I was awake during the night pondering some things about life and the way we view life in the world today. This may have something to do with my trip to Walmart with 8 of my 9 children and the looks of shock and disgust which often occur, but I digress.  It occurred to me that if you sit down with a young child and explain to them in the simplest of terms what abortion is, they instinctively know it is wrong!  Even without going into detail about your beliefs...its murder, life begins at conception etc. they can tell you quickly and definitively its wrong.  But then, something happens....at least to a vast majority of children.

They are then "schooled" by the government and taught that life is about THEM and their happiness....about achieving success and having money, about living to pursue their dreams at all costs...they are schooled to be selfish.  Another important lesson is learned along the way.  It goes something like this:  Children, you see, are a costly burden that should be avoided, or at least limited, so that your goals aren't hindered...because after all, its all about you.  Children are also a lot of hard work and well, being tied down with them is far less exciting then traveling and lavish vacations.  Thrown into this mix are classes on sexuality, reproduction, and acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle....all taught to children with already raging hormones.  They are told its okay to embrace their sexuality, that it's normal to feel that way and that reacting to those feelings is fine, even outside of marriage.  Just go ahead and do what feels right, use contraception, and if an "accident" happens, well....there's always abortion. See, its all about you and its not really a baby anyway....so it's okay.  Do whatever needs to be done as long as your happy.  All of these lessons are backed up and reinforced by television ads, and the government controlled media.

There are no lessons on the value of human life, the value that GOD himself places on human life.  No lessons on the blessing that children really are.  They are not taught that all life is a gift from GOD.  They are not taught that sex was designed by God, for marriage only, to bring both pleasure AND children.  They are not taught that everything they do in life has eternal consequences and there will one day be a judgement.  Lord have mercy on this nation!  How have things gone so far?  Why is there so little value placed on human life, not only by the world but even in the church?  Oh that the church would wake up and take a stand.  May we be diligent in teaching our children the Truth.  The life God designed is about sacrifice....pouring yourself out for others when you feel you've already been emptied.  There is no place for selfishness in your walk with Christ.  Yes raising children is hard work, but it's kingdom work...and it matters.   May we go completely against the grain and teach our children to take a stand for life.  May we teach them to be warriors for Jesus Christ and to fight for what matters to Him.  I myself have begun preparing my children to go to the front lines of this battle, to the very gates of hell to confront this spiritual war.  I've been convicted once again of my need to daily instruct my children that life is a gift that only God can give, and that only God should take...that life is indeed ALWAYS a gift, never a choice.

Anti-abortion does not equal pro-life!!!

So which one are you? Most people would say they are the same thing but really....they aren't. The world and the devil would like us to think that if we are anti-abortion then we must be pro-life but there is a huge chasm between the two.

We all know what it means to be anti-abortion....that once life has been formed, that new life should be continued. To be anti-abortion you consider tearing life from the womb to be murder....quite simply you believe abortion is wrong. Pretty easy to understand right? But what is the true, deeper meaning of being pro-life? The one way the two beliefs are the same is they both say that abortion is wrong....but that is about as far as the similarities go.

To be pro-life you must first realize that all life comes from God....He creates and sustains all life. Each individual life has been designed by God before the world began. It's hard to wrap our finite brains around but it is true none the less. God also says in His word that children are a blessing, therefore they should be viewed as such. They are NEVER to be seen as a burden or inconvenience. What that attitude must do to the heart of the Creator!

With those bases covered, let me just ask some questions and then you can decide which category you belong in : ) Do you look into the eyes of children and marvel at the unique creation of each one? Do you LOVE to be around children? Do you fervently desire more children of your own? Are you willing to accept MANY children if that is God's will for you? Or are you to busy with "life" to pour yourself out for God by nurturing and raising a houseful for His glory? Do you get excited for couples who already have a half dozen kids when they announce they are expecting another child? Or do you cringe and think they are adding more trouble to an overpopulated world? Do you count it a privilege to carry new life in your womb and then spend your time and energy teaching that new life about God for the next several years? Do you long to bring forth new life for as long as your body allows? Or do you long for your fertility to end (so you won't have to worry about birth control) and look forward to traveling the world and spending time on yourself? Which is more important and is done for His glory? The bottom line is that to be truly pro-life, you need to desire and welcome all new life.

I know it sounds harsh especially during this modern age of two incomes and feminist thinking. But God intended for us to love life the way He loves life.....to spend our time and lavish our affections on Him and the eternal blessings He sends us....not on the temporary worldly things surrounding us. I want to be sure that my heart is one that constantly says "Your will Lord, not mine"....a heart that says "send new life my way and with Your strength and help I will love them and raise them for Your glory".

Murder in the church

We've all heard the story of Dr. Tiller's murder. It was a shocking thing. And yes, it was wrong. Killing off abortion doctors is NOT the answer. There is no easy answer for ending abortion, though a change of heart regarding how we view children would be a good start.

Most, as I, were shocked that this man was killed in a church because you don't expect acts of violence in a church. One thing that surprised me initially was that an abortion doctor would even be attending church. It just doesn't seem to "fit" if you know what I mean. However, the thing that I think surprised me the most about this story - and what I haven't heard anyone else mention - is the fact that he was serving in the church. HUH? When did it become acceptable to the church to kill unborn babies? And why aren't more people upset about this? It is horrifying to me that a man who commits such grievous sin on a daily basis would be allowed to hold a position in the church. This speaks volumes about the condition of the church. Does anyone else see where the church has compromised on it's beliefs? Aren't Christians supposed look like Christ and not the world? Does our precious Lord and savior think it's okay to tear babies from the womb? I think not.

What's really frightening is that compromise isn't isolated to this one church....it is rampant. Oh that the church would turn from it's worldly ways and repent! I cannot understand how the leader ship of any church could overlook the murder of innocent babies. When a church compromises on something like this, where DO they draw the line? There is so much more that could be said about this but rather than dwell on the earthly, I will end with these points of praise and thanksgiving:

1. Praise be to God that I attend a church where the truth is still preached.
2. Praise God that my once blinded eyes have been opened to the truth.
3. Thank you Lord that you are our Soon Coming King!

Oh that you would come Lord Jesus!

NOTE: References to "the church" are general, not just specifically to the church where Dr. Tiller was murdered.