Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 58

School Choice

This is School Choice Week, a time to advocate for choice in school options.

All children are entitled to the best education option for them. Parents should be able to choose a public school, a charter school, a magnet school, a private school, or an online school–or to teach their kids in a homeschool.

Watch the video below to learn more.

Two Anniversaries: Roe v Wade and My Stroke

January 22 marks two significant anniversaries for me.

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court made abortion legal. Honestly, at the time, I felt the decision was wrong, but it was something far removed from me that had no bearing on my life.

Through the years, though, I have become passionately pro-life. I’ve never had any personal contact with abortion. If anyone in my life had an abortion, I never knew about it.

Only twice in my life have I even come close to having contact with abortion.

Only a few years after the infamous Roe v Wade decision, someone close to me (I’ll call her June to protect her privacy) became pregnant. She and her husband, an enlisted man in the Army, had three children already, and the youngest child was profoundly handicapped. Doctors tried to convince June to have an abortion. They couldn’t explain why her two-year daughter was born with multiple birth defects, and they suggested another child might have similar handicaps.

The doctors pressured June to abort her baby. After all, it was legal now, and she had her hands full with a small child in a wheelchair who required constant care plus two older, active youngsters. June, naturally, was worried about her family’s ability to care for another handicapped child, but she had strong religious beliefs about the sanctity of human life at every stage—from conception to natural death. Although she went through extreme emotional distress in making the decision, she refused the abortion. Thanks be to the God, her son was a completely normal baby, and today he is a completely normal adult. Had June gone through with the abortion the doctors pressured her to have, everyone who loves him would miss out on knowing him and his precious son wouldn’t exist either.

The other situation was a little different. When I owned an interior landscape company, an employee came to me for a pay advance. We typically gave advances when employees had problems and generally didn’t dig too deep for the reason. But he volunteered the information to me that he needed money for his girlfriend to get an abortion. I told him that I didn’t believe in abortion and would not loan him money for that as it would make me morally complicit in murder.

At the end of the day, my husband came to pick me up. This employee met Jack in the parking lot and asked for an advance. He carefully avoided mentioning what it was for, and always wanting to help, Jack gave him the money without asking any questions. When he got into the office, Jack told me to record that he had given this young man an advance. I was terribly upset and yelled at Jack for giving him the money. When I told him what he wanted the money for, Jack was upset, too, but the worker had already left. I don’t recall for sure if he returned to work the next day, but I remember that, if not the next day, very soon, he failed to show up for work. We never heard from him again, so in the end we ended up paying for his girlfriend’s abortion. Even though it was not intentional, that has always been a big regret.

I’ve written about abortion before. Search for “abortion” on my blog, and you’ll find a number of posts, including the following, which are some of my favorites:

Abortion: Legalized Murder
Slavery and Abortion: Moral Relatives
43 Years…57 Million Dead Babies

Also on January 22nd, twenty-five years ago I walked into a chiropractor’s office for a manipulation. I had to be carried out after the manipulation caused a Wallenberg syndrome stroke that left me paralyzed on the right side, without sensation on the left side, dizzy and unbalanced, and with a host of other symptoms.

When I was in therapy, I told a physical therapist, “I feel like a newborn baby. I don’t even remember how to walk. I can’t even figure out where to place my foot to take a step.”

The therapist answered, “It’s harder for you than for a baby. A baby has instinct that helps him learn to walk and talk and do everything else. You lost not only the ability to do those things but also the instinct. So you’re starting at less than a newborn baby.”

I can’t help but think that the culture that allows abortion to get rid of an inconvenient baby may one day allow the killing (or at least lack of treatment leading to death) of inconvenient adults who have fewer abilities than a newborn. Even if we think abortion doesn’t affect us, the culture of death—the belief that some people don’t deserve to live—affects us all. I went from being a healthy, independent adult to being totally helpless in a matter of seconds. That can happen to anyone, including you.

I went through lots of excellent physical therapy, and although I still have what the medical community calls “deficits,” I am functional again. I thank God for my amazing recovery, but I also thank Him for the results of my stroke. After a lifetime of planning to write “someday,” I realized I didn’t know how many somedays I would have. I started writing as soon as I was physically able, and seven years later, my first novel Stroke of Luck was published. Although it’s fiction, the heroine’s stroke experiences reflected mine. Writing the book was therapy as well as the start of a new career, as I describe in my post An Anniversary: How I Became a Full-Time Writer.

You can read about my stroke and its aftermath in a series of three posts, beginning with My Stroke—The Beginning.

Praise God, the number of abortions is decreasing and there are fewer than there have been since 1975. After 44 years, it’s time to bring an end to the killing of unborn babies. I was given a second chance at life after my stroke—none of God’s precious children should be deprived of their first chance at life.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/konradbak

Martin Luther King Jr and Religious Freedom Day

Today is both Martin Luther King Jr Day (the third Monday in January) and Religious Freedom Day (January 16th).

It’s fitting to observe these two special days at the same time. Martin Luther King Jr was a Christian pastor who frequently quoted Scripture in his eloquent speeches that often sounded like sermons. His Christian faith undergirded his passion for social justice and equality, and he followed the non-violent path of Jesus Christ. He led people to great strides in civil rights in a time before political correctness removed faith from the public square.

Many people say that our country is more racially divided today than for many years. I suspect the curtailing of religious freedom has a lot to do with that. Instead of peaceful protests by people of faith, we have riots by unruly mobs. Instead of prayer for better relationships, we have violent demands. Instead of increased unity and peace, we have disunity and rancor.

Today as we give thanks for Dr. King’s accomplishments, let us vow to protect religious freedom. May we heal the wounds of division and hate and share the love and peace of the Lord.

O LORD Jesus Christ, who saidst unto thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; Regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church; protect religious freedom in the United States; and grant to thy Church and to this country that peace and unity which is according to thy will; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. (Adapted from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer)

Dr. Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr, shares some words of wisdom for today in this video.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

There are more people in slavery today than at any time in history! January is Slavery & Trafficking Prevention Month and January 11th is Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

According to Free the Slaves,

Although there are more people in slavery today than ever before, slavery represents the smallest percentage of the world’s population than at any other time in history.

We all need to educate ourselves about slavery today and as my husband Jack would say, “Be part of the solution and not part of the problem.” Learn industries that use slaves and try to find alternate sources so you’re not contributing to the profits of slavers to the detriment of those who are enslaved. Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. Pray for an end to this evil in the world today.

O MERCIFUL God, and heavenly Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men; Look with pity, we beseech thee, upon the sorrows of thy servants who are enslaved for forced labor or sexual exploitation. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy; endue their souls with patience; protect them from their captors; comfort them with a sense of thy goodness; lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace. Open the hearts and minds of Your people to bring an end to this evil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Adapted from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer)

Image: © Depositphotos.com/yellomello

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

January 9th is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.).

I admit a degree of bias–my late husband served in law enforcement for many years. I know how dedicated he and his fellow officers were to protecting and serving the public.

These men and women risk their lives for the safety of others. Of course, I recognize there are bad cops, just as there are bad writers, bad teachers, bad doctors, and bad fill-in-the-blanks. And when a bad cop–or a bad anything else–is discovered, they need to lose their job and be held accountable for their actions.

However, the vast majority of law enforcement officers are conscientious and dedicated. They make personal sacrifices for the benefit of those they serve. They care about everyone they protect, regardless of race, ethnicity, or anything else. They want to stop crimes, and when a crime occurs, police officers want to catch the perpetrator and see that person punished.

Today, show your support for law enforcement. You can follow some of the suggestions on the L.E.A.D. webpage. You can thank police officers, and you can pray for them.

O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the law enforcement officers of our country. We humbly beseech thee to bless them and give unto them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the truth, and impartially administer the law in the fear of thee alone; through him who shall come to be our Judge, thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. (Adapted from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer)

Image: © Depositphotos.com/ronfromyork

The Epiphany of Our Lord

Matthew 2:1-12

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;

For out of you shall come forth a Ruler

Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

The Jews are God’s chosen people, and they expected the Messiah to be a Savior for the Jews. They never thought God would give a Savior to anyone who wasn’t one of the chosen. God showed His intentions, though, when he sent the magi (also known as kings or wise men) to worship the baby Jesus. Although there are a lot of traditions about the magi, we really don’t know a lot about who they were or where they came from except “from the east.” But the important thing is who they were not and where they did not come from. They were not Jews, and they did not come from anywhere close to where Jesus was born and lived. Their appearance and worship of the baby manifested (Epiphany means manifestation) to the world that the Messiah, Jesus, was the Savior of the entire world.

Thank You, Lord, that Jesus came into the world to save everyone who believes in Him. We don’t have to be Jews to be saved from our sin. Whether we come from the east or the west, whether we’re kings or wise men or ordinary people, whether we’re rich or poor—if we worship Jesus as Lord and Savior, He is our Savior. We fall down before our Lord and worship. In His name. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/jamesgroup

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

Revelation 4:5-11

Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”

And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

When we are with the Lord in Heaven, worship will be the order of the day. We will join the living creatures and the elders in casting our crowns before the throne and worshipping the One who sits on the throne and the Lamb of God. Our praise and worship here on earth pales beside what is to come, what is greater than we can comprehend.

Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things and because of Your will they existed and were created. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come! Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/Krisdog

The Eleventh Day of Christmas

Isaiah 65:17-24

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;

And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.

“But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;

For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing

And her people for gladness.

“I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people;

And there will no longer be heard in her

The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.

“No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days,

Or an old man who does not live out his days;

For the youth will die at the age of one hundred

And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred

Will be thought accursed.

“They will build houses and inhabit them;

They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

“They will not build and another inhabit,

They will not plant and another eat;

For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people,

And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands.

“They will not labor in vain,

Or bear children for calamity;

For they are the offspring of those blessed by the Lord,

And their descendants with them.

It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord.

What a glorious day that will be when Jesus comes again, and we inhabit the new heaven and the new earth. None of the pain and sadness and evil of this life will exist there—we will live forever in health and peace, with no tears, no want, and no sufferings. Maranatha, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!

Lord, we know the evils of this world are a direct result of man’s sinfulness and rebellion against You. We look forward to the day when You will replace the evil of today with the new heaven and the new earth that are perfect and complete—Your pure and holy creation. Give us endurance and strength to handle the trials of this world as we look forward to eternity with You. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/losw

The Tenth Day of Christmas

1 John 4:9-11

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

We know love because of the love God showed to us by sending Jesus into the world to live as one of us, to die an agonizing death, and to live again so we can live through Him. God loved us first, and He loves us infinitely more than we can comprehend. Yet because of His great love, we can love God and others. Our love is but a dim reflection of God’s love for us, but we couldn’t even show that if God had first shown His love to us.

Thank You, Father, for loving us more than we can imagine. Help us to love You and those You put in our lives selflessly and generously. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/Krisdog

The Ninth Day of Christmas

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

God so loved the world—He loves us so much—that He sent Jesus to live and die and be raised again from the dead to save us from our sins, to give us eternal life. John 3:16 may be the most well-known verse in the Bible because it summarizes the whole Bible in a few words. Everything from Genesis to Revelation is about God’s love for us and His plan for us to live with Him eternally in the new Heaven and the new earth. That plan required Jesus to pay the price for our sins—all so we don’t perish, all so we have eternal life.

Thank You, Jesus, for giving Your life in ransom for mine. Thank You, Father, for loving me so much that You gave Your Son so I could have eternal life. Thank You, Holy Spirit, that You live within me and guide me in this temporal life until I come to that eternal life. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/Klanneke