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Life Lines for Dec. 2, 2007
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville
God is so AWESOME! He has given scientists the knowledge and ability to reprogram adult stem cells to revert to their embryonic form. This is fantastic news for both the scientific and pro-life community.
The team studies conducted by scientists in both Wisconsin and Japan have found a way that human skin cells can be used to make pluripotent stem cells utilizing all of the features of human embryonic stem cells. The reprogramming process also provides a way to create individually tailored transplant tissues which is unlikely to be rejected by the patient’s own immune system. In other words, stem cells should be perfectly matched to the patient and the immune system should not attack it.
But beware! Even though pro-life groups across the country are heralding the discovery as great news, pro-choice lawmakers and celebrities are not going to go away quietly on this issue. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa is one lawmaker who is leading the charge to NOT abandon embryonic stem cell research because he believes that killing a human and obtaining those stem cells offers more powerful and promising results.
Pro-life Christians beware. This issue is far from over and we must all remain vigilant and informed in order to help repel attacks from those who do not value human life. God’s own word tells us that all life has value and because of this, I have a belief that God will never allow success with embryonic stem cell research.
Psalm 64: 2-10. Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear. They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, "Who will see them? They plot injustice and say, "We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning. But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down. He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done. Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him!
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Life Lines for Dec. 9, 2007
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville
On Tuesday, Nov. 20, members of Illinois Valley Lutherans for Life met in Salem’s Fellowship Hall. State Rep. Jim Watson was the guest speaker for the evening addressing Illinois legislation and life issues. Some questions were raised that he did not have answers for at the time and has since responded to those questions.
First: Is Speaker of the House Michael Madigan pro-life? Answer is yes.
Second: Is there currently a law titled the Infants Born Alive Act? The answer to this is no. The House overwhelming voted to pass the measure with 114 yes and 2 no earlier in 2007. The bill was then sent to the Senate where it was shoved into committee and never acted upon. That is where the bill will stay. Why? Because our Senate President, Emil Jones, is pro-choice (death) and he has the power to stop the bill in its tracks, which he has done. Essentially, the bill would protect infants who were born alive during and abortion attempt and give them the same rights that all humans have. And yes, it does happen and is not uncommon for an infant to be born alive during an abortion process. It is simply standard procedure for that infant to be neglected until death occurs, usually within a few hours. Abortions are performed in the early months of pregnancy so the chance of the infant surviving outside the womb without medical intervention is nearly 0%. Jill Stanek, a former nurse at Christ Hospital, Chicago, blew the whistle on this practice a few years ago and lost her job in the process. Since then, she has become a pro-life voice crying out for the unborn. It is what Ms. Stanek has been called to do and what all pro-life Christians should be doing. Pray for an end to abortion. Boldly proclaim you are pro-life. Vote pro-life. Speak up for the unborn and elderly, the most vulnerable among us. Support the work of the pro-life cause through your money and your actions.
Psalms 24:11. “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”
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Life Lines for December 16, 2007
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville
I’m sure most everyone knows that former Illinois Rep. Henry Hyde passed away on Nov. 29. But, you may not be aware of the work Rep. Hyde did on behalf of the unborn. Because of the Hyde Amendment, it’s been estimated that hundreds of thousands of abortions that could have occurred since 1976 didn’t happen. His work made sure that American taxpayer money didn’t pay for millions of abortions. Prior to his death, Rep. Hyde was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor the President can award an American citizen. Since then, Rep. Peter Roskam, another Illinois Republican, has introduced H.Res. 843, a resolution honoring Rep. Henry Hyde for his work as a pro-life champion. We can help Rep. Roskam in his efforts to honor Rep. Hyde by contacting our own representatives and encourage our members of Congress to ask that the Democrat leadership bring the resolution before the House for a vote.
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Life Lines for December 23, 2007
Written by Jeanne Strubbe
Life Ministry Coordinator
Salem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville
I know most everyone has heard the saying “Saving the best for last.” But, have you ever thought about that saying and creation? God created everything in six days, and saved creating man and woman until last. Everything that God created in the days prior to creating man and woman was for the use of mankind and only man was created in the image of God. God loves man with an unconditional love and all human life is precious to God from the unborn to the elderly and disabled. God and God only gives life!
God proved His love for us, and ALL humans, when our Lord came down from heaven and became man through the Holy Spirit by the Virgin Mary. Hebrews 2:16. For surely it is not angels He helps, but Abraham's descendants. He didn’t have to do this because we, as sinners, certainly didn’t deserve this selfless act of love. But, because of God’s love for ALL humans, He became man. He lived and suffered, was tempted but remained sinless and died on the cross to destroy the power of the devil and grant all believers eternal life. Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. His death set all believers free from the bondage of sin. The purpose of Jesus’ entire ministry was For Life! God created and sustains Life! Jesus became human at the moment of conception and lived in Mary’s womb until the time for Him to be born. It’s an awesome thought when one considers that our Lord and Savior chose to enter the world the same way we all entered the world … through our mother’s womb. This is God’s plan for all humans and we are all created and known to God, both body and soul, upon the moment of conception. So why is abortion (legalized killing of humans) still happening in our nation? Let your support and conviction to help end the slaughter of the unborn be your best and lasting Christmas gift to Jesus.
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