Unplanned: A Review

As previously stated in this blog, I don’t go to many movies. Still, I want to be supportive of quality faith-based films being shown nationally. Pure Flix previously released a number of successful motion pictures including the “God’s Not Dead” series. Their latest production “Unplanned” came out last weekend and finished fourth at the box office. It grossed $6.1 million from only 1,059 theaters. I went to see it two days ago.

“Unplanned” is based on the memoir of Abby Johnson, a young Texas woman who worked at Planned Parenthood for eight years. During her tenure there, Abby went through a divorce and two abortions. Later after remarrying, Abby surprisingly found herself pregnant despite using birth control. Although her supervisor suggested otherwise, Abby went through with the pregnancy and gave birth to a daughter.

Often when Abby arrived at work, anti-abortion demonstrators had gathered outside her clinic's fence. A few of them made harassing remarks while holding “Abortion is Murder” signs. However, one woman reached out to Abby in friendship. Marilisa soon married a man named Shawn who became the leader of a ministry now known as 40 Days for Life. 

Through the persistent prayers of her parents and many of the demonstrators, Abby began to have second thoughts about her work. One day she found the file of one of her unborn children that was aborted at the clinic. The turning point came after watching a client’s abortion on ultrasound. Abby soon resigned from Planned Parenthood and has since helped others leave the abortion industry.

“Unplanned” is rated R for “disturbing bloody images” (reminiscent of what happened to “The Passion of the Christ” fifteen years ago). That shouldn’t stop anyone from seeing this movie. Looking at blood isn’t a pleasant sight but it shows the reality that abortion is the taking of innocent human life. Instead of calling abortion providers and their clients “baby killers” as one man did in the movie, pro-lifers wanting to make a difference need to reach out to them in love.

I know a few people who consider themselves “pro-choice.” Hopefully, they will take time to see “Unplanned” and be inspired to choose life. After all, their mothers did.

“If you are willing to advocate for abortion, but unwilling to actually see what you support, then you and your tiny bun really have no relevancy in this conversation.” 

-  Abby Johnson

Too Many People?

The U. S. Census Bureau estimates there are now over 7.5 billion people in this world. In recent years, numerous individuals have expressed fear about this planet becoming too crowded. Dr. Eric Tayag of the Philippines’ Department of Health said, “We should really focus on the question of whether there will be food, clean water, shelter, education and a decent life for every child. If the answer is ‘no,’ it would be better for people to look at easing this population explosion.”

Conversely, Steven Mosher of the Population Research Institute points out that people are “not just consumers, but producers.” He also stated, “Every stomach comes with two hands attached and every mouth is backed by a creative intelligence equipped to leave the world a better place.”

Steven knows firsthand the devastating results of population control. In 1979, he was invited to Mainland China by the Chinese government and got to witness women being forced to have abortions under that nation’s “one-child policy.” At the time, Mr. Mosher had been a pro-choice atheist but reconsidered his convictions and became a practicing, pro-life Roman Catholic. 

Twice in the first chapter in the Bible, God commanded man to “be fruitful and multiply.” (Genesis 1:22, 28)  Psalm 127:3 (NLT) says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Verse 5 from this same chapter proclaims, “How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!” Malachi 2:15 says that the Lord “seeks godly offspring.” God obviously likes large families.

For those of you still concerned about overpopulation, keep in mind the world will experience significant population decreases before Jesus sets up His millennial reign. First of all, millions of Christians will disappear during the rapture. Then during the seven-year tribulation period, many people will be killed for refusing the Mark of the Beast and from numerous plagues. Revelation 9:18 says, “By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.”

I once heard a preacher point out that if all the world’s wealth were evenly distributed, every man, woman, and child on this planet would have approximately $10 million. Therefore, hunger and poverty are not the result of too many people and limited resources. One reason is wealthy individuals hoarding up things.

Don’t let the lies of organizations like GrowthBusters and Planned Parenthood stop you from having a large family if that’s your desire. God will provide for you and your children if you put your trust in Him.

“The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” - Psalm 24:1

Women's Rights?

44 years ago today, the U. S. Supreme Court issued the infamous Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion in this country. Since then, over 55 million unborn Americans have been killed. Fortunately, we have a new president who is pro-life and plans to appoint conservative judges. Other politicians have campaigned to defund Planned Parenthood, an organization that uses taxpayer funds to terminate pregnancies.

Nevertheless, abortion advocates continue raising their voices. Yesterday in our nation’s capital, the Women’s March took place. Thousands of women protested in Washington and other cities for their “right to choose.” Prior to this march, a group called New Wave Feminists was removed as an official sponsor because of their pro-life stance. 

Much misinformation is spread by women’s rights groups. Many of them claim “the pro-life movement is anti-women.” A 2010 Rasmussen poll revealed that 58 percent of women believe abortion is morally wrong in most cases while 49 percent of men agree with the same statement. In other words, women are less supportive of abortion than men.

If you’re one who considers yourself “pro-choice”, then I recommend making better choices than fighting for the right to kill babies. First, I urge you to invite Jesus Christ to become your Lord and Savior. That will hopefully result in you receiving the revelation that all children (born and unborn) are precious to God. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” It wasn’t until after becoming a Christian that I recognized abortions as morally wrong.

Secondly, choose not to have sex outside of marriage as the Bible clearly forbids fornication. I rarely hear of married women having abortions. Still, if you find yourself facing an unplanned pregnancy, prayerfully consider contacting an adoption agency. Many childless couples have been on waiting lists hoping to adopt one. You could be a great blessing to prospective parents…and your child.

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” - Deuteronomy 30:19

Not On My Bucket List

The latest Internet craze to go viral is the Ice Bucket Challenge. By dumping a bucket of cold water on their heads, people from all walks of life have raised awareness and funds to fight Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ALS (also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) is a progressive degeneration of the central nervous system, leading to the weakening of muscles and paralysis. 

My friends have expressed mixed reactions to the Ice Bucket Challenge. Some have participated believing it’s for a worthy cause. Others oppose it because many ALS organizations conduct embryonic stem cell research, which results in the killing of pre-born human life. A few God-fearing participants of the challenge have specified their donations go to pro-life organizations like the John Paul II Medical Research Institute in Iowa, which uses adult stem cells.

As for myself, I’ve chosen not to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge. I’d rather give my time and money to organizations that minister divine healing. God can heal all kinds of diseases including ALS like what happened to one Michigan woman.

Incidentally, this is not meant as an attack on the medical community (I have an uncle who’s a doctor). Medical research can be beneficial to society when done ethically. However, it should be pointed out that during Jesus’ earthly ministry, He never referred anyone to Dr. Luke or some other physician. Whenever someone came to Him for healing, Jesus healed that person directly without the use of drugs. When Jesus hung on the cross, He was offered a type of drug to ease His pain but refused it. 

Under the New Covenant, believers are commanded to heal the sick. While healing can still manifest through doctors and medicine, I believe it’s God’s best for His people to walk in divine health. In 2 Chronicles 16:12-13, King Asa died because he sought help from the physicians instead of the Lord.

One Facebook friend offered this challenge that I will embrace: “Let’s spend one hour a day in the morning with Jesus and pray, worship and seek Him and He will dump a bucket of oil on your head.”

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” - Psalm 23:5