YWCA’s Christian Roots Sells Out

The YWCA, also known as the Young Women's Christian Association, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. This organization, a “women’s membership movement nourished by its roots in the Christian faith” is also pro-choice and supports the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA).

To launch its 150th anniversary, the YWCA launched its “Own It! Campaign” on November 24 to “engage younger women on the important issues they face today.”

At the event, the group distributed the results of a national survey, “What Women Want: A National Survey of Priorities and Concerns.”

In the report, 31 percent of the women interviewed said abortion should be legal in most cases, and 23 percent said it should be legal in all cases; 24 percent said it should be illegal in most cases, and 16 percent said it should be illegal in all cases. The other respondents were not sure or declined to answer.

“Well, the YWCA has always been pro-choice, so this is a topic that we would be very supportive of, and again, in a survey that we just completed of women, the majority of women across age groups support a woman’s right to choose,” Dr. Lorraine Cole, chief executive officer of the YWCA, told CNSNews.com.

Mark Crutcher of Pro Life Dynamics, a non-profit organization that conducts abortion research and runs the “Abortion Malpractice Litigation” campaign against abortion providers, said an organization like the YWCA taking a pro-choice stance is “outrageous.”

“It’s undefendable,” he said. “I would understand it when you see something like the Playboy Foundation supporting legalized abortion. You see those kinds of people supporting abortion rights, and it makes perfect sense.

“What doesn’t make sense is an organization who claims to be Christian and support the interests of women having a pro-choice stance. That’s absolutely preposterous,” Crutcher added.

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What is FOCA?
The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is legislation co-sponsored by President-Elect Barack Obama which would nullify all state laws that in any way attempt to limit or regulate abortion, including partial-birth abortion. Ironically, it specifies that government will not interfere with a woman’s choice to keep or to kill her unborn child. Nevertheless, FOCA would be a major move towards the dangerous precipice of government-mandated abortion, since it would consolidate all power over birth control into the hands of federal law and authorities. From there it would only be a small step to amend it in the light of overriding national health interests, environmental or population concerns, or any other reason deemed appropriate. Thus the FOCA clause in section 4.b.1.a, stating that a woman has the “right to choose to bear a child” could conveniently and easily be changed to, for example, that a woman has the right to choose to bear up to two children. More ominously, it could be amended to state that a woman has the right to bear a child, except in cases of rape, incest, Down syndrome, etc.

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Barack Obama Promised to Sign FOCA
Video, courtesy of You Tube

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What Is A Partial Birth Abortion?
Video, courtesy of You Tube.

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TAKE A STAND TODAY AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
Americans United for Life (AUL) is calling on state legislatures to take action against FOCA before it reaches Obama's desk.


Nearly 300,000 Americans have expressed their opposition to FOCA. FOCA would establish the right to abortion as a fundamental right (like the right to free speech) and wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide.

It will eradicate state and federal abortion laws that the majority of Americans support and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.

Please read the expert analysis by Americans United for Life (AUL) and sign the Fight FOCA petition at: http://www.FightFOCA.com

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Judi Lynn Lake has kept up with leading edge business trends throughout her varied and successful career. She had already had her "15 minutes of fame" over and over again before starting her family. Judi and her family now reside in South Carolina, but, having been born and raised on Long Island, NY, it is clearly evident that she will always be a "New Yorker." Today, she successfully runs her own advertising agency which handles everything from logos, branding and package design while she continues to work closely with self-published authors from design to promotion. For more information, visit judilake.com

***

Maria's Last Song

It was mid-morning and Maggie and her husband, Howie, were in the kitchen eagerly preparing the food for their annual Forth of July bar-b-que.

While meticulously carving out the watermelon for her signature fruit salad, Maggie sternly makes an appeal to her husband. “How’, I want you to behave today; Maria is bringing over that nice new boy and I don’t want you, or anyone else, to scare him away especially after the last disastrous relationship she just ended."

Stunned, Howie responds, “You think I’d embarrass our Maria? I can’t believe you! I’m just happy she kicked that other guy out on his a—“

“I get it, dear! Oh, babe one more thing?"

Glancing at his attractive wife, Howie impulsively shuts her up with a passionate kiss on her mouth. As if on cue, their youngest daughter, Becky, interrupts their romantic interlude and beckons them to the phone.

Without looking at either of her parents, a disgusted Becky quickly leaves the kitchen while muttering, “You guys are so gross!"

Within minutes, a troubled Howie hangs up the phone.

“Everything alright?" Maggie asks.

“Yeah, I guess. Sam has been trying to contact Maria for the past three hours and she’s not answering the door or phone. I think I’m going to go to her place and check in on her."

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that dear, she’s probably soaking in a nice bubble bath and making herself pretty. Hey, if you’re going that way, I bought her a bottle of Channel No. 5 perfume — can you please give it to her?"

Taking his wife in his arms once again, Howie looks deeply in her eyes and says, “Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

Maggie places her arms around her husband’s neck and, in a sexy whisper, responds, “No, Mr. Botti, I don’t believe you have but if you hang around, you may tell me all you want tonight after everyone leaves."

***

“C’mon Maggie, outa the kitchen — everyone’s here already!"

“Okay, Lorraine, I’m just checking the ribs; I’ll be out in a few minutes."

While Maggie pours the last of the barbeque sauce on the ribs, she glances at the clock and wonders why Howie hasn’t come home from Maria’s yet. In a moment of panic, she calls his cell phone one last time.

“Hullo?"

“Who’s this?" Maggie asks.

“It’s Sam. This Mrs. Botti?"

“Yes, Sam, it is — what’s going on? I have a houseful of guests but no husband here to help me."

“Mrs. B—“

“Maggie?"

“Howie? What’s going on? Where are you? Is everything alright?"

In a shaky voice, her husband replies, “No, Maggie, everything is not alright. Our girl’s —."

Inherently, Maggie interrupts her husband, “Where are you?"

“Maria’s."

“Don’t go anywhere—I’ll be right there."

Although her granddaughter lives only seven blocks away, each city block seems a mile long. Desperately sensing danger, Maggie runs the entire distance while pushing everyone in sight out of her way.

At long last, she breathlessly arrives at her granddaughter’s apartment building and is immediately terror-stricken when she spies policemen and an EMT crew entering the front lobby.

Once inside the apartment building, an agitated Maggie opts for the stairs instead of the crowded elevator and hastens up the entire fourteen floors until she reaches Maria’s apartment. Similar to a tigress protecting her own, she forcibly pushes her way through the crowded open door and looks for her Maria. Oblivious to the crime scene tape and everyone around her, she follows the bloodstained path on the plush white carpet straight to the bathtub and bellows out a scream that could be heard throughout Manhattan.

Sometime in the early morning, Maria’s ex-boyfriend, Tom, who is bipolar and overcome with jealously, sneaks into her apartment and slits her throat. An aspiring songwriter, Tom writes his final love song in Maria’s own blood entitled, “Maria’s Last Song."

***

As I pen this true account, my heart aches for the senseless, tragic ending of an extraordinary young woman and her family. How does one comfort those who have experienced such violence?

What words of wisdom console?

Right now, I know of none.

A woman of faith, I know of no prayer, no advice nor any acts of kindness that will console this grieving family. I choose silence and cry with them and allow them to “feel" their pain.

Silently, I fervently pray to the Lord to bestow his healing love upon this grieving family.

I am ashamed that my compassion does not extend toward the murderer. I do not understand mental illness but I do understand that many violent crimes are committed with attorney’s pleading the insanity defense.

What does this mean? Sadly, I seek no literal meanings at this time. I can only see a senseless crime that was viciously violent.

Did Tom not take his meds? I don’t know, but I do know that Tom is a heavy pot smoker and likes to snort an occasional line or two of coke. Any connection?

Maybe. I don’t do drugs so I don’t know.

At the request of a friend, I try to seek answers in the Bible.

The terms “bipolar" or “manic depression" refer to a condition described as “a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. It is diagnosed based upon particular characteristics. The Bible does not address the issue of medical treatment for this condition. However, the Bible does provide accounts of those individuals that exhibited bipolar characteristics. The Bible also provides instructions for dealing with many of the characteristics. Typical characteristics associated with bipolar are considered either manic or depressive.

Psychology considers bipolar to be a disorder of the brain. Without debating the accuracy of that statement, one should still conclude that regardless of the affliction that might be upon the physical brain, there are certain responsibilities placed upon an individual to choose what things will be the focus of attention.

I believe that we all have the indwelling ability to be either good or bad. I also believe that living a righteous life is a choice.

Tom made his choice when he committed murder.

In sadness, I am not ready to pray for Tom yet, but perhaps someone else is.


©2008 Judi Lake. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Judi Lynn Lake has kept up with leading edge business trends throughout her varied and successful career. She had already had her "15 minutes of fame" over and over again before starting her family. Judi and her family now reside in South Carolina, but, having been born and raised on Long Island, NY, it is clearly evident that she will always be a "New Yorker." Today, she successfully runs her own advertising agency which handles everything from logos, branding and package design while she continues to work closely with self-published authors from design to promotion. For more information, visit judilake.com

A Message About Forgiveness

Praise God for my friend and her kindness in creating this blog for me! Discouraged and tired from recent adversity, I had just opened my e-mail to find this:

Dear Judi,
Don't be discouraged because as Jesus said the resistance against you is actually against him….You write the truth in a fair and reasonable way. The world is fast approaching the place where they cannot bear the truth.

Keep writing and I will look for your material anywhere it can be found.
In Christ's Love,
Rev Michael

And so, with the encouragement of friends, I will continue to write about what I know to be true, and, as the title of this blog suggest, “Life As It Happens.”

Today, as an exercise to get used to the idea of being a “solo blogger,” I will just jot down some morning thoughts. As promised on my last post at SearchWarp, I have decided to begin each day with a meditation that follows the liturgical year.

Today’s reading: Luke 17:1-6

[1] Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. [2] It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. [3] So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. [4] If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." [5] The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" [6] He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

What Is God Telling Me Today? Could this message be about fo-o-o-r-r-r-rgiveness? I think so…

We have all been hurt at some time in our lives. What’s more, many of us carry that hurt around all the time. It’s a constant companion—a recurring complaint, a rancorous story told repeatedly, a horror movie that plays persistently in your thoughts. Even if you don’t speak about the hurt, the result is the same: Fear, shame, and resentment deepen; bitterness festers.

The chains that those hateful emotions forge only tighten and become heavier over time. We don’t have to live in that kind of bondage. Forgiveness is the key.

Forgive! And if the hurt resurfaces, forgive again. And again. And again, and again. Seven times seventy times, if necessary. Get your heart to a place where you can forgive, even if you have to do it step by step, over a long period of time.

Picture yourself sitting with our Lord. Tell him what hurts and how hard it is to forgive. And ask him to help you. He will! This is why the apostles cried, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5).

They were asking Jesus to increase their conviction of the truth that their heavenly Father would take care of them—that their Father is capable of healing any hurt and that he wants to do it. “Increase our faith” means to increase our conviction of the truth that You, Father, will take care of us. It means that you, Father, have saved us and promise to uphold us in that salvation (Philippians 1:6).

“Increase our faith” means that you will also do it in others—yes, even in those who have hurt us.

“Father God, as the apostles cried, we, too, cry out to You to “increase our faith.” Teach us to forgive as you do and help us to let go of all bitterness and resentment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

©2008 Judi Lake. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.


Judi Lynn Lake has kept up with leading edge business trends throughout her varied and successful career. She had already had her "15 minutes of fame" over and over again before starting her family. Judi and her family now reside in South Carolina, but, having been born and raised on Long Island, NY, it is clearly evident that she will always be a "New Yorker." Today, she successfully runs her own advertising agency which handles everything from logos, branding and package design while she continues to work closely with self-published authors from design to promotion. For more information, visit judilake.com