October was an unusual month for us and I share a few of those happenings in this edition of the Vital Signs Ministries news letter. But the primary feature of the letter is a brief essay which explains the 5 purposes served in a Christian's peaceful, prayerful protest of abortion chambers.
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The rest of the September letter from Vital Signs Ministries is right here.
Among the highlights of these shifts were a lot of wonderful conversations with teenagers -- teenagers from Nebraska Christian School, from a community of special needs kids in Hastings, several musicians from a variety of the high school marching bands who were at the Fair that day, from a nearby high school which was using the Fair as a field trip, and more.
But we also had plenty of profitable visits with adults, including people wanting the free fetal models we were offering, Christians who wanted to come by and thank us for being there at the Fair, a number of curious vendors who had booths in the building, a goodly number who agreed to sign our petition urging Congress to completely defund Planned Parenthood ASAP, and many casual conversations with people who were drawn by our pro-life information, video, fetal models…and our winsome selves!
Thank you, Father, for the opportunity to serve You and the cause of “the least of these” through this important outreach. And please protect, encourage, and use for Your wise purposes all who will be serving at the NRL booth for the rest of this year’s State Fair.
“The hairsplitting difference between formed and unformed makes no difference to us. Whoever deliberately commits abortion is subject to the penalty for homicide.” (Saint Basil)
“When we consider that women are treated as property it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit.” (Pioneer feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton)
“It seems to me as clear as daylight that abortion would be a crime.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
“Abortion does not kill a potential human person, it kills a human person with great potential.” (Anonymous)
“Probably nothing has been as damaging to our cause as the advances in technology which have allowed pictures of the developing fetus, because people now talk about the fetus in much different terms than they did 15 years ago. They talk about it as a human being, which is not something that I have an easy answer on how to cure.” (Harrison Hickman, pollster for the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League)
“The best decision I ever made was keeping my baby.” (Poet Maya Angelou)
“The Bible makes it clear that God sees the unborn infant not as a piece of superfluous biological tissue, but as a person created by Him for life.” (Billy Graham)
“Abortion kills the life of a baby after it has begun.” (1963 pamphlet by Planned Parenthood)
Our targets this time around? Here’s the prepared list:
1)) To the President, Cabinet members, Senators, and Congress: Abortion Pill...F.A.C.E. Act... Persecution of Christians...Confirming Trump’s nominees... Pursuit & prosecutions regarding RussiaGate...Getting out of the United Nations...Border policies...Lawlessness...etc.
2) To the President, Cabinet members, Senators, and Congress: “Attaboy” messages: thanks, encouragement, prayer reminders (and reminders of unfinished business)
3) To friends, pro-life heroes, Christian ministries, and others: “Attaboy” messages: thanks, encouragement, prayer reminders
4) To the Nebraska Attorney General: Opposing abortion pills, the effect of abortion pill “shield laws,” lawlessness, and 7-OH (“gas station heroin”)
5) To the Texas Governor: Appreciation and encouragement for redistricting actions
6) To Disney/ABC and Steve Harvey: Protest of Celebrity Family Feud
7) To Chip & Joanna Gaines: Protesting their promotion of same-sex “marriage”
8) To Fox News: Enough of the establishment media and “bikini body” stories
9) To companies retreating from DEI & LGBTQ foolishness: Good move (so far)
10) To Congress, Nebraska AG: “Gas Station Heroin”
And how about a few sample letters from our efforts? Here you go...
Dear Mr. President,
Thank you, President Trump for all the ways you are making America great again! However, I do want you to pursue further and faster getting rid of the FACE Act and stopping the distribution of the deadly abortion pill. In our ministry we are working hard every day to help moms and their babies and seniors who have been discarded by our society; we are asking you to please help us in that enormous but oh-so-critical mission. Thank you, Mr. President. CH
Dear Secretary Kennedy,
Thank you very much for opening an investigation into abortion pills. Unlike medicines which help diagnose, cure, or prevent disease, these pills kill innocent babies as well as endangering the lives and damaging the health of the mothers. Please continue to lead a thorough investigation to uncover and reveal the truth about abortion pills. As a Christian, I thank God for and pray for you. Thank you for seeing if the pills can at least be regulated if not banned. Thank you very much. Sincerely, IS
To Nate Grasz and the team at Nebraska Family Alliance who are continuing to fight the good fight,
Thank you is not adequate but, nevertheless, thank you for all you are doing to stand for righteousness in these days. God sees you as you honor Him. Thank you for continuing to seek Him for wisdom and discernment. He will continue before you, guide, and strengthen you as you serve Him. Thanks to His work through you, great things are happening in Nebraska. With love and respect. MR
Dear Tractor Supply,
I am so pleased that you changed your unfair DEI policies and got back to hiring people who are best at what they do. We have a Tractor Supply store near us and I will enjoy ending our boycott and going back to shopping there. Thanks again. Good move! CH
To Director Gabbard,
I want to thank you for your hard work in declassifying documents that demonstrate the high crimes that have been committed by our intelligence agencies against the American people and against President Trump. This is incredibly important work that you are doing and we can but imagine the fierce headwinds that oppose you -- spiritual and natural. I want you to know that I am very grateful and I pray for you regularly that you would have divine strategy and courage and guidance. I also pray that God will guard your heart soul and body. Regards, JM
Dear Disney/ABC,
Okay, so I do not watch your channels. Well, not since the days of Fess Parker portraying Davy Crockett anyway. And I suppose I still feel a bit disappointed because my sleeveless shirt didn’t fit the dress code of Disneyland back in 1968. However, it is now on grounds of morality that I will be speaking to family, friends, and fellow church members about the debased nature of your programs in recent years. I have cautioned folks before, but this most recent travesty was really over-the-top. I’m referring to the episode of Celebrity Family Feud in which profane innuendos were exchanged between the supposedly Christian host Steve Harvey and an all-transgender team who were trying to win money for prostitutes! Good grief! When I first heard of this, I figured it was some kind of spoof, something cooked up by SNL or the Babylon Bee. But alas, I discovered it was all too true.
And so, I will be encouraging my friends to drop ABC, drop Disney, drop any plans they might have had for your amusement parks and merchandise, and to pass the word along to others. Please reverse course. You have already shamed Mickey and Minnie and Goofy and all the rest by your bizarre actions, so please stop it. And reverse course. DH
Dear President Trump,
I want to thank you for your tireless efforts in the many areas that you are trying to build back America, including fighting against the satanic influences that are staining and endangering our country. We pray for you and your entire cabinet that God will bless your efforts. I especially applaud your support of Israel since they are the most obvious indicator that God is in control of history and that His plan (as shown in the Bible) is heading towards its ultimate climax. God bless you and your family. Ephesians 2:8-9 JL
To the John Deere Company,
This letter is to express my appreciation for your company’s decision to retreat from the DEI and LGBTQ foolishness you had been following. Your changed position will certainly prove to convince consumers that supporting your company once again is a good thing -- and it will result in financial success for your company as well. Thanks again. Respectfully, MW
Dear Secretary Hegseth,
Thank you very much for defending the United States. Especially thank you for supporting Israel, stopping Iran, and containing Russia. I’m a Christian and a Republican...and I pray for you and others in the government. Please continue to support a strong stand for our ally Israel and defend them against their enemies. Please also do what it takes to stop Putin in Ukraine. Thank you for stopping so many extreme terrorists and, in doing so, making the United States and the world a safer place. Sincerely, IS
Dear Vice-President Vance,
Thanks for your bold, inspirational leadership. You are providing our nation -- and the world -- the kind of honest, courageous, and relevant service we have so long needed. Stay the course!
A few of the issues that most concern me? Much stricter regulation of the abortion pill... the repeal of the FACE act...the diligent pursuit of lawbreakers including the lying schemers behind RussiaGate...the complete and permanent defunding of the mega-abortion corporation, Planned Parenthood...serving as the best advocate of persecuted Christians (both here and abroad)...and getting a real grip on the lawlessness that so sadly marks our nation nowadays. Thank you for your attention to these matters. DH
Dear AG Mike Hilgers,
I’m writing to express my concern over the sale of “gas station heroin” (7-hydroxymitragynine, aka 7-OH) in some retail outlets in our state. The incredible risks to our youth need to be addressed quickly. Thank you. JL
PS: I am also very opposed to abortion pills and their distribution in the state. What can be done about that?
Governor Pillen,
I have recently become aware of a new opioid threat to our community. 7-OH, a derivative of the kratom plant which is reportedly 13 times as potent as morphine! This product is sold and marketed to children in the form of candy flavored gummies. I’ve asked Attorney General Hilgers and want to ask you as well -- is there anything we can do about this product? The thought of our young people being harmed by this is just too much. I hope we can do something...and soon! Regards, JM
Texas Governor Greg Abbott,
Thanks for your strong leadership for conservative values and the rule of law in your state. It is so refreshing to have governors stand up to the whiny, America-belittling, America-blaming Democrats. Keep it up! We are praying for you. CH
Dear Mr. Lindstrom,
As citizens from the district you represented well when in the Nebraska Unicameral, we are very interested in your candidacy for Nebraska’s 2nd District in the U.S. Congress. However, we were disappointed that we were unable to find anywhere on your website a strong and clear statement regarding your pro-life position. Did we miss something? Or perhaps, are you missing something; namely, the chance to underscore your pro-life positions which we know would attract and energize the pro-life organizations, churches, and communities which will be necessary for your successful candidacy? Sincerely, DH
Dear Senator Fischer,
I wrote last week on behalf of Vital Signs Ministries here in Omaha, asking for your energetic support of the pro-life priorities which remain after the passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” -- the complete and permanent de-funding of the mega-abortion profiteer that is Planned Parenthood, repeal of the F.A.C. E. Act, a serious scaling back of the poisonous abortion drugs that are killing millions of preborn children as well as severely injuring so many of those children’s mothers, and increased conscience protection for those who refuse to perjure their souls by supporting in any way such blasphemous actions as abortion or sexual perversion.
Thank you, Senator Fischer, for your prayerful attention to those concerns.
However, I also wanted to send along my concerns about a few other important issues, issues that are of grave concern to conservatives across the nation. 1) Would you please co-sponsor and work for the passage of S.669, Disengaging Entirely From the United Nations Debacle Act of 2025 or the DEFUND Act of 2025.
And 2) Would you please join in the move to reverse the historical revisionism, leftist ideologies, and anti-religious trends which have marked the progressives’ control of the Smithsonian, the National Art Gallery, and the National Park Service?
Again, thank you.
As I said, however, we make it a regular part of our week to engage in a bit of “correspondence outreach” and, from time to time, I share examples here on Vital Signs Blog. Here are 3 of the latest. (And note -- When most relevant, I provide links to articles that give you fuller picture of the situation that prompted my letters.)
1) Dear Nebraska University,
Just a quick note to add my disappointment and protest of the contemptible bigotry demonstrated by the drag performance mocking the Catholic mass for which the university rewarded a doctoral degree from the Glenn Korff School of Music. Though not a Catholic, I find it deeply troubling for such an intentionally blasphemous program to be sponsored by the university.
Catholic group demands U. Nebraska ‘held accountable’ for drag show mocking Mass (Gabrielle Temaat, Catholic Fix)
2) Dear National Park Service,
Please stop the programs of ideological fix the foolish historical revisionism you’ve begun with the Mellon Foundation and others regarding as in the changes in the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. These plans, as currently expressed, show a terrible lack of concern for historical accuracy as well as for the good of the Republic.
But the second and most important truth relevant to the reportedly decreasing number of abortions is that the numbers of preborn children killed by poisonous drugs is soaring to unimaginable highs. Indeed, the most conservative estimates suggest that 60-70% of all abortions in America are via chemicals like RU-486 and the “morning after” pill. And that’s not even adding to the horrific total those preborn kids whose lives are ended by the abortifacient properties of the tragically misnamed birth-control pill. No, none of the children destroyed by these lethal poisons are being counted by health officials.
America’s downward trend in the surgical abortion rate over the last two decades involves several factors -- the effects of pro-life laws, the spread of pro-life education, the increased awareness of fetal development through ultrasound and fetal surgery, the compassionate work of pro-life pregnancy aid centers, and a greater spirit of compassion towards the innocent among today’s youth.
But, let’s face the truth, the primary reason the abortion statistics are down is because those numbers are cooked. The abortion industry (and its friends in the old guard media) are manipulating the math by ignoring altogether the means by which the majority of abortions now are committed. This not only provides cover for the chemical abortion industry, I’m afraid that it also provides false comfort to pro-life advocates. The sad, alarming fact is that our culture (as a whole) is no more interested in genuinely defending the sanctity of life than before the Dobbs decision.
What do we then do? Pray harder, light more lamps of truth to penetrate the ignorance and indifference of modern society, and keep working to provide compassion and justice so that abortions are understood by more and more citizens to be immoral, selfish, and cruel acts of violence against innocent preborn babies – whether the murder weapon be curette, suction machine, or poison pills.
For more information on this critical matter, I encourage you to check out:
* “The Real Emmanuel Moment” (This exposition of Scripture reveals one of the clearest, most compelling reasons why people should revere, appreciate, and protect human life from its very conception onwards. You’ll find it in the Articles Section of the Vital Signs Ministries website.
* “The New Abortionists: Chemical Abortion in Contemporary Culture” (Also to be found at the Vital Signs Ministries website, this is an illuminating interview with a highly acclaimed medical researcher and OB-GYN physician Dr. Tom Hilgers and a Vice-President of Pharmacists for Life.)
* “Views on Abortion From Church History” (Throughout its history, the Christian Church has vehemently opposed abortion as a heinous, pagan act of violence. These quotations forcefully illustrate this fact. But, important to note, most of the quotations demonstrate opposition to chemical abortion.)
* “Without Decisive Action Against The ‘Kill Pill,’ The Hard-Won Victory Of Dobbs Will Be Rendered Meaningless” (Tony Perkins, Harbinger’s Daily) This just published article is very enlightening and instructive.
Well, let’s hear from the apostle Paul:
“Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior...I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (I Timothy 2:1-3, 8) And...
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phillipians 4:6,7)
Well, there you go! This is why I have begun to occasionally post prayer targets relevant to our cultural moment. (See Vital Signs Blog posts “For the Watchmen on the Walls: Prayer and Advocacy Priorities for 2025” (December 13); “After the Election -- Round 2 (Including My Top 10 Pro-Life Requests of the New Administration)” (November 21); and “After the Sigh of Relief: 7 Post-Election Observations” (November 8) as examples.)
To join me in this prayer project takes only a minute or two -- just about the time it takes to read through the list. So, now that you get the idea, I hope you’ll join me in this prayer opportunity.
* The Islamic jihadists and the Communists are stepping up their violent persecution of Your Church, Lord. Please stay the hands of the wicked even as You pour out Your abundant grace and power upon Your people. Also, we entreat You to push back the increasing attacks on Your people in the West too.
* Revelations of just how odious and corrupt the Deep State has become continue to shock and alarm Americans. Lord Jesus, as You cleansed the Jerusalem Temple of malevolent men, please clean out the “bad guys” working on America’s destruction from the secret, sorted halls of power. Bring to light the darkness and decadence of these villains. And rally more and more citizens (especially church leaders) to oppose the demonic schemes of this Deep State.
* As if the Russia/Ukraine war wasn’t enough...and the evil machinations of Iran and other Arab terrorists against Israel were not enough...and the saber rattling of such evil regimes as China and North Korea were not enough --- now we have India firing missiles at terrorists in Pakistan! Dear Father God, bring peace to our troubled world. Most of all, we pray that the Prince of Peace Himself will enter the hearts of many, many people as they see the effects of sin in the world and turn to Jesus Christ in repentance and saving faith.
* Freedom of speech is under terrible attack not only in Communist and Islamic nations, but even in places like the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada. Lord, please clear the paths of freedom and come strong against the father of lies who is so intently fighting against truth -- truth of any sort and any degree -- being broadcast. And, speaking of lies...Lord, please dismantle the “establishment media” and especially let Your people begin to connect to healthy, honest news sources.
* Thank You Lord for the increased revelations about the squalor, illegality, meanness, and barbaric bloodshed practiced by Planned Parenthood. Please bring these strongholds of abortion to total ruin. And bring the lies that are promoting and protecting the killing of our preborn kids (including those dying horrific deaths by cruel and poisonous pills) ever more to the devastating light of Your truth.
I want to again express my ongoing appreciation for your principled efforts to “make America great again.” You have shown the United States -- and the world -- just how absolutely inept and corrupt has been the Deep State.
More important, you have boldly, patriotically taken the first steps to bring us out of that dismal swamp. Yes, the despots who inhabit that malevolent morass are desperately fighting back, but we are among the millions who are praying that you stay the course...and that even more Americans (including Democrats) will awaken to the critical cultural war that is directed against you and your team. Don’t give up, Mr. President. Stay the course and may God weaken the hands that would keep our nation in bondage to “the baronial bureaucracy” and tinpot judges.
Let me also use this brief note to make 3 appeals -- two of them quite serious and the other related to your service as Director of the Kennedy Center. Here they are:
1) Would you please increase your efforts to defund Planned Parenthood? And please do so ASAP!
2) Please know that Nebraska conservatives are greatly embarrassed by our 2nd District Congressman’s sudden desperation to be petted by the “cool kids” of the establishment press. His petty, naive, and poorly presented criticisms of you and your administration’s efforts to right the ship of state have been odious. We apologize for him. However, I do ask that you mark Don Bacon as one of those sort-of Republicans who need a strong conservative opponent to face him in the next primary.
3) Okay, about the Kennedy Center matter. What about a program celebrating the recent collaboration with Marty Stuart’s unparalleled collection of country music memorabilia and the Country Music Hall of fame? It was a truly noble and historic action on Stuart’s part and it would make an excellent opportunity to show off this all-American genre of music. Why not bring to Washington, D.C a celebration that would feature Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives alongside with such other beloved performers as George Strait, Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton, and the Oak Ridge Boys?
That’s it for now, Mr. President. And again, hang in there. America -- and the world that would be free -- are counting on you!
Just a quick list of a few of the reasons I am writing you this morning...
* As you know, Senator, Planned Parenthood is NOT a charity nor is it an honest health care provider. It is, in fact, a mega-abortion profiteer which not only charges women for barbarically destroying their preborn children but which also sucks in an almost unbelievable flood of dollars from federal and state governments.
* Indeed, more than 1/3 of Planned Parenthood’s millions come from American taxpayers. And that amount is more than $2,000,000 a day!
* The scandal of Planned Parenthood’s lack of integrity and quality care is increasing as more women are maimed and even killed by shoddy and callous abortionists. My goodness, even the New York Times has begun to report on the botched abortions, the IUDs implanted in pregnant women, the delays in calling for emergency medical care when their patients are in life-threatening distress, and so on.
* And those vast amounts of money that Planned Parenthood draws isn’t going to help women. It is instead going to further the efforts of the Democrat party. Oh yes, except for the money needed for the exorbitant salaries of their leadership. Case in point? Planned Parenthood CEO Alexis McGill Johnson’s yearly salary of $904,014.
Senator Fisher, as a dependable friend of the pro-life movement, you know this is the best chance the nation has had in many years to defund Planned Parenthood. So, let’s get this thing done, okay? Thank you.
Most sincerely,
I write this morning with a polite appeal for you to spend less time and effort on criticizing President Trump’s long overdue actions to save the Republic and instead pursue with greater dedication the conservative goals you have promised your constituency over the years. Yes, I know you might be enjoying these new opportunities to make a small splash with the liberal media by playing the contrarian to President Trump, but the tone and timing of your criticisms have been a very sad disappointment to those of us who have enthusiastically supported you in the past.
We certainly wish you would concentrate less on being popular with the cool kids of the discredited “old guard” media and more on de-funding the mega-abortion profiteer Planned Parenthood, better protecting voter integrity and efficiency, and helping the President overcome the attacks of far-left judges in his attempt to make America more prosperous, more free, and more safe.
And, before I close this letter, may I quickly return to my request for greater involvement on your part on the pro-life issues that you have publicly pledged support for in the past. We would like to see inspiring, efficient leadership on this front. Why not take some of these new media opportunities to champion the cause of preborn boys and girls? Also, I note (again with disappointment) that you have declined to co-sponsor several very important pro-life measures in the current Congress. Among those have been H.R. 7 (No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2025), H.R. 272 (Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2025), H.R.589 (FACE Act Repeal Act of 2025), and H.R.682 (Heartbeat Protection Act of 2025). Let’s remedy that oversight this week, okay?
Most sincerely,
You'll be able to see several of the letter recipients (and issues) as you read a few of the notes I randomly plucked from the pile today. We are hoping they inspire you to write a few yourselves. Indeed, we know of several who do that and Pat has already come by for his target sheet, address sheet, and a few cards. (By the way, that updated address sheet will be on the VSM website by the time the snow starts falling this evening.)
President Trump,
Thank you for what you are doing for our country in regard to our border, cutting spending, religious liberty, working for peace with Ukraine and Russia, supporting Israel, and promoting the sanctity of life. I pray for you to grow in your relationship with God, for your safety, for your success in leading the country. I believe God has protected you for a reason. Look to him! May the Lord bless you and keep you. (HG)
Governor Pillen,
Just another quick word of thanks for your principled, enthusiastic, and effective leadership of the pro-life cause here in Nebraska. Also your defense of religious freedom and gender sanity and economic growth is of tremendous effect as well. And hearing you rise up and thank President Trump at that Governor’s gathering a couple of weeks ago was terrific! Stay the course. (D&CH)
Dear State Senator DeBoer,
I’m writing in support of LB 655 which would protect health care professionals from being forced to perform services that violate their consciences...Forcing anyone to act in a manner inconsistent with strongly held beliefs is demeaning to that person and foreshadows a totalitarian state. Thank you for your consideration and support of LB655. (TK)
Vice-President Vance,
Congratulations on your attaining the high vocation of U.S. Vice-President. I have every confidence that you will do a fine job to help the people of our country, especially with your principles learned from your past experiences. I feel confident that you will continue to place your faith in God. As you do so, much will be accomplished. I especially appreciate your firm pro-life stand, recognizing the sanctity of all human life from womb to tomb. May I now mention a few items of serious concern to me as I ask for your influence and example to impact these things? Defunding Planned Parenthood, NPR, PBS, and USAID; promoting fairness and non-discrimination; preventing voter fraud and government waste, and promoting adoption. God bless you and your work, Mr. Vice-President and I will be praying for you. I believe you are the right man. (JK)
Mr. Jelinek,
Good grief! What is Costco doing in refusing to change their racist DEI policy? It has been proven over and over that DEI policies are unfair, counter-productive, and demeaning to those that they “aim” to serve. As a Costco member (for a little while – let’s see how quickly you come around to following federal policies), I urge you to please turn DEI off ASAP. You do a lot of things right...but not this one! (CH)
HHS Secretary Kennedy,
Congratulations on your confirmation. We look forward to policies that will help ensure better health for our nation’s population. But could I now be so bold as to suggest a couple of specific items? 1) Defund Planned Parenthood. Their primary business is promoting abortion. I object to my tax dollars being used for this despicable purpose. 2) The abortion drug RU-486 should be banned (but at the very least, it should not be able to be “prescribed” over the phone). These drugs are not safe for the women and, of course, they are deadly to a preborn child. Thank you for your consideration. (JM)
Dear Mr. Musk,
Just a quick word of thanks for the powerful and persuasive case you are making that fiscal responsibility by the U.S. government IS possible -- but only IF we get deadly serious about eliminating the waste, the criminal fraud, and the ideologically inspired theft of taxpayer dollars. Please keep cutting! (DH)
Sandy and the Nebraska Right to Life team,
You guys are doing such a noble and critical work -- and you’re doing it with integrity, skill, compassion, and diligence. We are continually impressed and grateful. Keep looking up for God is our strength and our reward. Stay the course. (D&CH)
Dear Defense Secretary Hegseth,
Congratulations on your appointment to this important position in President Donald Trump’s new administration. I have enjoyed watching you and the progress of your work on Newsmax. I am thanking the Lord for your hard work, long hours, and your courage to tackle it all. Proverbs 4:7 -- “The beginning of wisdom is to acquire wisdom and with all your possessions, acquire understanding.” (DP)
Dear Senator,
I’m writing to ask you to support LB 669 to strengthen Nebraska’s informed consent laws to protect women and girls. I would also ask you to support LB 557 and support LB427 -- both bills would expand education options for children and their families. I would add a request that you support L213 which would regulate require human embryology to be taught as part of the state’s basic science curriculum. Finally, I would ask that you support LB 655 to protect medical professionals’ conscience concerns. Thank you for your service. Many regards. (JM)
To the group once proudly and fondly known as the Boy Scouts,
Poor Sir Baden-Powell would be turning in his grave to know how the Boy Scouts have become so embarrassed by Judeo-Christian moral standards and the noble ideals of principled, chivalric masculinity that they changed their name, changed their very purposes, invited girls into the boy’s clubhouse, and even went so far down as to introduce young, impressionable boys to the influence homosexual “scout leaders.” How terribly, terribly tragic. (DH)
President Trump,
Thank you for your stand on the sanctity of human life and all the other things you are doing for our country. I know you take a beating but you are a strong man to take all that flak from people who hate all that our country stands for. May God bless you. My husband and I pray frequently for your safety and well-being. Continue in life and good works. (CM)
Dear Christianity Today,
I chose this card because it reminded me of the high cliff your publication has already fallen from! Indeed, your compromise with the sadly-misnamed progressive culture has not only cost you your self-respect, your influence, and your eternal rewards. It has also cost you the lion’s share of your readership. Your numbers continue to drop and it’s now discovered that you’re only getting by with government money! From what I read the most recent numbers suggest that about 19% of CT’s income came through U.S. taxpayer money funneled through the now-infamous USAID. Good grief. Like so many on the left, you're only speaking now to your own dwindling group. And yet you continue to pay exorbitant salaries to your execs. Good grief. Be sure that I will be spreading the word. (DH)
Nebraska State Senator Arch,
Thank you for being our senator. There are several bills coming up that I hope you will support. LB 669 -- informed consent and screening for human trafficking. LB 633 -- school choice and education. LB 213 -- teaching human development as part of the science curriculum. LB 709 -- making adoption more affordable. LB 5O4 -- dealing with online platforms in a way that would limit harmful content and provide parental controls. And finally, LB 655 -- protecting healthcare providers from being forced to go against their conscience beliefs. Again, thank you for serving. I would like to hear how you plan to vote on these matters. (HG)
Dear Senator Ricketts,
Congratulations on your reelection. It is heartening to have such a strong supporter of life in the U.S. Senate representing the state of Nebraska. Thank you so much. I would like to ask you to advocate and support all efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and to support all efforts to ban (at the very least limit the damages being caused to preborn babies and their moms) abortifacient drugs like RU-486. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” (JM)
Congressman Bacon,
We have certainly been disappointed in recent weeks with your knee-jerk criticism of President Trump's critical (and decades overdue) efforts to shine a light on and put a stop to the massive waste, criminal fraud, and ideologically-motivated theft of American taxpayer dollars taking place inside the deep state bureaucracy. Instead, Congressman Bacon, we would like to see you being more courageous and diligent in championing key conservative issues instead allowing the unacceptable status quo to continue. (DH)
(Of course, we encourage your letters and emails of a similar nature.)
A Jan. 22 Open Letter
Dear President Trump,
You are making America stronger and fairer and more efficient -- and doing it with much needed speed. Thank you, Mr. President. (Yes, it’s terrific to be able to say that again!) We will continue in our frequent and fervent prayers for you, your family, and your efforts to make America great again.
And, to that noble end, Mr. President, we would like to urge you (on this the anniversary of Roe v Wade) to quickly enact the following policies -- each one representing a key priority for the reversal of the Biden administration’s wicked worship of abortion.
1) The immediate release of all pro-life advocates who the Biden administration had thrown in jail because they dared pray in front of an abortion mill.
2) The defunding of Planned Parenthood.
3) The reinstatement of the Mexico City policy and the cutting off of all other funding to anti-life agencies and programs.
We have so appreciated your quick, decisive moves to move our nation back from the brink of disaster to which the Biden administration had brought it. But, Mr. President, please now mark these 3 items as immediate priorities as well.
Thank you.
1) The presence of peaceful, prayerful pro-life advocates outside an abortion clinic has a profound and ongoing effect on those with abortion appointments, on the abortionist and his/her employees, on the people walking or driving by the business. It provides effective (and memorable) messages regarding the wrongness of abortion, the availability of alternatives, and the offer of forgiveness of abortion sins through the mercy of Christ’s gospel.
2) A pro-life witness outside an abortion business means that men and women -- even those who ultimately decide to commit the abortion -- will forever remember that someone was there to plead with them, “No, don’t do this. Please let us help you and your baby.” They will retain in the memory of their abortion experience that someone was standing up for their child…and for the mother herself -- for her spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being. Such memories provide a persuasive incentive for repentance, to seek forgiveness and healing from the God Who delivered His Son to die for mankind’s sins.
3) Being regularly at an abortion clinic and coming face to face with the persons availing themselves of the demonic opportunities for child sacrifice fuels, as nothing else can, one’s commitment to fight against abortion on all other fronts. Political action? Spiritual intercession? Crisis pregnancy work? Pro-life education? Chastity campaigns? Efforts to de-fund Planned Parenthood? Medical ministries? Use of the arts to rebuild a culture of life, love, and justice?
All of these (and more) are profoundly stimulated by a person’s being there at the very doors of death, being regularly reminded by just what the stakes are in this fight.
4) Pro-lifers outside abortion mills save lives by dissuading people from aborting their children...even when they are not aware of their impact. For instance, a winsome pro-life witness challenges the consciences of would-be abortion clients, oftentimes encouraging them to forego their appointment and drive on home. Even clients inside the place will sometimes change their minds and leave. And, of course, among the dozens or hundreds or thousands who drive by and see peaceful protestors who carry beautiful pictures of babies and signs with such kindhearted messages as “Choose Life,” “Mother and Child: Love Them Both,” and “Life: What a Beautiful Choice,” there will be countless numbers of people who will be moved to reconsider their opinions on abortion. Do you not expect that the Lord carefully tends those seeds of truth thus sown? Do you doubt that people will take what they’ve seen and heard into future meditations, conversations, and especially, abortion temptations? Oh yes; the presence of pro-life advocates outside a place where preborn boys and girls are barbarically destroyed will provide illumination and spiritual conviction that goes far beyond what we can imagine.
5) Because my honor as a Christian is at stake. Where such brazen, violent injustice is occurring, how can I refuse the opportunity to testify against it? Think about it -- what does it mean to the reputation of the Church (not to mention her sense of moral priority) if children are brutally murdered in our neighborhoods without us even raising our voices in principled protest? How much is our evangelism and discipleship tarnished and weakened if we do not take seriously such charges as Jeremiah 22:3 and Isaiah 1:16-17: “Thus says the LORD, ‘Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.’” And “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean. Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Reprove the ruthless. Defend the orphan. Plead for the widow.”
Fewer and fewer American Christians bother nowadays to go in front of abortion mills to pray and give pro-life witness. That is an ominous warning of how far we have been cowed by the world around us. We have become indifferent, callous, distracted, and wimpy. Nevertheless, the grace of God remains available to us all -- grace that forgives and cleanses, grace that yields wisdom and strength, grace that yet can bring personal and cultural revolution.
Our marching orders are quite clear. We read them in the Scriptures already listed. And we read them in many others, like Psalm 82:3,4: “Vindicate the weak and fatherless. Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” And Proverbs 24: 11,12: “Deliver those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.” And James 1:27: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
Giving public witness to the sanctity of life in this darkened and depraved culture is certainly not an easy thing. But it remains extremely high in the values expressed by our Lord. And that’s why we do it...and why, by the grace of God, we will continue to do it.
Wanna’ come along and join us?
Dear Santa,
Season’s greetings, my old friend. Please know that you remain in my highest regards for your ongoing generosity to mankind. While others may forget your good and noble work, I never shall. Anyhow, here is my “Santa letter” for this year. What I most want for Christmas this year, dear sir, may be beyond even your North Pole magic but I’ve pared down my requests to just three things. And they aren’t entirely self-centered items. Indeed, they are things that are certainly directed for the common good. Here we go.
1) I would like government funds to the mega-abortion corporation Planned Parenthood to be completely eliminated. Yes, de-fund the ravenous beast altogether. For crying out loud, Santa, this is a multi-million dollar profiteer that brazenly kills preborn boys and girls, zealously promotes and enables promiscuity and, in a dozen other ways, contributes to the decadence of American culture.
2) I would like serious actions taken to protect America’s democracy from voter fraud. Mr. Claus, America desperately needs to purge the voter registration rolls of the illegal, the fake, and the dead. We need voter I.D. laws, fair and effective voting machines, non-partisan oversight, harsh penalties for vote fraud crooks, and tough enforcement of all of these.
3) I’m also writing you, Santa, with a request for an American renaissance in which America’s lawmakers and opinion leaders will once again be proud of the U.S. Constitution, proud and grateful enough that they will teach it, defend it, and promote it. I am especially desirous that our representatives implement the Constitution’s protection of the freedoms of religion, speech, and association.
Please Santa, I’m deeply appreciative of all the wonderful presents you’ve given me over the years (I especially remember the Willie Mays fielder’s glove in 1960!), but this year I’m asking for you to please concentrate on these three wishes.
Sincerely,
Denny
P.S. Of course, Santa, if you do have a little extra time -- and know that these “extras” I'll now mention are, like the others, not just for myself, but for the good of the whole Western world -- see what you and the elves can do about getting the U.S. borders secure, removing us from the U.N., shutting down the outlandishly bloated and counter-productive Education Department, and cleaning out the fetid Augean Stables which make up the Deep State.
And about that second document? Here’s Santa’s note to the political representatives which he attached to mine before sending it along to President-elect Trump, several of his nominees to Cabinet positions, Governor Pillen, Senators Fischer and Ricketts, Congressmen Bacon, and a few others.
Dear -----------,
I am redirecting this letter to you as it is more in line with your responsibilities than mine. However, I pass it along with two personal notations.
First, I can vouch for the character of the letter’s author -- at least to the extent that he has maintained a firm place on my “Nice” list ever since his conversion to Christianity way back in 1970.
Thank you for your consideration of Denny’s very important matters,
Sincerely,
S. Claus
(Editor’s note. The above were adapted from a post I wrote at Christmastime 2012.)
