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Archive for October 15th, 2010

On Fridays, Diane Summers calls from KFUO radio in St. Louis.  Her program, “The Essence,” is music interspersed with devotional thoughts and observations on life under the Cross.  For 10-12 minutes, Diane is kind to focus on various aspects of Titus 2 for Life.  Diane understands.  We share the same worldview.  She reads my thoughts (can someone do that?) and the conversation flows.  But, then, why wouldn’t it when our common foundation is The Word?

Today, however, Diane caught me by surprise.  I was blogging.  I was taking time out from a week of filling soup bowls.  You know.  Lots and lots of people gather around: hungry and in need of filling up.  I’m not the pot.  More correctly, I’m the ladle used to serve out of The Pot (God’s Word).  That’s what an ezer does.  She’s a “helper.”  A server of helpfulness and encouragement.   Anyway…

There was Diane’s voice: “In a minute, we’re on.  You set?”  Near panic.  Queasy feeling.  But, when one can draw upon the Word of the Lord, one suddenly has something to say.  We “chatted” about the Titus 2 Retreat in Cedar Rapids, IA., last weekend.  We discussed the influence of the world on women and the ways that “older” woman can be of help to “younger” women.  “In the last days,” writes St. Paul to Timothy, “there will be times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self . . . ” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).  Such people “creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (vv. 6-7).

Diane understood where I was going… and a healthy dialogue followed.  We talked about how, in Rome, false teachers came to the doors of women at home.  Today, they do the same thing, entering our very homes by way of the internet, television personalities, and self-help books.  We are easily swayed, especially when in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Afterward, Diane laughed.  “That was fun!”  Then she added, “You didn’t seem caught by surprise at all.”

Well, here’s the thing.  When we fear — indeed, cling — to God, we are provided with all that is necessary for each moment of life — even when caught by surprise.  God is faithful.

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The television commercials sponsored by the Humane Society of the U.S. are emotional tear-jerkers.  How could the sad eyes of an abused or abandoned puppy not touch one’s heart?  Visiting the web site of the Humane Society, I learned how dedicated “humane” people are to saving the animals.

But, what would happen if Lutherans For Life, National Right to Life, Americans United for Life, or any other pro-human life organization would try to run televised commercials of abused and aborted human babies?  It has not been allowed.  Abortion, after all, is “legal.”  The abuse and killing of human babies is also profitable — even though it is biologically proven that human life begins at conception.  Even though ultra-sonography gives us a window to the womb.  Even though there is medical proof that pre-born babies feel pain.  Even though the brutality of partial-birth abortion is documented.

The Humane Society exists to “rescue animals from disasters,” “outlaw puppy mills,” and “end euthanasia of pets.”  This organization pleads with the American people to “Become a humane hero.”  They remind us that, for 50 years, Jane Goodall has persisted in a battle to save the chimps.  Even a caterpillar is valuable because, the Society says, “Size doesn’t matter.”

I am very fond of puppies.  I like chimps.  And, because I agree that size doesn’t matter, I am tender with caterpillars.  Intentional abuse of any of God’s creatures is wrong.  That’s why for 30 years, I’ve persisted in a battle to save the babies and bring hope to their moms and dads.  So, here’s my question:

If it is appropriate to passionately and graphically raise awareness of the abuse of puppies, why is it not also appropriate to raise the same kind of awareness concerning abuse of human babies?

My worldview tells me that a human is the “crown of God’s creation.”   Humans are called by God to be good stewards of the rest of creation.  We are held accountable for the protection and care of God’s world and all that live in it.  With this worldview, I maintain that all of life is safer.

From that perspective, it is a stain on humanity when many of the same people who defend a helpless puppy refuse to defend a helpless human child.  It makes no difference if the person is a Christian or not.  If a non-believer speaks up to defend a chimp, why would he remain silent when a child is pulled from her mother’s womb in pieces?  If a non-believer cries out when a puppy is left untreated by a vet and exposed to the elements, why would he keep silent when an aborted but still living child laid on a stone-cold counter is left untreated and exposed without cover or comfort?

The Humane Society wants to “end euthanasia of pets.”  But, where was their voice in defense of Terri Schiavo when her husband demanded she be euthanized?  Where is their voice in states like Oregon where euthanasia is legal for those who suffer depression or battle cancer?  Are not fathers, mothers, grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, and children more precious than pets?

The Humane Society defends the rights of our pets.  It does not place the right of the owner over the pet.  Why, then, don’t they join with pro-lifers who defend the lives of both mother and child rather than the rights of the mother over the child?

Heart-wrenching, graphic commercials of abused puppies leave a visual imprint on our minds and we are moved to compassion.  Why, then, doesn’t the Humane Society also support a televised partial-birth abortion to move hearts and minds to compassion?

The public and impassioned plea of the Humane Society on behalf of innocent puppies rings in our ears.  It is not considered strange or cultish.  Yet, when those of us who are pro-human life make sounds of biological and reasonable sense, we are told to silence our “religious” views.

Might there be room for one more on the protected list of the Humane Society: the human child?

Seems sane and sensible to me.  Does it you?

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Some things speak for themselves.

Printed on the Chilean miners’ shirts: “Porque en su mano estan los profundidades de la tierra, Y las alturas de los montes son suyas.”  Translation:

In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also

(Psalm 95:4)  Then, “de El es las Honor y la Gloria.”  Translation:

Of Him is the honor and glory.

On the left sleeve of their shirts was printed:

Jesus.

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