Stacy, I promise to help the little ones make the breakfast. I can still whip up a mean omelet.

I guess the question is, do you think a mean omelet is appetizing?

I love you!

Update: Jessica wrote a great note to her mom here…

Interesting news from Russia…

To combat the high abortion rate and reverse population decline, legislation banning abortion ads in mainstream publications has been introduced in the Russian Duma. If enacted, ads for abortion clinics would be limited to medical journals.

According to the Moscow News Weekly, the legislation has the support of three of Russia’s four major parties. Although pro-life sentiment is on the rise, Russia now has more abortions than live births (105 abortions for every 100 births). Due to a low birthrate (1.17 versus 2.1 for population replacement), Russia is losing three-quarters of a million people a year. The nation’s current population of 141 million is expected to decline to 112 million by 2050.

According to its deputy chairman, Sergei Kolesnikov, the Duma’s Health Committee is also considering banning free-standing abortion clinics. Thereafter, the procedure could only be performed in hospitals. The Levada Center, a research group, reports that since 1998, Russians who say abortion is a moral issue have increased from 25% to 35%.

Back in 1982, I had the opportunity to meet the director of Pravda, the former Soviet news source. Even at that time, he was concerned about the number of abortions in the USSR. He mentioned the growth of Islam and how Muslim regiments in the Red Army were not given real rifles, but were trained with wooden arms. The reason - fear of armed resistance and civil war.

Now, Europe is in a death spiral. Islam is on the rise, and the “Christian” population is declining at an alarming rate. Europe needs a new Reformation. If trends continue, most European nations will see Islamic majorities in a few decades. Can you imagine Europe as a Muslim continent? It is closer to reality than you might think.

 

Within the week, dozens of elders and their families from around America are going to descend upon Peoria for the annual General Assembly of our denomination, the Covenant Presbyterian Church. As a result, I am not going to have much time to opine on societal ills, political machinations, or familial joys. As time permits, I will try to post. But, it may be a challenge. We have three families, as well as a good friend and his daughter, staying with us.

In addition to the typical “death by Robert’s Rules,” we will be taking in a Peoria Chief’s baseball game Thursday and hosting a denominational celebration Friday. If anyone wants to learn more about our denomination, this is your chance!

It will be a fun, yet I am sure tiring, week. Feel free to pray for us!

Because the Lord condemns the murder of children. Yes, children. Not fetal mass, not the product of conception, children.

I was very excited to hear that we had no record of abortions in Peoria for the week of April 30. While this is great news, we still stand at 524 children aborted this year.

For those who doubt that we are talking about children, or for those who wonder why I believe we should all be active in prayer for the end of this practice, I encourage you to watch this video. While it does not show an actual abortion, the fact that we are discussing the death of children is very clear. Parental discretion is advised.

If you would like to stand in silent prayer for the victims of abortion here in Peoria, contact Helpers of God’s Precious Infants - (309) 453-7493.

Yesterday, after shopping with Emma, Tiffany returned home downcast. We were a little puzzled; since before she left the house, she had been in a relatively cheerful mood. All had seemed well.

While Tiffany was on her way home from the store, she received a call from her mother, announcing that we would be visiting a delightful family from church–one who shares a love for good English tea. Tiffany sounded excited, always enjoying a good visit and looking forward to a good cup of tea.

But when she arrived home, Stacy informed her that plans had changed and now the family would be joining us for tea at our house in less than two hours. As a matter of fact, while they were here, we were going to use the occasion of their visit as a time to get some photographs of the children enjoying tea and scones!

Tiffany seemed apathetic and disinterested. She mentioned to her mother, “Pictures? Mother, we look like end-of-the-day messes!” Stacy smiled and told her she looked great and that it would be fun. Nevertheless, Tiffany moped about getting ready for the seemingly thrown together event.

One of the older girls came to us and said they had noticed that Tiffany had been crying. This really befuddled us. Something was amiss. Tiffany typically had a better attitude about things—even when asked to do something she didn’t care to do.

But the truth soon came out. Eyes welling with tears, Tiffany came into the room where Stacy was brushing the hair of one of the little ones and confessed. While at the store, she had somehow lost her ring, a special ring we had given to her years ago as a token of our love for her and as a reminder to her that God had called her to purity, before and after marriage.

While doing dishes that morning, she had placed her rings in her pocket and had forgot to put them back on. At the register, she had reached into her pocket for some change to buy little Emma some mints. She believed that was when the ring was lost. She let us know how sorry she was and we told her we were sorry too, but we would call the store and see if, in God’s providence, someone had found it. We gave her a hug before she headed upstairs to help with her sister’s hair.

I did not wait around. I took action. I called the local store and explained what had happened. I was placed on hold while a search was made.

Minutes later, I walked solemnly to Tiffany’s room. She was standing behind her sister, Jessica, adorning her head with artistic ringlets. Tiffany had put on one of her regency gown creations. My daughter looked radiant, yet still forlorn.

I said, in a somber voice, “Tiffany. I called the store. [pause for effect] They said they will call if… [pause for effect] …you don’t pick it up by tomorrow.” Then I smiled.

“They found the ring?” she asked excitedly.

“Yes dear. They found the ring.”

I was enveloped in a hug and kissed on the cheek. Tiffany simply said, “I love you, dad.” The hug seemed to last forever. I did not want it to end.

I said, “I love you too, daughter.”

This was a challenging moment for me; for unbeknownst to Tiffany, Jared had recently asked me for Tiffany’s hand in marriage. The afternoon tea party scheduled for that day was a ruse. The ladies of the McDonald home, along with our friends, the Riggenbachs, were working with Jared to simulate a scene from Pride and Prejudice where Mr. Bingley comes unannounced to seek the hand of Jane.

While Mr. Riggenbach and I entertained the little ones downstairs, Jared arrived, clothed in appropriate period attire. He sat down among the ladies for tea. Stacy winked at Jessica. Jessica asked, “Mother, whatever are you winking at?” There were a few giggles, more winks, and knowing glances—then Stacy rose to exit the room, taking Melissa and Jessica along with her. After that, Mrs. Riggenbach rose suddenly. Her daughter, Lily, seemed to understand the command, and they both abruptly left the room together. Tiffany and Jared were left alone—Tiffany a bit bewildered.

Jared and Tiffany talked quietly for a few moments before Jared got down on one knee, presented the ring, and asked Tiffany to marry him.

And my daughter said, “Yes.”

So, in one day, a young lady loses a precious ring given to her by her earthly father, which her Heavenly Father sees fit to return. After that, the earthly father is touched by God’s providence, as a young man gives the young lady a new ring – one that adds to the love and beauty of the first. In God’s providence He has brought together a lady and a gentleman who, by God’s grace, have glorified God by keeping themselves pure and spotless in preparation for one another—adding substance to the brilliance of both rings.

Please rejoice with us as our dear daughter, Miss Tiffany Faith McDonald, is betrothed to Mr. Jared Francis Cave.

God is good.

Last week, Stacy’s birth grandfather, Dr. Michael DeBakey, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal - America’s highest civilian honor. President Bush presided over the event.

Dr. DeBakey is indeed one of the most incredible men I have ever met. At nearly 100 years old, he is still at work, striving to improve the health of American citizens.

Due to the fact that Stacy was adopted, she did not meet Dr. DeBakey until she was an adult. But I have no doubt that her inquisitive mind and her interest in medicine came from her DeBakey genes.

When Stacy’s birth father, Ernest DeBakey, passed on to the Lord, after a brief battle with stomach cancer, our daughters, Christa, Tiffany, Melissa, and Jessica sang Psalm 56 at the funeral. As the children sang, they watched tears stream down this man’s face. A great man of medicine, who so many revere, wept like a child at the loss of his precious son. This helped our daughters better appreciate their heritage.

President Bush said this of Dr. DeBakey:

“Dr. DeBakey has an impressive resume, but his truest legacy is not inscribed on a medal or etched into stone. It is written on the human heart. His legacy is the unlost hours with family and friends who are still with us because of his healing touch. His legacy is grandparents who lived to see their grandchildren. His legacy is holding the fragile and sacred gift of human life in his hands - and returning it unbroken.”

How thankful we are that God has used Dr. DeBakey to help so many; and in the process, allow parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents see the fruit of faithfulness in the faces of their posterity. Gold medals aside, Scripture clearly teaches that our children, and our children’s children, are our true legacy.

I recently preached through the text of Malachi 1:2-5. I found it amazingly encouraging. Here is what the Bible tells us:

Malachi 1:2-3a, NKJV: “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the Lord. “Yet Jacob I have loved; But Esau I have hated.”

This is an incredible statement, and one that troubles the carnal mind. God loved Jacob, yet hated Esau. Why? Esau was the firstborn. He was also a “man’s man,” a hunter, a go-getter. Yet David was a mama’s boy, a schemer, and a deceiver. He was not the one I would have chosen. Yet God loved Jacob and hated Esau.

We can look back at our lives and see God’s love for us in His gift of salvation. The longer I serve the Lord this side of glory, the more amazed I am that He, in His sovereign will, decreed that I would be His. He chose to love me – an unlikely choice!

For some time in my early days of ministry, I struggled to understand verses like this. I did not want to face this doctrine, basically because I didn’t think it was fair. But then I came to realize the only thing I deserved was hell. There was nothing I could do, on my own, to satisfy the judgment of God.

If we want “fair,” then we all should be sentenced to eternal misery.

Yet God chose to be merciful to those whom He loves. And we are most unlovable.

What should we do with such a truth? This should encourage us to pray even more fervently for the straying one ever so far from Christ. This should motivate us to share the Gospel with the wickedest of sinners.
We do this because we know who we were before Jesus. And, for some of us, we were where they are now. The only reason I have for God’s choice of me is His love, demonstrated in the unmerited grace and faith He gave to me.

Consider the words of Charles Spurgeon:

“When I was coming to Christ, I thought I was doing it all myself, and though I sought the Lord earnestly, I had no idea the Lord was seeking me. I do not think the young convert is at first aware of this. I can recall the very day and hour when first I received those truths in my own soul - when they were, as John Bunyan says, burnt into my heart as with a hot iron, and I can recollect how I felt that I had grown on a sudden from babe into a man - that I had made progress in Scriptural knowledge, through having found, once for all, the clue to the truth of God.”

As I was preaching this message, I remembered this little video. It shows one who was chosen, yet unworthy—the worst on the team. Like him, God calls us, those He loves, to come on the team. And then He supernaturally empowers us to show His greatness.

There were approximately 31 abortions for the week of April 23. Sadly, business was so good the facility was also open last Saturday. No one was scheduled to be there that do so we do not know how many abortions were performed. There have now been approximately 524 abortions in 2008.

Three women came out of the facility saying they had not gone through with their abortions!  Praise God!

A common question I get at conferences when I speak on the topic of family worship is, “How do you manage it with small children?”

I think this video is a great primer…

When children are young, you have a great opportunity to help them see that praising the Lord is to be a joyful activity! Indeed, it is important to teach them to sit still and listen to the reading and proclamation of the Word. And it is important to teach them the value and power of prayer. And I encourage teaching them to memorize Scripture at a young age.

But it is ever so much easier to get them to follow these precepts when you conclude family worship with music. Worship through song is a crucial component of family worship. Even if you cannot play an instrument, even if you cannot carry a tune in a bucket, sing with your children! Sing the great hymns of the faith. Music makes family worship joyful and powerful.

I’d like to open this post up for other comments and ideas. Do you have any advice for those with young children?

Let me start by stating emphatically that I believe the Fundamental Latter Day Saint organization to be a cult. I do not support their doctrines or their practices in any way. I believe polygamy is wrong and should not be part of the Christian culture. But…

I am very troubled by what has happened to the children and the families associated with their Yearning for Zion Ranch.

Here’s the summary: An anonymous tip was received at an abuse center. Someone claiming to be a young girl said she was forced to marry a 50-year-old man and then physically and sexually abused. Armed with this tip, Texas Child Protective Services was awarded a search warrant. The officials descended upon the complex, armed to the teeth, body armor secured, even driving armored personnel carriers. At the end of the day, 416 terrified children were removed from the complex—and they’re still in custody.

It has now been three weeks. Interesting facts have come to light. First, the anonymous tip was fraudulent. The actual caller turned out to be a 33-year old woman named Rozita Swinton of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She has now been arrested.

And here’s an interesting twist. She is also listed as a pledged delegate for Barak Obama (check out this link- Swinton is listed as representing precinct 269).

Also, no pregnant thirteen-year-old girls were found. No child was neglected; there are no signs of abuse or rape. There is no indication that anyone was forced to marry. Yet, Judge Barbara Walther, who is overseeing the case, declared: “The court has ruled the conditions those children were in were not safe for the children. I did not make the facts that got this case into the courts.”

I am still looking for facts. This seems to be a telling concern, quoted from MSNBC:

“Experts and lawyers fear the children’s transition to foster care may be much harder than it is for other foster children…Many of the children have seen little or no television. They have been essentially home-schooled all their lives. Most were raised on garden-grown vegetables and twice-daily prayers with family. They frolic in long dresses and buttoned-up shirts from another century.”

So, these boys and girls have seen little television. They have been home educated. They have eaten healthy food. They have participated in family worship. And they wear modest clothing. Oh shudder – the horror!

And now consider the inconsistencies. When I graduated from high school, a class of 92, there were 2 pregnant girls in my class. I am not sure how many others had decided to abort their children, but there were rumors. One of the pregnant girls was also married. I am sure today’s graduating classes have even more examples of promiscuity among today’s youth. Promiscuity is actually encouraged today, with sex education and free condoms being passed out like candy. After the FDLS compound, why not raid the local high school?

And just wander into any honky tonk. Ask around. You will find at least one Bubba proudly proclaiming his “masculinity” by bragging about his sexual prowess. He may have “fathered” a number of children by a handful of women. Isn’t this a form of polygamy—only without Bubba taking the manly responsibility of caring for the mothers? But it’s acceptable for Bubba to continue upon his merry romp through life while the children grow up without a clue as to who their father is – as long as Bubba pays child support and stays out of jail.

And just walk through the local mall. How many folks roll their eyes at, but accept, the fellow wearing more black leather than an Angus bull, spouting vulgar language, sporting body piercings in his ears, cheeks, lips and eyelids, and styled with hair shaved up one side and tinted a lovely shade of lavender down the other? But a woman who desires to dress in a 19th century styled pastel dress is viewed suspiciously—perhaps she’s unfit to raise children because she’s so odd? Where are we headed?

So, the State of Texas seizes children because parents are teaching their children to marry early and live counter-culturally. And this is abuse?

Again, I am not condoning any of the doctrines or practices of the Fundamental Latter Day Saints. Their doctrines will lead children to the gates of hell. But it is not the place of the State to be the thought police. When has a belief been outlawed in this country? When did God give the State the right to parent children? Where are our Constitutional liberties?

This is a very dangerous precedent. Regardless of whether or not you are a Christian homeschooling family or a pagan Wiccan family, this situation in Texas should drive you to action.

For the Christian homeschool family, if you are not members of HSLDA, I encourage you to join!

And I encourage you to follow this situation closely. And pray for America.

Stacy has collected some interesting quotes on this case - HERE.