Sandy’s Destruction Opens Door

• By Karin Thompson
• Published: November 13th, 2012

The storm’s devastation gives Christians everywhere the chance to lend a helping hand.

Shouts of excitement rang through study zones and residence halls at Liberty University upon the announcement of canceled classes because of Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane — Sandy went down as one of the worst on record. KAKELA, Creative Commons

That extended weekend was a blessing to many students cramming for tests or craving a few more hours of sleep.

Some considered it silly that classes were canceled when the there was hardly a drop of rain in Lynchburg. But for many students, not having classes could hardly resolve their problems, although it gave them time to contact their family and wish that they could help out.

In a storm of this proportion, we all must pitch in to the recovery effort.

CNN reported that Hurricane Sandy affected more than 24 states along the East Coast, and many students’ families and homes were hit. Lynchburg scarcely showed any signs of a hurricane, but the rest of the East Coast can attest to Sandy’s beatings. Our nation’s most populated city, New York, was afflicted by some of the harshest weather.
Many subway systems flooded, and rats floated in the stagnant water.

According to the NY Times, Sandy caused more than $50 billion in damages and more than 100 deaths. Many homes remain without power, and relief efforts are still seeking to rebuild.

Liberty student Claire Rudd is one of many students affected by the hurricane. Her home in Fairfield, Conn. is about 15 minutes from Long Island. Rudd’s family was evacuated from their home for 10 days.

“I had to deal with a lot of doubt, envisioning my house being crushed by the giant trees that surrounded it,” Rudd said. “It was good to know that my parents were safe in a hotel inland, but not knowing was scary. Our neighbors weren’t answering their phones, so we had no idea what was going on or if something had happened to them.”

In the end, God showed his provision to Rudd’s family, and their house was spared despite many downed trees and power lines in their heavily-wooded neighborhood.

Although Rudd’s story has a happy ending, there are many who are still hurting and mourning their losses. As Christians, we should hold to the example of Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

We live in a great country, where neighbors look out for one another. There is a great need for relief throughout the East Coast, and for those of us who were not affected by this disaster, it offers us a great opportunity to lend a hand. Although we may have enjoyed that extra day of homework and rest, there are people who must rebuild their homes and some who must bury their loved ones.

A blessing is never as great as when it is shared with another person. We are blessed to not have felt the effects of Sandy, and since we were not hurt, we have the opportunity to get involved and help those who were less fortunate.

A simple and effective way to help the relief effort is with the American Red Cross, who has already sent almost 6,000 volunteers to the aid of those in need. To donate or get involved in the efforts of the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org.

At Liberty’s last home game, the university donated $1 for every person in attendance to Gleaning For The World, a non-profit organization based in Central Virginia, so they could send supplies to those in need. Gleaning For The World is still accepting donations at their website, gftw.com.

The time to act for Liberty students is now. The winds of a hurricane are powerful, but they are no match to the intense might of a student body following the calling of Christ.

CA: This is Personal.

“This is Personal” uses gray terminology to promote their black and white agenda. The organization, which is owned by the National Women’s Law Center and primarily funded by Planned Parenthood, uses social media to advocate their cause. According to their Facebook page, the campaign was started in September and has since gained almost 150,000 likes as of Oct. 17, 2012.

Their website makes sweeping claims like “Restrictions on my reproductive health? I won’t stand for it. Join the cause,” and directly link their claims to sites where people can vote with the click of a button. This powerfully persuades viewers to act upon their feelings and seek out their information later, if at all. One button that says “Fired Up?” will take your browser to a list of ways that you can donate and become more involved.

First, the organization claims that they are not affiliated with politics, only with people. This bipartisanship is appealing to the average person who is likely annoyed with politics during this election season. On their website, however, a list of sponsorships reveals a different story. Along with Planned Parenthood are numerous liberal pro-abortion groups, including the Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Masking their agenda and omitting Planned Parenthood’s name from their website is the group’s way of trying to encourage a pristine viral image on the Internet.

“This Is Personal” has also made outlandish statements in what amounts to an attempt to rile up its supporters through false means. One quote found on their website is particularly aimed at incorrectly portraying the acts of medical personnel.

“Pharmacists and pharmacies have refused to dispense birth control or sell emergency contraception to women due to their moral objections. Women in at least 24 states have reported being turned away at the pharmacy when seeking birth control.”

Those at “This Is Personal” would make it so that all pharmacists and pharmacies are required to distribute the “day after pill.” Not only are they promoting abortion, but they are trying to take away the pharmacist’s right to abstain from a sale.

As proven by the Oct. 16 presidential debate, women’s health issues are currently one of the hottest determinants of the election. According to the National Abortion Federation, the abortion rate of women with Medicaid coverage is three times as high as that of other women. The largest and most central box on the “This is Personal” website is a petition to provide coverage for all women. The Alan Guttmacher Institute has determined that in 2009, the average cost of a nonhospital abortion with local anesthesia at 10 weeks of gestation was $451. Not only would enacting the goals of “This is Personal” expand the outrageous number of abortions already being performed, but it would greatly add to our national debt crisis.

Votes will decide what direction our country takes on these decisions. All of us have the opportunity to impact our world, whether it is through becoming an activist or talking to a friend about what you believe in. Mother Teresa put it best when she said that “it is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.”

“This is Personal” is right about one thing: these are issues that should cut straight to the heart and get us “Fired Up.”

Champion Article: Fresh advice for Freshman

Fresh advice for freshman

• By Karin Thompson
• Published: August 28th, 2012

Words of wisdom from an upperclassman

If you have ever been on hold with one of our academic departments, you know that Liberty University is the “most exciting” Christian university. There are endless opportunities to choose from, and they are all offered in one place: right here.

With all these new challenges and choices right at your fingertips, time management has never been more crucial. Most people are never afforded the opportunity that you have in front of you. There are ways that you can make these years the best of your life!

Take the time that you have seriously. The odds are that you will not be a college student for the rest of your life. Make sure that you are able to give yourself the time to breathe and have fun, and also to bring everything into focus when you need to study. You are here for school, and you should always make it your priority. Recognize what you need to do in order to maintain the grades that you need to achieve and make that your goal.

Consider your work and your studies to be praise unto the Lord, and always give it everything that you have. The easiest way to get through life without having to look back at your regrets is to give your work the effort that it deserves. The people at Liberty earnestly seek after and love God with their lives, and there are plenty who would love to help you and walk with you as you journey toward that.

Always give new opportunities a chance. The days of being spoon-fed are gone. College is often not easy, and hard work is a requirement to make your way through and succeed.

Anyone on student leadership can tell you that there are times when it seems like there is no point, and that no one cares or listens. But the truth is that God has set about a purpose, uniquely for you, and His ways are higher than your own.

Less than a week ago, I was on my way to school when a semi-truck pushed my car into the median, causing it to flip. I have been asked repeatedly how I am able to have a good attitude about everything that happened. Why dwell on the scary possibilities when I can move forward and make the most of my final year of college? You cannot change what has happened, but you can choose how you respond to it and what you do about it.

Again, recognize the gift that you have to be going to Liberty. Go to Snowflex and ski or take in the beautiful sunset from the lodge.

Listen to the voices of those earnestly praising the Lord at campus church. Laugh at the corny jokes your teachers tell in class. Know that someone on this campus is praying for you every single day, just because they can.

You have been given a gift to be a student at Liberty University, and as Luke 12:48 says, “For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.” What will you do with what you are given?

http://www.libertychampion.com/2012/08/fresh-advice-for-freshman/

Champion Article: Making the case for adoption

Making the case for adoption

• By Karin Thompson
• Published: September 11th, 2012

Controversial comments concerning adoption have left adoptive families flabbergasted and upset

The blessing of adoption — The love of a child, whether biological or adopted, is one in the same. Photo credit: Jennifer Van Buskirk, Facebook

Outspoken televangelist Pat Robertson’s offensive statements regarding adoption exploded controversy among the Christian right.

According to Robertson, “You don’t have to take on someone else’s problems.”
His language in the interview seemed to demean those who adopt, and he went as far as to say that one of his friends adopted a son who “grew up weird.”

Robertson, who nowadays seems to be making a habit of vocalizing outrageous assertions, is still one of the most heard voices in Christianity due to the success of his program, The 700 Club. Despite this fact, a Christian who does research on the matter will learn that Robertson’s view on adoption does not serve as the final voice on opinion on the matter from our faith.

Those who adopt display many of the greatest values and principles found in the Bible. The generosity and compassion that adoption requires is extremely important for Christians to understand. Psalm 68:5 says that God’s heart is set upon being a father to the fatherless.

Jesus commands us to give everything that we have to Him, and to shelter the poor and those in need. In Luke 18:22, we are presented the conversation between Jesus and the rich young ruler.

“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”

We are called to have complete generosity, unrestrained by comfort. It is so important to Christ that he turned away the young ruler seeking eternal life because the man was not willing to sacrifice what he had.

The foundation of Christianity is new life in Christ through his resurrection and grace, completely undeserved by the receiver.

Ephesians 1:4-5 says that in love, God chose us to be adopted as sons. Adoption is principle made perfect by God and his salvation, not because we deserved it in any way, but because he decided to give it freely to us. We were dead in our sins before we were redeemed.

A friend of mine, Jaime Bailey, is a mother of four — two naturally-born and two adopted. One of her adopted children, Cruise, is autistic. Jaime and her husband knew that they were called to adopt, and there is no doubt in their mind that their adopted children are as completely theirs as their natural children are. Although Cruise has a disability, he is an even greater gift to them, teaching them new lessons on love and the value of life every day.

For Jamie, the key to their choice is that “we are trusting whatever God has for our family, and we are so excited for our future!”

The Bailey family recently decided to continue the extension of their love to foster children.

Adoption is one of God’s most beautiful creations. It is amazing that we are capable of completely loving a child that we have no biological connection to. There are not many relationships that more closely identify with Christianity than that of someone completely undeserving receiving unconditional love.

That extension of love is something that we should be excited to have the opportunity to give and learn from and should never be taken for granted because of inconvenience. Adoption is not taking on someone else’s problem, it is an answer to God’s command.

 

http://www.libertychampion.com/2012/09/making-the-case-for-adoption/

Champion Article: Daycare Fight Club

Daycare fight club

• By Karin Thompson
• Published: September 4th, 2012

Rule 1: You do not talk about daycare fight club

When a story hits the news of adults fighting, it is disturbing enough. But Aug. 20, reports broke of a daycare center that doubled as a fight club for children in Delaware. CBS Philly reported that three women working at the daycare were arrested for forcing two 3-year-olds to fist fight. One of the women shared a cell phone video, which eventually led to their arrest.

As Christians, we know the high value that God puts on the innocence of a child’s life. Their rights call out naturally to our hearts, and we should pursue justice in situations like this. To think that this “fight club” was happening in America is disturbing.

Stories like this raise concern about the level of child abuse happening in America. With the media constantly portraying the rights and wrongs of parenting, the line is sometimes fuzzy between what should be allowed for entertainment purposes, and where it needs to stop.

Television programs nowadays depict not only physical violence, but emotional abuse as well. Shows like “Dance Moms” and “Toddlers and Tiaras” are television staples for raising questions about the security of the children being filmed. In most situations, a mother’s lost dreams cause her daughter to have to live up to her view of perfection in a bubble of competition.

I remember distinctly the one time I watched “Dance Moms.” One mother, who was apparently the boss, seemed to physically unhinge her jaw while yelling at those in the room about an issue involving one girl’s behavior and abilities. The entire scene was in front of the mothers, dancers and the entire camera crew.

The women at the daycare company were merely seeking a laugh. According to the information provided, there were no children physically harmed by the incidents. There is clearly a difference between the intentions of those on television and the woman involved, but both were seeking to provide entertainment.

In each situation, there was emotional strain put on the children. From frequently watching their parents yell to having their parents forcing them to behave in absurd ways, the damage to the children is done. It is appalling that the parent’s dangerous obsession with entertainment is causing the lives of children to be devalued.

Yet it is also true that parents are human and will make mistakes. They cannot be expected to be perfect. It is within our freedom as Christians to determine what we will or will not watch or support. We are not called to judge the hearts or intentions of those around us. We are simply called to care for those who are weak, and the victims of oppression.

As Christians, we must always recognize the high value that Christ has given to children and our call to love them and take care of them. Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.” Situations such as the one in Delaware are disconcerting and should persuade us to want to protect our precious youth, regardless of the situation. We should always be on our guard and ready to respond when injustice is taking place.

http://www.libertychampion.com/2012/09/daycare-fight-club/