Mail Order Abortion
Mail order abortions are at the center of a legal spat once again this week after two notable court decisions. First, on Friday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Louisiana and restricted the dispensing of Mifepristone—the first of a two-part drug regime used for at-home abortions—to patients seen in-person. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court paused enforcement of that ruling until it could further consider whether to take up the case. This most recent order temporarily restores mail order access to the abortion drug, but the Court is expected to weigh in further after a May 11 deadline.
Redistricting Wars
It may soon be easier to list which states are not in a redistricting debate rather than those that are after a new avenue for re-drawing congressional district maps opened this week. The new branch in this debate stems from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that immediately enforces a narrower application of the Voting Rights Act and allows Louisiana to redraw its congressional map ahead of the midterm elections. The ruling opens the way for several additional states to attempt to redraw their maps based on the new criteria for the Act.
Strait Clashes
War is ugly. The most obvious impact is on life and limb, but as this story underscores, it also makes its mark on the economy and the everyday life of people all around the world. Because of the global nature of today’s market, especially when it comes to oil and energy, the impact of the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is as close as your nearest gas station.
The Declarer
You, my friend, are the Declarer! While it is God’s glory that is to be spread to the nations, and while it is His marvelous deeds that will be told to all people, it is you who will tell of them! It is from your lips that these magnificent Truths are to be made known! It is by way of your declarations that God’s perfect and holy mission and mandate will be realized!
Drawing Lines
In the latest installment of a redistricting battle between red and blue states, the Virginia Supreme Court will soon decide whether to allow a redrawing of congressional lines recently approved by Virginia voters.
The King's Visit
It has been 250 years since America declared its independence from Britain, and while the relationship between the two countries has ebbed and flowed in the time since, King Charles’ visit is intended to bolster the ties and celebrate the significant milestone.
Attempted Assassination
Left to its own accord, the current violence and discord is certain to continue and even to escalate. But if we will be a people drawn to humility and prayer, the everlasting God will hear us from on high and will indeed come to calm the storm.
Shreveport Shooting
As you pray for the hurting in Shreveport, commit anew to the daily renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2) and make intentional decisions about the portfolio of news you consume. These proactive measures will help you heed both the greatest commandment to love God with everything you have and the second greatest commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39).
Senseless Act
I do not know what tragedies are part of your story. But I do know there are some. It is the reality of our existence in these temporary bodies. But no matter the details, God has a plan that is greater than the circumstances in which you find yourself. The enemy of your soul came to “steal and kill and destroy,” but your God came to give you life “to the full” (Jn. 10:10)!
Your story has tragedy in it. But your story is wrapped up in His story, and the end of it has been written. You will cry no more (Rev. 21:4), and you will reign with Him forever (2 Tim. 2:12)!
Does Evangelicalism Produce Soft Men?
Christian parents ought to be prepared to eviscerate everything that contributes to the production of soft-cubicle men rather than leaders. Instead, Evangelicals should encourage boys to engage in necessary conflict, take risks, flee safety, and learn to fight for something more enduring than another deposit in their 401(k).
Ship Seized
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is incredibly complex with numerous moving parts. This week also produced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and it is highly likely that subsequent weeks will also have multiple occurrences with a mix between those that bring peace closer and those that push it further away.
Through it all, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb. 12:2)! He is preparing you a place where war is no more, and where the wolf and the lamb live together (Is. 11:6; 65:25)!
Blockade
War is ugly. As we continue to encounter new aspects of this truth, we continue to pray as a community for those in harm’s way and for those shouldering wartime decision making responsibilities. May God grant them wisdom and all of us a lasting peace.
Return Home
Earth is small and your time on it short. Mankind has only just barely explored beyond the moon, leaving our understanding of creation microscopically small. Eternity, on the other hand, is limitless, and creation vast beyond expression. One day you will know it all in full (1 Cor. 13:12), and it is impossible to describe just how much that will entail!
Ben Sasse’s Road to Golgotha and the End of All of Our Exploring
Ben Sasse is rapidly approaching where he and we began, as he reaches the end of all his exploring, with full knowledge that God created the heavens and the earth. Knowing where we began helps us discover who we really are: little more than a mist in the face of eternity.
Forced Retirements
Matthew 7 reminds us to take personal stock of our own lives and reputation. What fruit is born out of your life? Does it contribute to the health and wellbeing of your community? “Every good tree bears good fruit,” so take a good look in the mirror of your life today? Where is there good fruit, and where is there a need for the cultivation of good fruit?
On the Clock
You are on the clock. But when you reach the arms of Jesus, time no longer has any hold, and He will be everything you need. In the meantime, my friend, as long as there is breath in your lungs, run well!
Birthright Citizenship at the High Court
Our hearts should be inclined toward, and our energies focused on, the eternal condition of every person—citizen and foreigner—we encounter. While our earthly citizenship and legal status is of some significance, we are each traveling to an eternal home and our status in that place is of far greater consequence (Philip. 3:20)!
The Supreme Court Upholds Christian Therapist’s Challenge to Colorado’s Ban on Conversion Therapy
On the Supreme Court’s view, Colorado is engaged in a naked application of its power in a way that shrinks Chiles’ viewpoint and diminishes her speech rights in contravention of the First Amendment of the Constitution. Put differently, Colorado regulates Ms. Chiles' expression while declining to regulate the speech of counselors with which the state agrees.
Under the Wire
God, may you grant wisdom in these deliberations that determine life-or-death for so many, and may you soften hearts in a way that creates and enables a path to lasting peace. We will give you glory for the miracle of that outcome.
Social Media Verdicts
Who (or what) is getting the first fruits of your attention? Who or what do you turn to when your mind finally has a chance to rest (translation: restore)? Are you rooted in all that is true and beautiful (Philip. 4:8) or does the scroll capture your every in-between moment? It is a hard thing to consider, but one each of us must seriously contemplate it.