Protected by the Constitution--No Matter How Small

Dr. Seuss said, “A person’s a person no matter how small.” Only three weeks after conception, a baby’s heart starts beating. At the end of four weeks, the digestive system and backbone are forming. Between 11-12 weeks all of the baby’s body systems are working and he/she has a recognizable human form. If that is not a person, what is it; a fetus? As defined in The Oxford English Dictionary, a fetus is “… in particular, an unborn human baby…” Seeing that a fetus is a human, abortion should be illegal. Abortion violates the United States Constitution Preamble, Eighth Amendment, and 14th Amendment.

Initially, abortion violates the Preamble. It is stated in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution  to, “...secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity…” The blessings of liberty include life. To add to that, “our prosperity” refers to future generations – the unborn. It is not only to citizens whom the blessings of liberty are secured, it is to the unborn! Regardless, America’s prosperity is being killed at the hands of their ancestors. Abortion should be illegal because the preamble secures the unborn’s right to life.

Furthermore, because of what is written in the Eighth Amendment, abortion should not be practiced in America. The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America states that, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” In an article published by Bangor Daily News on August 28, 1993, saline abortion survivor Gianna Jessen’s story is described. “Jessen was delivered alive, weighing two pounds, her brain starved for oxygen during the hours spent in a saline solution.” Other abortion methods, such as Dilation and Evacuation, dismember the baby’s body. In contrast to this appalling scene, Psalm 139:13 expresses the beauty of life. “For it was You, O Lord, who created my inward parts, You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”  The God of the universe carefully knit every precious child that has ever been unraveled and torn apart though abortion. If cutting a baby’s body into pieces or letting him/her suffocate in salt is not cruel and unusual, what is? Abortion is cruel and unusual, and it is afflicted on the innocent.

In addition, abortion should be abolished because the 14th Amendment secures life to any person. “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws,” the 14th Amendment, Section 1. This amendment prohibits laws depriving anyone of life. Yes, it addresses citizens of the United States; those naturalized or born in America. However, the only reason babies killed by abortion are not U.S. citizens is because they were brutally murdered before they had the chance. Even so, the amendment goes on to include anyone. “…nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; or deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Any person; regardless of race, regardless of gender, regardless of religion, regardless of disabilities, regardless of size, regardless of age, regardless of stage of development, any person is protected by the Constitution. So why then, have states allowed laws depriving babies of life?

If the Constitution of the United States is of any value to its people, they must listen and secure life to the unborn. For if a country allows their most vulnerable to be killed with cruelty, what else will that country allow? The legalization of abortion in America has shown America’s true color, and that color is flowing blood red! Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.” “We the people of the United States” need to take a stand and speak for those who have no voice, no matter how small.

Grasping for the Wind

"Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: 

And look! The tears of the oppressed, 

But they have no comforter--

On the side of their oppressors there is power, 

But they have no comforter.

Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, 

More than the living who are still alive. 

Yet, better than both is he who has never existed,

Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun." 

--Ecclesiastes 4:1-3

This speaks so clearly of hopelessness. In the book of Ecclesiastes, the underlying theme is that life without God is "vanity and grasping for the wind." 

We live in a painful, hopeless, empty world. Everyone is broken, breaking, or has been that way. How many people cry themselves to sleep every night? How many people struggle each day just to get out of bed because the reality is they do not want to be alive? How many people wish they never existed? 

Too many. 

And it will stay that way unless we do something. Unless we help them. 

Yes, the way to help the broken is to speak life, joy, and love into their lives, but I believe we must first enter their pain with them. We must go to the hopeless, empty hole of life without Christ before we can truly share the glory of a heart filled with His Spirit. 

And we must share in the endless struggles, deepening pain, and consuming depression of this life to let people know they are not alone. We must relate to them on this level, let them know we've been there, and even dwell with them in that moment. But then we must leave them with a message of hope. The hope of our Saviour, who is the reason we can live a life that is not in vain. 

Have You Opened That Gift?

In my last post, I spoke briefly of those  "lull" modes where we really don't want to do anything. I believe it's okay to be in those places for a time, yet I don't think it's healthy to stay there for a long period. Nevertheless, sometimes we honestly just need a break from the busyness of life. 

 Especially with Christmas quickly approaching,  make sure you are taking the time to enjoy the season and not continually rush about everyday. Sometimes we get too caught up in what makes this time of year special, we forget who truly makes it "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." 

Do not neglect to focus your mind on the Light of the World, who is the reason for all the lights, and  the prefect tree (the cross), which is the real reason we may celebrate with joy. 

We give  each other gifts because we received the greatest gift possible in the form of a baby boy. The question is, have you opened that gift? It's addressed to you. And it is from the Maker of All Things. 

Yes, the Creator of the universe has a present for you. 

It's wrapped in blood-red paper. To open it, you must deny your flesh and acknowledge your sin. But He says that if you simply "confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Saved. Saved from sin and death. Saved from eternal separation from God. Saved from pain and loneliness. Will the journey be easy? No. Will you still stumble and fall? Yes. Will you be persecuted? Yes. But God promises to walk with you; He never ever leaves your side. When you fall, He can pick you up. 

When you call on Him, He will answer you. He will overwhelm you with unfailing love, unchanging grace, and unrelenting mercy. 

And you don't have to wait until Christmas morning to open this gift.  

I Wanna Change the World

I believe I have not posted recently because nothing prominent has been on my mind lately--nothing just jumping out of my soul onto the page. I've been feeling in a "lull" mode just recently, and I guess when I get in that mode I have a hard time sharing my thoughts and ideas. I wrote this poem last January, and my thoughts right now match what I felt then: 


Emotions are a stormy sea in my head,
Salty waves confuse me. 
I feel lost in the noise
I just want silence 
But people need to hear my voice. 


What do I do? 
What do I choose? 
Sometimes I just want to be a normal girl, 
I wanna be a normal girl. 


Somewhere out of nowhere,
Friendship found its way to me. 
Sounds so much better--
But it's getting hard to see. 
Laughter, memories, for a girl to crave,
But is fun what I really want carved on my grave? 


I want to change the world. 
I'm gonna change the world. 

This poem describes my constant inward battle. I want to be a voice and shout the truth to the whole world. I want to make a difference. I want to change the world. At the same time, I often just want to be a normal girl. Sometimes, like I've been feeling just recently, I don't have anything eager to share. And yet every fiber within me cries to be a part of something bigger--something great. 

I know God created me with purpose, just as He created you with a specific purpose and plan. Therefore, I know that just by being me, I have already, and will continue to, change the world. With every breath. Every smile. And every word. One step at a time. 

Not in Vain

"Not in Vain" 

By Emily Dickenson 

If I can stop one heart from breaking, 

I shall not live in vain:

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again, 

I shall not live in vain. 

Created to Create

The need to write is like the need to breathe--maybe even stronger. It's an action essential to my being. The need to write is not just a need for words but a need for what words bring--adventure, ideas, freshness, desire, beauty. I need to share what I see, feel, taste, hear, and believe. I need to convey my thoughts to others in a way they can understand. 

However, some things aren't meant for paper alone. They are meant to be shared, discussed, and analyzed together--among people--not just through the lines of paper, but in deep connection. This connection is deeper than the way ink connects to the page. It's a connection of hearts, souls, and spirits coming together. Are not the sharing of thoughts and emotions part of the way the human heart connects?  

We must share the very essence of our being with one another, for the sake of ourselves and of others. The longing for relation is at the very core of our being as humans. We were created to be in relationship with others and with our Creator. When we neglect to relate, we damage our souls. We must connect with our Creator and each other to truly be all we were made to be. 

Even so, it's not just about relating but also creating. Creating is our worship to our Creator. God loves to see our creations. This is simply using the talents God gives us to glorify Him, and it can happen in all forms.

This beautiful passage from one of my  favorite books, The Butterfly and the Violin, by Kristy Cambron describes this concept well:

"She told herself that to have something of worth in a world full of chaos was the very definition of beauty. It felt like a spirit liberation that couldn't be silenced. These prisoners, the ones who painted or wrote poetry or played in the orchestra--they refused to let that spirit die. And this, she decided, is why the heart creates. 

"God plants the talent and it grows, sustained by a spirit-given strength to endure, even in the mist of darkness. It thrives in the valleys of life and ignores the peaks. It blooms like a flower when cradled by the warmth of the sun. It remains in a hidden stairwell in a concentration camp. It grows, fed in secret, in the heart of every artist" (277-278).  

As I absorb the beauty of the dimming light before me dance on the land sprinkled with snow, I know that beauty can be found everywhere. It's in the sunset, it's in the concert hall, it's on the page. But it's also in the wind, it's teardrops, it's in the rain because the storm that pounds your heart will bring forth fruit. The fire that burns your soul will grow back flowers more beautiful than the ones it destroyed. The beauty of God's creation is in you. Let it out. Let others see it. You are His masterpiece. So, go. Relate, connect, create, and shine. 

Even in Darkness

"But in this darkness still You find me

And You draw me to Your light

Though the shadows deepen, I can see

In this darkness, still You shine" 

("In This Darkness," Ginny Owens)

In your darkest hour, God is there. When you feel all alone, God is there. There is no place, no matter how deep, where the depths of God's love cannot reach you: no state of mind, no far away land, no secluded room, no private thought. He is everywhere and He is always. 

God cares about the little things that annoy you. He cares about your deepest pains. He cares about the simple joys you find in everyday life. So tell Him about all of these things! Express every thought and emotion to Him. He already knows it, so it's not like you can hid it from Him anyway, but He wants to hear about it from you. He wants to talk with you. He wants to spend quality time in conversation.

You cannot escape Him. Even in the deepest darkness, He will shine. Even in the face of death, He will shine. Even in conforming evil, He will shine. 

The King of Light is calling out to you, even if it feels like you are in darkness. He is inviting you on a journey--a battle. A battle against the darkness of this world. A battle against your own flesh and blood. A battle for the Kingdom. He is offering you forgiveness and redemption. He is offering you a new slate--a new beginning. He is offering you eternal life. In return, He asks that you follow Him. Pick up your cross, a symbol of ruthless death, and follow Him. 

Follow Him into the light. Follow Him into the Glorious Unfolding of His truth. 

Follow the One who shines--even in darkness.