PA abortion clinics still in the news

Well the abortion clinics made the news again here in Pennsylvania.  Health inspectors have ordered 14 of the states 22 abortion clinics to correct problems found.  What is even more disturbing is the fact that these inspections have only started again last year after a 15 year layoff.  If this is a “medical” procedure why aren’t these house of horrors regulated to the “nth” degree like my local doctor’s office is?  Just think Christians you can kill babies and in some cases the mothers in an uninspected room with baby parts sitting in plastic bags, jars, and even in the refrigerator like in some macabre horror film of the 1970’s?  This is just one reason that this killing field must be stopped – legally through our elected officials and our democratic practices.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health located in Harrisburg found that abortion clinics in York, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Allentown, East Liberty, Upland, West Chester, Reading, Norristown, Warminster, and in Harrisburg had several violations to include not monitoring blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels (I’m no doctor but this seems important during a procedure); not examining tissue from first trimester abortions to see if the women were actually pregnant (Yikes), among others.  In Harrisburg specifically the inspectors found that there will bags of pills that were unlabeled as well as posting the names of women who were having abortions that day on the wall for all to see.  How is that confidentiality and HIPPA rules working out there?  There is supreme irony here is the attempt to make an abortion clinic safe for everyone but the baby. Let's not forget, no matter what barbaric treatment women receive at abortion clinics, the babies received worse.

Let us work together to end this slaughter of innocents and take it from the “No man is going to tell me what I can do with my body” childish argument to the eternal consequences for this selfish decision.  Most abortions (93%) occur for a social reason like the mother doesn’t want another child or it is simply inconvenient for them to bring it to term.  I have on other occasions laid out the alternatives, like adoptions, that we as Christians must use to support those women who are hurting and in need of spiritual guidance.  Let us preach the actual Word of God from our pulpits instead of politically correct social justice mumbo-jumbo so we can all learn that abortion is wrong.  Let us hear what God said to the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."  God knows each one of us while we are in the womb – why do we think we know better than God in these circumstances? 

Support for the unborn

This week many churches headed south to Washington DC to participate in the March for Life held annually to commemorate the horrible Roe v. Wade decision that sanctioned the killing of the unborn just because you can law created on January 22, 1973 – a day that will live in infamy.  From the upper Susquehanna Valley 50 area residents headed to show their support to overturn this ruling and show their support for the unborn.  Members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. George Catholic churches in Lewisburg and Mifflinburg respectively made the trek according to Richard Owen, a deacon at Sacred Heart in Lewisburg.  This group will join the over 26 other buses from the Diocese of Harrisburg and meet up with more than 200,000 others on the National Mall.

Bringing attention to the sanctity of life and protecting the unborn is one of the main goals of the Catholic Church and most protestant churches as well.  Richard Owen said, “We want to change hearts and bring attention to the problem”.  Changing hearts and minds is a difficult thing especially today when so many of our friends, relatives, and yes, fellow congregants who think that a women’s choice to kill her unborn child is somehow a good thing to do.  Isn’t it funny that those who push the pro-abortion agenda never have had an abortion (or at least express it publically) and have seen the physiological and psychological effects of this deadly decision?  But that is exactly what pro-lifers must do, change hearts and minds.  It is incumbent upon Christians everywhere to protect those who can not protect themselves – the unborn.  Life begins at conception and that is a proven fact just Google what happens in gestation and you will see the stages of fetal growth and see that it is definitely a child. 

Let us fight the good fight and run the race that has been set before us to stop the millions of abortions that happen each year.  We must educate our youth, preach it from the pulpits, and contact our legislators to get them to stop abortion funding.  We must pray with fervor that our nation will turn from its wicked ways (including the support that President Obama has for Pro-Aborts) and turn towards God.  A nation that is godless is doomed to fail; just pick up the Bible and read the Old Testament to see for yourselves.

Throw me a life-line.

There is a new program in the region specifically aimed at throwing a lifeline to parent(s) that may be  having extreme difficulties to get help with their children for a short period of time.  This new program is called Safe Families for Children and is getting started in the Dauphin County area.  The program puts together volunteer families who are willing to act as a surrogate extended family, to parents who need some time to deal with with what ever their challenges may be.

The Safe Families for Children program is under the auspices of Bethany Christian Services, one of the nation’s largest adoption agencies based in Atlanta, GA.  Bethany Christian Services has 28 satellites across the country and they have three here in Pennsylvania located in Wexford, Elkins Park and right here in Harrisburg.

This program was designed to go in effect when a short term parental crisis strikes.  Most people can usually rely on relatives or if you have one, a church family for support.  But for many parents, there isn't a lifeline they can count on for support. Often problems such as drug addiction, domestic abuse, incarceration, or illnesses can be devastating, making it tough for parents to care for their children properly at that moment.  With the downturn in today’s economy many more families are experiencing financial crisis, unemployment, and homelessness.  During these times children are at-risk for neglect or abuse as their folks struggle to cope with their circumstances and emotions.  That’s where Safe Families for Children steps in to help.  Since 2005, Safe Families for Children has offered refuge to thousands of children, minimizing the risk for abuse or neglect and giving parents the time they need fix their personal issues in order to help their families survive.  According to their website (www.safe-families.org) they have these tree goals in mind when throwing a lifeline to parents in need:

1.       Child Welfare Deflection: Safe Families provides a safe alternative to child welfare custody, thus significantly reducing the number of children entering the child welfare system.

2.       Child Abuse Prevention: Providing an overwhelmed and resource limited parent with a safe, temporary place for their child without threat of losing custody. By offering support, the goal is to avert potential abuse/neglect episodes.

3.       Family Support and Stabilization: Many parents struggle because of limited social support and unavailable extended family. Many Safe Families Volunteers become the extended family that a parent never had.

Now is time for churches and volunteer families to step up to the plate and help these parents and needy children.  What can you do to help?  Become a volunteer family to host hurting kids on a temporary basis.  Children, will spend about 30-45 days (on average) with volunteer families and the children’s parents retain all their legal rights, and communication between parents, children and volunteer families is encouraged. The staff at Bethany Christian Services will be reaching out to churches, schools, hospitals, and other community groups to get the word out and recruit volunteer host families.

This program will not take the place of foster care – but will supplement it in times of need. To volunteer for Safe Families for Children or seek help from the program, call Bethany Christian Services at 717-238-3549, or toll-free at 800-472-6898 or visit them on the Web at www.bethany.org/harrisburg.

Politics and Abortion

Politics, religion, abortion                            

Politics, Religion, Abortion the three words that people fear the most at any dinner party or family gathering.  But as we get ready to ramp up the rhetoric for the 2012 presidential election and openings in the senate and house we’d better prepared to listen to politicians from all walks of life trying to discuss these subjects.  Recently Pennsylvania’s own Rick Santorum dipped his toes in the presidential race by blasting President Obama’s stance on protecting unborn fetuses or denying civil rights to them at the least.  While I’m not sure about this stance, it is very important that we protect the lives of the unborn – no matter what the cost, but not violence.

Santorum has been an outspoken critic of those who think abortion is the only option to an unintended pregnancy.  As I have discussed in a previous Examiner.com article – there are many options that do not include killing unborn children.  Santorum noted in a recent interview on the Christian Broadcasting Network that for decades, slavery allowed African-Americans to be treated like property. And he says fetuses are denied the right to life because they are considered property.   Former Senator Santorum said he was disappointed that Obama, a former law professor, refused to treat fetuses as humans under the Constitution.  I think that many of use feel the same way.  Just why is it so easy to fight for the right to kill children?  One of the reasons that I feel this happens is that the people that are making these decisions are way too far removed from what actually happens during an abortion and who it affects.  I know (according to my wife) that you don’t have to experience something personally to have an opinion on it, but if abortion was such a great thing – why do the leaders in Washington claim publically that they have terminated pregnancies?

Regardless of the politics, we must fight to end the ability for women to kill their unwanted children anytime during their pregnancy.  Even new PA Governor Tom Corbitt is concerned with the abortion (legal as it may be) oversight by the state.  Many of you may have read that an abortion doctor in Philly was recently charged with 8 counts of murder, including a woman that he was performing an abortion on.  As disgusting as these acts of violence are, they need to be brought out in the public light so that all pro-abortion rights advocates can see what actually happen.  Babies were born live and this Dr. killed them with scissors.  This and all abortions are infanticide, why can’t people see that?

All life is precocious – we must do everything possible to protect it.  God will not hold harmless those who kill children, fetuses, and those who promote these acts as normal. 

Adult businesses are everywhere

Driving towards Lewisburg from the Harrisburg area you just might want to shield your children’s eyes from the abundance of adult businesses that seem to thrive in central Pennsylvania.  Even in the news headlines, we can’t seem to get away from the mention of the porn industry, sexual innuendo, and scintillating news articles.  This week there was a story in PennLive.com about zoning and the adult entertainment business.

Zoning is something that most communities have to deal with when an adult themed business wants to open.  Counties must provide all zoning possibilities somewhere within their borders.  Communities can do the same.  The problem is when some communities don’t have zoning laws to adequately handle all the zoning types.  That is why you can see junkyards from the road, cars up on blocks in the front yard, etc.  Communities must re-visit their zoning and land use laws to adequately take on the proliferation of adult businesses in the region.

But that is not the crux of my story.   But why are those businesses thriving and growing?  Pornography has a hold of Americans everywhere.  Almost 50% of men who call themselves Christians admit surfing porn on a regular basis, so you can only imagine the percentage of non-Christians who gravitate towards the porn industry.  Pornography is an epidemic that destroys families.  Paul said that we should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel (body) in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the heathen, who do not know God. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 7).

When we have the temptation to stop into one of those adult businesses we must overcome it and hold on to God's Word regarding this issue.  If you have any doubt in your mind that you may be sinning, just ask yourself if Jesus was standing behind you, would He be pleased? Remember, "A man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths" (Proverbs 5:21).  Faith in Christ is your victory. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. Abide in Him. Pray until you have victory. If you feel weak, call someone to pray with you. Let us carry each other's burdens, helping one another. "Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way" (Psalm 119:37).

When the roll is called up yonder.

Just this weekend a horrible vehicle accident took place in South Londonderry Township in Lebanon County.  Four bright young students had been traveling together early Sunday morning, lost control of their car and unfortunately hit an oncoming car.  All for of those precious lives had been extinguished in a twinkling of an eye.  This tragedy must have been deeply disconcerting for all those involved from the parents, to the siblings and friends, to the emergency responders (I know, I am a police chaplain) to be involved in.  I can only imagine the pain those parents must be feeling.  I too have had to bury my own mother this week and have spent many days in pain and anguish.  But I am sure it doesn’t compare to having to bury your young sons. 

 We can, however, take comfort in the fact that those young men will be standing in the presence of the Lord, if they were believers.  How glorious that must be to know there is something beautiful beyond this life.  My mother was a godly woman, a believer, and had spent much of her time rooted in the Bible after my father’s death in 2001.  The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8, that when we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord.  What that means that the instant that we die, we will be present with God in heaven.  I know this is a painful thing to fathom, but for those young people and even my mother, we should glory in that fact and be somewhat comforted to know they are in a better place.

This is for any parents that may be reading, please teach your children about the Bible and what everlasting life is (John 3:16).  If you can get your kinds into a good church, I suggest doing that because being around Christians in corporate worship is very good for all those involved.  But if you can’t remember what Jesus said, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am in their midst”.  It is our jobs as parents to make the knowledge of God available to all who will listen.  Because in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound – will you be ready to stand face to face with God?  I pray that you will and I will be praying for those four families and I hope you do too.

Is street preaching free speech?

It seems that in the Harrisburg area that we have something of an anomaly these days, a street preacher.  You just don’t see that much anymore.  And if more people had the courage to do what Stephen Garisto is doing in the Central Dauphin School District area, maybe the Word of God would be heard by more people.  This street preaching, however, is not without controversy – and yes we Christians should expect that anytime the Word is proclaimed, or any religious symbols are shown in public we should expect someone to lay the smack down on it.

Mr. Garisto has been preaching on a street corner, on public property, at a CD school bus stop where it is reported that high school and middle school kids get on and off the bus.  This has raised the ire of some parents who think that Mr. Garisto is some kind of lunatic preying on their children’s soul.  They (the parents) are likening Mr. Garisto to some kind of pedophile because he talks to children about the Bible and Jesus Christ and have sought a court injunction to make him stop doing it.  Dauphin County Judge Jeannine Turgeon, to her credit, is taking some time to review this constitutional issue of free speech on public property.  However, she did chastise Mr. Garisto’s behavior as some what suspicious in his motives even though there is no evidence what so ever to support those malicious comments on his street preaching.  Judge Turgeon, much to the delight of the parents, did grant a temporary injunction against the evangelist, to stop preaching in that area of Penbrook.

 Many parents have made the claim that Garisto has been “harassing” them in their children by passing out tracts and exercising his right to free speech to talk about the Christ, while many parents have “heckled” him.  It has been my experience that street preachers always get heckled by non believers but anti war protesters in the Bush era were somehow always praised for their exercise of freedom of speech.  It seems to be a grossly hypocritical claim.  One parent commented that there is a time and a place for everything and a street corner is not the place to evangelize.  I wonder how they would know that.  My guess is that those parents making the claim that religion is only for churches has ever even darkened the door of one.  I’m glad that someone has the courage to stand up to the unbelievers and proudly proclaim the Word of God, no matter what the consequences are.  Nobody said the great commission of going forth and making disciples of all nations would be easy.

Christians and Abortions

Abortions in the state of Pennsylvania dropped nearly 4 percent in 2009, according to the new numbers recently released from the state health department in Harrisburg.  The figures show 1,523 fewer abortions occurred in 2009 than 2008, resulting in a total of 37,284 abortions in Pennsylvania last year.  That seems like an innocuous number, but when juxtaposed against the 45 million abortions since elective abortion was legalized in 1973, it pales in comparison.  Both numbers are staggering and it represents about the same number of deaths in the Soviet gulags during the Stalin regime or the Communist purges in China under Mao.  We are a depraved society for electively killing this many unborn children.  

For Pro-Life Christians (it is sad that I even have to qualify that) the drop in abortions last year is good news.  Being pro-life is and should be one of the primary tenants of our faith and I really can’t understand why it doesn’t seem to be in many mainline churches.  What can we attribute this drop in abortions to?  I’d like to say it is faith and the sanctity of human life. I’m not so sure that is the answer – because every other aspect of our society is running away from Christ rather than towards it. We should be thankful that many programs are available to help women make good decisions about having their child instead of aborting it.  It seems as if one of the state funded programs called Real Alternatives (www.realalternatives.org), located in Harrisburg, has made a real difference in educating women on the scope and gravity of their decisions.  One of the key phrases on their website is “Abortion is a life altering decision”.  That is the truth that many pro-aborts don’t want you to think about.  I encourage you to take a look at their website.

What can we as a church or a faith based organization do to supplement a program like Real Alternatives?  We must educated and shape our young people to have a deeper understand of sex, marriage, and how they can live out their sexuality in holiness and then have no cause for abortions.  We must educate church goers (and some pastors) of the sanctity of human life and that abortions are not God’s choice.  We must continually support sexual restraint and responsibility for unmarried adults.  We need to keep plugging away on strengthen marriage and supporting our single parent families in the church.  We must work with compassion in helping with adoptions and foster parenting organizations and provide good living situations for children spared from abortion.  Finally, we must keep praying about this situation like nobody’s business.  God loves the little children; let’s make sure they keep entering His world.