Sharing Him Article #3

March 30, 2009 Leave a Comment

stw1So far this year we’ve discussed what it means to share the Gospel with others and where to begin.  This month we’re going to talk about explaining His Plan of Salvation.

God’s Plan of Salvation:  How can I explain it?

In this article, we will consider a simple, scriptural, and concise way to explain to another God’s plan of salvation. Salvation is a gift, but it’s a gift we must choose to accept in order to become part of God’s kingdom (Acts 2:38).

Consider the following three points:

1. The Problem: Sin

The greatest problem confronting mankind is not economic, educational, cultural, racial, social, or physical.  The greatest problem confronting humanity is the problem of sin.

Sin causes man to be separated from God (lost!):  Isaiah 59:1–2

Sin causes one to be spiritually dead:  Ephesians 2:1–2; Romans 6:23

Sin is a universal malady because all have sinned:  Romans 3:9-10; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 6:23

Sin causes man to be lost in this life and lost eternally.  It is a terrible malady, a deadly disease, an awful affliction!

2. The Remedy: The Blood of Christ

Sin is the problem:  that’s the bad news.  But there is a remedy for the problem of sin; there is a cure for the disease:  that’s the good news.

The remedy for sin is the blood of Christ!

Jesus said in Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

stw2It is the blood of Christ that provides us forgiveness:  Romans 5:8; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Revelation 1:5.

The word “gospel,” which means “good news,” is that Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

3. The Response: Obeying Christ

Having identified the problem (sin) and the remedy (Christ’s blood), the question remains, “How does one get the remedy?”

The answer is simple:  we must obey Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:8–9).

Jesus commands we believe in Who He is (John 8:24), repent (Luke 13:3), confess our faith in Him (Matthew 10:32), accepting His invitation of salvation, and be baptized (Mark 16:16).  He further tells us to remain faithful (Revelation 2:10).

An Illustration:

Suppose a man went to a doctor for a check-up.  The doctor found a deadly disease that could take the man’s life.  That’s bad news.  But the doctor tells the man there’s a medicine that can cure his disease.  That’s good news!  Then the doctor instructs the man to take the prescription.  Would the man hesitate taking the remedy if he was thoroughly convinced it would alleviate his affliction?

Likewise man must learn of and acknowledge his problem; he must come to know that sin is the deadly disease confronting us all.  But he needs also to learn that through Christ there is a remedy, and he needs to learn what that remedy is.

Conclusion:

Think of these three points (problem, remedy, response), learn the Scriptures that relate to each of these points and demonstrate their truthfulness, and then be about the business of telling people the good news of the gospel and God’s desire for them to be forgiven and have eternal life.

Emphasize to people how much God loves them and what a great gift He has given them (John 3:16).  Share with them God’s great desire for them to receive this great gift.  Everything necessary for our salvation on God’s part had been done; now it is up to us to accept by faith the gift of God.

Scriptures for further study:  Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 3:19; Galatians 3:26–27; 1 Peter 3:21.

By John Brown

Filed Under: Spread the Word

Potential Living

March 24, 2009 2 Comments

dating1God has blessed everyone with great potential. He has designed us all with the abilities and desires necessary to accomplish the works He wants us to do (Psalm 139:14). A huge part of reaching our potential is surrounding ourselves with people who encourage and lift us up; godly people who inspire and challenge us (2 Cor.6:14). One of the most important people in our lives is the one we choose to marry.

I, personally, am not a believer in soul mates. I think that there is more than one man in this world who I could be compatible with and could choose to love. But I will not love just any guy whom I like; there must be certain qualities about him that cause me to want to be more Christ-like. I want you to think about the things in your life that encourage you to be great!

The ideal man for me would be someone who complements me; someone who has strength in areas where I may have trouble. One example would be patience; I would want the man I married to be very patient so that he could help me to not be rash. I would also want this person to appreciate my talents and encourage me to pursue them. If you are talented in sports, singing, playing instruments, hunting, or any number of things, the man you choose to love should encourage your abilities, as long as they are godly.

I know that sometimes we let ourselves fall for someone who is not good for us, someone who may pull us down rather than lift us up. But I would like to share with you one belief that I have always stood firm in. I do not believe that we fall in love, because falling is an accident–love is not. Loving someone is a choice and we don’t stop or start loving someone unless we make that decision. The love God demands of us is an active love—one that we must think about and participate in. I believe that this must be true because of God’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; it is always described as something that takes work and effort.

dating2For example, in those verses, it is written, “Love is never jealous.” Being envious is often a temptation for many people. Sometimes girls feel like they don’t want their boyfriends to even talk to other girls, or vice versa. If that is something you struggle with then you have to decide not to allow yourself to fall into Satan’s trap. You must let your love overshadow sinful feelings and trust the one you are with. In those verses you will find that everything love is being described as is an action. You choose not to be easily angered, not to be prideful, not to rejoice in sin, and to be kind. They all require thought and decisions. Therefore, when you decide to put yourself out there and love someone, you are making a choice.

So when you are getting to know a potential husband, ask yourself if this boy complements you, encourages you, and challenges you to be more Christ-like. Ask yourself if this boy will encourage you to reach the potential that God has given you.

By Shelby Garrett

Filed Under: Dating

Family Potential

March 23, 2009 Leave a Comment

family2Many of us want to live up to the potential God has for us, but sometimes it’s difficult to accept the different plans that God has for others, especially within our families. God has created each of us specifically and has given us all unique talents. Although we should be loving and encouraging within our families, displaying Christ-likeness, there is unfortunately too often resentment and competition. Our sinful human nature makes us competitive people, but that is not God’s ideal for us. Romans 12:15 reminds us to share in each others’ successes, stating, “Rejoice with those who rejoice.”

Remember that God has a different plan for everyone. If you have siblings, chances are you have experienced some sibling rivalry at some point in your life. This is often even truer when you have a sibling of the same gender, or one who is very close in age. It’s unlikely that you can grow up with a sibling without someone comparing you to one another at some point. But God does not compare you with others: “But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (1 Corinthians 7:7). If we’re competing with our siblings, instead of encouraging them, we are allowing ourselves to miss out on a blessing from God.

God doesn’t plan for everyone to go to the same college, marry at the same age, or excel at the same activities. It’s okay if you play the piano and your sister is the star of her soccer team. It’s also okay if an older sibling marries at twenty, but you feel that you should wait until you’re older than that. Or, maybe a sibling is attending a private university somewhere, but you want to go to a community college and live at home. That’s okay! Rejoice with your siblings for their successes and happiness, and you’ll be more likely to have a better relationship with them because of it.

family1Pray that God will reveal to you His plan for you––and listen! Unfortunately, we are often so focused on others’ talents and lives that we ignore God’s voice speaking to us about our own. And not only is this the case in our physical families but also in our spiritual families. How often have we been consumed with jealousy that a sister in Christ seems to have everything going for her? Or bitter that a brother in Christ got the scholarship we wanted? We need to pray that God will work on our hearts to help us refocus.

When we are focused on others, or on ourselves, we are not focused on Him. There are so many ways our Father desires to bless His children, but we must be focused on Him or else we will miss the opportunities he has in store for us. We should be rejoicing with others, knowing that God has His own very special and unique plan for their lives as well as ours!

By Lisa Grimenstein

Filed Under: Generation Gap

A Healthy Resolve: Part Three

March 22, 2009 Leave a Comment

We’ve previously discussed how to sparingly use a scale, proper dieting, and eating sweets sensibly.  For the third and final part of this mini series, read on.

haf1As winter melts into spring, there are many different ways to change up your exercise routine. After months of keeping fit indoors, why not head outside and enjoy the beauty of spring? Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth, and rejuvenation. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10 NKJV). Take this time to add new things to your current exercise routine. If you have been putting off your New Year’s resolution to begin exercising, allow the freshness of spring and the beauty of God’s creation to motivate you (after speaking with your doctor, of course).

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 30 minutes of exercise per day to reduce the risk of chronic disease, maintain a healthy weight, and to decrease the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Before exercising, talk to your doctor; during exercise, always make sure to listen to your body. Start off with just 10 minutes if that is all you can do. Gradually work your way up by increasing the length of time and intensity of your workout. Keep in mind that the faster we move, the more calories we burn. Increased effort means increased calorie usage. A heavier person will burn more calories because it takes more effort to move more weight.

Outdoor workouts

Your body needs a variety of exercise to get the most benefits. For example, after lifting 3-pound weights for six weeks, 3 pounds may not feel heavy anymore and your body is generally not as challenged. You may need to move on to 5-pound weights if you want to build muscle and continue to burn calories. Consider doing some of your weight routine outdoors. Getting outside gives your body many different opportunities for a change. Just the change in scenery can help your mind and lift your spirits. “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1 NKJV). Take your exercise mat outside under that big oak tree or walk the distance of the shopping plaza to the next store instead of driving down. If you are a beginner and have no idea what moves to do, visit your local library or search on Amazon for an instructional video or an illustrated movement book to take with you wherever you go.

haf2Runners, and walkers, instead of using a treadmill, go outside and run or walk around your neighborhood. Running 5 mph (a 12-minute mile) burns around 472 calories per hour, while walking at a moderate pace (3 mph) will burn 207 calories per hour. If you do not live in a neighborhood with sidewalks, try mapping out a few paths through town. You can take many routes to keep the scenery different. There are also nature trails and city and national parks. You know your area; just do a little research to pick out the best and safest spot for you. Make sure someone knows your route, do not go into bad areas, stay alert, keep your cell phone with you, and stay in areas that have plenty of other people nearby. Being outside can offer your body something different. Hills add an element of difficulty if you are used to running or walking on a flat surface. As your endurance improves, pick routes with more hills and increase the length of time or distance that you go.

If you are not much of a running/walking sort of person, there are many other things to do outside that can offer adequate exercise. Most city parks have one or more of the following: basketball courts (472 calories burned), tennis courts (413), volleyball courts, and softball/baseball fields (295). A non-competitive volleyball game with 6–9 members burns 177 calories per hour, while a competitive game in a gymnasium burns 236 calories per hour. Take your game to a beach court, and burn 472 calories per hour. Swimming laps with light-to-moderate effort will burn around 472 calories, while swimming those laps fast and vigorously will burn 590.] Grab a few friends and head on down to the nearest court or field for a few hours of fun that will hardly seem like the same old workout. Some places even have leagues in the spring and summer months that you could join. Many national parks have hiking trails, canoeing (177-413), bike trails(472 for 12-14 mph), and rock climbing(649 to ascend and 472 rappelling) to give your body a different challenge. Make sure to pick up a map, follow the designated trails and take all safety precautions. (For more information about calorie burning activities, visit Nutrition Strategy.)

As you consider the endless possibilities of renewing your exercise routine, allow springtime to revive your relationship with God. Keep your exercise routines in the proper perspective, and do not allow yourself to neglect your responsibility for your spiritual growth. “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8 NKJV). Include time with God as you are enjoying His wonderful gift of spring.
*All calories references in parentheses are calories burned per hour of activity for a 130-pound person. Calories burned will be higher for a heavier person and lower for a lighter person.

Food of the Month: Apples

haf3Apples taste great, are easily portable, and are ready to eat. They also have many health benefits. Apples are an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber, which can improve bowel health, lower cholesterol, and reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, strokes, and diabetes.

Apples come in numerous varieties, such as Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, Royal Gala, Braeburn, Jonathan, McIntosh, Cripps Pink, and many more. Check with suppliers in your local area to find out which varieties are locally popular. Each variety of apple has its own taste. They Red Delicious, Fuji, and Royal Gala taste sweet; Golden Delicious and Granny Smith are tangy; and Braeburn and Cripps Pink have a tart taste. Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith apples are good for cooking or baking. All varieties are good for eating out of hand or in salads.

Choose apples that are firm and smooth with no bruises. Always store apples in a plastic bag in a crisper or refrigerator drawer away from vegetables. (Apples can alter the taste of some vegetables if stored too closely.) Wash apples thoroughly before cutting or eating. One apple, with the skin, depending on the variety and size, can range from around 55 calories for a small (3.7oz) to 110 calories for a very large (7.5 oz.) Check nutrition information on the specific varieties available in your area. (For more information about apples, visit Dole’s website.) As you head outside to renew your workout, grab an apple and enjoy the delicious benefits.

By Sherri Houmard

Filed Under: Health and Fitness

Dust Off Those Dresses!

March 19, 2009 Leave a Comment

www.modestbydesign.comIt’s that time of year again. We’ve started hearing of formal events in the halls and may have begun receiving invitations to weddings and banquets. And something starts to fill our minds––what to wear! We talk and plan and shop. For many of us, new clothes are exciting, and something as rare as getting to choose a new formal dress is even more so. But sadly, there are plenty of girls who approach this time with hesitation. Many do not get to enjoy the fun time of browsing with friends and shopping with Mom because they cannot afford to do so.

If you’re anything like me, spring also introduces another feeling––the desire to clean out my stuff! Without even thinking about it, I realize as spring approaches, that I have an urge to get rid of my stuff. Maybe it’s because I’ve been cooped up all winter looking at it. Or maybe it’s the freshness of the season that makes me want to simplify. Regardless, it coincides perfectly with a great project for this month––a dress drive!

There is nothing worse than having stuff in my closet that I know I’ll probably never wear again, but that I don’t know what to do with. This year, as you’re out looking at new dresses for your occasion, consider those who won’t be doing that same thing because of cost or other reasons. Start by letting your friends know that you’ll be organizing a dress drive to collect formal dresses for girls who need them. Research beforehand, or with friends, an organization you’d like to support. There are many to choose from, provided simply by going online and looking up “formal dress drive.” The options range from collecting for cancer patients to those who have lost homes and possessions in natural disasters. Whichever you choose to support, I recommend making sure it is a moral, upright organization.

Get the word out! Let your friends know your plan, and tell them to let their friends know. Ask if you can post or pass out flyers at school announcing your dress drive. Include specifics, such as the condition of dresses and dates when they must be delivered by. And then start collecting.

There are several things to remember about donating these dresses. First, make sure the dresses are in really good condition. Don’t give away dresses that have stains or marks on them or that are torn. (If there are tears, see if they can be sewn and repaired, and then donate them.) Just continue to keep in mind the question, “Would I want this dress in this condition, if it were me?” Some of us may have dresses that are somewhat outdated. Consider this when donating. Some styles do come back, and sometimes vintage is really cool, but if the dress has an obviously outdated look to it, consider donating it to a theater or your school’s drama department (while you’re in the mode of purging your closet).

hh1bI believe there is another thing that is equally important to consider when donating your old dresses, and this is modesty. Maybe you don’t have any immodest dresses in your closet, and so this isn’t an issue. But many people will be donating dresses that are questionable. Many dresses can be altered to be more modest, and while this isn’t your responsibility when hosting a dress drive, you don’t want to be sending others dresses that are going to be inappropriate (1 Corinthians 10:32, Matthew 5:28). Ask another adult, a parent or someone from your church, to help you decide what is appropriate to donate. Sometimes what one person sees as modest, another sees as inappropriate.

Please note

Most dress drives run from February to April, so don’t put off setting this up! If you’re too late for your chosen dress drive, contact them because they may still be accepting donations. If you can’t find a dress drive you want to donate your dresses to, consider taking the formal wear to a local women’s shelter. You could also sell the dresses at a consignment dress shop or online with your friends, then donate the money to your favorite charity.

Serving others and giving should not be new to us at this point. We’ve discussed both topics before, and we know how often serving and giving, although intended to glorify God and share His love with others, fills us with His love and joy in the process. God has freely blessed us so generously, and He commands us to share those blessings with others. “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). So this spring, while you’re thinking of your own dress to buy, consider those who also would like to enjoy these events, and simplify your closet in the process.

By Lisa Grimenstein

Filed Under: Helping Hands

Not Even a Hint – GIVEAWAY!

March 16, 2009 4 Comments

mm1This month’s giveaway is featured at the bottom of this article. Keep reading for details.

As we strive to reach the potential God has planned for us, let’s not forget about one very important aspect––that of sexual integrity.

How much impurity can we allow into our lives before it becomes a problem? According to God, none (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4). There’s no amount of lust or sexual impurity that is appropriate or pleasing to God, and author Joshua Harris goes into the hows and whys of the sinfulness of impurity, as well as reminding us of a better way to live.

Not Even a Hint is an easy-to-understand, 175-page book crammed full of information about lust and sexual purity. This book is written for anyone who desires to be completely pure, but struggles, whether male or female, married or single. He tells us that we can’t win the battle of sexual integrity on our own, but must rely on God to help us. The sections and chapters are well organized and written in an easy-to-read format.

Part One: The Truth About Lust
1. Not even a hint: Why can’t I seem to beat lust?
2. What God Called Good: Is it biology or is it sin?
3. You can’t save yourself: Where can I find the power to change?

Part Two: In the Thick of the Battle
4. A custom-tailored plan: Where am I weakest and what can I do?
5. Guys and girls: How are we different and how can we help each other?
6. Self-centered sex: How do I deal with masturbation?
7. Half a poison pill won’t kill you: How do I cope with the temptations of media?

Part Three: Strategies for Long-Term Change
8. Lone rangers are dead rangers: Why is accountability so important?
9. The sword of the spirit: Can the truth help me defeat the lies?
10. Holiness is a harvest: How can I sow the Spirit?

mm3Joshua Harris doesn’t allow room for excuses in his book––sin is sin, and lust, in any form, is still lust. He talks about impurity issues that guys and girls deal with, and he doesn’t give an easy out––as one doesn’t exist––but he does give practical suggestions about how to overcome all forms of lust. Not Even a Hint also discusses God’s plan for sex, and we’re told what lust isn’t.

We’re encouraged to look to God and to examine ourselves––Harris knows, and explains, that all purity begins with the core of our being––our heart (Proverbs 4:23). To truly be pure, and to fully live up to God’s potential for us, we must guard our hearts so we can live a life free from the entanglement and heartache of sin.

Giveaway

We are giving away one copy of Not Even a Hint to a reader! To enter, leave a comment below by Sunday, March 29, 2009, stating at least one thing you’d like to see reviewed in an upcoming Media Matters article. You may enter to win this book for yourself, or to give it away as a gift for someone else.

Comments are moderated, so they may take a day or so to appear. Make sure to include a valid e-mail address in your information (this will not appear in the post). The winner will be announced on March 31 and will be e-mailed with simple instructions on how to claim this prize.

By Davonne Parks

Filed Under: Giveaways, Media Matters

Abortion Part III: How does abortion affect me spiritually?

March 15, 2009 1 Comment

ultrasound1So far we have covered the medical and legal ramifications of abortion. Now it is time for the most important part of the discussion: what does the Bible say about abortion?

Life in the womb

The main issue that needs addressed is whether or not the life that was conceived is a living human person. God created everything, contained in three classes of life; plants, animals and people; under which category could this conceived life be classified? Plants, animals, and people all reproduce after their own kind. Since the life inside of a human womb is not a plant or animal, it obviously must be human. Most versions of the Bible do not mention the words “human” or “human being” in referencing anyone. Instead it uses “man,” “woman,” “child,” “son,” “daughter,” “baby,” and “infant.” This means the Bible refers to the unborn baby with terms that imply it is human, just as it does for other humans. (Visit The Bible and Abortions for more information.)

Genesis 25:22 speaks of Rebekah when she was carrying twins and states that the “children struggled within her.” Luke 1:41 tells of the babe in Elisabeth’s womb leaping at the sound of Mary’s voice. Luke 1:36 tells us that Elisabeth conceived a son. In Psalm 139:13-17, David praises God for forming him in his mothers womb. All of these verses talk about children who are in the womb and it speaks of them as living. So if something is living, what gives us the right to kill it? Even if the baby is living because of a sin committed by the mother or is simply an unplanned pregnancy, what right do we have to take the life of another living being? The simple answer is none. Matthew 19:18: “Jesus said, Thou shall do no murder…”

Post-abortion

So, what about someone who had an abortion and now realizes it was wrong? You can still be forgiven. God offers forgiveness for any sin through His son when we come to Him and repent. Rom. 1:16; 6:3, 4; 10:9, 10; Mark 16:16; Acts 17:30; 2:38; 22:16. Even after you have asked for forgiveness, you may still have feelings of guilt. Although I have never had an abortion, there are many girls and women who have had one and then realize how wrong their decision was. There are young women who know it is wrong but have one because they feel pressured into having it or simply go ahead with it because they don’t want to admit their sin.

laborThere are millions of personal testimonies online written by women who have had an abortion, including one by the author Vicki Courtney. Guilt, regret and self destruction seem to be the aftermath of abortion in almost all of their stories. And most admit that until they accepted God and repented for their past, they were not able to let go of their decision.

Unplanned pregnancy

If you or a friend is struggling with an unplanned pregnancy, I encourage you to talk to a counselor and sooner rather than later, your parents. If you need more help deciding what to do, there are life-choosing options. Heartbeat International is a pro-life Christian pregnancy center and they can help with your situation. If you would like to call them, you can do so at 1-800-395-HELP. They are non-judgmental and offer a variety of services. By using their website or calling, you can find a center that is close to you.

There are many agencies out there that would be able to help and give you the guidance that you need. But no matter what guidance is given, none is as great as God’s love and commands for us, including His command to care for His children (Matthew 18:5).

By Sarah J. Ancheta

Filed Under: Tough Stuff Tagged With:

Living a life of potential

March 14, 2009 Leave a Comment

h2h2Webster defines potential as “the inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.” Jeremiah 29:11 describes it this way: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

As a young woman, you no doubt have had many people list your qualities and the potential for your life. The possibilities are truly endless, they might say. When I was a young woman, my parents affirmed that I could be anything that I wanted to be. They encouraged me to try many things, keep an open mind, and have a prayerful heart. For as long as I can remember, though, I have longed to be a wife and a mother. I had no desire to achieve accolades as a great career woman; no longing filled my heart for a prestigious college degree. In my mind’s eye my potential was for homemaking: my talents, my qualities, my aspirations all for this goal. At 21, I found my first dream realized when I married my husband. We have a wonderful marriage, and I am truly blessed. The years began to pass without my second dream fulfilled. No children surrounded me, calling me Momma. I had no one to nurture. In my despair, I was angry with God. How could He allow me this pain? How could He prevent me from living up to what I saw as my true potential? I had so much love to share, so many things to teach my child about God, such a desire to hold my precious children. Perhaps God didn’t have a plan for my life after all. Maybe I was wrong all along in thinking that motherhood was what I was created for. I began to question my very existence and everything I had ever believed.

Through a series of events, God called me back to Him—called me back to the place where His plans for my life could be realized. It was only when I truly surrendered myself to His call, letting go of my grief, placing my life in His hands that I discovered God’s marvelous plan for me. He had been shaping me, preparing me for the work that He had for me to accomplish.

h2h1He had indeed given me great potential. I just needed to allow Him to help me reach it. I had to release my control over my life and take a leap of faith. I had to say, “Yes, God, I will follow your plan for my life, regardless of where it leads me.” I had to be willing to let go of my dreams, of what I had determined my potential was, and allow God to fulfill the plan He had for me.

Now, I have someone to call me Momma. My precious son, whom I love more than life, was born 8000 miles away in India to another mother. He was born in a land I knew nothing about, in a culture that I am still discovering. Yet God had brought us together through the miracle of adoption. He has given me a greater responsibility than just motherhood. He has asked me to care for and raise a child that wasn’t born to me—a child with special needs, a child of a different race and different background. God asked me to give up my longing for a child who resembled my husband, to parent a child who would never be confused as “my own.”

The result of my leap of faith has been joy beyond measure. My son is the light of my life. Home with us now for two years, he is our delight. Parenting him, teaching him about the love of God, beginning to tell him of the plans that God has for him, has fulfilled me in ways I never thought possible. My heart overflows so much that I want to tell the world how adoption has changed our lives. I feel compelled to share with others the plight of the orphan. I want to not only parent this precious child but to tell the world about others like him. I am a mouthpiece. It is my responsibility to show the world that God is the Father of the Fatherless. Showing how He brought a woman desperate for a child to call her own and a small, lonely child together from across the world to become a family—not for my own praise, but to the praise of our Loving Heavenly Father.

h2h3As I look back over my life, I can see God’s hand in shaping me for adoptive motherhood. I see how He created me for this. How different my life would be had I not listened and allowed God to help me reach my potential—His potential for my life. What joy I would be missing had I stubbornly clung to the dreams and aspirations I had for myself. I would never know the deep satisfaction I have every night holding my precious son as he prepares for bed.

This is my story, but there are countless others. In the Bible, Esther never aspired to be queen, yet God saw her true potential. David, being the youngest and a shepherd, had no idea he would one day be a great king of Israel. It never entered his mind that some day, the Messiah would be born from his descendants.

Like these, God is creating in you the ability, the desire, and the passion for His plans. Psalm 139 tells us that God created us—formed us in our mother’s womb. He has fashioned you for a purpose. Will you live up to His potential for you? In the short term, you may grieve something you think you may have lost; but in the end, you will rejoice in the deep satisfaction of knowing that you have lived up to the great potential that God has planned for your life.

By Pam DeArmon

Filed Under: Heart to Heart Tagged With:

Abortion Part II: How did abortion become legal?

March 7, 2009 Leave a Comment

eightweeksafterconception1All photos in this article were taken eight weeks after conception, when the baby was just over one inch long. Abortion Part 1 can be read here.

Most of you have heard of the Supreme Court case called Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion. But until recently I never really understood what the case was really all about and how this decision could be made which allowed women to abort a pregnancy.

In this case, a woman (named Norma McCorvey, who chose to be called Jane Roe) sued the state of Texas represented by the district attorney of Dallas County, Henry Wade. The Texas law at the time only allowed abortion as a life-saving procedure on behalf of the mother. Many states had similar laws or banned abortion all together. Ms. Roe stated she had been raped and did not wish to continue the pregnancy, and that her lack of freedom to get an abortion infringed on her right to privacy.

Roe v. Wade is not the only case to shape the abortion debate, however. There was a Georgia case called Doe v. Bolten which “involved a married woman who was also denied an abortion for not meeting the necessary state requirements” (Georgia law allowed for abortion if the life or health of the mother was threatened, if the baby was seriously deformed, or if the pregnancy was a result of rape). A three-judge District Court ruled that Roe did have basis to sue, and declared Texas abortion law void for being “vague” and “overbroad.” The District Court ruling in the Doe case was split. It ruled that there were some unnecessary bureaucratic burdens that might hinder someone from receiving a due abortion, but they still held that the State had a right to restrict abortion according to the principles already in place. Both decisions were appealed, both decisions ended up before the Supreme Court, and both verdicts were handed down on the same day, January 22, 1973.

Legal verdict

Roe ruled (7-2) that though states did have an interest in protecting fetal life, such interest was not “compelling” until the fetus was viable, or able to live on his or her own (placing viability at the start of the third trimester). Thus, all state abortion laws that forbade abortion during the first six months of pregnancy were thereby invalidated. Third trimester abortions, on the other hand, were only legal if the pregnancy threatened the life or health of the mother. The Doe verdict, however, defined “health of the mother” in such broad terms, that any prohibitions to 3rd trimester abortions were essentially eliminated. According to Justice Harry Blackmun’s majority opinion, a woman’s health includes her “physical, emotional, psychological, (and) familial” well-being, and should include considerations about the woman’s age. “All these factors may relate to health,” Blackmun argued, so as to give “the attending physician the room he needs to make his best medical judgment.” In other words, if a woman is upset about her 3rd trimester pregnancy (psychological health), her doctor has the necessary legal basis to abort.” (For more information, visit Abort73.com.)

A change of heart

eightweeksafterconception2Norma McCorvey, the woman who originally pushed for the legalization of abortion, announced on August 10, 1995 that she had become an advocate of the pro-life movement. She wrote in her book, Won By Love, “I was sitting in O.R.’s offices when I noticed a fetal development poster. The progression was so obvious, the eyes were so sweet. It hurt my heart, just looking at them. I ran outside and finally, it dawned on me. ‘Norma,’ I said to myself, ‘They’re right.’ I had worked with pregnant women for years. I had been through three pregnancies and deliveries myself. I should have known. Yet something in that poster made me lose my breath. I kept seeing the picture of that tiny, 10-week-old embryo, and I said to myself, That’s a baby! It’s as if blinders just fell off my eyes and I suddenly understood the truth–that’s a baby! I felt ‘crushed’ under the truth of this realization. I had to face up to the awful reality. Abortion wasn’t about ‘products of conception.’ It wasn’t about ‘missed periods.’ It was about children being killed in their mother’s wombs. All those years I was wrong. Signing that affidavit, I was wrong. Working in an abortion clinic, I was wrong. No more of this first trimester, second trimester, third trimester stuff. Abortion–at any point–was wrong. It was so clear. Painfully clear.”

McCorvey herself had never had an abortion because the courts took longer than her nine-month pregnancy to rule. She gave birth to a baby girl during that time and placed her up for adoption. In 2005, McCorvey petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the 1973 decision, stating that the case should be heard again due to evidence that the procedure may harm women, but this petition was denied. (To read more about the specifics of this case, you can visit the Wikipedia article about Norma McCorvey.)

Norma McCorvey, or Jane Roe, changed her mind, and her heart. She knew what she had done was sinful, but it was too late to go back. She couldn’t give life back to the babies she’d assisted in murdering, and she couldn’t erase the law she’d helped to put in place. It’s too late for those babies to have a chance at life, but it doesn’t have to be too late for others.

God’s verdict

eightweeksafterconception3Just because something is legal does not always mean it is ethical. There are many laws that as Christians we may not agree with (i.e. legalization of alcohol, cigarettes, federally funded planned parenthood, gay marriage, etc.). So, many people may ask why abortion is such a big issue when there are many things we don’t agree with. Abortion does not involve just one person. There is an innocent life that, whether or not it can survive outside the mother, is a life all the same—one that God created and has a plan for. Psalm 139:13: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” The legalization of abortion also affects not just adults, but teens. It also affects women in many different situations: married women who don’t want more children, unwed women, and victims of sexual crimes. Legally, these people have rights to privacy. Of course privacy is an important right. However, ethically we have an obligation in our obedience to God to protect life.

There are always ongoing legal cases regarding abortion and there always will be as long as there is more than one point of view. As Christians we must remember that just because something may be legal or acceptable in the world, does not make it acceptable or right in the eyes of God. We must be obedient to do what He views as right.

By Sarah J. Ancheta

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