Newsletter for Sanctity of Life Sunday - Part 3

This article comes from Jordan (age 15) and is a review of a book that he received for Christmas which he excitedly read through twice in very short order! This book is a great call to uphold the sanctity of life no matter the cost!

Book Review of Glory, Duty, and the Gold Dome

I love books. I heartily agree with C.S. Lewis when he said, “Your book bill should be your biggest extravagance.”¹ A book review was the logical choice for my contribution to this issue of our newsletter. And Glory, Duty and the Gold Dome by Nathaniel Darnell was the perfect book for this issue because it deals with the sanctity of life for both injured and unborn people (in addition to being one of my favorite fictional books).

After a serious car crash, a young woman named Angela Bauer falls into a coma. Her estranged husband is eager to remove her life support, but a godly State Representative named John Richards, with aspirations to a U.S. Congress seat, steps in. Rep. Richards and his son Thomas fight against her husband and the courts to save her life—and that of her unborn baby. The Representative passes a bill (which the courts strike down) and calls on the Governor to intervene. His worst foes, however, come not from the courts, but the leader of his own party, Bill Wells, who calls himself pro-life, saying, “I go to church every Sunday. And we’re all pro-life, every one of us.”² But Rep. Wells has no scruples as to shedding blood for the sake of re-election.

“Look, John, I don’t care about the Bauers. That’s not the point. They’re a lost cause anyway. Nothing we could do would ultimately help them. What matters now is that we put out a resolution supporting them, and the other party makes a fuss opposing them. The voters see that and we ultimately get re-elected. What we’ve got to do is help ourselves.”³

Rep. Wells threatens to cut spending for many of Rep. Richards’ supporters in the House, who desert justice for the green dollars. But the most crushing blow comes from his son Thomas. He gives away their strategy plans to political foes. It is not a malicious act, but rather a well-intentioned unwise one done with the firm promise that this would seal his father’s election to Congress. After all, a seat in the U.S. Congress to uphold righteousness is more important than fighting for someone who’ll die anyway, right? But he did not realize that this would cause Rep. Richards—his loving father—to be arrested. Will Angela and her baby survive now that their foremost defender is behind bars? And will Rep. Richards get his U.S. Congress seat?

The main message of the book could be summed up in Representative Richards’ own words. Are you “willing to take the ball to the goal line?”⁴ , that is, will you stand firm on your convictions and see them through to the finish? A “conservative” or “pro-life” stand is not enough. Rep. Wells was both conservative and pro-life, but he was pragmatic, that is, to him, the end justified the means. “Do evil that good may come,” he might have said. Don’t waste time on some woman and her baby who’ll die anyway. What matters is that we get re-elected to keep the House conservative. Romans 3:8 speaks out against this:

“And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil that good may come? whose damnation is just.” (KJV)

We must rise above this cowardice. We must stick to Biblical principles, though the world ridicules us, and though our friends betray us. The Lord does see us, and He will ultimately reward a faithful stand for Biblical principles, if not here on this earth, then in heaven.

I freely admit that I cannot do this wonderful book justice, so I heartily recommend that you purchase it from Vision Forum—phone number 1-800-440-0022, website www.visionforum.com. It is also available at Mr. Darnell’s website, www.siresandsons.com

¹ Terry W. Glaspey, Not A Tame Lion: The Spiritual Legacy of C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia, (Nashville: Cumberland House Publishing, 2005)—p. 120

² Nathaniel Darnell, Glory, Duty, and the Gold Dome, (San Antonio: Vision Forum, 2009)— p. 162

³ Ibid.—p. 163

⁴ Ibid.– p. 120

Newsletter for Sanctity of Life Sunday - Part 2

The second article posted from our newsletter was penned by Aidan (age 13) and discusses how abortion is morally wrong when the Bible is our standard, not simply because it is murder (which is wicked and heinous enough), but also because it violates other Scriptural commands and principles.

Why Abortion Is Sin

There are many reasons why abortion is sin.

It is obviously murder and the Bible commands in Exodus 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill.” (KJV) This commandment includes all people. So that means that abortion is the same as shooting someone because they do not like that person. Murdering anyone is certainly wrong, but especially unborn babies since they are helpless and cannot defend themselves. Some people might think that babies in the womb are not people because they do not look like a baby, and because they are not fully developed. They even call an unborn baby a fetus to make it sound like that baby is not a person and that it is okay to kill that baby. It is similar to saying that a two year old is not a person because he or she does not look like a one hundred year old.

Children are a gift from God, so God’s gift should not be harmed. You would not feel happy if someone would destroy your gift, so you can probably guess how God feels when people destroy His gift, and think that children are a hindrance.

Also, abortion is selfish and self-centered that people are willing to hurt a helpless, innocent, unborn person just so that they can do what they want. They should instead be thinking of what others need, not of what they want, and putting yourself above others is wrong. The Bible says, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.” (Romans 12:3, KJV) This verse includes all people, not just males.

Another thing people might think is that the world is over populated. But someone figured out that everyone in the world could easily fit in the state of Alaska, so that idea is not true. Even if the world was full, that would be good because the Bible states, “God blessed them (Adam and Eve) and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28, NIV)

These are some of the reasons why abortion is wrong, and why it should not be done.

Newsletter for Sanctity of Life Sunday - Part 1

We have embarked on an exciting new adventure as a family whereby we have created our very first family newsletter. For this initial newsletter, each member of the family wrote an article related to the sanctity of life. The articles contained in this newsletter will be posted on this blog for your edification and encouragement in living a life of godliness.

The first article is written by Amara (age 8) and recounts the blessing of receiving the news that we were going to have a baby, along with her joyful expectation of the arrival of her baby sister.

Good News!

God has answered our prayers. We were praying for a baby. One exciting winter day, Dad told my family (including me) that Mom was going to have a baby. I shed tears at the thought of having a little baby brother or sister. I had two older brothers, Jordan (14) and Aidan (12). At Christmas, we told our Grandparents that Mom was going to have a baby. We told our church, too.

The first time our family went to the doctor’s appointment, I got to see the baby! And I got a picture of the baby inside Mom! As Mom and the baby kept growing, my family and I got to feel the baby moving around. Occasionally we would feel the baby’s hiccups.

None of us knew if the baby was a boy or girl. “It was more exciting that way,” Mom told us. Dad did not want to know either. So, we waited until the baby was born.

Winter ended and spring came. We prepared for the baby by making food and cleaning the house. Then spring left and summer came. Summer was exciting because that was the season that the baby was going to be born! “July 10^th is when the baby is going to be born!” said Dad.

Finally it was July 10^th! We drove to the hospital and waited until Mom was called back. When dad came to tell us, we were very excited. It’s a girl! Tirzah Mercy Jachim! Then dad took us back to see the baby. The first time I saw the baby, I noticed the gift of God in babies. SINCE BABIES ARE GIFTS FROM GOD, WE SHOULD NOT HARM THEM. In Psalm 127:3, the Bible says

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” (KJV)

Merry Christmas 2009!

Our family had a very blessed Christmas celebration! We rejoice in the birth of our Savior! We share with you again this year the Christmas letter that I (David) read to the family prior to opening our gifts for the purpose of setting our minds on what is truly important! May this letter be a blessing to all of you!

As we celebrate the birth of our blessed Savior, may our thoughts and attention not primarily be on the gifts that we are giving or receiving, but may our foremost focus be on the gift that God has provided to us through His Only Son, the Lord Jesus! It is Christ alone that brings true meaning and purpose behind each and every day of our lives! That meaning and purpose is amplified during this very special time of observing the miracle of the entrance of the promised Messiah into the world! This year it is my sincere prayer that our Christmas celebration will accomplish the following objectives:

• First, that it will be honoring to our Savior’s Name
• Second, that it will create many special family memories that we will each treasure for a lifetime
• Third, that it will knit our hearts even stronger to one another

We have much to celebrate as it is through the miracle of the manger when God became man and made His dwelling among us that we have one of the essential parts of the plan of salvation! The Gospel of John tells us the following:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14 KJV)

What an amazing statement that the very Word of God took on human form and dwelt among us! This Christmas may our hearts be filled with gratitude for the Word and the incredible privilege that the Lord has provided us by allowing us to know this Word personally and intimately! This gratitude for the Word should lead us to action and may our hearts be invigorated in our commitments to the Holy One of Israel. First, may each of us have a commitment to more deeply know the nature and character of the One who is called the King of the Jews. There is no better way to get to know Him than to communicate with Him through the diligent reading of His Word and the consistent prayer showing our love and dedication to coming into His presence! Second, may each one of us have stronger resolve to apply what we learn to every aspect of our lives. May we not fall into the trap of segregating our lives into areas that are sacred and those that are secular, but may we seek to take every thought, word, and deed into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Third, may each of us be ready to share the truth that God communicates to us with those whom we come into contact. May our hearts be right as we proclaim the precepts, patterns, and principles of Holy Scripture to others clothed in an attitude of gentleness and respect.

Indeed, this time is very special and dear as we gather together and remember what the Bible teaches us about Jesus entering this world in the fullness of time for the purpose of carrying out God’s perfect plan of redemption. The memories that I have of celebrating Christmas together as a family in past years are very precious and sweet! May this year carry with it many joyous and special times that we will treasure for a lifetime! What a blessing it is to have each one of you with which to celebrate this very blessed occasion!

Jill, my dearly beloved help-meet, I am so grateful to have you as my precious bride and wife! You are so special and dear to me and I want you to specifically know how much I appreciate all of your preparations for making our Christmas at home such a memorable time for all of us in this household.

Jordan, I appreciate your willingness to work in so many ways to help get everything ready for this special day! As you continue to grow and mature in godly manhood, may you know that I will seek to be your guide to help you in establishing a firm foundation on which you can build for the future.

Aidan, it is such a blessing to see how grateful and excited you get about giving and receiving presents. You show such a delight at describing the features of the gifts that you give or receive, which in turn is a great encouragement to everyone else in this family!

Amara, thank you for being in training for a keeper at home and may you always find joy in preparing for each special occasion! I so appreciate your willingness to care for your baby sister to enable others to get ready for our Christmas celebration and for your desire to help wrap gifts that were not your own to give.

Tirzah, what a delight it is to have you in our family for your very first Christmas (outside of the womb) and while you likely will not remember this day, we hope that our pictures, videos, and even this letter will show to you the importance that we placed on making this day special for you! We are very blessed to have you added to this household and my prayer is that you will become a godly girl and a woman of great virtue!

You each have a very special place in my heart and I am so blessed to have you as part of my dear and precious family! I love you all very dearly!! Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!

5 Months!

Our Tirzah is 5 months old! I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed. She is such a delight! She laughs often and smiles at nearly everyone.

We love watching her grow. We pass various developmental milestones with mixed feelings. We are so thrilled to see her do something new (grab for a toy, laugh, roll over...). It is exciting and we cheer her on. But it is also bittersweet, knowing she is a baby for such a short time. The time passes all too quickly as it is. How sad that so many people wish the time away. You will never get it back. You can look at pictures, but it is not the same, of course.

We are so blessed.

Here she is at almost 5 months old. Her daddy loves to stand her on the floor like this because she looks so tiny compared to our heights! Too cute. She likes it, too, can you tell?

~J

Baby Laughs

This isn't the best (of course she laughs more when we're not filming), but it's fun anyway.

It is from the end of October when Tirzah was 3 1/2 months old.

~J

Happy 13th Birthday, Aidan!

We rejoice today in our home as we celebrate the 13th birthday of our son, Aidan!

Aidan, you are a blessing from the Lord and we are very thankful to have you as part of this family! This year we offer the following prayers for your birthday:

• We pray that you will have a love for the Lord and for His Holy Word! May you grow in your relationship with God and may you always be looking for ways that you can apply what is outlined in Scripture to how you live each day.

• We pray that you will always be fighting against the battle of the flesh and will seek to live a life that is holy and pleasing to the Lord!

• We pray that you will have joy in every situation that God places you in life. May you know that the God that you serve has a plan and a purpose that specifically includes you! May that truth give you joy, hope, and encouragement as you look to the future that is before you.

• We pray that you will be a good testimony of God's grace and mercy through your words and your actions. May all that you do be a witness of the power of God that is able to make all things new!

• We pray that you will always see children as a gift of God, just as the Bible teaches. Your love for your new baby sister Tirzah has been a great encouragement to us as we watch your excitement over the growth and development of this new addition to our family. May you learn much about the training and care of children in preparation for fatherhood as you grow up with your siblings.

• We pray that you will know that you are special and dearly loved! Your positive outlook, your desire to lift up those that are hurting, and your ability to make others laugh are just some of the reasons that you are such a blessing to your family.

May these prayers for you be a blessing to you and may you know that we are excited to be celebrating this special occasion with you today! There is great significance to the turning of 13 years old and we are glad that we can share this milestone with you!

Happy 13th Birthday, Aidan!