Tag Archives: Biblical worldview

Why You Should Teach Your Young Children about Preborn Life

When my son, Ben, studied the Holocaust during World War II, he was appalled at the evil he read about. The idea that a society could set about to cause the wholesale eradication of human life hurt his heart.

It’s easy to look back in history and scorn the evil of the past, isn’t it? The Holocaust was clearly a horrific evil, ending the lives of 6 million Jews, and an additional 5 million non-Jewish people.(1) Though we teach our children about the Holocaust as a way to honor the victims, we primarily teach it so that we won’t repeat the tragedy.

Today’s Holocaust

It’s easy to assume that the horrors of the Holocaust are behind us, yet today we are seeing the loss of human life on a massive scale. Just as in Germany, governments around the world are funding, facilitating, and even requiring death on unimaginable scales.

Does that sound like an exaggeration?

In 2014, there were 977,000 abortions in the United States alone.(2) That’s 2,677 a day, at a rate of 2 babies dying each minute. Those numbers are painful, but not quite on par with the destruction of the Holocaust. However, there have been more than 58 million 873 thousand abortions in the US since 1973.(3) Since 1980, we’ve seen more than 1.4 billion abortions worldwide.(4)

In the US, we’ve outpaced the Holocaust by more than 5 times the number of dead. Worldwide, there are more than 128 times the number of dead as those killed during the Holocaust.

How You Can Help

Perhaps it seems strange to hear about abortion on The Busy Mom. What does this have to do with you? There are a lot of approaches people take to end abortion. Prayer, petitioning outside clinics, voting pro-life, raising awareness on social media and in person, and working in the political arena–all have merit, and are all important. I’m going to suggest an approach to add to that arsenal–one that will take longer to grow to fruition, but may be wonderfully effective.

In the United States, 18% of abortions are performed in teens under the age of 20.(5) Nearly one in 5 of all abortions is undertaken by a teen. 40% of those teens don’t tell either parents about the death of their baby.(6)

What if we educate our children about preborn life now? As a part of our bedtime reading, what if we incorporate science and Scripture that teaches our children the truth of preborn life? Let’s tell our kids that a baby’s heart starts beating two weeks after conception. Our children need to know that God planned each life in advance, and that He lovingly forms each baby in the womb.

Maybe we can’t change the culture of death that we live in. Perhaps we can teach just one child–or four, or twelve–about the value of human life from its conception. If we do it together, perhaps we can turn the tide in favor of life. Life that is ordained by a sovereign Creator.

Giveaway ~ Ends 4/20/16

This new resource from children’s author Danika Cooley may help. Wonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth (Christian Focus 4 Kids, 2016) is a science- and Scripture-filled picture book for kids ages 5-11. The book is told from the perspective of a mother (you!) telling her child about his or her development in the womb week-by-week. You can learn more about Wonderfully Made and download free resources for a Wonderfully Made unit study: posters, Scripture memory cards, and a fetal development lapbook over at the Wonderfully Made book page.

Another way you can make a difference is by supporting Save the Storks. Save the Storks partners with pregnancy resource centers all over the nation to provide them with powerful tools and training so they can more effectively reach and serve abortion-minded expectant mothers.

Together we empower these mothers to choose life for their unborn babies.

We accomplish our mission by making the highest-quality and most beautiful mobile medical vehicles available. These Stork Buses allow our affiliates to go where abortion-vulnerable women are likely to be, such as in front of abortion clinics and on university campuses.

Stork Buses allow our affiliates to go to women who need their services, rather than expecting those women to come to them.

Heidi has taken a stand against abortion for as long as I can remember, because it matters. She knows it’s overwhelming to think about the problem on a large scale, but knowing you can do one or two things really does make a difference. What will you do today?

Void where prohibited by law. Must be at least 18 years of age. This giveaway is in no away associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest. No purchase necessary for entry. Odds are determined by the number of entries. Selected winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prizes or another winner will be drawn.

(1) The Holocaust. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust
(2) (Updated 2016, February 5) US Abortion Statistics. Retrieved from: http://www.abort73.com/abortion_facts/us_abortion_statistics/
(3) Number of Abortions – Abortion Counter. Retrieved from: http://www.numberofabortions.com/
(4) Number of Abortions – Abortion Counter. Retrieved from: http://www.numberofabortions.com/
(5) Guttmacher Institute. (N/A) Induced Abortions in the United States. Retrieved from: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/induced-abortion-united-states
(6) Guttmacher Institute. (N/A) Induced Abortions in the United States. Retrieved from: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/induced-abortion-united-states

So You’re Thinking of Having Another Baby?

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I have three amazing daughters, ages 12, 9, and 7. The oldest is very creative, independent and a good leader. When she was born, she immediately had a curious look in her eyes. Everyone commented on how alert she was even at one day old. I remember holding her in my arms at the hospital as she quietly took in the world around her with those thoughtful, pensive eyes. She is still that way today; always thinking deeply and longing for friends to connect with on the same level.

When my middle daughter was born, she let out a cry that was so heartbreaking and pitiful sounding! It was like a high pitched moan that went up and down and up and down, kind of like a siren. A cry that I would hear many, many times over the years! She is my sensitive daughter. So, tears are naturally part of having that sensitive spirit. But, with that sensitivity also comes an abundance of LOVE. She is like a wellspring with unconditional love bubbling out of her every day.

My third daughter was a surprise pregnancy. I think I may have cried when I found out I was pregnant! Let me tell you… having an infant, a 17 month old and 5 year old daughter is tough work! And this baby was unlike either of my other two girls. When she was born, she let out a ROAR that was quite aggressive. I called her my “baby dinosaur” because of what her cry sounded like. It’s interesting because just like my middle daughter’s pitiful cry as a baby represents her sensitive spirit, my youngest’s roar represents her aggressive personality. Not only is she aggressive, she is also very dramatic about EVERYTHING. When she is physically hurt from falling down or stubbing her toe, everyone within a mile radius hears about it from her shrill crying that lasts FOREVER. When she is mad, you better get out of the way and give her some space to cool down, or before you know it you find yourself yelling even louder than her. (Sorry, Lord!) When she is happy, she can practically squeeze the breath out of you as she embraces you in a hug that lasts FOREVER!! She is my passionate child and I love her to pieces. But, oh, what a journey we have been on together.

Since my third daughter was such a challenge, I spent most of those first few years feeling anxious and overwhelmed. In fact, I tried to convince myself that I was done having kids. About six months ago a member of our church that my husband pastors shared a dream he had about us. He said that in the dream, Chip and I were moving into a big nice house. Our oldest daughter was grown and moved away and our other girls were in their late teens…. and we had 3 BOYS! YIKES!!! Well, that planted a little seed in my head about possibly having another baby (NOT that I want triplets).

Around the same time as the dream was shared with us, my girls and I joined a homeschool co-op. Soon, I found myself surrounded by little red headed boys (I have red hair and was hopeful for a red headed baby but have never had one). Little by little, I started having more thoughts of having a baby. I thought I was crazy at first and that the thoughts would pass. Well, they didn’t 🙂 In my spirit I kept hearing the words, “LIFE… NEW LIFE.” I would go to take my birth control, put it down, walk away, come back, put it down. I heard the words, “You are keeping him from coming.” Then, I found out that my middle daughter had been praying for a few months that she would have a baby brother!

I am now 9 weeks pregnant with our 4th child. I spent the last 8 years convincing my husband we were done having kids, only to find out that my husband knew I would eventually change my mind. I was actually growing comfortable with how independent my girls have become. So, knowing I am about to enter the baby season all over again, makes me a little nervous. But, I know this baby is going to be a huge blessing to everyone around him/her. I am excited to meet who God is developing inside of me!! And, I am looking forward to savoring every moment with this new little one, and this time mothering with a peaceful spirit instead of an anxious and overwhelmed one.

Do you have a story like mine? Or are you still wrestling with being done, yet not really done? I don’t think I’m alone.

Lord, Help Me be More Like My Little Girl

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Tonight, as I tucked my almost five-year old into bed, her prayer was simple:

“Dear God, please stop this abortion. Just cancel it. It’s wrong to kill babies. You can do it all by yourself. You don’t need any help—because you’re that big and that good.”

We weren’t expecting such a big thought to come from such a small girl…and a quiet hush came over the room. She trusts Him.

He IS that big, that good. We are facing many problems in our world today. Saylor’s prayer reminded me that I serve the King of Kings. The ONE who spread the heavens out like a canopy over the earth. The Lord of “heavens armies.” The One who made the seas and all that is in them.

He says our days were ordained for us before a single one of them came to be. He says we are to trust Him.

One day soon, He WILL make things right.

“Into His capable hands, I must commit the future of my children—and of all the broken things around me that I have no control over. My role is not to worry. It is to obey. It is to trust.”

Into His capable hands, I must commit the future of my children—and all of the broken things around me that I cannot fix. My role is not to worry. It is to obey. It is to trust. Lord, I do believe. Calm my mother’s heart. Help my unbelief!

Help me be more like my little girl.

—–Be Still My Soul—-
1. Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul: The hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Text: Katharina von Schlegel, b. 1697;

The Perfect Storm: ISIS Moves On a Weak Church

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It’s raining outside, in my little corner of our great big world. The wind is howling. The leaves are everywhere. It’s that time of year. As I sit in my window, I can’t help but notice one tall tree in the corner of our yard that refuses to yield to the wind and the rain. All the other trees are bare now, but this one, this one stands defiant in the face of what is bound to be a losing fight with nature.

Most of the yellow leaves on the giant maple are hanging on for dear life now, trying to delay the inevitable. One day soon, they won’t be able to hang on anymore and they’ll give up, falling to the earth in an endless cycle that will repeat itself again this time next year.

As the rain continues to fall, my eyes are drawn upward to the enormous, rhythmic sway of the tallest trees. It’s unsettling. Many of the big trees on our three acres fell last year as the rain soaked ground loosened their fragile root systems. The forest can be unforgiving. They didn’t have a choice but to fall under relentless downpours. Years of erosion took their toll as the mighty trees buckled and fell, taking smaller trees with them.

Trees with shallow root systems don’t survive very many winters. They can’t. Even big trees, no—especially the big ones—need strong, deep roots. Without them, it’s only a matter of time.

We’re not so unlike those trees. If we’re going to survive the storms of this life, we need strong, deep roots, too. But as I listen to the news and see the barrage of cyber-bullets flying back and forth between people who should know better, I can’t help but sense that the trees in my back yard are not the only things with fragile, shallow root systems in the late autumn of 2015.

The church’s roots are shallow, and the storms around us have unearthed a problem that, if left untreated, threatens to undo us from the inside-out. Years of relentless spiritual downpours have left us weak and vulnerable. Rather than shore up our root systems with the truth of God’s Word, we have given ground away to the erosion of culture, tossing aside ages of time-honored truths that we have stood on as a people for generations. Many of our tallest “trees” have fallen victim to the downpour of secular progressivism that has laid waste to our churches in recent years. Like you, I have watched as many pastors and other Christian leaders have exchanged the truth of the Gospel for a “more convenient” truth.

It is the perfect storm. Weak church… weak nation. We are a nation in spiritual crisis, and our weakness is providing the perfect storm for evil to spread.

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. ¹⁷Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5:16-17

We must be careful, because as the Apostle Paul warned, the days are evil. ISIS has found a soft target in Christians today. We are a biblically illiterate generation, profoundly weak in our knowledge of the almighty and His Word. We’ve forgotten who God says we are supposed to be: holy, set apart. And so, instead of falling to our knees in anguish over our sin and admitting our need for divine answers, we’re doubling-down on made-up theology that portrays Jesus and His great love for mankind in two extremes: passive and foolish or selfish and uncaring about human suffering.

In the wake of last week’s awful terrorist attacks, instead of turning to God, we’re turning on each other. If ISIS ever had a golden opportunity to strike at the heart of God’s people, now would be that time.

Today, on social media, for all the world to see, God’s people are fighting over which kind of compassion is more “right” … the kind that says “protect the innocent here” or the kind that says “protect the innocent there.” Every Christian with an opinion and a Bible seems set on hurling verses at other Christians. Social media is on fire. Mocking images flood our screens and numb our senses and what are we doing? We are reacting in our flesh. Me included.

We are being driven by anger and fear, and it’s exactly what the enemy wants. Yes. The enemy. Satan. He knows exactly what he’s doing and we better wake up and pay attention. The war we are in is a spiritual one. ISIS is not our enemy. ISIS is a tool of our enemy. Nothing more, nothing less.

Now is not the time to lob Bible verses at each other over a virtual fence! Now is the time to hit the floor on our knees. Collectively. This is war—and every person who claims the name of Jesus is enlisted in it. We need to come to the table together, first in prayer and then with resolve to act how God wants us to act. How will we know what that is if we do not pray for wisdom? Oh, how we need wisdom for these times we are living in. Human wisdom simply will not do. The wisdom we need can come from no place other than from God Himself.

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” James 1:5

We need every Christian writer, pastor, teacher, parent, journalist and thought leader to come together in solidarity against the evil that is waging war at this moment against us. Our conversations must extend far beyond the fear that drives us.

We must seek the Spirit.

Now is the time to sink our root systems deep into the rich soil of the Word of God. Now is the time for unity—and the kind of unity we need is supernatural. We must not give in to fear and anger. We must beg God for His wisdom. A generation hangs in the balance.

¹⁰A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹²For we^[d] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.¹⁶In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.¹⁷Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

¹⁹And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. ²⁰I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.”

Ephesians 6:10-20

Not a Person

Will You Be The Mom Who Refuses to be Sidelined?

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Something sad and fascinating is happening to parents in this post-modern era. We’re being lied to. We’re being told that we aren’t necessary—and what’s worse, many moms today are buying the lie! After all, they say the “village” can do it better.

Slowly but surely society is shutting parents out. Moms today are being told that elementary school aged kids can make their own decisions on everything from birth control to which gender they want to be. What used to be regarded as a parent’s responsibility is now seen as an infringement on the child.

Simple tasks like looking at my 13 yr old’s medical records now require effort and persistence and even permission from my 13 year old. If we want to stay in the race and finish it we must refuse to be sidelined. MomStrong moms possess a willingness to endure rather than become a passive onlooker in the lives of their children.

When the world says “give up” or “it’s not your business,” I challenge you to stand up for the sake of your child. Go ahead and risk being annoying. Be the mom who knows the names of your child’s friends. Be the mom who asks the hard questions and loves unconditionally. Be the mom who refuses to be sidelined and instead guides her child through every stage of growing up, including adolescence.

Your children don’t need the government or the school system to teach them about the big things in life, they need their parents. Moms, you are stronger than they say you are. You are more capable and more invested. You’re your children’s mother, and kids today need their mothers to be all-in.

They need the wisdom and love of their parents, and they need a mom who is one hundred percent invested.

Be that mom!

When the Kim Davis Dust Settles, Will People See Jesus?

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A few days ago, I wrote a post on Facebook after seeing the movie “War Room.”

I grew up in pain. I know it when I see it—and I saw it tonight.Tonight, I sat in a movie theater full of strangers…

Posted by The Busy Mom on Sunday, 6 September 2015

As you can see from reading comments on the post, I took a lot of heat for my comments about Kim Davis. I get the impression some of my readers think I am against Kim Davis. Quite the contrary. I’m praying for her. She has gone to jail without bail for her stand in disobeying a court order. That takes courage. I applaud her courage.

But as I think back on other men and women in the Bible, like Joseph, Esther and Daniel—I see that they who gained favor from pagan kings through their exemplary service—not from disregarding the law of the land.

To me, this is not a question of whether or not Kim Davis is legally in the right position. She has the right, certainly, to do what she has done. She may even have a good case. But to me, this a question of whether or not it serves and benefits the cause and kingdom of God.

I believe SCOTUS was unlawful, even renegade, for creating a law and bypassing Congress. Three branches of gov’t have now become slaves to the judiciary branch. This was never what our founding fathers intended.

However. Daniel only disobeyed the King when he was told he could no longer worship God (thou shall have no other gods before me). Esther stood up against the murder of her people (thou shall not kill) and Joseph ran from the boss’s wife, who would have happily committed adultery with him. (you shall not commit adultery)

I see these people willing to die (Esther and Daniel) and being willing to go to jail rather than commit adultery (Joseph). I believe it’s worth going to jail to stop the slaughter of the innocent. I will vote according to my conscience every time. I’ll speak the truth in the public square. I will not be a party to murder. I will not cower in fear—because I serve the Captain of Army of the Lord of Hosts! He has not given His people a spirit of fear. (2 Tim 1:7)

But when the dust settles over our dry and thirsty land, I want people to see Christ in my life. Right now, what do unbelievers see? They see woman breaking the law (albeit an immoral law) that they do not believe to be immoral. As far as I can tell, she’s stoking the fire, not squelching it.

Brothers and sisters in Christ—this may be hard to hear, but we do not live in a Christian nation. We live in Babylon. Our President, our Congress, our Judges, do not serve the living God. I live as a Christian woman in the midst of a secular government. The laws in my native country, the USA, reflect this reality, from abortion to gay marriage. Christians have become the minority in this nation because we have not lived the way God would have us live. We have not obeyed God in our private lives.

We are not unlike the Israelites, who danced as close to the edge as they could and then begged God for mercy when they were led away into captivity.

We live in a nation that has gone from condemning sin, to quietly condoning it to celebrating it. Sadly, the Christian community has been part of it. Like Lot, I pray that God’s judgment would be spared because of the millions of Americans who do love and follow God’s Word—but today, even pastors are unbuckling the belt of truth and laying it down on the altar of mercy. We value being accepted by men above God in many areas of “Christian” life—but I wonder if we have forgotten that we cannot expect the world to understand the ways of God.

We’re trying, but we’re cherry picking what we want to “enforce” with this secular culture. For example, did Kim Davis ever sign a marriage license for two people where one was a Christian and the other was not? That was wrong, too, by God’s definition. She should have refused to condone those marriages, too, right?

We don’t get to pick and choose which parts of the Bible we’ll stand on. We are to live, and love, by the whole thing.

Several have said Noah was like Kim Davis. How? Because he was mocked too? Noah broke no law. He listened to and obeyed God when God told him to do something that seemed absurd. Now, maybe that’s what Kim Davis is doing. But something in my spirit is troubled by her actions. I do not believe it’s winning anyone to Christ.

In the end, only faith in Christ and obedience to His Word will affect the way this nation has embraced and even now celebrates what God clearly calls sin: homosexuality. But honestly, we have to obey every part of God’s Word, not just the ones that are in our faces. Tax evasion, adultery, indifference to the suffering of orphans and the unborn… we have a lot to atone for, and it must begin with Christians on their faces in repentance.

As we have so painfully now learned, “hope and change” will never be found in a president or a political party. It will only, ever, always be found in Jesus. Let’s talk about Jesus. Let’s talk about His grace and mercy and forgiveness. Let’s talk about the wages of sin and the gift of God which is eternal life in Christ.

What, men and women, what is the best way to follow God in a country that is not godly? These are the days of Joseph. The days of Daniel. If your job violates your conscience, then quit. Do what Joseph did and serve the Lord with integrity in your place of employment—and if that employer asks you to be complicit in his sin—RUN.

If and when the government tells you it is unlawful to worship God, worship Him anyway. Live in such a way that even ungodly courts cannot find fault with you because you serve the Lord.

Let everything you do speak to the love and mercy and forgiveness of God.

Some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots, some in a political system, some in a President, some in homeschooling, some in medicine, some in good works.

Be we, the children of God, trust in the name of the LORD. Our whole lives, not just part of them, need to speak of his love.

We need to show our own need for Jesus. To be Christians in the midst of a broken generation will take repentance and mercy.

To be a Christian in the midst is to stand alone if necessary—but I pray we will stand together on the things that really matter. We will not be effective until we fall on our knees and admit that there is none righteous, no, not one. May our hearts break for what breaks His.

When the dust settles from this latest us versus them battle, I wonder: will people see Jesus? If not, our stand is for nothing.

Heidi St. John

Speaking the Truth in Love