Randy Alcorn's Blog, page 168

Response to a Blind Reader Struggling with Pornography

Here at Eternal Perspective Ministries we receive numerous questions and comments from readers. Sometimes a tough question comes through that requires a longer and more in-depth response from a staff member or volunteer, as in this case. If you or someone you care about is struggling with pornography, I encourage you to read through this excellent letter from an EPM volunteer whom I love and respect. 

EPM reader:

I'm in some pretty serious trouble, and am not at all sure how to fix it.

I have only been a Christian for a few months, and it's been a life-changing experience. It's just amazing to be one of His servants and to be saved by God's grace and Christ's sacrifice.

The problem is this: I struggle with internet-based pornography. I know the normal thing to do would be to get rid of the computer entirely, or at the very least get internet service disconnected or install controls on my computer.

The problem is that I am totally blind. I don't even have light perception. So I have a couple of problems. One is that I'm not looking at images at all, though I do listen to videos sometimes. Mostly what I do is read stories though.

I was never taught anything about sex, and learned every bit of what I know from pornography. I started by forming the wrong pathways, and am now having to pray and ask God to help me rewire them, to give me the power to resist temptation. Inevitably though, it seems I end up giving into it, and then I have to ask for forgiveness all over again.

The problem with getting rid of my technology is that, being blind, it's basically how I access the world. Without my computer and phone, I cannot read the majority of books, can't read money, can’t use my phone to find out where I am when I'm walking alone, and many other things, not the least of which is read the Bible.

I have tried installing controls on our connection and giving the password to my wife. But even when the controls are active, I can always use my phone's hot spot and data plan to access the unprotected internet if I want to. I seem to enjoy finding ways around the controls, no matter how many of them I have my wife put in place.

I don't know what I would do without technology to assist me in my daily life as a blind person. I think I would feel crippled. I wish I could go back to those three months as a new believer when this wasn't an issue, when I was quite literally on a spiritual high.

Volunteer’s response:

Thanks for your letter and for expressing a desire to go back to those three months of “spiritual high” you enjoyed as a new believer when the temptation to lust wasn’t an issue. I can see you have tasted the true pleasure of being close to Jesus. There’s nothing like it and all the so-called pleasures of this world pale in comparison.

I can identify with you in many ways because I struggled for most my life with looking at porn. I’ve been freed up from that for the last 10 years and now the Lord is working on many other areas of my life to help me be close to Him and bring glory to Him. I know He can do that for you too.

One biblical principle I think applies comes from the words of Jesus. He said “If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you” (Matthew 5:30).  You say, “I don't know what I would do without technology to assist me in my daily life as a blind person. I think I would feel crippled.”  It would be like cutting off your hand, wouldn’t it? To be without a hand is crippling but Jesus says there are more important things than hands.

In my case I lost my job because I was looking at porn where I worked. I shamed myself, my wife, my family and friends. The Lord brought me low, truly to the end of my rope. I always wanted to stop but never seemed to be able to until I was publicly disgraced and got serious about where I was as a believer in Jesus.

It wasn’t until I was broken that I was motivated to do something. I got into an accountability group at a church in our area where we met weekly. I did some of the things you did with passwords controlled by my wife. Every time I wanted to use the computer I had to ask my wife to log me in and I would only access the computer when she was there.

One thing that really helped me was I found an excellent counselor. In our first session he asked me what part of looking at porn goes with being a follower of Jesus. I said absolutely no part. Then he said, “We need to find out why you do things you don’t want to do.” So we started the hard work of looking at the why. I’m still tempted to lust and fantasize but I don’t get into porn anymore even though I’m on the computer alone now with no password blocks.

In your case you have a unique situation. You say, “I seem to enjoy finding ways around the controls.” The Lord God has placed a major control in your life by eliminating your sight. So you literally can’t look after a woman to lust after her. However, you have found a way to get around even that control.

 Here are a few suggestions:

Find a pastor or accountability group of believing men you can meet with weekly.
Consider “cutting off the hand” that leads you to stumble. Get rid of devices which make it easy to sin: computer, phone, games, etc. They aren’t necessities. You can still get the Bible and good books on CDs. I’m sure you can use your cleverness to help figure out ways to fill your life with good things.
Find a counselor with experience in this area. A good counselor can be worth his weight in gold but a poor one won’t help much. Work hard at finding out why you would do things you don’t want to do.
Seek the Lord with everything in you. I get up every morning and, after brewing a cup of coffee, spend time in the Word. I ask God to show me what He is like. And I invite Him to be in every part of my life. And when I sin I go right back to Him. Two of my favorite verses are:

Psalm 51:3 “…my sin is always before me.”

Romans 8:1 “…There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

I hope some of this is helpful. I will pray that down the road you will be able to say with Fanny Crosby, the blind hymn writer:

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

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Comfort, Hope and Encouragement from God

Some days no one but God has the right words. Nothing I can say stacks up against what follows. Read, believe and thank God that even when we don’t sense His presence, He’s with us and at work in a thousand ways we can’t see. But our failure to see is not the same as His failing to be present and to be working together all things for our good (Romans 8:28).

I suggest you read each of these verses aloud. Or, stop on one that really speaks to you and read and reread it aloud. Meditate on it, memorize it, and let God speak to your heart as only He can. These are the very words of God. Shut out all the rest of the voices in the world—TV, radio, magazines, books, internet, email, social media—and listen to His voice alone.

Read the passages that follow in light of this first one, and listen for the voice of God in all of them:

Jesus said, “My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me. The Father and I are one." (John 10:27-30, NLT).

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. (Isaiah 49:13)

"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 1:8)

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. (Lamentations 3:25)

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7)

[Jesus said] Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

[Jesus said] Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7)

[Jesus said] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39).

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The Thrill of Seeing Christ Face-to-Face

One day in Heaven, we will see Christ in His glory. The most exhilarating experiences on Earth, such as white-water rafting, skydiving, or extreme sports, will seem tame compared to the thrill of seeing Jesus. Being with Him. Gazing at Him. Talking with Him. Worshiping Him. Embracing Him. Eating with Him. Walking with Him. Laughing with Him. Imagine it!

In my novel Dominion, I picture one of the characters, Dani, seeing Christ as she enters Heaven:

At the doorway into life stood a shining being of natural radiance, but with the brightness of a million klieg lights. The radiance threatened to blind her, but some­how her new eyes could endure it. This was more than a man, yet clearly a man. She knew at once who it was. He who had been from eternity past, He who had left His home in heaven to make one here for her. He who spun the galaxies into being with a single snap of his fingers, who was the light that illumined darkness with a million colors, who turned midnight into sunrise...

“Welcome, my little one!” He smiled broadly, the smile teeming with approval. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the kingdom prepared for you. Enter into the joy of your Lord!”

He hugged her tight and she hugged him back, clutching on to His back, then grasping His shoulders. She didn’t know how long it lasted. These same arms had hugged her before, somehow—she recognized their character and strength—but she enjoyed the embrace now as she’d never dreamed she could enjoy any embrace. It was complete, utterly encompassing, a wall of protection no force in the universe could break through. His was the embrace she was made for. He was the Bridegroom, the object of all longing, the fulfillment of all dreams.

“My sweet Jesus,” she said…

“Your hand.” She looked at the other. “Both hands. And your feet.” He allowed her to contemplate what she saw.

These were the hands of a Carpenter who cut wood and made things, includ­ing universes and angels and every person who had ever lived. These same hands once hauled heavy lumber up a long lonely hill. These same hands and feet were once nailed to that lumber in the Shadowlands, in the most terrible moment from the dawn of time. The wound that healed all wounds could make them temporary only by making itself eternal. Hands and feet of the only innocent man became for­ever scarred so that no guilty one would have to bear his own scars.

She saw His pain. An ancient pain that was the doorway to eternal pleasures. Understanding rushed upon her and penetrated her mind as the howling wind had penetrated every crack in her bedroom in that old ramshackle Mississippi home. She wept again, dropping to His marred feet and caressing them with her hands. He put His fingers under her chin and turned her eyes up toward His.

“For you,” He said to her, “I would do it all again.”

…They talked long, just the two of them, without hurry and without distraction. A circle of people surrounded them, waiting for them to finish. But she did not want to finish. She was held captive by one face.

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Is Reading the Bible Worth It?

In this video, EPM’s Julia Stager addresses the costs and benefits of making a habit out of reading the Bible. Julia also provides some great tips on getting into the Word that I hope will encourage you to set and keep a daily appointment with God. We all need to withdraw from life’s busyness to seek Him in solitude.

It is worth any “sacrifice” to spend time in God’s presence. No time spent with Christ is wasted time.

If you’d like to watch the rest of Julia’s videos, you can subscribe to her YouTube channel: Crossover.

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Developing Godly Qualities in Our Children

What qualities does God want us to develop in our children? No need to guess. Scripture tells us specifically: “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to have mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:9). These three requirements are a basis for evaluating our children’s character development:

1. Are my children learning to act justly? That is, to deal honestly and fairly with others, and to respect, care for and intervene on behalf of the weak, vulnerable and oppressed? (Or are they compromising in matters of morals and integrity, and passively accepting society’s mistreatment of those for whom God says we should speak up?)

2. Are my children learning to be merciful? That is, to discern with sensitivity the personal and spiritual needs of others in family, school, community, society and world, and reach out to them in love and compassion? (Or are they part of a clique that snubs the non-cool, or so absorbed in their own activities, interests and possessions that they don’t see or care about the hurting people around them?)

3. Are my children learning to walk humbly with their God? That is, to know Him personally, to have a consistent daily time devoted only to Him, and to exercise a humility that recognizes His lordship and their servanthood for Him and others? (Or are they too busy to spend time with God, and too self-proud and self-sufficient to realize they desperately need God’s help to do all that is worth doing?)

Teaching our children the truth is absolutely necessary, but it is not sufficient. The solid foundation for a life is not just hearing the words of God, but doing them (Matthew 7:24-27). By our own example as their parents, we must teach our children God’s truth, demonstrating it in application and obedience. The truth that time must be spent with God must be demonstrated by the time we spend with God. The truth about Christ’s forgiveness must be shown as we seek and grant forgiveness in our home. The truth that evangelism is important must be demonstrated by our efforts in evangelism. As parents, we must model our stated convictions with courage and devotion. Otherwise what we do will speak so loudly they won’t hear a word we’re saying. Sometimes our children will fail to listen to us. Seldom will they fail to imitate us.

If parents teach children truth with their mouths, without setting the example of righteousness, devotion, wisdom and courage, then children will learn to scorn, disregard or abuse the truth. They will end up as rebels (rejecting the truth), nominal Christians (superficially recognizing the truth, but living like the world) or legalists (treating the truth as a sterile set of rules by which to pass judgment on others).

Wisdom is the ability to skillfully apply truth to the situations of daily life. There is one book of Scripture written for a child by his parent, specifically designed to help him make wise and character-building decisions. That book is Proverbs. The study, discussion and application of Proverbs should be a central part of training our children. It is filled with hundreds of practical moral guidelines for living life. It teaches not only what is right and wrong, but shows that what is right is also smart, and what is wrong is also stupid. This provides a double motivation for our children—and their parents—to live righteously.

At the dinner table, read a verse or passage in Proverbs focusing on a central truth. Then ask your children to try to put it in their own words, and come up with a specific application or illustration of it. Discover what it means as a family. Then ask each person to actually apply this truth within the next twenty-four hours and report back to the family what he or she did. Their discernment and skill in application will dramatically develop with practice—as will their love for the truth they are living, and the Lord they are serving.

Run the race. Don’t drop the baton. Pass it on with care and enthusiasm to your children and grandchildren. So that at the end of the course, at the beginning of the wonderful new life in the presence of God, we—and they—will hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servants.”

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when your get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

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A Discussion with Lecrae and John Piper on Hip Hop, Abortion, and Race

John Ensor, president of Passion Life Ministries, recently sat down with Christian Hip Hop artist Lecrae and John Piper to discuss abortion and racism, as we mark Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (January 18) and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 19).

This is a compelling discussion about the story behind Lecrae’s song “Good, Bad, Ugly,” the remorse of abortion, and ultimately the healing power of the gospel of Christ. I love and have great respect for both Lecrae and Piper, and appreciate so much what they have to share. Listen to Lecrae’s story about his bad decisions and, more significantly, the powerful grace of God in his life. Some great dialogue on Hip Hop and Rap as well.

I encourage you to watch and share the video with others:

Also, If you want to hear the passion and see on the screen words with great biblical and theological substance, sometime check out Lecrae’s “Don’t Waste Your Life."

Each blog regularly appears on my Facebook page. If you’d like to comment or see others’ comments, we invite you to join us there.

From Brokenness and Hate to Redemption and Forgiveness: Louis Zamperini’s Whole Story

One of the most compelling stories told in the past decades, in the book and movie Unbroken, is that of Louis Zamperini, Olympic athlete and airman who survived for 47 days on the open ocean, and 26 months, much of it enduring torture, in Japanese POW camps. I listened to the audio book Unbroken, the story of Louie Zamperini, written Laura Hildebrand. It was a powerful and remarkable book, as all who’ve read it know.

The movie is well done as a portrayal of the human spirit’s will to survive, but it leaves untold (despite the few pictures and words after the movie ends) the true redemptive story that followed Zamperini’s return from captivity. Known as a hero for his incredible survival skills, he was deeply scarred, full of hatred, and plagued by nightmares of “The Bird,” his chief torturer in the camp. The war hero became a carousing alcoholic, abusive to his wife, and neglectful of his young daughter.

In contrast to the “triumph of the human spirit” message, Zamperini did not have in himself what it took to become a whole person, to put his horrific ordeals behind him, and survive in normal life. The key to everything was that he did not know what it meant to be forgiven for his own sins, and therefore could not begin to forgive the Japanese prison guards for the horrific abuses they inflicted on him. While freed from the Japanese prison, he remained imprisoned in his inner man and was as miserable, even more so, in his so-called freedom as he’d been in captivity.

Ironically, in stark contrast to the title Unbroken—which aptly describes part one of the story (the part dramatized in the movie)—to find redemption Louie Zamperini had to become broken. That’s when he came to terms with his sin and found forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Once that happened he said he became free, and never again had his haunting dreams.

Four years after his conversion, Zamperini returned to Japan and visited Sugamo Prison, where most of his torturers were incarcerated. Looking at the crowd of prisoners, he recognized these men. He ran to them and threw his arms around them, expressed his forgiveness, and shared with them the good news of Jesus.

Zamperini said, “The most important thing in my Christian life was to know that I forgave them—not only verbally, but to see them face to face. That's part of conversion.”

Sadly, most of the guards withdrew from him because they couldn’t comprehend his forgiveness. But when he preached the gospel to them, all but one made a profession of faith in Jesus that day.

Matsuhiro Watanabe, “The Bird,” who had tortured him most brutally, wasn’t there—despite being on the most wanted list of Japanese War Criminals, he’d escaped prosecution.

 When Watanabe was later found, by then a rich businessman, he refused to meet with Zamperini. Louis sent a letter explaining that he’d given his life to Christ. “Love replaced the hate I had for you,” he wrote, adding “I hope you become a Christian.” (Zamperini is on video reading the letter.)

Having experienced God’s grace and forgiveness, and having extended it to those who tortured him, Louis was declared by a pastor who worked with him in his seventies, “The happiest man I’ve ever known.”

As compelling as the first part of Louis Zamperini’s story is, it’s the second part that’s the greatest miracle, and truly redemptive. The first part, standing on its own, is a testimony to God’s remarkable common grace in a human life; the second is a testimony to His special grace in transforming a still-captive man with the freedom of forgiveness. Only through Christ is such redemption and healing possible.

Survival and redemption are not the same—though in the end it was Zamperini’s redemption that allowed him to survive. And it’s only Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf, atoning for our sins, that will allow any person to survive the final judgment of God and experience the result of redemption: eternal life.

Other blogs about Zamperini, and the book and movie Unbroken:

This column by Cal Thomas asks the question of why a very critical part of Louie Zamperini's story is left out of the movie.
In her article, Amber Clayson summarizes Louie’s conversion.
Ivan Mesa, with the Gospel Coalition, writes about the power of conversion in Louie’s life.

I also encourage you to watch “Captured by Grace,” the rest of Louie’s story as produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Each blog regularly appears on my Facebook page. If you’d like to comment or see others’ comments, we invite you to join us there.

 

Should We Leave Our Children Inheritances?

Scripture says that “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). As a result, many Christians defend and justify leaving vast sums of wealth to their children and grandchildren. I think in order to understand the principle behind this verse, we need to compare what an inheritance meant in biblical times, versus what an inheritance means in this culture today. 

In Old Testament times, passing on ownership of the land to children and grandchildren was vital. Without it, succeeding generations couldn’t do their farming or raise livestock. Many people lived at a subsistence level. Most were too poor to buy land. With no inheritance they could end up enslaved or unable to care for their parents and grandparents, who normally lived on the property with them until they died.

Today in America, however, things are very different. Inheritances are usually windfalls coming to people who live separately from their parents, have their own careers, are financially independent, and already have more than they need. Most often they aren’t carrying on the family business, or if they are, they don’t need a windfall in order to continue doing so. They have dependable sources of income generated by their own work, skills, saving, and investing. When such people inherit a farm, house, or other real estate, what becomes of it? Typically, they liquidate the asset or use it as a further source of income. They do not need the land or the money. Having it will simply mean increasing their standard of living, sometimes dramatically.

Those who cite Scripture to prove that parents should leave an inheritance to children typically do not follow Scripture’s guidelines of leaving to sons only, a double portion to the firstborn, and so on. Hebrew firstborn sons were legally entitled to a double portion of inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17). If a man died without sons, the inheritance went to his daughters, if no daughters to his brothers, if no brothers to his nearest relatives (Numbers 27:1-11). Ultimately land could not be lost to a family line, as it reverted to them in the year of Jubilee, when all debts were canceled.

It seems inconsistent to say that an inheritance should be left because the Bible says so but then to turn around and do it very differently than the Bible explains. A better approach is to understand the reasons for inheritance, then see these not as rules to be legalistically obeyed but as underlying principles that we should weigh.

In Biblical times, daughters often remained in their father’s home or they lived with their husbands, enjoying the benefits of his land. A father’s inheritance did not normally go to his daughters, most likely so as not to interfere with their husbands’ responsibility to provide for them. As a father of daughters, I consider it important not to leave money that would interfere with my sons-in-law’s responsibility to provide for my daughters. How dare I take away from them the character-building privilege and divine calling of working hard to care for their families? Many well-meaning parents have caused serious marital conflicts by leaving money to their grown children. Money that’s “his” and “hers” divides the marriage and fosters an unhealthy independence. Married couples who inherit wealth should not keep it separate from each other.

In a society with such affluence and opportunity as our own, I believe that in most cases Christian parents should seriously consider leaving the bulk of their estate to churches, parachurch ministries, missions, and other kingdom purposes, leaving only a small portion to their children. Leaving a large inheritance to children is not just a missed opportunity to invest in God’s kingdom. It’s also rarely in the children’s best interests.

I’ve heard countless inheritance horror stories over the years. Study the lives of people who have inherited significant wealth and you’ll find that in the vast majority of cases, it’s made them more unhappy, greedy, and cynical. Who needs to work hard when you’ve got all that money? Money funds new temptations, including addictions. Giving money to a careless spender is throwing gasoline on a fire. And nothing divides siblings more quickly than a large inheritance. Leaving more to God’s kingdom and less to financially independent children is not just an act of love toward God, but toward them.

Andrew Carnegie said, “The almighty dollar bequeathed to a child is an almighty curse. No man has the right to handicap his son with such a burden as great wealth.” Cornelius Vanderbilt said, “Inherited wealth is as certain death to ambition as cocaine is to morality.” Henry Ford stated, “Fortunes tend to self-destruction by destroying those who inherit them.”

More important, God says, “An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end” (Proverbs 20:21, NIV). Wise parents can leave enough to their children and grandchildren to be helpful without leaving them so much as to hurt them.

Of course, besides preventing harm to our children, there is great good we can do by leaving money to God-exalting ministries. Any family members who would pout about or fight over what belonged to their deceased parents or who respond negatively when we decide to leave most of our money to the cause of Christ instead of to them prove they’re unqualified to inherit in the first place. Such children need prayer and guidance. What they certainly do not need is more money.

If parents decide to give most or all of their estate to God’s Kingdom, they should explain their plans to their children. This will prevent false expectations and free their children from later resentment. It will also alleviate present guilt feelings stemming from what children might imagine they have to gain by their parents’ death. Even though they know they shouldn’t, grown children commonly find themselves thinking about and looking forward to all the money and possessions that will be theirs when their parents die. Some go into debt now because they expect to, so to speak, win the lottery through their parents’ deaths. The sooner these attitudes are defused, the better.

I recommend having a family conference or writing out in detail what your plan is, then asking each adult child to get back to you with his or her response. Committed Christians, whose parents declare their intent to leave most of their estate to God’s work, will be the first to say, “That’s wonderful, Dad and Mom. Go for it! And thanks for being a great example to us.”

Nanci and I will leave to our daughters only enough to be of modest assistance, but not enough to change their lifestyles or undercut their need to plan and pray with and depend on their husbands. We’ve communicated this, and they understand and agree with our plan to give most of our estate to God’s kingdom.

Certainly we should not transfer wealth to adult children unless we’ve successfully transferred wisdom to them. Without wisdom, wealth will not only be wasted, but it will damage our children by subsidizing addictions, laziness, and immorality.

Your children should love the Lord, work hard, and experience the joy of trusting God. More important than leaving your children an inheritance is leaving them a spiritual heritage.

Let God decide how much to provide for your adult children. Once they’re on their own, the money you’ve generated under God’s provision doesn’t belong to your children—it belongs to Him. After all, if your money manager died, what would you think if he left all your money to his children?

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He Was the Only One to Defend the Disabled

Guest post from Kathy Norquist, Randy’s executive assistant.

My nephew, Tyler, is finishing up his college courses and was taking a biology class to complete some requirements. The topic of testing during pregnancy to see if your baby is healthy came up during class. The question was asked, “Would you abort your child if there was a medical problem?” Tyler was the ONLY one who adamantly said no. He was shocked at the other students’ casual attitude about aborting a baby (they didn't call it a baby) since it would be such a burden to the parents and society. “It couldn't possibly be happy if it was unhealthy or disabled.” “When does it become a human life anyway?”

Of course, Tyler said it's a life at the moment of conception. He went on to ask, “What about the baby's choice?” and “How do you know if the child would be happy or not, and what a joy he/she could be to their family?” They just didn't get it.

At the end he asked, “Why not just wait until the baby is born and then you can decide whether to kill it or not?” They all said, “That would be murder!” He said, “Exactly.”

Here’s a picture of five of Tyler’s seven disabled siblings ready to attend a Phoenix Suns basketball game, all adopted with special needs. Any idea why Tyler responded the way he did? :)

Needless to say, I’m extremely proud of my nephew for standing alone, and for standing up for the unborn, especially the disabled.

Kathy Norquist
Executive Assistant to Randy Alcorn

How Did Jesus Save Us?

In part two of her two-part series on the cross and the atonement, EPM’s Julia Stager explores “How does Jesus dying on the cross save us? What are we saved from? What are we saved into?” (See also part one, “Why the Cross?”)

This video is a clear, concise and engaging explanation of the Gospel in less than 3 minutes—don't miss it! You may want to pass it on to others.

If you’re interested in watching the rest of Julia’s videos, you can subscribe to her YouTube channel: Crossover.

Each blog regularly appears on my Facebook page. If you’d like to comment or see others’ comments, we invite you to join us there.

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