WASHINGTON (BP) – A congressional watchdog agency has agreed to investigate how Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights organizations spend federal funds, drawing praise from pro-life advocates inside and outside the legislative branch. “The abortion industry is big business of the most sordid sort. They certainly don’t need a taxpayer bailout,” said Russell D. Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Members of Congress announced Aug. 5 the Government … [Read more...]
Mandate personal for Missouri couple
(WNS) – A Missouri couple filed suit against the ObamaCare contraceptive mandate on Aug. 14, claiming the requirement to pay for contraceptives and abortifacient drugs through their health insurance plan violates their religious beliefs. While the Obama administration already faces dozens of legal challenges to the mandate from religious organizations, schools, and businesses, this case focuses on the effect the new healthcare law has on individuals. State Rep. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial, … [Read more...]
New name for World Hunger Fund
EDITOR’S NOTE: Southern Baptists will observe World Hunger Sunday Oct. 13, and Southern Baptist congregations across North America will receive offerings for Global Hunger Relief (formerly the World Hunger Fund). NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – When it comes to people in need, big numbers can hide the human faces they represent. Statistics tell us that more than 1 billion people around the world are hungry more often than not, and about 24,000 people – over half of them young children – die every … [Read more...]
Planned Parenthood to receive $655,000 as ObamaCare ‘navigators’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Aug. 15, the Obama Administration announced the award of over $655,000 in taxpayer grants to three Planned Parenthood affiliates to act as “navigators,” helping enroll Americans in federally facilitated insurance exchanges under ObamaCare. Those grants are part of $67 million in federal funds that will go to over 100 organizations to help promote the health care law. The coercive, one-size-fits-all regime of ObamaCare is already set to increase costs and further burden … [Read more...]
Aiding those suffering post-abortion pain
Ministry helps some find God’s forgiveness GRAIN VALLEY – Her hands shook and her eyes filled with tears as she spoke about the loss she had felt since she had the abortion. Her husband, standing behind her, agreed to attend the If Not For Grace Reconciliation Weekend because she asked him to. He hoped the event might help her finally release the pain and guilt that she had held onto for so many years. They were young and unmarried then. They shouldn’t have done it. If these women continue … [Read more...]
Missouri Safe Haven Law for babies extended to 45 days
JEFFERSON CITY – The period of time Missouri parents have to give up their baby without criminal consequences has been extended from five to 45 days after birth. Passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly earlier this year, Democrat Gov. Jay Nixon signed the state’s new Safe Haven Law July 22. The new law also expands the types of places the baby can be left. Under the old law, parents could drop the baby off only with police, fire departments, Emergency Medical Service locations … [Read more...]
Missouri law deals blow to telemedicine abortions
JEFFERSON CITY – Though they are the law of the land just to the north in Iowa, “telemedicine” abortions will not be coming to Missouri. Gov. Jay Nixon chose to take no action on House Bill 400, which allows it to become law effective Aug. 28. without his signature. Sponsored by Rep. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, and Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, it passed the Missouri House 115-39, and the Senate 23-7. Nixon, a Democrat, used the “no action” approach in 2010 and 2011 to allow other … [Read more...]
From grief to hope in Jesus
JEFFERSON CITY – Speaking on the topic from the pulpit for the first time, Frank Page discussed the death of his 32-year-old daughter during Father’s Day services at Concord Baptist Church here. Page, the president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Executive Committee, said that while it was difficult for him to recount the trying period in his life, he hoped it would shed light on the problem of suicide in the church and point those struggling to the only source of hope … [Read more...]
DON HINKLE: Reflecting on Houston, homosexuality, RU-486
Some random thoughts on a variety of subjects as we enter the summer of 2013: Three thoughts come to mind as I reflect on this year’s Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting in Houston June 11-12. 1. The low attendance. Barely 5,000 messengers showed up and the question everyone wants answered is why? The SBC surveys messengers to gauge their feelings about various aspects of the meeting. It may be awhile before we have that data, but I am sure it will be studied closely. I … [Read more...]
Pro-life bills finish strong as session ends at Capitol
JEFFERSON CITY – Pro-life issues gained considerable ground during the 2013 session of Missouri’s General Assembly which ended May 17. In its final week, the Legislature passed House Bill 400 (HB 400) which requires the same safety features for chemical abortions as exist for surgical abortions; that is, a medical doctor with hospital privileges must be physically present in the room when a woman takes the medication to abort her baby. Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist … [Read more...]
A mother finally finds peace, forgiveness following abortion
COLUMBIA — In 1974, Rhonda Porter got an abortion. It was legal. It was simple. It was done. “I believed there was nothing wrong with it,” she said. Now she is a mother of four and a grandmother of five who has become a Christian. At 59, she is a member of Open Heart Baptist Church who prays for God to save babies at the local abortion clinic. Her ministry to the church uplifts forgiveness, the releasing of pain, and the healing hand of a God who eases sorrow. “I feel that people who … [Read more...]
Pro-life pastor, lawmaker stands strong
JEFFERSON CITY – Rep. John McCaherty, R-Murphy and pastor of First Baptist Church, Murphy, and 41 other members of the Missouri House of Representatives believe that a mother should not be coerced into having an abortion simply because she wants a child of the opposite sex. They have joined together to sponsor House Bill 386 (HB 386) which would also protect unborn babies who have been diagnosed with possible physical or mental disabilities. “We are trying to stop the sales process,” … [Read more...]