Friday, February 24, 2012

The Beginning of the End for Planned Parenthood

Recently there was a lot of uproar over the decision by Susan G. Koman Foundation to tell Planned Parenthood that once the current grants in their pipeline end, they would not process any new ones them. This is very common in the nonprofit world as foundations pick and choose who they want to support. The purpose of Koman is to fight breast cancer, but Planned Parenthood does very few mammograms. What Planned Parenthood does very well is perform over 300,000 abortions a year, which bring in over $150 million a year. After the New York Times ran a story about this, many pro-abortion politicians and others put pressure on Koman to reverse their decision. Koman eventually bowed to the pressure and said that Planned Parenthood could apply for future grants. Why does this signal the beginning of the end for Planned Parenthood? For one thing, more people are learning the truth about this organization, that it is really a business, a business that does little with women's health, and vehemently opposes giving women any information about fetal development which could reduce its 90% kill rate for unborn children who find themselves in a Planned Parenthood facility. In addition, six states are cutting off funding for the organization, is facing a congressional investigation, and it may be one election from losing the $300 million it gets from the federal government. This would be a victory for the family, and for the hundreds of thousands of unborn children who are killed at its hands every year.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul

Thursday, February 9, 2012

You Go Girl!

I don't fall off my chair any more. After 26 plus years of pastoral ministry and counseling, I have heard it all when it comes to how people deal with life, relationships, etc. This morning I was watching Good Morning America and it happened, I fell off my chair! I can't remember the last time this happened. Let me refer you to this link for you to read and see for yourself what happened: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/02/victorias-secret-model-quits-to-reserve-body-for-my-husband/.
In an era where many women seem to feel that exposing more is better, I gotta say this young lady has gained my respect and admiration! If you have a daughter, get her to read and see this story about Kylie Bisutti. Now I am waiting to see the flack she will get for taking this stand. Ladies, how about standing with her?
Blessings,
Dr. Paul

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Staying Connected To Your Spouse

Life is busy, time is short, the tyranny of the urgent always seems to be in the way, and what suffers is often my marriage. Sound familiar? So what is a married couple to do? Many couples simply drift slowly apart as they get so caught up in the business of life. When communication does happen, it is often on a surface level, or about who has to be where and other family logistics. Here are two ways to measure how connected you really are. First, ask yourself when was the last time you and your spouse had a meaningful conversation that went to the level of your feelings and your spiritual condition, when you were really vulnerable with your spouse in what you said? The second measure is to ask when was the last time you and your spouse went out on a date and did something fun without the kids? If your answer to either of these was more than two weeks, you are headed for trouble. "But you don't know how busy we are!" I am a full time pastor, I run a counseling ministry, and I respond to fire calls as a member of my local fire company. Do you really want to say you are busier than me?
So what is my answer for staying connected to your spouse. Carve out time to spend together, and make your marriage a priority. In addition to getting out on a date, or making time to communicate on a deeper level, let me suggest one other way to stay connected. Get away together for an overnight. My wife and I went for a get away together in Cape May for her birthday. Nothing fancy, just time spent together. I am writing this on the day we got back. And I can tell you, this was a nice shot in the marriage arm to deepen our sense of connection with each other. Even if you aren't feeling disconnected, or can't afford to get away, ship the kids to the grandparents, and spend a day together. Don't make the mistake of saying that once the kids are off to college, then we will spend time on our marriage. If you do, you will wind up sitting across from me in my office lamenting that you and your spouse don't know each other anymore. So, what are you going to do to reconnect with your spouse?
Blessings,
Dr. Paul