Good News

Hey all, just wanted to let you know that my dad was certified diabetes free as of a few days ago. He's been losing a lot of weight and seriously trying to stop smoking. Thanks for the continued prayers.

Hello world

Just wanted to congratulate Caleb & Mandie Alexander on their new little baby girl Emilie. Praise the Lord another life has entered the world! My best to the three of you.

Gone too far

This is an interesting and rather disturbing article about prayer, and the military's view of it, from the perspective of an officer under court marshall. Scary stuff if this goes where it logically must down this path.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=50821

This of course leads to another issue. I'll be quick about this one. I'm here by banning the use of the word "offended" and all of its variaous derivatives. It's far too overused in this society. Our culture has become a self centric, me first pluralistic tour de force of whiners, complainers, backbiters and ultrasensitive victim mentalities.

This is important please read it all

Normally, I'm a fan of charities and philanthropic ventures like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, but every so often you come across something that makes you wonder what evil is being mixed in with all the good that these organizations are doing (and they are doing quite a bit of good don't get me wrong). This link is just an example of what I am talking about. It makes me sick to think about it honestly.

How can the Gates Foundation say in their values statement, and I quote, "All lives, no matter where they are being led - have equal value." and "To whom much has been given, much is expected."? (Gates Foundation) Yet they support the most egregious act upon a human who has no natural or legal defense to counteract the "treatment" being administered to them for "the good of society" or "the health and well-being of the mother". What about the "health and well-being" of the baby!

First off, if the foundation states that all lives matter and have equal value, then what about those who haven't had the "privilege" of coming out of the womb yet? What about them? Children have been consistently denied their right to life given by God Almighty.

The Gates Foundation is only a symptom of the far greater issue in the world of a slide in to moral relevancy. I realize that much has already been written on this subject, but I am adding my two cents in for what it may be worth.

Every year nearly 46,000,000 children who would have been born and given the chance to see the light of day are systematically murdered and disposed of. That's around 126,000 innocents slaughtered every day! To put that number into perspective, think about it like this: if you got the entire populace of Bozeman, Billings and Helena together and "disposed" of them you would have around the same number of folks out of the way. Now do that every day. Now think about this in comparison, if the tables were turned and people who had the opportunity to be born were taken out at such a rate, the United States alone would cease to exist in a little over 7 years.

So, if "To whom much is given, much is expected" then shouldn't those who are given the opportunity to live be expected to shoulder the responsibility to protect those that have been denied that right? A good place to start looking into all of this would be at the National Right to Life website. They offer a good deal of information into the subject. (Warning: The partial birth abortion animation on the main page is quite graphic, but unfortunately accurate)

Look, I will be the first to say that I believe this not to be a political issue, but a moral and spiritual one. Of course, it has to get political at some point to renege the laws that are already on the books, but that should really be it. The issue shouldn't be used for political posturing or to simply get yourself elected. Abortion is wrong, plain and simple. Abortion is NEVER the answer. I don't really care what argument is thrown at it. Does that make me "insensitive" or "uncaring" about mothers? No. It simply means that I have a position on the issue and strong beliefs to back it up.

If it really was just a hunk of fetal tissue that gained life the moment it came out (that would be magic the only way I can figure) and started crying, then this would be a much different issue. But the facts are clear, and I might add obvious for anyone with a first grade education or higher and half a will to believe it. How anyone sees that a baby isn't alive in the womb is beyond my simple grasp of life.

It's my belief that none of this will ever change for the better unless we, as Christians, begin reaching out in love, instead of derision, to those who are hurting and have had or are considering/performing abortions. It runs the gambit folks, we can't just simply pick and choose who to love and who to hate. Jesus said to love your enemies, he never said we had to like them or adopt their ways. Maybe, if we show the other side a little compassion and our willingness to help, they won't see us as a bunch of radical conservative right-wing bigots (as they like to generally and inaccurately refer to us). We are not permitted to hate those who are connected with abortion. We are, however, commanded to bring them the good news of Jesus Christ. And really, He's the only one who can ever change their minds anyway. Why not introduce them to the better way of life, and help them find a path through the darkness? There is no reason not to, and at least 42,000,000 reasons every year to do so.

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/AboutUs/OurValues/default.htm

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Happy birthday kiddo! Just heard today that it was your birthday on Saturday. Congratulations, you made it to another one! Keep going! God loves you and we all want to see you again up here in Havre whenever you all can make it.
-Anthony