As Western governments are obsessed with the China virus and what to do; on what or whom are you relying?
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In Part One Dr. David Nettleton was quoted saying ‘Today we are choosing between two alternatives: A LIMITED MESSAGE OR A LIMITED FELLOWSHIP. If we preach all of the Bible truths, there are many places where we will never be invited. If we join hands with the crowd, there will be the limiting of the message of the Bible.’
The doctrine of separation and especially that separation from other Christian believers is almost an anathema today. The thought of separating from another Christian conjures up all sort of thoughts and questions. Who do you think you are? Where’s your love? What about grace?
Nevertheless, separation is a necessity in the Christian life. As Dr. Earnest Pickering wrote in BIBLICAL SEPARATION page 106 ‘Separation requires severance from that which is wrong.’ Around 57 A.D. Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
A year later Paul wrote Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
These passages along with many others tell us there is a difference, or should be, in the life of a believer from what they were before salvation. So, what are we to do with professing believers that seek to mix the world with the church and the believer’s life? One would have to be a blind Freddy not see how much influence the world has on Christians. This worldly influence has reached into the theology of Puritan piety. Today, there is a resurgence of Calvinist teaching which was the teaching of the Puritans which included holy living. However, according to Dr. Peter Masters this resurgent Calvinism is not the Puritan Calvinism of old especially in its matter of sanctification. This New Calvinism is the foundation theology in two fairly new organizations, The Gospel Coalition and Together for the Gospel. Now, I am not defending Calvin or the teaching that has taken his name but it is well worth reading what Dr. Peter Masters, pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London has to say on this issue of New Calvinism. He writes,
‘A new form of Calvinism took the shape of a movement from about 2005, but it differed from the original in its acceptance of ‘the world’. This critique written in 2009 was sharply attacked by new Calvinistic preachers but strongly endorsed by conservative preachers worldwide.
When I was a youngster and newly saved, it seemed as if the chief goal of all zealous Christians, whether Calvinistic or Arminian, was consecration. Sermons, books and conferences stressed this in the spirit of Romans 12.1-2, where the beseeching apostle calls believers to present their bodies a living sacrifice, and not to be conformed to this world. The heart was challenged and stirred. Christ was to be Lord of one’s life, and self must be surrendered on the altar of service for him.
But now, it appears, there is a new Calvinism, with new Calvinists, which has swept the old objectives aside. A recent book, Young, Restless, Reformed, by Collin Hansen tells the story of how a so-called Calvinistic resurgence has captured the imaginations of thousands of young people in the USA, and this book has been reviewed with great enthusiasm in well-known magazines in the UK, such as Banner of Truth, Evangelical Times, and Reformation Today.
This writer, however, was very deeply saddened to read it, because it describes the New Calvinism as a seriously distorted Calvinism falling far, far short of an authentic life of obedience to a sovereign God. If this kind of Calvinism prospers, then genuine biblical piety will be under attack as never before.
The author of the book is a young man (around 26 when he wrote it) who grew up in a Christian family and trained in secular journalism. We are indebted to him for the readable and wide-reaching survey he gives of this new phenomenon, but the scene is certainly not a happy one.
The author begins by describing the Passion, conference at Atlanta in 2007, where 21,000 young people revelled in contemporary music, and listened to speakers such as John Piper proclaiming Calvinistic sentiments. And this picture is repeated many times through the book – large conferences being described at which the syncretism of worldly, sensation-stirring, high-decibel, rhythmic music, is mixed with Calvinistic doctrine. This gives a clear picture of what New Calvinism is about.
We are told of thunderous music, thousands of raised hands, ‘Christian’ hip-hop and rap lyrics (the examples seeming inept and awkward in construction) uniting the doctrines of grace with the immoral drug-induced musical forms of worldly culture.
Collin Hansen contends that American Calvinism collapsed at the end of the nineteenth century and was maintained by only a handful of people until this great youth revival, but his historical scenario is, frankly, preposterous. As one who regularly visited American seminaries to speak from the early 1970s, I constantly met many preachers and students who loved the doctrines of grace, preaching also in churches of solid Calvinistic persuasion. But firmer evidence of the extensive presence of Calvinism is seen from the fact that very large firms of publishers sent out a stream of reformed literature post-war and through the 1980s. The mighty Eerdmans was solidly reformed in times past, not to mention Baker Book House, and Kregel and others. Where did all these books go – thousands upon thousands of them, including frequently reprinted sets of Calvin’s commentaries and a host of other classic works?
In the 1970s and 80s there were also smaller Calvinistic publishers in the USA, and at that time the phenomenon of Calvinistic discount Christian bookshops began, with bulging catalogue lists and a considerable following. The claim that Calvinism virtually disappeared is hopelessly mistaken.
Indeed, a far better quality Calvinism still flourishes in very many churches, where souls are won and lives sanctified, and where Truth and practice are both under the rule of Scripture. Such churches have no sympathy at all with reporter Collin Hansen’s worldly-worship variety, who seek to build churches using exactly the same entertainment methods as most charismatics and the Arminian Calvary Chapel movement.
The new Calvinists constantly extol the Puritans, but they do not want to worship or live as they did. One of the vaunted new conferences is called Resolved, after Jonathan Edwards’ famous youthful Resolutions (seventy searching undertakings). But the culture of this conference would unquestionably have met with the outright condemnation of that great theologian.
Resolved is the brainchild of a member of Dr John MacArthur’s pastoral staff, gathering thousands of young people annually, and featuring the usual mix of Calvinism and extreme charismatic-style worship. Young people are encouraged to feel the very same sensational nervous impact of loud rhythmic music on the body that they would experience in a large, worldly pop concert, complete with replicated lighting and atmosphere. At the same time they reflect on predestination and election. Worldly culture provides the bodily, emotional feelings, into which Christian thoughts are infused and floated. Biblical sentiments are harnessed to carnal entertainment. (Pictures of this conference on their website betray the totally worldly, showbusiness atmosphere created by the organisers.)
In times of disobedience the Jews of old syncretised by going to the Temple or the synagogue on the sabbath, and to idol temples on weekdays, but the new Calvinism has found a way of uniting spiritually incompatible things at the same time, in the same meeting.
C J Mahaney is a preacher highly applauded in this book. Charismatic in belief and practice, he appears to be wholly accepted by the other big names who feature at the ‘new Calvinist’ conferences, such as John Piper, John MacArthur, Mark Dever, and Al Mohler. Evidently an extremely personable, friendly man, C J Mahaney is the founder of a group of churches blending Calvinism with charismatic ideas, and is reputed to have influenced many Calvinists to throw aside cessationist views.
It was a protégé of this preacher named Joshua Harris who started the New Attitude conference for young people. We learn that when a secular rapper named Curtis Allen was converted, his new-born Christian instinct led him to give up his past life and his singing style. But Pastor Joshua Harris evidently persuaded him not to, so that he could sing for the Lord. The New Calvinism movement or The New Calvinists do not hesitate to override the instinctual Christian conscience, counselling people to become friends of the world.
One of the mega-churches admired in the book is the six-thousand strong Mars Hill Church at Seattle, founded and pastored by Mark Driscoll, who blends emerging church ideas (that Christians should utilise worldly culture) with Calvinistic theology [see endnote 1].
This preacher is also much admired by some reformed men in the UK, but his church has been described (by a sympathiser) as having the most ear-splitting music of any, and he has been rebuked by other preachers for the use of very ‘edgy’ language and gravely improper humour (even on television). He is to be seen in videos preaching in a Jesus t-shirt, symbolising the new compromise with culture, while at the same time propounding Calvinistic teaching. So much for the embracing of Puritan doctrine divested of Puritan lifestyle and worship.
Most of the well-known preachers who promote and encourage this ‘revival’ of Calvinism (or New Calvinism) have in common the following positions that contradict a genuine Calvinistic (or Puritan) outlook:
- They have no problem with contemporary charismatic-ethos worship, including extreme, heavy-metal forms.
- They are soft on separation from worldliness [see endnote 2].
- They reject the concern for the personal guidance of God in the major decisions of Christians (true sovereignty), thereby striking a death-blow to wholehearted consecration.
- They hold anti-fourth-commandment views, taking a low view of the Lord’s Day, and so inflicting another blow at a consecrated lifestyle.
Whatever their strengths and achievements (and some of them are brilliant men by any human standard), or whatever their theoretical Calvinism, the poor stand of these preachers on these crucial issues will only encourage a fatally flawed version of Calvinism that will lead people to be increasingly wedded to the world, and to a self-seeking lifestyle. Truly proclaimed, the sovereignty of God must include consecration, reverence, sincere obedience to his will, and separation from the world, and the New Calvinism has very little of that.
You cannot have Puritan soteriology without Puritan sanctification. You should not entice people to Calvinistic (or any) preaching by using worldly bait. We hope that young people in this movement will grasp the implications of the doctrines better than their teachers, and come away from the compromises. But there is a looming disaster in promoting this new form of Calvinism (also known as The New Calvinism).
Why do some British Christians who hold the doctrines of grace give enthusiastic reviews to a book like this? There have been times in the past when large numbers of young people have suddenly become intellectually enthusiastic about solid Christian doctrine, only to abandon it almost as quickly. One thinks of the tremendous response the unique oratory of Francis Schaeffer secured on university campuses in the 1960s, and no doubt some young people were truly saved and established, but very many more turned aside. Gripped by the superiority of a biblical worldview, they momentarily despised the illogical, flaccid ideas of this world, but the impression in numerous cases was natural rather than spiritual. The present new, heady Calvinism, shorn of practical obedience will certainly prove to be ephemeral, leaving the cause compromised and scarred.
Has the New Calvinism come to Britain yet? Alas, yes; one only has to look at the ‘blogs’ of some younger reformed pastors who put themselves forward as mentors and advisers of others. When you look at their ‘favourite films’, and ‘favourite music’ you find them unashamedly naming the leading groups, tracks and entertainment of debased culture, and it is clear that the world is still in their hearts. Years ago, such brethren would not have been baptised until they were clear of the world, but now you can go to seminary, no questions asked, and take up a pastorate, with unfought and unsurrendered idols in the throne room of your life. What hope is there for churches that have under-shepherds whose loyalties are so divided and distorted?
Aside from pastors, we know some ‘new’ young Calvinists who will never settle in a dedicated, working church, because their views live only in their heads and not their hearts. We know of some whose lives are not clean. We know of others who go clubbing. The greater their doctrinal prowess, the greater their hypocrisy.
These are harsh words, but they lead me to say that where biblical, evangelical Calvinism shapes conduct, and especially worship, it is a very humbling, beautiful system of Truth, but where it is confined to the head, it inflates pride and self-determination.
The new Calvinism is not a resurgence but an entirely novel formula which strips the doctrine of its historic practice, and unites it with the world.
Why have the leading preachers servicing this movement compromised so readily? They have not been threatened by a Soviet regime. No one has held a gun to their heads. This is a shameful capitulation, and we must earnestly pray that what they have encouraged will not take over Calvinism and ruin a generation of reachable Christian young people.
A final sad spectacle reported with enthusiasm in the book is the Together for the Gospel conference, running from 2006. A more adult affair convened by respected Calvinists, this nevertheless brings together cessationists and non-cessationists, traditional and contemporary worship exponents, and while maintaining sound preaching, it conditions all who attend to relax on these controversial matters, and learn to accept every point of view. In other words, the ministry of warning is killed off, so that every -error of the new scene may race ahead unchecked. These are tragic days for authentic spiritual faithfulness, worship and piety.
True Calvinism and worldliness are opposites. Preparation of heart is needed if we would search the wonders and plumb the depths of sovereign grace. We find it in the challenging, convicting call of Joshua:
‘Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ https://www.metropolitantabernacle.org/Christian-Article/New-Calvinism-Merger-of-Calvinism-and-Worldliness/Sword-and-Trowel-Magazine
The Bible has not changed but Christianity has! Nevertheless, believers are still to come out and be separate from the world and not to be conformed to this world!
This is really a sad story for it seems, all too often the government has funds for the foolish things in life but not for those folk that really matter.
‘We have allowed our farmers on the brink of financial ruin to cash in food vouchers to feed their families while hipsters are handed thousands of dollars to “experiment” with paint brushes. But instead of sheepishly pocketing their cash and disappearing into artistic obscurity, these artists want more money.
And the broader community of artists has become so consumed by identity politics that they now want money to be taken away from organisations with too many white people and too many men and given to those with more “diverse” resumes. Their ideology stems from the entitled belief it is their right to pocket the $177 million annual funding pool given to the Australia Council for Arts. The mechanisms by which we distribute tax dollars are broken. Meanwhile, the Australian Government has kicked 1300 Queensland farmers off household assistance. The $244 weekly payment was helping feed the children of farmers battling one of the worst droughts in living memory. Anyone who says we cannot afford to help these people is a fool. We have the money, it is just going to the wrong people. And if we don’t help them, the economic fallout of towns collapsing will be far worse. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg rightly pointed out that Australia’s measly economic 1.7 per cent growth forecast lost roughly 0.25 per cent to the drought. But while we debate how many dollars to send our farmers lets go over what we supposedly can afford. In August alone, more than $180,000 was given to “emerging and experimental” artists. Sydney musician Gail Priest, who describes herself as a “solo electro-acoustic” performer was given $16,000. “I seek to have a multifaceted practice that explores the aural realm both materially and conceptually,” she writes on her websites. Artist Josh Harle was given $46,507 from the same funding pool but this writer cannot work out exactly what he does. He describes his art as an investigation into “the virtual spaces generated by emerging technologies, our encounters with the world through them, and their social and political impacts”. Cool. Artist Rebecca Gallo got $42,435, Lucas Ihlein got $43,300 and something called Fusebox Festival got $50,800. The Australia Council which gave them the tax dollars was contacted but their spokeswoman Brianna Roberts declined to reveal details of their projects. “We cannot provide more specific details about individual projects for privacy reasons,” she said. No transparency, no accountability. They should be stripped of their ability to decide who gets your money, but instead, artists are making a move for even more funds. More than 700 artists released a letter this month calling for arts ministers around the country to revise funding procedures. They want more “diversity” and more money to come from “Major Performing Arts” projects and instead given to obscure individual artists. “The MPA Framework is a roadblock to Australian culture’s growth and survival,” the letter said. “Currently, MPA funding constitutes 59 per cent of Australia Council grants, a proportion that is ‘ring-fenced’. “The direct consequence of this is severely diminished discretionary funds available to independent artists.” University of Melbourne academic Jo Caust followed up the letter with an article in The Conversation where she argued money should be pulled from Australia’s top orchestras, operas, theatres and ballets. These “traditions”, she says, are too European. Too white. “The MPA organisations include ten orchestras, five opera companies, eight theatre companies, and three ballet companies, “she wrote. “These companies are generally focused on the western canon and follow the European tradition in terms of their cultural priorities. “They tend to be white and male dominated in their leadership – Bangarra is the only First Nations company. The very nature of major performing companies excludes all other art forms, such as literature and the visual arts.” Art is subjective, this writer accepts that. But it is absurd to suggest that money should be pulled from our greatest orchestras and given to someone who describes themselves as an “electro-acoustic” performer. And while the artists tear each other apart over these generous grants lets all spare a thought for the farmers who would have lifechanging circumstances with even a fraction of that money.’ https://www.skynews.com.au/details/5daf94ef1de1c4001ae90b80?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Viewpoint%202310&utm_content=Viewpoint%202310+CID_e1d97ab0f215953a240ca46069646113&utm_source=Daily%20newsletter&utm_term=Entitled%20artists%20squander%20millions%20while%20our%20cattle%20starve
Nonconformist Matthew Henry wrote concerning the 45th Psalm and our Saviour that ‘There is more in Christ to engage our love, than there is or can be in any creature. This world and its charms are ready to draw away our hearts from Christ; therefore we are concerned to understand how much more worthy he is of our love.’
‘“All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” (Psalm 45:8)
Psalm 45 is one of the Messianic psalms, quoted as such in Hebrews 1:8-9. The section so quoted (vv. 6-7), which immediately precedes our text, begins with one Person of the Godhead addressing the Messiah also as “God,” whose throne is eternal. Then, He says, “Oh God, . . . thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” The “oil of gladness” was the holy oil used for the anointing of priests and kings and was compounded of a mixture of spices that included myrrh and cassia (Exodus 30:22-25). Since the Messiah had been anointed to be “above his fellows” (first as High Priest, then as King of kings), “all his garments” would bear the sweet aroma of the holy ointment.
At the birth of Christ, His garments were “swaddling clothes,” and the gifts of the eastern wise men included a supply of myrrh and frankincense (Luke 2:7; Matthew 2:11). At His death, they gave Him to drink “wine mingled with myrrh [and] . . . parted his garments” (Mark 15:23-24). Then once again His body was wrapped in linen clothes and anointed with myrrh and aloes (John 19:39-40) for His burial.
The psalmist sees Christ (i.e., “Messiah,” both Greek and Hebrew titles meaning “the Anointed One”) emerging triumphantly from the “ivory palaces.” These mansions with their ivory walls and pearly gates are of shimmering white beauty in the distant heavenly city that will someday descend to Earth (Revelation 21:2, 10-21).
The Lord descended once from these ivory palaces to take on human flesh in Mary’s womb, thence to a burial in Joseph’s tomb. But someday He will again come forth, anointed as eternal King, and then “shall the people praise thee for ever and ever” (Psalm 45:17).’ https://www.icr.org/article/11515
The Lord Jesus before He ascended into heaven told His followers ‘…ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight‘ Acts 1: 8,9.
John the apostle quoted the Lord saying ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me‘ John 14:6. According to this verse there is no One else through Whom a person may get to Heaven! He, Jesus, is the Way, He is the Truth, and He is the Life! No one will be in Heaven except through Him!
In 2Corinthians 4: 4 it said that Satan as the ‘…god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.’
The urgency of preaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is as necessary today as it ever has been. With the UN promoting indigenous religions there is an increase in these religions being practised among the indigenous and non-indigenous people around the world.
The Australian Aboriginal’s Dreamtime is an example. ‘So the sad thing about it all was the missionaries didn’t realise that we already had something that tied in with what they’d brought to us. They saw different as inferior, and they didn’t ask us what it was that we had. And it’s very sad because if they had asked… things may have been different today.
Our people, before the white man came were very spiritual people. They were connected to land and creation through the great spirit, there was a good great and a great evil spirit… And Satan was the great evil one. So there wasn’t much difference in what the missionaries brought and what we already had… .’ http://dreamtime.net.au/indigenous/spirituality/
Mixing another religion with Biblical Christianity will not work. As the apostle Peter said in Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
It may seem like the nice, friendly, congenial thing to do by mixing and putting another faith on par with Jesus Christ but this is only a ploy of the Devil himself. This seeking to please others will send them to hell because the reality is Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The way to Hell is broad but the way to Heaven and eternal life is narrow. For as we are told in Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. THIS INCLUDES THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE WORLD for ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance’ 2Peter 3:9.
May, we who know Christ as our personal Saviour not ‘…glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
The past couple of weeks has seen two prominent ‘Christian’ celebrities deny ‘the faith which was once delivered unto the saints‘ as well as ‘denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.’
Neither of these had I ever heard of before the open and publicized refutation of their faith in Christ. Nevertheless, their words of apostasy struck a chord of sadness when read.
Joshua Harris was the first to come out having left the faith and divorcing his wife. He had been the pastor of a mega-church for several years before moving to Canada to attend seminary. What Harris wrote seems to have been for public consumption but I will only give portions of what he wrote here. Harris wrote ‘…that I have undergone a massive shift in regard to my faith in Jesus. The popular phrase for this is “deconstruction,” the biblical phrase is “falling away.” By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian. Many people tell me that there is a different way to practice faith and I want to remain open to this, but I’m not there now.’
Harris continued further that he had changed his ‘…views of women in the church, and 
my approach to parenting to name a few. But I specifically want to add to this list now: to the LGBTQ+ community, I want to say that I am sorry for the views that I taught in my books and as a pastor regarding sexuality. I regret standing against marriage equality, for not affirming you and your place in the church, and for any ways that my writing and speaking contributed to a culture of exclusion and bigotry. I hope you can forgive me.’https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ZBrNLH2sl/?utm_source=ig_embed
Marty Sampson is the next to proclaim he’s ‘not in any more.’ According to Wikipedia Sampson was ‘…an Australian contemporary worship music singer-songwriter, musician and worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney. From the late 1990s he has featured on the Youth Alive albums and was one of the original Hillsong United band’s worship leaders.’ 
Sampson openly wrote on Instagram that it was ‘Time for some real talk. I’m genuinely losing my faith, and it doesn’t bother me. Like, what bothers me now is nothing. I am so happy now, so at peace with the world. It’s crazy.’
Again, not all he wrote will be quoted but only that which he wrote near the end of his declaration of apostasy. He said ‘All I know is what’s true to me right now, and Christianity just seems to me like another religion at this point. I could go on, but I won’t. Love and forgive absolutely. Be kind absolutely. Be generous and do good to others absolutely. Some things are good no matter what you believe. Let the rain fall, the sun will come up tomorrow.’https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/hillsong-songwriter-marty-sampson-says-hes-losing-his-christian-faith/
When I first read the statements by these two men Hebrews 6:4-6 came to mind where the Apostle said For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. These are not words to be taken lightly!
The Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian church had some words that we who claim the name of Christ should take heed. He wrote ‘Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2Corintians 13:5.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation
This is a beautiful song sung by Perry Como. Yes, I know I am getting old/er but something is definitly missing in many of the songs of today.
It is refreshing to read about a woman that supports pro-life! Such a woman is Joy Villa who said, ‘My statement for the 60th Grammys is Choose Life. I
Photo: Fox News
believe in loving the child and the mother, and I am proudly Pro Life, without any judgment to those to choose otherwise.
Why did I wear a fetus surrounded by a brightly colored womb on my dress and a purse with “Choose Life” to the 60th Grammy Awards?
I am pro-life.
10 years ago my life was shattered, I couldn’t stop crying: I had a beautiful baby growing inside of me… For many women, becoming pregnant is a dream come true, but I was overcome with guilt, agony and shame.
I was penniless, far from home and trapped in an abusive, toxic relationship with a man who had become a shadow of what he once was. At 19 I fell in love with an older man who was very kind hearted with a good heart, but once he began using drugs our relationship quickly became a nightmare. The same arms that once held and protected me were weaponized; night after night, I’d hide in a corner, terrified of being beaten.
I didn’t know who to turn to.
When you’re young and vulnerable, sometimes your mind plays tricks on you: “I don’t deserve happiness!” “I don’t deserve love!” “This is the best I can do!” It pains me to remember how utterly devoid of value I felt at the time, but I truly believed that I deserved to be abandoned, forgotten and punished. I thought “This must be my fault, so I have to stay and try to fix this.”
After a contraceptive failed, I became pregnant at age 20.
After testing positive at a clinic, the nurse began to pressure me to get an abortion. She told me, “We can do it now, it’ll make it all go away. I’ve had several abortions, in fact all three of my daughters have had several. You are too young to have kids. This is the best choice for you.”
She had already made my choice for me.
I left feeling deflated and heart-broken. I had never considered abortion, I wanted to stay and make things right with the father, to have a real family.
But when I was violently thrown against the wall by the baby’s father while heavily pregnant, I knew I needed a real solution. My baby deserved so much better.
That’s when I made the most difficult and important decision of my life: I decided to carry my baby to term and then give her up for adoption to a loving family. I put her life over mine.
It wasn’t easy. Every day was a struggle. Ask any woman: Pregnancy is extraordinarily difficult, especially without family by your side. But my faith in God – and my love for my baby – gave me all the strength I needed to survive.
I found an adoption agency that helped me every step of the way, including taking care of my day to day living expenses. We placed my baby with a loving, caring family in an “open adoption,” which meant I could still be involved in her life. I have a growing and wonderful relationship with my daughter today, (who calls me “Mama Joy”!) because of my decision to choose life.
Adoption gave this terrified young girl the greatest gift of her life: A second chance.
A chance to do the right thing.
A chance at healing.
A chance to be a Mom.
To celebrate my beautiful daughter I hand painted my Pronovias Grammys gown with a recreation of her sonogram when I was 8 months pregnant.
Today, I have chosen to platform to encourage women to think for themselves and gather all the information before making their own decision. Having life giving options like adoption can empower women to do what they feel is right.
There are thousands of women in similar situations to mine. Many are far younger – and more vulnerable than I was. I’m not here to condemn them, or call them names, or try to make them feel worse than they already do.
But I do have a message:
Consider adoption. Consider life. Consider carrying your baby to term, and placing your unborn child with a caring, nurturing, happy family.
You will survive this. You will make it through. And you absolutely, 100 percent, deserve all the happiness and love in the world. You’re so much stronger than you know.
You deserve a second chance at life… and your baby deserves a first chance.
Life is precious. And so are you.’ http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/01/31/joy-villa-why-choose-life-over-abortion-incredible-journey-that-began-for-me-at-20.html
