Womb - or tomb? (Part 1)

The current controversy, in the United States of America, regarding "late-term abortion" - i.e. legalising abortion right up until the infant is actually in the birth canal, in the process of being born - and what is, in fact, infanticide - allowing a fully delivered baby to die, or be put to death (a euphemism for 'murdered'!), has led me to do what I have never done before in the more than eleven years during which I have been 'blogging'. I am re-sharing four consecutive posts from August 2014 on the subject of abortion. As then, I am not wishing to enter into any discussion on the subject. I am merely highlighting the procedures that are followed when a child is deliberately killed in its mother's womb.

This is the first of the series, exactly as written at the time (so please excuse 'time-specific' references!).

"In a speech yesterday - that is in no way connected to the forthcoming General Election!! - Mr David Cameron set out new measures to help families, and made a fresh commitment to put family life at the heart of Conservative policy. Among other things, he said: "For me, nothing matters more than family. It's at the centre of my life and the heart of my politics. It's family that brings up children, teaches values, passes on knowledge, instils in us all the responsibility to be good citizens and to live in harmony with others."

I liked that bit about "It's family that brings up children" because, of course, the children must be there to bring up.  Unfortunately, too many don't make it that far - and the government could do something about it!

Earlier today, I was reading about Moloch - a god of the ancient Canaanites or Phoenicians - mentioned by the Old Testament prophet, Amos (5:26).  As part of the 'worship' of this pagan deity, that was represented by a large bronze statue with a cavernous mouth that contained a furnace, mothers would throw their own live children into that mouth, where they were devoured by the flames.  In such a way, tens of thousands of innocent victims were used to placate this 'god'.  Drums were even beaten loudly in order to drown the screams of these little children.

I cannot imagine any normal human being, including Mr Cameron - our new champion of the family! -  not being appalled at such atrocities.  However, if we look at the society and culture in which we live in this 21st century, we discover that we are no better!

The modern equivalent of Moloch is, I would argue, much more implacable than the Canaanite 'god'.  Indeed, if we compare the tens of millions of victims today, then those human sacrifices of antiquity pale into numerical insignificance. 

Today, and for many decades, we do not throw these children into a fire. Rather, their lives are snatched away in the cold, sterile, silence of the abortionist's operating room.  Not even given the opportunity to breathe, these little human beings are sacrificed on the altar of the 'personal convenience' of the mother.  In the womb - where they should be most protected - their little lives are snuffed out, and their little bodies are discarded.  The human sacrifices becomes, until it is emptied, a tomb!  Such is the wonder of 'modern civilisation'!

Now, in order to pre-empt some anticipated comments, let me say that there are some - very rare - situations in which abortion is the least worst thing to do.  But these are, indeed, very rare.

I expect to continue this theme for a couple of posts, so do ensure that you return to the blog!"

Womb - or tomb?

In a speech yesterday - that is in no way connected to the forthcoming General Election!! - Mr David Cameron set out new measures to help families, and made a fresh commitment to put family life at the heart of Conservative policy. Among other things, he said: "For me, nothing matters more than family. It's at the centre of my life and the heart of my politics. It's family that brings up children, teaches values, passes on knowledge, instils in us all the responsibility to be good citizens and to live in harmony with others."

I liked that bit about "It's family that brings up children" because, of course, the children must be there to bring up.  Unfortunately, too many don't make it that far - and the government could do something about it!

Earlier today, I was reading about Moloch - a god of the ancient Canaanites or Phoenicians - mentioned by the Old Testament prophet, Amos (5:26).  As part of the 'worship' of this pagan deity, that was represented by a large bronze statue with a cavernous mouth that contained a furnace, mothers would throw their own live children into that mouth, where they were devoured by the flames.  In such a way, tens of thousands of innocent victims were used to placate this 'god'.  Drums were even beaten loudly in order to drown the screams of these little children.

I cannot imagine any normal human being, including Mr Cameron - our new champion of the family! -  not being appalled at such atrocities.  However, if we look at the society and culture in which we live in this 21st century, we discover that we are no better!

The modern equivalent of Moloch is, I would argue, much more implacable than the Canaanite 'god'.  Indeed, if we compare the tens of millions of victims today, then those human sacrifices of antiquity pale into numerical insignificance.

Today, and for many decades, we do not throw these children into a fire. Rather, their lives are snatched away in the cold, sterile, silence of the abortionist's operating room.  Not even given the opportunity to breathe, these little human beings are sacrificed on the altar of the 'personal convenience' of the mother.  In the womb - where they should be most protected - their little lives are snuffed out, and their little bodies are discarded.  The human sacrifices becomes, until it is emptied, a tomb!  Such is the wonder of 'modern civilisation'!

Now, in order to pre-empt some anticipated comments, let me say that there are some - very rare - situations in which abortion is the least worst thing to do.  But these are, indeed, very rare.

I expect to continue this theme for a couple of posts, so do ensure that you return to the blog!

Identification - it's so important!

So, the English and Welsh local council elections have come and gone!  The results appear to indicate that the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) is now a major force with which to be reckoned in British politics.  In my opinion, for what it's worth, this is no bad thing.  The three "major" parties - the Conservatives, the Labour Party, and the Liberal Democrats - have shown, over recent decades, to be increasingly separated from "ordinary" people.  They have been, overwhelmingly, filled with career politicians who seem to have personal conservation as their highest priority, and the serving of those who elected them delegated well down the list.  Now I know that there are honourable exceptions - the problem is that they are exceptions!

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, ..." Moses tells us. (Gen.1:1)  That amazing act of creation culminated in the creation of mankind - the only 'part' of creation made in the image of the Creator (Gen.1:26-27), and into which the Creator breathed His own life (Gen.2:7).  Mankind was created, we understand, to enjoy unbroken communion and fellowship with its Creator.  Regretfully, that same mankind allowed sin to enter the world that God had declared to be "... very good!" (Gen.1:31), and so was cut off from the Creator, and banished from the beautiful Garden in which they had been placed. (Gen.3:23).

That could, quite easily, have been the end of the story.  God had acted with perfect justice, in accordance with Gen.2:17.  However, His written Word assures us that the Almighty, creating God is not only perfect justice, but that He is also perfect Love!  Indeed, love is the very essence of His being (see I John 4:8, 16).  Because of this, he was not prepared to leave a sinful humanity with no escape from its predicament. In what is referred to as the "protoevangelium" ("first Gospel"), He makes clear that a single descendant of the woman will open the way for mankind to, once again, have a deep and personal relationship with its Maker. (see Gen.3:14-15).

In order to do that, this same Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of all that is, took upon Himself, in the Persona of the Son (see my book {details at top of blog} - chapter on the Trinity), human flesh and, unlike so many modern politicians, became one of us.  He was not separated from the "common man" but "... understands our weaknesses, for He faced the same testings we do, yet He did not sin." (Heb.4:15).  He lived among us, a man among men; He died for us, bearing "... our sins in His Body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." (I Peter 2:24); He rose from the dead, victorious over sin, death, hell, and the grave. (see, e.g., I Cor.15:51ff).

He is also the One Who has promised that He will return (Jn.14:3) and, unlike the average politician, He keeps His promises - to the letter!  As I look about me, I am increasingly convinced that that coming again is not far off.  I am not so foolish as to join the ranks of those who have claimed to have predicted the very day on which the Rapture (chapter on the subject available in my book!!) will take place.  However, I am certain that it will - possibly during my own mortal lifetime!

The Rapture will be a truly earth-shattering event - but it will merely fore-shadow the coming again of the Lord Jesus in judgement.  It will be then that "... the kings of the earth and the great men and the generals and the rich and the strong, and every one, slave and free, [will hide] in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand before it?'" (Rev 6:15-17).

May all who read this post be spared that terrible situation, by turning to Him now, in repentance and faith, and accepting Him as their personal Saviour and Lord - for your own good, and for His glory.  If you think that I may be of any further help, please do not hesitate to contact me, in order that I may respond at a personal level.