Upcoming Camp Board Meeting

Attention board members. We are having a board meeting at Rev. Dennis King's house this coming Tuesday evening February 9th at 7:ooPM. Hope to see you there!

Tertullian on Jeremiah and the Life of the Unborn

Tertullian on Jeremiah and the Life of the Unborn

Dr. Todd A. Stepp OSL
www.wesleyananglican.blogspot.com

The upcoming Old Testament lection comes from Jeremiah 1:4-10. In my study, I found the comments of Tertullian of Carthage (late 2nd/early 3rd centuries) on verse five to be very interesting in relationship to the issue of abortion.

Jeremiah 1:5 quotes God as saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations" (NRSV).

Tertullian comments: "The embryo therefore becomes a human being in the womb from the moment that its form is completed. The law of Moses, indeed, punishes with due penalties the one who shall cause an abortion, inasmuch as there exists already the rudiment of human being that has imputed to it even now the condition of life and death, since it is already liable to the issues of both, although, by living still in the mother, it for the most part shares its own state with the mother" (One the Soul 37. As found in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, OT XII).

One might ask what Tertullian means by "the moment that its form is completed" (emphasis, mine). One could argue from the remainder of his comments that one need not think in literal terms of absolute completion of form; that, instead, it could be argued that Tertullian would accept the "completion" of conception, i.e., once a human being has been formed in terms of conception. However one may answer that question, it is clear that his comments refer to one (in this case, Jeremiah) who is not yet born.

What I find of interest in this passage, along with the story of the blessed virgin Mary's visit to Elizabeth, is how God is actively at work in and through those (i.e., Jeremiah, John & Jesus), who had not yet been born.

In Jeremiah's case, God knew him even before he was formed in the womb, and before he was born, God consecrated/sanctified him and appointed him to be a prophet.

In John's case, he is filled with the Holy Spirit before he is born (cf., Luke 1:15), and he actually prophesies prior to his birth (by virtue of his "leap[ing] for joy," and through the words of his mother), as one sees in Luke 1:41-45.

In addition to whatever weight these passages might add to the argument that infants are proper candidates for baptism, they certainly support those churches (like the Church of the Nazarene) that take a stand for life.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday

Jamie Friedrich
www.firstsamuel712.blogspot.com


I must warn you. My posts from now on could be filled with Christmas festive amazingness. So, if you are one of those "It's not Christmas until after Thanksgiving" people, maybe you can just pretend I'm talking about Thanksgiving. Or your birthday. Because both days are amazing. So, without further delay, I'm thankful: -that 107.9 The Track (a local Indy radio station), as of 4:00 this afternoon, has gone 24/7 Christmas music. And if you know me well, you know how that makes my heart SO happy. -for spur of the moment outings with good friends. And free dessert that tastes amazing. - for the gift of laughter with my friends at work. -that I get to look forward to "date night" with my oldest brother on Saturday. Dinner and an NBA game downtown! -that my friends Billy and Joanna (missionaries to Uganda) will be in the states soon. I've never met their daughters, and haven't seen them in over 5 years. It's been W-A-Y too long. -that in the midst of a somewhat difficult season of waiting, I know that I am truly loved. By people near and far, and it means the world. I am surrounded by some amazing people. What are you thankful for this week?

Abortion is NOT Healthcare!

Abortion is NOT Healthcare!

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 2, 2009

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Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Members of the House of Representatives are working on a second phony compromise that would try to mitigate some of the concerns pro-life lawmakers and groups have about the abortion funding found in HR 3200, the main health care "reform" bill in the House.

The current bill contains the Capps Amendment that abortion advocates have been portraying as a compromise that prohibits abortion funding.

But pro-life groups and leading pro-life lawmakers such as Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan have exposed the Capps language as a fraud by noting that it allows massive abortion subsidies and mandates.

Knowing Stupak has assembled potentially enough pro-life and moderate Democrats to join Republicans in voting down the rules for debate on the bill or the bill itself if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi doesn't allow a debate on his amendment to yank the abortion funding, pro-abortion lawmakers are hoping to pacify him and his coalition.

Now, pro-abortion Rep. Henry Waxman, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is trying to work out a compromise with some of the members of Stupak's coalition who are not as strongly pro-life.

The goal appears to be to "strengthen" the Capps Amendment in a way that would siphon off votes from Stupak's coalition but to do so in a way that doesn't actually amount to a complete stoppage of the abortion funding Stupak and pro-life advocates desire.

Rep. Diana DeGette, a Colorado Democrat who is one of the pro-abortion leaders in the House admitted to the Denver Post today that the goal is to peel off enough members of Stupak's coalition to get a winning vote on the rule and the bill and allow massive abortion funding at the same time.

Douglas Johnson, the legislative director of National Right to Life, tells LifeNews.com that pro-life lawmakers and advocates need to see through this phony compromise.

"Pelosi and Waxman are working on cosmetic changes to the Capps Amendment, which they will then try to peddle as an even-more-generous 'compromise' by the pro-abortion side (but which in reality will put the federal government into the elective abortion business in both the public plan and the premium subsidy program)," he said.

Johnson is concerned that some familiar faces from the Stupak coalition will emerge in support of the fake compromise -- including Rep. Tim Ryan, an Ohio Democrat who was formerly pro-life but now has a consistent pro-abortion voting record. The mainstream media portrays Ryan as pro-life even though he hasn't voted that way in a couple of years.

"In any such new twist on the Waxman-Capps scam, we can expect that a prominent role will be assigned to [Ryan], who actually does the bidding of Planned Parenthood .. and Nancy Pelosi," Johnson said.

Even if the House members adopt the new Waxman language, Johnson says that doesn't alleviate the concern of abortion funding found in the public option.

He says the government option "problem is very important and separate and distinct from the premium-subsidy problem."

The independent FactCheck.org web site has verified pro-life analysis that the public plan will pay for abortions "so long as the plans took in enough private money in the form of premiums paid by individuals or their employers. The Capps language also would allow private plans purchased with federal subsidies 'affordability credits' for low-income families and workers to cover abortion."

FactCheck indicates that both private and public insurance plans would include abortion funding under the legislation pending in Congress.

"Low- and moderate-income persons who would choose the 'public plan' would qualify for federal subsidies to purchase it. Private plans that cover abortion also could be purchased with the help of federal subsidies," the web site says. "As for the House bill as it stands now, it’s a matter of fact that it would allow both a 'public plan' and newly subsidized private plans to cover all abortions."

ACTION: 1) Go to http://www.Senate.gov and contact your two senators to urge them to support any amendments to stop abortion funding. 2) Contact members of the House Rules Committee (see http://rules.house.gov) and urge them to allow a vote on the Stupak amendment to stop abortion funding.

"The Churchmen" Appearing
at Boonville Wesleyan Church
This Coming Sunday

Sunday October 4th, 2009

10:30AM Worship Service

Some Facts About the Churchmen:

• Multiple nominations for "Gospel Group of the Year" by the Society of Preservation of Bluegrass in America
• Performance at the Ryman Theater
  
• Nominated for Two Dove Awards
• Bluegrass Gospel Album of the year (2005)
• Bluegrass Song of the year (2007)

"The Churchmen are one of the fastest growing,hottest new sounds in Bluegrass Gospel Music today. We have worked with these guys a lot, and they really live what they sing."
Jeff and Sheri Easter

For more information about the Churchmen, or to listen to samples of their music, click here:
www.thechurchmen.com/

The Churchmen were here back in the summer and are returning this Sunday morning. You won't want to miss them!

Do we Dare?
by Jamie Friedrich
Missionary to Uganda
www.wgm.org/friedrich

The needs around us are so great. The 5:00 news is quick to tell us everything that is wrong with our world. We are bombarded for 30 minutes about economic woes, corrupt leaders, war across borders, and unemployment. Depending on where you live, even the sports segment can break your heart. And the thing that gets me is that after all this, at the close of the newscast, we are told to “Have a good night.”

As I prepare to move to Uganda, there are many issues that are heart-breaking and seem insurmountable. But in the midst of them, I am challenged to choose to believe that God is still a God who is full of compassion and mercy, doubtless intending to work everything together for good. This is the only way to avoid living defeated in the midst of hard times.

In John 4:50, a man came to Jesus, pleading for his son, who was close to death. Upon hearing his plea, Jesus replies, “You may go. Your son will live.” And with that, the man “took Jesus at his word and departed.” No questions. No more pleading. He chose to believe that what Jesus said had come to pass. And he did not receive confirmation until the next day. The man dared to believe that Jesus’ word was enough. He dared to believe Jesus had to power to do what he said.

This particular newsletter focuses on prayer. You will find specific things to pray for. And as you pray, I wonder if you, like the man in John 4, will dare to take Jesus at his word.

Will you dare to believe that He is still able to heal the sick, redeem broken lives, and bring light to darkness? Will you dare to believe it in your own life as well?

Jamie was our missionary speaker at Chandler Camp this year.You can find her blog link in the left hand column of this blog, or click on the World Gospel Missions link under her name at the top of this post for more info. She would appreciate your support. God bless,keith 1 Cor 13...Maranantha!

My Blessing
by Geraldine Neighbors
Boonville Wesleyan Church

Lord, you blessed me with three wonderful boys,

and a darling little girl.

Now what more could a mother want,

In this old sinful world.

But I cried and prayed to you dear Lord,

And asked, "How can this be?"

My little girl can't speak a word,

Why did this happen to me?

Then I prayed and asked you Lord,

To help my baby talk.

But, I looked around me in this old world,

And said, "Thank you Lord. my baby can walk."

Here's a child with twisted legs,

She will never run and play.

This little girl will never hear,

Or see the light of day.

My baby can't say "Mommy, I love you"

And if she does it will be your touch.

But you gave her two loving arms,

Sparkling eyes, and a smile that can say so much.

Dear Lord I'm not asking you

to take my burden away.

I just Thank You Lord, and ask you,

To help us from day to day.

Poem submitted by Renee Lunenburg.
Renee is active
in the ministries at Boonville Wesleyan &
also has a music ministry of her own.