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Published: 15 January 2015

There were advertisings for abortion on every bus stop bench and street sign. They were symbols that the culture of death is pro-active, shameless and pervasive. Of course, behind the scenes there were women and men with broken spirits, regrets and deep sadness. Their stories and the faces that represent them seldom make the news. They are not asked to act as a reference for the doctor making profits off people in crisis situations. The hurting and broken victims are the silent ones. The babies they gave up under the premise that abortions are “cheap and pain-free” had no voice. And, it turns out, the abortions weren’t cheap or pain-free if the broader picture is viewed accurately. There is pain that is deeper than physical pain and there is a cost that cannot be measured in dollars and cents. As you may have guessed by now I am thinking about the sights and sounds of QwaQwa, South Africa. Sadly, what I have been describing could be just about anywhere in the world today. Annually there are 42 million abortions on this planet. That’s more death in one year than the last 100 years of genocide combined. The world is “looking the other way” but 50 years ago a few brave and clear thinking people decided to speak for those who have no voice. Many in the Roman Catholic Church and men like Francis Schaeffer saw what was happening and raised awareness. It didn’t stop the Supreme Court from making their terrible decision. However, hundreds, even thousands answered the call and have been advocating for the life of the pre-born and their mothers ever since, they are unsung heroes. The Sanctity of human life is not a political issue, it is a moral issue. The church cannot be silent and we cannot relegate the responsibility to social agencies. We must encourage families to teach biblical sexuality. We must reach out to those in crisis pregnancies and treat them with dignity and grace. We must develop a culture of foster care, adoption and respite care. We must value the young, the old and everyone in between regardless of skin color, intelligence quotient or social status. We must continue to tell hurting people that there is forgiveness, healing, refreshment and restoration through Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us. We must become life-giving people if we would foster a life-giving environment. Jesus Christ came that we might have life abundant…let’s receive that life and promote it in this world. The culture of death is not passive. May the culture of life continue with us and may the Kingdom of light push back the darkness of death! Be a life-giver!

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Published: 08 January 2015

I haven’t talked a lot about the South Africa trip for two reasons; 1) We haven’t had a time slot open to a full report and 2) I was processing my struggle. Yes, you read that right, I struggled. But of course that should not be news to you unless you don’t know human beings very well. We live in a world of conflict and we have real enemies. The world system, the enemy of our souls and our own flesh is against the good life of God. God, on the other hand, has provided new life in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. This new life (eternal life) and the ways of this world are in conflict. There is antagonism. Even though I know this and have preached about it I still get surprised when assaults come upon me. Since I am in my 50’s I should know this is normal but I still don’t like it. If you are familiar with Tolkien’s writings, you might identify with this statement“I just want to live in the Shire.” The Shire is where the Hobbits live, away from the conflict of Middle Earth. The Shire is the place of peace and sunshine. In the Shire there is order, routine, predictability and convenience. But that is not the journey we are on. No matter how hard we try to make it that way in the “here and now” we are looking for something that is only promised in the “there and then.” Jesus our Master said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) So, what He promised was trouble and the ability to overcome the trouble in partnership with Him. He is faithful and I am thankful! I have struggled with the idea of sharing my struggle but finally decided to talk about it since most of you are struggling and since I learned a few lessons in the process that might be helpful. So, Sunday we’ll talk about stuff we don’t talk about very much—the struggle in this journey we are on. There is joy and victory in the journey but the journey is not without peril. Isaac Watts asked, “Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?” Answer: No. But we are not alone, we are never alone! And, it is in the struggle where we meet Him, grow in grace and increase our faith. Through the struggle our faith is affirmed and our rewards are gained. You don’t have to say “yes” to the struggle, it’s already a part of life. The question is, “Will you say “yes” to God in the struggle?”