the public will become outraged and no longer able to ignore the atrocities of abortion.

A civil society doesn’t kill its babies in the womb or in the world.

[Tweet “A civil society doesn’t kill its babies in the womb or in the world.”]

And yet, Abortion is the Leading Cause of Death in 2018 with 41 Million Killed.”

“Globally, just under a quarter of all pregnancies (23 percent) were ended by abortion in 2018, and for every 33 live births, ten infants were aborted. There were more deaths from abortion in 2018 than all deaths from cancer, malaria, HIV/AIDS, smoking, alcohol, and traffic accidents combined.”

Listen to this interview of Ainsley Earhardt with a former abortionist as he describes why he stopped “murdering” other people’s baby boys and girls. You need to hear this. Have a Kleenex ready. Then support the upcoming movie Unplanned in which he plays the part of an abortionist. He’s not an actor, but who knows better how to portray the horror than someone who has experienced it firsthand.

I encourage you also to listen to an interview with Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act’s, chief sponsor.

Listen to a mother who almost aborted her baby until told by Planned Parenthood practitioners that if her baby was delivered alive, they would break it’s neck!

I hope the interviews and the movie trailer keep you up at night too. I hope you’re asking God what He wants you to do about this travesty. I hope you’re not thinking who are you to make a difference. You are a believer, that’s who you are, and that makes all the difference!

I hope you’re championing for life, because anyone of us could be related to a baby who was left on a cold metal table to die and ended up in a trashcan, maybe torn apart.

What to Do With Your Anger Over Evil

Don’t Just Cry, Do Something!

I’m just a baby, without a voice
Life interrupted by another’s choice
My heart was beating…but now it has ceased
And my precious life didn’t end in peace
I cried and I cried…but to no avail
Couldn’t you hear me? Why did you fail?
To give me a chance to sing my own song
I could have dreamed dreams, but now they are gone
I was a baby…but now I’m no more
Life interrupted by a vote on the floor
But I hold no grudge for the wrong that you’ve done
For I’m now in the arms of Jesus, God’s son
With millions of others, who had the same plea
I’m just a baby…please look out for me.

Merissa Lee Kelley
Feb 28, 2019

“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained
for me were written in your book before one of them came
to be.” Psalm 139:16

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March 4, 2019
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Words Matter

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Words Matter When You're Using Substitutes for Profanity

“Dude!” My thirteen-year-old granddaughter said to me. It caught me off guard and then we both laughed. It’s a word she and her peers use talking to each other. I think she says it so often, that it didn’t even connect she was talking to Grammie. I took it as a compliment that she considered me “one of the girls.”

But there are other words that I do take issue with and I take the time to explain to all the kids why they’re not acceptable or appropriate. The culture has substituted commonly used words for vulgar words, and when you look up the definitions, you learn that they have the same profane meaning.

I don’t want my grandsons and granddaughters to become accustomed to using these substitute profanity words, usually said in anger towards someone else or something they’ve done themselves that makes them mad. Or other times, they’re using what I call “lazy language” instead of expressing their feelings. And it’s not just kids. Christian adults do it too.

[Tweet “Nowhere in the Bible will you see God approving of us using worldly language. “]

Nowhere in the Bible will you see God approving of us using “worldly” language. In fact, he says we’re supposed to be in the world, but not of the world. (John 17:15-17) He wants us to be examples of how to deal with frustration or anger without resorting to profanity or words that mean the same thing.

You may think I’m over the top on this, but I don’t think living a pure and righteous life for the world to see—and teaching the next generation to do likewise—is going too far. God tells us to, “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22).

Jesus warns, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.'” (Matt. 12:34). So whatever is in our heart, is what comes out of our mouth. If you hear yourself, or your kids, saying some of the following words, do a heart check. What caused the outburst? Why are you that angry? Why have the world’s euphemisms slipped into your . . . or their . . . vocabulary?

There will be some who will say that using these words are the only way to reach the next generation, and to that I would say . . . that’s a rationalization directly from Satan, not from God. Or Satan convinces you that if you don’t talk trash, kids will not think you’re relevant. Try and find one example of the Bible making that point. Instead, it says:

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.” Matthew 18:6-7 (NLT)

When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus didn’t start cursing at him. Jesus used the Sword of the Spirit, The Word of God.

So I know you’ll be surprised to see some of these words in a blog from me, but it is disturbing how often we hear them causally used, even by Christians. I’m going to use xxx for the vile word. But sadly, I know like me, your mind will fill in the word.

I’ve looked up these definitions of commonly used offensive euphemisms or phrases.

For starters this is what euphemism means:

noun 
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
  1. “friggin’,” “frickin’,” or “freakin’”

“Frickin’ is a minced oath, because it has no real meaning of its own but is used because of its sound similarity with “fxxxing.” In other words, “fxxxing” has to be common before anyone would know what you were saying when you say “fricking.”

It was a vulgar word, not used in polite society, but not originally a swear word as such. Nowadays “frigging” is used as a euphemism for “fxxxing,” both the act and the word. It is a swear word but not an extreme one.”

I’m sorry, but there is no degree of swearing. Profanity is profanity. You notice how the definition says it was considered a vulgar word in the past but not now. The culture has normalized it, as well as the “F” word it replaces, and you hear these words used all the time.

  1. “Crap”—is usually said in anger or frustration. Or to describe something undesirable. When you look at the definitions below, it’s clear this has become a more “acceptable” word for another “four-letter” word. It could also mean describing clutter or useless items. Why not just say clutter or junk?

noun

  1. something of extremely poor quality
  2. excrement

verb: defecate.

Pretty disgusting!

Blasphemy 
noun
  1. “OMG”—This stands for “Oh my God” and is usually used as an exclamation not in reverence. It’s taking the Lord’s name in vain, unless used to praise the Lord. Like Satan did with Eve, he whispers in your ear, “Did God really say you shouldn’t say this?” Actually, yes, He did. Ex 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
  2. “Jesus!” Or “Jesus Christ!” Yes our precious Lord and Savior’s name when said in frustration, anger, or to exclaim about something unbelievable, not respectful, is profane blasphemy. Recently, Tim Tebow a vocal Christian athlete displayed an amazing golf swing and someone yelled, “Jesus!” Tebow’s quick response, “loves you.”
    [Tweet “Tim Tebow a vocal Christian hit an amazing golf swing and someone yelled, “Jesus!” Tebow’s quick response, “loves you.””]

That’s exactly what we all want to become proficient at doing. Coming up with a response that’s not offensive or scolding, but let’s the other person know in a kind way it wasn’t appropriate.

As for our children and grandchildren, we want to remind them of Proverbs 8:8, “All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.” Like every area of raising children, train them in the way they should talk.

[Tweet “Like every area of raising children, train them in the way they should talk.”]

These are just a few words that matter and I’m sure you could come up with more.

What other word do you hear that are inappropriate for Christians?

Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Ps 19:14

You might also want to read my blog “Oh Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear.”

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February 25, 2019
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In Today’s Culture, I Might Have Been Aborted

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In Today's Culture I Could've Been Aborted

“I wouldn’t have had you if I knew I would be passing on health issues to you!” My mom said to me.

As states are rapid-fire passing abortion laws that allow babies to be aborted for any “health” reason, even up through and after delivery, my mother’s words echo in my mind. I was just a young girl and I tried to frame her words in love. But I wondered then, as I do now, why wouldn’t she want me? Were her words coming from a point of regret or concern about my future? She’s gone now and I never asked.

[Tweet “Ultrasounds have made strides in helping to determine when a heart starts beating as new parent’s excitedly watch the development of their baby in mommy’s tummy.”]

Ultrasounds have made strides in helping to determine when a heart starts beating as new parents excitedly watch the development of their baby in mommy’s tummy. There are so many benefits of ultrasounds, especially in letting hesitant mommy’s know their baby is not just tissue or a fetus, but a kicking, smiling, yawning, sleeping, squirming baby boy or girl.

Ultrasounds and amniocentesis also detect early developmental issues. Often a baby’s life can be saved by intrauterine surgery or detecting that the mommy needs to be on bedrest.

[Tweet “Before ultrasounds detecting problems babies would have a chance at life. Today doctors encourage fearful parents to abort “and try again.””]

But these same tests can detect problems that can’t be treated until the baby is born, or maybe not treatable ever.

Before intrauterine technology, those babies would have a chance at life. Today doctors might encourage fearful parents to “abort and try again.” Even though we read story after story of the doctor and the tests being wrong and a beautiful baby boy or girl surprises everyone. A baby almost killed because he or she might not be perfect.

I would’ve been one of those imperfect babies.

Today’s technology could probably detect that I would have a spine with severe debilitating congenital scoliosis. Doctors might have told my first-time parents that without treatment I would be deformed and why not “get rid of me and try again for a better baby next time.” But my mom was pregnant before ultrasounds. Parents had to anxiously wait until their baby was born to even know if they were having a boy or a girl. So I lived.

But as I grew, my mother continually told me to stand up straight and had me standing for hours with my back against the wall hoping my spine would straighten on its own. But it only got worse until doctors told her if I didn’t have surgery to put a metal rod down my spine or be put in traction and wear a plaster cast from just under my ears to my hip bones until I finished growing, my left arm would eventually drag the ground. There was no way to correct the S-shaped curvature, only stop it from getting any worse and I would endure a lifetime of back pain.

She probably repeated in her mind, “I shouldn’t have had you.”

In Today's Culture, I Could've Been Aborted Because I had a deformed spine

At Christmas with my younger sister. The plaster cast you see around my neck went all the way down to my hip bones. I’m bracing myself with my left hand because I could barely sit up.

Or maybe she would’ve started experiencing many of her “health issues,” and when she became pregnant, she didn’t want to pass them on to me. I would be better off not being born. Aborted.

When I had breast cancer three times after she was gone, had she been alive, she might have said again, “I shouldn’t have had you.”

But praise God . . . she did have me.

In Today's Culture, I Could Have Been Aborted

[Tweet “God had a plan for me like He has for every one of His creations and none of us are perfect.”]

God had a plan for me like He has for every one of His creations and none of us are perfect.

Mothers often express in delight, “My baby is perfect as they count ten toes and fingers, four limbs, two eyes, two ears, one nose and a mouth, but no one really knows what awaits each of us. And that’s a good thing. If we knew a two-year old was going to get cancer, would we not want to have those two precious years with our child? What about if doctors could predict asthma or allergies? Would those be considered enough “health issues” to abort?

Now that they can detect Down’s Syndrome and cleft palates, should those darling children not have a chance at life? Savagely, doctor’s give parents that choice today.

[Tweet “Every life has a purpose, and while we’d like our life to be pure joy and happiness, we’re all going to have challenges.”]

Every life has a purpose, and while we’d like our life to be pure joy and happiness, we’re all going to have challenges. God’s plan is for all His children to be a part of human history for however long or short our time on earth or how imperfect our bodies or minds.

It’s not our call to play God.

[Tweet “It is not our call to play God.”]

Here’s some ways God has used my less than perfect body.

  1. I had a beautiful baby girl, who could’ve possibly had scoliosis, but she doesn’t. I tried so hard to have her while I struggled with infertility and not once did I ever think, “Maybe God doesn’t want me to have a baby.” I love being a mother.
  2. My daughter has three beautiful children. I love being a grandmother.
  3. I have a godly husband who is devoted to Jesus and to me. I love being a wife.
  4. I had the opportunity to start the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry over twenty years ago and only God knows the number of women throughout the world who have been, and continue to be, blessed by mentoring relationships. I love being About His Work.
  5. At the age of 50, I became an author! September 2019 will be the release of my twentieth Christian nonfiction book, all written to the glory of God. I love being an author.
  6. I’ve had the opportunity to speak and encourage women throughout the United States and Canada about how to live a life for Christ. I love speaking and mentoring.

It’s true I’ve had, and continue to have, many health issues, but I’m so glad my mother did choose to give me life.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

Psalm 139:13-14

In a recent post Don’t Just Cry About It, Do Something, I said one of the things we can do is put a face to the inhumanity of abortion by telling our stories. I’m sure all of you have a story to tell too of someone, maybe you, who might’ve been aborted today. Share with us your story in the comments and tell someone else today! You might just be saving an unborn life.

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*Opening picture is from the Christian Conservative

February 18, 2019
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What to Do with Our Anger Over Evil

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What to Do With Our Anger Over Evil

In all my years on Facebook, I can never remember using the angry emoji . . . until the past few weeks, and I see that I’m not alone. None of the other emoticons express how strongly I feel about the atrocities of people celebrating infanticide, the outrageous behavior of legislators, and the liberal left lobbying to bring Marxist, Nazi Socialism and Communism into America!

[Tweet “The liberal agenda is like we went to sleep one night in the USA we love and woke up in the Twilight Zone.”]

The liberal agenda is like we went to sleep one night in the USA we love and woke up in the Twilight Zone.

While watching our grandkids a few weeks ago, Dave and I got hooked on the TV program Manifest where an entire plane disappeared for five years and then suddenly reappears. The passengers haven’t aged, but the world has changed during their absence. Many of them feel a “calling” they can’t ignore to help people. The program leaves you wanting to see the next episode, but at the same time it’s all unbelievable.

Except for the not aging part, as we hear and see unbelievable craziness in our country, I keep thinking this all has to be a nightmare. I’ll wake up and we will have returned to the American democracy I grew up in and loved. But I get up, have a cup of coffee, check out the day’s news, and realize it’s even worse than the nightmare, but I feel a definite calling to do something about it!

[Tweet “Liberal atheistic progressivism has been steadily creeping into our country.”]

The Current Craziness Didn’t Just Happen

Liberal atheistic progressivism has been steadily creeping into our country. The idea that government rules the people and God is a myth.

Statistics about Planned Parenthood’s increase in abortions and the undercover videos of their doctors and administrators casually talking about selling baby parts alarmed us for a few weeks. Then it’s back to daily lives.

The police force we all depend on to protect us and maintain safe environments, the first people we call when our lives are threatened, became the object of ridicule and their lives threatened. They receive orders to “stand down” when conservatives are being attacked.

Wealthy athletes, who made a fortune from their God-given gift of excelling at a sport, kneel for the flag and boycott the National Anthem that represents the American freedom that allows them to be so disloyal to the country that gave them fame.

[Tweet “A “New Green Deal” sounds like a Sci-Fi novel. The location can’t be the USA?”]

A “New Green Deal” sounds like a Sci-Fi novel. The location can’t possibly be the United States?!

It all brings back memories of the Left Behind series, which foretells the coming of the Anti-Christ who takes over during the Tribulation. Honestly, that doesn’t seem too far fetched or far off today with all the push towards globalism.

The Anti-Christ hasn’t appeared yet, but there’s a spirit of anti-Christ among us and Satan is emboldened. “Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared.” 1 John 2:18

And so we feel angry because it seems like the world is spinning out of control and there’s so little we can do about it. Along with the angry emoji’s, I also see a number of crying faces. 😢

When you read articles like a testimony from a former abortionist nurse who was pro-choice until instructed to put a live baby, who survived an abortion, into a room, shut the door, and let it cry itself to death. . . now you’re crying and angry.

What Should We Pray?

In my blog of January 28, Don’t Just Cry, Do Something, I listed 14 things we can do after we’ve had a good cry. Many have shared this blog. Prayer is the first thing I list, but what do we pray? Romans 8:26 assures us, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”

Read your Bible as you pray. God leads us through His Word to His will as the Holy Spirit prompts us when we ask, “God what do you want me to do?” Then we do it!

One of the prayers that the Bible tells us to pray is hard when we’re angry, but I know many of you are praying for those we’re watching do evil in the eyes of the Lord.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![b] Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,[c]how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matt 5:43-48

Jesus Was Angry

Righteous anger can be what motivates us to pray and participate in justice. When Jesus saw the moneychangers at the Temple, he was extremely angry and took action.

In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” John 2:14-16

When his friend Lazarus died, Jesus was angry.

When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him,[a] and he was deeply troubled. John 11:32-33

Reading different commentators, many believe that Jesus’s anger in John 11 was targeted at the one who causes death, Satan.

Scott Duvall wrote in Angry at Death: Reading John 11: “However, it is best, I think, to regard Jesus’s anger as directed against Satan, the Evil One himself, who presides over the realm of death, wreaking havoc throughout God’s good creation.”

Timothy George wrote in the Roar Heard Around the World: “But in John 11, this encounter takes place in the arena where Satan is deemed to be strongest, at his most unassailable fortress, in the realm of death. . . . What we have here is not so much a sudden upset as an ‘undying hostility to the forces of evil, coming to the surface at the very sight of them. ‘Calvin’s comment on this text is telling: ‘Christ does not come to the sepulcher as an idle spectator, but like a wrestler preparing for the contest. Therefore, no wonder that he groans again, for the violent tyranny of death that he had to overcome stands before his eyes.’”

It’s Ok to be angry at Satan, the creator of evil, death, and chaos.

Anger at the legislators, abortionists, pro-choice, liberals, progressives, and biased media . . . is natural, but maybe misplaced.

Whenever I hear, “The media is the enemy of the people,” my response is, “The media isn’t the enemy. Satan is and he’s using them as his mouthpiece and emissaries of evil.” Sadly, they just don’t know it. Pray for their eyes to be opened, just like God opened the eyes of the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. It happened then, it can happen now!

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor [Eph. 6:13-18] so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12

I hope some of you reading this blog will share in the comments how you’re praying and what you’re praying. It would help believers across the nation to pray in one accord.

How are you turning your anger into positive action?

What are you doing to counter evil?

If you received this blog by email, please comment here. And please feel free to share wherever the Lord leads you.

*All Scriptures are NLT

February 11, 2019
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What a MAGA Hat Means to Me

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What a MAGA Hat Means to MeI was encouraged reading some of the responses to last week’s blog Don’t Just Cry, Do Something addressing the horrific atrocities of late term abortion being celebrated in New York and the proposed bill in Virginia to allow birthed babies to be killed. I gave 14 suggestions to stopping the murder of innocent babies at any stage of development. People did do something in Virginia and that bill didn’t pass because Republicans have a small lead in the state legislature, but every Democrat voted for it!

But as might be expected, I had followers also unsubscribe.

That’s OK and I expect the same thing this week. But call me an “About His Work” rebel, I cannot be silent. Again, I prayed about what I should write, and yesterday I heard from the Lord loud and clear. I couldn’t take notes fast enough. There’s so much to say on the topic of why the MAGA hats are controversial, but others have already written and spoken many of my thoughts, so I’m going to give you links to check out.

The first one is from a favorite FOX commentator Laura Ingraham, “The Hat that Dare Not Show It’s Brim,” and on the same link, you’ll see an article by Kristin Hawkins “Why I wear a MAGA hat these days (and I didn’t start out as a Trump fan).”

Why Are MAGA Hats Controversial?

Several weeks ago, Covington High School boys, who had just participated in the March for Life in DC, were wrongly slandered and mischaracterized by the media and others who didn’t bother to obtain the facts. The boys were judged and accused of racism simply because they were Christian, Pro-life, and wearing MAGA hats.

I asked the question on Facebook, “I don’t get it? Why are MAGA hats considered racist?” I honestly didn’t make the connection.

I was shocked to hear that some people equate President Trump’s slogan Make America Great Again with going back to the days of slavery?!! Say what? No one except the liberal media, never-Trumpers, and the far left would equate MAGA with the days of slavery. So I thought . . . until some conservatives said they did too?! Where did that thinking come from?

Ah . . . it had to come from listening and believing liberals and biased media who call MAGA hat wearers Nazi’s, misogynists, haters, racists . . . and often vile names. Simply because they support President Trump.

Let’s step back and ask why.

Why? Because Make America Great Again #MAGA was a successful campaign slogan for President Trump, and they don’t want him to win again.

[Tweet “If the left could intimidate and create fear in Trump supporters, they could silence them.”]

So they had to demonize what worked for him. They hate our President for his success and they’re insanely jealous.

If they can intimidate and create fear in Trump supporters, they can silence them. Take away our First Amendment right to free speech by encouraging their followers to shame and harass anyone bold and brave enough to wear a MAGA hat or even use #MAGA.

Whatever slogan President Trump comes up with for 2020, they’ll try to create the same brainwashing, shaming, anti-Trump drama because sadly, it’s working. There’s been very little pushback.

[Tweet “When a party uses bullying tactics, it’s because they’re trying to cover up their own bad motives that they’re projecting onto the opposition.”]

When a party uses those kinds of bullying tactics, it’s because they’re trying to cover up their own bad motives that they’re projecting onto the opposition. What the liberals are doing now is exactly what Nazis did . . . suppress the opposition, silence Christians and conservatives, then subtlety, and strategically, take over.

[Tweet “What liberals are doing is exactly what Nazis did . . . suppress the opposition, silence Christians/conservatives, then subtlety, and strategically, take over.”]

Notice that the Democratic Party has gone so far left, they’re trying to bring to America Marxist socialism where the government controls the people. Suppress successful capitalism and entrepreneurship, the very reason so many people want to come here. What the liberals aren’t saying is the only way to offer all the “freebies” is to tax the people, rich and poor. In Sweden, everyone making over $32,000 a year pays 68% of their income to taxes!!!

But I digress . . . that’s for another blog.

Last week, a restaurant owner said no one wearing a MAGA hat was welcome in his restaurant: “It hasn’t happened yet, but if you come to my restaurant wearing a MAGA cap, you aren’t getting served, same as if you come in wearing a swastika, white hood, or any other symbol of intolerance and hate”.

In his apology, he said his comment was meant to “reject” the anger, hate, and violence he says he associated with the red “Make America Great Again” Then his staff and partners convinced him he was the one showing hate and intolerance and he apologized.

I imagine if you asked him why he had that perception of the MAGA hat and what examples he could give of someone showing anger, hate, and violence wearing one, he wouldn’t be able to come up with any specifics. In fact, he admitted it had never happened to him.

And yet, we’ve seen footage of numerous examples of left-wing Antifa members dressed in black with masked faces beating up people, destroying property, setting fires, breaking windows, damaging business buildings and store fronts, burning cars . . . yes displaying anger, hate, and violence . . .  why aren’t businesses banning and denouncing Antifa?

Why aren’t the mainstream media and Democrats denouncing Antifa? Ah, could it be because they’re doing their dirty work for them.

Here’s what Make America Great Again and a MEGA hat means to me.

  1. We don’t apologize to the rest of the world for being a successful prosperous nation.
  2. We respect and appreciate men and women who protect our safety, both the military and police force.
  3. We respect the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem (like at this Iowa High School Basketball game), the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
  4. We remember our Judeo-Christian roots based on God and the Bible and aren’t afraid to say, “Merry Christmas” and “Jesus loves you.”
  5. We value the sanctity of life and allow every conceived baby the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Where infanticide is a crime.
  6. We protect our borders against those who want to do us harm, while welcoming those who want to enter our country legally and contribute to the American way of life.
  7. Cities don’t protect and harbor illegals with histories of violence and breaking the law.
  8. One party doesn’t encourage their constituents to harass and harm the opposing party.
  9. Freedom of speech is honored for both liberals and conservatives who can have civil debates.
  10. Colleges are intuitions of learning and not liberal indoctrination.
  11. The media and news report proven unbiased facts, not opinions and fabricated stories.
  12. Churches don’t have to have armed guards.
  13. Bibles and God are allowed in schools.
  14. You are gender by birth: male or female.
  15. You can wear a MAGA hat without backlash or fear.

[Tweet “Pres. Trump spoke about Jesus, shared the Gospel, and supported Christians more than any other president in history.”]

President Trump openly speaks about Jesus, shares the Gospel, and supports Christians more than any other president in history.

It’s our job as Christians, whether or not you like President Trump, to counter with the truth against the liberal and media lies. Denounce those who use “racism” over what flavor ice cream our President chooses or color the White House Christmas trees are, while they’re lighting up the World Trade Center monument in pink to celebrate murdering babies.

What A MAGA Hat Means to Me

One of the first orders of business in the Democrat run Congress was an attempt to eliminate “so help me God” when someone testifies in front of Congress. It didn’t pass, but they tried.

Consider that the American people of all races will be the ones held in bondage in an anti-MAGA, Socialist, Democrat controlled government. Is that really the country you want to live in?

[Tweet “Let’s work together to make America not only great again, but always!”]

Let’s work together to make America not only great again, but always!

Here’s the link again to a great article, Why I Wear a MAGA Hat These Days.

I want to hear what MAGA means to you.

If you received this blog by email, leave a comment here.

February 4, 2019
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Don’t Just Cry, Do Something!

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I’m back! Did you miss my Monday Morning Blogs these past few months? I certainly missed you!

As many of you know, I broke my wrist after a tumble down my office stairs on October 22. I’ve been in casts and braces ever since as my wrist healed. Now I’m in physical therapy to strengthen my wrist and muscles that haven’t been used for three months. As you can imagine, this was difficult for a writer!!! Fortunately, I had turned in the manuscript for the new book Everyday Brave the week before the fall.

But it’s been a long journey and isn’t over yet, so I’ll have to make this brief, if I can, since there are so many cultural events I want to address. If you follow me on Facebook, I’ve been able to peck out my comments and thoughts there.

Don't Just Cry, Do Something about the atrocities of abortion in our nation.

Since I’m limited today in the use of my wrist, there are several excellent posts I’d like you to read and share your thoughts and comments here:

“Standing for God in a Pagan Culture” by Pastor Greg Laurie

I’m reading the Bible in a year, and just read about the encounter Pastor Laurie talks about between God, Moses, and Pharaoh. For those who think that Christians should not be involved in government or political issues that are more moral than political, Pharaoh was the government and God sent Moses and Aaron to confront him 10 times before Pharaoh freed the Israelite slaves. I love the last line of this article, “God isn’t looking for good speakers; He’s looking for obedient servants.”

Question: What is God asking you to do in your sphere of influence?

The New York “Reproductive Health Act” RHA (which should’ve been named “Unlimited Abortion Act”) became law on January 22, 2019. Governor Cuomo and his supporters applauded and lit up the World Trade Center monument in pink to celebrate…

[Tweet “Governor Cuomo and his supporters applauded and lit up the World Trade Center monument in pink to celebrate…”]

  • When a pregnant woman miscarries from an assault, the loss of her baby is no longer a crime.
  • Allowing third-trimester abortions (infanticide) for vaguely and subjectively a mother’s “health”.
  • Allowing abortions to be performed by medical personnel other than physicians
  • Making it legal for viable babies born alive following late-term abortions to be denied medical care and left to painfully die. (I can’t imagine what kind of person could stand by and watch this happen. Well I can’t imagine who could be an abortionist either!)

In other words, in New York a baby is not a human!

[Tweet “In New York a baby is not a human!”]

Please read the full text of RHA. It will only take five minutes. Many are trying to spin what it says. Read it for yourself.

In response to New York’s new genocide abortion law, my friend Heather Riggleman saw what God was asking her to do and bravely shared her own testimony in an open letter to New York posted in TODAY Parenting Team, “New York—You Let Fear Win.”

I know that if you’ve had an abortion, this topic is raw and painful for you if you haven’t asked God for, and received, His forgiveness. There’s nothing we’ve done that isn’t forgivable . . .  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

I’ve seen so many angry and tearful emojis on Facebook, but I think God wants us to put those emotions into action. Not just cry all over Facebook and social media where posts will soon be forgotten. We’re to do something to impact our culture positively.

Here are some ideas:

Pray that with science and medical strides in ultrasounds confirming that the creation of a human begins at conception, more people will see and admit that in-utero babies are developing people.

Share God’s Word on His creation of life. Psalm 139:13 Isaiah 49:1

Boldly support, campaign, and vote for pro-life conservative legislators.

Work to get out the conservative vote.

Volunteer at women’s healthcare centers that offer alternatives to abortion.

[Tweet “Encourage your church to get involved in foster care and adoption programs. The church, not the government, is supposed to care for the orphans.”]

Encourage your church to get involved in foster care and adoption programs. The church, not the government, is supposed to care for the orphans. Give these expectant mothers ways to care for their unborn children.

Sign petitions that shout your voice. We’ve seen their success in other areas.

Don’t become complacent or let the horror that alarms you now, become the norm.

Champion for life like you would for your own baby or grandchild’s life.

[Tweet “See and promote movies that expose the truth about abortion. Gosnell or Unplanned when it releases in March.”]

See and promote movies that expose the truth about abortion. Gosnell (his crimes would now be legal in New York. We were on our way to see this movie when I broke my wrist), Unplanned (listen to actress Ashley Bratcher’s own story),

Mentor—educate young women about the reality of abortion and answer their questions. I talk about ideas for how to have these discussions in Mentoring for All Seasons. I also talk in this book about how to mentor women and girls who’ve already had an abortion. How to share with them that God loves them and will forgive them if they only will come to Him and ask.

Use Your Story for God’s Glory. My friend Patti Smith is an example of a woman who had abortions before turning her life over to Jesus. She’s now mentoring women who’ve had abortions. She wrote a blog post for me several years ago, Prisoners of Their Own Choice.

God can use our past bad choices to help them not become someone else’s future.

[Tweet “God can use our past bad choices to help them not become someone else’s future.”]

Believe me, all those women in the “Shout Your Abortion” movement endorsed by Oprah Winfrey are not proud of their abortions. They’re hurting women who think they’ll feel better about their choice if they can justify it by finding other women in the same situation. They too need to hear that Jesus forgives when you ask.

[Tweet “Women who’ve had abortions too need to hear that Jesus forgives when you ask. Spread that news that God loves you.”]

Share the Gospel and love. Spread the news that God loves you and forgives. All you have to do is accept Jesus as your Savior, turn from your sinful life, ask Him for forgiveness for past sins, and let Him guide your life. (1 John 1:9)

Read Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten. There are questions at the end of each chapter for group study.

I’m not trying to promote sales of this book, I’m just telling you that when this book released in 2016, I foretold the progressive movement for what it is: the playbook for Satan. I saw it then and it’s even more relevant now. If progressives, like Cuomo and other liberals, get into power in the White House this is just an example of the continued progression of evil in our country.

Here’s another good article from Christianpost.com, Abortion is Satanic Worship.

When Cuomo and his colleagues gleefully wore pink and signed the death sentence to so many unborn boys and girls, he made this statement: “a historic victory for our progressive values.”

In Forsaken God?, here is what I wrote about Progressivism. It’s founder is Satan and atheism is the basis for its values.

Each generation pushes out the boundaries of sin and immorality a little farther in the name of a “progressive tolerant culture.” The 20th Century’s sexual revolution has made sex outside of marriage and abortion acceptable and old stuff as the 21st Century’s norm becomes casual hookups, unwed pregnancies, homosexuals, transgenderism, gay marriage, and condoms passed out in schools. What one generation does in moderation, the next generation does in excess, and sadly that’s been true since the beginning of time.

Satan is hijacking high-profile liberal pastors and several mainline denominations who expound that: the Bible isn’t inerrant or relevant, God is a myth, Jesus is a legend, and the church needs to catch up with the culture. Essentially, they’re atheists trying to mask themselves as “progressive Christians,” as if they’ve discovered the true, open-minded Christianity that doesn’t need the Bible.

I want to hear other ideas you have for engaging with our culture. God is using all of this to bring the atrocities of abortion back into the public eye.

What are you doing to let the light shine as the darkness takes over our country? You can make a difference, one life at a time.

Good to be back for such a time as this.

Remember the goodness of God so you don't forsake Him in your life.

January 28, 2019
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