For “Scripture Sunday”:
Abortion and God's Purpose for Human Life
“Recently a New York judge tossed out any restriction on the age a person has to be to purchase, without a prescription, a "morning-after pill" to terminate a pregnancy.
Prior to his ruling a woman had to be at least 17 to legally get the drug. If his ruling stands, a girl as young as 12 or 13—or her male partner—can buy a pill that will cause her body to spontaneously abort her "problem," ending that unborn life.
This follows on the heels of a 2012 decision by the New York Department of Education to make morning-after pills available to schoolgirls as young as 14 without parental consent.
Ironically, if that same 14-year-old were to go her school nurse to get an aspirin for a headache, the nurse would have to get parental permission to do so. But courtesy of this education department, children can be given abortion-inducing drugs without their parents ever knowing.
What a horrifying message to send to girls who are little more than children themselves—that destroying an unborn human life is of such little consequence—or none at all.
What does it say about a society when, on the grounds of protecting citizens' health, a city bans the sale of sweetened drinks larger than 16 ounces (a third larger than the most common size), but it allows, and even pays for, abortion-inducing drugs for its schoolchildren?
In what kind of twisted universe does that make sense?
This is the kind of blind and perverse reasoning we see when a people and their leaders increasingly turn their backs on God. As our Creator, He gave us an instruction manual in the form of His Word, the Bible. But rejecting its revelation for how we should live and what makes for a peaceful, purposeful, well-ordered society, we've increasingly decided to create our own rules and ignore the lessons of history—bringing curses on ourselves in the process.
But you don't have to go that way. You can learn from God's Word the awesome purpose of human life, and why abortion is so wrong in His sight. You can know why you are here and why you were born, as described in the cover article of the latest issue of The Good News, arriving in your mailbox shortly.
We hope you'll carefully read the articles in this issue to learn about the future God has in store for you. Understanding that, you'll then understand how God views one of the most divisive and controversial issues affecting our society today—that of abortion.
Scott Ashley, Managing Editor, The Good News
PS—To really understand where the world is headed and why, you need to understand what's going on from a biblical perspective. Get the real story you won't read anywhere else. Download or read the May-June issue today!
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Child Sacrifice: We're Not So Different Today
“Of all ancient practices of pagan religion, the most hideous were those that involved child sacrifice.”
A child being offered as a sacrifice to a Molech idol. Source: Wikimedia Commons - 1897 Bible Pictures and What They Teach Us: Containing 400 Illustrations from the Old and New Testaments
“In the lands of the Middle East and areas around the Mediterranean Sea, this involved the ritual murder of children, often in fire and presided over by a priesthood with the approval of the worshippers.
A child could be placed on an open fire or into an open burning chasm of a metal idol representing gods such as Baal or Molech. Done to appease a god and to gain favor for an abundant harvest, victory in battle or the defeat of one's enemies, these cruel acts litter the ancient world.
One well-known cemetery, full of the bones of thousands of infant sacrifices, has been found at the site of ancient Carthage in North Africa. Burials of infant bones and skulls with signs of violent death have been unearthed. Sadly, even the Bible tells of a time in the biblical kingdom of Judah when child sacrifice was carried out in Jerusalem under certain kings.
Any modern nation that chooses to commit child sacrifice in the name of "pro-choice," "family planning" or "abortion rights" should learn a lesson from these examples. The lesson is this: Any culture or people that has participated in child sacrifice has declined and disappeared from history. Ancient Carthage was destroyed by Rome. The Romans sowed salt into its land so it would never rise again. Idolatry eventually won out in Judah, and it was invaded and destroyed by Babylon—its temple razed and the people deported.
We're not so different today. While ancient people would murder their children to please a false god, modern people do the same in honor of a different kind of god—the god of self. This is a hard saying, but it is the truth. The unborn are slaughtered in the millions when they interfere with the pursuit of selfish pleasure and the gods of convenience.” From: http://www.ucg.org/christian-living/child-sacrifice-were-not-so-different-today/
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National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 2, 2013
“Should we be praying for our nation and leadership?”
Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/christian-living/national-day-prayer
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Life Lessons: Talking Yourself Out of a Job
“A notice on a company bulletin board:
"Due to increased competition and a keen desire to stay in business, we find it necessary to institute a new policy. We are asking that somewhere between starting time and quitting time, and without infringing on the time devoted to lunch, coffee breaks, rest periods, storytelling, ticket selling, vacation planning, and rehashing of gossip, each employee endeavors to find some time that can be set aside and known as the "Work Break". This may seem a radical innovation, but we believe the idea has possibilities. It can conceivably be an aid to steady employment and regular pay checks. While adoption of the Work Break is not compulsory, it is hoped that each employee will find time to give it a fair trial."*
Employers need employees who do their work, not tie up valuable time talking about personal issues. Solomon wrote: "In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter only leads to poverty" (Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. See All...).” From: http://www.ucg.org/blog/life-lessons-talking-yourself-out-job/
* The Public Speaker's Treasure Chest , Herbert V. Prochnow, Harper and Row, 1964, p. 284.
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God's Immigration Policy
“Immigration is a hot topic these days. In the United States we fly our flag as a symbol of freedom. There are many, around the world, who long for freedom. Immigration to the US can offer promise to those seeking a better life.
Everyone seems to have an opinion about immigration and how it should be handled. Some want stricter immigration laws. Others would like better enforcement of the existing laws. Then there are those who feel as if we need immigration reform, making the process easier for all involved.
Did you know God has His own immigration policy?
When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, he instructed the Israelites and the stranger (alien) among them to keep the Sabbath Day holy. When instructions were given for keeping the Passover, these instructions also included the stranger among them. There was to be one law for the Israelite and the stranger.
This brings up two very interesting points.
1. It is obvious that God's immigration policy included not only the civil laws but also the religious laws of the land. Those strangers who obeyed God, kept His way of life, and lived as commanded, would be blessed alongside those who were naturally born. He made no allowances for the stranger or gentile to dwell among Israel and continue to live a pagan lifestyle. It was not to be tolerated.” More at: http://www.ucg.org/blog/gods-immigration-policy/
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Must We Obey God's Commandments?
“Jesus explicitly shows that our obedience to God must include obeying the Ten Commandments.
"Now behold, one came and said to Him, 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?' So He said to him, '. . . If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments .'
"He said to Him, 'Which ones?' Jesus said, 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matthew 19:16-19 See All...).
Obedience to God begins with accepting the Ten Commandments as the permanent standard and foundation for our values and behavior. But our obedience must encompass the full spirit of the Ten Commandments.
Jesus also said: "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill [from the Greek pleroo, meaning to 'fill to the full']. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled [from a different Greek word, ginomai, used in the sense of 'come to pass']. "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:17-19 [17] See All...).
Sin is disregarding or refusing to do what God tells us to do. Jesus tells us He had no intention of annulling or abolishing God's commands and that anyone who presumes to teach that is in grave spiritual danger.” From: http://www.ucg.org/booklet/transforming-your-life-process-conversion/what-sin/must-we-obey-gods-commandments/
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Spend Time In Nature
When you take a stroll outdoors, do you ever wonder why it makes you feel so good? Connecting with nature can actually improve your health and well-being.
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The program on WGN TV this morning:
Has Religion Lied to You?
“Is it possible your religion has misled you about God? Consider the Trinity doctrine. Is it biblical? You need to know.”
Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-program/doctrinal-beliefs/has-religion-lied-you
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On This Day:
Cinco de Mayo, May 5, 1862:
“During the French-Mexican War, a poorly supplied and outnumbered Mexican army under General Ignacio Zaragoza defeats a French army attempting to capture Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. Victory at the Battle of Puebla represented a great moral victory for the Mexican government, symbolizing the country's ability to defend its sovereignty against threat by a powerful foreign nation.
In 1861, the liberal Mexican Benito Juarez became president of a country in financial ruin, and he was forced to default on his debts to European governments. In response, France, Britain, and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, ruled by Napoleon III, decided to use the opportunity to carve a dependent empire out of Mexican territory. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving President Juarez and his government into retreat.
Certain that French victory would come swiftly in Mexico, 6,000 French troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez set out to attack Puebla de Los Angeles. From his new headquarters in the north, Juarez rounded up a rag-tag force of loyal men and sent them to Puebla. Led by Texas-born General Zaragoza, the 2,000 Mexicans fortified the town and prepared for the French assault. On the fifth of May, 1862, Lorencez drew his army, well-provisioned and supported by heavy artillery, before the city of Puebla and began their assault from the north. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers to the fewer than 100 Mexicans killed.
Although not a major strategic victory in the overall war against the French, Zaragoza's victory at Puebla tightened Mexican resistance, and six years later France withdrew. The same year, Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, who had been installed as emperor of Mexico by Napoleon in 1864, was captured and executed by Juarez' forces. Puebla de Los Angeles, the site of Zaragoza's historic victory, was renamed Puebla de Zaragoza in honor of the general. Today, Mexicans celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla as Cinco de Mayo, a national holiday in Mexico.”
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Sitting Bull leads his people into Canada, May 5, 1877:
“Nearly a year after the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Sitting Bull and a band of followers cross into Canada hoping to find safe haven from the U.S. Army.
On June 25, 1876, Sitting Bull's warriors had joined with other Indians in the Battle of the Little Big Horn in Montana, which resulted in the massacre of George Custer and five troops of the 7th Cavalry. Worried that their great victory would provoke a massive retaliation by the U.S. military, the Indians scattered into smaller bands. During the following year, the U.S. Army tracked down and attacked several of these groups, forcing them to surrender and move to reservations.
Sitting Bull and his followers, however, managed to avoid a decisive confrontation with the U.S. Army. They spent the summer and winter after Little Big Horn hunting buffalo in Montana and fighting small skirmishes with soldiers. In the fall of 1876, Colonel Nelson A. Miles met with Sitting Bull at a neutral location and tried to talk him into surrendering and relocating to a reservation. Although anxious for peace, Sitting Bull refused. As the victor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Sitting Bull felt he should be dictating terms to Miles, not the other way around.
Angered by what he saw as Sitting Bull's foolish obstinacy, Miles stepped up his campaign of harassment against the chief and his people. Sitting Bull's band continued to roam about Montana in search of increasingly scarce buffalo, but the constant travel, lack of food, and military pressure began to take a toll. On this day in 1877, Sitting Bull abandoned his traditional homeland in Montana and led his people north across the border into Canada.
Ultimately, though, Sitting Bull's attempt to remain independent was undermined by the disappearance of the buffalo, which were being wiped out by Indians, settlers, and hide hunters. Without meat, Sitting Bull gave up his dream of independence and asked the Canadian government for rations. Meanwhile, emissaries from the U.S. came to his camp and promised Sitting Bull's followers they would be rich and happy if they joined the American reservations. The temptation was too great, and many stole away at night and headed south. By early 1881, Sitting Bull was the chief of only a small band of mostly older and sick people.
Finally, Sitting Bull relented. On July 10, 1881, more than five years after the fateful battle at the Little Big Horn, the great chief led 187 Indians from their Canadian refuge to the United States. After a period of confinement, Sitting Bull was assigned to the Standing Rock reservation in South Dakota in 1883. Seven years later he was dead, killed by Indian police when he resisted their attempt to arrest him for his supposed participation in the Ghost Dance uprising.”
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Yesterday:
After I had fed Misty, Muffie and Gumdrop, Wendy and I could only have a quick Saturday morning phone call. Her cell phone kept on cutting out for some reason. She was at their lake house, and usually it is fine there. Probably just as well, as I had a lot to do. I had to get a large carrier ready for Gumdrop, with a litter box and water dish, as she was going to have to stay in it in the van while we were in church. Then I had to take two more carriers as I was supposed to pick up two temporary foster cats.
Misty and I went to get Jay for church, but he wasn’t ready, because he said he ‘had nothing to wear’. Misty has an absolute dislike of going up on their porch. As soon as I go towards it, she just pulls away from it. So I had to walk, and walk, behind her as she sauntered around sniffing everything, while Jay got ready. I can’t take Muffie for walks, as she has never been leash-trained.
Gummie is so good when she is traveling, we hardly knew she was there. I parked under a tree at the church, and it was a cool day, so she was fine.
When we go to the Conroe morning service, we never get there in time for Bible study, so it seems a long way to go for such a short time. The Song Team is a different one each week on a rotation basis, made up of members of the congregation. This week it was the ‘Strings’ Team. There were 5 guitars, a banjo, a fiddler (or violinist), and two lead singers, joined by the whole congregation.
The sermon was about “Humanity’s Two Great Dangers”, focusing on Luke 15. One danger is Unrighteousness, and the other is Self-righteousness.
Then we went to Conroe Petco to take Gumdrop for her afternoon of being on display there for Adoption Day. Her previous foster mom was helping with Adoption Day, so Gummie will go back home with her foster mom. I was sorry to turn her back in, but she needed a more active life than I can give her. I miss her, but it was the right thing to do.
Jay needed some filters for his aquarium at Walmart across the street, so we went there while we were waiting for my SPCA boss to arrive for Adoption Day. When we went back to Petco, I found out that the lady who was supposed to be bringing the two cats that she couldn’t take to her new apartment, had found them a home, so I came back with 3 empty carriers. Kenya has found me an old declawed cat named Holly, and her foster mom and I will meet next week.
Jay had never tasted any raw milk, so I drove to the Calico Dairy on League Line Road. The milk cows and goats were wandering around in the fields. He was scared to try the raw milk, but he did. This is the old fashioned kind with the cream on top, which is so good in coffee. Much better than dry creamer which is full of High Fructose Corn Syrup and chemicals. Jay loved the little goats, as did I.
We stopped at my old vet’s place on the way home, it had been taken over by a new vet, and they had sent me an invitation for their opening day BBQ. The meal was good, and there were some interesting animals there. Several breeds of dogs, a Shetland pony, a huge tortoise, a gecko, a green snake and a KANGAROO! It was a young kangaroo in a harness, laying in a dog stroller. I can’t imagine having a roo as a pet.
After I had fed Misty and Muffie, Muffie’s ‘Dad’ called. There had been an emergency and some of the relatives at the grave cleaning had to leave, so he came home early, and picked up Muffie. He is bringing her back to be groomed today.
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