Dealing with issues-teens. Host discussion nights for teens to deal with social issues and help educate about them. Too often the church has been silent and many church members hold liberal ideas because that is all they hear. The church cannot convince the world that God’s way is better simply by claiming God said it, because those who don’t believe in God feel it is just your opinion and no better than that of anyone else. God created us and knows what is best for us but we must back our defense of Christian values with facts and demonstrate through our lives and the witness of the church that God’s ways are best. I have done a series of courses on social issues dealing with the values laid down in the Bible and how they differ from those who do not know the teaching of the Bible. It is good to have such sessions with adults also.
Unions-A-W
I live just outside Bowling Green which is a small Midwestern city which is largely rural and not dominated by unions so it supports the Republican party with its conservative values. The Democratic Party has very little foothold here compared to the large industrialized cities where unions control a lot of the politics. Therefore it was surprising to learn that in records listing sources of campaign funds, the Democratic candidate running for mayor in a recent election received large amounts of campaign funds from unions across the State and even from out-of-State unions. Those organizations will not receive any benefit from their investment. It is likely they are laundering contributions from other union sources to bypass contribution limits in order to install politicians who will support their union organizing in Bowling Green. While candidates need to satisfy their constituents to stay in office, money is needed to run campaigns. One has only to follow the money to see why Democrats vote for bills favoring abortion, labor unions, and Gay rights, in spite of widespread opposition to them by the majority of voters. It is almost certain that the candidate would be more likely to support proposals that would benefit those outside sources who supplied most of their campaign funds rather than those that would benefit local people who did not support their programs. When voters are easily swayed by flashy campaigns, as many are today, Democrats cater to large contributors such as Planned Parenthood, Gays Rights groups, and labor unions as well as liberal corporations who will contribute to their campaign chests enabling them to beef up their campaigns. Democrats are able to spend 5-10 times the money of Republicans who depend primarily on donations by conservative individuals and corporations. The candidates also provide special benefits to unions over those of the average worker. If politicians don’t vote the way the voters tell them to, voters need to find someone who will. But that requires that the voter check the politician’s record and watch what they vote for. Unfortunately, few voters today bother to do that. That is why our country is in the mess it is in. Fortunately, the candidate lost, however it illustrates how determined unions are to sway local politics, particularly in rural areas dominated by Republicans. Local elections are supposed to represent the will of the people and a large flow of money from outside gives local politicians a disadvantage.
Unions-A-V
The 1973 U.S. Supreme Court’s infamous decision in United States v. Enmons against the crew and cast of Top Chef for not hiring union people exempts union bosses from federal prosecution for coordinating campaigns of violence and extortion in pursuit of what they consider “legitimate union objectives.” Which means that unions can destroy your property and injure or kill you if it furthers the unions goal of forcing you to pay them money in order to get a high paying job. Somehow I think freedom and democracy got lost somewhere. Are violent threats and vandalism ever legitimate means? There is no “objective” that could justify vandalism, arson, assault and even murder. This decision has allowed union bosses to threaten and intimidate workers in order to force them to submit to union representation and forced dues. It has also allowed unions to engage in violent strikes, including beatings, arson, and even murder to intimidate non-union workers and prevent them from filling in while the union is on strike and has enabled them to badger State and federal legislators into providing government workers with lavish union wages and benefit packages at taxpayer expense. It has also allowed them to force large corporations to submit to union demands. Congress needs to pass a law guaranteeing Americans freedom from union violence and holding unions accountable for their actions like anyone else.
Sanctity of Life-A-1-E
Many people criticize those who support banning abortions in all cases, including cases of rape and incest. However, by allowing abortions in cases of rape and incest, it is essentially legalizing rape and incest. Since abortion centers don’t report the ages of clients, it disguises the extent of incest and rape against children. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of children (1 out of 5) get abortions every year without their parent’s knowledge. Abortionists also do not report such cases to law enforcement agencies (though they are required to by law) so the rapists are never prosecuted. In addition, by destroying the baby and the placenta, abortion providers destroy the evidence needed to prove rape and incest and makes it impossible to prove who the father of the baby is, allowing the rapist to walk away free. Since abortion clinics do not require proof of identity, many underage girls get abortions by borrowing a friend’s Medicaid card to cover their abortion.
Seventh Sunday of Pentecost-July 19
Jails-Sunday Services, Bible Studies, and counseling are greatly needed in jails and prisons. Many in jails are short term and more minor offences while prisons are more long term and more serious offences. While ministering in jails and prisons is a very difficult ministry, it is very rewarding to see inmates turn to Christ. Many who have broken the law feel guilty and want to find forgiveness. They need to know that there is forgiveness and redemption through the shed blood of Christ. Others realize that what they did was wrong and want to mend their ways. They feel that they can’t change so why try. They need to know that we can become a new creature in Christ and there are people willing to help them. Often those let out of jail face problems they don’t know how to solve. Getting back home, reestablishing a residence, getting a job, etc. Many are afraid to face the unknown ahead and are encouraged that someone who understands the process is willing to walk with them through the process. Families of inmates also struggle and need encouragement. Often they face the loss of the
Sanctity of Life -A-4-AJ
We now have a case where someone in Texas is trying to sue a doctor in New York for mailing abortion pills to someone in Texas following an online teleconference. We don’t know if the pills caused injury or death or were mailed to a minor without the parents consent, but abortion is illegal in Texas. The New York county clerk refuses to file the case because New York has laws to shield New York abortion doctors from out of State lawsuits. It follows a lawsuit in Louisiana where a New York doctor prescribed abortion pills to a minor via telemedicine. Other medical providers are held liable for negligence and abortion providers should not be an exception. In addition, they are providing abortion pills to someone in a State where abortion is illegal. The doctor may be in New York but the abortion is taking place in a State where it is illegal. Telemedicine is where you go online and do a doctor visit online. The doctor than prescribes medicine without even seeing the patient in person. That alone is serious enough. Nothing is done to verify the pregnancy to rule out a tubal pregnancy which could be fatal. The fact is that the abortion pills also can cause serious complications which can be life threatening. The woman might be allergic to it or the abortion may not completely expel the placenta resulting in infection or uncontrolled bleeding which could result in death if not treated immediately. Yet the woman takes the pills at home with no medical personnel available. She may not even have anyone to call help if she cannot.
Sanctity of Life -A-4-AI
Even if we allow abortion, the government should not be paying for them. With funding for Medicaid already strained, it makes no sense to add millions of dollars to fund unnecessary abortions when the government is cutting what it pays for medical research (like for cancer) and for care of Seniors and the chronically ill for treatment of life or death medical issues. Almost all abortions are elective. (The Supreme Court challenged abortion providers to provide an instance where an abortion was needed to save the life of the mother and they have never been able to provide one) Eliminating funding for abortions would provide more money for medical care. Cutting funding for abortions would also force women to pay for their own abortions making them think more carefully before having unprotected sex and enable increased prosecution of rapists and those engaged in incest which would reduce the number of babies aborted. (For the facts see “Abortion” in “In The World But Not Of It, Part –A” and study course “Value of Life”)
Sixth Sunday of Pentecost July 12
Nursing Homes Nursing homes have changed over the years. They used to be short term where people went to die. Now they are often short term for therapy and then residents return to their homes, though some may live there for up to ten years or more. Far fewer die in nursing homes these days. There is a great need for workers to minister to those in nursing homes. Many are away from family, friends, and familiar surroundings. Many are no longer able to take care of themselves or do many things they used to do, either temporarily or permanently. In addition, many of those there are facing death and need to deal with it. Like young people, they are facing a transition and are making decisions that will impact, not only the rest of their life (short as that may be), but where they will spend eternity. Many are open to hearing the hope of the Gospels. Many have lost loved ones who may be Christians but they themselves aren’t. Also, many have no family or friends nearby and have no visitors. They welcome those who come to visit. Many enjoy visits from children (though some don’t so be sure and check first) It’s a good way to teach children to minister to others and children often enjoy it as well. The government has recognized the bonding that children and the elderly develop and has begun pairing nursing homes with Day Care Centers for inter-generational programs.
Politics-The Courts-B-K
We are seeing a rash of liberal district judges who are issuing injunctions to block President Trump’s executive actions and liberal judges around the country are treating it as legally binding on their jurisdictions. Nowhere in the Constitution does it give district federal judges authority over the whole country. District judges are over federal districts and do not have authority beyond their districts. They also do not have authority over the President of the United States. Their job is to rule on disputes between States and concerns that transcend State boundaries within their jurisdiction. The Constitution gives only two entities power over the President. Congress may enact laws overriding the President’s actions or the Supreme Court can rule the actions unconstitutional. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court in its recent decision allowed that the President had a right to take the action he did but decided not to rule on whether district judges could block the President for some reason leaving a legal mess which allows liberal district judges to continue to harass the President and block his actions.
Politics-The Courts-B-J
There are many State and local judges and politicians who continue to ignore the Constitution and Supreme court rulings, imposing their views on the American people. While the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the right of the Kentucky man who makes T-shirts, to refuse to print shirts for the local Gay pride festival, officials in the State of Kentucky continue to harass and threaten him. If the governor appointed those involved, he should fire them. If he does not, he is guilty of dereliction of duty and the people should not reelect him or if he isn’t up for reelection, they should circulate petitions to remove him. If the people elect the judges as they do in some States, the voters should vote him out. The people need to elect judges that will obey the law and monitor them to see that they do. If they don’t, replace them with judges who will. We are a republic based on the rule of law, not a dictatorship of the judiciary. Our officials need to be held accountable for their actions and the actions of those they appoint or we will continue to suffer such injustice and it will spread. Many public officials currently ignore or overturn votes of the people and if the people don’t exercise their right to vote now, the officials will abolish elections and then the people will no longer have a voice. People tell me that will never happen but a few years ago when the Supreme Court held a liberal majority, the Justices in a footnote to their majority opinion on State marriage laws stated that votes of the people are merely advisory and not binding on public officials, an opinion clearly violating the Constitution, but which many politicians subscribe to. Therefore it is all the more important that you to vote in officials that will respect the laws for city, county, and State, as well as federal offices, and vote out those that don’t.