March 11, 2008 by pamela.

Posted in The Church Today, Potpourri | Print | No Comments »

March 11, 2008 by pamela.

It’s important to prove all things and hold fast that which is good. Prove all things. This man, Rob Bell, is probably one of the most influential ‘pastors’ in one of the fastest growing churches, Mars Hill, in America today. This is the “other Mars Hill” - not Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill church in Seattle. Rob Bell is known for his “Nooma’s” — short film clips depicting a particular concept or thought. The Nooma’s are thoughtful. The Nooma’s are thought provoking. The Nooma’s are provoking. Positively or negatively depending on what you think of them, what you think after watching them and what you think about the message they give (or don’t give).

This, from the Nooma.com site on what a Nooma is: “It’s short films with communicators that really speak to us. Compact, portable, and concise. Each Nooma touches onissues that we care about, that we want to talk about, and it comes in a way that fits our world. It’s a format that’s there for us when we need it,as we need it, how we need it.”

I remember seeing them for the first time a few years ago. Straight away I had a reaction. I made notes and comparisons with the Word. My reaction was strong. It’s stronger today.

Posted in The Church Today | Print | 4 Comments »

March 11, 2008 by pamela.

Posted in Potpourri | Print | No Comments »

March 11, 2008 by pamela.

Posted in Potpourri | Print | No Comments »

March 11, 2008 by pamela.

I thought I’d just start this post off with a bang: vasectomies. Writing the rest of it will be easier now, comparatively speaking.  Well, with the exception of replies to comments - but that’s probaby the good thing about not receiving lots of daily comments here.

I don’t know of an elective surgery that is more emotionally charged than vasectomies - with the exception of tubal ligations. Every week I receive letters from women — men and women — couples — who ask for prayer for conception and pregnancy - most requests are posted on our site. In addition to those, we receive letters inquiring about birth control and vasectomy or tubal ligation reversal. So many aches. So many questions.  So much regret and disappointment. So many broken hearts and marriages. Week after week, couples plead for prayer on their behalf that God would be merciful and grant them conception… that God would provide a way for a vasectomy reversal… that God would forgive a bad or foolish decision.

If you’ve visited our site or have known me any length of time you will readily know my strong opposition to the big fix. It’s a lie… the big fix is no fix at all - for breaking things that work just fine isn’t a solution or a fix-all. Very, very rarely do I ever talk with a person for whom pregnancy is or would be fatal or detrimental health wise. Very rarely do I ever read of situations where a woman should not — must not — get pregnant.  And most of the time, my estimation of birth-control is this: it is for people who should not get pregnant. And who should not? People who are not married. to. each. other.  Sincere or Medical cases of necessary abstinence are rare - much rarer than are cited.

Responsibility is a marvelous gift to men and to women.  Responsibility requires necessary restraint and composure, resolve and commitment.  Vasectomies remove a substantial restraining factor in men’s lives and behaviour.  That’s something that’s probably not mentioned when men seek a vasectomy.  It’s not like the doc sits there and says, now, brother, you do realize that you now have total secsual freedom, don’t you?  Are you sure you can handle this?

Of course not.

Instead, docs ignorantly praise a man for the decision he’s making (the great financial bene, notwithstanding) and how now he’ll be free to enjoy secs completely and his wife will never have to be burdened again, blah, blah, blah.   Based on the number of women who’ve written to us, and we’re nobody!, and I will tell you, women cry over the foolish decision and men ache with shame and regret for making a decision based on convenience. and doubt. and fear.

Page two, Local Section of this morning’s Seattle Times has an article about a doc in Oregon who is offering “premium vasectomy appointments” to men who want to time their vasectomy just right to enable them to watch March Madness college basketball… “It’s snip city.” the ad in the article proclaims.

Another sad consequence: older men acting on impulse; younger men instructed.  Older men paving the way for younger men to neglect God.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.  — Psalm 19

Problems?  Headaches?  Tired of being tied down?  Kids interrupting your game or game-plan? Make an appointment to cut them off today.  You’re in charge of your life - why be bogged down with children and family, why bother?

So light and so cavalier is the view of the great gift of life.   Pragmatism makes many foolish decisions.  For which man could know what God has in store for him?  Who can know the great mind of God on matters of life, offspring and posterity - except that He says children are a blessing and a great heritage to the man who has them.  Decisions with eternal implications made in a moment of frustration or despair… based on a most convenient scenario.

I wonder how many will be grieved five minutes or six months later when the gravity of the decision is realized.  It is a grievous thing to cut off the possibility of children - the heritage of the Lord.  The big fix is a lie.
We know many who have sought forgiveness for the hasty or illadvised action and have joined in prayer and have sought reversal: “Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me…”

God help us.

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