Take it by force!

What do you think about the following verses?

1. "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force." - Matthew 11:12

What kind of violence is this?

2. "The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it." - Luke 16:16

Who is forcing their way into the kingdom of God?

3. "For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." - Matthew 13:12

What is Jesus talking about? What is that these folks have that he is giving more of and taking more away from?

4. "Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." - John 15:2

Who likes getting their life pruned? Who doesn't like getting a greater harvest?

5. "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" James 4:6

What is God's definition of "proud" - how about "humble" - and tell me again how do I get more grace?

I would like to sum all of this up with another couple of questions... consider these and tell me what you think:
1. What do we call the people that are the first to jump into a new idea that costs them everything?
2. Why would people risk everything with the promise of being treated poorly?
3. What do you have that you want more of? Less of?
4. What are you holding on to? What do you not want to sacrifice?
5. What area of your life needs more of God and less of self?

The business world calls people willing to try a new product, risking financial and personal safety, early adopters. What are spiritual early adopters? These people are from every walk of life, they are poor, hurting, and lonely; rich, happy, and have loads of friends... but they all recognize a great opportunity. And with great opportunity comes great risk!

God is asking us to trust him, to step out in faith and share in his life. Jesus had a great life, sure he died a horrible death, but look at the victorious new life!

Are you forcing your way into an increasingly deeper relationship with God?

iGoogle

I have begun using iGoogle as my homepage... they really have improved it! I am writing this post from iGoogle and doing so much more. Now I have one page I look at instead of 10!

Stem Cell Drama

President Barack Obama on Monday signed an executive order to lift restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research. "In recent years, when it comes to stem-cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Obama said. "In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent." Both the president and most media outlets rarely make a clear distinction between embryonic stem-cell research and research using other types of stem cells, but simply use the generic term "stem cells" when referring to embryonic stem cells.

But the president did more on Monday than to just force taxpayers to fund embryonic stem-cell research, which requires the destruction of human life. He also rescinded an executive order President Bush put into place that funded adult stem-cell research and new research seeking alternative technologies, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are now the talk of the scientific world. (See PWB, 3/6/09.) Even Dr. James Thomson, who first grew human embryonic stem cells in 1998, has pulled his resources from embryos and invested in iPS cells, because, apart from satisfying the moral dilemma, these cells are easier and cheaper to reproduce.

"I can think of only two reasons for this action, for which I saw no advocacy either in the election or during the first weeks of the administration," said bioethics attorney and watchdog Wesley J. Smith. "First, vindictiveness against all things 'Bush' or policies considered by the Left to be 'pro-life' and, second, a desire to get the public to see unborn human life as a mere corn crop ripe for the harvest."

Many believe that Bush could have been ahead of his time in promoting both adult stem-cell research and alternative research, such as regression, also known as direct reprogramming. In this process, differentiated cells from adults are reverted into stem cells, with no destruction of human life. As recently as last week, researchers announced that they had successfully turned ethically created cells into the neurons that break down in Parkinson's disease. The week before, scientists produced evidence that they had treated Parkinson's in a patient with his own adult stem cells. Almost daily, researchers are celebrating new breakthroughs without compromising a single human life. Over 70 diseases and conditions have already been treated through adult stem cells, helping patients overcome everything from juvenile diabetes to heart disease. "While the Obama administration and its supporters claim to be on the cutting edge of science, the new President is pursuing old technology," said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. Smith says the Obama decision to also reverse the Bush order funding adult and alternative stem-cell research shows that Obama is really the anti-science president, not his predecessor.

A further misconception is that embryonic stem-cell research was made illegal and terminated. However, only federal funding of such research was banned by the Bush administration. Privately funded and commercial embryonic stem-cell research has continued for many years, but has yet to produce a single cure or benefit to a patient. In fact, in recent weeks, embryonic stem cells have been condemned for causing tumors in one patient in Israel. "Embryonic stem-cell research is the research of the past. Millions of dollars have been spent on embryonic stem-cell research and it has failed," said Americans United for Life president Charmaine Yoest. "To pour more money into it is simply a waste."

House Minority Leader John Boehner issued a written statement immediately after the signing that said, "Non-embryonic stem-cell research is not only showing great promise in the laboratory, but its applications are already being used to treat scores of diseases and medical conditions. Indeed, science and respect for human life can coexist. Politicians in Washington would be well-served to recognize this fact before they ask taxpayers to subsidize the destruction of innocent human life simply to advance a particular agenda." [LifeNews.com, Washington Update, OneNewsNow.com, FoxNews.com]

From The Pastor's Weekly Briefing