An Open Letter to Paxton Smith

Dear Miss Smith:

This past Thursday, I learned about your valedictory address that went viral. While many people commended you for speaking against the new Texas law banning abortions as early as six weeks after conception, I have a differing viewpoint. Hopefully, you are open-minded enough to read this.

First, let me point out I’m a Christian who once leaned towards a pro-choice stance. Radical pro-life advocates who harassed and killed abortion practitioners repelled me from their cause. Then one day, I saw a picture of a little girl whose arm got cut off from an attempted abortion. The back of this flyer had illustrations of a fetus killed during an abortion procedure. That convinced me abortion is taking the lives of innocent human beings. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend watching the movie “Unplanned.”

Those in favor of abortion talk about “women’s rights.” What about the baby’s rights? It’s not the mother’s body cut to pieces during an abortion procedure. That fetus is a separate person. How would you feel if your mother had aborted you?

God forbid, I don’t want to see any woman raped. But every child has a divine destiny regardless of the circumstances of their birth. Did you know there have been famous people conceived in rape like Jesse Jackson and Ethel Waters? I once met a minister’s wife who was the offspring of a rapist. Jeri and her late husband Steve Hill traveled to numerous countries and impacted many lives.

Contrary to your claim, pregnancies are detectable within six weeks. One obvious sign is missing a period. If you ever have an unplanned pregnancy and not in a position to raise that child, you could choose life by giving him/her up for adoption. Again, think of the child’s life. Think about the couples who want children but cannot conceive on their own. Think of the blessing your unplanned child could be to them. Many adoptive parents would be willing to cover hospitalization and other expenses.

I wish you the best in your future. I pray the Lord Jesus Christ becomes the center of it.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” - Jeremiah 1:5

Suicide is Not a Solution

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield often joked that he got no respect. One of his famous one-liners was, “I called suicide prevention…they put me on hold.”

In real life, suicide is no laughing matter. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, each year more than 32,000 Americans take their own lives. This past January, an eight-year-old boy in Cincinnati hung himself with a necktie in his bedroom. This happened two days after he was attacked in a school bathroom.

I can relate to people who contemplate ending their lives. During eighth grade, I experienced much name-calling and physical abuse from my classmates. Going to school had become so traumatic I wanted to die. If my father had a gun, I probably would have shot myself. I considered swallowing poison but fortunately was too scared to follow through with that.

A couple of months before giving my life to the Lord in 1991, I was driving on the freeway one night when suddenly I had recurring thoughts of taking my own life. Two days later, I ended up meeting a woman God used to get me back into church. Eventually, I realized those suicidal thoughts were a demonic attack.

There are people in the Bible who struggled with the will to live. Elijah and Jonah both wanted to die after experiencing disappointments with their ministries. While they went on to do the work of the Lord, other characters in the Bible ultimately committed suicide…

• King Saul drifted away from God, lost a key battle, and killed himself before the Philistines could capture him. Saul’s armor-bearer did likewise (1 Samuel 31:4-5).

• A royal advisor named Ahithophel regretted his defection from King David’s side to Absalom’s side and hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23).

• After reigning Israel for only seven days, King Zimri saw his throne was about to be taken and burned down his palace around himself (1 Kings 16:18).

• Judas Iscariot killed himself after being overwhelmed with remorse for betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:1-5; Acts 1:18-19).

One might argue Samson should be included on this list, even though his final act of causing the temple to collapse could be seen as a heroic sacrifice against Israel’s enemies (Judges 16:23-31).

I’ve met Christians who believe individuals who kill themselves will spend eternity in hell since one of the Ten Commandments is “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Personally, I believe suicide is forgivable if committed by someone who had faith in Jesus. I know a man who had a teenaged daughter with serious health issues. She died in the hospital after intentionally unplugging herself from a life support machine. It’s possible this girl got a glimpse of heaven and desired to be with the Lord more than winning the battle against her disease. She should not be judged by the same standard as someone who intentionally commits murder.

Nevertheless, God gave us life and should be the One who decides when it’s time for us to go home to be with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 

If you’re dealing with thoughts of hopelessness and don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I strongly urge you to give your life to Him right now. Suicide is not a solution and would result in eternal torment far worse than whatever you’re facing right now. God created you for a purpose and has a good plan for your life. He will provide a way for you to emerge successfully.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11

Hunting Allowed

I’ve never had much interest in hunting. The only time I’ve done so happened when I was 19. One day I went for a country drive with a friend who brought along his BB gun. Just for fun he shot at birds sitting on road signs and telephone lines. My friend encouraged me to take a few shots and I killed just one bird. Since then, the closest I’ve gone hunting was playing Duck Hunt, a video game featuring a dog that laughs every time a player fails to hit any ducks.

This past week a huge controversy erupted over a Minnesota man’s recent bowhunting trip in Zimbabwe. A dentist named Walter Palmer killed a lion that was part of an Oxford University research project. This lion named Cecil had been lured from the grounds of a wildlife preserve by Palmer’s safari guides. 

In response to accusations of poaching, Dr. Palmer issued a statement saying he thought he had hunted legally and offered an apology. Nevertheless, the dentist received death threats plus had hundreds of protesters stand outside his office demanding “justice for Cecil.” How about demanding justice for aborted babies (especially those whose body parts were sold by Planned Parenthood)?

Animal rights activists need to realize man and beast are not equal in God’s eyes. Man is the only being created in the image and likeness of God. Scripture even encourages hunting. In Acts 10:13, Peter was commanded in a vision to “Rise...kill and eat.” The first book of the Bible mentions two hunters by name. Genesis 10:9 describes Nimrod as “a mighty hunter before the Lord.” Genesis 25:27 says, “Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field...” 

One could argue animals shouldn’t be hunted at all unless they are used for food or clothing. Proverbs 12:27 says, “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting...” Either way, two of my favorite preachers happen to be avid hunters: South African-born revivalist Rodney Howard-Browne and Pastor Mac Hammond of Living Word Christian Center in suburban Minneapolis. Pastor Mac goes on elk hunting trips every year and then testifies of God speaking to him while camping out in the wilderness. 

One sign posted on the front door of Walter Palmer’s office claims he will “rot in hell” for Cecil’s death. The truth is multitudes of people will go to hell not for killing animals but rejecting the gift of eternal life available only through the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. 

“Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” - Matthew 10:31