There was no Jesus.
No cross.
No redemption.
No blood.
No sacrifice.
No one talked about sin, so there was no need for forgiveness.
None spoke of grace, atonement, mercy, or faith.
There was no Jesus.
In a world desperate for truth, brothers, preach Christ Jesus crucified, risen, and coming again.
Among a nation of pretenders, be the bearers of the Cross. It is the only hope.
pax,
prrcb
In all the interviews I have heard or read, Ms. Abby Johnson is asked “Why?”
She always answers the same, having viewed an abortion via ultrasound, she watched a baby fight for it’s life and die struggling. She says at that moment she decided she was on the wrong end of this business.
It is an amazing story and one that has sent shockwaves through both the pro-abortion and right-to-life camps. Before I had even heard the story a friend in Iowa sent me a text asking what I was doing down there in Texas? As if I had anything at all to do with this!
So what did really happen?
Yes, I understand that Ms. Johnson saw a child murdered. Yes, I understand that it repulsed her and she realized that she was not helping women, but assisting in their and their baby’s destruction.
But WHAT happened? I would like to offer you what I believe is the reality of this woman’s miraculous change of heart.
On any given Saturday, and on many week days, the grass outside Bryan Planned Parenthood is occupied by a small group of “protestors.” They face the building, not the street, which might be confusing to you as you would expect protestors to face the traffic which was passing by. Instead, with their backs to the street, and their heads bowed, they face the clinic where women are lied to and children are murdered.
And they pray.
Having stood with them on several occasions, they pray for our Lord Jesus to change hearts and minds. They pray for the Holy Spirit to move upon those whose pregnancies have caused them distress, as well as those who are counseling them. They pray for our country, for our leaders, and for the babies whose lives are at great risk. They pray!
In a discussion that has become completely politicized, closely divided by party lines and dogmatized to the point that real debate rarely happens, our brothers and sisters at Coalition for Life have chosen the most effective approach. Instead of seeking a promise for a political candidate whose real mind has long been made up, they have approached The One who changes minds long made up.
If abortion is the great evil which the Catechism and the Scriptures teach it is, then the most appropriate way to combat evil is to invoke the Name that is above every name. We have long looked at elections as the primary way to effect change. Perhaps we have been seeking to influence the wrong ones.
January is typically the month we remember the Supreme Court decision which paved the way for abortion on demand as it is practiced in our county. Since the 1970s, “life issues” have become so much more than abortion. Now in our national debate we discuss assisted-suicide, euthanasia, forced birth-control, and numerous end-of-life issues. If I have learned anything from this event in my own front yard, it is that the prayer of the righteous is effective and that “the gates of hell cannot withstand it.”
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us. In Your great grace, preserve Life in our world. Amen.
prrcb
]]>We do, three of them. And looking good is SO important to thier little hearts. Tell them that they are beautiful–EVERY DAY. Don’t think it is important, take a look at the videos on the link: http://www.dove.us/#/features/videos/default.aspx[cp-documentid=7049579]/
]]>This is a link to a free download of a daily devotional. Each day uses writings of Luther to set the tone for one’s work. Take a look.
]]>There is no hope.
We can see the darkness of our time approaching. We will soon have to vacate this planet and find another planet on which to live.
Why? Because we have been such poor stewards of this planet that it will soon die, and we will as well. So the best course of action is to begin looking for another home.
Sounds like a movie plot doesn’t it? It is the plot of an upcoming summer 09 movie called Battle for Terra. I saw the trailer for “Terra” this past weekend, and was saddened to say the least.
The theme of “Terra” is the standard issue, “we are destroying our planet and have to find a new one.” The twist is that the survivors of the old earth find a new one, and choose to take it by force.
Now this new earth, Terra, is described as perfect, peaceful, gentle. Terra is inhabited by natives who have found ways to live in harmony, in union with their planet. They are so much better than those floating out in space waiting to come and consume their virgin dirt. James Garner is the leader for the Terra-ites. His voice gives credence to the idea that their peaceful society can remain peaceful, even if they have to fight off the evil human invaders.
One little native Terra-ite [you can’t really call them “aliens” as they are the natives and we are to be the aliens!] laments, “If earth force invades, they will destroy all life on this world, including me…” You feel sorry for this young one. She too will be the victim of an evil empire of imperialists colonizers aggressively taking territory to which they are not welcomed.
Stop me if you have heard this joke before…
Many of the humanist ideas soaking our culture are portrayed in the trailer for Battle for Terra.
o We can be at peace if we choose to be.
o Humans are bad, not because they have a resident sinful nature, but because they choose to be this way. They could choose to be good if they only wanted it bad enough.
o If we let the aggressive among us rule, we are ruined because they will always lead us to war.
o Our earth is doomed to destruction because we will destroy it. We can save our earth, if we only try.
o And on and on.
The Biblical worldview contains similarities, but the foundation is so very different.
Yes, we are destroying our earth.
Yes, we choose aggression, war, and hate.
Yes, the opportunity to do better exists.
But no, we will never be any different that we are now.
The broken sinful nature will remain broken regardless of what we do.
The possibility for utopia is really an impossibility. Because of sin.
There is hope only in One, and His Name is Jesus.
I am sure I will see more than my percentage of kid flicks this summer…there is a new Harry Potter coming and I will be required to see it at least three times! But if you go and watch “Battle for Terra” let me know how you like it. I bet you already know how it will end.
Jesus’ peace and joy,
prrcb
peace to all,
prrcb
http://multimedia.heritage.org/content/wm/Lehrman-092706a.wvx
]]> “Randy!” the voice almost yelled at me.
“This is Pastor Bard,” I replied using my new hard-earned title.
“Randy, this is Francis, down at the mission. I need two packages of toddler diapers.”
She said it with such assurance that I had little room to turn her down.
“OK. Who are you again? Francis?”
“Francis Bright, and I run the Bowie mission and I have a family down here who needs diapers.
How soon can you get here?”
“Aaaah, well let me run to Wal Mart and I will be right over.”
She told me where they were located and that was that.
At my next Board of Elder’s meeting I asked about Francis Bright, a 70+ women who spoke with a Texas confidence. My elders told me that she ran the mission, and that whenever she needed anything she would call. If Francis said someone needed it, then they did.
In the few short months I served those folks I grew to respect and then to love her. She had a hard, demanding exterior, but a heart for people and a love of Jesus.
Knowing that I had much to learn about how to minister to people, I asked her once how she knew when to be generous and when to turn folks away. She talked a bit about using good sense, but then quoted me this poem.
I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody’s need I was blind.
But I never have yet
Felt a tinge of regret
For being a little too kind.
Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord and HE will reward him for what he has done.
Peace to you,
prrcb