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June 29, 2008

June 22, 2008

June 15, 2008

June 8, 2008

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May 25, 2008

May 18, 2008

May 11, 2008

May 4, 2008

Life Lines for May 4, 2008
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville

Her name was Dorothy Dixon and she died on January 31, 2008 in Alton, IL. Few will remember Ms. Dixon in the years to come. She didn’t write a best selling novel, nor win a political office. She wasn’t a famous actress, nor was she a scientist. She was just an ordinary person, pregnant, and trying her best to keep a roof over her head and that of her 1 year old son. What is newsworthy about this woman’s life was actually her death. She was a prisoner in her own home, locked up most of the time in a dark, cold basement with little to eat and no clothing to keep her warm. Her tormentors were led by a 35 year old woman and five accomplices ranging in age from 43 to 12. Ms. Dixon’s monthly income was pocketed by the six tormentors, giving little of it to Ms. Dixon. Instead, the six tormentors used Ms. Dixon for target practice with a BB gun which led to over 30 BB’s being lodged in her body upon her death. Her pitiful pregnant body was beaten, tortured, forced to run naked inside the house, scalded with hot liquids and starved. After reading this story I asked myself how God could allow this to happen? I searched His Word and found that evil entered that house in the form of six people who went about the work of Satan. They had free will and chose to perform heinous acts upon another human who they saw as having an unworthy life. Sin is the choice of man, not God. I feel compassion for all of the suffering that this woman endured prior to her death, and the death of her unborn child. I pray God took her home to be with him and put an end to her suffering. But we must also look to the tormentors in this case. I felt disgust when I read the news story about Ms. Dixon’s torturous death and I wanted the tormentors to pay. Genesis 9:6. "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man. But, I also feel that we must pray for the souls of these lost people that they not only pay for their sins, but that they come to faith in Jesus. John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The sad story of Ms. Dixon’s death is only one example of what happens hundreds of times per day in our nation. Why? Because too many have chosen to view life, especially human life, as being unworthy and dispensable.

Life Lines for May 11, 2008
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville

Today is the day we set aside to honor our mothers who gave us life, loved and nurtured us and made many personal sacrifices for us. God looks upon motherhood in a distinct and special way, unlike the worldly view that modern feminism has wrought. God created woman to be merciful by nature as He made man to be a protector by nature. In Isaiah 66:13 we read “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” Also, 1 Thessalonians 2:7 tells us “We were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her children.” The Bible also gives many references to the way God is involved with women and their pregnancies. Genesis 21:1-2 “The Lord came to help Sarah and did for her what He had promised. So she became pregnant.” Genesis 30:17 says “God answered Leah’s prayer. She became pregnant…” Based on just these few verses, we know that God wants a culture of Life because of the very nature He placed in woman to bear and nurture life and in man to be the protector of life. Intentionally aborting a child is an unnatural act against the very essence of being a woman and the way God created the first woman, Eve. John 1:1-4 tells us “He (Christ) was in the beginning with God. Everything was made by Him. In Him was Life and the Life was the light of mankind. ALL things were made by God, including the tiny human in the womb. Martin Luther left no doubt about how he viewed the sin of abortion. “There should be no trifling with those who are pregnant, but they should be objects of constant care. Those who have no regard for pregnant women and do not spare the tender fruits are murderers.” Thank your mother today for giving you the gift of life.

Life Lines for May 18, 2008
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville

For those involved in the pro-life campaign, positive results seem to be just beyond our grasp. But, in reality, we are making significant strides in educating our society about the evils of abortion and the killing of the elderly and/or disabled. The United Methodist Church at a recent gathering of the United Methodist General Conference adopted several petitions recognizing the sanctity of human life. The delegates voted to encourage the assistance of crisis pregnancy centers and to also support adult notification and consent when a minor seeks an abortion. These are baby steps, but baby steps in the right direction. We all need to pray for these positive steps in our journey to defend and protect the ‘least of these,’ the unborn child. God’s Word calls each of us to uphold the right to life. Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 82:3-4).

Life Lines for May 25, 2008
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville

The dark history of the shameful movement underpinning the biggest human atrocities of the 20th century was powerfully outlined by Ben Stein in his important documentary which is a must-see for anyone serious about science, about faith, and about freedom.

Stein followed the scientific community’s lockstep loyalty to Darwinism backwards in time, and ended up at the Nazi gas chambers, which first killed disabled people. They were just practicing Darwinism, by speeding up the process of natural selection, formerly called survival of the fittest, by eliminating “useless eaters”. Society bought into this toxic mentality because it came from doctors and scientists.

He followed their trail to Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, who was a dedicated eugenicist, working overtime to rid the world of people that she deemed as unworthy of life. While she was ostensibly offering women choice, secretly she was seeking to rid American society of the ‘unfit’ (as she saw them), thus we got more Darwinism in action. We are still in the midst of the nightmare of Sanger’s legacy; 50 million Americans have died of abortion, surpassing the darkest dreams of Hitler and Stalin together. My hat is off to Mr. Stein for bringing the dark side of evolution and Darwinism onto the big screen for the world to see. Ephesians 5:8-11. “you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

Life Lines for June 8, 2008
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville

Her name is Kristi Burton and at the age of 13 she began her crusade for the pro-life movement in her own high school, speaking out on pro-life issues.

Now at the young age of 20, she is already making her mark in the pro-life camp nationally. Burton’s belief is that personhood lies at the very core of life issues. She has asked, ”If unborn children aren’t humans, what are they?” She began her work by speaking with a friend who was an attorney. She was counseled that what was needed was a constitutional definition that laid down a principal of law, that an unborn child is a human being, with all the rights our society grants a human being. Burton stated, “No one should be able to kill someone just because they feel like it … we wouldn’t allow that with anyone but the unborn.” And that’s how it all started. Gov. Mike Huckabee supported Burton’s amendment and launched attention to it nationally, helping to get the message out. The Personhood Initiative has caught fire and turned into a movement. It was reported that the members of Colorado for Equal Rights have more than the required 76,000 signatures needed to get the personhood proposal on this November’s ballot. Burton stated that “This amendment will establish a cornerstone for protecting human life in our society … and we all know this is the right thing to do. We are giving Colorado voters an opportunity to vote their conscience and protect the most innocent and helpless ones among us.” But, they will be facing an uphill battle as the pro-death supporters are lining up to stop this amendment in its tracks. Let us pray for a positive outcome on the side of protecting the unborn and the work of Ms. Burton. Psalm 145: 17-20. The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his work The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

Life Lines for June 15, 2008
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville

The longing for community and family is strongly present in each of us. We want to connect, to belong, to know where were came from. So where does pregnancy resulting from sperm donation fit into this premise? The United Kingdom is considering a new law which will strip away the legal need for a father. Birth certificates will simply reflect Parent A and Parent B. (Well, this makes it much more appealing to single women and/or a lesbian couple now doesn’t it?) But doesn’t it also send a clear message to society that fathers are not important? And what is the far reaching effect going to be on the children? I tend to think that these children are going to need help to manage their way through periods of confusion and even despair as they attempt to gain their own sense of identity and belonging. Dr. Robert Nachtigall, a San Francisco fertility doctor was quoted as saying, “Let’s fact it; donor gametes is an experiment … This is a huge social experiment mediated by technology. Who knows how it’s going to turn out?” These are not words of promise or comfort coming from someone prominent in the field of sperm donors. This is also contrary to God’s plan for mankind. God intended that pregnancy occur within the bond of marriage between a man and a woman -- who are married to each other.  God commissioned the human race in Genesis by the proclamation that Adam and Eve were to multiply and replenish the earth.  Furthermore, according to the Bible, pregnancy is to occur between the man and a woman who are married to each other.  Sexual relations outside of the marriage relationship, is defined rape, adultery, or fornication.  God condemns these as being morally wrong and thereby sinful. Therefore, the very act of becoming pregnant by sperm donor is not in accord with the will of God. Furthermore, children from such an act will more than likely feel a loss of identity or of belonging, fueling emotional problems. God made it clear that a father and a mother were to raise children and the Christian father is really the instrument in God's hand in this matter of fatherhood. Thank God for the gift of our fathers, and honor them on this special day.

Life Lines for June 22, 2008
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville

All true Christians would agree that life is the most precious gift that human beings have been given. Just the chance to be alive on this earth and play a part in the grand scheme of God's eternal plan is a privilege indeed. The Bible clearly teaches that all life is of infinite value, regardless of its duration or quality, because all human beings are made in the image of God. Yet, despite this, there are times when life becomes so difficult or unbearable that people have tried to deal with these problems without God's guidance and leading. Seeing a loved one suffer, where a doctor has pronounced there is no hope for them to live, is one of those issues. Karen Weber, a Florida woman who suffered a stroke in December presently has a feeding tube. And just like Teri Schaivo, Karen’s husband wants to have the feeding tube removed because he claims she is in a persistent vegetative state and will not recover. Karen’s family however is fighting to save Karen’s life and says she is alert and responsive. Like Teri Schaivo, Karen is unable to communicate her own medical treatment wishes and has not advance medical directive to instruct family and doctors. Both sides are battling in court and a judge has issued an injunction prohibiting the removal of the woman’s feeding tube while a committee decides her competency. Please pray for Karen that she does not suffer the same painful death experienced by Teri Schaivo and so many others in our country. Deuteronomy 30:19-20. This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Life Lines for June 29, 2008
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville

A very common medical practice of withdrawing food and water from patients who are deemed terminal or in the so-called vegetative state happens daily in this country. Many doctors describe this method of dying as a gentle, painless process claiming it doesn’t involve any pain. But, according to Dr. David Stevens, death by dehydration is a cruel, inhumane, and agonizing death. Dr. Stevens claims that most so-called experts have never witnessed someone die under such circumstances. But, Dr. Stevens who worked in Africa for 13 years has witnessed hundreds of cases of death in children and adults from dehydration due to gastroenteritis. Here is his account of death by dehydration. First comes extreme thirst, dry mouth and thick saliva. The patient becomes dizzy, faint and unable to stand or sit; develops severe cramping in the arms and legs as sodium and potassium concentrations in the body go up and fluids go down. Patient can not produce tears, develops severe abdominal cramps, nausea and dry-heaving as the stomach and intestines dry out. Skin and lips are cracking and tongue is swollen as the skin loses elasticity, thins and wrinkles. The hands and feet become cold as the remaining fluids in the circulatory system are shunted to the vital organs in an attempt to stay alive. The patient develops severe headaches and the brain starts to shrink from lack of fluids. If the patient is lucky, they may lapse into a coma at this point, but often times they will develop seizures before the coma overtakes their body. The blood pressure drops to a nearly undetectable level and the heart stops pumping. This process is slow, taking many days before death occurs. This is how Teri Schiavo was killed and how people are killed every day in our nation. But an 11 year old girl named Haleigh Poutre managed to escape this torturous form of death. Haleigh was admitted to a hospital in MA in Sept. 2005 because she had been viciously abused. The state eventually took custody of Haleigh and doctors indicated that she would not recover. Officials asked the MA State Supreme Court for permission to remove food and water and end her life. However, Haleigh fooled everyone and started a strong recovery. She used simple words and hand gestures to try and indicate what had happened to her to bring about such an injury. Most of us have never heard Haleigh’s story because it certainly wasn’t highlighted in the media … and won’t be. Otherwise, some might be made to admit that a wrong conclusion was reached in the case of Teri Schaivo and many more like her. Haleigh is now in rehab and awaiting the trial of her stepfather, Jason D. Strickland, who assaulted Haleigh and pushed her down a flight of stairs which resulted in her current medical condition. The lesson to be learned here is to not blindly accept what medical professionals suggest as the answer to a patients medical problem. They are human and capable of making mistakes too. No thanks to the state of MA, Haleigh lives, is in rehab and making progress. Everyone should have an advance medical directive regarding their own wishes on medical care. Matthew 25: 34-40,     "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'