Author: Nathan Cherry
The video posted below is breathtaking. This video is a visualization of what the process of conception all the way through birth looks like. While the process may not look exactly like this in every case, there is no doubt that the accuracy of the process has been captured. And, if you pay attention to the words used to describe the various stages, the author of this film uses the word baby to describe the life being formed.
Here’s some additional facts visualized through this video:
24 hours: the baby’s first division
25 days: heart chamber is developing
32 days: arms and hands are developing
36 days: Most rapid development – if the baby continued to grow at this speed for the entire 9 months, it would be 1.5 tons at birth
45 days: baby’s heartbeat is twice as fast at the mother’s
52 days: developing retina, nose and fingers
The baby’s continual movement in the womb is necessary for muscular and skeletal growth
9 months: baby has 60,000 miles of vessels bringing nutrients and taking waste away
Birth: mystery, magic and miracle.
Take a few moments to watch this incredible video and then share it with others so they can be awed by the miracle of life and the humanity of the unborn. If the video doesn’t appear automatically, please refresh your browser. Click here for original article.
The Definition of Marriage is More Than A Defintion
Posted on January 10, 2014 in Family, Marriage by Nathan Cherry
The definition of marriage is not just an arbitrary conglomeration of words with no meaning. But that is exactly what those seeking to redefine marriage are trying to make it. Opponents of traditional marriage believe the definition is too narrow and exclusive, so they are seeking to broaden the definition in order to be more inclusive.
The problem is that by broadening the definition of marriage, these self-titled liberals and progressives would also erase any actual or perceived definition of marriage. Marriage is inherently the union of one man and one woman for one lifetime. For example, the Webster online dictionary defines marriage thus:
Pro Life Winning: More Life Laws in 2011-2013 Than Previous Decade
Posted on January 9, 2014 in Life by Nathan Cherry
A recent report by the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute says that more pro-life laws have been passed in the last three years, 2011-2013, than in the previous decade.
The info-graphic shown here puts the numbers into clear focus. The single greatest year for pro-life laws was 2011, followed by 2013.
Lifenews.com shares comments from the Guttmacher Institute report:
“This legislative onslaught has dramatically changed the landscape for women needing abortion. In 2000, the two states that were the most restrictive in the nation, Mississippi and Utah, had five of 10 major types of abortion restrictions in effect (see Appendix). By 2013, however, 22 states had five or more restrictions, and Louisiana had 10.”
Christianity Is A Myth Without These Four Words (Part 2)
Posted on January 9, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
The Theological Context:
From a theological, or doctrinal standpoint these words mean absolutely everything. Our entire Bible is written under the authority and inspiration of God.
2 Timothy 3:16 says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
God, through the Holy Spirit inspired the authorship of the Bible. So if God wrote the Bible then we must first understand that before the Bible existed, God existed. God predates all things, history, time, theology, and the Bible. Our theology is based on God. Our doctrine is founded upon God. Without first understanding that God is the author of all things, our study of Scripture, theology, and doctrine is worthless.
Ministry to Abortion Clinic Workers Seeing Results
Posted on January 8, 2014 in Life by Nathan Cherry
Abby Johnson is well known around the country for leaving her position at a Texas Planned Parenthood and blowing the whistle on illegal activity at the clinic. But she didn’t stop here. Johnson started a ministry called “And Then There Were None” in 2012 to reach out to abortion clinic workers. Her goal as simply to help them, if they desired, to quit their job at the abortion clinic and find life-affirming work elsewhere.
A recent article shares the success of Johnson’s efforts since her ministry began in June of 2012:
Christianity Is A Myth Without These Four Words (Part 1)
Posted on January 8, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
Suppose we wanted to preach through the entire Bible. We decided that we wanted to preach through every chapter, every verse, in every book of the entire Bible. That would be a great idea and one that would benefit us in many ways.
Some might suggest we start with a book like John. Here we would learn about Jesus, not as a lion, ox, or an eagle, as in the synoptic Gospels; but as a perfect man. John’s Gospel teaches us how we can know that we have eternal life and gives us a picture of the man Jesus unlike any other book of the Bible. But we can’t start here. If we started here we would be wondering why Jesus, God in flesh, is on the earth. Why did this God-man come to earth and walk around in a body of flesh and bone. Why did He heal people, suffer, and die on a cross. If we start in John we end up with more questions than answers. We can’t start in John.
ObamaCare HHS Mandate Destroyed in Court
Posted on January 7, 2014 in Life, Public Policy by Nathan Cherry
The Obama administration continues to trump its HHS mandate which forces all people and employers to provide and help pay for abortion inducing drugs and services. They might be the only ones however. Based on the 2013 court cases, the administration is getting walloped and the HHS mandate is suffering setbacks and defeats one right after the other. A recent report by Alliance Defending Freedom breaks it all down:
“2013 proved to be a bad year for the Obama administration’s abortion pill mandate, which finished the year with 88 percent of court decisions going against it (53-7). Alliance Defending Freedom and its allied attorneys are currently winning their cases by a wide margin, with court orders going 15-1 against the mandate. Courts issued a flurry of orders against the mandate even in the waning days of the year, including orders in Alliance Defending Freedom cases filed on behalf of non-profit Christian colleges and universities in California, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. The score in favor of non-profit religious entities is 18-1; the score in favor of families doing business is 35-6.”
It seems Americans and courts are not nearly as excited about the HHS mandate as the Obama administration is. At some point common sense would dictate that the mandate be scrapped and replaced with something more acceptable to a majority of Americans. If not, the Obama administration will continue to lose in courts and look foolish to the American public.
A Hurried Life is Hard on a Family
Posted on January 7, 2014 in Family by Nathan Cherry
There’s an old saying I’ve heard all my life which says, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” This sly strategy has effectively rendered the life of many Christians null and void. While inspiring authors like John Piper say “Don’t Waste your Life,” and visionary pastors like David Platt call us to be “Radical,” and respected leaders like Francis Chan push us toward a “Crazy Love” for God; Satan pushes us toward the breaking point with calendars so full they rival presidents and pop stars. Click here for 5 characteristics of a hurried life.
To say that we are “hurried” is perhaps a great understatement; hurried would be an improvement for most people today. Between strenuous workloads for mom and dad that produce less and cost more, school activities, community activities, sports, fund raisers, and the typical errands of life; we are far more than “hurried.”
And sadly, many people don’t see the hidden dangers of their hurried lives; or the consequences a hurried life has on children. Most notably is the negative effect on family a hurried life produces as each member of the family becomes a “ship in the night” passing by daily without more than a few minutes of interaction. In fact, one recent article I read says that in the very near future new homes won’t even include a dining room because they will be considered “unnecessary.” Yet we read in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 that one of the main times of teaching our kids occurs when we “sit down in our house” to eat. Click here to read about how to lead even when life gets busy.
Planned Parenthood Has An App for Your Kids. Be Warned
Posted on January 6, 2014 in Life, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
Planned Parenthood is the world’s largest abortion business. Their primary goal, despite what they say and try to convince the public of, is to kill as many unborn children as they can. This can be seen in their own service reports as abortion is by far the largest service performed by Planned Parenthood. But they also want to “educate” kids about sex. So Planned Parenthood has created an app to do just that. A recent article explains:
“…we have learned of the Planned Parenthood cell phone app for 12-year-olds that sends the message that ‘having sex feels good.’ If you don’t believe this incredible piece of news, go to the Planned Parenthood Facebook page and read about it for yourselves – that is if you can stand to wade through the stuff that I honestly think is Grade A pornography masquerading as education and humor.”
Of course the message is not the problem, it’s the audience. Why does a 12 year-old need to know about sex and how good it feels? Do we want our 12 year-olds having sex? Oh wait, if 12-year-olds have sex they will need condoms, birth control and other contraceptives. And if something goes wrong they will need Plan B drugs and abortions. What do you know, Planned Parenthood offers all of those “services.”
Now you can see how dangerous Planned Parenthood and their gutter morality can be. Be warned, this is not an app you want for your kids.
My 2014 Resolution is to Disappear Into Anonymity
Posted on January 6, 2014 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
The goal foremost in my mind for 2014 is to disappear as completely as possible and retreat into relative anonymity.
Let me explain.
One of the most deceptive and dangerous temptations this world has to offer is fame. People will go to the greatest, or at times the silliest, length to acquire any amount of fame possible. It’s almost as if people are willing to endure a life of fame for silly, absurd, or even rude behavior than to live content in anonymity. Reality television has proven humanities desire for fame knows no bounds.