Life After Dobbs
January 2022
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1 John 3:1 and 7-8 says, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” “Little Children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the devil appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Month’s TLO Disciple focus is Life after Dobbs. On Dec. 1, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The case, which stems from a legal challenge to a Mississippi law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, is being closely monitored by people on all sides of the abortion debate for its potential impact on current and future abortion law.
The articles and links below are provided to inform you about the impacts of the Supreme Court’s decision in this case and to provide guidance in your prayers. Regardless of the decision of the Supreme Court regarding Dobbs vs. Jackson, there will continue to be a need for the Children of God to be equipped to be Gospel-motivated voices for Life.
Please read these articles and be informed about how you can be a Gospel-motivated voice for Life.
In Christ,
Pastor James Kroonblawd
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Pray That We Might Know Their Names:
Uniting in Prayer for Dobbs
November 8, 2021
Mary Szoch, Family Research Council
Since the Supreme Court's 1973 decision that legalized abortion on demand throughout the United States, over 60 million babies have been aborted. With a number so large, it can be challenging to feel a personal connection to each of the babies whose life has been lost. Still, it is essential to remember that each baby is a unique human being made in the image and likeness of God.
Each of the 60 million babies killed as a result of Roe v. Wade had a name. How many little girls named Maria, Nadia, Brittany, Monet, Emily, Monica, Simone, or Sandra are missing from this world? How many little boys named Tommy, Jervon, Billy, Nasir, James, José, Kyle, or Anthony will never have the opportunity to smile into their mother's eyes because of Roe?
Sixty million lives have been lost to abortion. Although their names will never be spoken in this world, our Heavenly Father certainly loves each one and calls each by name. Join us as we pray for the day when no child named Devon, Courtney, Jerome, or any other name is aborted. Read full article.
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From God's Word
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” —John 10:10
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Introducing Making Life Disciples
Feb 19, Feb 26, March 5
8am-12:30pm each week
Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church introduces Making Life Disciples, a new ministry at TLO.
Making Life Disciples is first: a way to equip a select group of first-responders to offer compassion, hope, help and discipleship to women and men facing pregnancy decisions. It is a practical ministry response to the abortion crises
And, second: a way to raise the life-affirming IQ of our whole church related to abortion. It is not about politics.
After completing Making Life Disciples (MLD) basic training, our team will meet regularly to offer pregnancy decision coaching, help distribute materials from Lutherans for Life and other Life ministries, and provide women and men with confidential help and support. A Making Life Disciples team will connect abortion vulnerable women with trained counselors at Amnion and assist women and men in Christian discipleship within the Christian church.
Care Net’s research into abortion found that the father of the baby was the most influential voice in a woman’s pregnancy decision. TLO wants to equip women and men to serve in this ministry that will reach women and men with the transformational power of the Gospel of Christ and empower them to choose life for their unborn children and abundant life for their families. Please prayerfully consider if this ministry interests you and you would like to join the MLD Team.
For more information talk with Pastor Kroonblawd or Pam Burdick.
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Briefs filed, asking to overturn Roe v. Wade
On July 22, the Alabama Center for Law and Liberty filed an amicus curiae brief in the United States Supreme Court, asking it to overrule Roe v. Wade and its progeny. On Tuesday, the Montgomery-based Foundation for Moral Law joined with Lutherans for Life filed their own amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, in which a pro-abortion group challenged a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks. The lower courts struck down this law, reasoning that it banned abortions before the baby reached the point of viability, which is the point at which a baby could survive outside the womb.
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From God's Word
“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.” — Proverbs 14:27
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GOD CHOSE TO LOVE US—
A POEM BY VICKIE L. DETERT (11/14/21)
God Chose to Love Us
God chose to love us, though sinners we be.
God chose to love us and to set us free.
God chose to cleanse us with Son’s own blood.
God chose to bless us because God chose to love.
From before our conception, He knew every one
of our choices, our errors, and those yet to come.
He chose to guide us but then also gave
us choice to follow. Do we want to be saved?
God chose to be our salvation and light.
God chose to be all we need in this life.
God chose and chooses to answer our prayers.
“Lord, choose us to serve You and your glory declare.”
God chose to love us. How can we do less
than praise Him forever and in His promises rest?
God chose to love us: conception till death,
before and then after. In His choice, we confess.
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LIFE SUNDAY —“GOD CHOSE YOU”
God Chose You … and that changes everything!
Choice is a divine gift to humankind.
That means choice isn’t a right.
And death isn’t a decision.
It’s everyone’s inevitable destiny.
You can’t “choice” your way out of death.
We won’t keep our own deaths from happening by making anyone else’s death happen.
Thanks be to God Jesus displaces freedom of choice and replaces it with freedom from choice.
The choice we need is not a choice we make but the choice we are.
What saves, what gives life, is not choosing but being chosen.
The choice we can’t make, the one that matters most, is the one we don’t have to.
God chose you, and that changes everything.
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Essay Contest
The Lutherans For Life Council of Federation Presidents sponsors an annual essay contest available for students in all states who attend a Lutheran church or school.
State essay winners in the two grade categories will be entered into the national contest. We look forward to students across the nation participating in our contest and letting their voices be heard through their life-affirming essays!
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Life Blogs from Lutherans For Life
Catch up on the latest news and some great perspectives by clicking here for blogs from Lutherans for Life. |
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10 Things You Can Do to Defend the Unborn
Ahead of the Dobbs Decision and After
1. Pray.
The most important thing you can do leading up to the Dobbs case is to pray. To help you get started, Family Research Council has compiled a helpful prayer guide, available here.
2. Discern whether your family is being called to adopt.
3. Support a Pregnancy Resource Center.
4. Support single moms.
5. Befriend a person with disabilities.
6. Share information about the dangers of chemical abortion and about the option of abortion pill reversal.
7. Talk to a friend about her abortion views.
8. Share information about Project Rachel.
9. Let your friends know you are a safe person to talk to.
10. Support pro-life state legislators and legislation.
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FROM GOD'S WORD
“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” —Genesis 2:7
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Prayer Guide
Let’s petition the courts of heaven—higher than any earthly court—with these prayers:
Pray for wisdom for the nine justices, that they would come to recognize the inherent value of every precious life created in the image of God, both born and unborn.
Pray for Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and her team defending the Mississippi pro-life law before the high court.
Pray that amicus briefs from FRC and other groups will be considered by all of the justices, as scholars and scientists grounded in ethical and moral reasoning have put forward their best arguments in defense of vulnerable lives.
Pray that the truth about the Dobbs case will be reported accurately, including through FRC’s multimedia channels, on social media, on the radio, and in the mainstream media.
Pray that churches will speak and act on behalf of at-risk children and mothers in need, talking openly about the scourge of abortion and supporting those within their community in need of pregnancy help.
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‘That hearts may be changed’
By Cheryl Magness
“In a society that does not cherish all human life, Christians thank and praise our God for the precious gift of life,” said Deaconess Tiffany Manor, director of LCMS Life Ministry. “Christ Jesus gave His life as a ransom, that all who believe in Him may have eternal life. Because we have been given the gift of life, forgiveness and salvation, we seek to share God’s great love and mercy.
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Two opportunities January 22, 2022 |
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Join TLO's Team for the MCCL March for Life
TLO members and friends here is your opportunity to march for life and advocate for the vulnerable! Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) March for Life is a pro-life march held to advocate for the lives of the unborn.
The March for Life in St. Paul, MN is hosted by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life and is open to all who want to march for the lives of the unborn.
12:00noon—March for Life at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds
Please note: The MCCL March for Life is an outdoor, family-friendly event. The March goes on, rain, snow, or shine. Dress accordingly.
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Register here for this exciting event led by Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing. The Book of Jeremiah is quite possibly the best against-all-odds story ever written. Despite numerous tragedies and nights of weeping and mourning, the prophet prevails. He finds hope and joy. Settle into Jeremiah’s narrative and discover how you can overcome life’s disasters through
- God’s Word
- Confession and Absolution
- Hope
- Listening
- Trust
- Taking Risks
- Faith
Make plans now to be a part of this seminar. Thank you to Thrivent Financial for sponsoring lunch. Invite your friends!
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Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran
651-454-7235
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