Innocent Blood

Do you remember this image? It was created for the 1968 movie 2001: A space Odyssey. Little did they know that 55 years later it would be a perfect fit for a pivotal issue of our time.

My wife and I have two kids and two grandkids. We love them all dearly. We remember when each one of them was born and holding them in our arms. There is nothing more beautiful and innocent than a newborn baby. God agrees.

"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." - Psalm 127:3-5

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." - Matthew 19:14

If God loves the little children, why do the majority of Americans (62%) support the killing of them?

This is not a political issue. It is a moral and spiritual one. God's will is to not shed innocent blood, yet we are disobedient. As a result, it will not go well for us.

God's first and greatest commandment is to love, not to kill. There are no qualifiers to His command. Old, young, black, white, male female. We are to love EVERYBODY. Even those in the womb.

"Do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked." - Exodus 23:7

"They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death." - Psalm 94:21

"He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord." - Proverbs 17:15

"Let us love one another for love comes from God." - 1 John 4:7

A Hill To Die On

A "hill to die on" is defined as "an issue or course of action that one pursues with total and wholehearted conviction, despite the difficulty and potential consequences of doing so.

Recently, we had an election in our country. It was expected that the Republucan party was going to have "a big, Red Wave." It was hoped by many that the conservative party would take control of both houses of congress. They did not. The reason? Donald Trump. Let me explain.

When 'The Donald' was in office he appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court. This "flipped" the court to a more conservative one.

Later, after Trump was out of office, the Court overturned Roe v. Wade, giving power back to each individual state regarding abortion.

Although the ruling did not outlaw abortion, it had the effect of limiting it, which was viewed in the media as "banning abortion."

Recent polls had shown that 2/3 of America (62%) favored a woman's right to abort her baby. That's a big percentage to fight against and many Republicans lost because of that. Hence no red wave.

The question is, was it worth it? Was the Republic stance against abortion a hill worth dying on? Millions of babies say 'yes!'

My question for today is, 'What is your hill to die on?' For some it's abortion. For others it's the Green New Deal. Others say the economy, or sexual orientation. What is our 'hill to die on?'

Shouldn't it be our faith? Shouldn't Jesus be worth dying for? Many have died for their faith in Jesus throught history, and it is still happening today. They're called martyrs.

"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Walking by faith often comes at a cost. The question is, are we willing to die for our beliefs? Our answer must be 'yes.' After all, Jesus died for us.

Now The Serpent

Back when it all began, Adam and Eve had it pretty good. But then Eve did something that changed everything. And it had nothing to do with the apple. Some background first.

God was giving Adam some basic instructions about the garden that He wanted Adam to take care of.

"And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” - Genesis 2:16-17

Then God created Eve later in the very same chapter. All was going okay for them, until chapter three - The Fall.

The very first words of chapter three tell us everything we need to know about what happened next - "Now the serpent . . ." Satan tried to get Eve to question God's Word. “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

"The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” - Genesis 3:2-3

She got it correct, right? No, she did not! She added something! "And you must not touch it."

Is that really a big deal? I mean it's a couple of words!

What does God say about adding or subtracting from His word?

"Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you." - Deuteronomy 4:1-2

Lots of people think it was the eating of the apple that was the first sin. Nope. It was adding to and changing God's Command. Why did Eve do that? Because she didn't really KNOW God's commands.

We humans like to change God's Word a lot. Have you ever seen The Ten Commandments, The Bible television series, Noah, or The Chosen? All of them have taken God's Word and changed it for the sake of making it "a better story."

"Well," people might say, "that was the Old Testament GOD. Things changed when Jesus came on the scene. He's not as strict as God the Father."

Really?

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division." - Luke 12:49-51

Disobedience Example #1: Why are there so many LGBTQ+ friendly churches? Here's why. We are pleasers of men rather than pleasers of God.

"He created them male and female." - Genesis 5:2

Disobedience Example #2: Why is abortion even a thing in this world? It's against God's will.

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood . . ." - Proverbs 6:16-17

According to the Gospel News Network, "A heartbreaking reminder about the prevalence of abortion, statistics compiled by Worldometers indicate that there were over 42.6 million abortions world-wide in 2021.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?" - Luke 6:46

There are many more examples but this story is already long enough.

Repentance seems to be the number one thing this world needs right now. God is patient, but He is NOT tolerant. Something has to change, and I think it's has to be us.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

The Parable of The Midwives

Today's story is about obedience and doing what is right in the eyes of God. Our text for today is from the first chapter of Exodus. The story of Moses. Pre-Moses actually.

The king of Egypt was trying to curb the population boom of his Hebrew slaves, fearing an uprising by their ever-increasing numbers.

"Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16“When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.” - Exodus 1:15-16

What were the midwives to do? Should they obey the king? If they did they would have innocent blood on their hands in the eyes of God. What did they decided to do?

"The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live." - Exodus 1:17

That's an incredibly bold thing those midwives did! Disobeying the king is usually followed by a swiftly applied sword. But look what they did. They feared God more than the king of Egypt. They feared God more than death.

What would WE do if we are ever faced with choices like theirs? Well, the first thing we need to find our is "What does God want us to do?" And how do we find out what THAT is? Read the Bible.

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood . . ." - Proverbs 6:16-17

There it is! The midwives KNEW that God hated what the king had commanded them to do. Even before King Solomon did!

God-honoring decisions go beyond just the present-day abortion issue. What about medical decisions regarding end-of-life care? Lying is another thing that God hates. Have any of us lied lately? Hmm.

If we all obeyed God with our daily decisions, what would our world look like? No murder, no sexual sin, no lying or cheating, we would love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves. And we would all love God. We would take care of the widow and the orphan. We would give to one another as there was a need.

That sounds like a better life than the one we're all living right now, doesn't it?

And what about those midwives? Whatever happened to them? Did anyone ever thank them for the many lives they saved? Including the life of Moses?

"So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous. 21And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own." - Exodus 1:20-21

Amen.

The Future

Consider these two commands from Jesus. If we are to be obeying Jesus in our faith, why are we not doing what He says. What He commands!

"Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

14Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there." - Matthew 19:13-15

"Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world." Did you just sing that like I did?

It's obvious Jesus loved children. I wonder how we got to the point where we thought it was okay to kill them in the womb. We've strayed so far.

Everyone loved pictures of new-born babies. Yet our society tells us that it's okay to kill them the day before they were born. Why?

The only answer I can come up with is Satan. If "Jesus loves the little children," Satan must hate them. Satan is anti-Christ.

Abortion is a spiritual battle, not a political one. Satan is pro-abortion. Jesus is anti-abortion. Spiritual.

Our current president is Joe Biden. He is a Democrat. Democrats traditionally support abortion. They call abortion "a woman's right to choose." They feel that babies in the womb have no rights at all but, once they are born, all politicians love to kiss them.

I wonder. I am willing to bet that if a poll was taken of all unborn babies, 100% of them would be pro-life. Just a theory.

Should someone asks me if I am pro-choice, my answer is based on my faith, not on politics. I would tell them about Jesus and the love He has for ALL people.

I'm with Him.

Jesus Loves The Little Children - The Chosen

Liberty

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Do those words sound familiar to you? They should. They are from the United States Declaration of Independence.

"Liberty" is defined as "the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views."

We declared in 1776 that life is a God-given right. So is liberty. Happiness is NOT a right but pursuing it is. If life is a promised right, why are abortions allowed? Hold that thought.

Unalienable means "unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor." Life is an unalienable right.

There is so much talk focused around our two presidential candidates these days. Each one is trying to convince us that they possess the best way forward. To me I see only one candidate who has acknowledged the right to life for ALL life.

This is not a political post. It is a spiritual one. The killing of babies in the womb is am abomination to God. It doesn't matter what party a candidate is. If they are pro-abortion, they are anti-God.

I am reading through the Book of Jeremiah right now. This is what God spoke to Jeremiah in chapter one.

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5

And this is from another prophet - Ezekiel. He relayed this message from God.

“ ‘And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrificed them as food to the idols. Was your prostitution not enough? 21You slaughtered my children and sacrificed them to the idols. 22In all your detestable practices and your prostitution you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, kicking about in your blood.

23“ ‘Woe! Woe to you, declares the Sovereign Lord." - Ezekiel 16:20-23

The idols we sacrifice to these days are not gods but we sacrifice to them every day: convenience, pride, self-centeredness, greed, selfishness.

What LIBERTY does the unborn child have in the eyes of an unloving mother or father? None. And yet the hideous act of abortion is championed by politicians, disguised as "women's healthcare", all to obtain power. Greed. Self-centeredness.

Patrick Henry once said, "Give me liberty, or give me death." Brave words. It's sad that the unborn of this nation aren't given the chance to speak those brave words for themselves. They are simply given death.

Perhaps we should take a step back from politics and look at what God has done in the Supreme Court. He has placed a pro-life president in office who has already put two pro-life justices on the bench with a third on the way. God is pro-life. He wishes that "none should perish."

Whether Trump is a one-term or a two-terms president is up to God, not man. God has already been  working behind the scenes to save the lives of millions of His children. And for that we must thank Him and praise Him. 

In my opinion.

Amen.

The Corona Prophecy?

I'm no Biblical scholar, that's for sure. But when I came across Jeremiah 19 in my reading yesterday I couldn't help but think that what I was reading was meant for us during this time of viruses and death. Read it for yourself and tell me if you don't agree.

I'm not going to copy and paste the entire chapter here. There's a link at the end. But I will write down all of the verses I underlined in my Bible. You tell me if this doesn't apply to this time we are going through right now.

Verse 3: "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring such a catastrophe on this place, that whoever hears of it, his ears will tingle."

Verse 4, 5 and 6: “Because they have forsaken Me . . . and have filled this place with the blood of the innocents . . . which I did not command or speak, nor did it come into My mind . . . that this place shall . . . be called . . . the Valley of Slaughter."

Verse 8: "I will make this city desolate and a hissing; everyone who passes by it will be astonished and hiss because of all its plagues."

Verse 15: ““Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words.’ ”

Yes, I have cherry-picked some verses here but as I read the text of Jeremiah 19 I couldn't help but think about the Covid-19 situation in our world right now. Are we in the midst of a catastrophe (verse3)? Yes. Have we forsaken God (verse 4)? and slaughtered the innocent (also verse 4) through abortion of our young? Yes.

Are cities being made desolate because of the plague (verse 8)? Yes. Have you seen the pictures of all the empty streets lately? And we all know what caused it. the plague of the Covid-19 virus. And who brought the plague? Could God done this as a warning. Why?

"because they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words.’ ” (verse 15)

In my opinion, the time for repentance is now. Last call for the freedom train! Like I said, I'm not a prophet or biblical scholar but I do read the Bible and I do know the characteristics of God. The entire Bible is about Him you know. He HAS done something like this virus thing before. The Old Testament is full of examples.

Does God change? No. Does His nature change? No.

Well?

Whether this virus is of God or not, I do not know. But I do know this: Jesus will return one day. I don't know what that day is either. But I know that when He DOES return we should be found ready. And that is our question. Are we ready? Is Jesus Lord of your life? If He is then this last passage of scripture should bring you hope.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

The Sign Of The Broken Flask

It's Alive!!!

In the 1931 film Frankenstein Doctor Frankenstein uttered those famous words "It's Alive!" over and over again as the monster he created began to move. He then spoke a few more words that are even more scary.

"In the name of God, now I know what it feels like to be God."

That pretty much sums up what is wrong with the pro-choice movement. They want to be in charge of their own bodies, and "be their own gods." I guess I can see their point to some degree. But when a woman becomes pregnant there is another life, another soul and another body inside her. And that body is not hers alone. Half of that new life belongs to the father.

Here are some interesting, and conflicting, facts about "life" and such . . .

When a pregnant woman gets killed by a drunk driver, the driver is charged with a double homicide by the intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. That's two lives! So a fetus is considered alive in our legal system yet it is also legally okay to kill a fetus if the mother wants to. Weird.

Pro-choice often calls a just-conceived fetus a "lump of cells" and that it's not really alive. Yet, if that same "clump of cells" were to be found on Mars, the headlines in tomorrow's newspaper would proclaim three big words. LIFE ON MARS!

100% of the people who are "pro-choice" were born of mothers who chose life for their child rather than abort them.

When someone dies in the hospital and their heart rate monitor displays a "flatline" they are declared dead. Yet with a pre-born baby, their audible heartbeat seems meaningless in terms of their being declared "alive".

I saw a Facebook post recently from a young friend of mine. She is pro-life and against abortion regardless of the reason - rape, incest, etc. She was a child born as the result of a rape. She was standing up for other babies whose lives are threatened with abortion because of a rape. What a brave, strong young lady.

As a Christian I keep going back to a few verses that make me think that God is against abortion as well. Speaking to Jeremiah, the profit, God said,

5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5

Before we are born, God knows us. Think about that. How could God "know us" before we were even born? Unless . . .

The other verse that comes to mind is much simpler - "Thou shalt not kill." - Exodus 20:13

If a heartbeat is a sign of life and a baby's heartbeat becomes detectable around 5 weeks any killing of that heartbeat after that is contrary to God's commands. That's the reason for many of the heartbeat bills in state legislatures across our country right now.

Ephesians 1:4-5 tells us that God foreknew us before the foundations of the world! Let us praise God today that our mothers chose life over convenience. Hope and a future over death and distain.

That reminds me of a story. Someone asked God, "Why didn't you ever cure cancer?" God replied, "I did, but you aborted the person I created to do that."

Winning arguments against pro-choice people is a difficult task. Prayer however is a powerful tool in seeking God's mercy and changing people's hearts. Pray!!

It's Alive! - Frankenstein

The Valley of Slaughter

There is a darkness in the eastern sky. A sickening haze hangs over the land where once tall buildings stood. An entire city and state, even all of mankind,  brought low by a single man's hand who took up a pen and signed into law the ability to take innocent life for no reason at all. This is evil in the eyes of The Lord and God will not be mocked.

Cuomo Signs Abortion Bill Amidst Cheers

The People of New York state should be ashamed, especially their governor, because they have not done what is right in the eyes of The Lord. And they seem not to care. In fact, they celebrated the signing. There are seven things The Lord hates and it seems to me that Governor Cuomo has done them all.

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." - Proverbs 16:16-19

These are difficult times we live in. But news like this should not surprise us. We were told that in the end times things will get rough. Well, here we are.

Killing our babies is nothing new. We humans have been doing it throughout our history. And God has never liked it. Not one bit. Not once.

"1This is what the Lord says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take along some of the elders of the people and of the priests 2and go out to the Valley of Ben Hinnom, near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. There proclaim the words I tell you, 3and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah and people of Jerusalem. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Listen! I am going to bring a disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 4For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. 5They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. 6So beware, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when people will no longer call this place Topheth or the Valley of Ben Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter." - Jeremiah 19:1-6

This new law allows abortion of babies right up to the moment of their delivery. Literally one second's difference between life and death, between "health care" and murder.

Things will not go well for us unless we repent of things like what just happened in New York. We must repent and seek God's forgiveness. Otherwise there will be no hope when we stand before a just God who hates the very things we invent and celebrate.

"20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" - Isaiah 5:20-21l

Abortion is not a political issue, it is a spiritual issue. Although politicians make the laws, they do so on our behalf. We The People are condoning these killings as we stray further and further away from God. Abortion is a sacrificial system that WE have created - sacrificing our children on the alter of convenience.

But all hope is not lost, even in this gruesome ritual. God is on His throne. Jesus will come and He will judge. And He is a just judge. For those who have placed their hope and trust in Christ there will be no condemnation. For those who kill there will be punishment. Though they may proclaim faith in God, their actions speak louder than their words. And the babies? Well, they're all with Jesus. And there are more and more of them in His arms every day.

If you are thinking about having an abortion, please don't. There are many people who would love to adopt your baby. And if you have already had an abortion, seek the Lord. He loves to forgive.

Unborn - Caitlin Jane
Save The Storks Website 

My Abortion

Today's story is NOT about what the title might indicate. It's about our natural tendency to remain motionless when it seems rather obvious to us that God wants us to be moving.

My friend and I were having a discussion the other day about the evil of abortion. We had both just listened to a radio interview of an author who had written a book about Dr. Kermit Gosnell - Americas Most Prolific Serial Killer. Graphic descriptions of abortion procedures were portrayed and, in the end I felt a new sense of conviction in my heart about this murderous procedure. How could ANYONE have an abortion!?! I was about to find out . . . that I had already had one.

The following day I was listening to a message by Chuck Swindoll. It was about applying what we learn in the Bible to the living out of our daily lives. It was a fairly convicting message about obedience and faithfulness. Pastor Swindoll gave the following quote which he attributed to Howard George Hendrick - his professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. It was a slap in the face to me. A wake up call.

"If you observe and interpret and correlate the scriptures, but fail to apply the scriptures, you have committed an abortion."

Well, that's a fairly shocking statement. But as I began to examine my life and my decisions, my failure to act or to speak in certain situations, I began to understand what Mr. Hendrick meant.

You have heard it said that God has a plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). You have also heard it said that God gives us gifts to be used for His glory (1 Peter 4:10). And you have also heard it said that God gives us new life in Him (Ephesians 2)

If we have been born again, with new life, and we have been given gifts, specifically for bringing God glory through their use, what if we don't use them? What if we ignore the gifts that God gives us and refuse to act. Aren't we in effect, killing the very thing God created in us? Aren't we aborting God's plan for us?

We are all good at something. Our challenge is to figure out what we can do to glorify God using the gifts that we have been given. It's not all that hard to figure out. What's difficult is getting off our butts to do it. We get overly comfortable with the lives we live. But guess what . . . "comfortable" is not where God is.

I spoke earlier about MY "abortion". . . my not acting by not using my gifts at times. For example, I have been given the gift of compassion and mercy by God. I don't use those gifts as often or as intentionally as I should. I allow other things to get in the way. That is a sin to me. God created me to do those things and when I don't do them, the person God created me to be in that moment dies. Oh Lord, may I be ever watchful and ever mindful of situations where my gifts could be used for your glory.

We all need to follow where God leads us. Sometimes it can be a bit scary to do so. But if we follow where God leads us we can actually be the Pro-Life Christians we claim to be. Let us not get comfortable in our faith but follow where God leads us. May we be obedient to our calling and glorify HIS Name above ALL names.

Don't Get Comfortable - Brandon Heath
The Parable Of The Talents

A Little Piece of Heaven

Well, I had a story all written for this morning, but now I find myself writing a brand new one, all because I listened to a Skillet song on my way in to work.

The song is about a young couple who found themselves pregnant. Not married, no money, no jobs, they wondered how they could possibly take care of a child. So they decided to terminate the pregnancy. They had an abortion.

But soon afterward they found themselves feeling terribly guilty for what they had done. They felt ashamed and the memory of their decision haunted them every minute of every day. They went see a counselor, it got do bad.

The counselor told them to treat their abortion like a death in the family so they did just that by doing three things. 1). They held a funeral. 2). they bought a headstone for a grave. And 3). they named their baby. This song was written from the father's viewpoint, sung to his aborted daughter.

Lucy - Skillet (with the story behind the song)

I listened to that song, as I said, on my way to work this morning. I couldn't help but shed a tear. You see, my daughter and her husband are trying to have a baby right now. They would give anything to be able to hold a young life like Lucy's in their hands right now.

And so this morning I prayed for all the young mothers and fathers of the world. That they might truly appreciate the gift of the life they have been given. And for the mothers and fathers who find they can't have children. I pray for them as well. I pray for young children in orphanages, on street corners, and in alley ways. May we always remember your name.

Won't you please join me in prayer as we seek mercy for these young souls. And also pray that God might take the ones that have been given up, abandoned, and thrown in the garbage to die. May these young mothers and father choose life over death. May they chose adoption rather than abortion. There are so many young couples who want children. And so many young babies who need loving parents. God, please, help us in this area. Help us chose life. Amen.

Liberty and Justice . . . For All?

When I was in grade school we always said the Pledge of Allegiance every day before classes began. We ALWAYS said it. We never thought anything about it being "offensive to Muslims or atheists." The reason we never thought anything about it was because we WERE "one nation, under God."

We Americans have had our disagreements, even when we were "under God" but this news story I saw the other night deserved today's "You have got to be kidding!" award. It made me wonder about the "liberty and justice" . . . for ALL.

The state of Indiana just passed a law stating you couldn't decide to get an abortion based on race, sex or disability. We as a nation already have anti-discrimination laws on the books. They are good common sense laws. They state that we can't refuse service or housing or jobs to anyone on the basis of their race, sex or physical or emotional disability. Indiana isn't doing something outside of the norm or outrageous. Yet there are some people who think this law is interfering with a woman's right to "health" - to get an abortion.

That's just crazy. In my opinion it is incredibly discriminatory for a woman to say, "I want an abortion because my baby is a boy. I REALLY want a girl. So let's get rid of the boy." How is that different than, "I really don't want white people in my apartment building so let's just refuse to rent them to any blacks."

There are laws against that sort of behavior and rightly so. Yet Planned Parenthood, well known for selling baby parts across the country is suing Indiana so that women can choose what kind of babies they can keep . . . or kill.

What kind of world do we live in where people can chose to kill a living thing because they want to? Was the Orlando shooting any different than what I just described? It too is an example of a willing choice that someone made because they didn't want someone else in THEIR life. It is no different! This world is filled with narcissistic, self focused egotistical people. Jesus preached against that kind of thinking. Perhaps we should take time to listen to his teachings. This is from one of His disciples.

"4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

We are called to love one another. Even the inconvenient ones in our lives. We must love and pray for those at Planned Parenthood. We must pray for the victims of the Orlando shooting. We must love and pray for young women making decisions that are also literally life and death. May we ALL have the wisdom to choose life. May we ALL choose love. May we ALL choose liberty and justice . . . for all.

ACLU, Planned Parenthood Sue State of Indiana

Fearfully And Wonderfully Made

I still remember the first time I heard Psalm 139. I was a new believer. I had just joined a church that I really liked. I was on fire for the Lord! It was a really good time in my walk with Jesus Christ.

What made the day memorable was that the pastor did not read Psalm 139, he recited it . . . with passion. We heard it as if David himself were speaking it. The following is a portion of Psalm 139. I'd like you to read. After you do I am going to ask you a few questions. Here we go!

"13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." - Psalm 139:13-16

Wow! I encourage you to embrace those words and the concept of God knowing each of us before we are born . . . before we were even conceived. What an incredible love God has for us!

We contrast that unconditional love of God with today's supporters of Planned Parenthood and the selling of aborted baby parts for profit. Their doing that greatly confuses me, especially those amongst the abortion supporters who call themselves Christians.

Google Margaret Sanger (the founder of Planned Parenthood) and the word 'eugenics' sometime. You will be amazed at what you will find. Here's a sample quote.

"[We should] apply a stern and rigid policy of sterilization and segregation to that grade of population whose progeny is tainted, or whose inheritance is such that objectionable traits may be transmitted to offspring." - Woman and The New Race, Chapter 6.

There are many more such words from this woman whose beliefs and policies have played a part in the murder of millions. Now Google 'eugenics' alone and see whose name pops up. This is from Dictionary.com

Eugenics - The idea that one can improve the human race by careful selection of those who mate and produce offspring. Note: Eugenics was a popular theory in the early twentieth century but is no longer taken seriously, primarily because of the horrors of the eugenic efforts of the Nazi regime in Germany.

I encourage you today to consider any support you might have for Planned Parenthood or the practice of birth control or the use of the "morning after" pill. Consider each of those as you read Psalm 139 again, how God knew us before we were even conceived. How is must hurt God as we kill millions od his children each year. And pray. Please pray for the unborn. Each of us was the result of some loving mother who elected NOT to have an abortion.

Do we worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Or do we worship the god of convenience, desiring that "OUR will be done" rather than the will of God?

13 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger

The Road Less Traveled

So many things from our high school days get forgotten. At age 62 I have probably forgotten more things than I ever learned in my life but I do remember SOME things. Like high school English class when we had to read poems. That sucked. I remember that! But I do remember this one poem. I have always loved the last three lines of it. You've probably heard them. The words are a kind of a guide for my life but I wasn't sure why until today. Please read this wonderful American poem with me.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost

Do you tend to take the road less traveled? Do you tend to make choices CONTRARY to public opinion simply because you prefer not blending in with the crowd? Or going along with the flow. Do you do that? Perhaps that is why movies like Robin Hood, Hunger Games and Divergent appeal to me so much. The underdog, the rebel, the non-conformist . . . that's me.

I'd like you to read something else if you would. It's from another piece of literature penned long ago. See if you can see any similarities between these two writings you have read today.

"13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - Matthew 7:13-14

It seems to me that "the road less traveled" these days is the one that leads to Jesus. Same-sex marriages are now the law of the land, the Ten Commandments are being removed from a court house by Oklahoma's Supreme Court. The road just keeps getting narrower and narrower.

Many people I know have left the narrow road in favor of the one their friends are walking on. They would rather be with the majority. They would rather fit in. Why? I think it's because they are afraid. Afraid of being left alone. Afraid that no one will love them. Afraid they will be picked on because they're different. Sad.

Have you seen the movie Divergent? I watched it this past weekend. It's about futuristic society where everyone has a role. Everyone must fit into that role or they are destroyed. The people who don't fit in are called "divergents." They are the ones who choose the road less traveled.

Do you like to fit in with the crowd? Even if the crowd might be wrong?

The world we live in now embraces that which once was considered abnormal. We kill our children at the rate of 125,000 each day. We have passed laws legalizing suicide. We embrace same-sex relationships contrary to God's decrees. The younger generation has determined that sex before marriage is normal, expected, and so they are having babies out of wedlock. What once was, is no more. And what was narrow, is now wide.

To be a Christ follower in today's world is becoming increasingly difficult. In the coming days we will be persecuted, shunned in society because of our beliefs. We will be the strange ones, the oddity in society. In the eyes of the secular world we will become divergent. Check that. Guess what. We already are.

"20 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." - Isaiah 5:20

Divergent Trailer

A Religion of Convenience

"Far to many women are still denied critical access to reproductive health in child birth. All the laws we passed don't count for much if they're not enforced. Rights have to exist in practice, not just on paper. Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will and deep-seated cultural codes and religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed. (Cheers)"

That was an excerpt from a political speech. The speaker was addressing a large group of women. One does not have to think too hard to figure out who said it. Before we get into all that though, I would like you to take a look at a few key phrases in the above quote.

"Reproductive health" is the latest term the left is using to describe abortion. It sounds so nice. Everyone should be in favor of reproductive health for women, right? Let's re-read that first sentence, only using "abortion" instead of "reproductive health."

"Far to many women are still denied critical access to abortion in child birth."

Sounds a little different. But what IS abortion anyway? It is the termination, killing, of babies, still in the womb. Let's read it again, substituting THAT definition.

"Far to many women are still denied critical access to the killing of their babies in child birth."

Is it just me? Or does that sound morally wrong?

The speaker of the opening quote was Hillary Clinton. She was talking about Obamacare and the Hobby Lobby case where Hobby Lobby sued the U.S. government because providing abortifatient drugs was against the company's religious beliefs. The case went to the Supreme Court where Hobby Lobby won. Praise God!

This speech was given AFTER the Supreme Court ruled. Hillary wants the law she and Obama created to be enforced despite the courts ruling. Interesting. But that's not the scariest sentence in her speech. Read the last sentence.

"deep-seated cultural codes and religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed."

Hillary Clinton thinks our religious beliefs against abortion must be changed. How do you suppose she will do that? How will she change our religious beliefs? And why?!?

I don't want to be an alarmist, shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater, but . . . DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS WOMAN, PLEASE!!!!

Hillary Clinton's Keynote Address - Women In The World Summit

(The comments in this blog are at the 8:27 mark in her speech)

There was a time in the world's history when a government felt that a religion's opinions needed to be changed . . . and millions of lives were lost in the process.

180 Movie

Most Bible-believing Christians will tell you that we are living in the last days. Scripture tells us that these times will increase in their lawlessness and ultimately we Christians will be cut out of the herd and persecuted because of our beliefs. Eventually we will be killed because of our faith. Did I say "eventually?" People are already losing their heads overseas because of their faith in Jesus. People are dying HERE for the same reason.

Pastors are being told not to speak out against homosexuality in their sermons or they will be charged with a hate crime. My friends, this is all prophesied in the Bible. It should not surprise us.

Thuth be told, it would not surprise me if Hillary Clinton won the presidency in 2016. The same country that elected its first black president could very well elect its first woman president. We like to be trend setters. That seems to be more important to us as a nation than religious liberty of the killing of babies for convenience sake. It's all about us and not about God. We seem to prefer convenience and selfishness over morality.

If Hillary gets elected and she then decides to “get religious people to change their minds,” what shall we "religious people" do? Will we obey the law she will want enforced despite the Supreme Courts ruling,even thoughwe would be disobeying the God we profess faith our faith and hope in? All this in favor of complying with HER beliefs?

“Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” - Matthew 22:21

I have a question for you. Who do you belong to? WHOSE are you? Are you an American? Or are you a Christian? You probably would like to answer, “I am both.” Well, I am telling you today that, one day, we WILL have to make a choice in that regard. We will have to decide whom we are going to serve. Will we “pledge allegiance to the republic” or will we obey our God . . . "one nation, under His authority?" I know how I will chose. Do you?

“15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve," - Joshua 24:15

We are living in the last days. Life will be getting tougher for all of us but especially for those of us who believe in Jesus. We must take heart because Jesus has overcome the world and so shall we, through are faith in Christ.

We make decisions every day. Do we base them in faith? Or do we practice "a religion of convenience?" Do we obey our governments laws when they specifically conflict with God's?

It is time, my friends, to make a decision . . . and choose today whom we will serve.

Overcome - Desperation Band

Challenge?

It seems like every time we open up Facebook these days we are seeing another video of someone doing the Ice Bucket Challenge to help fund research for a cure against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It's kind of fun seeing people dump ice water all over themselves, getting totally soaked, and frozen, for a good cause. And everyone is doing it. I've seen quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning, Larry the Cable Guy, David Beckham, and former president George W. Bush. Even my own son has done it. These videos want to make us join in on the fight. And it's all for a good cause, right? Right?

We humans are so easily amused. As Pink's Floyd's Roger Waters once wrote, "We have amused ourselves to death." We love following the latest trends. We like to be "hip" and "cool" as my generation called it. We will follow anything as long as everyone else is doing it and it's fun. We seldom stop to think things through and that is the case with people and the Ice Bucket Challenge.

On the surface this cause is a noble one. We SHOULD show support for those willing to fight terrible diseases such as ALS and cancer and Alzheimer's. But should we abandon our faith and beliefs in doing so?

Amidst all the videos I see scrolling by and amongst all of my friends who are supporting and participating in the phenomenon, accepting and giving Ice Bucket challenges to each other on Facebook, I have seen only a handful of people expressing their concerns about what goes on in the actual ALS research these challenges are supporting. I applaud them. They are actually thinking. They have done their research, They have counted the cost.

In the Book of Luke Jesus tells us this about "counting the cost" FIRST before we undertake anything in our lives. Jesus is The King of doing what is right and giving good advice for us to follow. If we'd only listen. Read His words and see if they are not true.

"28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?" - Luke 14:28-31

While we think about what Jesus just said concerning counting the cost BEFORE we get involved in anything, I'd like you to read something from the ALS Association. We will are beginning to count . . .

“Adult stem cell research is important and should be done alongside embryonic stem cell research as both will provide valuable insights. Only through exploration of all types of stem cell research will scientists find the most efficient and effective ways to treat diseases.”

Anything jump out at you from that quote? How about EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH?

What is embryonic stem cell research? Well, it's where scientists "create, harvest, then destroy human embryos" in the name of research. Gee, I wonder what God thinks about that?

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;" - Jeremiah 1:5

The article I am getting my information from is from a Catholic website. A friend of mine provided a link to it on Facebook (you may read the entire article by clicking on the link at the end of my blog). There are several theological disagreements I have with the Catholic Church but standing against embryonic stem cell research is not one of them.

When we blindly write out a check to ALSA, or support these Ice Bucket Challenges, a portion of our money goes straight to embryonic stem cell research, where human embryos are being terminated in the name of research. Where did someone come up with this horrific idea? It smacks of Nazi Germany and Josef Mengele's "human research" at the expense of the Jews.

It's okay to support ALS research. But there are ways to funnel donations to areas of the ASLA's research where human embryos are NOT being used. But people . . . we MUST look into thin ANYTHING before we simply join in.

Just as a side thought, do you think people in areas of our world effected by drought enjoy see people dumping water all over the place? Or people in countries where they HAVE no clean water . . . how much they might desire the very thing we Americans are dumping on ourselves. Be we don't think. That's the whole problem with so many of the world's situations today. We simply don't take the time to think.

The Bible is full of Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Our problem is three-fold - we do not read it, we do not understand it and most of us don't even think about applying it to our lives.

For example, the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Was HE thinking when he robbed a convenience store and then walked down the middle of a road at two in the morning, blocking traffic. Didn't he think that might draw some attention from the police? I'm thinking Mr. Brown hasn't read his Bible, therefore, he didn't learn anything or have the opportunity to apply it's wisdom to his all-too-short life.

The same with the ALS researchers. They spent so much time hoping that they COULD find a cure for ALS by killing human embryos, they didn't stop to think whether or not they actually SHOULD.

May God have mercy on us. He has provided us with His Word. He has provided us with His unconditional love, despite our unworthiness and continual sin. He has provided us with everything we could have ever needed. Yet we chose to follow our own selfish desires. We chose to "do things because they are cool" or "because everyone else is doing it."

So many people want to be "popular" and "to fit in" with our friends and with society. But we are called to "be holy as I am holy" (Leviticus 20:26, 1 Peter 1:16). Do you know what the word "holy" means? According to Strong's Greek Dictionary it means to be "set apart." How can we be set apart from the world if our desires are to fit in?

Please, donate to the ALSA. Let's fight a good fight and find a cure, but direct your funds appropriately. Don't partake in the Ice Bucket Challenge and don't support the challenge by challenging others. Support God. We need to read His Word so we can better understand where and how He wants us to direct HIS energies and HIS resources that He entrusts to us in ways that are God honoring. Thank you for letting me vent.That way HE gets the praise, not us.

What’s wrong with the ALS bucket challenge? - Greg Kandra (a deacon in the Catholic Church)

Leaders

Each year, Bill Hybels and his Willow Creek Church, hold a "Global Leadership Summit." Here is their mission statement.

"To transform Christian leaders around the world with an injection of vision, skill development and inspiration for the local church."

Well, that certainly sounds . . . like a mission statement. And who wouldn't want to be injected with "vision", right? But what are the attending Christian leaders being "transformed" into? It doesn't really say in their mission statement, but apparently those in attendance are going to be transformed, injected, developed and inspired en mas somewhere near Chicago in early August.

I was reading Romans 12:2 the other day. It's a good "every day" verse. We are supposed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. And from what I gather, this can be accomplished right where we are. As Christians, isn't God's Holy Spirit transforming us already? And shouldn't we be looking to Jesus when seeking transformation? And leadership? Hmm, I wonder . . . How did all of the world's past Christian leaders ever become great Christian leaders without Mr. Bill's leadership event to transform them? Mind boggling!

This year Bill's keynote speaker is Colin Powell. Mr. Powell first became a public figure during the Gulf War back in the early 90's. He was a general in the army and was a very good leader . . . in the army. But where does he stand as a Christian? As a Christian leader? And should we be really following HIS example like Bill Hybels obviously does?

Collin Powell is pro-choice. That means he supports abortion. The following statement is from his speech during the 1996 Republican National Convention . . .

"You all know that I believe in a woman’s right to choose and I strongly support affirmative action. And, I was invited here by my party to share my views with you because we are a big enough party -- and big enough people -- to disagree on individual issues and still work together for our common goal: restoring the American Dream."

Why would someone who supports abortion be asked to speak as an example of a Christian leader at a Christian leadership conference? I thought most Christians were against abortion? I thought GOD was against abortion?

And "a woman's right to chose" . . . You mean someone has the "right" to "choose" to take someone elses' life just because just because they want to? Isn't that . . . umm, like . . . murder? Or in the case of abortion, maybe genocide. As a Christian, am I to follow a leader like that?

As a side note, do you know what those who favor abortion like to call it now? They no longer call it "pro-choice." Now they call it, are you ready for this? They call it . . . "women's health." Who could possibly be against women's health, right? (sigh)

President Obama on Women's Health.

I'd like you to read a verse and dwell in its meaning for a few moments. Take as much time as you need. Read it over a couple of times and let it sink in.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" - Jeremiah 1:5

God knew us BEFORE we were born. How does a Christian embrace abortion and yet claim to follow Christ? And Colin Powell, this leader Bill Hybels wants our pastors and church elders to learn from and emulate, supports killing living babies BEFORE the wonder of God's creation can even see the light of day. That sickens me.

This leadership summit of Mr. Bill's . . . I wonder where those in attendance are being led?

God uses a very different training method from those Bill Hybels suggests. I'm kind of glad too. He tends to use untrained, inadequate, inept, bungling, stuttering leaders to accomplish His will. Look at Moses. Most would say we was a great leader, yet he had a speech impediment.

"10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” - Exodus 4:10

Why does God use inadequate people to lead? Psst. It's so that everyone will know that GOD did the leading, not the "leader."

Looking to other men for leadership is complete foolishness. There is only one place to look for leadership and that is God. God raises up leaders, not man.

This past weekend I attended a conference on biblical leadership up in Green Bay.

Stand Up For The Truth - Watchman Conference on Biblical Leadership.

There were over 300 pastors and elders and other church leaders in attendance. What an uplifting yet frightening experience. The leadership examples we were given were all out of the Bible, except for Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Probably the best take-away from this past weekend was the concept of what makes up a good leader - a BIBLICAL leader. We are to lead . . . by following. Perhaps Mr. Hybels should have a FOLLOWING Summit! There should be no opinions of man in our leadership, only the following Christ. He is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Later in Hebrews we read this, good instruction for those who would be leaders. Oh, and we ALL are leaders my friends. Every last one of us. So lead. Lead . . . by following . . . Christ.

"12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears." - Hebrews 12:12-17

"15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." - Ephesians 5:15-17

You Lead by Jamie Grace

180

One of the things I like to do periodically is to figuratively turn around, do a 180 of sorts, and take a look at where I've come from. Good knowledge can be gained by examining all of the "fork in the road" decisions I've made that have led me to where I am today.

Actually, "fork in the road" decisions are usually the easiest decisions to examine. I either chose the right path. Or I chose the wrong one.

"Yeah, I probably shouldn't have eaten that last helping of potato salad, especially after it had been sitting there on that picnic table . . .  all afternoon . . . in the sun." Or, "I'm sure I have enough gasoline to make it to the next exit. I'm sure there be will be a gas station there . . . right?" Sometimes it's rather obvious. We're either right or we're wrong.

Complex types of decisions are a lot more like stepping stones across a river than they are forks in the road. There are many more paths to choose, many more variables in our decision-making process. What appears to be an easy path can suddenly become more difficult when the stones become slippery when wet or the rocks we have chosen to step on are wobbly and unstable.

Just like the chicken crossing the road, the goal when crossing a river is to get to the other side . . . without getting wet. There may appear to be many ways to accomplish the crossing but if we end up knee-deep in the water, the journey is not going to be as enjoyable or rewarding.

Most of us tend to go through our lives without examining the stones we're about to step on. We just take a step, figuring everything will be alright. Suddenly the rock moves underneath our feet and it's too late. We're soaked.

A wiser person would take the time to pick a route in advance. They might say to themselves, "The last time I stepped on a rock that looked like that I got wet. I think I'll try this one instead." Experience is a great teacher. But a better teacher would be listening to someone who has already crossed the river. They already know the right steps to take. They have already made it to the other side. It would be foolish not to gain from their experience and heed their advice. However we don't usually do that because that would mean depending on someone else. Sometimes, we humans can be so stubborn!

Most of our daily decisions are unimportant. Paper or plastic? regular or decaf? Other decisions can have bigger consequences. "I think I can handle just one more drink" or "I can't really afford to have a baby right now. Maybe I'll just make it go away."

Take a look back at your own life. Are there any decisions you made that you'd like to change? Sure there are. We all have them. Now the only thing we can do is to live with all of the decisions we've made. And hopefully learn from them. If only there was a way to eliminate all those bad choices, the stupid decisions we naively made that ended up costing us dearly. Pssst. Guess what? There is . . . a way.

The Bible is an amazing instruction manual, in additional to being the infallible, always truthful, Word of God. You know that B.I.B.L.E. acronym right? Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. Use God's Word as your GPS - God's Positioning System. (Wow! I just used two acronyms in one paragraph!!)

Before we take our next step in life, before we make our next decision, ask God what He thinks about it. He's seen every decision everyone has ever made. Ask Him what He would do. "Which path would you choose God?"

What I have learned, as a 60-year-old follower of Jesus, is to make sure all of my decisions are honoring to God and according to His will. "But how can I find out what God's will is for me?"

Three words . . . . read . . . the . . . Bible!

There is nothing worse, when looking back on the steps we've taken in our lives, than to say "I should have . . ." or "If only I'd known . . ." It is much better to look back on one's life and see nothing but God-honoring decisions made. And when someday we find ourselves on the other side of the river (hopefully with dry feet) we can look up at God and hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

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I have two links for you today. The first is to a short film called "180." It is a story about decisions made and the consequences. Nearly 4 million people have watched it. It's 30 minutes long.

180 - The Movie

The second link is to a song by Skillet. It's about the father of a child who was never born. One of those decisions made that now he wishes he could change.

Lucy - by Skillet