Children at the Gates of Death

Psalm 8:2 "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger."

Psalm 127:4-5 "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

Little ones are needed to be present at the gates of death when possible.  Here are a few thoughts as to why:

1. Because if they are there, then a parent is more likely to be there, and grownups are needed there too.

2. It is good for them to work with their family in doing service for the Lord Jesus Christ.  They can get to see the parents engage and learn many vital lessons.

3. Because they are a testimony to those who are committing murder upon the preborn, being a stark reminder that children are to be cherished, not crushed.

Children are often more tender towards the need than adults, not so apathetic, nor having been so hardened by sin and worship of convenience.

As someone who was included in Christian ministry and evangelism with my parents since I can remember, and as a parent now who has had and loves to have my own children with me at the mill, I can testify of much blessing, discipleship, and fruit it can afford to parent and children.

Years ago, long before I realized I was an abolitionist, I was one of very few (only two) Christians in Pensacola who regularly stood at the gates of death.

I remember a police officer telling us, "This must not be a big issue for Christianity, because Pensacola is FULL of Christians, and you are the only two here."

We became alarmed and brokenhearted over the silence, absence, and negligence on the part of our brothers and sisters in Christ concerning the slaughter in our midst.

We began to exhort fellow Christians in our church, and other fellowships, and invited them to join us.

After some time, we numbered four to six, coming just about every week.

Then, the pastor of our small Baptist church began to come out with his family.  He had eight children, not all of them "little children", but the majority were teens and younger at the time.  They came and became an incredible encouragement and asset in the battle for lives and souls.

But it wasn't just the pastor's family who came.  The church followed, and soon there were over 30 Christians every Friday (their kill day).  As a body, we started making signs and banners, we put up a billboard, exposing the abortion mill, we intentionally memorized hymns to sing as a group at the gates of death.

We saw fellow believers from over six different local churches standing regularly for Christ and the preborn.  My family and I moved membership to a closer church for the sake of my sister's commute, who was in college at the time, and soon the pastor and members of that church as well joined the engagement.

We stood united in Christ for life and life everlasting, taking turns preaching, pleading, provoking the heart, offering help, all praying and praising the Lord of heaven in song.  A book could be written about all the adventures and lessons learned outside that death camp.

The abortion mill was eventually shut down, and months later another abortion business opened up again, at least a new name and management, and then shut down for good.  It is now an empty lot.

There was another mill in the city that also shut down for awhile, reopened, and I know of at least three churches who sent members to plead and preach there, though recently I heard that it may be closed once more.

A couple years back, I was talking with that pastor, and thanked him for coming out and leading the body in righteous opposition of that evil in the city.

He told me that the reason he went in the first place was because of his children.  They kept begging him to let them go and stand with us.  He didn't feel right about letting them go alone, and eventually decided to come with them to make sure they would be safe.

Then he saw the people going in and killing their children, and the Lord gripped his soul in the necessity of being there.

And the church followed.  That was a MIGHTY turning point at the devil's doorstep.

I thank God for that pastor and that church, and I thank God for the children who kept asking to go and speak up for their neighbors.

Children are needed at the gates of death.

Abortion must be abolished.

What about Abortion Images and Children?

I  have already written a basic 3 part defense of the use of victim images here to engage on behalf of our preborn neighbors.

1. It follows God's pattern.

2. It is effectual.
  A. It challenges people to face the facts.
  B. It channels the message quickly.
  C. It has been used to change hearts.

3. It is just.

But now about another concern...

Some have voiced the opinion that "The [graphic] pictures should not be shown in public, as they may traumatize or hurt the innocence of any child that happens to see them."  

However, the following is what I have found to be true.

I. Most children are not truly "traumatized" by the sight.

A. Millions of children see things just as graphic (or more gory) on television programming regularly or during the season of "trick or treating" all in the name of entertainment and recreation.  I heard of one event in which thousands of parents dressed themselves and their children as zombies to attend "fun" zombie convention.  I saw photos taken of the event, and must say that the costumes and makeup on those parents and children (even babies) was so gory and graphic, that it made me sick.  I couldn't look at them all.  Those same parents reacted when pictures revealing the horror of the preborn holocaust were displayed, saying, "Children shouldn't see anything like that, it will harm their innocence!"  
  
B. Children who are truly innocent will not lose their innocence by seeing a picture of truth.  
I have personally seen many children view pictures of abortion victims, and have heard the testimony of others as well.  Most often, they are saddened (not scared) by the sight and want to do something to help the babies in danger.  

They ask questions like, "What happened to the baby?" "Who hurt the baby?"

[In the future, I will likely make another post on this subject, giving a number of testimonies from personal experiences of the children's encounters with the victim images.]

We also should consider that these are the only baby pictures that the murdered children ever had taken of them.  How many times have people looked at little babies, and commented on their cute little fingers and toes, their bright eyes and dimpled cheeks?  I have seen little children see images of aborted babies, and simply recognize them for what they are, calling out, "Baby!"  Abortion victims are REAL people.  They should be cooed over, not shredded in pieces.  

Their little murdered bodies should be respected, 
their deaths grieved over, 
and the lives of those still living protected, 

and the crime against them should be loathed, abolished, and prosecuted.  

The wicked murder should be hated, not the murdered babies themselves.

When children recognize that it is a baby that was hurt or killed, they quickly are turned to compassion with statements like, "So sad.  That is wrong."  They instincively know it is wrong to hurt babies.  

This can easily be an important teaching moment for the parents.  Parents should instill and solidify love for the preborn as well as their utmost protection, in their children whenever the topic is placed before them.  

And when a parent is at a loss for words as to what to say I have often answered with the truth that it does not need to be complicated.  

"Simply tell them that that there are people today who selfishly murder babies before they are born, and that it is wrong."  Remind a child of what they already know to be true--that babies should be defended not destroyed--and that people that are holding the signs are seeking to let people know the truth so that the babies will be protected.  "We need to be doing all we can to rescue children that are in danger, and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves."

  C. Usually it is the reaction of the parent that will actually cause the trauma, if any. 
Children often take their cues in any situation from how others, especially their mother and father.
Parents may become irate and irrational, screaming at the person holding the sign.  I have seen fathers and mothers stop their cars to argue, saying that their children should not have to look at the signs, inadvertently making their children sit and see the pictures for longer periods of time, combined with their parent screaming at people who want to save babies' lives.
The parents often yell insults, act immaturely, and use foul and filthy language to express their disgust.  This leads me to wonder whether they are really concerned about the innocence of their children if they talk so themselves and in the presence of their little ones. It is this, to wit, the parent's reaction, which engrave the memory deeper in the mind of the child.

But these three points which I have given, though valid and valuable to consider, are NOT my main defense.

Certainly, these points are matters of experience.  Experience can be a good witness, but we should have a biblical basis for our actions.  Therefore, let us turn to Scripture and consider what GOD'S WORD testifies concerning the question.  We should be ruled by the Lord, not by our own sensibilities and preferences, should we not?  

II. We must consider that God had children present when "graphic" events took place.

  A. The Lord commanded that when some was guilty of death, ALL the congregation was to attend the execution (Leviticus 24:14-16; Numbers 15:35).

  B. When Achan was executed in Joshua 7, ALL Israel went to watch.  Achan and all he had, including his family and livestock, were destroyed because of the sin he had committed.  The guilty was stoned to death, then burned, then buried in a great heaps of rocks in the valley of Achor.  It was the kind of thing that could make an impact on young minds, don't you think? I am sure that the children remembered that day.  Why did God have all Israel there, including the little ones?  It would cause them to take heed and take care, not wanting to do the same wicked thing.

  C. When the men of Korah's household were swallowed up by the earth, it was in front of the whole congregation including the children (Numbers 16).  Korah's own little children were spared his fate (Numbers 26:11), but had a front row seat.  They watched their parents, and other adults family members disappear alive and crying out into the depths of the earth. 
Think that was "traumatic"?  It impacted them, yes.  But did it mess them them up?  Did they become rebels like their father?  

No! 

They became singers in the tabernacle choir, praising and serving the true and living God. 
You can go to the Bible and read some of the songs that they personally sang.  Here are the psalm numbers and first lines of their songs: 
42 "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God..."
44 "We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old..."
45 "My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer..."
46 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble..."
47 "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph..."
48 "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness..."
49 "Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world..."
84 "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!..."
85 "LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob..."
87 "His foundation is in the holy mountains..."

From among their ranks generations later came Samuel, one of the greatest prophets and leaders Israel has ever known (I Samuel), and Heman (I Chronicles 6:33), who led in the worship during David (I Chronicles 16:41) and Solomon's reigns (II Chronicles 5:12), and wrote Psalm 88.  The very graphic and traumatic experience caused them to not want to go anywhere to doing  what their father did.

Our desire is that children who see what abortion does to their neighbors and are horrified, 
will NOT want that to happen to any more people,
will NOT be apathetic like their parents,
will NOT have an abortion themselves, 
but will rather grow up to be champions for the preborn, 
seeking to ABOLISH THIS GRIEVOUS EVIL THAT PERSISTS UNDER "COLOR OF LAW".

I don't wish to harm the innocence of, or unnecessarily disturb any child.  But I must freely confess that I'd rather a few children be bothered by a picture, than one child be slaughtered because I didn't hold the picture and someone went on, actively slaying a child or continued in life, embracing the error that the child inside them was a thing. 

What if some children have nightmares?  

This baby never had the chance to dream at all.

What if a child is traumatized?  

Think of the trauma this child suffered.

I hope that my position is made clear on the matter.

Abortion must be abolished.

Active Application of AGAPE to Annihilate Apathy

Take a look at the front driver door of this Mitsubishi.  It has words that are derived from I Corinthians 13, the passage in the Bible known around the world as the "LOVE Chapter".

Describing LOVE, the sticker says---
"Is not easily angered, ALWAYS protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres: LOVE Never FAILS."

This is evidently a car of those who are willing to profess Christ out in public, to let it be known that they are Christians.  I think that having bumper stickers on one's vehicle, etc., with Scripture, and messages that represent our Lord, the Gospel, and righteousness is a good way to provoke thought in passersby, start conversations, and spread truth.  It is part of being a testimony for Christ wherever you go.  I personally make it a practice to have Christ-honoring messages on my car, and have many brothers and sisters in Christ who do the same.    

Now, you may ask, "Why is Kevan showing us this picture?  We've all seen similar stickers and know their purpose.  What is the point or the problem?"

HERE'S THE PROBLEM...That picture was taken as the family in that car drove into an abortion mill in order to have one of their children ABORTED.  BUTCHERED.  MURDERED.

[It happened in Nashville a week ago, on Saturday, February the 6th, 2016.  The photo was taken by a grieved abolitionist who was there to represent Christ at the gates of death.]

Think of it, a car with words from the Love Chapter went to a child sacrifice center to do the exact OPPOSITE of what LOVE is to their child!

(Sadly this is NOT a rare occurrence.  I have myself seen cars with fish symbols and Christian logos entering these places to murder the innocent.  Dear friends of ours have seen cars with bumper stickers representing local churches down the street, driven by those claiming to be Christians.  We have heard people say, "I will be in church tomorrow!"  More professing evangelicals will go to these baby butcheries as customers this week than as representatives of Christ for those made in His image!)

Please mourn with us over this murder, over the abominations of our people.
Pray for God to bring that family to repentance.
Pray for all professing Christians who participate in or are apathetic to the slaughter of their preborn neighbour.

Christians may be troubled at hearing this, but feel helpless.  But what can we do?  We can do what is right.

What is really needed is for the church of Jesus Christ to awaken from the slumber of ease and compromise, repent, arise, and be present at the gates of death. We are ambassadors for Christ, are we not?   SO, let us be "speaking the truth in LOVE" as He commanded, loving as He loved, demonstrating that LOVE in embracing the "least of these".

The LOVE that is found in I Corinthians 13 is CHARITY (agape LOVE).  We find it described in the passage.  Let us take just a portion!

I Corinthians 13:4-8
4 "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,"
5 "Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;"
6 "Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 "Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
8 "Charity never faileth..."

Here is the incredible description of Agape love, selfless intentional love, which gives to others needs without motive of personal reward.  The Bible in this passage (as in some others) uses the English word charity, which denotes giving, not in a weak, insipid way (that it may be thought of today, as many words have become shallow in our understanding), but the TRUE meaning of CHARITY.

The Latin root of the word carries the meaning of giving something "dear, costly, and beloved".  The Greek word charis is the word often translated grace in the Bible, giving with kindness to need.  This CHARITY love is not merely a feeling, but an action!  It is the lovingkindness extended to another.  This CHARITY is the love of heroes, who will put aside their own agendas, their own comforts, even their own lives, to take the hit for someone else, to rescue the weak and poor in their distress.  This is compassion with clout.  This actually makes a difference.

This love is the love which God so loved us with, that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16).  
It is the love wherewith Jesus Christ loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5).
It is the love that a husband is to demonstrate toward his wife, in giving up himself for her (Ephesians 5:25).
It is the love with which we are to love both our God (in response to His great love for us) and our neighbour (Mark 12:30-31; I John 4:19).

Notice the denial of selfishness in the passage: CHARITY does NOT envy, does does NOT "vaunt (boast) itself" or get "puffed up".  It does NOT allow itself to behave "unseemly" or be "easily provoked", but is humbly harnessed to the task.  NOR does it think evil.  CHARITY "seeketh NOT her own".  Love is not demanding or following "my own way", but holding onto that which is right and true for all.  Another word for selfishness, or going my own way is "iniquity".  See that love "Rejoiceth NOT in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth".  

I fear that one reason that most Christians are not showing this powerful love to the unborn in distress by confronting the culture of child sacrifice with the Gospel, and standing at the gates of death to deliver the weak with our mouths (Proverbs 12:6; 31:8-9), is because we are allowing our own selfishness (iniquity) to abound in our own lives.

The Scripture says, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:12).  Thus, our compassion in action to the littlest among us grows shallow and cold.  Oh, we care (at some level), but we don't charis.  We don't stop, and stoop over, and weep, and lose sleep at night in begging God to use us the next day outside Planned Parenthood to rescue lives and souls.  Our love (as the church) for the poorest, most needy, and most vulnerable people has grown cold.  And millions and millions of little ones have been slaughtered as a consequence.  Chilling, isn't it? 

It is called APATHY.  DEPRAVED INDIFFERENCE.  Because we have our own plans for the day, our own cares, that don't include the inconvenience of pleading for our neighbour who is getting murdered down the street.  Being Apathetic is PATHETIC.  

The question is: Will we remain in our selfishness?  Or will we turn from it, and say, "Down Self, Christ is my King!"  Will we cast off our Cowardice?  Our Callousness?  Our Comfortlovingness?  To do what?  To take up the burden for the little ones!  To do as Job, and search out the cause we know not, to rescue the innocent from the jaws of the wicked!  To open our mouths in this generation, and speak for those who have no voice!  To bring the truth of Life and the Gospel with the Clout of CHARITY!  As the church of Jesus Christ, we must repent of loving our own ways, our own building projects, and our own pet peeves over the needs of others.  We must rise and engage for the abolition of this great evil!  This abomination, which is a bomb in our nation, bringing destruction and the judgment of God!

Let us NOT condone this evil by our silence!
Let us be shaken and awakened and go to the battle with the Gospel on our lips!
Let us forsake the slack hand of laziness and be diligent with all our might!

LET US PUT APATHY TO DEATH!

Consider two more characteristics of CHARITY: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind"

What is "SUFFERING LONG"?  To patiently bear a burden for a long time; to persevere in the face of offense and insult for the sake of another or a righteous cause.  To incorrigibly endure till the task is completed.

Suffer long?  That is not quite the description of the aspiration of the American church at large today (I must admit, it's not my greatest aspiration either).  We naturally want to avoid suffering, to get fast food, short checkout lines, easy living, comfortable situations, quick fixes, and answers to prayer right away.  Patience for us is often waiting without complaining for the popcorn to finish in the microwave.

Let us CHOOSE to "suffer long", to TAKE TIME to go to the child sacrifice center, to see the need ourselves.  To INTENTIONALLY do what may be INCONVENIENT, to hold out our hands to offer help and hope as our neighbours are being carried away to slaughter, even when it is cold outside or hot outside, even when those we call to choose to ignore, curse, or mock us.  Why should we not learn to be longsuffering, seeing that God is longsuffering (Isaiah 65:2; II Peter 3:9), and calls us to be as well (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 1:11; 3:12; II Timothy 4:2).  Let us choose to spend and be spent, showing this LOVE, as Paul did, no matter the response: "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved" (II Corinthians 12:15).

What about the other characteristic of CHARITY love?

"and is KIND"  What does it mean to be kind?  To put others before oneself; disposed to do good to others, supply needs, and assist in distresses; to see and act.  It was first used in this way during the age of chivalry (circa AD1300), and conveyed the idea of being courteous, doing noble deeds, righting wrong, and aid those in danger.  The word kind is connected to the word kindred, as in family, giving the concept of treating someone, even the stranger beaten on the road and left for dead, "like family."  Being kind is not minding your own business.

How would you pray and plead for the unborn child if he or she were YOUR own flesh and blood? Would you stand idly by if someone was going to kill YOUR child under protection of the "law"?  Or would you plead for their lives as if your own life depended on it?

O, LORD!  Let us not slumber while the weak are destroyed!  Let us not fail to visit the fatherless in their affliction!  Let us not remain apathetic!  Let us win battles for You before the sun goes down on this generation!

Rather than merely having the words of Charity on our cars and in our mouths while we continue our own selfish ways, let us show the world true CHARITY in our lives, by engaging our culture in society and on site for the sake of Jesus Christ and those who bear His image, till human abortion is abolished.

CHARITY "Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

"CHARITY never faileth"

Abortion must be abolished.

Sons of Amittai, Arise!

Jonah 1:1 "Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,"

This is how the great story of Jonah begins.  This is, very possibly, the most well known, most talked about, and most preached on book of minor prophecy.  There are so many truths, sermons, lessons, and insights that pour out of those four short chapters!  I personally love to study the life of Jonah, and teach others what I have learned.  However, in this post, I want to focus on four words which may be the most overlooked words in the whole book.  Which words?

"...the son of Amittai..."

Jonah was the son of Amittai.  Amittai was his dad.  The Hebrew name of Amittai carries much significance!  It literally means "veracious"!

Before we delve into the full definition let's look at another word: VORACIOUS!  This word has the Latin root, vorax, from voro, which means "to devour, to eat, to clear away, to consume, as food".  We find other English words with this same root, such as "herbivore", and "carnivore".  The picture given by the word VORACIOUS is to be given to EAT!  To be ravenous in appetite!  To be rapacious!  Very hungry!  Eager to devour!  Driven by hunger!  Ready to partake with a fierce desire!

Now just change one little letter, switch the first o for an e, and we have VERACIOUS.  This word comes from another Latin root, verax, from verus, which means "true".  The Latin motto Veritas vincit means "truth conquers".  Other English words that come from this root are "verification", "veracity", and "verily".  So to be VERACIOUS carries the idea of being given to TRUTH, to fix one's gaze on truth, to be disposed to speak truth, to be true, in VERY truth.  How I love language!

To be "given to truth"  is that of taking truth for one's personal life.  Amittai is derived from the Hebrew ameth, which means "stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness, establishment, faithful, right, and sure."  There is the picture of firmness, reliability, and continuance.  This word is used both for speaking the truth and being true.

Ameth in turn comes from the Hebrew root, aman, meaning "to render firm or faithful, stedfast, trusty, verified, to nurse and build up, to establish, to turn to the right, to support.  A number of Hebrew words are derived from this root, with varied meanings, include:
"believe; faithful, sure"
"right hand (as the firm, the strong)"
"cunning workman, in the sense of training, as an expert"
"verity; truth"
"surely; indeed"
"sure; truly; verily; so be it; truth"

The last of this list is the Hebrew form from which we get the blessed word that has come into common use by believers today, so much so that it is considered an English word and is spoken out in the midst of Bible preaching. "AMEN!"  It is found in our English Bible 78 times, in both Old and New Testaments.  We find that that one of the names of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the faithful and true Witness, the Lord of glory, is "the Amen" (Revelation 3:14).

Almost the only background we have of Jonah is His father's name.  And that name became Jonah's identity.  It was an honourable name.  A name that would have set him apart, and challenged him in his life and ministry.

Beloved brethren, let us consider Who our Father is.  Are we not, in very truth, also "sons of Amittai"?  Are we not to be known as children of Truth?  Have we not, through spiritual birth, become the sons of God (John 1:12; 3:3)?  How should that affect our words (Ephesians 4:25) and our walk (II John 4; III John 4)?

The natural out flowing of being sons of Amittai is to answer God's call to stand and speak His words to the lost in this world.

Jonah 1:2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me."
Jonah 3:2 "Arise, go unto Ninevah, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee."

ARISE, AND GO!  Go where?
To the wicked!  To those in danger of judgment!  Even to that which Satan considers HIS turf!

In this country, in our society, we find a culture that tolerates, condones, harbors, and promotes the horror of child sacrifice!  Over 3,000 babies a day are ripped apart in the name of the god of Self. This vile and violent practice is abominable to the LORD of Heaven, and yet nearly all those who are called Christians in this nation are completely silent concerning this evil and absent from the field of battle for life and souls.

"They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them" (Proverbs 28:4).

ARISE, AND SPEAK!  Speak what?
Speak the truth!  "Cry against it"  "Preach unto it"

We are to be those who "sigh and cry" concerning the abominations of our people!
We are to be those who stand for righteousness and against wickedness!
We are to lift our voices when "truth is fallen in the street"!
We are to warn the wicked of the judgment of God!
We are to preach the word!
We are to deliver those that are drawn unto death and those that are ready to be slain!
We are to open our mouths for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction!
We are to judge righteously!
We are to plead the cause of the poor and needy!
We are to call to repentance and declare the Gospel!

We are to be sons of Amittai!  Children who speak the truth.  Do we not desire that our Father could say this about us? "For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour" (Isaiah 63:8).

Did you know that God has said that the upright should use their mouths to deliver from those who lie in wait for blood?  "The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them" (Proverbs 12:6).

Those to whom we are sent may hate us.  In fact, it should be expected. "The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul" (Proverbs 29:10).  Notice that we are to seek souls.  

William Booth said, "Go straight for souls, and go for the worst."

This is also the call to every Christian, to every son of Amittai.

What will YOU do with it?  Will you go?  Will you speak? 

Or will you choose to go the other way?  To run from God's call?  To follow your own agenda?  

To be silent and absent?  

Have you been lolled to sleep in the ship of your own desires, in spiritual slumber, indifferent to the cry of the innocent and the lost and the call of your Father?    Are you interceding for this land of yours?  Standing in the gap between the judgment of God and the wicked (Ezekiel 22:30)?  Have you grown so comfortable, so calloused, so cowardly, that it is nothing to you, that the righteous wrath of God is upon this country, and yes, even upon the lazy, luxurious, lackadaisical church, who will not wear out their designer shoes standing at the devil's doorstep, because they are caught up in enjoying the devil's entertainment, and cannot be bothered with the inconvenience of the fellowship of their Lord's sufferings?    

If you are asleep, you need to hear the hard voice of reality, telling you, "What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not" (Jonah 1:6).

Let us arise, repent of our apathy, arrive to the battle field, and engage in the good fight!  

Let us behave in such a manner that those who see our lives and hear the words on our lips will seek to know, 

"Whose sons are you?"  

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). 

Abortion must be abolished.

A Delight by No Other Name - Tirzah Carmichael

On the 26th day of November, 2011, we met our firstborn child.  When it was announced that she was a girl, Deana and I were flooded with emotion.  Our own little Tirzah Carmichael Myers!  Now she is three years old, and such a treasure!

Often when we are introducing our family, people ask where we got the name "Tirzah".  This affords a wonderful chance to share.  The name comes from the Bible.  Each of our children have been given Bible names, and I love to tell about their origin.  I especially delight in the lesser known Bible people, those which many are not familiar.  Many times we can get the idea that we know all the stories and characters in the Scriptures, so it is profitable to be reminded and encouraged to dig deeper.

The name Tirzah is found 18 times in the word of God.  It is a proper Hebrew name with the meaning "Delight, Delightful, Delightsomeness".  (Besides being found in Scripture, it was the name chosen by Lew Wallace for the sister of Judah in the classic novel, Ben Hur.)  In the Bible, we find Tirzah the girl, and Tirzah the city. 

First, we find her name in the book of Numbers as one of (and probably the youngest of) five daughters of a man named Zelophehad.  Numbers 26:33 "And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah."

In the next chapter (Numbers 27:1-11), we see her approach Moses along with her sisters, making an appeal concerning the inheritance and possession of their father now deceased.  Moses brought their petition before the LORD, and God responded that "the daughters of Zelophehad speak right..." (Numbers 27:7).  Their wise appeal created a precedent that protected the concerns of family, property, and possession for the whole nation of Israel. (If England had adopted that statute, the Bennett family would not have faced entailment away from their five daughters, but then of course, we would not have the story of Pride and Prejudice, would we?)  

We find these same five daughters featured again at the end of that book, where we hear of their marriages (Numbers 36:1-13): "...For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married...And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father..."

Finally, we find them in the land, as the tribes of Israel are taking possession of the Promised Land. Joshua 17:3-6 "But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.  And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren.  Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father..."  What a fitting last mention, as we see the LORD giving them the desires of their heart as they committed their way unto Him!

We desire that our little Tirzah would also learn to make wise appeals and speak what is right.

The other times we find this name, it is speaking of a city, the City of Tirzah. 

It was a name of a royal city, which was conquered by Joshua (Joshua 12:24).

The city of Tirzah in Ephraim was chosen to be the capitol city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel when the kingdom was divided.  From the reign of Jeroboam through to the half point of Omri's 12 years, it was the city of kings (I Kings 14:17; 15:21,33; 16:6,8,9,15,17,23).  It continued to be a city of influence at least until the reign of the rebel king Menahem ten kings after Omri (II Kings 15:14-16).  The city of Tirzah evidently was a delightful place.  To have been chosen out of all the cities of the northern ten tribes, it must have been a place of beauty (being well situated, pleasant to look upon, and with impressive architecture) and strength (being defensible, with walls and towers).  Even before the nation divided, King Solomon likened its attractiveness and charm to the beauty of his beloved wife in Song of Solomon 6:4 "Thou are beautiful, my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem...".

We desire for our daughter Tirzah to be beautiful, inside and out, with strength, as she allows the true King to dwell and reign within her heart. 

From the beginning, we planned to also give our children names of faithful missionaries, in order to inspire and challenge them to exploits for Christ.  Tirzah's middle name is Carmichael, after Amy Carmichael (AD 1867-1951), the amazing Irish missionary to India, who heroically rescued hundreds of young women, and little girls and boys from temple slavery.  The life, ministry, and writings of this devoted and selfless emissary of the cross of Christ has been a challenge and encouragement to both of us, especially to Deana.  

Here are some quotes from Amy Carmichael:

"He said 'Love...as I have loved you.'  We cannot love too much."

"We profess to be strangers and pilgrims, seeking after a country of our own, yet we settle down in the most un-stranger-like fashion, exactly as if we were quite at home and meant to stay as long as we could."

"I wish Thy way. 

And when in me myself should rise, and long for something otherwise,

Then Lord, take sword and spear

And slay."

"The word comfort is from two Latin words meaning 'with' and 'strong'--He is with us to make us strong.  Comfort is not soft, weakening commiseration; it is true, strengthening love."

"Can we follow the Saviour far, who have no wound or scar?"

"All along, let us remember we are not asked to understand, but simply to obey..."

We desire for our daughter Tirzah Carmichael to learn to submit to God, and live to see Him glorified, and the lost, the weak, and the vulnerable rescued.  It has been a delight to see her, even as a small child, standing with us at abortion mills, showing care for the babies in danger, and handing information to mothers heading inside.

The name Carmichael has various rendered meanings, such as "Child of Michael", "Friend of Michael", "Follower of Michael", and "Fort of Michael" (the prefix Car, coming from Caer "fort").  I have always liked the name Michael, as it is the middle name of my brother Bryan.  The name Michael is Hebrew and means "Who is like God?"  It is actually a question. The answer is, of course, there is no one like the true and living God, the God of the Bible.

We desire for our daughter to know God and became His child through faith unto salvation, to live as His friend, following Jesus faithfully.  We pray for the Lord Who is like no one else to be her Defense, her All in all.

Abortion must be abolished.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

This morning, 18 women went to have their babies killed.  I met them there.  I offered them information.  I shared the truth about life.  I warned of the wickedness and effects of the choice that they were making.  I declared the justice and mercy of God, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Just five days before, my wife and I lost our firstborn son, William Livingstone Samuel, at 21 weeks prenatal.  With that wound so new and tears running down my cheeks, I pleaded for the lives of those in danger today. 

There were, praise the Lord, women who were outwardly suffering and responsive to my message of mercy and hope.  But how sad it is when I am also ignored, mocked, falsely accused, and bitterly treated.  I am confident that the words of the Lord that were heard (even by those closed to its entrance) will not return void.  And it is no shame to be maligned for the sake of my Lord Jesus Christ and those babies He forms in the womb.  I must open my mouth for the dumb in the case of all such as appointed to destruction.

The Lord aided my voice as I preached and pleaded in the cause of Human Life and Life Everlasting for two hours.  He gave me words, when my own would falter, to share with people one on one.  He allowed me the privilege of passing out tracts and waving at passersbys.  

Many things happened, many conversations, etc.  But I want to share one thing in particular.

At one point, while I was preaching to those in the entry way of the abortion mill,  I suddenly heard clapping and cheering behind me.  Although there were those on the inside reacting and scorning, someone was supporting me.  There were those, behind me and across the street, applauding and saying "That's right!"  "Good job!"  I was greatly encouraged and spurred on in making known the Gospel and the truth about abortion. 

Glancing back over my shoulder, I saw who it was.  Elementary children—maybe 1st through 4th graders—waiting for the school bus to pick them up.  These young students were clapping their hands, waving, and cheering me on.  They were boldly standing for LIFE. I thought of my dear precious son, so new to heaven, and wept all the more, with appreciation of little ones.  

It must have been something for those grownups gathered in the entry of the murder mill to see as well.  They quieted and were silenced.  Thank you, Lord, for the little children.

Psalm 8:2—"Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger."

Husbands and Fathers - Stand Fast! Save the Women and Children!

Hearken Oh, Brothers! Have you heard of Maritime Manhood Memorial Day?  It is not actually an official holiday, but perhaps its should be.

Yesterday was the 160th anniversary of the Birkenhead shipwreck.

The date was February 26, 1852. The British H.M.S. “Birkenhead” was en route to South Africa. This troopship held over seven hundred, which included the crew of sailors and also the passengers -- men, women and children. They were soldiers and their families sent to reinforce the troops engaged in the Kaffir Wars.
The ship itself was typical of the glorious power and industry of her generation. She was one of the first iron-hulled vessels of war. The crew and passengers had no fear in regard to her seaworthiness. But at 2:00 a.m. on that fateful day, the ship struck aground off Cape Danger. Within 20 minutes, she had sunk.
In those moments before she submerged, the soldiers and sailors made a valiant decision: “Stand fast!  Save the women and children!” They would give their lives for the women and children. So their wives and babes were loaded into the limited number of lifeboats and so escaped. The more than 400 soldiers willingly stood at attention on deck and allowed them to get to safety. Then when the ship went down, those who foundered in the water refused to swim for the boats, lest they should capsize the little vessels.
The remaining men struck out for shore, but there was another danger. Sharks! Many were ravaged by these frenzied man-eaters. Slightly more than 80 men reached the shore alive. Hundreds lost their lives, yet not one woman or child suffered injury.
The story of the “Birkenhead” drill was told for many years. It was that event which established the principle of “Women and children first.”

The famous writer Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem of the account:

“So they stood an’ was still to the Birkenhead Drill, soldier an’ sailor too!”

Sadly, it is now one of those great accounts that people have forgotten out of mind in recent years.
These men thought more of their families than their own lives.  So they braved the sinking ship and terrible sharks, in order for the next generation to be protected.

In these uncertain days of rocky seas, stormy gales, and shipwrecks men NEED to shew themselves to be MEN.
While multitudes are: running about "seeking the ports" of their own desires, pushing and shoving to not "miss the boat", "casting off" all restraint, "weighing anchor" on their responsibilities, and putting their own interests and agendas before their families WE must follow a DIFFERENT course.

We need to see that the Captain of our salvation has given us orders!  We need to read His ship's articles! While others are "bailing out" of their roles, let us stand fast.

When the wind of the gale rips across the deck, let us HOLD FAST! We need to see and do our duty. When you read the Captain's orders, do not choose your own way by demanding, "I! I!"  Answer, "Aye, aye!"

We must take the responsibility to nurture and teach our wives and children, or else we will witness their shipwrecked lives and souls.  Let us cry, "Oh, Lord my Captain!  Let me not lead my family into shipwreck, let not my wife and children castaways (I Corinthians 9:27)!  Teach me to truly be the husband and father my family needs!"
If we are not faithful in little things, how can we be expected to be faithful in the great things?  Give your life daily for your wife and little ones!  What should our response be when we must choose between our own agendas and the spiritual well-being of our households?  The same as the men of the Birkenhead:

"Stand Fast!  Save the Women and Children!"

Fellow husband, and fellow father, how are you living each day to bless, protect, and give your life for your wife and your children?  To the man who is yet unmarried, how will you live today in order to be properly prepared for the time, Lord willing, when you are a husband and father? Your actions today are either hindering future rewards or laying down a proper foundation. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25).  Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord and read, then live thereby.

There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down. Abortion must be abolished.