June 17, 2004
May We Never Forget
These photos still send a shockwave through me....
My prayers go out for those who continue to mourn the loss of loved ones and for those who are working to keep our country safe.
I can't help feeling that this is a time we should be pulling together, locking arms across this nation against those who would commit such atrocities. Sadly, I think we have already forgotten too much, and our priorities have been overshadowed by election year politics. How sad indeed....
[Photo: Reuters @ Yahoo!News]
May 19, 2004
Unmasking the Horrors Hidden in the Terminology
Abortion. It's one of those conceptual words. Most people know what it is in the vaguest sense, but how often do we think about what it really means? I thought I'd do a word study so we could be reminded of its true meaning. Bear with me.
abortion
NOUN: 1a. Termination of pregnancy and expulsion of an embryo or of a fetus that is incapable of survival. b. Any of various procedures that result in such termination and expulsion. Also called induced abortion.
embryo
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. em·bry·os
1a. An organism in its early stages of development, especially before it has reached a distinctively recognizable form. b. An organism at any time before full development, birth, or hatching.
fetus
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. fe·tus·es
2. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after conception to the moment of birth, as distinguished from the earlier embryo.
*organism
NOUN: 1. An individual form of life
*(Note: The most gifted scientists and most brilliant legal minds -- including those serving on the highest court in this great land of ours -- can't figure out when life begins....Astounding!)
termination
NOUN: 1. The act of terminating or the condition of being terminated.
2a. The end of something in time; the conclusion. b. An end of something in space; a limit or edge.
3. A result; an outcome.
pregnancy
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. preg·nan·cies
1a. The condition of being pregnant: a test for pregnancy. b. An instance of being pregnant. c. The period during which one is pregnant.
pregnant
ADJECTIVE: 1. Carrying developing offspring within the body.
offspring
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. offspring
1. The progeny or descendants of a person, animal, or plant considered as a group.
2. A child of particular parentage.
3. A result; a product.
child
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. chil·dren 1. A person between birth and puberty. 2a. An unborn infant; a fetus. b. An infant; a baby.
3. One who is childish or immature.
4. A son or daughter; an offspring.
So, in plain, ordinary, clear English, abortion is:
Not such a benign, harmless choice, is it...? And a woman has a legal right to do this in our country and around the world.... Amazing.
To find help before choosing abortion or to find nonjudgmental comfort, healing, and confidential encouragement after having an abortion, go to SafeHaven. This peer support site is made up of women who have been there/done that. They know. They understand. And they will tell you the truth.
Simply Unbelievable...
Here's an interesting story I received via email today. I find it incredibly ironic that a 14-year-old can't have a root canal performed without parental consent, but she can have an abortion even without her parents' knowledge.
British Teen's Secret Abortion Causes Uproar, School Helped Conceal
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- A secret abortion performed on a British teenager without her mother's knowledge has provoked an uproar in England. The girl's mother, Maureen Smith, was outraged when she learned that her daughter's school arranged for the abortion to take place without notifying her. Smith told a British newspaper the school's actions were "deplorable." "I am absolutely outraged that my 14-year-old daughter…was able to have an abortion without my knowledge," Smith said. According to Smith, the abortion left her daughter traumatized and filled with regret. "This is one of the worst things she will go through in her life and I knew nothing about it. I wasn't there to help or protect her," Smith said. "If my daughter had been truant or causing trouble in the classroom I would have been informed. Yet she can go and have an abortion, which will affect her for the rest of her life, and I have no say," Smith added.
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February 19, 2004
The Passion of the Christ
Everywhere you turn these days conversations are abuzz with talk of The Passion of the Christ, Mel Gibson's landmark movie depicting the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus due to open next week across the country. As with most everything where Jesus is concerned, this movie is sure to be divisive--some will love it with a passion (no pun intended); others will hate it, equally impassioned. And yet, that's okay. Jesus never said we **had** to follow Him; He only offered the invitation and left the following up to us.
An interesting aside regarding the word 'passion' in the title of the movie. This use of the word passion is literally translated 'suffering', and from what I've heard about this movie, Jesus suffers plenty. I do not doubt it will be difficult to watch. Already I am telling myself not to look away during the more graphic scenes. I want to see--I need to see the most true-to-life, most graphically accurate portrayal of the suffering Christ endured...for me.... (I'm also making a mental note to bring plenty of tissues!)
I cannot say how accurate this movie really is, as I haven't yet seen it. And I can't attest to how accurate Mr. Gibson's 'theology' is as portayed in the film. All I know is that he talks the talk, and based on the previews I've seen of this movie, he's also seemingly walking the walk--at a very high cost to himself personally (not only financially, but through the vicious attacks he's endured through the media and other detractors).
As for me, I can't wait to see this movie! And I pray many lives will be changed as a result.
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A word of caution however: Because Mr. Gibson is a very likeable fellow, a famous fellow, and a fellow who is passionately following his convictions does not mean he is a Bible scholar. We can respect his work and his faith without adopting his entire belief system as our own. Everyone should measure the doctrine of their church/religion against the infallible Word of God. That is the only true authority. As much as we may appreciate Mr. Gibson's devotion to this cause, and as much as we may respect his work, we must follow Christ and the Bible.