There’s a Baby in that Room

Republicans were nervous going into the debate last Friday between Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock. Would Walker stumble and fumble the ball? At best the general consensus was a hope that Walker would not hurt himself.

Walker did not fumble. He scored time and time again. He spoke plainly and honestly. He addressed the people of Georgia.

He took questions like taking the football and ran hard with them. I could almost hear the ghost of Larry Munson shouting, “There goes Herschel! There goes Herschel!

When it was over, it was the Democrats who were nervous. It was supposed to be a walk in the park for Warnock but instead it was Herschel running over Warnock.

The debate clearly showed the distinction between a smooth talking politician, trying to soft touch every constituency and a plain spoken Georgian taking a bold courageous stand asking his fellow Georgians to follow.

Perhaps the most played clip of the debate dealt with abortion. Warnock used the abortion talking point that the doctor’s exam room is not large enough for a woman, her doctor, and the federal government.

Walker brought the house down when he said, “Did he not mention that there’s a baby in that room as well? But also did he not mention that he’s asking the taxpayer to pay for it? So he’s bringing the government back into the room.”

The moderator asked Warnock about a story saying that some apartments owned by his mega church were evicting disadvantaged residents. Some residents with eviction notices reportedly owed less than $35.00.

Warnock’s non answer response was more winding than a road through the North Georgia mountains to Brass Town Bald. He began with feigned indignation that this story was an effort by his opponent to “sully the name of Martin Luther King Jr’s church and John Lewis’ church” made by a “desperate candidate.”

Walker smiled and said that he didn’t write the story and noted how the Senator did not answer the question. Walker also offered to pay the back rent to help the folks avoid eviction.

One of Walker’s most impressive moves in the debate was when he talked about the challenges of mental illness. He intentionally looked directly into the camera and spoke directly to the viewer about the hope and availability of help.

From the viewer’s perspective, Walker was sitting across the breakfast table showing empathy and connecting at a deeply personal level. The focus shifted from the negative stories about Walker to the viewer, especially one of the millions who deal with some kind of emotional issue, feeling that Walker understood and could identify with their needs.

Herschel Walker delivered. He was genuine, straight forward, and transparent. He brought complex issues down to a simple level that the average person could understand.

Anyone who had honest questions about Walker before the debate have replaced those questions with confidence. Herschel Walker is a great candidate to take on an incumbent Senator.

Give Herschel the ball with your vote and listen for that familiar voice from the past. “There goes Herschel! There goes Herschel!

Early Voting starts today – go vote! We are not promised tomorrow, get your vote in.

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Democrats on the Wrong Side of Life

House Bill 481, commonly referred to as the Heartbeat Bill, passed in the Georgia House and the Senate. Now it will go back to the House for approval with Senate Amendments.

With some specified exceptions, the bill outlaws an abortion when the doctor can detect the heartbeat of the unborn child. The votes in the House and Senate were both along party lines.

Republicans voted to protect the innocent. Democrats voted to allow the killing of the innocent.

I checked the votes of Democrat legislators from Southwest Georgia. What I saw was disturbing. 

On the Senate side, Democrat Ed Harbison Senate District 15 voted No and Democrat Freddie Powell Sims Senate District 12 voted No. 

On the House side, Democrat Winfred Dukes House District 154 Voted No. Democrat Camia Hopson House District 153 Voted No. Democrat Patty Bentley House District 139 had an excused absence from voting. 

All of these Democrats are African-American. The African-American constituency, especially in the church-going rural South, has been unapologetically opposed to abortion. 

I have worshiped with African-American congregations. We have worked together for our community. I have never heard a church member or pastor imply that abortion was an option. 

They all recognize that an expecting mother is carrying one of their children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or friends. They all know that God does not make mistakes and the pregnancy is no accident. They all recognize that this child in the mother’s womb is a precious gift that has a heritage and will one day leave a legacy. 

Every single Democrat in the Georgia Legislature from Southwest Georgia, with the possible exception of Representative Patty Bentley, voted in direct opposition to their constituency. How is it that elected Democrats can throw these foundational beliefs to the side of the road to follow a party line? 

They know that their constituents are pro-life. They hear the messages from the pulpit and in Bible Study week after week. They know what God says. They also know how they voted.

Instead of following the prophetic voice of righteousness, they followed the party line of wretchedness. My African-American friends, this is not merely a political issue. 

No matter what race you are, if Patty Bentley (404-656-0287), Winfred Dukes (404-656-0126), or Camia Hopson (404-656-0287), represents you in the Georgia House of Representatives, call them and tell them to stand up and vote for life.

You have an influence. You can stand for justice and righteousness by making a phone call.

Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

Democrat Stacey Abrams called HB 481, “this abominable bill.” HB 481 is not an abominable bill. 

The cruel killing of unborn babies is the abomination – and Democrats in Southwest Georgia voted to keep it going.

Your vote is being taken for granted. For the sake of your unborn children, do not let them keep using you. 

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It is Time to Break the Silence

On the 46th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the New York State Senate and visitors in the Senate gallery erupted in a celebratory standing ovation when the bill passed that allowed abortions at any stage of pregnancy. The bill also eliminated the requirement that a medical doctor perform an abortion and it decriminalized the mandate to care for a baby born alive after the abortionist failed to kill the child before it exited the birth canal.

The consequences of this law are clear. Organizations like Planned Parenthood will be able to significantly reduce overhead expenses of their abortion clinics. Nurses and Physician Assistants are less expensive to hire than licensed Physicians. A very real consequence to the removal of the mandate to care for a live born baby is that a child born alive could be merely left to die.

The most horrific consequence of this law is that it now gives body part brokers another 3 months to grow a more profitable baby to dissect and sell to the highest bidder. It will happen.

The law also strikes a blow to violence against women. It removed penalties for harming a child in the womb during an assault.

New York resident, Livia Abreu was in her 26th week of pregnancy when her boyfriend stabbed her in the stomach, killing her unborn child. He was charged for assault and the death of her child. Under the new law, there is no crime against the unborn child.

A few days after the New York law, the State of Virginia attempted to pass a similar law. Fortunately during committee deliberations, Republican House Majority Leader asked Delegate Kathy Tran, the bill’s sponsor, directly if the bill allowed an abortion even as the mother was about to give birth.

Tran tried to avoid the question but finally had to acknowledge that the bill did, in fact, allow the killing of the child even while the mother was giving birth. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam revealed more when he described what is happening even now:

“The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother. So I think this was really blown out of proportion.”

This has not been blown out of proportion at all. It is very clear that a living child could be left to die, in comfort of course, unless the mother asked that the baby be resuscitated.

Between the Planned Parenthood undercover videos, the standing ovation in the New York Senate, and the debate in Virginia, America is getting a glimpse of the truth. Abortion has raised its ugly head and we recoil in shock. Too many have remained silent for too long.

Some Catholics called for the excommunication of Governor Cuomo. He did not merely sign the bill carrying out his civil responsibility as Governor. He endorsed the bill, pushed for its passage, and sent out a message on social media celebrating its passage and directing that the One World Trade Center be lit in pink.

It is evident that Cuomo is not repentant and shows no indication that he intends to repent. Yet he is very quick to throw on the Catholic mantle when it suits his needs.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan has said that he will not excommunicate Cuomo. It appears that Cuomo will carry on his charade while Cardinal Nolan looks the other way.

It is time to break the silence and directly question those whose silence allows these policies. The plain truth is that there is a clear distinction between the two major political parties on the practice of abortion.

The bill in New York passed this year because Democrats finally gained a majority in the state legislature. For years Republicans blocked such outrageous bills.

The bill introduced in Virginia died in committee along a party line vote. Democrats voted for it, Republicans voted against it.

The Democrat platform calls to overturn prohibitions against taxpayer funded abortions. It calls for support of Planned Parenthood. Republicans, in their platform, are on record against both.

African Americans and Catholics comprise a significant voting block in the Democrat party. African Americans and Catholics oppose abortion.

There is a disconnect that enables the Democrat party to aggressively promote abortion legislation. They have tossed the old arguments of “safe” and “legal but rare” to the side of the road hundreds of miles ago. They watered down requirements for safe medical facilities and licensed physicians.

The “Women’s Health” mantra is a fraud. It is evident that the real interest of Democrats is to increase the profit margins of abortionists like Planned Parenthood.

The traditional Democrat voting blocks do have an influence. Pastors can call out the politicians who lend credence to the culture of death in the abortion industry.

This should not be about partisan politics, but it is. No one can deny the stark truth.

You may be one of those who has always voted Democrat. Open your eyes to the truth of what is happening. It is time to break the silence.

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Two Days in January – Part 1

There are two significant dates in the month of January that impact America. No, one of them is not the Superbowl. 

One is a day in which we recognize the life of a man who led a movement for justice and freedom. He forced America to face the evil of discriminating against people based on the color of their skin. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is on the third Monday in January. 

The other is a dark day in American history. It is not a federal holiday and is not one to be celebrated with joy. 

On the contrary, it should be acknowledged with repentance and deep sorrow. It should be acknowledged with a cry to the Almighty for forgiveness. 

That day is January 22, 1973. On that day that the Supreme Court of the United States shook its fist in the face of the Supreme ruler of the Universe by ruling that unborn children were not persons, therefore did not have the unalienable right of life. 

What an irony of American history. One day celebrating the righting of the terrible wrong of racism. Another day, that ruled that an unborn child had no more rights than a housefly crushed to death with a swat as a mere nuisance. 

That dreadful decision unleashed the holocaust of abortion. Planned Parenthood and other abortionists have brutally killed millions since that decision.

This commentary is focused on the day we recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On January 15, 1929 a mother gave birth to a boy in Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of 39, his life was cut down in Memphis, Tennessee by the bullet fired by James Earl Ray, a hate-filled, evil, cowardly, sniper. 

I just read Dr. King’s, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” dated April 16, 1963. It is his response to a published statement by eight clergymen It is said that he wrote it on the margins of a newspaper and on scraps of paper. 

Tweets, memes, and 30 second sound bites are the basic literature of today’s culture. They usually degrade to name calling and insults. 

We should regularly set those temporary blurbs aside lest they drag us down along with them. We should take the time to read on deeper, more thoughtful, literature, such as the Bible, biographies, and the writing of great thinkers and leaders that will stand the test of time. 

King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is one of those writings that will stand the test of time. I was particularly impressed with a section of his letter that addressed the state of the church in American society. 

It was written over a half century ago. It could have been written yesterday. I have highlighted phrases of particular impact. 

There was a time when the church was very powerful — in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being “disturbers of the peace” and “outside agitators.” But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were “a colony of heaven,” called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be “astronomically intimidated.”By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests.

Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an arch-defender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s silent — and often even vocal — sanction of things as they are. 
But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century.

If I attempted to add anything to his commentary on the church, it would only dilute the power of the message. I encourage you to read Dr. King’s complete letter. You can find it here: “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” 

On Tuesday, I will address Roe v Wade, the day of sorrow for America. 


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Tell Us Where You Stand Congressman Bishop

Congressman Sanford Bishop has stated that he is pro-life. Evidence proves otherwise. On January 24, 2017, the US House of Representatives voted to permanently prohibit federal funds for abortion. Sanford Bishop voted against the bill two times.

In 2015, Sanford Bishop voted twice to support Planned Parenthood. The issue will come up again. Continue reading FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Preachers and Politics – No Subject is Off Limits

Be assured, God is not deaf to the cries of the millions of innocent babies callously killed as if a sacrifice to the god of convenience. Then as if mere killing was not enough, Planned Parenthood and other organizations determined that if they killed the baby is just the right manner, they could butcher the body and sell the parts to highest bidder.

Our nation cannot continue down this path and expect that there will not be consequences from the just and righteous Creator who watched over us and formed this nation of freedom. Do not think for a moment that the great United States of America cannot fall under God’s judgment. Continue reading FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Donald Trump – “I Will Appoint Pro-Life Judges”

In the final debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, both candidates were asked to give an impromptu one minute closing statement. Moderator Chris Wallace explained that there had been no plan for the candidates to prepare a closing statement.

Donald Trump delivered the best summation of his candidacy in that one minute response. He directly addressed African Americans and Latinos pointing out the hypocrisy of the Democrats who made promise after promise to get their votes. Continue reading FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

The Baby I am Holding is Not Just a Zygote

2016-01-20 11.29.43Last Sunday was Sanctity of Life Sunday. Churches across the nation focused messages and lessons on the sanctity of life. I had the privilege of worshipping with Grace Evangelical Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. They interviewed a young mother in their worship service that made the subject deeply personal to me.

It was a typical day in December 2014. I was scrolling through my Facebook glancing at posts ranging from political discourse to family photos. One caught my attention. She was at the end of her rope, fed up with life, tired of the corruption and hypocrisy that she experienced from others. Something about her post told me that it was not just another rant by someone angry with the politics of the day.

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A Plain and Clear Warning from Isaiah to Those Who Enact Evil Statutes

The United States Senate took a vote last night on whether or not to take up a bill that would stop the flow of tax dollars to Planned Parenthood. Supporters of the measure needed 60 votes in order to move forward. They only got 53. Every single Democrat except one followed the leadership of Harry Reid to keep the money flowing to Planned Parenthood. Continue reading FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

HR 36 the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Next Thursday will be the 42nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision of the US Supreme Court. On that day, the US House of Representatives will consider HR 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. (Read it here – it is short.)

I read the bill and it is a simple and straight forward acknowledgement of what we now know about life in a mother’s womb. The bill does not go as far as I would like. Public policy is affected one step at a time and even baby steps are better than no steps.
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