Since this is “Sanctity of Life” weekend I thought this story, copied from Dr. Bob Griffin, is very fitting for the occasion:

I read about a woman named Pam, who knows the pain of considering abortion.
More than 24 years ago, she and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries
to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic
dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in
contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong
antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.

Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the
medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the
abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her
son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted.
Pam said the doctors didn’t think of it as a life, they thought of it as a
mass of fetal tissue.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to
consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: “If
you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy and we’ll make him a
preacher.”

Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and
eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest
son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and
serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays
football. We here in the Mountain West are pleased with the Denver Bronco
quarterback, Tim Tebow.

The University of Florida’s star quarterback became the first sophomore in
history to win college football’s highest award, the Heisman Trophy. His
current role as quarterback of the Denver Broncos has provided an incredible
platform for Christian witness.

Tim’s fame and Pam’s inspiring story have given her numerous opportunities
to speak on behalf of women’s centers across the country. Pam Tebow believes
that every little baby you save matters. I pray her tribe will increase!

~~
[This Sunday marks the anniversary of the modern American holocaust – Roe v
Wade decision to legally kill our own babies! Pray for God’s healing grace
to those who have committed such atrocities, and His mercy on our nation.]

THINK ABOUT IT!

In yesterday’s Morning Manna I mentioned the fact that I do not prepare sermons to address the needs or problems of specific individuals. As every preacher has experienced, sometimes people will say, “You were preaching directly to me”, and we know what they mean and that’s great. But occasionally someone will actually accuse us of attacking them personally. Most preachers are not guilty of that, but sometimes it does happen. I can’t honestly say I have never been guilty, but that was many years ago and very foolish on my part. Although far from perfect, that’s something I refuse to do.

So, it was with this in mind that I just happened to run across a brief statement made by J. C. Philpot many years ago. It served as a good reminder for me. Perhaps it will be of help to someone else. Philpot wrote:

A pastor has no right to turn the pulpit into a
coward’s castle, and from there attack those
in the congregation, whom he is afraid to meet
face to face privately.

It is cruelly unfair to attack an individual who
cannot defend himself—to hold him up, as if on
the horns of the pulpit, before the congregation,
(who generally know pretty well who is meant),
and to condemn him without hearing his side,
with the pastor being the only judge and jury.

Now, while I agree with this, I feel compelled to say a few words in defense of pastors–perhaps the most misunderstood people on earth. Things are not always as they appear. Just because the pastor’s sermon hits you right between the eyes it doesn’t mean you are his target. Guilt will make you feel that way. Before you criticize him try confessing your sins. In extreme cases, such as church discipline, it might be necessary for the pastor to address issues in your life. Again, if that’s the case, confession is the solution.

However, in some instances, I think very few, pastors are guilty of using the pulpit as a whipping post for certain individuals. He might even speak out of anger rather than love. He might be totally wrong. So, how do you handle a case like that?

First of all, try to put yourself in his shoes. Although it is impossible for you to understand the pressure he is under you can at least try to be understanding. He is only human, with the same kind of feelings and emotions as everyone else. In his position it is easy to be disappointed and get discouraged. He is not above acting out of character once in a while. Don’t we all? Besides, he has the welfare of the whole church on his heart. When he feels someone is a threat to the church–its testimony or ministry, he gets concerned–sometimes overly so.

Whatever the case might be, the first thing you should do is pray for him. If you aren’t praying for him what makes you think you have the right to criticize him? Secondly, refuse to speak evil of him to others. His failure doesn’t give you the freedom to gossip. Third, in some cases, when his guilt is evident and you’ve tried everything else to resolve the problem, it might be best to meet with him and discuss, in a civil manner, your concerns. You might be surprised by what a good heart to heart talk can accomplish. If you’re still not satisfied, keep praying and leave the matter to God. He knows how to correct His children, and He doesn’t need your help.

Since truth is essential the gathering of facts is crucial. But we better be careful about the source of our information. Things are not always what they appear to be. Mark Twain made a good point when he said, “If you don’t read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed”.

Man has been looking for knowledge and wisdom since the beginning and, if you remember, he didn’t get off to a good start (Gen. 3:1-6). As a whole we’re not doing any better today! Considering where Americans get their information it is no wonder that we are in such a muddled mess. Millions depend on people like Oprah Winfrey for advice and they are led astray. Listen to this nonsense from dear O’ Oprah about where to look for answers. She wrote:

Our real power comes from knowing who we are . . . and that begins with looking inside ourselves in silence. I’ve always believed you really need no gurus, no leaders, no guides—just yourself. You have all your own best answers. What you’re trying to find is already there. Be still and know it.

Now, if you are really ready for some facts here they are: “…the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps”.(Jeremiah 10:23); “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”.( Psalm 119:105). Think about it!