This coming Sunday (1/23/11) is "Sanctity of Human Life Sunday". It started 23 years ago in an effort to, "Raise awareness...Reach out with nonjudgmental, compassionate support and practical help to women facing unplanned pregnancies." (from a Facebook page created by Care Net).
Let me be clear, I am all for compassion toward the whole abortion issue. This post is in NO WAY a 'slap' toward "Sanctity of Human Life Sunday" in any way, shape, or form. Yet let us not forget a few things...
1) Abortion is a complex issue. Do not read more into the statement than what is written (and I know that is open-ended).
2) If you are pro-life that means you are just that, "Pro-Life". While it may sound redundant, it is important to note that a true "sanctity of life" stance will extend compassion to anyone and everyone (more to come later).
3) It seems to me some issues are overlooked (neglected, ignored, ?) in the abortion issue (as I said, it is complex). One of these is the factor of finances. Did you know 42% of those having abortions live on $10,830 a year or less? Did you know an additional 27% live on $21,552 or less a year? DO NOT think you read what I did not say. What I said is statistics show nearly 70% of those having abortions live on $21,552 or less a year.
What is The Church to do about this? What have the people of God done historically? Does a Kingdom perspective influence anything at all?
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Lord teach us to...
If you could ask Jesus anything, what would it be? This could be a search for an answer or it could be for help. So, what would it be?
I find it interesting how the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to raise good children. Oh wait, that isn't in there... I find it interesting how the disciples asked Jesus to help them have a good marriage. Oh wait, not there either... I find it interesting how the disciples asked Jesus to help them manage their money better and even to have more money to pursue the "American Dream". Whoops, not there again... I find it interesting how the disciples asked Jesus...
From my (admittedly) limited knowledge of Scripture, the disciples only asked Jesus to teach them how to do one thing - pray.
I am not sure what I find more interesting a) how Jesus answered their question or b) how many Christians do not pay attention to His answer (at least that seems to be the case). I wish I could grasp the depth of Luke 11:2-4 (Jesus' answer). The words in our English text look too simple, too unassuming, too plain... Is that really all the better the Lord of the Universe could do?
At this point I must be honest, prayer is a mystery to me. I do not understand it - but I want to. I do not pray enough - but I want to pray more. I have not paid attention enough to it in the Bible - but I am starting (again). For some reading this who know me these admissions may come as a bit of a surprise. Forgive me if I have put on a facade which would indicate I know more about prayer than I do. I try to be honest...but I do not know if I have publicly ever said prayer is a mystery to me. I look forward to exploring the mystery the next few Sundays. Believe me, we will not come even close to scratching the surface (let alone exhausting it) - but it seems the journey of knowing prayer deserves looking at it for a while, reflecting, implementing, and then returning to it at a later date...
What about you? What do you not understand about prayer? What have you learned? We learn best (and apply what we learn best) in community.
I find it interesting how the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to raise good children. Oh wait, that isn't in there... I find it interesting how the disciples asked Jesus to help them have a good marriage. Oh wait, not there either... I find it interesting how the disciples asked Jesus to help them manage their money better and even to have more money to pursue the "American Dream". Whoops, not there again... I find it interesting how the disciples asked Jesus...
From my (admittedly) limited knowledge of Scripture, the disciples only asked Jesus to teach them how to do one thing - pray.
I am not sure what I find more interesting a) how Jesus answered their question or b) how many Christians do not pay attention to His answer (at least that seems to be the case). I wish I could grasp the depth of Luke 11:2-4 (Jesus' answer). The words in our English text look too simple, too unassuming, too plain... Is that really all the better the Lord of the Universe could do?
At this point I must be honest, prayer is a mystery to me. I do not understand it - but I want to. I do not pray enough - but I want to pray more. I have not paid attention enough to it in the Bible - but I am starting (again). For some reading this who know me these admissions may come as a bit of a surprise. Forgive me if I have put on a facade which would indicate I know more about prayer than I do. I try to be honest...but I do not know if I have publicly ever said prayer is a mystery to me. I look forward to exploring the mystery the next few Sundays. Believe me, we will not come even close to scratching the surface (let alone exhausting it) - but it seems the journey of knowing prayer deserves looking at it for a while, reflecting, implementing, and then returning to it at a later date...
What about you? What do you not understand about prayer? What have you learned? We learn best (and apply what we learn best) in community.
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