GRIEF OF NEWTOWN

Although I have faced cancer and nearly three decades of disease that has steadily and irrevocable stripped me of physical function and disabled me, it's nothing compared to the grief being endured by the parents of murdered children and loved-ones in Newtown, CT.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember and pray for the good people of Newtown who lost loved-ones. President Obama's address on Sunday evening began with the 2 Corinthians 4.16-5.1:

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far  more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things that are not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 

This Scripture has been a comfort and consolation to me. I hope it provides similar solace to grievers of Newtown. The solace and promise of the Apostle Paul's words are found a few verses earlier: "Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up with Jesus" (verse 14).

There, dear people of Newtown, this is this griever's hope and joy (even in the midst of pain and sorrow): To know I will be with Christ in eternity. You too will see your little ones again. Jesus himself said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19.14). Remember you were reminded of this at the memorial for your children?

Please do not despair. Follow Christ. You will see them again in glory.

Mark Davis Pickup

WHY IS NORTH AMERICAN CULTURE IN MORAL SHAMBLES?

Although this blog deals with Life and bioethical issues, I want to take thsi opportunity to recommed a book that is critically important to anyone who is wondering how and why  North American culture got into such moral shambles. The book is THE MARKETING OF EVIL: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom, by David Kupelian. I you cannot find it at your local bookstore, it can be purchased through Amazon.

Put this insightful book at the top of your reading list for 2013! For American Christians who visit this blog (the majority of the readership), I recommend you begin with Chapter 10 then read the rest of the book. It explains so much about how North America got into our current moral quagmire. Canadians will benefit too. David Kupelian's words of wisdom are equally applicable to Canada.

Mark Davis Pickup

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD

It seems so long ago. It was a long time ago -- over a quarter of a century in fact. I co-founded a crisis pregnancy centre in the Canadian city of Edmonton. It was a church-based ministry for women in crisis pregnancies to offer life affirming alternatives instead of abortion. Initially we called the ministry Outreach for Life.

By 1987, my own struggle with aggressive multiple sclerosis forced me to step down from the board and leave the ministry in the capable hands of others. Boy are they capable! 

The ministry has grown. It is now called the Pregnancy Care Centre.  Today, they not only serve women in crisis pregnancies and their babies, the Pregnancy Care Centre counsels post-abortive women (and men) and have an active community education program. God has brought such vibrant and committed Christians to the ministry to serve as volunteers and staff at the Centre or at a board level. Edmonton's evangelical community has rallied behind them in support. You can learn more by visiting www.pregnancycarecentre.ca and www.abortionrecovery.ca 
I can only admire them from afar and marvel at where God has brought this ministry from its humble beginnings in the living rooms of its first President, Marg Ferchoff, and the first Vice President: me.

The Pregnancy Care Centre has served literally thousands of women over the years. The Centre's director, Nora, has occasionally let me know how things are going. (I addressed their tenth and twentieth anniversary banquets.)

 Every year I receive the Centre's Christmas card naming the infants born during the year as a result of outreach and service to their mothers. This year was no different. The card came with the names of 99 children and a Christmas message: "Now all glory to God, Who is able through His mighty power at work within us to accomplish infinitely more than we ask o think." Indeed!

Because of another Child born 2,000 years ago, we have hope today and welcome other babies into our world. See link below.
MDP