“Our once great western Christian civilization is dying. If this matters to followers of Jesus Christ, then we must set aside our denominational differences and work together to strengthen the things that remain and reclaim what has been lost. Evangelicals and Catholics must stand together to re-establish that former Christian culture and moral consensus. We have the numbers and the organization but the question is this: Do we have the will to win this present spiritual battle for Jesus Christ against secularism? Will we prayerfully and cooperatively work toward a new Christian spiritual revival ― or will we choose to hunker down in our churches and denominationalisms and watch everything sink into the spiritual and moral abyss of a New Dark Age?” - Mark Davis Pickup

Thursday, March 10, 2016

OUT OF DEFEAT CAN COME NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Dear friends in Christ. I am posting an email discussion I had this
morning with an American documentary film-maker I recently worked with. She expressed sadness that my life’s work seems to have met defeat. I appreciate her concern for me: But I would rather lose for something that is right than win for something that is wrong. Remember, don’t let temporal defeats cloud your eternal perspective.

More than thirty years of chronic illness and disability of MS have taught me that apparent defeat can open wide doors for witness and service for Christ. 

The American documentary film-maker's email is immediately below. I will refer to her as S. My response follows her message.    
Mark

From: S.
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2016 11:00 AM
Subject: Sad

Hi Mark,
I'm sincerely sorry for the Feb 9 ruling in your country.  I know you fought hard for this.
Wishing you continued hope.
Best,
S.

Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2016 11:52 AM
To: S.
Subject: Sad? It's a matter of perspective


Thank you for your note S.. What’s about to happen in Canada can been seen as another defeat to my life’s work in Life issues against abortion and euthanasia. It is and it’s tragic, I agree. But it also gives me an opportunity to make my light of Christ shine in the darkness that has descended upon my nation. I have only my small candle but all the darkness in the world can not snuff it out.

Christ’s  followers must not give up (or give in) even against what seems to be overwhelming odds and defeat. We must show our moral and  spiritual mettle and now move into civil disobedience. Catholic hospitals and medical professionals must adopt a stance of full resistance and open defiance against the euthanasia regime in Canada. Catholic hospitals and Christian medical professionals must refuse to kill or refer to killers in assisted suicide or euthanasia. The government can choose to turn a blind eye or persecute doctors and hospitals that refuse to kill. It sounds grim and it is grim. The stakes are horribly high.

But it’s also a splendid opportunity for Christian witness in hope and life not death and despair. We now have an opportunity to establish a network of free-standing Christian hospices across the nation that always affirm life (even at its end) in an environment of love. This is when Christians can really show that the living Christ is real, that we know Him and our relationship with Him means so much more that what any court of legislature decrees -- if it openly demands we compromise or abandon the faith and relationship we have in Christ.

I am not defeated, S. I am humbled that God would trust me enough to put me in this place for a desperate time such as this.  The question I must answer is this: “Will I have the moral courage to be faithful to the calling I’ve been given?” That’s where I need your prayers, S. God bless.
Mark



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