Minor Forced to Have an Abortion

From an email from the Pastor's Weekly Briefing (Focus on the Family) - April 1, 2005

by Tony Perkins

In another tragic story of a minor forced to have an abortion against her or her parents' wishes, a 14-year-old Illinois girl was taken out of school by the mother of the girl's boyfriend and brought to Hope Abortion Clinic in Granite City, Illinois. The older woman told the clinic she was the grandmother — a statement strangely true, although she was the grandmother of the child she had the clinic kill.

What is especially troubling about this story is that the girl's mother discovered where her daughter was and rushed down to the clinic to save her daughter from the abortion. The clinic refused to give her access to her daughter and called the police, who arrested the frantic mother. The idea that a clinic and law enforcement officials would deny a parent's legal and moral right to be with her daughter in such a difficult and life-changing moment is outrageous.

Certainly crimes were committed here; but the very fact that something like this could happen sheds light on the prevailing culture of death. It is time for the law to protect the rights of parents — not to mention the rights of the unborn.

(Tony Perkins is the president of the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C.)

Resurrection Sunday Review

Thanks to all who took part in the service and for your ministry! What a great day of reflecting on what Christ has done for us.

Easter Stats:

According to a recent Newsweek Poll, 78 percent of Americans believe that Jesus rose from the dead after the crucifixion, and 75 percent believe He was sent to earth to absolve mankind of sin.

The Newsweek article, "From Jesus to Christ," also reports that Christianity is now the world's largest faith, with two billion believers, or roughly 33 percent of the earth's population.

An original poem, by Julie Shenk.

"Easter Hope" -- by Julie G. Shenk

The hope of a dying world
Lies in the heart dying to itself
Transformed by the resurrection of Christ
Who anguished piercing nails and endured a crown of thorns
All to silence our deserved death sentence...
With love He freely took our place
So we could by faith cry---Eternity!

03/21/2005

I want to express great appreciation and thanks to those who worked so hard in preparing and in participation in the Palm Sunday program. It was a great experience and opportunity to share the Greatest Story with visitors and friends. Thanks again!

03/16/2005

I'm reminded of the serious responsibility of being an undershepherd to the Chief Shepherd. R. Albert Mohler makes the following quotation in the foreward to the book "On Being A Pastor: Understanding our Calling and Work."

“The Christian pastor holds the greatest office of human responsibility in all creation. He is called to preach the Word, to teach the truth to God’s people, to lead God’s people in worship, to tend the flock as a caring shepherd, and to mobilize the church for Christian witness and service. The pastor’s role also includes an entire complex of administrative and leadership tasks. Souls are entrusted to his care, the truth is entrusted to his stewardship, and eternal realities hang in the balance. Who can fulfill this job description?”

“Of course, the answer is that no man can fulfill this calling. The Christian pastor must acknowledge his absolute dependence upon the grace and mercy of God. As the apostle Paul instructs us, we are but earthen vessels employed for God’s glory. On his own, no man is up to this task.” p, 9

That is a sobering quotation!

03/11/2005

Christian Professor Looses his Job:

While University of Colorado officials are defending highly controversial professor Ward Churchill in the name of free speech, one of his colleagues, Professor Phil Mitchell, said his contract would officially not be renewed because "his teaching was not up to the department standards," according to Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi. Mitchell, who is an evangelical Christian, was winner in 1998 of the prestigious SOAR Award for teacher of the year. He has taught at the Hallet Diversity Program for 24 straight semesters.

After presenting a diverse opinion from black intellectual Thomas Sowell, Mitchell was berated as a racist. "That would have come as a surprise to my black children," said Mitchell, who has nine children, two of them adopted African-Americans. Also, after using a book on liberal Protestantism in the late 19th century, a student was offended by the word 'god' and the "department chair fired him without a meeting." Mitchell was later reinstated, but was never able to teach in the history department again. (reported by Focus on the Family - PWB Mar 11, 2005)

Sentence Illustrations (author/s unknown):

* Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.
* Peope are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.
* Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
* If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

• A founding member of the heavy metal band "Korn" says he has finally found true peace and fulfillment in a personal relationship with Christ. On March 5, Brian "Head" Welch was baptized in the Jordan River, just weeks after quitting his band, drug habits and rock-and-roll lifestyle for religion. (PWB, Mar 11, 2005) - We ought to be praying for Brian Welch, there have been other celebrities who have made professions of faith, but found the struggle and immediate attention too difficult, then reverted back to previous lifestyles (djp).

• A 43-foot cross at the top of Mount Soledad in La Jolla, Calif., erected as part of a veteran's war memorial over 50 years ago, will be moved. Moving the cross is a victory for an atheist, who, with help from the American Civil Liberties Union, waged a 15-year legal battle to get the cross removed because he maintained it violated the separation of church and state. (PWB, Mar 11, 2005)

03/07/2005

Sunday's Events

Thanking God for a good Sunday together as church family. Thought about the importance of the work of Christ as our Passover Lamb and the protection which He provides through His blood (Exodus 11:1-12:29). Also great to have a chance hear a mission's report from Larry & Vicki DeArmey. Larry & Vicki have been supported by Valley Grace for approximately 34 years and have served in France and are currently serving in Madrid, Spain. They are in the US for about 6 months and then will be returning to Spain.

Also appreciated having Terry White with us. Terry is the Editor of BMH (Brethren Missionary Herald) which has been the publishing arm of the Fellowship. One of the current ministries of BMH is "FGBC World" which is a newspaper published with the goal of keeping us up-to-date with what is taking place in the fellowship family.

Allen Robinson was installed as Assistant Pastor at Valley Grace with installation conducted by Jeff Semler, Vice-Moderator. Thanks to Terry White for the photo.

Technology & Future Events: I have read with interest the continuing development of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips. These are small chips, currently about the size of a grain of rice that transmits data to a receiver. Walmart was going to test them in their merchandise which would help them track it faster and easier, but due to public outcry caused by privacy concerns, they pulled back -- though there has been some further consideration of trying it again. Another use is to put the tag in an animal so that if the animal is found, that information (owner, registation, shots, etc.) can be scanned and retrieved. About a year ago, a boy and his parents decided to try this in Florida and caused a little stir. It has been reported that about 170 Mexico City Police have been implanted in case they are kidnapped. California was considering using this concept in a limited way on elementary school children (not implanted, but in a badge). Part of the consideration is that it would help in case of kidnappings, also make it easier to track attendance, and help to monitor who was in the building. But again, public outcry has sidelined this for a while (see article). There are many positive uses of such technology, as well as some great concerns. In light of God's revealed truth that during end time events it will not be possible to buy or sell without "the mark", this raises interesting insight into a possible means to accomplish this aspect of prophecy.

New Twist on Move to Reduce Abortions: Andrew Sullivan writes in "The Case for Compromise on Abortion" (TIME, March 7, 2005, p. 90) that Pro-Life and "Pro-Choice" groups need to compromise. His argument develops that since the stated goal of both groups is to reduce abortions ("Pro-choice" is now beginning to state this) the compromise is to make it easier to access contraception and by that to reduce the number of "unwanted" pregnancies, thereby reducing the number of abortions. What are your thoughts on this approach as a follower of Jesus Christ? (You can post comments be clicking below)

03/04/2005

Anglican Church Faces Split

The Worldwide Anglican Communion has delivered an ultimatum to the Episcopal Church USA and the Anglican Church of Canada: Stop endorsing homosexuality or leave the Anglican Communion! Both churches must cease ordaining homosexuals and presiding over same-sex ceremonies by 2008 or the worldwide body will sever direct ties.

Rev. Ellis Brust of the American Anglican Council called the delivery of the ultimatum a pivotal moment in Anglican history. "The revisionist theology that has taken hold in the Episcopal Church and in the church in Canada — as well as other parts of the Communion — has been rejected," said Brust. (from Pastor's Weekly Briefing 03/04/05)

Life expectancy in the United States has risen to a record 77.6 years due to declines in death rates from most major causes, according to the annual mortality report from the National Center for Health Statistics. Women still live longer than men, with a life expectancy of 80.1 years, 5.3 more than men. (from Pastor's Weekly Briefing 03/04/05)

How relevant is the UN any more? Perhaps it is time to disband it and quit funding it. Here is a tragic account of horrific crimes being perpretrated by those who are supposed to be keeping the peace in a war torn country. It is also a reminder of the importance of protecting those entrusted to our care! Follow the link to the story, "Crisis in the Congo": http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,149334,00.html

Tsunami Reflections: we have all seen the pictures of the devastation and suffering caused by the tsunami in the far east. I was reminded recently that there is something that is doing much greater damage on a continual basis and it seems that the world has not responded much to it. It is the AIDs epidemic which is taking place in Africa from which are many orphaned children.

03/01/2005

I want to express my appreciation for those who so often work behind the scenes to make things happen here at Valley Grace -- whether it is pushing snow, decorating for the children's ministries, AWANA, working in the nursery, helping to plan special programs, preparing for the fellowship meal, teaching classes, making contacts.... There are many individuals whom we don't often see doing the work, but we certainly see the results. Thanks for your ministry to the Lord!

The following announcement has been sent to the FGBC website: "It is with thanksgiving to the Lord that we announce that Allen Robinson has joined the staff at Valley Grace Brethren Church as Assistant Pastor of "Youth, Worship & Christian Ministries." Allen & Beth Robinson have been serving in the Waynesboro Grace Brethren Church."

We had a tremendous response to women interested in a Bible study. We now have to work out the logistics on it. Your prayers are appreciated! PS. If some of you women did not get a chance to give your response, it is not too late, contact the church office.