The recent proposed Illinois Senate Bill SB 1619 “Personal Responsibility Education Act” being considered by Committee encourages sex among teens and disparages the meaning of marriage. Although the bill’s name sounds positive, its intent removes rather than encourages responsibility. The bill is a pinnacle example of hypocrisy, assigning a new meaning to the word “abstinence” and the bill makes “marriage” out to be irrelevant to sexual relationships.
In a nation where divorce, abortions, STD’s, sexual promiscuity, adultery, pornography, and broken relationships are rampant one would think a bill that truly communicates the consequences and responsibilities for sex would be a better choice. One would think legislators could understand the long-term effects of a nation without moral compass.
Abortions exist because sexual promiscuity, without a thought of consequences, is a fact in our communities. Sexual abstinence until marriage is purposed to protect individuals and culture. Everyday U.S. pregnancy centers deal with the consequences of sex without responsibility. Thousand of teens who have yet to become women and men, let alone wives and husbands, are faced with responsibilities this bill leads them to believe are nonexistent.
Should these types of bills come to vote and passage we can expect even more teens asking their churches and community leaders, “Why didn’t anybody tell me about all the consequences of having sex? Why didn’t anyone tell me my heart, soul, mind, spirit, moral, and ethical views played a part in my decisions. Why didn’t anyone tell me that sex was more than something physical? Why didn’t anyone tell me the real meaning of sex and marriage sex rather than telling me sex was just a physical experience? Why did you tell me sex was no big deal when I was young only to find out now that I’m older that sex is so much more important? Why did you lie to me?”
As our nation continues to tax more for public services to meet the needs of the consequences a nation who has lost it moral compass, we can expect more bills like SB 1619. We can expect crisis pregnancy centers like PASS to be called upon to meet the needs of hurting individuals who have been deceived by misleading Bills like SB 1619.
For Christ and His Kingdom,
Rick Ligthart
Monday, March 14, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thoughts for 1.20.2011: Decreases in Abortion Statistics May Not Be a Good Thing
Decreases in Abortion Statistics May Not Be a Good Thing
As a pro-life advocate we praise God when learning about decreases in abortions from government statistics. We give thanks, because fewer abortions means more saved babies. Fewer abortions can also mean fewer women and men impacted by guilt and post-abortion stress years later. However, decreased abortion statistics may not be a factual indication of what is happening in America. There is a new unrecorded abortion statistic on the horizon.
With the introduction drugs such as RU486, Plan B, the Morning after Pill, and other names for medical abortifacients, abortions are happening without abortion clinic surgeries. Today, both surgically and medically produced abortions are legally available. An abortion is an abortion no matter if it is on a surgical table or at home through medical drugs. The problem lies in that both surgical and medical abortions blur when life begins, but there is no escaping of when life ends.
Dealing with the unavoidable physical and emotional consequences of an intentionally produced abortion (regardless of if it is surgical or medical) is inescapable. Many women and men, who have sought healing from past abortion choices, often years following their surgical abortions, vividly remember their physical and emotional experiences from that day.
Post-abortive healing and restoration ministries must adapt, understanding that women and men to whom they will minister are not likely to have had surgical abortions as much as medical abortions.
Those suffering from post-abortion stress following a medical abortion may have no memory of a physical experience other than taking a pill. On the surface it appears there are no connections between taking medical abortifacients and emotional costs. But that is not true. There are emotional aftermaths of taking medical abortifacients which parallel surgical abortions.
While not all medical abortions are successful and some women can face complications following medically induced abortions, the emerging message today is, “Abortions are easy. Just take a pill.” That sounds so simple to a scared teenager or a twenty something student. It is comparable to new apps to their cell phones. The truth is it is not so simple.
As our nation continues its abortion mindset, the pro-life movement must understand that statistics can be misleading, even if they sound good. Yes, we rejoice when hearing abortions are decreasing, but let us not be deceived. With the blurring of truth and medically induced abortions it is ever more important the message of “Abstinence Before and Faithfulness in Marriage” continues through pregnancy resource centers around the country. We need to both be ahead of the pregnancy and intercept an abortion mindset.
To eliminate abortions, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Rev. Rick Ligthart
PASS Executive Director
As a pro-life advocate we praise God when learning about decreases in abortions from government statistics. We give thanks, because fewer abortions means more saved babies. Fewer abortions can also mean fewer women and men impacted by guilt and post-abortion stress years later. However, decreased abortion statistics may not be a factual indication of what is happening in America. There is a new unrecorded abortion statistic on the horizon.
With the introduction drugs such as RU486, Plan B, the Morning after Pill, and other names for medical abortifacients, abortions are happening without abortion clinic surgeries. Today, both surgically and medically produced abortions are legally available. An abortion is an abortion no matter if it is on a surgical table or at home through medical drugs. The problem lies in that both surgical and medical abortions blur when life begins, but there is no escaping of when life ends.
Dealing with the unavoidable physical and emotional consequences of an intentionally produced abortion (regardless of if it is surgical or medical) is inescapable. Many women and men, who have sought healing from past abortion choices, often years following their surgical abortions, vividly remember their physical and emotional experiences from that day.
Post-abortive healing and restoration ministries must adapt, understanding that women and men to whom they will minister are not likely to have had surgical abortions as much as medical abortions.
Those suffering from post-abortion stress following a medical abortion may have no memory of a physical experience other than taking a pill. On the surface it appears there are no connections between taking medical abortifacients and emotional costs. But that is not true. There are emotional aftermaths of taking medical abortifacients which parallel surgical abortions.
While not all medical abortions are successful and some women can face complications following medically induced abortions, the emerging message today is, “Abortions are easy. Just take a pill.” That sounds so simple to a scared teenager or a twenty something student. It is comparable to new apps to their cell phones. The truth is it is not so simple.
As our nation continues its abortion mindset, the pro-life movement must understand that statistics can be misleading, even if they sound good. Yes, we rejoice when hearing abortions are decreasing, but let us not be deceived. With the blurring of truth and medically induced abortions it is ever more important the message of “Abstinence Before and Faithfulness in Marriage” continues through pregnancy resource centers around the country. We need to both be ahead of the pregnancy and intercept an abortion mindset.
To eliminate abortions, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Rev. Rick Ligthart
PASS Executive Director
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thoughts for Monday, October 25, 2010
Approaching the November elections some candidates make known their pro-life or pro-choice positions. Some candidates, however, are mum on the topic preferring not to ostracize voters. The last thing they want is to be confrontational and simply talking about abortion is confronting issue. Journalists likewise choose to either include or exclude the abortion topic when covering candidate forums. The elephant is in the room but no one wants to say so.
Sadly, many voters think answers are always found through government. While governments, especially big governments, have more capability of designating funds, solutions are still unmet. In the case of abortion, the landmark case of Roe v. Wade is still ever present. It just will not go away. The point is that government is not the answer when the issue of abortion is the topic.
That is why pregnancy resource centers have been, are and always will have the answers for women and men facing crisis pregnancy situations. While governments, candidates, elections, and media go about their ritual endeavors to campaign, get elected and govern, pregnancy resource centers like PASS keep going standing in truth, love, and compassion. That is what we do 24/7/365. We keep upholding the sanctity of life because that is what Jesus teaches.
I will uphold the sanctity of life before I vote on Tuesday and after I vote on Tuesday. Because innocent lives in the womb need that protection.
For Christ and His Kingdom,
Rick Ligthart, President
rick@passhelps.org
708-614-9777
Sadly, many voters think answers are always found through government. While governments, especially big governments, have more capability of designating funds, solutions are still unmet. In the case of abortion, the landmark case of Roe v. Wade is still ever present. It just will not go away. The point is that government is not the answer when the issue of abortion is the topic.
That is why pregnancy resource centers have been, are and always will have the answers for women and men facing crisis pregnancy situations. While governments, candidates, elections, and media go about their ritual endeavors to campaign, get elected and govern, pregnancy resource centers like PASS keep going standing in truth, love, and compassion. That is what we do 24/7/365. We keep upholding the sanctity of life because that is what Jesus teaches.
I will uphold the sanctity of life before I vote on Tuesday and after I vote on Tuesday. Because innocent lives in the womb need that protection.
For Christ and His Kingdom,
Rick Ligthart, President
rick@passhelps.org
708-614-9777
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thoughts for Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Lorerdana Vuoto in her article “Abortion: The Real African American Killer” (www.reflectionsebi.net July 2010 Issue) cites Mrs. Obama’s efforts to reduce childhood obesity to save lives. To quote Vuoto, “Although it may be true that one in three children in the United States is obese,” “the epidemic of childhood obesity in America is not what is really killing African Americans: abortion is.” Vuote goes on, “Put bluntly, for every three black babies born, two are aborted.”
Vuoto make the point that mass media disregards U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics that over 1/3 of U.S. abortions are African American. Vuoto clarifies that 78% of all abortion clinics are located in or near predominantly minority neighborhoods.
Vuoto is right. The irony of Mrs. Obama’s focus on childhood obesity when abortion is the greatest killer our nation’s children is astounding.
PASS ministers truth with love and compassion wherever abortion is advanced in Chicago’s southern suburbs and we want to do more. PASS lovingly receives those who have experienced an abortion. At PASS, personal relationship is paramount.
PASS devotes its time on “doing” more so than “talking”. This is why we are thankful for speakers and writers like Vuoto and pro-life blogger Jill Stanek (www.jillstanek.com) and others for their connections to public audiences. We are also thankful for CPC’s around the U.S. like PASS at what they do one heart at a time through love and compassion with women and men in crisis pregnancy situations. What joy to know there are those who speak and those who do. Like sowing and reaping, together we are saving lives and changing culture.
Sounds like a great partnership for life.
For His Children,
Rick Lighart, PASS President
rick@passhelps.org
708/614.9777 x25
Vuoto make the point that mass media disregards U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics that over 1/3 of U.S. abortions are African American. Vuoto clarifies that 78% of all abortion clinics are located in or near predominantly minority neighborhoods.
Vuoto is right. The irony of Mrs. Obama’s focus on childhood obesity when abortion is the greatest killer our nation’s children is astounding.
PASS ministers truth with love and compassion wherever abortion is advanced in Chicago’s southern suburbs and we want to do more. PASS lovingly receives those who have experienced an abortion. At PASS, personal relationship is paramount.
PASS devotes its time on “doing” more so than “talking”. This is why we are thankful for speakers and writers like Vuoto and pro-life blogger Jill Stanek (www.jillstanek.com) and others for their connections to public audiences. We are also thankful for CPC’s around the U.S. like PASS at what they do one heart at a time through love and compassion with women and men in crisis pregnancy situations. What joy to know there are those who speak and those who do. Like sowing and reaping, together we are saving lives and changing culture.
Sounds like a great partnership for life.
For His Children,
Rick Lighart, PASS President
rick@passhelps.org
708/614.9777 x25
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thoughts for June 30, 2010...
Living in America as we approach July 4th is becoming increasingly challenging for real Christians. Judeo/Christian biblical sexual, reproductive, and sanctity of human life values are under attack. Recently, the Chicago Gay Pride Parade affirmed the pain and consequences in people’s lives before and following a pride-filled life. The Judeo/Christian Biblical view is clear; pride is not a good thing. Prov.11:2 “Pride comes before the fall, but with humility comes wisdom.” Pride precedes a fall; sometimes sooner, sometimes later, but the fall is unavoidable without renewing the mind that transforms a life.
Every day PASS volunteers and staff compassionately with wisdom and humility respond to the consequences of a client’s choices. We care for women and men facing the consequences of a crisis pregnancy, or the consequences of a broken heart following a sexual relationship gone awry, or the consequences of a broken spirit following an abortion choice, or the consequences of a confused teen without a job wondering how to provide for a baby who will arrive in a few months.
PASS staff and volunteers understand pain can exist before the pride. Pain can lead to pride and occurs following pride. In either situation love, compassion, wisdom, and humility are how we respond.
It is hard to be humble and hurts to be humbled, but the wisdom that follows is as precious as gold. Renewing minds and transforming lives is what we do at PASS and what we do is a result of wisdom that follows humility.
For His Children,
Rick Ligthart
President, PASS network of life-affirming care
rick@passhelps.org
708/614.9777 x25
Every day PASS volunteers and staff compassionately with wisdom and humility respond to the consequences of a client’s choices. We care for women and men facing the consequences of a crisis pregnancy, or the consequences of a broken heart following a sexual relationship gone awry, or the consequences of a broken spirit following an abortion choice, or the consequences of a confused teen without a job wondering how to provide for a baby who will arrive in a few months.
PASS staff and volunteers understand pain can exist before the pride. Pain can lead to pride and occurs following pride. In either situation love, compassion, wisdom, and humility are how we respond.
It is hard to be humble and hurts to be humbled, but the wisdom that follows is as precious as gold. Renewing minds and transforming lives is what we do at PASS and what we do is a result of wisdom that follows humility.
For His Children,
Rick Ligthart
President, PASS network of life-affirming care
rick@passhelps.org
708/614.9777 x25
Monday, June 21, 2010
Father’s Day at Crisis Pregnancy Centers
For many fathers, Father’s Day is celebrated with new ties, summer shirts, sweet colognes, printed coffee mugs that read “World’s Greatest Dad” and family celebrations. For some dads, their children and spouses, Father’s Day can be a great day.
For expectant Fathers in a crisis pregnancy situation celebration is not always what they feel. Emotions of an unwed, expectant teen father waiting months until his girlfriend gives birth can be overwhelming. Father’s Day for these expectant dads may include giving his own father a gift as he thinks about how to tell his dad and mom that his girlfriend is pregnant. Some Father’s Days are not so easy.
Some single teen dads may find themselves shut out from their fatherhood experience if the mother says, “I want nothing to do with my old boyfriend, the guy who got me pregnant.” The bitterness can be hurtful. Some Father’s Days are not so easy.
Others single teen dads may completely abandon their responsibilities and potential joys because they don’t know the facts about fathering and family. They only know what culture and peer pressures have taught them. Some Father’s Days are not so easy.
On the other hand, many crisis pregnancy fathers may want to be good dads but have little understanding of their fatherhood role. They are without mentors to help them be the fathers they really want to be. They don’t know how and have no one to teach them. Father’s Day is a day of fear. Some Father’s Days are not so easy.
Historically crisis pregnancy centers have focused on the needs of abortion minded or abortion vulnerable women with the sole purpose of preventing abortion. That is still the case in many crisis pregnancy centers in the U.S. because funding is not available to do anything but pregnancy tests and ultrasounds.
How do we honor the father of an unwed teen pregnancy? Do we celebrate out of wedlock sex that resulted in pregnancy? Do we encourage additional unwed fatherhood opportunities? Where does marriage and responsibility fit in? Do we disregard the emotions of expectant mother and father and focus only on joys and not the challenges they will face as single parents? Some father’s days are not so easy.
That is where PASS can help. We centrally focus on abortion minded and abortion vulnerable women with the mission to reduce abortions, and we go further. Expectant Dads in crisis pregnancy situations are also offered services because we believe Fathers and Mothers when working together and in harmony is best for families.
At PASS we like celebrating Fathers and Mothers and the gift of life.
For His Children,
Rick Ligthart, President
PASS network of life-affirming care
708/614.9777
rick@passhelps.org
For expectant Fathers in a crisis pregnancy situation celebration is not always what they feel. Emotions of an unwed, expectant teen father waiting months until his girlfriend gives birth can be overwhelming. Father’s Day for these expectant dads may include giving his own father a gift as he thinks about how to tell his dad and mom that his girlfriend is pregnant. Some Father’s Days are not so easy.
Some single teen dads may find themselves shut out from their fatherhood experience if the mother says, “I want nothing to do with my old boyfriend, the guy who got me pregnant.” The bitterness can be hurtful. Some Father’s Days are not so easy.
Others single teen dads may completely abandon their responsibilities and potential joys because they don’t know the facts about fathering and family. They only know what culture and peer pressures have taught them. Some Father’s Days are not so easy.
On the other hand, many crisis pregnancy fathers may want to be good dads but have little understanding of their fatherhood role. They are without mentors to help them be the fathers they really want to be. They don’t know how and have no one to teach them. Father’s Day is a day of fear. Some Father’s Days are not so easy.
Historically crisis pregnancy centers have focused on the needs of abortion minded or abortion vulnerable women with the sole purpose of preventing abortion. That is still the case in many crisis pregnancy centers in the U.S. because funding is not available to do anything but pregnancy tests and ultrasounds.
How do we honor the father of an unwed teen pregnancy? Do we celebrate out of wedlock sex that resulted in pregnancy? Do we encourage additional unwed fatherhood opportunities? Where does marriage and responsibility fit in? Do we disregard the emotions of expectant mother and father and focus only on joys and not the challenges they will face as single parents? Some father’s days are not so easy.
That is where PASS can help. We centrally focus on abortion minded and abortion vulnerable women with the mission to reduce abortions, and we go further. Expectant Dads in crisis pregnancy situations are also offered services because we believe Fathers and Mothers when working together and in harmony is best for families.
At PASS we like celebrating Fathers and Mothers and the gift of life.
For His Children,
Rick Ligthart, President
PASS network of life-affirming care
708/614.9777
rick@passhelps.org
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Join us this Friday evening--special class being offered!
PASS aims at ministry excellence in all we do including relationships with clients we serve. To that point, this Friday, June 18th at our PASS Tinley Park location (17214 Oak Park Avenue) we are providing our first “Cultural Diversity In-Service Training Seminar”. This is our first series of seminars for those who minister through PASS. It is for all PASS Volunteers, Advocates, Facilitators, Teachers, Presenters, Staff, Board Members and any guest that feels led to attend. The cost is free! For further information please contact us at 708/614.9777 x24.
We are excited about this seminar and the future trainings PASS will make available on issues that matter for life.
We are about renewing minds that transforms and saves lives.
For His Children,
Rick Ligthart, President
PASS network of life-affirming care
rick@passhelp.org
We are excited about this seminar and the future trainings PASS will make available on issues that matter for life.
We are about renewing minds that transforms and saves lives.
For His Children,
Rick Ligthart, President
PASS network of life-affirming care
rick@passhelp.org
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