Five Months

It's worth going there again. . .

President Obama has made it clear by his reversal of the "Mexico City Policy" that abortion is going to be on the forefront of his political radar screen. That means that the topic is going to be discussed in the public sector with even more frequency and vigor than it has been in the past. I know I've visited and revisited this topic several times, but it's life and death we're talking about here. Innocent human lives being taken by the thousands every day. So, it's worth going there again.

John Piper published a thoughtful essay that gives 15 truths regarding the abortion "debate." It would behoove those of us who believe in the sanctity of every human life to study these points. There really is no reason that we should feel inadequate to answer the pro-choice arguments. Logic is on our side. Please take the time to read it (I've copied the majority of the text below but you can click on the link above for the original source):

Fifteen Pro-Life Truths to Speak

Download:

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By John Piper January 24, 2003

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"You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." - Jesus Christ

1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother's womb (except in the case of abortion).

2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.

3. Babies can sometimes survive on their own at 23 or 24 weeks, but abortion is legal beyond this limit.

4. Living on its own is not the criterion of human personhood, as we know from the use of respirators and dialysis.

5. Size is irrelevant to human personhood, as we know from the difference between a one-week-old and a six-year-old.

6. Developed reasoning powers are not the criterion of personhood, as we know from the capacities of three-month-old babies.

7. Infants in the womb are human beings scientifically by virtue of their genetic make up.

8. Ultrasound has given a stunning window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking, responding to sound. All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Virtually all abortions happen later than this date.

9. Justice dictates that when two legitimate rights conflict, the limitation of rights that does the least harm is the most just. Bearing a child for adoption does less harm than killing him.

10. Justice dictates that when either of two people must be inconvenienced or hurt to alleviate their united predicament, the one who bore the greater responsibility for the predicament should bear more of the inconvenience or hurt to alleviate it.

11. Justice dictates that a person may not coerce harm on another person by threatening voluntary harm on themselves.

12. The outcast and the disadvantaged and exploited are to be cared for in a special way, especially those with no voice of their own.

13. What is happening in the womb is the unique person-nurturing work of God, who alone has the right to give and take life.

14. There are countless clinics that offer life and hope to both mother and child (and father and parents), with care of every kind lovingly provided by people who will meet every need they can.

15.Jesus Christ can forgive all sins, and will give all who trusts him the help they need to do everything that life requires.

Can it get any sweeter?

Making Cookies With Gram

We're back in Singapore from a wonderful 3-week trip to California (well, wonderful, minus a run-in with the stomach flu). Here is little video of Caleb making cookies with Gram. I'll be posting more stories and updates soon. . . after the jet-lag wears off!