Life on the March
There will always be some quiet symmetry to the March for Life falling so closely to the day we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. In so many ways, their cause is the same – the struggle against a deep and painful injustice.
There will always be some quiet symmetry to the March for Life falling so closely to the day we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. In so many ways, their cause is the same — the struggle against a deep and painful injustice. It’s a fight that’s been passed down through the generations, an heirloom of tragedy that Americans are desperate to end.
Dr. King never lived to see his dream fulfilled. Some wonder if it ever was. But Friday, in the sea of young faces, there was hope. Hope for the unborn, to be sure, but also hope for the dignity of every person. White or black, young or old, we are all members of the same human family. And together, we are determined to wash clean the stains of a nation that stopped remembering who it is.
So many things have changed since that first march so many years ago. Politicians have come and gone, laws have been written and unwritten — but the bond that brings masses of Americans to Washington every January is the same. We will march until the day — hopefully soon — when we no longer have any reason to. When every child is welcomed in life and protected in law.
And we have never been closer than now. Thanks to President Trump, this administration is on a mission to restore the culture of life in America. Not even a Democratic House will stop this White House from doing what it knows is right: protecting women and children from the greatest human rights crisis of our time. This is a movement, the president told the tens of thousands of pro-lifers on the National Mall in his video message, “founded on love… Every child is a sacred gift from God.” Together, he promised, we’ll work to prove it. “Today,” he announced to the roar of the crowd, “I have signed a letter to Congress to make clear that if they send any legislation to my desk that weakens the protection of human life, I will issue a veto — and we have the support to uphold these vetoes.”
Like every other president, Donald Trump will stand on the longstanding principle that taxpayers should not be forced to finance abortion. At the prompting of 169 House members and 49 senators, he fired a shot across the bow, warning Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that he won’t allow Democrats to succeed with their radical plans to overturn the Hyde amendment.
“I am concerned that this year, Congress may consider legislation that could substantially change federal policies and laws on abortion, and allow taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human life. Like several of my predecessors who served as president of the United States, I am writing to make sure that there is no misunderstanding of my views on these important issues… Every child should be welcomed into life and protected in law.”
It’s “alarming,” he went on, “that the House of Representatives, in its short time under Democrat control this year, has already sought to reverse important pro-life protections. These issues are deeply emotional and made even more complicated when Congress compels American taxpayers to fund efforts that end human life.” It is the most basic duty of government, he insisted, “to guard the innocent.” And to the relief of tens of thousands of Americans who made Friday’s mile-long walk to the Supreme Court, that’s exactly what he has spent his presidency doing.
Originally published here.
How to Use Your Phone for Life
It hasn’t been a banner year for the big business of digital media. From revelations of social media companies being loose with users’ information, to evidence of certain viewpoints being suppressed, a person might wonder if interacting with social media and the internet can bring any good at all. Thankfully, there is much good being done — and much more that you can do, as we heard yesterday at ProLifeCon 2019. Friday’s 14th edition of FRC’s digital action summit brought together activists, strategists, entertainers, and policy makers to give us all a look at the cutting edge of the pro-life movement.
It’s not too late to watch speakers like Christopher Baggett of the Human Coalition; Culture of Life Africa’s Obianuju Ekeocha; The Heritage Foundation’s Lyndsey Fifield; SBA List’s Andrew Moore; Students for Life of America’s Kristan Hawkins; LifeSiteNews.com’s Claire Chretien; Dr. Ingrid Skop of FRC’s 10 myths of Abortion; the writers and directors of the upcoming film Unplanned along with it star Ashley Bratcher; Ann McElhinney, writer and producer of the movie Gosnell; Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.); Congressmen Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Andy Harris (R-Md.), and Roger Marshall (R-Kans.), and a special appearance by Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. You can now watch on-demand the entire program on our Facebook page or at FRC.org. Watch and share with your friends!
Originally published here.
A Grounded Flight and Churches Grounded in Their Faith
Washington headlines screamed Friday about President Trump cancelling House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s use of an Air Force plane for a week long trip to the Middle East. “In light of the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay, I am sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate,” wrote the president in a letter to Speaker Pelosi. “I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me…” Not surprisingly, Congressional Democrats are responding furiously.
Sadly, the Speaker shows no interest in using this next week to negotiate an end to the shutdown and the border crisis. Instead, we are beginning to see another crisis forming for the families of federal workers. So it’s been left to churches and faith based organizations to spring into action to offer them help — many of whom are living paycheck to paycheck.
This isn’t the first time that churches have jumped in to fill a void left by our government. I can personally attest to how churches are on the front lines of relief in natural disasters — and the same is true now as the shutdown enters its 29th day. We are receiving reports that churches all over the country — including many that are a part of our Watchmen on the Wall ministry — are expanding their food pantry operations to serve furloughed workers.
One of those is Calvary Chapel International Worship Center in Severn, Maryland. The church is hosting a “Shutdown Relief Sunday” where it will “offer prayers for affected families” as well as a week’s worth of food that includes a “10-pound bag of chicken, a 6-pound box of hamburgers and a variety of sides.” Washington D.C.‘s Redemption Hill Church blasted out an email to its congregation Friday morning announcing a new benevolence fund to provide grocery gift cards to affected church members. Pastor Mark Cowart of Church for all the Nations in Colorado Springs, CO tells us that they are gearing up for a food distribution to government workers. Thursday, the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Alabama gave out $16,500 worth of grocery gift cards to many of the thousands of furloughed NASA employees who live in the area. One NASA contractor who received a gift card thanked the church for “helping a lot of people out by giving gift cards to the grocery store, which is going to go a long way. It’s a little stressful reaching into week four.”
Pastor Bryan Carter of Concord Church in Dallas, Texas asked for any federal employees in his congregation to stand up. He prayed over them for several minutes before distributing $100 gift cards to each person and offered food baskets for anyone in need. “They didn’t get a paycheck on Friday so now they’re trying to just survive,” said Pastor Carter. “When our community hurts, we hurt.”
These are just a few of the many examples of the body of Christ bearing one another’s burden. (Galatians 6:2) Meeting material needs are important, but we have an opportunity to meet spiritual needs as well — making an eternal impact. In the midst of all the depressing headlines, let’s keep in mind that the generous spirit of churchgoing America remains very strong — to the tune of $1.2 trillion according to one study. That’s the jaw-dropping sum that has been totaled up from the “fair market value of goods and services” by religious groups and businesses with religious ties. American churches are incredibly generous to the needs of a hurting world. That’s not even considering the countless hours that Christian churches and ministries devote to helping the poor and the needy, nor the private actions of individual Christians.
Whether you serve in a homeless shelter, prison ministry, a food pantry, an adoption center, disaster relief, or other such ministries — you are making a tangible difference in people’s lives. Motivated by your faith in Jesus Christ, you are bearing both public and personal witness to His love and grace.
Originally published here.
This is a publication of the Family Research Council. Tony Perkins’ Washington Update is written with the aid of FRC Action senior writers.
