Entering The World With A Bit of Flair

While I can brag a bit that I helped deliver our third daughter at home - unexpectedly - I don’t think that story tops this one. And in response, that was a smart move by the airline, I’d say!

Most of the time, babies enter the world with less drama. I wonder, though, if you have - or know of - an unusual story about the labor and delivery process?

God Gives Life

Looking ahead to the weekend, I’m eagerly anticipating this year’s Life Network Gala. This local ministry is having a great impact on many lives, and I’m privileged to be the emcee for the evening. If you live in or near Colorado Springs, I hope you’ll join us Saturday evening for a celebration of life.

Related, I recently wrote some reflections about the sanctity of life. In light of Saturday’s event it seemed appropriate to share those here:

I hate the “quality of life” argument that is used to justify some abortions. Genetic testing has brought more information to parents about their preborn child, and while the technology has and is used for some good, it has also unlocked a Pandora’s Box of “choices” about who can live and who will not. The notion that there is some subjective “quality of life” standard by which we measure the value of an individual is ludicrous. Yet, some physicians and parents will see that a preborn child may have some abnormality which is so significant that is is somehow “best” for that child to be aborted.

Years ago I read Koop and Schaeffer’s book, Whatever Happened To The Human Race, in which they powerfully argued that the “handicapped” individual is quite capable of being happy, of having a rich and meaningful life. The authors asked, “Who are we (the presumably healthy individuals) to suggest they aren’t worthy of life?” Indeed. What we see in our culture, though, is that very argument being applied to those outside of “normal.”

We hear about value judgments being made about who might receive medical treatment. There’s a real possibility that in a nationalized health care system, the elderly, or those with “incurable” conditions, will not receive the level of care they deserve. I am troubled deeply by such “quality of life” arguments. What audacity. What recklessness. What an affront to the Maker of Life.

Quality of life? I’m glad my friend Roger and his wife didn’t accept their doctor’s advice to abort because of a potentially terrible brain condition in their baby. She wouldn’t have much of a life, they were told, if she even lived past the birth. Probably be unresponsive and have no real mental capacity. How wrong that advice was! Thirteen years later, she is a vibrant girl who is active in performing arts, has a vivacious personality and is  loved by all who know her. I’m glad her parents chose life!

Coach Gene Stallings, a broadcast guest, shared powerfully about the incredible joys his son experienced as an individual - and the joy he brought so many others. Despite Down Syndrome, or perhaps because of Downs, Johnny touched many and was loved by all. Coach Gene Stallings said it wasn’t easy raising his son, but he accepted the boy as God designed him, and the love that man had for his precious Johnny was easily seen by all. Who had an unacceptable “quality of life?” I was deeply moved as Coach shared about his son.

The handicapped, the physically frail, the special needs person, the “less fortunate” among us is still created in the image of the Almighty. Let’s not “play God” any more. Let’s accept the gifts the Creator gives us. Even those packaged differently than we expected. Let’s honor God by honoring His beloved creations, and let’s give every person the respect he or she deserves. And let’s see God moving through the least of His people. Every life is sacred, every life is valued.

Focus on the Family has a number of online materials on the topic of abortion and the sanctity of human life:

For statistics and quick facts about abortion, as well as scriptural evidence supporting the sanctity of every human life, visit the Bioethics area of CitizenLink.org.

Faith and Hard Times

We’re either having troubles in life, or we will have troubles soon enough. That’s what one friend is fond of saying, and he is certainly right. None of us escapes life’s challenges, from physical illness to financial pressures to relational discord. Here’s the story of a family who found faith carrying them through some very difficult times. Comfort and encouragement for those who are hurting.

Slow Down and Listen

We’re all too busy, right? Personally, I know only a handful of people who aren’t feeling trapped by the pace and volume of activities they have manage. And when we are running at breakneck speed, we often pass by God and other people. We’re just too busy to really listen. So what can you do? Well, maybe “less is more?”

Watch this video (scroll down a bit to see “Dave tunes out to tune in”) for an inspiring story of someone who slowed down and as a result found himself making a real difference in the lives of others.

The Faith - And Life

One of the best books I’ve read in the past year was The Faith, by Chuck Colson. It is an engaging, story-filled look at the Christian faith and what it means to live life for God in a world that increasingly dismisses those who have religious commitment.

Here’s a warm, fascinating exchange between two dear friends, Dr. Dobson and Chuck Colson, about The Faith.

More Americans Are Pro-Life

Ready for some good news about the culture war? Here’s an encouraging conversation about recent surveys which show that a majority of Americans consider themselves “pro-life.”

Ten Road Trip Tips

With summer travel season upon us, some thoughts about road trips with youngsters. This was prompted by a conversation today with a co-worker, who survived, sort of, a drive to Chicago with three little ones.

Here are some quick tip for parents who want to survive a long time in the minivan with toddlers (or even with teens!):

1. Pack lots of snacks. Dry cereal, juice boxes, nuts, whole grain breads. Avoid the straight sugar highly processed stuff…don’t want to wire the kiddos up and then force them to sit still in their car seat for 10 hours.

2. Take lots of favorite toys. One at a time, space them out over the course of the trip. Every few hours, open something and you’ll have happy children (well, at least you’ll have them occupied, for a bit).

3. Take books and magazines. Little eyes will want to interact with something they like, take a variety of things. Nothing irreplaceable, though. No library items, as replacing one of those books when the water bottle leaked on it is pretty expensive.

4. Pack “travel gifts,” some little items from the dollar store that can be pulled out and unwrapped, then enjoyed for a time. Space these out, not all at once.

5. Pack wipees and extra napkins/paper towels. Then pack even more. Messes will occur. Spills will happen. Be prepared.

6. Pack an old bath towel. In case someone gets REALLY sick. Trust me. We were just coming through Amarillo one year…

7. Pack a plastic bucket. Good for all sorts of roadside emergencies., Use your imagination…

8. Take audio books. We always hit the library and stock up on some good literature. We’ve enjoyed a wide range of goodies, from Hank The Cowdog to Back of the North Wind.

9. Did I mention to stop often? Ignore the urge to press onward to the point of breaking (c’mon, Dad, lighten up!). Instead, plan to pull into a rest stop, preferably one with grass or a playground, every two or three hours. Let the kids walk or run around. Keep it short, 10-20 minutes is all we’ve ever needed, provided we stop often enough.

10. Eat meals in the car, not a restaurant. Why pay big bucks to sit some more without going anywhere? That can be a miserable experience. Eat in the auto…drive-through fast food, handmade sandwiches, or even a take-out pizza (we’ve done it, and it works nicely). The point is to avoid making the kids sit quietly while you try to eat at some restaurant…better to occupy them on the road as the miles click away.

There are more things I’ve learned about making the best of road trips, but these should be good starting points for newer parents.

I’d also welcome your suggestions. What have you found that works on road trips?

The Costs of Autism

During “Autism Awareness Month” I’ve tried to bring readers important information and links about this condition, which can be a drain on a family’s emotional and spiritual well-being. A child with autism can also drain a family’s finances.

One of the things we’ve tried to do with our son, who has autism, is to invest heavily now in his treatments, hoping and praying that he will gain the knowledge and compensation skills needed to be a fully independent, productive and fulfilled individual when he grows up. Here’s one reason why:

According to a Harvard School of Public Health study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in the spring of 2007…people with autism spend twice as much as the typical American over their lifetimes (on medical care)…The societal costs to support a single person with autism is $3.2 million over his or her lifetime.

Those are startling numbers, and it seems prudent to spend money early on for therapies which might help the child with autism become less reliant on expensive, long-term support. I recognize that there are a variety of factors in a child’s well-being, and that many who are on the autism spectrum will require intense care for their entire lives. But for some, the costs of care can be lessened by early investments.

Read the full article (from which I puled the above quote) about the range of costs to raise a child with autism.

Will You Be Testing?

If you are pregnant, or think you will be in the next few years, will you be relying on testing to determine if your child might have a handicap? If you do have such screening, to what end?

In recent days news of a new test for Down syndrome have caused some to question how helpful such tests might be for expectant parents.

Doctors recommend that all pregnant women be offered screening for Down syndrome, and about half of women undergo the tests. But the current tests often produce confusing, ambiguous results, unnecessarily alarming couples or falsely reassuring them. The new tests are designed to offer more definitive results early in the pregnancy.

Again, I’ll ask: to what end? If you are pregnant, what will you decide to do if your pre-born child likely has Down syndrome or some other disability?

Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, has a long history of speaking up for the value of life - all life - and has often invited guests to join him on his daily radio program to discuss the unique qualities of their special needs children. About two months ago, Coach Gene Stallings shared about his son, Johnny, who had Down syndrome, and who touched thousands and thousands of people with his life. In that touching interview, Dr. Dobson noted that some 90% of children who are diagnosed before birth with Down syndrome are aborted, and that we are seeing fewer and fewer children with this disability in our culture because of such testing and a lack of respect for babies who aren’t considered “normal.”

Lest I come across as harsh, let me divulge that my wife and I have a special needs child. He doesn’t have Down syndrome, but I know a bit about the challenges families face when a child needs extraordinary care. So I am not trying to be harsh when I say that I hope expectant parents will refuse the types of tests mentioned earlier. I don’t see anything valuable to come of the information a couple might learn from such screenings. That little life has every right to be born and to be cared for, regardless of his or her physical condition or mental capabilities.

So, will you be taking any tests?

Stellan’s Inspiring Story

Here’s a site with some emotion to it. A Mom, her camera and a loving look at her children. Her youngest, little Stellan, has quite a story…so far:

In the womb, he was diagnosed with heart failure: premature atrial contractions at 20 weeks; supraventricular tachycardia, hydrops, and intermittent advanced secondary heart block at 23 weeks; and enlargement of the heart at 32 weeks. When the doctors told us at 24 weeks that our very ill baby would surely die, we chose to give our son completely to God, for He alone knows best. We have not stopped praising our Lord since then…

Hope you’ll give it a look. It is a powerful celebration of life!

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