Day 12 - January 31, 2013 - Senators Ruff, Stosch, Wagner & Watkins
Thank you, friends, for joining me in this "5 Minutes a Day" campaign. Tomorrow will be our last day of sending e-mails. Hang in there!
Senators Ruff, Stosch, Wagner & Watkins are the other four Republicans who voted to "re-commit" HB1 to the Senate Education and Health Committee. Apart from that, I don't know much about them. I do know, however, that the Republican Party professes a commitment to the protection of human life. For that reason, I think we should contact them with the same message that we sent to Senator Norment yesterday.
Dear Senator,
I was deeply disappointed to learn of your vote last session to "re-commit" House Bill 1--the quintessential "life at conception" bill--to the Senate Education and Health Committee. As you know, that Committee held a full and lengthy hearing on the bill in which both sides had ample opportunity to present their arguments. I was told that every "question" raised about the bill was, in fact, answered during the hearing. At the end of the hearing, the Committee voted (8-7) to report the bill to the Senate floor for an up or down vote.
Under these circumstances, it appears that your vote to send the bill back to the Committee was nothing less than a manipulation of the legislative process. This bill was vetted through all the proper channels, and it therefore should have received a full, recorded vote on its substance (not just on the motion to send it back to the Committee).
I understand that many politicians have determined that it is time to "move on" from divisive issues such as abortion. But please know that I and countless other Virginians recognize this as a human rights issue. We will not "move on" until the laws of our Commonwealth recognize that life begins at conception and provide basic legal protections for every member of the human family from conception until natural death. In our view, any legislator who is not willing to work to secure the unalienable right to life should not be entrusted with the incredible responsibility of lawmaking.
I hope that you will re-examine your position on this measure, and I am praying toward this end.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Ruff's e-mail address: district15@senate.virginia.gov.
Senator Stosch's e-mail address: district12@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Wagner's e-mail address: district07@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Watkins' e-mail address: district10@senate.virginia.gov
Please pray for these men.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 11
Day 11 - January 30, 2013 - Speaking Truth to Power
Senator Tommy Norment (a Republican from the Williamsburg area) is the Senate Majority Leader. He led the charge in "re-committing" House Bill 1 back to the Education and Health Committee mere hours after a full hearing resulted in the Committee's reporting the bill for a recorded floor vote of the full Senate.
While Senator Norment told reporters that he thought there were "questions" about the bill that needed further consideration, the fact is that every "question" raised about the bill was definitively answered. Furthermore, Senator Norment has refused my offers to meet personally with him at a time and place of his choosing to answer any legal "questions" to his satisfaction.
If a man's heart is set against the recognition, for purposes of Virginia law, that human life begins at conception, there is probably little we can do to change that. But we know the One who can and does change hearts. And beyond that, I believe it is our duty, as Christians, to "speak truth to power" by letting Senator Norment know that we disapprove of his standing in the way of efforts to lay a foundation for the protection of human life in the womb.
Are you with me?
Dear Senator Norment,
I was deeply disappointed to learn of your vote last session to "re-commit" House Bill 1--the quintessential "life at conception" bill--to the Senate Education and Health Committee. As you know, that Committee held a full and lengthy hearing on the bill in which both sides had ample opportunity to present their arguments. I was told that every "question" raised about the bill was, in fact, answered during the hearing. At the end of the hearing, the Committee voted (8-7) to report the bill to the Senate floor for an up or down vote.
Under these circumstances, it appears that your vote to send the bill back to the Committee was nothing less than a manipulation of the legislative process. This bill was vetted through all the proper channels, and it therefore should have received a full, recorded vote on its substance (not just on the motion to send it back to the Committee).
I understand that many politicians have determined that it is time to "move on" from divisive issues such as abortion. But please know that I and countless other Virginians recognize this as a human rights issue. We will not "move on" until the laws of our Commonwealth recognize that life begins at conception and provide basic legal protections for every member of the human family from conception until natural death. In our view, any legislator who is not willing to work to secure the unalienable right to life should not be entrusted with the incredible responsibility of lawmaking.
I hope that you will re-examine your position on this measure, and I am praying toward this end.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Norment's e-mail address: district03@senate.virginia.gov.
Please pray for Senator Norment.
Senator Tommy Norment (a Republican from the Williamsburg area) is the Senate Majority Leader. He led the charge in "re-committing" House Bill 1 back to the Education and Health Committee mere hours after a full hearing resulted in the Committee's reporting the bill for a recorded floor vote of the full Senate.
While Senator Norment told reporters that he thought there were "questions" about the bill that needed further consideration, the fact is that every "question" raised about the bill was definitively answered. Furthermore, Senator Norment has refused my offers to meet personally with him at a time and place of his choosing to answer any legal "questions" to his satisfaction.
If a man's heart is set against the recognition, for purposes of Virginia law, that human life begins at conception, there is probably little we can do to change that. But we know the One who can and does change hearts. And beyond that, I believe it is our duty, as Christians, to "speak truth to power" by letting Senator Norment know that we disapprove of his standing in the way of efforts to lay a foundation for the protection of human life in the womb.
Are you with me?
Dear Senator Norment,
I was deeply disappointed to learn of your vote last session to "re-commit" House Bill 1--the quintessential "life at conception" bill--to the Senate Education and Health Committee. As you know, that Committee held a full and lengthy hearing on the bill in which both sides had ample opportunity to present their arguments. I was told that every "question" raised about the bill was, in fact, answered during the hearing. At the end of the hearing, the Committee voted (8-7) to report the bill to the Senate floor for an up or down vote.
Under these circumstances, it appears that your vote to send the bill back to the Committee was nothing less than a manipulation of the legislative process. This bill was vetted through all the proper channels, and it therefore should have received a full, recorded vote on its substance (not just on the motion to send it back to the Committee).
I understand that many politicians have determined that it is time to "move on" from divisive issues such as abortion. But please know that I and countless other Virginians recognize this as a human rights issue. We will not "move on" until the laws of our Commonwealth recognize that life begins at conception and provide basic legal protections for every member of the human family from conception until natural death. In our view, any legislator who is not willing to work to secure the unalienable right to life should not be entrusted with the incredible responsibility of lawmaking.
I hope that you will re-examine your position on this measure, and I am praying toward this end.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Norment's e-mail address: district03@senate.virginia.gov.
Please pray for Senator Norment.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 10
Day 10 - January 29, 2013 - Preparations...
Friends, so far we have been sending our notes to Senators who have, at some point or another, voted for the protection of human life. These have been easy, haven't they?
Today, let's ask God to prepare our hearts to "Speak Truth to Power." Tomorrow we will send a firm message to the Republicans who have teamed up with "pro-choice" legislators to defeat pro-life goals.
Let's also ask God to prepare their hearts to receive this message. And let's pray that any public official who would sacrifice the cause of life on the altar of political ambition would lose his or office.
Friends, so far we have been sending our notes to Senators who have, at some point or another, voted for the protection of human life. These have been easy, haven't they?
Today, let's ask God to prepare our hearts to "Speak Truth to Power." Tomorrow we will send a firm message to the Republicans who have teamed up with "pro-choice" legislators to defeat pro-life goals.
Let's also ask God to prepare their hearts to receive this message. And let's pray that any public official who would sacrifice the cause of life on the altar of political ambition would lose his or office.
Monday, January 28, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 9
Day 9 - January 28, 2013 - Senator Harry Blevins
Friends, thank you for hanging in there with me and (I hope!) sending e-mails to these Senators who have been entrusted with the high duty of lawmaking. I believe that we are planting seeds that will, at some point, bear fruit. Just a few more days to go...
If you read Day 7, you will recall that the Senate Education and Health Committee, which hears all abortion-related bills in the Senate, is comprised of 8 Republicans and 7 Democrats. The 7 Democrats reliably vote against any measure that would provide greater protection for pre-born human life. 7 of the Republicans consistently vote for these measures, leaving one Republican "swing vote" in the middle. Meet Senator Blevins.
In the meetings I have had with Senator Blevins, he has always insisted that he will not decide (or at least not announce) his position on pro-life legislation before the Committee hearing. I can respect this decision, and I have spent my time with him simply offering to answer any questions he might have about House Bill 1 (the quintessential life-at-conception bill). When HB1 was heard in Committee last year, many, many questions were raised, and I believe each one was answered definitively by either Delegate Bob Marshall (the bill's patron) or myself. This, I believe, is why Senator Blevins voted for the measure, and it was reported to the floor.
Mere hours later, when Republican leaders teamed up with Democrats to spring a rarely-used procedural maneuver to send the bill right back to the Committee for "further study," Senator Blevins voted with the leadership to send back the bill he had just voted to report! I don't know what his reasons were, and he has since refused my requests for a meeting.
Let's reach out to Senator Blevins today.
Dear Senator Blevins,
I understand that you have sent mixed signals about your support for a bill that would recognize, for purposes of Virginia law, that human life begins at conception. As a Virginian who believes that it is imperative for our laws to recognize this basic scientific fact, I implore you to take a strong, consistent stand on this matter. While many elected officials choose daily to bow to pressures of party leaders or the political climate on a host of issues, this is one issue that is too fundamental to admit compromise. I am praying for you today--that you would have great courage to pursue principle over politics.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Blevins' e-mail address: district14@senate.virginia.gov
Please pray for Senator Blevins, that he would take a stand against those who would use him as a pawn for their own political purposes.
Friends, thank you for hanging in there with me and (I hope!) sending e-mails to these Senators who have been entrusted with the high duty of lawmaking. I believe that we are planting seeds that will, at some point, bear fruit. Just a few more days to go...
If you read Day 7, you will recall that the Senate Education and Health Committee, which hears all abortion-related bills in the Senate, is comprised of 8 Republicans and 7 Democrats. The 7 Democrats reliably vote against any measure that would provide greater protection for pre-born human life. 7 of the Republicans consistently vote for these measures, leaving one Republican "swing vote" in the middle. Meet Senator Blevins.
In the meetings I have had with Senator Blevins, he has always insisted that he will not decide (or at least not announce) his position on pro-life legislation before the Committee hearing. I can respect this decision, and I have spent my time with him simply offering to answer any questions he might have about House Bill 1 (the quintessential life-at-conception bill). When HB1 was heard in Committee last year, many, many questions were raised, and I believe each one was answered definitively by either Delegate Bob Marshall (the bill's patron) or myself. This, I believe, is why Senator Blevins voted for the measure, and it was reported to the floor.
Mere hours later, when Republican leaders teamed up with Democrats to spring a rarely-used procedural maneuver to send the bill right back to the Committee for "further study," Senator Blevins voted with the leadership to send back the bill he had just voted to report! I don't know what his reasons were, and he has since refused my requests for a meeting.
Let's reach out to Senator Blevins today.
Dear Senator Blevins,
I understand that you have sent mixed signals about your support for a bill that would recognize, for purposes of Virginia law, that human life begins at conception. As a Virginian who believes that it is imperative for our laws to recognize this basic scientific fact, I implore you to take a strong, consistent stand on this matter. While many elected officials choose daily to bow to pressures of party leaders or the political climate on a host of issues, this is one issue that is too fundamental to admit compromise. I am praying for you today--that you would have great courage to pursue principle over politics.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Blevins' e-mail address: district14@senate.virginia.gov
Please pray for Senator Blevins, that he would take a stand against those who would use him as a pawn for their own political purposes.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 8
Day 8 - January 27, 2013 - A Day of Rest
I am so thankful for the Sabbath! As we pause from our labors today, reflect on these verses from Psalm 22:
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,
And all the families of the nations will worship before You.
For the kingdom is the Lord's and He rules over the nations.
All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship,
All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him,
Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.
Posterity will serve Him;
It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.
They will come and will declare His righteousness
To a people who will be born, that He has performed it.
What hope we have!
I am so thankful for the Sabbath! As we pause from our labors today, reflect on these verses from Psalm 22:
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,
And all the families of the nations will worship before You.
For the kingdom is the Lord's and He rules over the nations.
All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship,
All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him,
Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.
Posterity will serve Him;
It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.
They will come and will declare His righteousness
To a people who will be born, that He has performed it.
What hope we have!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 7
Day 7 - January 26, 2013 - Senator Steve Martin
Senator Martin is running for Lieutenant Governor. He is currently the Chairman of the Education and Health Committee--the Senate Committee that hears all abortion-related legislation and determines whether or not to report it to the Senate floor for a recorded vote. The Committee is comprised of 8 Republicans (including Senator Martin) and 7 Democrats. While the 7 Democrats consistently vote against measures to protect life in the womb or restrict funding for abortion, one of the 8 Republicans is an uncertain swing vote. This means that we are never assured of the outcome of legislation that goes before the Committee, and that the hearings are tough--sometimes even vicious.
Last year, when I testified before the Ed & Health Committee in support of House Bill 1 (the quintessential "life begins at conception" bill), the hearing room was literally overflowing with people. Many of them were there for Planned Parenthood's "lobby day." Those who could not squeeze into the room waited in a queue outside for a turn to enter the fray. After the Committee surprised us by voting to report HB1 to the floor following a grueling debate, I was accosted by two Planned Parenthood supporters who hurled insults at me and assured me that if I had a daughter, someday she would be ashamed of what I had just done.
Senator Martin is not only charged with presiding over these heated, highly emotional debates; he also faces the pressures of a "moderate" Republican leadership in the Senate--a leadership that, unfortunately, does not share our convictions that the battle to protect human life must be waged whatever the political conditions. This is the leadership that teamed up with Senate Democrats to "recommit" HB1 right back to the Committee for "further consideration" (mere hours after its passage in the Committee) instead of allowing the Senate to vote on it.
Many of us were disappointed that Senator Martin chose not to call a special meeting of the Committee last fall to again report HB1, which would have then required the full Senate vote that could have made the bill law. Because he was not assured of the Republican swing vote on the Committee, Senator Martin chose not to incur the wrath of the party leaders by holding the hearing. But Senator Martin is not solely at fault, here. Unfortunately, the biggest "pro-life" organizations in Virginia chose not to encourage him to hold the hearing. I won't speculate as to their reasons.
Let's reach out to Senator Martin today.
Dear Senator Martin,
Thank you for consistently voting for measures that would restore the sanctity of human life in Virginia. I realize that you face fierce opposition in these efforts, even within your own party. I want to encourage you to stand firm against those who would cause you to "grow weary in doing good." It is important to me and my family that the laws of Virginia recognize that human life begins at conception, and that every human being—from conception until natural death—has basic human rights.
I am looking for a Lieutenant Governor who will not only "support" the cause of life, but who will lead it. I am praying specifically for you today, that God would give you great courage to work toward this end. Thank you.
Senator Martin is running for Lieutenant Governor. He is currently the Chairman of the Education and Health Committee--the Senate Committee that hears all abortion-related legislation and determines whether or not to report it to the Senate floor for a recorded vote. The Committee is comprised of 8 Republicans (including Senator Martin) and 7 Democrats. While the 7 Democrats consistently vote against measures to protect life in the womb or restrict funding for abortion, one of the 8 Republicans is an uncertain swing vote. This means that we are never assured of the outcome of legislation that goes before the Committee, and that the hearings are tough--sometimes even vicious.
Last year, when I testified before the Ed & Health Committee in support of House Bill 1 (the quintessential "life begins at conception" bill), the hearing room was literally overflowing with people. Many of them were there for Planned Parenthood's "lobby day." Those who could not squeeze into the room waited in a queue outside for a turn to enter the fray. After the Committee surprised us by voting to report HB1 to the floor following a grueling debate, I was accosted by two Planned Parenthood supporters who hurled insults at me and assured me that if I had a daughter, someday she would be ashamed of what I had just done.
Senator Martin is not only charged with presiding over these heated, highly emotional debates; he also faces the pressures of a "moderate" Republican leadership in the Senate--a leadership that, unfortunately, does not share our convictions that the battle to protect human life must be waged whatever the political conditions. This is the leadership that teamed up with Senate Democrats to "recommit" HB1 right back to the Committee for "further consideration" (mere hours after its passage in the Committee) instead of allowing the Senate to vote on it.
Many of us were disappointed that Senator Martin chose not to call a special meeting of the Committee last fall to again report HB1, which would have then required the full Senate vote that could have made the bill law. Because he was not assured of the Republican swing vote on the Committee, Senator Martin chose not to incur the wrath of the party leaders by holding the hearing. But Senator Martin is not solely at fault, here. Unfortunately, the biggest "pro-life" organizations in Virginia chose not to encourage him to hold the hearing. I won't speculate as to their reasons.
Let's reach out to Senator Martin today.
Dear Senator Martin,
Thank you for consistently voting for measures that would restore the sanctity of human life in Virginia. I realize that you face fierce opposition in these efforts, even within your own party. I want to encourage you to stand firm against those who would cause you to "grow weary in doing good." It is important to me and my family that the laws of Virginia recognize that human life begins at conception, and that every human being—from conception until natural death—has basic human rights.
I am looking for a Lieutenant Governor who will not only "support" the cause of life, but who will lead it. I am praying specifically for you today, that God would give you great courage to work toward this end. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your name].
Senator Martin's e-mail address: district11@senate.virginia.gov
Please take a moment to pray for Senator Martin.
Friday, January 25, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 6
Day 6 - January 25, 2013 - Senator Tom Garrett
Senator Garrett is a relatively new Senator--this is his second year in office. He has already demonstrated a willingness to sponsor life-protective legislation, and we should encourage him to do so. Our voices must be the counterpoint to the resistance he will face--is facing--from Republican party leaders who would prefer to just leave this issue alone. We must remind him that this is a human rights issue, a truth and justice issue, that cannot be left alone for a moment.
Dear Senator Garrett,
Thank you for your willingness to use your office to sponsor legislation that would restore the sanctity of human life in our Commonwealth. It is important to me and my family that the laws of Virginia recognize that human life begins at conception, and that every human being—from conception until natural death—has basic human rights. I am aware that there are some Republican Senate leaders who would prefer to ignore this issue, but because it is a human rights issue, it cannot be ignored. I am praying specifically for you today, that God would give you great courage to stand for the cause of life. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Here is Senator Garrett’s e-mail address: district22@senate.virginia.gov
Please pray for Senator Garrett.
Senator Garrett is a relatively new Senator--this is his second year in office. He has already demonstrated a willingness to sponsor life-protective legislation, and we should encourage him to do so. Our voices must be the counterpoint to the resistance he will face--is facing--from Republican party leaders who would prefer to just leave this issue alone. We must remind him that this is a human rights issue, a truth and justice issue, that cannot be left alone for a moment.
Dear Senator Garrett,
Thank you for your willingness to use your office to sponsor legislation that would restore the sanctity of human life in our Commonwealth. It is important to me and my family that the laws of Virginia recognize that human life begins at conception, and that every human being—from conception until natural death—has basic human rights. I am aware that there are some Republican Senate leaders who would prefer to ignore this issue, but because it is a human rights issue, it cannot be ignored. I am praying specifically for you today, that God would give you great courage to stand for the cause of life. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Here is Senator Garrett’s e-mail address: district22@senate.virginia.gov
Please pray for Senator Garrett.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 5
Day 5 - January 24, 2013 - Senator Chuck Colgan
Senator Colgan is another "profile in courage." Like Senator Puckett (see yesterday's post), he has consistently stood against his political party to vote for the protection of life in the womb. In fact, he has actually co-patroned legislation that would recognize the humanity of unborn children.
Let's encourage Senator Colgan today.
Dear Senator Colgan,
Thank you for consistently using your vote to protect human life, even though this has required you to defy the will of your party. You have acted as a statesman rather than an ordinary politician, and I admire your courage. I am praying specifically for you today.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Colgan's e-mail: district29@senate.virginia.gov
Please take a moment to pray for Senator Puckett.
Senator Colgan is another "profile in courage." Like Senator Puckett (see yesterday's post), he has consistently stood against his political party to vote for the protection of life in the womb. In fact, he has actually co-patroned legislation that would recognize the humanity of unborn children.
Let's encourage Senator Colgan today.
Dear Senator Colgan,
Thank you for consistently using your vote to protect human life, even though this has required you to defy the will of your party. You have acted as a statesman rather than an ordinary politician, and I admire your courage. I am praying specifically for you today.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Colgan's e-mail: district29@senate.virginia.gov
Please take a moment to pray for Senator Puckett.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 4
Yesterday the Richmond Times Dispatch featured my Op-Ed on pro-life activism. You can read it by clicking here. Make sure to read the comment, calling God "the biggest abortionist of all." This is one of the worldviews that lies at the heart of legalized abortion: that we have just as much of a "right" to control life and death as the Creator.
Now for the daily e-mail:
Day 4 - January 23, 2013 - Senator Phillip Puckett
Senator Puckett is a true "profile in courage." Representing southwestern Virginia in the Senate since 1998, he has consistently stood against his political party to vote for the protection of life in the womb. This cannot have been easy for him over the years. I wish that all of our elected officials were so bold as to consistently vote according to their consciences, without regard to political ramifications.
Let's take a moment to encourage Senator Puckett.
Dear Senator Puckett,
Thank you for consistently using your vote to protect human life, even though this has required you to defy the will of your party. You have acted as a statesman rather than an ordinary politician, and I admire your courage. I am praying specifically for you today.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Puckett's e-mail: district38@senate.virginia.gov
Please take a moment to pray for Senator Puckett.
Now for the daily e-mail:
Day 4 - January 23, 2013 - Senator Phillip Puckett
Senator Puckett is a true "profile in courage." Representing southwestern Virginia in the Senate since 1998, he has consistently stood against his political party to vote for the protection of life in the womb. This cannot have been easy for him over the years. I wish that all of our elected officials were so bold as to consistently vote according to their consciences, without regard to political ramifications.
Let's take a moment to encourage Senator Puckett.
Dear Senator Puckett,
Thank you for consistently using your vote to protect human life, even though this has required you to defy the will of your party. You have acted as a statesman rather than an ordinary politician, and I admire your courage. I am praying specifically for you today.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Puckett's e-mail: district38@senate.virginia.gov
Please take a moment to pray for Senator Puckett.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 3
Day 3 – January 22, 2013 – Senator Emmett Hanger
Friends, today is the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the decision that led to legalized abortion on demand. Since that fateful day, well over 50 million abortions have been performed. And while abortion advocates often recite the mantra that abortion should be “safe, legal, and rare,” Planned Parenthood is holding a rally at the Capitol in Richmond today to “celebrate” the decision that has resulted in these millions upon millions of destroyed human lives. Whatever your position on abortion, celebrating an event that has caused such massive death is nothing less than barbaric.
Senator Emmett Hanger represents parts of Rockingham and Culpeper County, along with Staunton, Waynesboro, and August, Greene and Madison Counties. Senator Hanger was once a very outspoken advocate of pro-life legislation, and is still very consistent in voting for these measures. He needs to be encouraged, however, to return to his former role as a leader on this issue. His website states, “Social issues, and in particular, matters of faith, are areas where I cannot compromise. I believe that the dignity of life should be protected and honored from conception until natural death.”
I believe that Senator Hanger is a man of integrity. Let’s ask him to use his position to lead the charge for the protection of human life.
Here is a short message you can copy, then click on the link to Senator Hanger’s e-mail below, paste in the message, sign your name, and Send! Or compose your own, personalized message if you like.
Dear Senator Hanger,
Thank you for all the times when you have used your position to advocate for legal protection of the unborn. Virginia’s Senate needs strong statesmen who recognize that whatever other priorities may be set by party leaders, this is a cause that can never be ignored—not for a single year—because of political expediency. It is important to me and my family that the laws of Virginia recognize that human life begins at conception, and that every human being—from conception until natural death—has basic human rights. I am praying specifically for you today, that God would give you great courage to work toward this end. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Hanger’s e-mail address: district24@senate.virginia.gov
Please pray for Senator Hanger.
Friends, today is the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the decision that led to legalized abortion on demand. Since that fateful day, well over 50 million abortions have been performed. And while abortion advocates often recite the mantra that abortion should be “safe, legal, and rare,” Planned Parenthood is holding a rally at the Capitol in Richmond today to “celebrate” the decision that has resulted in these millions upon millions of destroyed human lives. Whatever your position on abortion, celebrating an event that has caused such massive death is nothing less than barbaric.
Senator Emmett Hanger represents parts of Rockingham and Culpeper County, along with Staunton, Waynesboro, and August, Greene and Madison Counties. Senator Hanger was once a very outspoken advocate of pro-life legislation, and is still very consistent in voting for these measures. He needs to be encouraged, however, to return to his former role as a leader on this issue. His website states, “Social issues, and in particular, matters of faith, are areas where I cannot compromise. I believe that the dignity of life should be protected and honored from conception until natural death.”
I believe that Senator Hanger is a man of integrity. Let’s ask him to use his position to lead the charge for the protection of human life.
Here is a short message you can copy, then click on the link to Senator Hanger’s e-mail below, paste in the message, sign your name, and Send! Or compose your own, personalized message if you like.
Dear Senator Hanger,
Thank you for all the times when you have used your position to advocate for legal protection of the unborn. Virginia’s Senate needs strong statesmen who recognize that whatever other priorities may be set by party leaders, this is a cause that can never be ignored—not for a single year—because of political expediency. It is important to me and my family that the laws of Virginia recognize that human life begins at conception, and that every human being—from conception until natural death—has basic human rights. I am praying specifically for you today, that God would give you great courage to work toward this end. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Senator Hanger’s e-mail address: district24@senate.virginia.gov
Please pray for Senator Hanger.
Monday, January 21, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 2
Day 2 – January 21, 2013 – Senator Mark Obenshain
Thank you for taking 5 minutes out of your day to use your voice on behalf of those who have none. My general plan here is to make it quick and easy for you to contact Virginia Senators who are in key positions to pass measures recognizing the sanctity of human life (or, in some cases, to obstruct such measures for political reasons).
On some days, I may have other information or commentary to post as well, but I’ll keep the feature Senator and e-mail content/link near the top of each day’s post so that if you don’t have the extra time to read, you can send your e-mail, pray, and be finished. One more note: PLEASE always feel free to send your own, personal note rather than copying and pasting the one I have composed. The important thing is that these Senators know where you stand on this issue.
Here we go:
Senator Obenshain represents Harrisonburg, Page County, Rappahannock County, Rockingham County, Shenandoah County and Warren County. He has been an outspoken advocate for protection of the unborn, and we need to encourage him to continue to champion this cause even as he seeks to be elected as Attorney General. Conventional wisdom holds that politicians seeking higher office tend to play it safe, avoiding like the plague any highly controversial issues. But our goal here is to encourage these legislators to be true statesmen: pursuing what is just and right above their personal political ambitions.
Here is a short message you can copy, then click on the link to Senator Obenshain’s e-mail below, paste in the message, sign your name, and Send! Or compose your own, personalized message if you like.
Dear Senator Obenshain,
Thank you for the many times when you have taken a public stand for the protection of the unborn. Please continue to fight to restore the sanctity of human life in our Commonwealth. It is important to me and my family that the laws of Virginia recognize that human life begins at conception, and that every human being—from conception until natural death—has basic human rights. I am praying specifically for you today, that God would give you great courage to work toward this end. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Here is Senator Obenshain’s e-mail address: district26@senate.virginia.gov
Please pray for Senator Obenshain.
Thank you for taking 5 minutes out of your day to use your voice on behalf of those who have none. My general plan here is to make it quick and easy for you to contact Virginia Senators who are in key positions to pass measures recognizing the sanctity of human life (or, in some cases, to obstruct such measures for political reasons).
On some days, I may have other information or commentary to post as well, but I’ll keep the feature Senator and e-mail content/link near the top of each day’s post so that if you don’t have the extra time to read, you can send your e-mail, pray, and be finished. One more note: PLEASE always feel free to send your own, personal note rather than copying and pasting the one I have composed. The important thing is that these Senators know where you stand on this issue.
Here we go:
Senator Obenshain represents Harrisonburg, Page County, Rappahannock County, Rockingham County, Shenandoah County and Warren County. He has been an outspoken advocate for protection of the unborn, and we need to encourage him to continue to champion this cause even as he seeks to be elected as Attorney General. Conventional wisdom holds that politicians seeking higher office tend to play it safe, avoiding like the plague any highly controversial issues. But our goal here is to encourage these legislators to be true statesmen: pursuing what is just and right above their personal political ambitions.
Here is a short message you can copy, then click on the link to Senator Obenshain’s e-mail below, paste in the message, sign your name, and Send! Or compose your own, personalized message if you like.
Dear Senator Obenshain,
Thank you for the many times when you have taken a public stand for the protection of the unborn. Please continue to fight to restore the sanctity of human life in our Commonwealth. It is important to me and my family that the laws of Virginia recognize that human life begins at conception, and that every human being—from conception until natural death—has basic human rights. I am praying specifically for you today, that God would give you great courage to work toward this end. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Here is Senator Obenshain’s e-mail address: district26@senate.virginia.gov
Please pray for Senator Obenshain.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
5 Minutes a Day - Day 1
January 20, 2013
Do you have five minutes a day, for the next 2 weeks, to use your voice on behalf of those who have no voice? If so, please visit my blog each day to send a concise, respectful message to those in Richmond who have the power to enact laws acknowledging that human life begins at conception. This is a crucial first step in restoring legal recognition of the sanctity of human life.
For today, please just take a few minutes to pray that God will prosper our efforts and move in the hearts of those who are entrusted with the responsibility of lawmaking. Pray that they would have COURAGE.
Do you have five minutes a day, for the next 2 weeks, to use your voice on behalf of those who have no voice? If so, please visit my blog each day to send a concise, respectful message to those in Richmond who have the power to enact laws acknowledging that human life begins at conception. This is a crucial first step in restoring legal recognition of the sanctity of human life.
For today, please just take a few minutes to pray that God will prosper our efforts and move in the hearts of those who are entrusted with the responsibility of lawmaking. Pray that they would have COURAGE.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
A Woman With a Sign
Every Friday on my way to The Rutherford Institute, I pass by a Planned Parenthood clinic. There is usually at least one person on the sidewalk outside--sometimes a handful--holding signs or just bowing in prayer.
I sometimes wish that there were more people there.
I always want to stop and just go thank these folks for taking a stand that is wildly unpopular and branded by most as "judgmental" or downright mean. In fact, I usually feel a pang of guilt for not being right out there with them.
If we really believe that tiny, helpless human lives are being snuffed out inside that building, isn't it right that we should peacefully protest that? Who knows whether God might choose to work through a well-worded sign pointing a desperate mother to a greater Hope?
Last week, the vision I saw brought me to tears. One woman, bundled against the cold, head bowed in prayer, held a sign that read simply, "I regret my abortion."
That is a testimony.
For me, stopping on that particular day was not an option. But if I ever see her there again, I will stop. I will thank her for doing what all Christians should be about: giving both our best and our mess to the Father--holding back nothing--and letting him use us as He sees fit.
I sometimes wish that there were more people there.
I always want to stop and just go thank these folks for taking a stand that is wildly unpopular and branded by most as "judgmental" or downright mean. In fact, I usually feel a pang of guilt for not being right out there with them.
If we really believe that tiny, helpless human lives are being snuffed out inside that building, isn't it right that we should peacefully protest that? Who knows whether God might choose to work through a well-worded sign pointing a desperate mother to a greater Hope?
Last week, the vision I saw brought me to tears. One woman, bundled against the cold, head bowed in prayer, held a sign that read simply, "I regret my abortion."
That is a testimony.
For me, stopping on that particular day was not an option. But if I ever see her there again, I will stop. I will thank her for doing what all Christians should be about: giving both our best and our mess to the Father--holding back nothing--and letting him use us as He sees fit.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Why "Crazy" Beliefs Count
Last week I worked on two different cases in which federal courts had determined that a religious person's beliefs were not entitled to protection under the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause. In both cases, the court's determination was based upon scrutiny of the religious belief itself. This should be alarming to all of us.
From a systemic perspective, the First Amendment cannot be the bulwark of consicence protection it was intended to be if courts are permitted to act as arbiters of which beliefs are worthy of being protected. While the U.S. Supreme Court has specifically said as much in multiple rulings, lower federal courts are beginning to test the limits of this doctrine.
But what about us? Do we sit as arbiters? Are we, as Christians, as concerned about the protection of others as we are for ourselves?
Sometimes The Rutherford Institute receives criticism--typically from professing Christians--for providing legal assistance to someone who holds a belief that the critic considers to be "crazy" or (heaven forbid) for representing someone who is not a follower of Christ.
How quick we are to forget the parable of the Good Samaritan! If we are to be lights in a darkened world, we must demonstrate the charity of the Samaritan--the charity of Christ--who makes no judgements as to the "worthiness" of the neighbor to be helped.
At a personal, Gospel level, "crazy" beliefs count because they are opportunities. The person of faith knows that Truth will ultimately prevail, and for that reason is not threatened by the existence of heresies or false religions. Rather, he sees the chance to proclaim the Gospel message in a way that makes men stop in their tracks to wonder at his stooping to help a stranger.
On another level, as John Whitehead has so frequently reminded me, "all freedoms hang together." It just might be my faith that is one day considered "crazy." Indeed, some days I wonder if it already is.
From a systemic perspective, the First Amendment cannot be the bulwark of consicence protection it was intended to be if courts are permitted to act as arbiters of which beliefs are worthy of being protected. While the U.S. Supreme Court has specifically said as much in multiple rulings, lower federal courts are beginning to test the limits of this doctrine.
But what about us? Do we sit as arbiters? Are we, as Christians, as concerned about the protection of others as we are for ourselves?
Sometimes The Rutherford Institute receives criticism--typically from professing Christians--for providing legal assistance to someone who holds a belief that the critic considers to be "crazy" or (heaven forbid) for representing someone who is not a follower of Christ.
How quick we are to forget the parable of the Good Samaritan! If we are to be lights in a darkened world, we must demonstrate the charity of the Samaritan--the charity of Christ--who makes no judgements as to the "worthiness" of the neighbor to be helped.
At a personal, Gospel level, "crazy" beliefs count because they are opportunities. The person of faith knows that Truth will ultimately prevail, and for that reason is not threatened by the existence of heresies or false religions. Rather, he sees the chance to proclaim the Gospel message in a way that makes men stop in their tracks to wonder at his stooping to help a stranger.
On another level, as John Whitehead has so frequently reminded me, "all freedoms hang together." It just might be my faith that is one day considered "crazy." Indeed, some days I wonder if it already is.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
They aren't just numbers.
A friend sent me a link to a Washington Examiner news article today that was deeply disturbing. According to the article, Planned Parenthood's 2011-12 annual report shows a banner year for abortions.
The organization performed 333,964 abortions in 2011. Stated another way, Planned Parenthood was paid to kill 333,964 people. 333,964 babies. 333,964 individuals, created by God in His image. To put this in perspective, last September the death toll for U.S. troops in Afghanistan reached 2000.
And according to a Susan B. Anthony List analysis of the report, Planned Parenthood received a whopping $542 MILLION in various forms of taxpayer funding, comprising 45% of its budget. In Afghanistan, we are (ostensibly, at least) spending money to protect Americans; here at home, we are actually and openly spending money to kill Americans.
This news brings to mind a quote that another friend uses under his signature line:
“When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith.”
-- Abraham Kuyper (Prime Minister of The Netherlands 1901-05).
To read the article, click here: http://washingtonexaminer.com/planned-parenthood-reports-record-year-for-abortions/article/2517801#.UOwpz4njlF1
The organization performed 333,964 abortions in 2011. Stated another way, Planned Parenthood was paid to kill 333,964 people. 333,964 babies. 333,964 individuals, created by God in His image. To put this in perspective, last September the death toll for U.S. troops in Afghanistan reached 2000.
And according to a Susan B. Anthony List analysis of the report, Planned Parenthood received a whopping $542 MILLION in various forms of taxpayer funding, comprising 45% of its budget. In Afghanistan, we are (ostensibly, at least) spending money to protect Americans; here at home, we are actually and openly spending money to kill Americans.
This news brings to mind a quote that another friend uses under his signature line:
“When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith.”
-- Abraham Kuyper (Prime Minister of The Netherlands 1901-05).
To read the article, click here: http://washingtonexaminer.com/planned-parenthood-reports-record-year-for-abortions/article/2517801#.UOwpz4njlF1
Sunday, January 6, 2013
A Bit From a Sermon
I love Sunday. This is partly because it is the one day of the week when I feel absolutely justified in just enjoying my family, relaxing, and often exploring nature. But the other reason is because--I confess--I love to hear a good sermon. Now I know that the sermon is not preached for my enjoyment, and I would not have it be so for anything. But my heart rejoices when the Holy Spirit uses one of my pastors or Sunday school teachers to make that one point that I so needed to hear, or to explain a Scripture text to me in a way that never would have occurred to me.
Today at my church, Pastor David O'Dowd referred to Francis Schaeffer. Now I'm already a big Francis Schaeffer fan. He was a mentor to my boss, John Whitehead, and I am currently reading through "How Should We Then Live" with a group of friends from church. Pastor O'Dowd was discussing the fact that over 30 years ago, Schaeffer was already warning us that in the post-Christian era, religious faith would be acceptable as long as it was "privately engaging but publicly irrelevant."
Isn't that what we're dealing with today?
I abhor the way many elected officials and some organizations are unapologetic in taking this stance. You know what I mean: they are outraged that Christians would actually try to live out their faith consistently and publicly, branding this as "trying to force religious beliefs on the rest of us."
But friends, isn't it worse that we actually allow our faith to be "publicly irrelevant" at times? When we are so busy with our jobs, our families, our familiar church circles, that we have no time or energy left to be a light in the dark places all around us in our community, state, nation, and world? While there is a sense in which we certainly can be a light by faithfully caring for our families and church body, isn't our calling broader than that?
Today at my church, Pastor David O'Dowd referred to Francis Schaeffer. Now I'm already a big Francis Schaeffer fan. He was a mentor to my boss, John Whitehead, and I am currently reading through "How Should We Then Live" with a group of friends from church. Pastor O'Dowd was discussing the fact that over 30 years ago, Schaeffer was already warning us that in the post-Christian era, religious faith would be acceptable as long as it was "privately engaging but publicly irrelevant."
Isn't that what we're dealing with today?
I abhor the way many elected officials and some organizations are unapologetic in taking this stance. You know what I mean: they are outraged that Christians would actually try to live out their faith consistently and publicly, branding this as "trying to force religious beliefs on the rest of us."
But friends, isn't it worse that we actually allow our faith to be "publicly irrelevant" at times? When we are so busy with our jobs, our families, our familiar church circles, that we have no time or energy left to be a light in the dark places all around us in our community, state, nation, and world? While there is a sense in which we certainly can be a light by faithfully caring for our families and church body, isn't our calling broader than that?
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