Presbyterians Pro-Life
babies
Presbyterians Pro-Life ENEWS 
July, 2013
Greetings!

Life is the first of the self evident and inalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independance by the Founding Fathers of our great nation. On this Fourth of July I hope you will pledge to place a higher value on the lives of the vulnerable than on your own liberty, and to protect the liberty of others more than your own happiness. Click here to read more on this theme from a July 2011 post on the PPL blog.
 
Made in God's Image: Part Two

by Mark Atkinson
embryo
Baby in utero at 7 wks

What does Scripture teach regarding the nature of human life and the unborn? This is the second of six Scriptural themes that indicate why we are pro-life.

 

B. The meaning and purpose God has for each human person begins before birth

 

Genesis 4:1; I Samuel 1:20; Matthew 1:20 - 21; Job 31:15; Psalm 139:13 - 16; Jeremiah 1:5

 

I suspect that one key reason why support for abortion rights has been losing ground in recent years is because of changing technology. On one hand, our hospitals are able to support infants prematurely as early as twenty-four weeks of gestational development and, on the other hand, sonogram ultrasound technology provides very clear photographic evidence that the developing baby is undeniably human. We can see with our own eyes that the baby in the womb is a baby.

 

We believe that all human life has value because we are made in the image of God. Similarly, we believe that all human life has meaning, because we are made according to the purpose of God. God's purpose for our lives is established before we are born.

  
Read more...

 

Health Risks of Abortion, Part 2 of 3
Martha Leatherman

 
by Dr. Martha Leatherman, M.D.
 

The issue of the effect of abortion on women's psychiatric health has become a political football. Both pro-abortion and pro-life advocates have found research data to support their respective positions.

 

For those of us who believe that God is the Author of life, the ultimate, rather than the political answer to this question is very important for three reasons. First, women considering abortion need to be able to have accurate warnings of risks to their psychological well-being. Second, in ministering to post-abortive women we need to know the degree to which the abortion might increase their risk of depression, anxiety, or even suicide. Third, we need to be able to honestly educate the vast majority of people who are not actively involved in either pro-abortion or pro-life work about the true impact of abortion on women.

 

Read more.
"We value life from the bottom up" John Calvin quote on abortion  
(but only some lives)
 
by P.J. Southam

The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Washington Office of Public Witness is on a tour of 52 presbyteries. On Thursday June 20 he was the featured guest speaker at the meeting of Missouri Union Presbytery in Jefferson City, Missouri. He spoke for approximately 30 minutes, took questions for another 30, and was also the preacher during the presbytery meetings worship.

 

Early in his remarks Rev. Nelson said that he shared John Calvin's view that we are all called by Christ to go out and preach and teach the gospel, and that the gospel is connected to the public square. He said that we cannot be afraid to engage the public square, and that Jesus Christ died a political death.


 Read what Nelson said about valuing life and his answer to a question about advocacy for vulnerable lives. Click here
EPC GA debates revision of abortion statement
PPL Exhibit at EPC GA
Revising their abortion statement was on the agenda of The Evangelical Presbyterian Church as representatives from their now 400+ churches met at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, CO last week (June 18-22, 2013). Debate was surprisingly vigorous, but centered on words chosento express their pro-life position regarding abortion and not because they have disagreement about their position on abortion.
 

 
I have just finished reading Love the Least (a lot) by Michael Spielman. You really ought to read it! Spielman begins by stating in Chapter 1 that we know abortion is wrong because it is "incompatible with the character of God." Presbyterians Pro-Life believes that is true and that is why we continue to call the church to uphold the sacredness of every human life. Let us know how we can support and encourage you as you protect, nurture, and care for God's "least ones". Contact me anytime.
 
In Christ for Life,
 
Marie Bowen
Executive Director
Presbyterians Pro-Life
In This Issue
Made in God's Image
Health Risks of Abortion
"We value life" . . . but
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June 30-July 6
1. Read Num. 10:33;
2 Samuel 22:29; Psa. 31:3; Luke 1:79; John 10:3; 16:13
 
2. Pray for those children who are without parents,
that they will know God's mercy and that He will guide them and provide them with a home.

3. Pray for women considering abortion that they will know Jesus as their Shepherd and will follow Him where He leads.

July 7-13
1. Read Lev. 19:2; Prov. 9:10; Matt. 5:48;
John 17:11;
I John 1:5, 2:20

2. Pray that our pastors will preach the Word of God
that we might have a deeper knowledge of the Holy One.

3. Pray for our Ex. Director, Marie Bowen, that she
will know her Father in heaven protects her by His holy name.

July 14-20
1. Read Job 36:5; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:6; Galatians 2:6; Colossians 3:25; 
I Peter 1:17

2. Pray that abortionists in our country will repent
and turn from their wicked ways for anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong.

3. Pray for Marie Bowen, Ex. Director of PPL, as she travels to the meeting of the National Pro-Life
Religious Council in Washington, DC.

July 21-27
1. Read I Samuel 15:29; Ps. 33;11; Proverbs 19:21;
Romans 11:29;
James 1:17

2. Pray and rejoice that our God's plans stand firm
forever; nothing can change them.

3. Pray for the women this week who will learn they are pregnant; that they will rejoice in the gift of life knowing that every gift from God is good.

July 28-August 3
1. Read Deuteronomy 33:12; Ps. 63:3; John 14:23; Romans 5:8; I John 4:8 Rev. 14:1

2. Pray and repent of the times you have failed to appreciate that there is no greater expression of love than God's giving Jesus to die for you.

3. Pray that as we remember that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ to enter humanity as a weak and helpless embryo, we will not forget that unborn babies need our nurture and love.
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PPL is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization of members of Presbyterian & Reformed churches. The official registration and financial information of Presbyterians Pro-Life, Research, Education, and Care, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.