One of America's most open and obvious pro-life families is the Duggar family from Arkansas. Most people who follow the news or watch cable TV on TLC or DiscoveryHealth have probably heard of them or even seen their shows. Their current show, "17 Kids & Counting" is my favorite TV series. It is so inspiring and refreshing to see a sincere, beautiful, conservative Christian family proclaiming the Gospel of Life so openly by just simply living their lives.
However, many people do not think it's refreshing...in fact, they think it's almost sickening. Today is not the first timeI've heard this sentiment. I've read vehement articles online and seen a bitter YouTube video of people expressing their views about this family. They complain that birthing 18 children is disgusting and should not be happening; they bemoan the fact that the children are sheltered and don't date until they're ready for marriage; and they think that it's weird the girls wear only skirts.
The main topic I want to address is the number of children issue. This is partly why I have a problem with the label of "pro-choice": with pro-choicers, the "choice" which is emphasized is abortion (along with contraception). If you are truly "pro-choice," then why can't you be okay with ANY decision a woman makes? If pro-choicers think a woman has a right to have abortion-on-demand and no one is allowed to judge her for her choices, then why can't mothers birth 18 (or more) children without pro-choicers complaining and judging her? I don't understand why having an abortion is only between a woman and her doctor, but then birthing dozens of children is the whole world's business.
Every family has its ups and downs, but the Duggar family is mostly positive: the children are not abused, they live frugally but are well-cared for, they are loved immensely by their parents and siblings, they are well-mannered and mature, and they are happy, healthy, and kind. What else could one want from a family?
But yet, liberally-minded people complain. Granted, they may think their comments are well-grounded, but my opinion is that many of them say what they do out of bitterness and jealousy because they know, deep down, that the Duggar's have something they don't possess, whether it is a wholesome family life, siblings, loving parents who are still together, or a genuine faith in Jesus. These words from the American public show what a self-centered and anti-life culture we have become. We live for our own pleasures, and if something (or someone) isn't convenient, then we just throw it away and move on with our lives. If we don't "get anything out of it," then it's not worth it.
However, I must go against the mainstream and commend the Duggar family for their witness to life and faith. It's not easy living their kind of life, but they are happy living it because they know it's the right thing to do. They have definitely inspired me and given me hope.
One more thought about the pro-choice rhetoric. If individuals are going to call themselves "pro-choice," then they should act like it. If they want to live up to their name, then they should be happy for Jim Bob and Michelle because of what they have chosen.
However, there is a catch to this: the pro-choice crowd could turn around and say, "Well, then why can't YOU say, 'If a woman feels like she should have an abortion, then she should have it'?"
Here's my answer: I'm not all about choosing whatever I want (although, since I'm not perfect, I am selfish sometimes). I'm all about choosing what God wants, and He wants us to CHOOSE LIFE. I'm trying to show I'm serious about my label, which is PRO-LIFE.
To learn more about the Duggar family, visit www.Duggarfamily.com
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
12-Year-Old Pro-Life Speech
I just watched this video of a 12-year-old girl giving a five minute speech about abortion. She is so well articulated and passionate! We need more youth like her speaking out.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
An Empty Red Envelope
Today I received a Facebook message from Peter Shinn of ProLifeUnity.com, about a "quiet but clear" message we can all send to President Obama:
"From John and Bill
Dear Friends:
This afternoon a friend was praying about a number of things, and her mind began to wander. She was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions,permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. She has been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained her heart and so many of us to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.
As she was praying, she believed that God gave her an interesting idea. Out in the garage she had a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.
Here is what we all could do:
Get a red envelope. (You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores.)
On the front, address it to:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington , D.C. 20500
On the back, write the following message.
This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.
Responsibility begins with conception.
Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president."
Please spend a few dollars and a few moments to do this simple but potential powerful act...we all have to work together!
"From John and Bill
Dear Friends:
This afternoon a friend was praying about a number of things, and her mind began to wander. She was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions,permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. She has been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained her heart and so many of us to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.
As she was praying, she believed that God gave her an interesting idea. Out in the garage she had a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.
Here is what we all could do:
Get a red envelope. (You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores.)
On the front, address it to:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington , D.C. 20500
On the back, write the following message.
This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.
Responsibility begins with conception.
Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president."
Please spend a few dollars and a few moments to do this simple but potential powerful act...we all have to work together!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Real Help for Suffering Women - Intro
Yesterday, I was riding the D.C. Metro as usual, making my way to Union Station. The train I was on had stopped to drop off/pick up more passengers, and the train going the opposite way was also stopped. I glanced through the windows and saw a black and white poster in the other train. There was the picture of a lady and the title of the poster was:
"You don't have to suffer alone."
Hmm, wouldn't that be amazing if it were an advertisement offering help for women suffering after an abortion? I thought. But it probably isn't. I couldn't see the other words on the poster, and I began zoning out, waiting for the train to move.
Right before we pulled out from the stop, the people standing in front of the poster moved so that I could see the rest of the advertisement. It had the phone number: 1-888-456-HOPE and, in fact, it WAS an advertisement for post-abortive healing! I couldn't believe it, because I'd never seen anything like that in the Metro before.
I just Googled the phone number, and it turns out it is sponsored by Project Rachel. The website is: www.hopeafterabortion.com
Look for a longer post about the negative effects that abortion has on women, but that there IS hope and healing. Pro-lifers are waiting with loving arms to help these women!
"You don't have to suffer alone."
Hmm, wouldn't that be amazing if it were an advertisement offering help for women suffering after an abortion? I thought. But it probably isn't. I couldn't see the other words on the poster, and I began zoning out, waiting for the train to move.
Right before we pulled out from the stop, the people standing in front of the poster moved so that I could see the rest of the advertisement. It had the phone number: 1-888-456-HOPE and, in fact, it WAS an advertisement for post-abortive healing! I couldn't believe it, because I'd never seen anything like that in the Metro before.
I just Googled the phone number, and it turns out it is sponsored by Project Rachel. The website is: www.hopeafterabortion.com
Look for a longer post about the negative effects that abortion has on women, but that there IS hope and healing. Pro-lifers are waiting with loving arms to help these women!
Friday, February 6, 2009
MARYLAND LAWMAKER TO INTRODUCE PERSONHOOD AMENDMENT
I received an important e-mail from Keith Mason today, as follows:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Delegate Don Dwyer 410-841-3298 Office / 410-419-3870 Cell
Don.Dwyer@house.state.md.us
MARYLAND LAWMAKER TO INTRODUCE PERSONHOOD AMENDMENT
The Personhood movement is catching fire as Maryland joins 15 other states across the country working toward the legal recognition of all human beings as "persons" under the law.
Delegate Don H. Dwyer, Jr. will introduce a Personhood Amendment this coming week in the Maryland General Assembly. The amendment recognizes all human beings from their biological beginning as "persons."
"The personhood movement marks a monumental shift in pro-life legislation of the past 20 years," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League. "It strikes at the root of the culture of death and discusses life issues in their true context - as the foundation of all civil rights issues."
"Here we are some 36 years after Roe v. Wade, (the Supreme Court decision that decriminalized abortion), and we now have 3-D and 4-D color sonograms that give us a real-time look into the womb," Del. Dwyer said. "There is no doubt today that there is a human being in the womb and that human being should be considered a person."
Colorado became the first state last fall to allow its citizens to vote on a Personhood Amendment ballot initiative. "I believe that as we approach nearly 40 years since the court ruled on Roe v. Wade, we must once again open the public debate to review when each human being's life begins," Del. Dwyer said.
"There is no doubt today the human being in the womb is a person. In the end, my goal would be that not only Maryland, but every state, would grant the protections of the state and U.S. Constitutions to all persons, born and preborn."
Personhood USA PO Box 486 Arvada Co 80001
If you are a pro-lifer in Maryland, please take action in some way! I will post more information as I get it. You can access Keith Mason's Personhood website at: www.personhoodusa.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Delegate Don Dwyer 410-841-3298 Office / 410-419-3870 Cell
Don.Dwyer@house.state.md.us
MARYLAND LAWMAKER TO INTRODUCE PERSONHOOD AMENDMENT
The Personhood movement is catching fire as Maryland joins 15 other states across the country working toward the legal recognition of all human beings as "persons" under the law.
Delegate Don H. Dwyer, Jr. will introduce a Personhood Amendment this coming week in the Maryland General Assembly. The amendment recognizes all human beings from their biological beginning as "persons."
"The personhood movement marks a monumental shift in pro-life legislation of the past 20 years," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League. "It strikes at the root of the culture of death and discusses life issues in their true context - as the foundation of all civil rights issues."
"Here we are some 36 years after Roe v. Wade, (the Supreme Court decision that decriminalized abortion), and we now have 3-D and 4-D color sonograms that give us a real-time look into the womb," Del. Dwyer said. "There is no doubt today that there is a human being in the womb and that human being should be considered a person."
Colorado became the first state last fall to allow its citizens to vote on a Personhood Amendment ballot initiative. "I believe that as we approach nearly 40 years since the court ruled on Roe v. Wade, we must once again open the public debate to review when each human being's life begins," Del. Dwyer said.
"There is no doubt today the human being in the womb is a person. In the end, my goal would be that not only Maryland, but every state, would grant the protections of the state and U.S. Constitutions to all persons, born and preborn."
Personhood USA PO Box 486 Arvada Co 80001
If you are a pro-lifer in Maryland, please take action in some way! I will post more information as I get it. You can access Keith Mason's Personhood website at: www.personhoodusa.com
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