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OK NOW ONTO TONIGHT’S POST!
I was walking home from the grocery store yesterday, carrying two ginormous bags that were large enough to smuggle a small animal in. And in front of my building were two “street ambassadors” for Planned Parenthood.
You know the type: they are wearing branded, Hanes T-Shirts, are carrying clipboards, and aggressively smile and wave you down from half a block away, while attempting to engage you in a clearly biased conversation. “Got a minute for women’s health?” No? Okay, have a great day…you heartless monster!!!
Honestly, these “street accosters” are the bane of my existence in NYC. Much like a cockroach. Never welcome. And incessantly hard to get rid of.
Too harsh?
Okay…maybe a little. But I digress.
My hands were full, it was a long day. And I did not want to get into it with my archnemesis, Planned Parenthood.
So as this PP ambassador was literally cornering me into the side of the building as I was trying to pass without engaging with him, I looked him dead in the eyes and said,
“I am morally opposed to abortion.”
And on my merry way I went.
At least I didn’t offer a cloyingly sweet smile and say to them, “Abortion is murder” as I have been known to do in the past. In my mind, I was making progress.
But putting away my groceries in my apartment a few minutes later, I realized that I had missed an opportunity there. An opportunity to engage in a healthy and respectful dialogue that could have actually been productive as to why I am against abortion, and by extension, Planned Parenthood.
I don’t know about you, but it seems as though recently, the world has seemed a little bleak. I don’t know if it’s because it’s the end of the summer and or because of all the scandals in the news right now politically, religiously, and pop culturally (hello, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B?), but I feel as though I’m a bit on an island.
Maybe you can relate?
But it’s like all of a sudden, all of the crap going on in the world and all the “BS” in society is rising to the top, becoming crystal clear and in-your-face.
Seriously, I feel like it all started with 13 Reasons Why. Our media — geared towards teens — has become so distorted and destructive. I mean, there was a movie out this summer called “Cock Blockers” – a tongue in cheek comedy about a group of high schoolers’ pact to lose their virginity on Prom Night, and the lengths their parents will go to “block” that from happening.
Pop icons are literally assaulting each other and throwing shoes at one another at fashion show parties.
There’s a new “trend” on Instagram right now called “Ribcage Bragging” where — you guessed it, Instagram models are flaunting their skeletal bodies, creating a destructive standard of “beauty” for young women to strive for.
The music we’re blasting is disgustingly derogatory towards women, and glorifying drugs and using women. or saying that “God is a Woman.”
We’re letting prepubescent kids take hormones to change their gender.
Iceland is bragging about “eliminating” Down syndrome when in reality, what that really means is that they’ve successfully influenced mothers to abort all the babies that would be born with Down syndrome.
We’ve got a Pope that people can’t stand behind, and a Church ripe with corruption.
We’ve allowed pornography to become so mainstream that the average age that kids are exposed to it is ten years old.
And the biggest problem is our indifference.
We are all just sitting back and letting this all happen.
Just like my response to the PP canvassers today.
No one is willing to stand up and take the unpopular opinion that, Hey, this is wrong. This needs to stop. We need a change.
We live in a society that if you utter a dissenting opinion to the “godless agenda,” you’re labeled as a bigot. Or ignorant. Or any other number of hurtful, biased names.
When are we going to push the pause button and at least ask the question of: What is the implication of all this?
But the even more important, and sobering question, is, How am I contributing to what our world has become?
Sure, my heart and mind say one thing, but do my actions shout, “Indifferent?!”
And that is a hard question. Because we are to live in this world, but not be “of” this world. And further to that, what can we do? Really?
It is a discouraging conversation to have with oneself. How do you stop a freight train with a feather?
And I keep going back to the PP Canvassers. I could have engaged them in a respectful conversation right there on the sidewalks of Greenwich Village, and explained to them why I value the sanctity of life. Why, because I believe that we are children of God, created and known by the Father in the womb, that I believe abortion is wrong. I could have had a fruitful, positive conversation with this guy.
But I didn’t. I took the easy way out, offering a “one liner” that frankly, didn’t help anyone in the situation. But I didn’t want to have a tough conversation. I didn’t want to be uncomfortable.
But the truth of the matter is that in order for anything to change in this broken world, we need to be willing to have those uncomfortable conversations.
We can’t be indifferent anymore. We’re drowning in it.
And it’s time we step up to the plate, and respectful conversation by respectful conversation, offer a different perspective. And give people an opportunity to stop and think, and reevaluate what they’ve been taught to believe by this pop culture freight train to nowhere.
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146 responses to “Drowning in Indifference”
God is still in control even though modern society thinks He doesn’t exist. He has a plan. When society sinks to its lowest He’s told us in the Bible there will be a day of reckoning. Judging by news reports that day of reckoning is on the horizon.
Yes He is still in control. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ian. Hugs and love xox
Keep fighting the good fight. I was pro-choice for nearly half my life, then I became a Christian and pro-life. Praise God for Holy Spirit power! Minds can be changed (even Planned Parenthood advocates) and hearts can be converted.
Thank you for sharing your journey! I fully believe that too! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
This is such an important topic. There is so much wrong in the world and it seems that everyone has their own strong opinion, but the biggest problem is that most are unwilling to listen to the opposing argument and unwilling to do much more than argue. I would bet that if you had try to have the conversation with PP, it would have been like talking to a brick wall.
A trick that I’ve found to help open up the mind of the opposing party is to find *one tiny thing* that you agree with. “Wow, it’s great that you’ve so passionate about this that you’re willing to stand out in the heat all day” or “it’s admirable that you’re standing up for women’s rights” … that often cracks people open just enough that you can have a conversation. And yet, there is so little we can achieve individually.
We really do need to somehow get people to stand up and fight for whatever it is that they believe in. We’re being continually stripped of our legal rights, moral “rights,” and being fed trash (food, Rx, TV, etc.); it’s not going to stop unless the majority stand up and demand change. Here’s hoping for just that!
P.S. Your articles are always so thought-provoking, so thank you for that! <3
Thank you friend. That’s so important: listening with respect and open hearts. What great advice. Thank you friend! Hugs and love xox
It’s so true. With our teens, there is such an “anything goes” culture that if they oppose the “norms” or stand up for what they believe in, they are called judgmental or worse. It’s like we’ve forgotten that it’s okay to have an opinion, and there’s a difference between an opinion and a judgment. Now it’s all sort of jumbled together in a linguistic mess. In your case with talking to the PP people, I see your point. But I also look at it from our side. Expecting to change their mind is the same as expecting them to change my mind. It ain’t gonna happen. Although, it doesn’t hurt to try. Even the tiniest mustard seed can take root, right? Blessings!
Thank you so much Lisa. The anything goes culture — that is so accurate. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and encouragement! Hugs and love xox
The attitude of the Church could be likened to living out the phrase, “It goes without saying.”
But it’s time to say it. Time to speak the Truth. Boldly. Without being afraid of what people think.
Because time is short and eternity is long.
You’re so right Ed. Time to say it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Hugs and love xox
Don’t be too hard on yourself as you are petite and were carrying 245 pounds of nutritious goodies to make us drool! You are right about what is going on! In our country, I have never seen our citizen’s this divided! And I’m 118 years old! You will have plenty of time to have meaningful conversations as you are quite young! Although not Catholic, I believe the majority of denominations have a new agenda….follow the money and protect those in power who have abused the least among us! I am recovering from an injury that kept me out of a 4 walled church, but in a way, God in his wisdom, gave me many hours at home, recovering. One use of my time was to look up denominations and also listen to some podcasts! Although I admit, my time limit of listening was truly tested! I’m soon joining a much smaller church which seems to have s heart for teaching and where it is ok to raise difficult questions and respect to possibly admit we are not as churchly smart as many seem to think! I believe faith starts with a personal relationship. Once established, prayer can commence and at least for me, I have a personal testimony to share with those spiritually seeking! Love you, your honesty and you remain in my prayers. Continue to be brave! God has a calling for you, pastor!
Hahaha thanks Rick. Yeah shlepping groceries is all part of the game lol Thanks for this encouragement. Big hugs to you xox
As a mom, I think a lot about this. I have come to the conclusion that it is the job of Christians to drag our feet as hard as we can even though a downward spiral is inevitable according to scripture. I like to compare the spiritual descent described in Romans 1 to the promises to believers in Psalm 91. We fight the good fight, no matter how dark the night, but we ultimately rest in a good God’s hands. Thanks for bringing these issues to the forefront! Blessings!!!
Thanks Nora. Yes! Gotta hang to those promises! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
Those people are sick. Just being honest. Abortion is evil, God bless you, so strong!
We gotta pray for those babies 🙏🏼 Hugs and love xox
The only time I’ve ever seen Planned Parenthood folks on the sidewalk was in Pittsburgh. I was in a group that was praying outside one of the clinics and the PP folks would escort women into the clinic. No smiles, no pleasantries. They were dead set on getting those women in there.
It’s really so so sad. Thank you for your prayers for those babies. I will join you! Hugs and love xox
You’re right! Paul said it best about overseeing what’s happening inside the church marks a change reaction outside the walls of the church. Conviction is real and so is having the fear of God in your heart. And it’s apparent a lot of things happening in this world does resemble the sins from the Bible stories. History is repeating and enemy is very much in this world.
Thanks friend. Yeah we’ve got be strong in prayer! Hugs and love xox
🙏🏼 amen
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Well-said, as always.
Thank you R. Hugs and love xox
Even though you have valid points about your response & what it lacked, I’m glad you said SOMETHING like that to them. They probably just get a lot of ‘no thanks’. I pray that even just hearing the word abortion can trigger their thoughts on to what it actually is.
Thank you Gina, I appreciate your encouraging words. I will join you in that prayer! Hugs and love xox
You know what? My 90 year old mother in law who lives with us has recently started binge watching episodes of The Waltons. And she has sucked us all into the world that this show created The values this show espoused helped frame a generation. Mine, to be specific. How do you change a culture? By saying no to those to those cultural elements that drive it to an unsavory place. And saying yes to the influences that drive our minds and hearts to an elevated plane. Keep on keeping on BBB – this may not.be our world but we’re living in it and can still have an impact on it through our believing.
I’ve never heard of that show! A lot of truth in this reflection, Michael. Thank you. Hugs and love xox
You are amazing.
In terms of indifference, you’re absolutely right. I feel anytime I express a conservative opinion someone yells me down in an aggressive way. Between that and everyone always being in their phone, I don’t feel able to cross any lines.
Thank you Chelsea. A lot of truth here. Keep expressing your faith! You never know the impact it’s having!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Another great post. It is great to know that you support the sanctity of life. For me, it is not just about killing the unborn, but it is about the devaluing of human life and selfishness. What these people do not want to understand is that this kind of thinking is one of the root causes of the school shootings. One question that can be asked is if someone wanted to kill them and the killer felt that it was their right to kill them, would they support that right? They will try to explain it away, but the outcome remains the same.
Thank you JB. Oh yes – the sanctity of life. We’ve got to pray for those little babies. Hugs and love xox
You are very graciously welcome. Hugs and love back to you.
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The ones separated from their parents and subsequently caged or lost in the system, because “zero tolerance,” could be exceedingly aided in the here and now by people who care.
Yes, YOU would have begun a respectful and fruitful conversational chat. However, THEY are not willing to keep it that way. Grateful for your courage. Hugs, Alan
Thank you Alan. Yeah, next time I should try! Maybe they’ll be there again tomorrow! Hugs and love xox
Wish we could this message out to more. I’m going to reblog it.
Thank you Barbara! I appreciate you passing it along! Hugs and love xox
Abortion is the modern day worship of Baal (Satan). As long as this nation is “burning the incense” to him, we are laying the ground work of our own destruction. Read how angry God gets at Judah in Jeremiah Chapter 8. Killing of the innocence offends God.
We’ve got to pray for those babies. It’s very sad. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Stephan. Hugs and love xox
Excellent article. Hits the nail on the head, so to speak.
Thanks friend. I appreciate it. Hugs and love xox
Keep up your great work of speaking out against wrong!
Thank you Dawn. Hugs and love xox
I think you had a perfect response. If we all stand and simply say “I don’t believe in it” what can they do.Our side wins because no argument can be made. Sometimes your strength at standing for something good with a simple statement makes a large impact. Way to be. There’s a time for discussion and there’s a time for standing. Good job standing!! 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
Thank you so much. I appreciate your encouragement! Hugs and love xox
Sadly, I can relate to the one line escape! My advice to myself after reading your article is to find any issues like abortion that are hot topics. Develop and rehearse a response that you can just bring out when needed instead of dodging an issue that I don’t have the energy to work at in the moment.
I’m not advocating a script and a verbatim speech, but well-rehearsed ideas and rationale that can spring up automatically when someone presses my button. I’ve done that on history and science issues, but abortion is a big one.
I’ve written a lot of articles about abortion and euthanasia, but I need to turn them into a cogent, concise response.
Also, might I suggest that you write (or maybe repost) an article as to what you wish you would’ve told those people. Maybe everyone who writes a blog and is against abortion should write their own article. They can respond with a link to their articles in their comments on your abortion article.
We’d all be preaching to the choir, but we’d be equipping each other with responses and arguments against abortion. I’d like to think that if everyone reading BBB would be so equipped, we could all start to make a dent however small.
Maybe one feather can’t stop a train, but if you get a big enough pile…
Thank you Jeff, for this thoughtful response. You’re right- I should have a quick draw response. I did link to those posts in this article, but you’re right I should reblog them. Yes! At least a big enough pile would cause the conductor to pull the emergency brake, saying, what the heck is that?! Haha Hugs and love xox
Thank You!!
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Yep, definitely feel like the madness is so overwhelming that it is time to find a cave. Thanks for being an encourager in the midst of it all. We do need to be salt and light, Christ’s witnesses. I’m doing well with refraining from harsh words and sarcasm, but not so much stepping up with good news.
Thanks friend. Yes! Salt and light! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
Amen, Amen, and Amen sister! Preach it! You are exactly right! God bless!
Aw thank you Ryan. So glad this hit home with you! Hugs and love xox
Thank you for exposing these issues in the right spirit and calling all of us to handle this appropriately! What breaks God’s heart should break ours too.
Thank you Matthew. You’re so right. And that is one thing that definitely breaks His heart. Hugs and love xox
Would your conversation have been that fruitful? When it comes to people that are rigid in their beliefs, there is little you can do or say to change their mind.
I would hope that it would be 🙂 Hugs and love xox
Well-put — and convicting. Thank you!
thank you friend! glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox
Grateful for your stance for life
thank you friend 🙂 Hugs and love xox
I am usually so angered by the PP representatives that I’m made mute. (Hopefully God can work on me some more.)
I know what you mean. It definitely makes me very sad and upset too. Hugs and love xox
Great post, Carolyn!
Reading it, I was reminded of a line from G.K. Chesterton’s BALLAD OF THE WHITE HORSE where he says, “If you would have the horse of old/You must scour the horse anew.” Meaning keeping things good or changing things for the better relies on the person you see staring back at you in the mirror.
But I might take it one step further. In grad school I was able to take a few philosophy classes and Socrates became one of my heroes (also helped by my finding out the Socrates is Dr. Peter Kreeft’s favorite philoospher). What I loved about Socrates was his method of coming to the truth by engaging people and asking them questions. Instead of countering someone’s position with his own, Socrates would make people defend their position, relentlessly ask them questions as to what logically followed from their positions and beliefs and all for the sake of finding the truth by reasoning together. This way we form a connection with a person and we can (potentially) get them to think about their own positions.
Thank you so much Nathan! I’m so glad this resonated with you! I have never read any of Chesterton’s work, but I think I have to now! haha Hugs and love xox
It took me a while to like Chesterton’s work but now I love him and them! THE NAPOLEON OF NOTTING HILL or THE WELL AND THE SHADOWS or his bios of St. Francis of Assisi or St. Thomas Aquinas are some of my favorites.
I’ll check em out!
Not interested. Not one pregnancy help line. Christian adoption center number. Actual, physical, people that are doing the work not building a platform to sell, things. As the priests don’t care about the children, why should we? The church aborted their cries for justice and retired priests. Like we didn’t see that coming. Ever go to the church I told you about. The one that is always out there, doing the work. Feeding hungry people as if the pot never goes empty. I doubt it. You go on field trips to millennial friendly and wealtht hipster congregations. Keep up the good work. Fight the invisible foe. Be on the side that’s right. Don’t do the work. Its hard. It makes you think.
Sorry you feel that way about me, Kenzie. Kinda hurts, not gonna lie. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs x
Feel? I think you’re a better writer than this. Are fear and dog whistles good writing for any blog? If that’s what sits well with you. Great.
I almost decided against sharing my opinion after reading the comments above. The likening of those who are pro choice to Satan and calling them evil? I understand that for you you are 100% firm in being pro life. However if you truly respect people’s ability to have different opinions then you need to accept your not going to change everyone’s viewpoint and it doesn’t make them evil or like Satan. It’s views and people like this who have put me (and I’m guessing others) off Christianity. I really enjoyed your blog when I started following it as I’m in recovery from an eating disorder, and I found it useful, but now it seems to have become a mixture of religious speeches and advertisements for products. I wish you all the best but I won’t be following your blog anymore, as it feels incredibly one sided and geared towards only practising Christians with a particular sets of views, or with the view to converting people to the way you think.
Hi friend, I definitely don’t believe that those who are pro choice are evil or like Satan. No way. Not at all. I was actually very careful in choosing my words when receiving extreme comments like that. I believe that i replied to those with “pray for the babies” and did not affirm their extreme language, because i do not agree with it. – because at the end of the day, we are to love all people, no matter what they believe! And that’s what I try to do. Just because I don’t agree with someone’s belief doesn’t mean that I think they’re evil. I respect and love them. And I’m sorry that you think I am in line with some of the extreme comments I’ve received. I am not. It is hard to field peoples’ impassioned remarks, and I’m trying my best to navigate with grace and inclusiveness. I’m sorry that you feel that way about my blog. I assure you, neither is the direction I am taking this blog. I welcome all people, all beliefs, all ways of life — this is a place where we can all come together and journey through life together with a supportive and loving community 🙂 I will be sad to see you go. Thank you for your readership, and know that I am always in your corner, cheering for you in your recovery!! Rock on warrior. (And as far as advertisements go, I am honestly obsessed with the toothpaste. And the couple of ads on my site are in order to pay my bills. I put over 40 hours a week into this blog, and at the end of the day, I have to support myself. And so the couple of ads I have to put on this blog allow me to continue giving my time to this online ministry, and sharing my story to help those in recovery 🙂 ) so I hope you can understand that. Girl’s gotta eat! Haha Hugs and love xox
Abortion is an incredibly emotive issue and a dialogue between opposing sides is highly unlikely to change minds. You could have given him your opinion and he would have shared his in return but what would either of you have accomplished? You will not persuade him to your views or vice versa; that’s not apathy, just realising when something is futile.
As for what’s going on in the World – is it worse than it was 50 years ago or 100? Do people care any less about or for each other? I don’t know but if we want things to change, we have to have belief and faith in other people; if we only focus on all the bad things that go on, we will give up on the human race entirely. The news channels, the internet are full of negativity because, sadly, bad news sells so, if we want to focus on the good I think we need to spend less time away from the TV, phones and computers and more time appreciating how beautiful our World is and how short our lives are :O) x
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. You’re right – we need to focus on the good! Hugs and love xox
Bacon at you 😊 xx
🙂
That should have been back at you 😂😂
Haha I totally gotcha 🙂
Another great blog! Thank you and God bless you!
Thank you friend! Hugs and love xox
This is an amazing write. Thank you for such blatant boldness. Much needed in our world. As Christians why are we so cowardly to share the truth in love? Our brothers and sisters throughout the world are suffering unimaginable horrors for their faith. And we don’t because we worry about the consequences we might face here.
I’m convinced that loving, one on one encounters are the best way to share the truth. But this post is another way. Wow, I pray you won’t be attacked for “hate speech”.
I’m reading biographies of our founding fathers and they would be horrified at what’s happening. The idea of America was the first time in the history of mankind that people were rescued from the grips of totalitarianism, slavery, torture, dictatorship, and anarchy. Everything happening is counterproductive to that.
At the core of everything, what exactly do these people hope to accomplish? All I can see is rule and control in the hands of a few elitists. How blind they are to this! We are setting ourselves up for a society of control. May God move in our hearts to speak out and enter the battle!
Thank you for this! I am sharing.
Thank you so much Alexandria. I appreciate your encouraging words. Yeah I pray that too! Haha Yes – May He move in our hearts! Hugs and love xox
So well written, with content that that should strike a cord with anyone that claims to be human.
Thank you friend. I pray so 🙂 glad you stopped by and have a great weekend! Hugs and love xox
I feel like the world can be so confusing and difficult these days that its easy to.get caught up.in this indifference. It’s comfortable. Change often takes stepping out of our comfort zones. You’re right. It’s important to choose progress over comfort in a world so in need of change.
Hi Cait. You’re right about that – we’ve gotta break out of our comfort zones! Hugs and love xox
I have been know to stand out and be different even if it meant being unpopular at the time so this post resonated with me. I do be that a missing element in this sometimes cruel world is open dialogue and simply just having conversation. Great post. Keep up the good work
You’re right – we need to start the healthy and respectful dialogue! Hugs and love xox
A respectful conversation on abortion and PP? I changed from Pro-Life to Pro-Choice. If you’d like to have that conversation with someone like me, I’m all for it.
Hi David, thank you for sharing your journey. I definitely am all for healthy dialogue that is respectful and open. And I would definitely be willing to have a convo with you! I’m not here to point figures, make accusations or belittle. Just sharing hearts and listening with nonjudgmental ears. Feel free to email me beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com 🤗 Hugs and love xox
Me too. I’ll be in touch.
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I could be wrong, but I think it’s the participation trophy syndrome we have now. There are no winners or losers anymore. People can’t stand defeat. It’s a strange thing, but that has lead to helicopter parenting, and now a new term i’ve learned which is lawnmower parenting. haha! Such crazy things, but in any event has lead to this dip in society. Nobody wants to lose. Everybody wants to be right in their opinion. Nobody wants to follow rules. I don’t know what it’s going to take to fix it, but until it does, this seems to be just the beginning of it.
What an interesting thoughts. Thanks for sharing this perspective David! Hugs and love xox
Great ideas, beautybeyondbones. I am glad to hear something sensible from someone after a long time. I agree with you, but don’t people have their own brains? Everyone is only trying to do what they find is right. Aren’t indifferences an opportunity to learn from each other. Isn’t it wrong to blame someone for others actions? Don’t we all have choices? I’ll be glad to hear your opinions, I myself am confused about this topic. Thanks.
Thank you so much friend. I’m glad it resonated with you. Lots of great points here – yes. Everyone is just trying to make it through this thing called life. I think open and respectful dialogue is much needed in today’s world. Hugs and love xox
Because at the end of the day we are just called to love. Not judge. And we can speak the truth in love
You have beauty beyond a definition, We are living in an era that may be a repeat of another time. We should not try to legislate morality, However we need to educate in common sense. Great insights.
Oh wow what a kind thing to say. Thank you friend. Glad you stopped by. Hugs and love xox
You are welcome.
Xoxoxokxoxoxoxk 🙂
Another great and courageous post BBB! I truly understand the hesitation of many people to even address the subject of abortion. I have been active in Pro-Life advocacy for 35 years. I have prayed silently in front of PP clinics, and will be doing so again with the 40 Days of Prayer movement. There are other things I have been involved with such as helping start a Crisis Pregnancy Center in the town where I live. I just posted a blog article on this very subject at my site tiljournalism.com. I do not seek to brag that I am better, for many have done more than I have. I only hope to encourage others to engage in this struggle for life, even as you have done. Blessings always, D.T. Osborn
Thank you DT. Thank you for the wonderful work you’ve done for the pro live movement! Hugs and love xox
And THIS is why you’re my favorite. I can’t tell you how proud I am of your writing here or how violently my heart is applauding right now. Beautiful. I wish we could have a long conversation about so many things. Especially this. Love you sister. Keep writing. It’s your life mission.
Oh my gosh thank you so much Melissa!! You are seriously amazing. Thank you for this awesome encouragement. Hugs and love xox
Wow! Powerful and packed with emotions! It can be SO HARD and disheartening to live IN this world and not be OF this world. I have handled MANY situations negatively in my life. Thank you for the reminder! Let it start with us! Let us grab hold of the boldness our Father offers!
The way of the world has made it’s way, full throttle, to the small town here in middle Tennessee where I live, I can’t imagine being a Christian in NEW YORK CITY!! My heart goes out to you, my big city sister in Christ! Many prayers heading your way!! Thank you for sharing your “realness” with us!
Thank you so much Priscilla! Hugs and love xox
Another excellent post. But your link to the awesome toothpaste doesn’t seem to be working. =(
Thank you so much Jackie. Oh no!! Thanks for the heads up! I’ll get on that!
Np! 😉
✨💛✨
It’s beautybeyondbones.mynuskin.com
Cool, thanks! Your smile is amazing!
Oh my gosh you’re too kind!! 😁
Don’t be too hard on yourself. You did say something, and sometimes you need to pick your battles. I think you’re allowed to be exhausted sometimes–you’re not a robot. (Also, personally, I think I would be more likely to say something I would regret later if I started this kind of conversation when I was exhausted.) Just remember this feeling of wanting to talk to the PP people for the next opportunity, and you can always pray for the people you passed. 🙂
Thanks friend. I appreciate that. Hugs and love xox
Okay, I’m going to give it a go trying to engage in a healthy and respectful dialogue on a few points where we don’t see eye to eye (but I still respect your viewpoint regardless).
Thirteen Reasons Why–I am glad they came up with and aired this series. Not once personally did I see it as glorifying suicide. If anything, it shows the horrors of the aftermath, the way actions and interactions of multiple individuals can intertwine and culminate in such a horrific decision. And as sad as it is, it is a reality that some counselors do not do their job, that people fall through the cracks. This series has sparked many meaningful conversations at several different levels, and as such has PREVENTED suicides because it has opened peoples’ eyes and led them to recognize those that were in distress, in danger of making that choice, and has actually caused many schools to step up their counseling to reach more individuals in need.
Planned Parenthood. Yes, they provide abortions. They also provide contraception for low to no cost, preventing unplanned pregnancies. They treat sexually transmitted diseases. I am pro choice, but not in the way many people knee-jerk react when they hear that term. I do not advocate using abortion as a means of birth control. I would prefer one would choose life. But I am not one to judge another–I do not know if a female was raped, or if she was a victim of incest. Those situations I absolutely believe she should have the ability to choose, period. Or if her life were in danger, she should have the ability to choose. God gives us free will–shouldn’t we extend the same to her? For those that choose pro life, I would love to see more outreach, more advertisement of adoption venues if her situation dictates she cannot raise her unborn child, more advertisement of support systems to help her choose life and keep her child. You hear a lot of people screaming against abortion, but very little is actually seen as far as different options to pick from to help a female in need.
Lastly, the Catholic religion. I am a former Catholic, now “just” a Christian. A church that has for decades turned a blind eye to corruption, to the horrors of child molestation being committed by their own priests, bishops, cardinals, etc., that has routinely reassigned offenders and covered up the atrocities of their actions, only to allow them to continue those atrocities? That is a church I cannot in good faith stand up for. I stand by GOD, not by religion. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s son, our Savior. I believe that God is saddened by that which divides us, and in many circumstances I believe He is saddened by man-made religion and the squabbling it creates, i.e. “my religion is better than your religion”, “my religion is right, your religion is wrong”, etc. Instead of standing up for a particular religion, I believe it is better to stand up for God, because God isn’t a religion, He is our Creator, Jesus is our Savior, and the rest is irrelevant. Follow God’s laws, His teachings, help one another, but don’t stand by something that uses His name as a cloak while continuing to allow the destruction of the innocent. That’s not right, in my humble opinion.
Hugs to you.
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and heart on this powerful topic. You’ve offered some really insightful thoughts on this. I will definitely think about and pray about this. Thanks again for sharing your heart. Hugs and love xox
Thanks for your post. I appreciate your willingness to speak out against indifference. I appreciate your boldness to stand up for what is good, right and true. You are making a difference with your blog. It’s refreshing to hear a young voice speak up for godly morals.
Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
You are doing something!
God bless,
Jim
Thank you Jim! I appreciate that! Hugs and love xox
Great post! It’s wonderful to know that your light shines so bright for our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and it’s hard when there’s so much deception going on around us. But we should (as christians) stand steadfast in our faith.
I Just wanted to share 2 Corinthians 4:4 with you. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them.
People can see Jesus in you, and you are touching many lives,
God bless🌸
Thank you so much for your kind words! Wow what a beautiful verse. Thank you for sharing that with me! Hugs and love xox
[…] She wishes in retrospect that she had engaged them and made her own case for not killing babies. I invite you to read her article Drowning in Indifference. […]
Thank you for the link up! Hugs and love xox
(Ha ha the gingerbread man)
Theology and the arts, is where my mind wanders on this topic
Thanks
You preach it girl!!! As usual, you’re very brave in this evil world, keep it up because: “they triumphed over him(devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” Rev 12.
Aw thank you so much friend! Hugs and love xox
It never fails to dismay me, how hard-hearted and rigid so many people are towards those who do not neatly fit into the binary gender categories. Does everyone who espouses the teachings of Jesus REALLY think that He would shame queer people? Or off-handedly claim to love them, with the next breath rejecting them for their ungodly “choices”?
If there weren’t such denigration attached to being queer, as currently evidenced by legislative efforts to establish a religious right to discriminate (I’m reminded of how religious beliefs were used as a valid context for outlawing marriage between “different races”), perhaps those families who turn to medical interventions would be less hasty or desperate to gain a sense of control over the disparity between the interior truth and external condemnation.
Perhaps interesting to note, I read an article (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/21/opinion/sunday/bible-prohibit-gay-sex.html) by a linguist that explored how a close reading of what is often claimed as the Bible rejecting homosexuality in indeed moreso a dictate against incest. As in, the same line of command that prohibits incest between assorted relatives also covers same-sex prohibitions of incest. Not really a commentary about the consensual physicality between two unrelated same-sex adults at all.
But I guess that interpretation would disallow the categorical deeming of queer people as unacceptable. Which, for reasons my innate sense of empathy cannot fathom, seems to be a binding force of sanctimony among some who call themselves followers of Jesus.
As usual a great peace you have written here. I particularly like the expression, “godless agenda.” That’s a great way to describe some of the ‘ugly’ or immoral things the society is accepting as normal.
As per the PP encounter, I know you will have another opportunity to engage them with the truth. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Victor. You’re right – i should engage! Hugs and love xox
I have appreciated your post, Caralyn, and the responses to date. Thanks everyone. I add a couple thoughts: one comes from pre-R-v-W, when a distraught pregnant teen who could not face her pregnancy would be out behind the shed with a coat hanger to stop the ordeal and ends up doing a good deal of damage to herself. I am not pro-choice but at the same time my opinion leans to have some form of a legal, discreet, sanitary method of abortion. Hopefully the society we live in can create a world where we connect to each other in deep-than-surface-level relationships and support can be given to each as they require help.
For Christians I offer the 5th chapter of Galatians. Start around the verse 16 or 17. Anyway, Paul lists a number of sins — followed by the Fruit or “character” of the Spirit. Yes there are sins around us but for us the clear answer and response is Love, Joy, . . .
-Jeff
Thanks Jeff for sharing this powerful perspective. Yes. Love! Hugs and love xox
As medical science continues to show the humanity of an infant in the womb (clearly NOT a ‘blob’) I expect support for infanticide to erode. Eventually, Abortion will have the same stigma as slavery or elder abuse. No rational person would defend such evil things today. Christians need to be unambiguous about the sanctity of human Life (babes & seniors). The Church failed to do this with slavery for too long.
I suggest waiting until you have patience and focus before engaging strangers on this emotional topic.
Thank you James, wow what a powerful response. I appreciate your support. Hugs and love xox
So how do we deal with the fact that God allows most pregnancies to abort naturally?
This was Jesus’ point to the priesthood: you make hard rules punishable by death, and all that people see is an angry and usurious God before them. Who would worship that?
As I reason things through, God doesn’t care about our bodies. They are simply tools for healing our souls. Each soul has its own path, and every moral discussion should start from the question: “What is the path being followed by this particular soul?” That includes the mother as well as the fetus. Prepare mothers to make better choices with their bodies, and we’ll have fewer abortions. But that means ALLOWING THEM TO CHOOSE, and loving them even when they make mistakes.
The moral proof of Christianity is not in preventing others from committing things that we consider to be sins. It is in demonstrating that a Christian upbringing creates happier and more fulfilled lives. Lead that life and people will notice, and ask you to explain.
There was a humility in the early Church because they lacked political power. Their faith was the only protest they could exercise. The Church grew because they choose to take care of each other, accepting that because none had the teachings of Christ before he came, they would all guide each other forward. People noticed. They found hope in their solidarity.
Christian influence lies in difference.
Thank you Brian, for this thoughtful response. You’re right – that’s an interesting thought. Hugs and love xox
What food for thought – thank you.
Thanks friend Hugs and love xox
I love this post! While my family was over for my sons going way party we were sitting around the bonfire as one by one people left but the few of us that were relaxing and chatting we talked exactly about everything you just wrote. This world .. our world is out of control it feels like a downward spiral. I know is still in control and knowing that is so reassuring ,but it’s still very scary.
aw thank you so much!! sounds like a great night — I love bonfires. I agree — still very scary. big hugs xo
Yes bonfire are so nice ! Hugs to you! Xo