Tuesday, January 31, 2012

To Make Abortions More Rare

In our commonwealth legislature, two bills have been approved by the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection and have been sent to the full Senate for approval. These two bills aim at making abortion more rare. Senate Bill 102 defines the required counseling of "informed consent" to be in an "individual, private setting," or face-to-face. This bill will eliminate counseling via internet or telephone. Senate Bill 103 adds to the informed consent requirement prior to an abortion that requires an ultrasound.

According to the Center for Vital Statistics in Frankfort, Kentucky, between 1991 and 2009 there were 108,116 reported babies "aborted." That makes 29,616 Kentuckians are absent from the halls of high schools this year due to "abortion." 

This bill will likely pass the Republican majority in the Kentucky Senate. Much like the last time bills such as these arose, the Kentucky House of Representatives with a Democrat majority will be the battle between those on the pro-life and those pro-abortion. The challenge for simple action is to be informed and to communicate with those claiming to represent you.
For most in my flock, Henry County is represented by Rick Rand (D). E-mail him, send him a letter, call his office. He is given a 100% rating from Kentucky Right to Life, but as a Democrat he has influence on the rest of his party to vote in favor of both of these bills. If you do not know who your representative is, click here

This is simply an effort to make abortions more rare in the commonwealth of Kentucky. Please take some time out and be informed on the progress of these bills and to communicate to the legislature your attentiveness to these bills.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Tebow's Platform

The Tim Tebow phenomenon has taken captive millions of football fans, both for and against. How might a quarterback with poor throwing motions and runs too high able to lead the pitiful Denver Broncos team into the playoffs? Well, that is a question that merely scratches the surface of the controversy around this Heisman Trophy winner. What makes Tim Tebow the conversation on every talk show each and every day is his public faith in Jesus Christ. Tim Tebow is an outspoken Christian. In a mocking tone, broadcasters laugh at Tebow praying toward God as if he needed a miracle to win football games. In blasphemous words, American football fans remark how God ought to be isolated and contained inside private quarters or that God must be a Broncos fan by divinely intervening on the football field to help Tebow win.

Although the disgusting mess of American football, which is promoted by every vice in this land in TV ads, is controversy enough to discuss in a pastor's blog, quite frankly I am uninterested to shout into the wind and rebuke a scoffer (Proverbs 9:8). However, I have great interest in Tebow's remarks and worldview in regards to football as well as the media attention. Tebow told a reporter, "I want to make a difference with my platform." That's right, platform. Tebow sees football competition as nothing more than numbers, and his own involvement in football is nothing more than a platform to display the glory of God. That is it. God's glory surpasses anything and everything humanity makes to glory in. At the end of the day, sports is just numbers; God's glory is eternal and shines bright.

Tebow's platform is football. He is on display on every TV station, he is asked questions and must respond knowing millions of people will mock him, and he is even discussed on ESPN around the clock! Tebow is not financially suffering and quite frankly has a cool job. Yet, he is constantly mocked and ridiculed, not for his football talents or losses, but his faith in Christ Jesus. Tebow does not simply thank a generic god for his performance or a win, but praises the One, True God for simply giving him a platform to tell others about Jesus. Tebow says he does not pray for a victory on the football field, he simply thanks God for giving him talent and a platform to tell others about Jesus.

We each have a platform given to us by God to display His infinite glory. Perhaps we will not be discussed on talk shows across the world by sharing our faith or mocked and insulted by millions. Perhaps we will simply be laughed at by a co-worker or ridiculed by the hardened heart of our next door neighbor. There are great lessons taught by God through His servant Tim Tebow. We shouldn't be satisfied praying for our well-being or getting a raise at work, but rather pray that God would give us a platform and ability to display His infinite glory no matter how big of stage He gives us. If God can give a faith strong enough to endure the angry mockery of millions such as the faith He gave Tim Tebow, He can give us a faith strong enough to endure the scoffing of a few dozen. Let us share the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in whatever platform God gives us that we might be found faithful servants displaying God's glory in our lives.