Worth a read

I found this article via Denny Burk. Here's an excerpt:

"Sen. Barack Obama's views on life issues ranging from abortion to embryonic stem cell research mark him as not merely a pro-choice politician, but rather as the most extreme pro-abortion candidate to have ever run on a major party ticket.


Barack Obama is the most extreme pro-abortion candidate ever to seek the office of President of the United States. He is the most extreme pro-abortion member of the United States Senate. Indeed, he is the most extreme pro-abortion legislator ever to serve in either house of the United States Congress.

Yet there are Catholics and Evangelicals-even self-identified pro-life Catholics and Evangelicals - who aggressively promote Obama's candidacy and even declare him the preferred candidate from the pro-life point of view.

What is going on here?

I have examined the arguments advanced by Obama's self-identified pro-life supporters, and they are spectacularly weak. It is nearly unfathomable to me that those advancing them can honestly believe what they are saying. But before proving my claims about Obama's abortion extremism, let me explain why I have described Obama as "pro-abortion" rather than "pro-choice.""

Read the whole essay here.

Fireproof

I finally went to watch Fireproof on Sunday night.

Let me start my review by saying I did not like "Facing the Giants" very much at all. I thought the acting was bad and the production was bad. (Yes, I do understand that the actors were not paid and that the movie was made on a $100,000 budget.) More importantly, I thought the overall message of the movie was bad.

I can get past bad acting and poor production, but the prosperity gospel does not fly with me. The message that I walked away from "facing the Giants" with, was that if I become a Christian, I will win two state football championships, have a brand new truck given to me and I'll get my infertile wife pregnant. As simple as that. Get saved, life is peachy. That is the basis of the prosperity gospel and the basis of the movie.

Fireproof did not portray the same message. When the movie first started, I thought the same thing: Bad acting, poor production quality. (Kirk Cameron was good.) However, after about ten minutes, the acting and production quality either got better or the story line was so engaging that I forgot all about everything else. I'll go with the former. The plot to this movie was so good, that I was hooked the entire time.

The prosperity gospel did not seem to be present in the story. It explained real and understandable ways that faith in God can strengthen our marriages. It was true to life in the fact that after the main character came to know Christ, his life did not instantaneously and miraculously take a turn for the better. Rather, he was attacked all the harder with temptation and trials. His marriage did indeed come together and work out, but the road there was rocky and torturous.

I would absolutely recommend this movie to anyone. Get out and see it!

This man makes me sick.

In keeping with a theme.....

Obama Statement on 35th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Decision

Chicago, IL | January 22, 2008
Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

"Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, it's never been more important to protect a woman's right to choose. Last year, the Supreme Court decided by a vote of 5-4 to uphold the Federal Abortion Ban, and in doing so undermined an important principle of Roe v. Wade: that we must always protect women's health. With one more vacancy on the Supreme Court, we could be looking at a majority hostile to a women's fundamental right to choose for the first time since Roe v. Wade. The next president may be asked to nominate that Supreme Court justice. That is what is at stake in this election.

"Throughout my career, I've been a consistent and strong supporter of reproductive justice, and have consistently had a 100% pro-choice rating with Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

"When South Dakota passed a law banning all abortions in a direct effort to have Roe overruled, I was the only candidate for President to raise money to help the citizens of South Dakota repeal that law. When anti-choice protesters blocked the opening of an Illinois Planned Parenthood clinic in a community where affordable health care is in short supply, I was the only candidate for President who spoke out against it. And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president.

"Moreover, I believe in and have supported common-sense solutions like increasing access to affordable birth control to help prevent unintended pregnancies. In the Illinois state Senate, when Congress failed to require insurance plans to cover FDA-approved contraceptives, I made sure those contraceptives were covered for women in Illinois. In the U.S. Senate, I've worked with Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) on a bill that would make birth control more affordable for low-income and college women, and introduced the Senate version of Representative Hilda Solis' bill to reduce unintended pregnancies in communities of color. As President, I will improve access to affordable health care and work to ensure that our teens are getting the information and services they need to stay safe and healthy.

"But we also know that Roe v. Wade is about more than a woman's right to choose; it's about equality. It's about whether our daughters are going to have the same opportunities as our sons. And so to truly honor that decision, we need to update the social contract so that women can free themselves, and their children, from violent relationships; so that a mom can stay home with a sick child without getting a pink slip; so that she can go to work knowing that there's affordable, quality childcare for her children; and so that the American dream is within reach for every family in this country. This anniversary reminds us that it's not enough to protect the gains of the past – we have to build a future that's filled with hope and possibility for all Americans."

In case you're wondering, it is my understanding that the Freedom of choice act would overturn all bans on abortion, including late term and partial birth abortions. This man is an extremist and the most liberal politician I've ever seen. I still don't especially like McCain, but I absolutely can not sit back and watch this man take office.

A question and a Hint at how I am voting

Who should I be more concerned about as I approach the polls this November? The countless Americans who live below the poverty line or the millions of unborn human lives who are murdered every year?

I would not dare to write to you that I don't care about the sick and the impoverished. However, I believe that Jesus teaches us that we as Christians need to care for them and lift them up again. Not only can we do just that, but it is perfectly legal and even smiled upon to do so. The church has a job to take care of them.

As for the millions of Babies who are aborted every decade, the church is powerless to stop it. At this point, only the government can stop it.

The fact is that people are telling me that I need to vote for the one who will try to right the injustices in this country. Well, in my mind, there is no greater injustice than killing a literally innocent life. That is the number one issue for me. That is the absolute first thing that I will consider when I vote in two months.

Your thoughts?

An Open Letter to God

Dear God,

I feel guilty for even thinking it; There are so many undeserving fathers and abusive husbands out there. There are so many who have never lifted a finger to help their communities. There are so many who have done nothing to better another man or woman’s life. Why would you take his life over theirs?

After all the sermons I’ve preached about trusting God…. “He knows what he’s doing,” I would say. Or “God has a perfect plan and he doesn’t make mistakes.” Or even “Everything happens for a reason.” It’s so easy for me to get on my high horse and spew these biblical teachings from the pulpit, yet when it comes time to apply them to real life scenarios, I’m left speechless and closed minded. I struggle to accept that you have a plan in all of this. That somehow, the ending of a 47 year old man’s life is a part of your divine will.

Just the other day I preached about the possibility that the murder of a seven year old boy was a part of your will. Hundreds were saved as a result of his death. The death of an 11 year old girl who was struck by lightning led to the salvation of here entire family. Yet, I’m selfish. This hits close to home and I don’t like it. I question you. I don’t understand that I have tunnel vision. What I see directly in front of my is something that I don’t like. It makes my uncomfortable. Open my eyes Lord and help me to understand your will.

Watching the never ending line of firefighters saluting there fallen comrade only makes it worse. His wife and his two children began to sob and I followed their lead. Even after a week to reflect, I’m having trouble piecing it all together. Will I ever understand your plan?

The verse that I’ve always leaned on is Romans 8:28. I know that all things work together for the good of those who love you and have been called according to your purpose, but I hope that doesn’t mean that I’m not allowed to question you. Sometimes things don’t make any sense. Some things might never make sense. This may be one of those things. It is my prayer that I can learn to trust you and only you. I pray that you might help me to understand that you have a plan that is perfect. One that far exceeds the reaches of my understanding.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. --Proverbs 3:5

-Timm