World Views

Abortion Opponents Hear a ‘Heartbeat.’ Most Experts Hear Something Else.

The Health Section of the New York Times published an article ironically on Valentines Day by Health Reporter, Roni Rabin, entitled," Abortion Opponents Hear a 'Heartbeat.' Experts Hear Something Else." The article stated that  during  the very early stage of a pregnancy (six weeks), the embryo is the size of a pomegranate seed and has only a primitive tube of cardiac cells that emit electric pulses and pump blood. The fact that a fetal heart at this stage of development does not make the typical "lub dub" sound we hear from a fully mature heart we are  somehow deceiving  women who seek abortions in states like Texas that have Heartbeat laws, states Rabin. "The consensus among most medical experts is that the electrical activity picked up on an ultrasound at six weeks is not the sound of a heart beating and does not guarantee a live birth. The sound expectant mothers hear during a scan is created by the machine itself, which translates the waves of electrical activity into something audible." Uh huh, since when do we make scientific conclusions by majority rules? Is that fake science? No matter, the fact is that a clump of tubal cardiac cells emitting  electrical activity and pumping blood tells me, it's a heart. The article goes on to try to debunk the pamphlets given to women regarding the risks of an abortion. Some  "facts" that Rabin gives us is that an abortion is no more risky than having your tonsils out and a study showed that the most common emotional response of women from  having an abortion  is relief. I kept looking for some conclusion or point to this article but was hard pressed to find one. There will always be an argument about where to draw the line on abortion where abortions are legalized. In my opinion one is as bad as the other. Life begins at conception. If you understand that then you don't have to worry about heartbeats and cognition. Once conceived, a human life has been made in the image and likeness of God and is due all the dignity and respect for its right to life, even if it is only the size of a pomegranate seed.

Link to NYT Article

Good Reasons to Read Through the Bible in 2022

 Have you ever read through your Bible in a year? If you haven't I hope to encourage you to do so. In the past Christians have saturated themselves in the Bible. How else could the "Miracle at Dunkirk" have happened.? The British Expeditionary Force found itself with its back to the sea and surrounded by German tanks and infantry, a dire situation indeed. A British officer broadcasted over a shortwave radio channel that was monitored by the folks at home , the following three word message, "But if not..." The Germans listening in had no idea what it meant but the British public new right away. It was from Daniel 3:18 and the passage was about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo's statement to King Nebuchadnezzar before being thrown into the fiery furnace. The British public was inspired and mobilized  commandeering  any vessels capable of crossing the channel to rescue the stranded army. An armada of fishing vessels, yachts,  sail boats, tug boats and ferries launched by three words and the rest is history. Could this same scenario have played out today? Sadly, I think not.

Bible literacy is at an all time low. A recent Lifeway study from 2020 found that only 32% of Americans who attend a Protestant church  regularly, say they read the Bible everyday. Uh Oh, "Houston we have a problem!"  Why the disconnect with the 68%? Too busy binge watching Netflix, posting on and reading FaceBook, Twitter, SnapChat, video games? Face it we live in a time where  distractions are only a click away consuming way too much of our free time. We have become slaves to the digital god. What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Do you check your email  and see who posted what on your social media accounts? Think about it, what does that say about you and your priorities?

Why is it so important to read God's word?  Here is what Moses has to say about it to Israel before they crossed into the "Promised Land." 18“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 19You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 20You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,21that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth." 

In Matthew 4:4 , Jesus quotes Deut. 8:3, "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word  that comes from the mouth of the Lord."  God's word is for our spiritual  sustenance  and life.  1 Peter 3-15-16 says: 15"But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, 16 For it is written : 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This raises the question how can I become holy, a sinner? Jesus answers this question in John 17:17 in a prayer for his disciples: "Sanctify them with truth; your word is truth." We are sanctified (made holy) by the truth. (God's word) Proverbs 2:6: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;"   We know that God's word is the bread of life but it also imparts on us wisdom and understanding.

In summary Moses thought it was important to have God's word always before us and to teach it to our children. God's word is our spiritual food that sustains our faith, sanctifies us and gives us wisdom, understanding  and knowledge of God our creator and redeemer. It's not too late to start reading your Bible, just start! There are many plans for reading through the bible in a year or even 2 years, pick one and get started!  Happy New Year and God bless you and your families. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom," (Collossians 3:16) 

The Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization

On Wednesday, 2nd, December 2021, the SCOTUS heard oral arguments in the case of Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization. Pro-abortion activists brought suit against the State of Mississippi for passing legislation that would ban abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy, but much more is at stake here. Mississippi's law is in direct contradiction to the 1973 Roe v Wade and its successor decision 20 years later, Casey. This is the case that pro-life advocates have been waiting for, the case that should overturn two birds with one stone. Scott G. Stewart Attorney General for the State of Mississippi opening address to the court was nothing short of masterful. "Mr. Chief Justice, and may it please the Court, Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood  v. Casey haunt our country. They have no basis in the constitution. They have no home in our history or traditions. They've damaged the democratic process. They poison the law. They've choked off compromise. For 50 years, they've kept this court at the center of a political battle that it can never resolve. And 50 years on they stand alone. No where else does this Court recognize a right to end a human life." The response by the Left was weak and very predictable. They are relying on 50 years of precedent, fairness (It's not fair to overturn Roe because for 50 years women have depended on it being there for them.) and this would be a step back from modernity and that is unthinkable!

Precedent alone is not a good enough reason to overturn any decision by the Court. Take for instance the 1896 decision, Plessy v. Ferguson, the court ruled that racial segregation was legal and did not violate the U.S. Constitution. It was overturned in 1952 in the case of Brown v. Board of Education.  Plessy was precedent for over 50 years, did that make it immutable law.? No, it was morally wrong and an unconstitutional decision that was correctly overturned. Roe and Casey likewise are unconstitutional, morally wrong and need to be overturned.

If Dobbs overturns Roe and Casey that will be a milestone victory for pro-lifers, but we can't sit on our laurels. The states will decide abortion laws for their own state separate from the others, therefore  we will be divided into pro-life states and pro-abortion states. We can not rest until abortion is gone from all 50 states. We must keep pressing on.