3 REASONS LEGISLATION IS NOT THE ANSWER TO THE AMERICAN ABORTION CRISIS
The abortion crisis cuts straight to the heart of the American Christian. I myself have, for years, carefully researched and marked the ballot for any political candidate who would vote against the taking of an unborn life.
As a teen, I had been guided toward aborting an unexpected pregnancy. The decision to have an abortion marked me, with the full weight of its impact coming full force when I carried my oldest son to full term.
Every ultrasound and prenatal education class told me what I already knew to my core––I had silenced a beating heart. I had made a choice.
On May 19 of this year, the Governor of the state of Texas signed into law one of the nation’s strongest abortion measures, which bans the procedure as early as six weeks into gestation. As a woman living in Texas who is decidedly pro-life, I could stand up and raise my hands in victory.
But I’d be ignoring the greater question of what it is that brings a woman to the point of terminating a life growing inside of her, and whether this legislation fulfills the biblical mandate to love mankind.
THIS IS IMPORTANT, PART II (PODCAST EPISODE 12)
What is the role of women in church leadership? What are women “allowed” to do? Are they able to preach or be on the elder board? Or should they remain silent and out of leadership positions? What does the New Testament, as a whole, have to say about the issue?
On this episode of the podcast, we continue to explore this important question through a conversation with our friend, Stacey Monaco. Stacey is a graduate of Talbot School of Theology and has extensive leadership experience, both in church settings and in the marketplace. She has much wisdom to share, so we were excited to get to sit down and speak with her!
If you have any questions you’d like to submit about this episode or have other topics of conversation you’d like us to explore in future episodes, you can connect with us over on our contact page. We’re looking forward to hearing from you and we’re excited to journey with you!
TO VACCINATE OR NOT TO VACCINATE
Early in January, I walked into my chiropractor’s office for an adjustment to the vertebrae in my neck. I have suffered from migraines for over four decades. Some years ago, the migraines were exacerbated by herniated disks in my neck and back, courtesy of an automobile injury wherein I was T-boned by a truck running a red light. After x-rays, MRI’s, and a battery of prodding, poking and therapies, I was told I would likely need surgery.
My husband endured a spinal fusion at the age of thirty-two. Witnessing his pain and complications, I determined that I would, at all costs, avoid surgery. Choosing this path of personal responsibility started me on a journey stewarding my own health and wellbeing. I considered the foods, supplements and medications I put into my body, as well as the therapies, modalities, and fitness regime that I employed. I chose chiropractic treatment as one element of my own personal self-care. Being an active participant in my own care, and tracking how my body responds has led me on a path of fewer medications, and a greater number of healthful actions. Over the years when my medical practitioners have asked if I wanted to take a flu vaccine, I have opted out, seeking to limit medications where possible.
As I prepared for my therapy, my chiropractor returned to a topic of conversation that I had brought up in passing at my last visit. In a purely matter-of-fact manner, I had mentioned that my husband had received his first Covid-19 vaccination. For our family, it was a milestone, as well as a point for celebration. It marked the turning of a corner on this very long journey.
MAKING THE MOST OF THIS TIME
Memes and Instagram posts abound, seeking to find some sardonic humor in the state that we have all found ourselves wading through in this decade change called 2020. Six months into the life-changing events of a world pandemic, strained and punctuated by aching racial tension, as well as an impending election, many of us find ourselves quite simply bored, tired, and struggling with a cloud of fear. The question of what’s next, and when will this end, loom like rain clouds threatening to once again rain down some new and equally egregious heartbreak.
As human beings, our moorings have been threatened, and we are unsure of what is the next right thing to do. Is it okay to visit my family members? Should my children go back to school? Is it wrong to post some lovely thing that happened in my world on social media when others might be suffering? Should I bother voting? Is anyone, anywhere, telling the truth?
And then comes the inertia of it all. I have been in my house for so long, that it just seems so incredibly difficult to turn off that television, walk away from my computer screen, and stand up on two feet. I mean do I even know how to walk?