Obama on Abortion

Upon request from my folks, here the note that triggered 33-comments-and-counting on Facebook. I'll be honest, my intention for posting it was to let my pro-life friends know that Obama is not a pro-life dude by any stretch of imagination.

-----------------------

Note: this is not meant to start a debate on abortion. My intent with this note is to show what this candidate stands for.

This is directly from his website. I encourage you to read it. (FYI, the Freedom of Choice Act--which Obama has promised to sign as president-- would override practically all federal, state, and local restrictions on abortion.)


http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/22/obama_statement_on_35th_annive.php:

"Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

"Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, it's never been more important to protect a woman's right to choose. Last year, the Supreme Court decided by a vote of 5-4 to uphold the Federal Abortion Ban, and in doing so undermined an important principle of Roe v. Wade: that we must always protect women's health. With one more vacancy on the Supreme Court, we could be looking at a majority hostile to a women's fundamental right to choose for the first time since Roe v. Wade. The next president may be asked to nominate that Supreme Court justice. That is what is at stake in this election.

"Throughout my career, I've been a consistent and strong supporter of reproductive justice, and have consistently had a 100% pro-choice rating with Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

"When South Dakota passed a law banning all abortions in a direct effort to have Roe overruled, I was the only candidate for President to raise money to help the citizens of South Dakota repeal that law. When anti-choice protesters blocked the opening of an Illinois Planned Parenthood clinic in a community where affordable health care is in short supply, I was the only candidate for President who spoke out against it. And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president."

-----------------------

Without Complaining or Arguing, Shining like Stars (Phil Pt 4)

Notes of Philippians 2:12-18, updated as I'm working on them.

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my presence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

This is marvelous.

To Walk in Grace

Great song. I love how it the focus turns from my faith at the beginning to God's grace. That's where we are alive and without fear.

"Tip of my Heart" by Bebo Norman

It's on the tip of my heart /
The words to say /
There's an angry world pressed against my back /
And at every turn I keep looking back /

And I know you promise me / Love through eternity /
So why can't I just hold on?
I wanna laugh / I wanna be set free /
and let You hold all that my soul has deep inside of me
But I don't know where to start /
It's on the tip of my heart

So won't you take my hand / Cuz I'm sinkin in /
To this life I've made, but don't understand /
The clock moves so slowly / And time goes so fast /
In this whirlwind world that will never last
This love you've given me / It's not just make-believe /
Help me to just hold on

I wanna live / I wanna love /
But I'm afraid my simple faith will never be enough /
I wanna laugh / I wanna be set free /
and let You hold all that my soul has deep inside of me
But I don't know where to start /
It's on the tip of my heart

You've opened the skies / Opened my eyes /
All my fears you've scattered away /
So I walk in grace / cuz I've seen your face /
And you are all that matters to me

So I'm gunna live / I'm gunna love /
I'm not afraid because your grace will always be enough /
I'm gunna laugh / I'm gunna be set free
And let you hold all that my soul has deep inside of me /
And you've shown me where to start /
It's on the tip of my heart

Where I spent the summer

Some pictures from my summer residence in beautiful Coeur d'Alene Idaho. Well, that's where I worked, but these are from nearby Post Falls Idaho where I spent the second half of the summer with Luke (first half over in Rathdrum ID--didn't take pictures though). I need to carry my camera around with me more, because photos bring back great memories:

No jumping. Luke and I did that off smaller cliffs down river a couple miles (except off rocks).

Biking up the hills

Overlooking Post Falls

This was in my backyard. For real.

Definitely a beautiful place to spend a summer. Good times.

Unity through Humility: Philippians Part 3

Study Notes on Philippians 2:1-11. Looked up lots of Greek this week.

I decided to separate the notes from the questions, which will mean less page-flipping for me during the small group time.

Logos

"Lord I don't know where all this is going /
Or how it all works out /
Lead me to peace that is past understanding /
a peace beyond all doubt"

Great song by the Newsboys.

The next section in Philippians is amazing!

Been looking at Logos Bible Software Bible Study Edition, which looks like a really great tool. For just Bibles, Biblegateway.com has it all (great site). What appeals to me about Logos is the built in concordance, cross-references, lexicons, Bible Dictionaries, maps, commentaries, and more. Right now my Soma Prep involves 4 Bibles open (NIV, ESV, NASB, and the pocket Gideon NKJV), BibleGateway.com for the NLT version, the free E-Sword Bible Study software for Strong's Numbers referencing the original words, the StudyLight.org lexicon for definitions of those words and to see other uses in Scripture (of course for a serious word study you want to cross-reference the original word, not the English word!), and maybe some commentaries. Logos puts that all in one place. Granted I still really like bound books, hence the multiple physical bibles, but I think I'd use Logos a lot. It's just a little pricy.

I'm so grateful to have a lighter class load this semester to have more time for all this good stuff. :)

Philippians - Part 2

Chapter 1, verses 12 through the end, here we go! Here are my notes for anyone who may be interested, and please do let me know if you have any comments, especially if you find anything wrong or iffy. (Much of this came from great discussion with Neil, Josh, Joe, Peter K, Liam, and Dan.)

Will we be so passionate about Christ that trials-—far from deterring us-—only make us bolder witnesses and draw us closer to Him?