i will not turn this blog into a political agenda, stating what i think about what other people believe, say or think. rather, i will start off by saying... whether you voted for obama or not, Romans 13:7 says that God is the One who establishes every authority on earth. Proverbs 8:15-16 says that God allows certain individuals to hold their positions. throughout the New Testament, we are told to respect our leaders and authority... to give unto Caesar what is Caesars, etc. while i may or may not agree politically with whoever is running the government... i must respect their authority... and pray for them.
after all, i firmly believe that God is the ONE who is in control. i refused to sit in front of the TV agonizing as the election results came in because i trust that in all things God receives glory... and whether or not i agree with the method that He chooses to glorify Himself means nothing.
obama has promised change. while i do believe our country needs massive change... i pray that the possible changes that may come will honor God and how He calls us to live according to Scripture.
on friday (1/23/09), president obama lifted restrictions on U.S. government funding for groups that provide abortion services or counseling abroad, reversing a policy of his republican predecessor george w. bush. for more info on this, click here to read an article about it.
abortion has been a huge distinguishing factor between the republican and democrat parties. while i believe there are multiple factors that must be decided when choosing who to vote for, i cannot support abortion.
here's a great list from john piper of why i am pro-life:
1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother's womb (except in the case of abortion).
2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.
3. Babies can sometimes survive on their own at 23 or 24 weeks, but abortion is legal beyond this limit.
4. Living on its own is not the criterion of human personhood, as we know from the use of respirators and dialysis.
5. Size is irrelevant to human personhood, as we know from the difference between a one-week-old and a six-year-old.
6. Developed reasoning powers are not the criterion of personhood, as we know from the capacities of three-month-old babies.
7. Infants in the womb are human beings scientifically by virtue of their genetic make up.
8. Ultrasound has given a stunning window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking, responding to sound. All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Virtually all abortions happen later than this date.
9. Justice dictates that when two legitimate rights conflict, the limitation of rights that does the least harm is the most just. Bearing a child for adoption does less harm than killing him.
10. Justice dictates that when either of two people must be inconvenienced or hurt to alleviate their united predicament, the one who bore the greater responsibility for the predicament should bear more of the inconvenience or hurt to alleviate it.
11. Justice dictates that a person may not coerce harm on another person by threatening voluntary harm on themselves.
12. The outcast and the disadvantaged and exploited are to be cared for in a special way, especially those with no voice of their own.
13. What is happening in the womb is the unique person-nurturing work of God, who alone has the right to give and take life.
14. There are countless clinics that offer life and hope to both mother and child (and father and parents), with care of every kind lovingly provided by people who will meet every need they can.
15.Jesus Christ can forgive all sins, and will give all who trusts him the help they need to do everything that life requires.
