First, no, we are not pregnant. What I am referring to is the media's growing use of the word fetus to refer to unborn babies, no matter how old in the womb. This is part of the ongoing work to make abortion more palatable. To me this is not a political issue, it is a simple issue of truth. What makes the fact that the baby is still in the womb and physically connected to the mother a reason to consider it not a person. When the baby comes out, it is just as dependent on others. It is still not able to live on its own. So why the artificial demarcation? Before my three children were born, they already had active brains, experienced simple emotions, could recognize voices, etc. Nothing changed at that moment of birth. They did not transform. Fetus may be a technically correct term, but so is baby. It is a baby. It does not become more human by leaving the womb. While in the womb, it is already a person. It is a baby.

God feeds me and sustains me from His word. Psalms 109:21-26 But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name's sake; Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me; (22) For I am afflicted and needy, And my heart is wounded within me. (23) I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like the locust. (24) My knees are weak from fasting, And my flesh has grown lean, without fatness. (25) I also have become a reproach to them; When they see me, they wag their head. (26) Help me, O LORD my God; Save me according to Your lovingkindness. 2 Corinthians 11:28-30 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. (29) Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? (30) If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! (8) Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. (9) And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (10) Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 13:4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. (29) "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. (30) "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." May I find rest for my spirit, not in earthly circumstances, or in my strength as a master of my life, but in the yoke of Christ.

So they dug through two feet of concrete to remove a Red Sox jersey someone had buried in the new Yankee Stadium. They call it a very, very bad thing. Its just a shirt!!!!!!! I mean, I like the Red Sox over the Yankees, but who cares if there is a jersey in a wall or floor somewhere. Why spend money and pursue criminal charges. Laughable!! Here's the link to the story. http://www.wcsh6.com/news/watercooler/article.aspx?storyid=84732 I believe this story was originally a Shakespeare play. "Much Ado About Nothing."

I praise God for the Godly men in our church. The church I grew up in had barely any strong, mature, spiritual leader men. To have so many in this church is so awesome. I really enjoyed Cliff's sharing at men's breakfast on Saturday. It was neat to have him share his heart so fully with us and to see how much he has done and get his perspective. I just really appreciated his sharing. Bill's teaching in Sunday School right now is so fantastic. I am enjoying learning some new things and sitting under an excellent teacher. I am so thankful for Bill's passion for God's word. Finally, I really enjoyed Mark's testimony at evening service. To hear him choke up as he talks with great humility about what God is doing in his life and how God is teaching and correcting him.... Incredible. I particularly liked his snow on the roof analogy. So, I am thankful for faithful men who share honestly and humbly from their lives, who love God's word, and who share their walks, wisdom, and struggles with the rest of us. Thank you Lord.

Tonight was youth group. We are in our second week of studying Malachi. I am learning a lot from this book. I think that I will use this study as the basis for a sermon series later, maybe this summer. Malachi was preaching during Nehemiah's time, so this has fit together well. Then tonight we had our first pulpit committee meeting following youth group. That went well too. I am so thankful that there are so many people in church who are not only willing to be involved, but who really put their heart into it. It is very encouraging. Stayed late after the meeting to talk to a friend so didn't get home until late. I am starving!! So why am I sitting here typing if I haven't eaten yet? Well, I always need some unwind time before I can settle down and eat. Finally, I am excited. I bought a new book today. Actually, two new books. These are not recreational in nature. I am going to be doing some new studying. Kind of unofficially putting myself back to school. Now the trick will be to find the time to fit in this studying that will better equip me in my ministry as pastor/teacher.